Chapter 7: The Hand on the Chessboard

Leni’s heart pounded in her chest, but she managed to keep her voice steady.

She reminded herself that she was strong in real situations.

Her courage grew as she recalled her father’s early advice before entering the king’s chamber:

“Always speak truthfully. Act as you normally would, and show yourself as you truly are.”

Though she wasn’t sure if this mindset was the right one for meeting the king, there must have been a reason behind her father’s words.

“When I was a baby, I was abandoned in the forest, and it was my father who took me in. I was wrapped in a cloth, and there was a letter with my name written on it, I was told.”

“I know.”

“Pardon?”

Leni snapped her head up, surprised by the king’s response.

She hadn’t expected him to already know.

The heavy gaze of the king was upon her, and Leni quickly lowered her eyes to the floor, startled.

Martin, standing beside her, gently spoke up.

“She’s still inexperienced in many ways. She needs support.”

“Was that the reason you came to me? But what of it? I too must think of my own legacy now. There are still fragile children left behind…”

The king’s voice took on a sorrowful tone as silence fell over the room.

The crackling of the fire was the only sound for a while.

Leni’s wandering gaze landed on the chess set in the corner of the room.

The large, heavy wooden board and the delicately crafted pieces were beautiful.

As she admired the king and queen pieces, the king spoke again.

“Do you play chess?”

“Yes? Yes, I do.”

Leni quickly adjusted her tone, having been distracted by the set.

“I enjoy it.”

Her father had taught her many things growing up, including chess, which was a common skill for noble young ladies.

“Why do you like it?”

“Pardon?”

Leni blinked, caught off guard.

She grew even more nervous, but Martin, noticing her tension, gave her a reassuring look and said,

“It’s fine. Speak honestly.”

Oh, Father.

You know why I like chess.

How could I possibly explain that to the king?

I do have some sense of propriety.

As she made a face, Martin continued to give her encouraging glances.

Leni remembered her father’s words from earlier that day:

“Show him who you truly are. Today, it’s a day when even rebellion won’t lead to death. Don’t be afraid, and speak honestly.”

Though she wondered if such a day would ever really come, Leni decided to take the chance and speak truthfully.

“Well… I like that everyone is equal on the board, Your Majesty.”

Thankfully, the king did not react with anger.

“What do you mean by that?”

The king’s tone became surprisingly gentle.

Ah, he doesn’t find this impertinent, it seems.

Leni let out a silent sigh of relief, a smile tugging at her lips.

“Both the King and Queen, the Knights, the Pawns… Even the allies and enemies, they all stand on the same level of ground. That’s why I like it.”

Her usual cheerful voice flowed out, and the king’s gaze softened.

“I see, I see… Even I, being a king, sometimes feel like I’m being childish. Should I make the King’s position higher and build a new chessboard, then?”

The king asked with a playful smile, his face warm and kind, like her father’s expression when telling bedtime stories.

“It would be best if you didn’t, Your Majesty. If you move anywhere else, you’d fall.”

Leni blurted the words without thinking, realizing too late what she had said. The king’s smile faltered, and she almost bit her tongue. Great, just when things were going smoothly, I got excited and slipped up.

The king’s gaze turned cold, and he stared at the empty space for a moment. He then glanced at Martin, his expression hardening.

“You’re right, child. I may end up falling and moving to a different place… but before I go, let’s have a game.”

Martin stood up and moved the chess set.

The king and the Storymaster sat down across from each other, the pieces neatly arranged between them.

The king took black, and Martin took white.

The game was intense.

Leni held her breath, watching every move of the pieces with rapt attention.

It had been a long time since she had seen such an exciting match.

During a particularly tense moment, the king reached out for a piece, then suddenly turned to Leni and asked,

“Solenia, what move do you think I should make here?”

Leni’s gaze shifted to the side.

Martin blinked at her, as if urging her to speak honestly.

Looking over the chessboard, Leni bowed her head slightly and spoke with confidence,

“Perhaps you should capture the Rook with your Queen, Your Majesty?”

The king raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a small smile.

“Then your father would capture my Queen.”

“Even if you lose the Queen, you’ll win the game.”

“Would you sacrifice the Queen, then?”

“If you don’t, Your Majesty, you will lose the game.”

The king’s expression became serious, his eyes narrowing slightly.

“Is there no way to protect the Queen and still win?”

Leni instinctively felt that this was a test.

The king was probing her, trying to gauge her.

She had heard that those who served in the palace were said to be able to read others’ hearts through metaphor.

Poetry and songs were as deadly as swords and spears in such a place, as her father once told her.

Now the king was using the game of chess to assess her.

Why would someone like him be interested in me?

Unsure of the reason behind his attention, Leni hesitated for a moment, then steeled herself.

Her father had told her, “Today, even if you were to rebel, you won’t die.” Well, if today was that day…

“Why not? There’s always a way. Change the rules of the game, Your Majesty. Let the one who captures the Queen be the winner, not the King.”

The king fell silent for a moment, his expression unreadable.

Then, he gave a soft chuckle.

“You have an interesting mind, Solenia.”

“And?”

“If you trap my father’s queen, Your Majesty, you’ll win.”

It was a move the king could make immediately.

Hmm, I’m doing pretty well.

Not bad for meeting the king for the first time.

I hope Father is impressed and gives me a role with lines.

Please, please.

While Leni silently prayed, she heard a presence at the entrance of the chamber.

“What a rebellious little brat.”

At the mocking voice, Leni quickly turned around.

The moment she saw the face of the person walking into the chamber, her mouth fell open.

The Forest Keeper!

What is he doing here?

Am I seeing things?

Is he still upset about the first kiss?

Leni rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand.

There’s no way the Forest Keeper would enter the king’s chamber.

But the Forest Keeper, who had once mocked her, was unmistakably there, his eyes glaring as if piercing through her.

His appearance was sharper than when she had been hit by the apple.

The man wore simple clothes, just like when they parted in the forest.

A tunic with a black cloak draped around his body, his hood pushed back, revealing his face.

However, he had shaved and his sharp jawline was now visible.

His intense facial features and the scars on his cheeks still gave him a rough impression, but he now appeared more dignified.

His confident posture combined with the dim room made him seem even more imposing.

For the Forest Keeper to enter the king’s chamber… He came in without any attendants, as if it were his own room.

What is his identity?

He’s no ordinary Forest Keeper.

He definitely has something to him.

While Leni was trying to think of a reason for the Forest Keeper’s presence in the king’s chamber, he looked her over.

The beard was gone, and his hair was neatly combed, but he looked like a different person.

Was he always such a large man?

His shoulders were broad.

His eyes, sharp enough to pierce the soul, were sharper than a sword.

Overwhelmed by the man’s imposing presence, Leni had a strange thought.

I’m glad I wore this new dress. I don’t want to look weak in front of him.

“The world must be easy, and that’s why you seem so at ease.”

This guy. As if interrupting the kiss wasn’t enough, why does he keep poking at me?

“There are kingdoms ruled by queens.”

“There are none in this continent.”

The man’s mouth twisted in a smirk.

“Hehehe.”

Tigrinu’s hearty laugh echoed through the chamber.

Leni quickly turned around.

She dared not turn her back on the king.

She would surely be scolded for being disrespectful.

Things always get complicated when I get tangled up with him.

Luckily, Tigrinu leaned forward but said nothing.

“Solenia, if you could step onto the chessboard, what would you want to become?”

What is this now? Leni widened her eyes and studied Tigrinu’s expression.

“Do you want to become a king?”

How dare I even think of that?

Her heart sank, and at that moment, the Forest Keeper interrupted.

“How about a piece that combines a queen and a knight?”

Stay quiet.

Leni clenched her left fist behind her back.

The Forest Keeper’s provocation continued in a manner that was clearly intended to challenge her.

“The queen is the most powerful piece, and the knight is the only one that can leap over other pieces. If you combine them, you’d be invincible and able to break through any barrier in the world.”

It’s not me being reckless, it’s you.

“Why are you being so quiet? Since you’re already being reckless, try using your imagination.”

I’ve been trying so hard to act dignified, and now he’s stirring things up.

Her fist tightened, but the situation was worsening.

“Alright, Solenia. Don’t hesitate, just speak honestly.”

Even the king was making things difficult for her.

So this is what the Forest Keeper was aiming for.

Leni felt like she had walked right into a trap, but she didn’t want to be humiliated.

“Can I become anything, Your Majesty?”

“Yes.”

“Since Your Majesty is so generous, then, if I may speak freely…”

Since I’m already being reckless, I might as well. Whatever, I’ll just say it.

“I wish to be the hand on the chessboard, Your Majesty.”

“What do you mean by that?”

“Ah, well… Your Majesty, please forgive my impudence.”

Rather than explaining it with words, it would be better to show.

Leni walked over to the chessboard and began moving the pieces one by one.

The black and white pieces alternated, all leaving the board.

Finally, the black king was moved onto the rug spread out on the floor, and the chessboard was empty.

Leni proudly looked down at the board, now left with only the bright and dark squares.

“I dream of a world without war, Your Majesty.”