Chapter 14: A Smothered King
Chloe felt a pang in her chestâthe reality of the Great Illness was no longer abstract. It was the invisible wall separating her from the world she once knew. The beauty of the kingdom only made that truth more jarring.
Her eyes widened as she traced her finger across the map of Madagascar.
"Madagascar," she whispered, "once a forgotten island... now the last bastion of hope. The Central Kingdomâheart of the original people, untouched by the Great Illness, home to the Royal Family, and key to survival."
She scanned the rest of the map. Each kingdom stood like a pillar of its own ideology.
"The UKGRND Royal Kingdomâstoic and proud. The USA Kingdomâpower and innovation. The French Kingdomâculture and elegance. The Chinese Kingdomâresilience through wisdom. The Russian Kingdomâbrute strength, unwavering."
She paused over lands sheâd only read aboutâTunis, Morocco, Japan, Canada, Zambia, Spain, South Sudan, Mexico.
"How did so much life vanish?" she murmured. "And yet... we endure."
Her hand clenched into a fist.
"Iâm just a pawn in a game ruled by queens and kings..."
Youssef Trabelsi approached with a half-smile.
"Lady Chay," he said in a hushed tone, "the principal has summoned everyone to the Grand Hall. Twenty-five minutes. Likely about the midterms. Soon, weâll have a stable program."
He gestured to a nearby chessboard.
"Care for a quick match before the assembly?"
She smiled. "It would be my honor, Mr. Trabelsi."
She opened with knight to f3.
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"The knightâs leapâunpredictable but direct. Your move."
Youssef tapped the clock. "Donât forget to end your turn. Eyes and ears are everywhere."
She glanced around the quiet library. "Even hobbies can hide deeper games."
He played pawn to c5. "Iâll control with my c5 pawn."
She countered with d4.
"Pawns pave the pathâeasy to overlook, but vital."
He captured: cxd4. She responded with Nxd4. Then mirrored his g6 with g3.
"In war, subtlety wins. The loudest pieces often move last."
His bishop moved to g7.
"Quiet people," he said simply.
She played f3.
"And they carry the loudest secrets."
"A blunder," he muttered, advancing his knight to f6. "Ready to castle."
She developed her other knight to c3.
"Masks everywhere. But the silent ones? Theyâre the ones to watch."
He castled kingside.
"Some walk the edge of law and defiance... unaware of the cost. They're always the first to fall." He glanced at the fallen pawns. "Your turn."
She played pawn to e4.
"The flanks will surprise you, Mr. Trabelsi. Truthâlike knightsâstrikes from unexpected angles."
They advanced and retreated, lost pieces, baited traps. ThenâYoussef made a reckless move. His queen hung, unguarded.
"You play a bold game," Chloe said, capturing the queen. "But perhaps you misjudged the pawns you sacrificed."
His knight struck again.
"Checkmate."
She blinked. Her king was trappedâboxed in by her own pieces.
"Well played," she said quietly, rising. "The quiet ones win this round. But the real world isnât so predictable."
She turned, each step toward the Grand Hall heavier than the last.
Inside, memories of the masquerade flickeredâthe roses, the music, the king. It all felt distant now, a dream. She clutched her satchel, her fingers brushing the leather-bound notebook.
"I am Lady Chay," she whispered. "A servant of the kingdom. No distractions. No mistakes."
She slid into her seat among the students, her mind still replaying the chessboardâs silent lessons: watch everything, trust no one.
Principal froyed Castellanos stepped forward to the podium.
"Yesterday marked the close of the royal wedding and the masquerade. With those events behind us, the academic semester now begins.
Students, professors, honored guestsâwelcome.
Here, you are not judged by bloodline or status. Whether born to royalty or the commons, you now stand equalâunited by discipline and purpose.
To those pursuing the title of Royal Butler and seeking to serve the castle: your path demands three years of rigorous study, strength, and unwavering mind.
However, excellence is not bound by time. Deeds of valor or brilliance may earn you a Stilla Star. Eight stars, and you shall graduate immediately."
He held up the glittering badge.
"But be warnedâmidterm evaluations are in two weeks.
Score below 50%, and youâre ineligible for Stilla Stars.
Score below 25%, and you will be dismissed.
These are not just tests of knowledge, but of character and loyalty.
Return to your studies. A difficult test awaits.
Good luckâyou will need it."