Stuck on your crossword? Unlock the mystery of ‘___-de-camp’!

Once upon a time in the British countryside, there was a grand estate known as Campshire. It was a sprawling residence owned by the eccentric Lord Xander, who enjoyed hosting elaborate parties and gatherings for his esteemed guests. It was at one such event that a curious incident occurred, which would forever cement the connection between the crossword clue ‘___-de-camp‘ and its answer ‘AIDE‘.

Lord Xander, known for his love of puzzles and word games, decided to challenge his guests with a crossword puzzle competition. The participants enthusiastically gathered around a table covered in newspapers, armed with a pen in one hand and flutes of champagne in the other. The rules were simple: Complete the crossword as quickly as possible, and the first person to solve it correctly would be crowned the grand champion.

Within moments, the room filled with the sound of scribbling and whispered discussions. One particular guest, Sir Walter, was renowned for his sharp wit and quick thinking. As he scanned across the clues, his eyes fell upon the clue ‘___-de-camp,’ leaving a blank space for the answer.

Lost in thought, Sir Walter’s mind began to wander back in time. He envisioned himself as a young officer serving in the army during the Napoleonic era. Memories of the battlefield, camaraderie, and the dedicated individuals who supported the commanding officers flooded his mind.

Suddenly, the answer became clear to Sir Walter. He whispered excitedly to his neighbor, “AIDE! The answer is AIDE!”

His fellow guests were bewildered at Sir Walter’s sudden outburst, but he was confident in his response. With a steady hand, he completed the crossword puzzle, racing against the others, and presented it to Lord Xander for review.

As Lord Xander examined the crossword, his eyes widened in astonishment. He had intended for the crossword to be challenging, but somehow Sir Walter had solved it in record time. Lord Xander declared Sir Walter the winner, much to the applause of the assembled guests.

Intrigued by Sir Walter’s intuitive leap, Lord Xander approached him and asked how he had come up with the answer. Sir Walter explained the mental journey he had taken, recalling his time as a young officer and the important role played by an “aide-de-camp” – a personal assistant to commanding officers.

The revelation dawned on Lord Xander, and with a chuckle, he realized that the crossword clue and its answer had merged into a story itself. From that day forward, whenever Lord Xander encountered the clue ‘___-de-camp‘ in a crossword, he would smile and remember Sir Walter, the witty guest who saw through the puzzle and connected it to a memorable chapter of his own life.

And so, the legend of the connection between the crossword clue ‘___-de-camp‘ and its answer ‘AIDE‘ was born, forever delighting puzzle enthusiasts and reminding us all of the power of imagination and personal experiences in solving life’s mysteries, both big and small.