Chapter 98: The Cost of Defiance
**Thelma Zane’s POV**
The wisdom my father shared about rules and leadership was profound–perhaps too profound for me to fully grasp. I sat quietly between my parents, my head tilted slightly, as I tried to wrap my mind around his words.
confusion must have been obvious because my father smiled gently and said, “it’s alright you don’t fully understand right now, Thelma. You’re still young, and life has plenty of time to teach you. Lessons like these aren’t meant to be mastered in a day.”
I nodded, staring straight ahead while the weight of my recent actions churned in my mind.
The moment I stepped out of the school gates earlier that day, I had felt a pang of regret. Sure it had felt exhilarating to stand up to the principal–to expose his hypocrisy and show the other students that authority figures weren’t invincible. But as the adrenaline wore off, I began to question myself.
Was it truly right to confront him so openly? Was I any better than a rebellious teenager trying to look cool in front of their peers?
The admiration from my classmates had been satisfying, but it also made me feel like I’d crossed à line. As a princess, even if few at school knew my true identity, I carried the weight of responsibility. I was supposed to set an example, not undermine authority–even authority as flawed as my principal’s.
Caught between these conflicting thoughts, I hesitated.
My father’s earlier comments about rules gave me a new perspective. Tentatively, I asked, So, as leaders, we’re not bound to rigidly follow the rules all the time, are we? Sometimes, we have to use the rules as tools to protect our people and fight back against injustice?
He took a moment before answering, his thoughtful gaze fixed on me. “It’s not about disregarding the rules, Thelma,” he began. “As leaders, we must respect them, just as we expect others to. But the moment we start believing we’re above the rules–thinking they no longer apply to us–we risk the same fate as your principal.
“At the same time, leadership requires flexibility. The world is constantly changing, and so are the rules that govern it. Wisdom lies in understanding how to work within the rules–or sometimes around them–to achieve the greater good. That might mean adapting them, interpreting them differently, or even creating new rules when necessary.”
He leaned forward slightly, his eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. “And yes, sometimes it means bending the rules, but only with the right intentions and the right approach.”
“But you said no one person can create the rules, I countered, puzzled.
Chuppin The Cost of Defane!
“True,” my father replied with a nod. “But rules don’t have to be written down to exist. The moment a group of people recognizes and accepts a principle in their hearts, it becomes as powerful as any law written on paper. That acknowledgment is what gives rules their strength and vitality.”
1 pondered his words, feeling a spark of understanding. My father wasn’t just talking about laws or school regulations. He was talking about something deeper–about values and collective understanding.
who
At that moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. I was lucky to have parents didn’t simply chastise me for my mistakes but took the time to guide me with patience and wisdom. I leaned in and kissed them both on the cheeks. “I love you, Father. I love you, Mother. It’s a blessing to be your daughter.”
My mother’s arms wrapped around me as she smiled. “Oh, my sweet girl,” she murmured, pulling me closer. My father joined in, enveloping us both in a warm embrace. For a while, we simply sat together, basking in the quiet comfort of family.
But, of course, the moment couldn’t last forever.
After a while, my mother pulled away and stood, a wry smile on her lips. “That said, don’t think for a moment you’re escaping punishment
My father nodded in agreement. “She’s right. Your actions, while not entirely without justification, still crossed a line. Going against your teacher or principal in such a public manner is a serious matter. Punishment is a necessary part of understanding the consequences of breaking rules. This is the power of accountability.”
I groaned, already dreading what was to come.
As it turned out, I was grounded for an entire week. No extracurricular activities, no training sessions, no outings–just school, home, and endless hours of copying scriptures as penance. To make matters worse, my allowance was docked to compensate for the damage caused by my altercation with the principal.
“Why couldn’t the student council just expel me for insubordination?” I grumbled to myself during lunch break, slumped over the table. “At least then, I’d have an excuse to wander around the school freely instead of being buried in paperwork.”
Mara, ever the voice of reason, calmly chewed her vegetable curry. “You’re overthinking it, Thelma. Do you have any idea how many clubs are vying for resources right now? They’re all trying to claim venues and funding for their events. The fact that your workload has only increased fivefold shows remarkable restraint on their part. If they could get away with it, they’d be submitting receipts for rubber erasers just to milk the royal family’s reimbursement policy.”
She wasn’t wrong. The royal family was covering the costs of the academy’s graduation ceremony as part of an apology for the “incident with the principal.” It might have seemed
Chapter 3, the Cost of Defiance
noble, but since the funds were coming directly out of my allowance, it felt more like an insult. than an apology.
Dorothy, who was privy to the details of my predicament, offered me a weak smile. “If it’s any consolation,” she said, “your little outburst did have some positive effects.”
She was right. Ryan, the so–called president of the drama club, had finally been ousted from his position. Following my confrontation with the principal, several students had come forward with complaints about Ryan’s behavior. The principal, now under scrutiny from the royal family, had no choice but to remove him.
It was a small victory–a reminder that even the smallest ripples could lead to meaningful change.
And while my punishment was undoubtedly frustrating, I couldn’t deny that the experience had taught me an important lesson. Rules weren’t just obstacles to overcome; they were tools to wield and principles to uphold.
Perhaps, in time, I would learn to master them.
