SERAFINA I sat there, staring at the checkers board in disbelief. The pieces were scattered across the wooden surface, and among them, my last move had sealed my victory. It was as if time had frozen, and the room was enveloped in a hushed silence. Even the soldiers, who had been so confident in their skills, wore expressions of shock.My mind raced, trying to comprehend what had just happened. I had been prepared to accept defeat, to endure the consequences that awaited me. But somehow, against all odds, I had emerged victorious. The realization washed over me, and a surge of emotions flooded my veins.The slave girls who had been watching the game erupted in joyous cries, their voices reverberating through the room. Their jubilation was short-lived, however, as a stern glance from the soldiers silenced them immediately. The atmosphere shifted, and a palpable tension settled in the air.I glanced at Steven, whose face mirrored the astonishment I felt. His eyes, usually filled with a
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