The evening was settling over Chaldea, casting long shadows in the room illuminated by the soft glow of lamps. The large round table in the center was surrounded by six women, each with a stack of poker chips before her. At the head of the table, a small, white creature with a tuft of fur on its head sat proudly, ready to deal the next hand. Fou, for reasons known only to him, had appointed himself as the dealer for the night's game.

Jeanne d'Arc, the saintly maiden of Orleans, glanced around the table with a gentle smile. "Let's try to have a good game tonight, everyone. Remember, it's just for fun."

Her Alter, Jeanne d'Arc Alter—better known as Jalter—smirked. "Sure, sure, just for fun. But that doesn't mean I won't crush all of you."

Artoria Pendragon, the stoic King of Knights, sat to Jeanne's left, her posture perfect and her expression calm. However, her eyes betrayed a hint of tension as she occasionally glanced at Morgan, who was seated directly across from her.

Morgan, with her long flowing hair and an air of cold elegance, returned Artoria's glances with a cool, knowing smile. Artoria Caster, another version of the legendary king, sat to Morgan's left, her expression one of mild irritation. She had already caught Morgan trying to cheat twice.

Next to Artoria Caster, Artoria Alter—Salter—sat with her arms crossed and a scowl on her face. She and Jalter had been bickering since the game started, each trying to outdo the other.

As Fou dealt the next hand, the atmosphere grew more intense. The stakes had just been raised.

"Alright, ladies," Jalter said, leaning forward. "Here's the deal. Whoever wins this round gets to have the idiot Master all to themselves for the entire week. No interruptions, no excuses."

The room fell silent. The mere mention of their Master made everyone's eyes narrow with determination.

Jeanne's smile wavered. "Isn't that a bit too much? We should ask Master first if—"

Salter interrupted, her voice firm. "No need. We'll sort it out with Master later. Let's play."

Fou dealt the cards, his little paws moving with surprising dexterity. Each woman picked up her hand, their expressions unreadable.

Jeanne took a deep breath. "Alright, let's begin."

The first few rounds were cautious, with small bets and careful plays. Jeanne tried her best to maintain peace, often reminding everyone to keep it civil. But as the game progressed, the rivalry between Jalter and Salter grew more intense.

"You're bluffing," Salter said, glaring at Jalter across the table. "I can see it in your eyes."

Jalter leaned back in her chair, her eyes gleaming. "Oh, can you now? Care to test that theory?"

Morgan watched the exchange with amusement, her own hand steady. "Such fire. It's almost inspiring."

Artoria Caster rolled her eyes. "Morgan, can you not? We all know you're trying to distract us."

Morgan's smile widened. "Who, me? Never."

Artoria shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her focus split between her cards and Morgan's every move. The tension between the sisters was palpable, and Jeanne couldn't help but notice.

"Artoria," Jeanne said gently, "are you alright?"

Artoria nodded curtly. "I'm fine, Jeanne. Let's just play."

As the game continued, the bets grew larger. Chips piled high in the center of the table, and the air was thick with anticipation. Fou dealt the final card, and it was time for the showdown.

"I raise," Salter declared, pushing a sizable stack of chips into the pot.

Jalter grinned. "I see your raise and raise you back."

Morgan matched the bet without a word, her eyes flicking to Artoria, who hesitated before doing the same.

Jeanne called the bet with a sigh. "I hope we're not taking this too seriously…"

Artoria Caster, with a knowing glance at Morgan, added her chips to the pot. "Let's see those cards."

One by one, they revealed their hands. Jeanne had a respectable pair of eights. Artoria Caster had three of a kind. Salter revealed a straight, and Jalter, with a triumphant laugh, showed a flush.

"Beat that!" Jalter crowed, reaching for the pot.

But before she could claim her victory, Morgan laid her cards on the table with a serene smile. "Royal flush."

The table fell silent. Even Jalter's grin faded as she stared at the unbeatable hand before her.

Artoria's face was a mix of relief and frustration. "Well played, Morgan."

Morgan's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Thank you, dear sister. It seems I'll be enjoying Ritsuka's company this week."

Jeanne sighed, shaking her head with a smile. "I guess that's that. Let's just make sure Master is alright with this."

Fou let out a triumphant "Fou, fou!" as he gathered the cards, ready to deal the next hand.

"Not so fast, Morgan," Jalter said, her voice cutting through the celebratory air. "I'm not letting you walk away with that win so easily. Let's raise the stakes."

Morgan arched an eyebrow, intrigued. "Oh? And what exactly do you propose?"

Jalter leaned forward, her smirk returning. "Double or nothing. The winner not only gets the stupid Master for a week but also gets to assign chores to the losers for the same period. How about it?"

A murmur of surprise ran around the table. Artoria frowned, concerned, while Jeanne looked worriedly between her sister and Morgan.

"Isn't that a bit too much?" Jeanne asked softly. "We're already playing for Master's time."

Salter, however, was on board immediately. "I'm in. I wouldn't mind seeing you all doing my chores for a week, especially you, you dumb Dragon Witch."

"Dream on, you bitch King," Jalter retorted.

Artoria Caster looked skeptical. "This is getting out of hand."

Artoria Pendragon finally spoke up, her tone firm. "If we're going to continue, we should ensure this remains friendly. We don't want any hard feelings afterward."

Jalter waved off the concerns with a dismissive hand. "It's all in good fun. So, Morgan, what do you say?"

Morgan's smile didn't waver. "Very well. Let's see if you can actually back up your bravado."

Fou dealt the new hand with meticulous care. Each woman picked up her cards, their faces masks of concentration.

Jeanne, trying to maintain some semblance of peace, spoke up. "Alright, let's keep this civil. It's just a game, after all."

Jalter laughed. "Just a game? With stakes like these, Jeanne, this is war."

The first round of betting began cautiously. Artoria cast a wary glance at Morgan, who seemed entirely too confident. Salter and Jalter, however, were practically throwing chips into the pot, each determined to outdo the other.

"I see your raise," Salter said, her eyes locked onto Jalter's. "And raise you again."

Jalter didn't flinch. "Call. Let's see what you've got."

Artoria Caster watched with growing irritation. "Morgan, if you're cheating again, I swear—"

Morgan's laugh was soft, almost musical. "Caster, darling, your suspicion wounds me."

Jeanne placed her bet quietly, her expression one of calm determination. "Let's just play."

The tension was palpable as the game progressed. Fou dealt the final cards, and the betting resumed with renewed vigor. The pot in the center of the table grew to an impressive size.

"I'm all in," Jalter declared, pushing all her chips into the pot.

Salter grinned. "Same here."

Morgan matched the bet without hesitation. "As am I."

Artoria hesitated for a moment before doing the same. "All in."

Jeanne and Artoria Caster exchanged glances before reluctantly following suit. The pot was enormous, the stakes higher than they had ever been.

"Show your cards," Jalter said, her eyes gleaming.

One by one, the hands were revealed. Artoria had a full house. Artoria Caster had a straight flush. Jeanne had a four of a kind. Salter, with a triumphant smile, laid down a straight flush as well.

Jalter, with a dramatic flair, revealed her hand. "Royal flush. Try to beat that!"

Morgan's smile never faltered. "You forget, dear Jalter, that fortune favors the bold." With a flourish, she laid down her own cards—another royal flush.

The room erupted in disbelief. Two royal flushes? The odds were astronomical.

"Impossible!" Jalter exclaimed. "There's no way—"

Artoria Caster's eyes narrowed. "Morgan, you—"

Morgan's eyes twinkled with mischief. "Luck was simply on my side tonight."

Jeanne intervened. "Let's just accept the outcome and move on. We agreed to the stakes."

Salter, still in shock, finally nodded. "Fine. But I want a rematch soon."

Morgan collected her winnings with a graceful nod. "Of course. Anytime."