Chapter 07: Exploring the Hollow Heart of the Kingdom.

As we prepared to leave, a realization dawned on me. The silk of my gown shimmered too brightly, the jewels at my neck sparkled like stars even in the dimmest light, and the golden embroidery of my sleeves seemed to whisper my status with every step. I sighed and tapped Leo lightly on the shoulder, offering him a small, knowing smile.

"If we’re going to tour the Kingdom," I paused and smiled, "we’ll need to blend in because these clothes make it far too obvious who we are. Let’s change into something less conspicuous.”

“I’ll ask your maid to help you find something appropriate." He spoke

I straightened, my light green eyes meeting his golden eyes, with calm determination. "That won’t be necessary. She has more pressing duties to attend to. I can manage on my own."

My refusal was firm but polite, leaving no room for argument. He nodded, respecting my independence, and we parted ways.

In my room, the doors of the grand wardrobe creaked open, revealing an array of luxurious gowns in every shade imaginable. Each dress seemed to call out its opulence: cascading layers of velvet, intricate beadwork, and silken capes that seemed too regal even for the highest of queens. I combed through them in frustration, searching for something—anything—that didn’t scream nobility.

A soft knock interrupted my thoughts, followed by the creak of the door opening. Rose entered, balancing a bucket of cleaning supplies in one hand and a feather duster in the other. Her eyes widened the moment she spotted me, her movements halting mid-step.

“Y-Your majesty!” she exclaimed, almost dropping her duster. “I didn’t expect to see you here!”

I turned to face her, gesturing to the wardrobe. “I’m trying to find simpler clothing, Rose. Something suitable for walking through the city without drawing attention. But,” I waved a hand toward the rows of dresses, “nothing here fits the description.”

Rose hesitated, her fingers clutching the hem of her apron. “If… if you’d allow it, Your Majesty, I could lend you some of my clothes.” Her cheeks flushed a deep pink as she spoke, and her gaze flitted to the floor.

I blinked, surprised by her offer. “Are you sure? Would that be alright with you?”

Rose’s blush deepened as she gave a nervous curtsy. “It would be my honor, Your majesty!”

Her sincerity was touching, and I smiled warmly. “Thank you, Rose. I’ll wait here while you fetch them.”

She left quickly, her steps light and almost joyful, as though the task were the highest privilege. Alone, I turned back to the room. The sheer size of it had always been overwhelming, but now, dressed as I was, surrounded by finery I had no use for, it felt suffocating. The grand bed seemed to mock me with its absurd size, the delicate drapes swaying slightly in the still air.

A low chuckle broke the silence. I turned to find Leo leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed casually over his chest. The sunlight filtering in from the window caught his sharp features, giving him an almost ethereal look.

“What’s so funny?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“You,” he replied simply, his smile teasing.

I sighed, shaking my head. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Before I could respond further, Rose returned, panting slightly from exertion but holding a neatly folded bundle of clothes. Her expression was bright, the flush of her cheeks deepening as she held out the garments.

“I brought these, Your Majesty. I-I hope they’re to your liking.”

I took them from her hands with a grateful smile. The fabric was plain but sturdy, the colors muted and practical. “Thank you, Rose. Can you help me put these on?”

Her eyes widened in surprise before she quickly bowed. “Of course, Your Majesty!”

I glanced upon Leo who was still leaning on the doorframe with a smirk on his face. My eyebrow narrowed up. “Why are you still here?” I paused and stared at him.

“Of course, I’m here to escort you, your majesty.” He replies quickly with a teasing expression he had.

“Close the door and get out!” My tone was sharp but I knew he was just joking.

He let out a small laugh as he went out and closed the door.

She set to work with careful hands, unfastening the laces of my gown and helping me into the simpler attire. Though I was more than capable of dressing myself, I let her assist me. It was a small gesture, but I could see the pride in her movements, the way her posture straightened as though this task meant the world to her.

When she finished, I turned to her with a nod. “You’ve done well. Thank you, Rose. You’re free to return to your duties now.”

She curtsied low, her eyes shimmering with unspoken joy. “Yes, Your Majesty!”

As we left the room, I caught Leo watching me, his gaze appraising.
“Shall we go?” I asked, stepping forward.

He placed a hand on my shoulder, stopping me. “We can’t leave through the main gate,” he said simply.

I tilted my head. “Why not?”

“The guards know your face. If they see us leaving unescorted, it’ll raise questions.” His tone was calm, but his logic was sound.

“Do you have another way out?”

A small smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. “Follow me.”

He led me through the castle gardens, where the air was laced with the perfume of blooming roses and the faint, crystalline murmur of a hidden waterfall. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, dappling the stone path in shifting gold.

As we walked, Leo spoke, his voice carrying a quiet warmth tinged with something almost wistful. “Towa and I once found a hidden passage to the city when we were children. We used to sneak out to play with the other kids… until the King found out and had it sealed.”

I smiled faintly, imagining the scene. “Towa must have cherished those days. No wonder she wants to protect this Kingdom—because of the joy it’s given her.”

Leo glanced at me then, his eyes softened by memory. “It’s more than that. She doesn’t just want to protect it. She loves this Kingdom, and its people. It’s who she is.”

His words lingered between us, heavy with meaning. I lowered my gaze, feeling a quiet apology bloom in my chest. I’m sorry, Leo… for taking her away from you.

After slipping through the secret exit, the city unfolded before us in a rush of color and sound. Stalls lined the cobbled streets, bright fabrics fluttering in the breeze, and the aroma of spiced bread drifted from a nearby bakery. It was as picturesque as I’d imagined—yet something felt wrong, like a painting hiding cracks beneath its varnish.

“Their expressions…” I murmured. The people’s faces were pale, etched with fatigue. Their shoulders sagged under invisible burdens, and their steps dragged as though the ground itself resisted them. Even the vendors’ cries lacked the cheer of commerce—one man shouted his prices with an edge of irritation that cut through the crowd’s hum.

“By the way,” I said after a moment, glancing at Leo, “what’s the name of this Kingdom?”

He slowed, his eyes narrowing slightly as though weighing the intent behind my question. For a few heartbeats, he said nothing, and the pause felt heavier than the noise around us.

“You don’t know?” His voice was careful, his disbelief hidden under a thin veil of neutrality.

I forced a sheepish smile, looking away. “I… may have forgotten,” I said, trying to let humor soften the admission.

Leo exhaled, rubbing a hand over his face before answering. “It’s Apocrypha. One of the strongest Kingdoms in the world.”

His gaze lingered on me, sharp and unblinking. “Why are you really here? What do you hope to gain by exploring this Kingdom?”

We weaved through the market, the air thick with the scent of fresh bread and the metallic tang of coins. Merchants barked their offers, their voices tangling in a messy chorus with the murmur of haggling customers.

“Five copper coins for three loaves? That’s robbery!” a woman’s voice rang out, slicing through the noise. I turned to see her at a stall, hands on her hips, glaring at the vendor.

“You can take it or leave it,” the man replied, his arms crossed like a drawbridge shutting tight. “That’s the price.”

She huffed, muttering curses as she left empty-handed.

I tilted my head toward the stall. “Three loaves for five copper coins. Isn’t that steep?”

Leo’s gaze followed mine, his brows drawing together as he scanned the other prices nearby. “Yeah… it is,” he said slowly, almost to himself. “I hadn’t realized the prices climbed this high. I’ve been inside the palace for too long…”

“This,” I said, sweeping my eyes over the weary faces around us, “is one of the reasons I wanted to see the Kingdom myself. Reports don’t show this—the strain in their eyes, the weight in their steps.”

He studied me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. “Fair enough. But what will you do about it?”

“First,” I said, my voice steady, “I fix the palace. Then the Kingdom.” I hesitated, my gaze drifting to a group of barefoot children chasing each other down an alley. “Do you know where the orphanage is?”

His eyes widened slightly. “You’re thinking of hiring orphans?”

“Yes,” I replied without hesitation. “They deserve a chance. And the palace needs staff as soon as possible, even if some nobles call it disgraceful.”

Something in his expression softened, the steel in his voice melting to quiet respect. “Before my family rose to nobility, we were commoners. What you’re doing… it’s admirable.”

His words warmed me in a way I hadn’t expected, and I found myself smiling. “Thank you, Leo. That means more than you know.”

But when I took a glance at him, I could see how his face twisted into frowned, eyebrows knitted against each other while he slightly pressed his lips.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, confusion bubbling in my head.

“I admire how considerate you are, especially toward those people—children even—who can’t stand on their own.” His voice carried warmth at first, but then it grew heavier, more rigid. “But… there’s a problem when it comes to the orphans.”

A faint crease formed between my brows. “What do you mean?”

He met my eyes directly with no hesitation. “Didn’t Lucas tell you everything about this kingdom? About those who were granted authority to govern?”

I shook my head quickly, almost on instinct. “No. He only told me about the Congress and the Collectors. Nothing beyond that particular."

He drew in a breath and released it in a long, heavy sigh, the sound knotting unease in my chest.
“The Apocrypha may claim to be a monarchy,” he began, his voice steady but weighed down, “yet the cathedral… it wields power nearly equal to the late King himself. Its influence runs deep among the people. In the end, the late King had little choice but to yield, placing their authority just a step below his own.”

My eyes widened in surprise. I hadn’t expected that turn of events. Still, I couldn’t see why it mattered if I hired an orphan connected to them. The thought lingered, and I frowned.
“How would that be a problem for the cathedral if I hired an orphan to work in the palace?”

“Since the late King’s death, many powerful figures have bristled at Towa forcing her way onto the throne—none more so than the Pope.”

“Forced her way?” I echoed, startled. That was the first I’d heard of it. In her letter, Towa wrote that they had forced her into becoming ruler despite her youth.

He gave a slow nod. “Marquis of the South, one of the late King’s most trusted allies, knew exactly what kind of man the Pope was. He warned Towa, and it was his counsel that gave her the courage to inherit the throne and because of the absence of Towa’s mother, the late Queen Selene for a long period of time, Towa managed to inherit the throne easily. ” He paused, letting the tense air linger through their skin.

“But.”

I looked him in the eyes, I could sense his sudden demeanor. “It feels like her mother doesn’t want to shoulder all the burden on this Kingdom and left without even saying anything.“ He let out a heavy sigh. “And give it all to Towa instead.”

Everything he said hit me all at once, like a cascade of unanswered questions, making my thoughts twist in confusion. I exhaled slowly, forcing myself to focus on the problem I could tackle: the shortage of maids in the palace.

“Let’s deal with the orphanage first,” I said, my tone firm. “We can sort out the rest later.” I met his eyes, watching them widen slightly before a faint smile appeared on his face. I pressed on, determined to know the answer. “Why would there be any problem with me hiring an orphan?”

His eyes locked on mine, sharp and unwavering. “The orphanages in Apocrypha fall under the Cathedral’s control. The Pope… he has long opposed your claim to the throne, and he will do everything in his power to counter your decisions.”

I frowned, a flicker of frustration crossing my features. “Why? If our goals are aligned—ensuring the children’s well-being—wouldn’t that lighten his workload?”

“The people of the Cathedral aren’t as kind as you think,” he said, his eyes sharpening to a blade, warning me not to trust them simply because of their status or their fake kindness.

A slow smile tugged at my lips. I met his gaze, letting kindness and quiet admiration shine through. This was someone who understood the world as it truly was—a person whose insight made him trustworthy. I murmured under my breath, almost to myself,
“Thank you for the advice… I’ll keep that in mind.”

He gave a small, approving nod. “So… what’s your plan? Are you still going to hire maids from the orphanages?”

I nodded immediately, resolving to settle into every fiber of me. No obstacle could make me falter—I knew what a Queen’s duty truly was.
“Those children are waiting,” I said, my voice steady and unwavering. “Nothing will stop me from giving them the opportunities they deserve, the chance to shape their own futures.”