Page 18 of A Fragile Heart

And play cards he did, uncaring when they changed the cards they used, changed the dealer, over and over. Managers asked him if he'd like to cash out his chips, but he only dismissed them and kept going, appointed one person to keep watch over all the chips he won, another three to keep individual records so nobody could lie about what he'd won, even though he was tracking everything perfectly in his head.

On and on he went, drinking only water or two, stopping only to relieve himself.

They couldn't kick him out for cheating because he wasn't, they were taking all the precautions against such things, and had enough experience to know he was merely counting cards. Child's play.

They also couldn't kick him out simply for winning. A few security guards were sent to threaten him, but Reza addressed that matter immediately and he was left alone after that.

As there were no significant regulations, he could bet as much money as he wanted, which meant his amounts kept growing and growing. All around him people gathered, watching and whispering, kept at bay only by a looming Reza.

Even the staff lingered, their duties forgotten, as they watched him play one game of Pirate after another, expressionsa mixture of awe and terror as the amount of money continued to go up and up, far past what anyone thought possible.

They watched as he took everything.

He played until they finally closed at midnight, when by law all businesses except the night market must close. Looking at the dealer, the last of many of them, each one leaving exhausted and scared for their job, he said, "I'd like someone to bring me wine. Something light, sweet."

"We're closed, my lord."

He removed his ring from his chain, showed it to her, and said, "Make an exception."

She ran off without further word.

"I'd like to cash out, please," he told the hovering manager, who looked exactly as terrified as he'd hoped.

"Yes, my lord," he said quietly, "but I must send for the owner before I can hand over such a large amount."

"Please do, and while you're at it send for the Captain of the Guard. Reza, when the guards arrive, send some of them to the palace to inform my father and Queria of what is happening."

Reza took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Yes, Your Highness."

The manager looked near to passing out as he realized Bakhtiar's identity, cries of shock and alarm rippling through the straggling employees.

Bakhtiar smiled.

The wine arrived, and he'd just taken a sip poured and offered by Reza, when Messar came bursting into the hall. "Zinat! What in the absolute fuck have you let happ—Your Highness." He sagged so heavily and abruptly that two guards surged forward to keep him from falling. "What have you done?"

"How do they say it on the streets these days? I've taken the house. By the amount I've won, I've taken your personal house as well, and at least one business you'll have to liquidateto pay out my chips. Which they ran out of, technically, but your charming clerks here have kept excellent tally. Their accounts all match. Pay up."

"You don't need the money!" Messar snarled. "How dare you—"

"What is going on here?" Captain Desmaradi's voice boomed out.

"Good evening, Captain," Bakhtiar greeted.

Desmaradi gave him a look. "To be perfectly honest, Your Highness, I expected Prince Aradishir."

"I will delight in telling him that, thank you so much."

"Explain to me what is happening."

"I am owed my winnings," Bakhtiar replied, and explained. Desmaradi clearly knew there was more afoot about the matter than he was saying, but he wasn't a stupid man and so held his tongue.

Instead he simply turned to Messar. "Lord Messar, by law you must pay out his winnings in full, in coin, precious metals, or jewels."

"This isn't fair! He's the crown prince! He shouldn't be gambling—"

"Irrelevant," Desmaradi said coldly. "There is no law prohibiting a royal prince from gambling as much as he pleases. Unless you have evidence of cheating—" He looked to Zinat, who vehemently shook his head back and forth, "—then he is owed what he won. Pay up or you'll be arrested, and the money will be paid anyway."

Messar bellowed in rage and stormed off, yanking the keys from his belt.

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