Hans only pulled Kelsea toward him and uttered, “Get on your knees.” Kelsea could not believe that Hans was asking her to kneel despite hearing what had happened earlier. Scrunching up her face, she refused to get on her knees. “I won’t! The only ones I will kneel before are my parents and my mentor. I’ll never get on my knees in front of her for a ridiculous chess game.” Everett frowned and agreed with Kelsea.
“Mr. Jewell, I don’t think that there’s a need for her to kneel. Even if they did make a promise, kneeling seems a little too much. I’d say Ms. Moore is at fault for this, not Kelsea.” Kelsea glanced at Everett with a grateful look. She was sure that others would listen to Everett’s words, for he was Han’s favorite student. Yet, Hans’ expression remained grim as he uttered, “I’m asking you to get on your knees. Ev, get on your knees as well.”
Instantly, Kelsea and Everett both widened their eyes. Confounded, Kelsea asked, “Why? Mr. Jewell, it’s one thing for me to kneel before her, but why are you asking Everett to kneel too? What has he done wrong?” Unlike the agitated Kelsea, Everett was first to calm down. He was sure that his mentor was not someone unreasonable.
In the next second, Hans announced, “That’s because she’s my mentor, and therefore, your mentor as well.” Those words made Kelsea freeze. With trembling lips, she whispered, “W-What did you just say?” Hans repeated, “She’s technically your mentor as well. She’s the mentor I learned from while I was in Lightspring. She’s the one who had come up with Lightspring Maneuver.”
Everyone fell silent. They had only heard of Hans meeting an excellent chess player overseas, but they had never expected his mentor to be so young… and pretty. Vinson, too, glanced at Arielle, but there was more admiration in his eyes than shock. It was difficult for him to feel surprised about Arielle anymore. In fact, I don’t think I’ll be surprised by anything Arielle does or who she turns out to be. After all, she’s the flawless Arielle Moore.
After clearing his throat, Hans continued, “Kelsea, you said you would kneel before your parents and your mentors. Now she is in front of you, aren’t you going to get on your knees?” Kelsea clenched her fists and took in several deep breaths. Never in her life had she ever been struck so hard by a revelation. The one she despised and looked down on most turned out to be her mentor’s mentor. Kelsea could not accept that fact.
On the other hand, Everett, who loved chess and admired skilled players instantly kneeled in front of Arielle. “Ms. Moore, it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Everett Eakins.” Arielle raised a brow, her admiration for Everett growing with each passing second. This is how a man should be. “Please stand up,” Arielle muttered as she helped him up.
Then, her eyes drifted toward the motionless Kelsea. Upon sensing Arielle’s gaze, she stiffened. It was then she heard the whispers of those around her, talking about how she was rude, unlike Everett. Ashamed, she shut her eyes and went down on her knees. However, before her knees could come into contact with the ground, a pair of soft and slender hands held her arms and helped her up.
When Kelsea raised her head, her eyes met with Arielle’s. There was a smile on Arielle’s lips, but there was a lack of emotions in her eyes. At that moment, cold sweat soaked Kelsea’s back. Shaking, she stammered, “W-What are you doing?”
