The Dinner of Knowledge

"I don't even know why I still try to fight that lunatic..."

Gertrudes huffed as she sank into the chair in the grand dining hall, crossing her arms in irritation. Her hands gestured in the air, reenacting invisible strikes as she explained to Tyrin, her student, how she could have won if only she had taken the fight seriously from the start.

— Gertrudes, dear, I see you still haven't learned how to lose with grace — Thalyzara teased with a scornful smile as she entered the hall.

The heavy golden doors swung open, and the royal family of Varkaan entered with imposing presence. King Dravok and Queen Thalyzara walked side by side, clad in garments befitting their noble lineage. Between them, Luci shone in gold and silver, adorned like a living jewel.

Tyrin felt his gaze drawn to her, as if her presence were magnetic.

— Gertrudes, could you ask your stallion to avert his eyes from my daughter? — Thalyzara remarked, her tone dripping with disdain. — She deserves someone more... suitable for her status. I hear he doesn't even have a companion yet. How can he dream of being anything more than a mere servant?

Tyrin felt his face burn. The queen was right. His planet held no political or military significance. He possessed no extraordinary gifts—no beauty, no power, no wealth. Not even noble blood ran through his veins.

Gertrudes, however, raised an eyebrow and laughed.

— Hmm... If I recall correctly, your father and mother said the exact same thing to you, Thalyzara. The world can be strange sometimes, don't you think? AHAHAHAHA!

The queen's brow furrowed slightly, but before the tension could escalate, Dravok intervened with his firm yet composed voice:

— Ladies, let's put this matter to rest. We are here to dine and converse. How about we maintain some courtesy?

Compared to his wife's haughty demeanor, Dravok was noticeably more humble. His voice was refined and measured, a stark contrast to Thalyzara's cold arrogance. He was a commoner who had worked tirelessly to be worthy of this woman, and despite her rigid posture, she appreciated this flaw he had overcome.

— Very well... Let's eat — Thalyzara finally relented.

The cuisine of Varkaan was served—dishes meticulously prepared with refined ingredients, but with one issue: everything was cold. Tyrin tried to mask his displeasure. The taste was bland, a completely different experience from what he was used to. But when the queen looked directly at him, waiting for a reaction, he hurried to offer praise:

— I-It's delicious!

— Hohoho, I'm glad you enjoy it — Thalyzara responded with a slightly cynical smile.

After the meal, as everyone awaited dessert, the queen spoke up, a glint of superiority in her eyes.

— Now that we've finished dinner and are waiting for the wonderful dessert I personally prepared, I'd like to propose a game. What do you all think?

Luci sighed discreetly. She hated her mother's games. They always revolved around knowledge and always ended with Thalyzara flaunting her intelligence before others. But she remained silent and allowed the guests to walk into her mother's trap.

— Here in Varkaan, we enjoy testing our knowledge of the universe—whether about our enemies or about history — the queen continued. — And since Gertrudes is a history teacher, I think we can challenge each other until one of us makes a mistake.

Gertrudes crossed her arms, considering. She loved knowledge, but she knew Thalyzara played on a different battlefield. While her family was made up of warriors, the Varkaan were cunning politicians with access to information even her lineage was unaware of.

Refusing the challenge, however, would mean admitting incompetence in front of her students.

— Well... There are subjects where I might fail, but I'd like to take part in this little game — she accepted.

— Excellent! You may ask your student for help. I promise to go easy on you — Thalyzara grinned sharply.

The game began. Questions flowed about historical events, achievements, and mysteries of the universe. Gertrudes was no fool. On many occasions, her knowledge rivaled that of the queen, even drawing expressions of surprise from Luci and Dravok.

However, as the game progressed, the questions became more specific. Sharper.

— How did the Emperor win the Battle of Alpha Centauri and protect his home planet? — Thalyzara asked, her voice laced with provocation.

The hall fell silent.

Gertrudes frowned.

— This is ridiculous, Thalyzara. No one knows how he won that battle. To this day, it remains a mystery.

— You should know. Your family was there.

— It's a state secret. Only the Elder knows the truth, and he will probably take it to the grave.

Thalyzara smiled victoriously.

— Hmm... So you don't know. Well, I suspected this would be beyond your knowledge. But that's alright, I don't want to be cruel... I'll go easy on you. Hahahaha!

The silence stretched.

Until, unexpectedly, a voice broke through.

— I know the answer.

All eyes turned to Tyrin.

Thalyzara's eyes widened before she let out a laugh of pure mockery.

— Hahahahaha! Don't be ridiculous! Do you know how long people have tried to figure out how the Emperor won that war? Never. Isn't that right, Gertrudes?

The teacher looked at Tyrin seriously.

He clenched his fists.

Maybe he shouldn't have spoken.

But now… everyone was waiting for his answer.

The hall was steeped in tense silence, so thick it felt almost tangible. The golden lamps of the Varkaan dining room reflected off the silverware and empty plates, but no one was paying attention to the food anymore.

Every gaze was locked on Tyrin.

He felt every muscle in his body freeze under the weight of royalty's scrutiny—and his own foolishness. Why did I say that? He wanted to disappear, to dissolve into thin air that very instant.

Queen Thalyzara, who had worn a scornful smile just moments ago, now looked at him with something different—something sharper, something like genuine interest.

Gertrudes, by his side, realized things had gone too far.

— Tyrin… — her voice was more careful than ever. — That was a trick question. Custer does this to test his students. His uncle did the same to us. He uses this challenge as an excuse to decide who deserves to pass his class. I'm sorry.

But it was too late. The damage was done.

Thalyzara's suspicious gaze weighed on Tyrin like lead. He felt the cold grip of reality settle over him—the same cold that always reminded him of his inferiority.

The same cold that whispered: you don't belong here.

Swallowing hard, he tried to justify himself:

— During lessons, I always wondered how the Emperor won that battle. I agree that it seems impossible, especially at first. But what if he knew something we don't? What if he saw something no one else did, something invisible...?

It was as if the entire hall had been sucked into a vacuum.

Thalyzara's arrogant smile vanished instantly. Her eyes, which had shone with pride and superiority, now pierced into him like sharpened spears. Even Gertrudes, who had just been trying to diffuse the situation, felt the air shift.

The teacher stood up quickly, trying to shut the conversation down before it was too late.

— Tyrin, you fool. — She laughed nervously. — Forget about it! It's already late, we should be leaving, right?

But Thalyzara didn't even blink.

— Why the rush, Gertrudes? — Her voice was cold now, stripped of sarcasm or playfulness. She leaned slightly forward, placing her hands on the Table, and staring at Tyrin with intensity. — Boy, tell me exactly what you've discovered.

Tyrin's body locked up. He had said too much.

The way Thalyzara was looking at him now was no longer that of an arrogant queen toying with a commoner.

It was the look of someone who needed that answer.

He felt the weight of every gaze on him. Every small movement he made could be interpreted as a challenge.

Gertrudes sensed the danger rising and immediately shifted into a defensive stance.

— Tyrin, we're leaving. Now. — Her voice carried a sharp warning.

He tried to backpedal.

— AHAHAHAHA! — His laughter was forced, nervous. — Just kidding! What nonsense, right? How could I possibly know something like that? I'm just a dumb commoner, aren't I? Ha... ha... ha...

Thalyzara didn't move.

— Do you think you're leaving this room without telling me exactly what you know about that day?

The entire hall froze.

Then, suddenly, Gertrudes sprang from her chair.

In the same instant, the queen's guards reached for their holsters.

The dining hall, once a place of meals and diplomatic conversation, had become a silent battlefield—where any movement could be the trigger for something lethal.

— Gertrudes, do you really think you can fight an entire planet? — Thalyzara challenged.

— What the hell are you doing, Thalyzara?! — Gertrudes spat the words with fury. — Even if he knows something, so what? That battle happened centuries ago! What difference does it make how the Emperor won?

— You don't understand the gravity of this. — The queen's tone was dark, dangerously grave.

Tyrin felt his throat go dry.

He didn't fully understand what was happening, but he knew this was bigger than him.

— I need to know what he knows. — Thalyzara turned fully to him now, completely ignoring Gertrudes. — And even if it costs me my life… we will fight here and now.

Tyrin's heart pounded violently.

He was trapped—between a ruthless queen and a teacher willing to risk everything for him.

So, he did the only thing he could.

— I'll explain everything I know. — He raised his hands slowly, careful not to make any sudden moves. — But please, both of you, stop this.

Thalyzara studied him for a moment.

Then, she turned to her family.

— Guards, Luci, Dravok… leave. Please. If he truly knows something, I'd rather you not hear it.

— Love, this makes no sense! — Dravok protested. — We can carry this burden together.

— That's right, Mother! Let us help! — Luci pleaded.

But the queen was merciless.

— Silence. — Her voice cut through the air like a blade. — You have no idea what could happen if—

She hesitated.

Closed her eyes for a brief moment.

Then, in a firm decree:

— Just leave. Now.

The silence that followed was thick with frustration.

Dravok lowered his head, resigned.

— Yes, my queen.

Luci, visibly upset, followed her father.

— Yes, Mother…

The doors to the hall closed behind them, leaving only Tyrin, Gertrudes, and Thalyzara.

For a moment, the tension seemed to dissipate—but it was only a fleeting illusion.

Tyrin, now crossing his arms, stared straight at the queen.

— They love you, you know? I don't understand why you can't be more affectionate, even when no one's watching.

Thalyzara shot him a cold glare.

— And what can a child like you teach me about taking care of my family?

She then turned to Gertrudes, her voice laced with authority.

— You leave the room too.

Gertrudes laughed—not out of amusement, but with pure contempt and disbelief.

— So you can kill the kid? Not a chance. If you kill me here, my father will burn this shitty planet to the ground. Your threats don't work on me.

Rage flickered in the queen's eyes.

— You cunning little bitch. — She took a deep breath. — I hope you know what you're doing.

Then, Thalyzara fixed her piercing gaze back on Tyrin.

— Boy, tell me what you've discovered. And how. — Her voice was ice-cold, utterly impassive. — If I don't like your answer, know this— she gestured subtly behind her, where the guards once stood, that woman won't be able to protect you from me.

Tyrin took a deep breath.

There was no turning back now.

He began to speak.