The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella) novel Chapter 1495

Eugene paid a continuous compliment upon appreciating the drawing, "Brilliant, just brilliant."

It was like a snapshot from the past when he used to teach Arabella how to play chess. The waterfall was there in the distance, its gentle murmuring still echoing in his ears, the mountains rising majestically around them, and the weather clear and bright. They would lose themselves in the game for hours on end.

It touched him that she remembered, his eyes growing misty with emotion.

The chess game Arabella had depicted was no random sketch.

Eugene saw her intention; aware of his irritation with the numerous guests vying to become his mentee, the clever girl had presented him with the most challenging chess problem in history, encapsulated within her artwork.

After a moment of being visibly moved, Eugene finally said, "I love this birthday gift. I've turned sixty this year, as you all know, and I've been on the lookout for a talented protege to carry on my legacy. Today, Arabella has laid out the chess problem. Anyone here who wishes to become my protege, if you can solve this puzzle, I will take you under my wing!"

The crowd was stunned, a ripple of excitement spreading through them.

No one had anticipated Mr. Eugene would choose his mentee in such a manner. They then turned their gazes to Arabella, wondering just how difficult a chess problem a young girl could conjure.

With confidence swelling within them, they eagerly awaited Eugene to fully unveil the drawing.

“Twenty minutes. Consider this as gaiety added to the bash,” With a smile, Eugene asked someone to unfurl the drawing.

The artwork depicted a game with no clear victor; the board seemed to be at a stalemate!

The attendees hadn't expected such a lifelike and challenging problem to come from a young girl's hand.

"How about it, Phyllis, feeling confident?" Mr. Gardner whispered to his granddaughter.

Phyllis stared intently at the chessboard, "Grandpa, please be quiet."