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Evening, in the Pope's private study. Aldo sits opposite the new Pope, a chessboard between them. "Your Holiness should begin first." "I'm not sure I remember all the rules," Vincent said, moving a black pawn one square forward.
"That's alright. I'll remind you as we go." Aldo replied, moving a white pawn forward.
One day, Innocent XIV had approached him and asked, "My dear Aldo (Ah, may I call you Aldo?), could you teach me chess?" A few days later, Aldo brought the chessboard and visited the new Pope in the evening. Aldo had half-secretly kept the previous Pope's chessboard, occasionally setting it up on the bedside table and moving the pieces alone. Now, this chessboard was once again hosting a game with an opponent. Even if that opponent was a beginner who didn't even know the rules.
As Vincent arranged the pieces according to Aldo's instructions, he asked, "I heard you often played chess with the previous Holy Father as well."
Aldo answered, "Yes, we played frequently."
Vincent said, "Was the former Pope good?"
Aldo smiled. "Of course. He was always eight moves ahead of me."
Vincent smiled back. "That's amazing. I'll have to learn diligently too."
Aldo said, "You'll learn the rules quickly. After that, Your Holiness will be able to play on your own."
The white and black pieces advanced, beginning to mingle in the center of the board.
"Aldo, have you played chess for a long time?"
Moving his knight, Aldo replied, "Yes, I've played since I was young."
Vincent said, "You like chess, then."
Aldo said, "I liked that the rules and the goal are clear. Where to advance and who to fight are also clear. I think I enjoyed winning within this board, through the rules. Though I never once won against the former Holiness."
Vincent smiled. "Aldo, you cherish chess."
Vincent toyed with his king. The surface of the black king gleamed under the Pope's fingertips. "I thought the King would be the freest, but it seems to be the opposite. It can only move one square at a time, can't it? Isn't it perhaps the piece that can do the least on this board?"
Aldo said, "Yes, because the King is the most important."
Vincent said, "Is that so? I have so many pawns, my bishop can glide from one end to the other, and my queen can go anywhere freely, yet the King just lingers in place."
Aldo looked up. The Pope's eyes shone a soft brown in the room's light.
"Actually, that is the King's role. To be as steadfast as possible," Aldo said. "I hope Your Holiness understands this well. It's the most important rule. The King's role is to survive. Fighting directly with the king is a foolish idea."
Vincent looked up. "Why is that?"
Aldo leaned forward unconsciously. "Because if the King dies, everything ends. If another piece dies, it ends with that piece's death, but the King's death collapses the world. Because the King is the piece that supports the entire board, its role is to survive," Aldo said. "I hope Your Holiness understands this well. You must make your Queen and Bishops fight, while the King hides behind them, flees, and survives. Don't think of it as cowardly."
Having unknowingly delivered an impassioned speech, Aldo belatedly leaned back and cleared his throat.
The Pope smiled. "Are you saying the King shouldn't step forward?"
Aldo felt a strange anxiety. "What would happen if the King stepped out without protection and died immediately?"
Vincent laughed. "Then perhaps we could leave the chessboard and have some tea. Or share the wine that came as a gift last time, or maybe a walk in the garden would be nice."
Aldo sighed. "You asked me to teach you chess. You're playing a game with me, so please focus on this."
Vincent put on a serious face. "Yes, I understand. By the way, is this when I'm supposed to say 'Checkmate'?"
Aldo raised an eyebrow. The black queen was facing the white king. He had been talking too much and hadn't paid attention.
Aldo said, "Your Holiness has won. Congratulations."
Vincent smiled. "Then, may I state the winner's reward?"
Aldo sighed. "Go ahead."
"Please begin this evening's prayers with Song of Songs chapter 2," the Pope smiled. "For me."
***
Aldo crossed the garden. The sun was setting, and the sky was turning ultramarine. A gentle breeze blew, and the rustling of leaves could be heard.
I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys. (Song of Songs 2:1)
"Will you be my Secretary of State?" the new Pope had asked Aldo Bellini. "I know nothing about the Vatican, you see," the Pope had said with a smile. "Please teach me."
Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my beloved among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste. (Song of Songs 2:3)
The new Pope, with his gentle face, was, to put it nicely, resolute, or to put it badly, stubborn. Aldo doubted whether accepting the position of Secretary of State had been the right decision. Given the new Pope's age, Aldo Bellini might now remain Secretary of State for life. In the Vatican of Innocent XIV.
See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, (Song of Songs 2:11-12)
The gentle breeze stirred his robes. But one way or another, there was never really a possibility that Aldo Bellini would not accept the position of Secretary of State. Above all, it was because Aldo himself believed he was the most suitable for the position. Because he thought no one could do it better than him. He knew better than anyone the importance of representing the Vatican and the Pope in coordinating external affairs. This too was a kind of war. On the chessboard, within the Vatican, amidst the community of faith... It is everywhere, and Aldo understands this, but does the Pope know?
The fig tree forms its early fruit; the blossoming vines spread their fragrance. (Song of Songs 2:13)
Vincent Benitez had suddenly appeared barefoot and knocked on the city gates. Barefoot, like someone from the age of prophets, from a time before the church's walls, pillars, and grand frescoes, he knocked on the gates of the Vatican. And then he became Pope and asked Aldo Bellini to be his Secretary of State.
Is it truly possible to play chess with him?
My beloved is mine and I am his; he browses among the lilies. (Song of Songs 2:16)
Suddenly, Aldo realized he had left the chessboard in the Pope's room. In the garden full of blooming flowers, the wind blew, stirring his robes. Far away, light shone from the window of the Pope's study. Aldo Bellini, Secretary of State to Innocent XIV, sighed.
Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, come with me. (Song of Songs 2:10)