Elara.
The Valmount estate was bustling with activity as journalists, photographers, and high-profile guests gathered for a press conference. My press confrence. The event celebrates my latest achievement—an invitation to an international youth summit for my work in renewable energy. The stage is set in the grand ballroom, and I stand beside Father and Leon, the perfect picture of grace and poise.
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Father–to the crowd, “Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you my brilliant daughter, Elara Valmount. Her achievements are a testament to the values we uphold as a family—dedication, innovation, and excellence.”
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The audience erupts in applause as I step up to the microphone. I'm not afraid, nor do I now care about impressing him. All to do now is to wow the audience. Easy.
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“Thank you for your kind words, Father. I’m honored to represent the Valmount name on such a prestigious platform. But more than that, I’m thrilled to be contributing to solutions that can make a real difference in our world.”
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The spotlight blazed down on me, but I didn’t flinch. I’d been in the spotlight before. It was almost like second nature now. I stood at the podium, my hands steady, eyes scanning the crowd. This was the moment they’d all been waiting for.
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I took a deep breath and smiled outwardly, letting the warmth of the room fuel my performance.
“Good evening, everyone. Thank you for taking the time to be here today. I’m truly honored to present my project to you all. It’s a solution to a pressing issue we all face—water scarcity. I’m sure you’ve heard about it in the news, but what many don’t realize is how much of an impact it has on our daily lives.”
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The crowd seemed to nod in agreement, as though I were saying something profound. I couldn’t help but smirk inwardly. They really have no idea. It’s like I could say anything right now, and they’d hang on to every word. But I wasn’t here to fool them—well, not entirely.
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I continued, outwardly enthusiastic. “As the effects of climate change continue to make water harder to access, farmers and communities everywhere are feeling the pressure. The need for a solution has never been greater, and that’s why I created a system that could truly make a difference.”
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I paused, letting them absorb what I’d just said, pretending it was some grand revelation.
“It’s a renewable energy-powered smart irrigation system,” I said, beaming. “It uses solar and wind energy to power soil moisture sensors that ensure crops receive the right amount of water. No more waste, no more overwatering, just perfect, efficient irrigation tailored to the needs of each plant.”
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The room was silent for a beat, and I couldn’t help but think, They’re so impressed right now. They don’t even know the half of it. I almost felt bad for them—sitting there, marveling at something that, really, was just common sense.
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“I know it seems simple,” I said, keeping my voice warm and humble. “But the potential it has to change the way we think about water usage is enormous. Every drop counts, and with my system, we can make sure we’re using water wisely, efficiently, and sustainably.”
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I could see a few of them nodding along, trying to seem engaged. They’re so far behind, I thought, but I kept the same encouraging smile plastered on my face.
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“I’ve also developed a mobile app to go with the system, so you can monitor everything from anywhere. Easy to use and designed for everyone—whether you’re an expert in technology or someone who’s just trying to keep their garden alive.”
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The murmurs of approval started, the audience buzzing with fake enthusiasm. They think this is impressive. They think I’m impressive, I thought. It’s adorable how they’re all so excited about the ‘new thing.’
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“Now, I know a lot of you are probably wondering how something like this could work in your own communities,” I continued, my voice still steady and warm. “It’s scalable. It’s adaptable. It’s something anyone can use to help save the world, one drop of water at a time.”
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They were eating it up. They don’t even know how much effort it really takes to make this look easy. They think they’re applauding my genius, but what they’re really applauding is my ability to present the illusion of genius.
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“And that’s the future I’m striving for—one where we take control of our resources, one where we no longer waste the things that sustain us,” I finished, keeping my
posture perfect, my hands gesturing just enough to keep their attention.
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The applause came, loud and genuine. I could feel their eyes on me, feeling like I’d just accomplished something monumental. If only they knew. They had no idea how effortless this was. No idea how many times I had to go through the motions for their 'approval'. I really didn't need it, it was just there to make them fell good about themselves. Right now, I was the hero in their story.
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As the applause echoed in the room, I allowed myself to smile, but only slightly. The admiration of a crowd was such a simple thing to manipulate. It was fun to watch them all praise me, but the truth was, I didn’t need any of this. The recognition was just the cherry on top of the cake I had already baked for myself.
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After the event, Father I went to the study. The second the door closed my polite smile drooped to a grimace. I removed my heels and placed the invitation on the desk. Then leaning against the wall, I faced him. I wasn't afraid, in fact I was bored, time to unleash the real me.
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I rolled my eyes at him. "Hurry up with this, I have people to attend to."
"The pawn thinks of itself as the queen, how cute,"
"Father, the pawn has reached the other side of the chessboard, now it's no longer a pawn but a queen, the queen."
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His lips curled into a tight, thin smile, but I could tell he wasn’t as confident as he wanted to appear. "You think you’re in control, Elara?" His voice was almost mocking, but there was a slight edge of concern in it. "You’ve only just begun."
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I crossed my arms, staring him down with a calmness that contrasted the storm brewing inside me. "I’ve been playing this game longer than you think, Father. You may have given me the pieces, but I’m the one who’s making the moves."
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He leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowing. "And where do you think those moves will take you? You’ve got ambition, but no real strategy. You’re still a child playing in an adult's world."
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I smirked, the challenge in his words fueling my resolve. "Maybe, but every queen has to start at her end of the chessboard. And every game has an end."
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He laughed, low and dismissive. "You think you can outsmart me? You’ve barely
seen the whole board."
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I stood taller, my gaze unwavering. "I don’t need to see the whole board. I’ve already figured out enough to know that my next move will be your last."
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He only laughed in response.
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and then Add to home screen.