Chapter 220

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> *A puppet. No, thanks.*
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*- Cecile*

This is the 220th chapter of *unORDINARY.*

## Summary

John is sitting in his dorm late in the evening. His thoughts are consumed by the words Seraphina spoke to him about the Royals having "learned from their mistakes." He tells himself it's not true. Safe House *couldn't* be anything more than an act of spite from egotistical individuals who couldn't cope with being stripped of power. And everybody who joined only cared about fleeing the consequences of their past actions. But the worst part was the fact that everybody, even the headmaster, thought John was the only person who needed an attitude adjustment.

The next after, business concluded in the Press Room. Cecile dismisses the team after giving them their next assignments. As they exit, Isen enters carrying an old edition of the Wellston Weekly. A departing team member greets him and says that his presence is missed. Isen thanks her, though he's nervous just being in the room has was banned from. Cecile recalls the incident as well, and expresses surprise that Isen dared to return anyway. Instead of punishing him, she asks what could be so important that he showed his face in here. He holds up the newspaper he was carrying, which turns out to be the one from last week with John's front page warning not to join Safe House. Isen asks to talk about it when a piece of paper on Cecile's desk catches his attention. On it was the beginning of another article that threatened Safe House. Isen begins to ask the meaning of this, when the sound of someone entering the door makes him quail in fright and dive under the desk. Luckily for him, it's not John, but a press member who returned because she forgot to put her name on her paper. When the sight of Isen's undignified cowering puzzles her, he hastily claims that he's looking for his pen. Cecile sends her off telling her they can take care of things later.

The press head knowingly tells the cowardly ex-reporter that there's no need to worry about the King making an appearance. He had stopped by in the morning, so Isen was free to continue speaking his mind. He asks why the articles have been so focused on slandering Safe House recently. Cecile says that it's nothing personal, but Isen says he knows that the words aren't even hers. Cecile tries to brush aside the issue, but Isen presses her on how she could have let herself sink this low. She was never the kind to cater to the biased whims of others. Cecile tells her that he has no idea how ruthless John was, only for Isen to remind her that the guy beat him up on three separate occasions. Recalling how Ceciile was always miffed that Arlo didn't let her publish what she pleased, Isen asks her to take a good look at her current situation and determine whther things have changed for the better. It's clear to him that she's nothing more than John's puppet, an insinuation that drives her to order him to be quiet. Isen challenges her to tell him he's wrong, and that she's content with following a King who is clearly winging it. Instead of answering, Cecile pulls rank and tells him to mind his place. With that, the exasperated Isen yields, but makes it clear that he's not pleased with the rag she's let the Wellston Weekly become. He may have been a sorry excuse for a press leader, but she was supposed to be above printing propaganda. This outburst stuns them both, so Isen apologizes and shows himself out.

Now alone, Cecile takes a look at the preview article she had started. She thinks back to her alliance with John and the pain and humiliation he made her endure. Realizing that Isen was right, she decides she's had enough, and tears the article in half.

In the hallway, Blyke approaches Arlo and brings up the news about the former king rejoining Safe House. Not only was Remi pleased, but many students who quit the club were going to give it another chance. After Blyke thanks him, Arlo asks how the recovery from the attack was going. Blyke replies that the doc worked his magic, and that the worst part of recovering was the usual grouchiness from said nurse. Blyke was nonetheless sympathetic to the doc, who must have been stressed with all the cases recent events must have brought him. It's a wonder he hasn't quit already. Blyke bids Arlo goodbye and heads to class.

Outside, John hears students talking about the same news. These gossipers also discuss whether Arlo's decision was part of a gambit against John, who famously hated the club. When they notice they've spoken of the devil, they depart quickly. Consumed by anger and paranoia, John wonders just what Arlo is up to as well.