Chapter 286 

I quickly reposition my king out of danger. “I just feel so out of my league.” 

My mother sighs softly. “Iris, you have to think of this world of wealth, status, and influence as one big chess match. And remember that everyone plays differently.” 

She gestures to the board between us. “Some play with outwardly aggressive tactics, using their queen right off the bat.” She taps her queen piece. “That was Selina’s approach–bold, obvious, easy to anticipate orice you understand her pattern.” 

Inod, chewing the inside of my cheek. 

“But others,” my mother continues, moving one of her pawns up a space, positioning it so that if I move my knight to get out of danger, another pawn will take it, “strategically use their pawns to get what they want. Don’t be so certain that someone like Veronica is completely innocent all of the time.” 

My eyes widen slightly at the implication. “You think she’s deliberately trying to undermine me?” 

“I’m not saying that,” my mother says carefully. “I’m saying you should keep your eyes open and your wits about you. Not everyone who smiles at you wishes you well. And sometimes it’s alright to trust your gut–if someone seems too sweet to be savory, then maybe they really are.” 

I consider her words as I study the board. 

“You’re right,” I finally say, moving my knight to capture her nearby bishop. Her pawn immediately takes my knight, but I think it was a fair trade. “I’ll try to keep my head screwed on tight.” 

“Precisely.” My mother beams at me. “And remember, you have one thing that people like Veronica don’t have: genuine support in the form of a mate and a close family.” 

She picks up her castle piece, holding it up for me to see. “The castle, which represents home and strength, is one of the most powerful pieces on the board, although often overlooked. It’s humble–it doesn’t draw attention like the queen–but it’s essential to winning.” 

>> 

“Arthur is my castle,” I muse, glancing across the lawn where he’s helping Miles climb a tree, my father spotting them from below. 

“Yes, and so are we,” my mother says. “Let me show you something. 

>> 

She demonstrates a move I’ve never seen before, sliding her king two spaces toward her castle, then moving the castle to the other side of the king. 

“It’s called ‘castling,“” she explains. “A special move that protects your king by bringing your castle into play. It’s the only time in chess where you can move two pieces at once.” 

I watch, fascinated, as she explains the rules of castling–how neither piece can have moved previously, spaces between them must be empty, how the king can’t be in check or move through check. 

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“The message is clear,” she says. “Your king–your heart, your core self–is strongest when it’s protected by its castle. By home and family.” 

The game continues, and I find myself thinking more strategically, anticipating her moves instead of just reacting to them. When I finally manage to execute a perfect castling maneuver, it shifts the entire dynamic of the board in my favor. 

Five moves later, I’ve trapped her king. “Checkmate,” I announce, surprised at my own victory. I’ve never been very good at chess. 

As we clean up the board, iny mother suddenly claps her hands together. “Oh! I almost forgot! I have something for you two.” She reaches into her pocket and pulls out an cnvelope, handing it to me. “I was saving these for a special occasion, but I think you could use them now.” 

Inside are two tickets to the Ordan Botanical Gardens. “They’re having a special exhibition of night–blooming flowers this weekend,” she explains. “It’s supposed to be quite romantic. You two should go tonight.” 

“But what about Miles?” I ask. 

“Oh, we’ll keep him for the day,” my mother says, waving her hand. “Francis has been dying to spend some quality time with him, and I’ve got a whole baking lesson planned.” 

Considering this, I look over at Arthur, who is crossing the lawn back toward me. Miles is laying in the grass, his little chest heaving from exertion. He’s laughing. 

My mother touches my hand. “Don’t get so wrapped up in politics that you forget what’s truly important, Iris. Remember, your castle is your saving grace.” 

She’s right, as usual. Without a second thought, I rise and meet Arthur halfway, holding up the tickets. “Want to go on a date with me to see some flowers?”