“I hear that you won again.”

Councilor A walked into the sitting room. He draped his long white jacket over a chair and sat down behind a writing desk.

The Orchid Keeper was wearing a high necked, sleeveless gown with an embroidered sash. She lounged on a fainting couch.

“What can I say? I’m just lucky. I just can’t help winning.” She held a satin gloved hand up to her face in mock embarrassment.

“You’re supposed to be learning about the Kingdom and its economic policies. Not collecting meaningless prizes in a Gambling House.” said Councilor A.

“How can you call the prizes meaningless? Aren’t you trying to expand this type of game to everywhere else in the Kingdom?”

“I’m trying to get people to spend money. I don’t care what they spend it on.”

“Then you should be thanking me. I’m going out of my way to help you.” The Orchid Keeper kicked off her heels.

There was a dining cart next to her. She leaned over, grabbed a handful of fried okra off of a tray, and started eating them a mouthful at a time.

“I’m making winning *Chew* look glamorous *Gulp*.” she said.

Councilor A massaged his wrists. “You’re missing the point. The point is to encourage people to participate. Having the same person win over and over is boring.”

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The Orchid Keeper fluttered her eyelashes. “Not when you’re as charming as me.” She wiped her mouth on a slip cover and continued eating okra. “Besides, participation is up after every game I play.”

“That’s the most narcissistic thing I’ve ever heard. Tell me more.”

“After Lady House let me play in that first event for free she said that if I wanted to play in any more I would have to pay for them myself.”

“You mean that I would have to pay for them.” Councilor A mused.

“Maybe.” The Orchid Keeper ate some shrimp off of the dining cart. “But I found some other people to pay for my entry.”

“What other people?”

“Fans. From the crowd of tourists that come to watch the events. They gave me the money I needed to enter more games.”

“What did you offer them in return? Are you splitting the prize pool? Did you offer them extra summon crystals?”

“No. Nothing like that.”

“Then what?”

“Nothing. Nothing like that. They gave me the entry fee without any requests.”

“Why?”

“I told you. Because I’m so stunning.” The Orchid Keeper drank a mimosa off of the cart. “All they really wanted was to keep watching me play.”

“Well, that is preposterous.” The Councilor leaned back in his chair. He templed his fingers. “But also potentially profitable. I need to make some calculations.”

Councilor A pulled open his briefcase. He took out some papers and started making notes on them.

“Thank you so much for getting me into that banner event uncle.” The Orchid Keeper said.

Councilor A didn’t look up from his desk. “Of course. Anything for my darling grand niece.”

The Orchid Keeper removed her greasy satin gloves. She took her left glove in hand and shook it. Three glittering circular crystals slid out and bounced onto the dining cart.