- 9 hours ago
Keyless Queen
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🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:06Leon finally noticed that I had gone three days without asking Lydia for a single key.
00:11He thought I had finally learned to be an obedient queen.
00:15So he sent a servant with a message that sounded more like a royal favor than an apology.
00:21His Majesty says, tonight he will have someone bring you the key to the royal apothetory.
00:26He will also send the royal physician to check on your father again.
00:30But I didn't react at all.
00:32Listening to the royal servant's announcement, I just sat quietly at the table, without the joy he had expected.
00:39His Majesty reminds you to abide by this rule.
00:42Never again employ crude theatrical ploys to threaten the crown.
00:48The gold the late king awarded your father will remain under the royal household's care.
00:54People of your black race should not hold that much gold all at once.
00:58It only invites trouble.
01:00I stood in the grandest chamber of Whitestone Palace and listened quietly.
01:04What Leon did not know was that by the time I received that message.
01:08I had already filed a petition to dissolve our marriage in the Archbishop's court.
01:12My father had died three days ago in his blacksmith shop.
01:16After three years in the palace, the only things I could take with me were the old dress I had
01:20worn when I first entered the palace.
01:23And the little iron hammer my father had forged for me with his own hands.
01:27The servant waited for me to cry, shout, or beg for the king's mercy.
01:31I did none of those things.
01:32I only folded the message once, placed it on the table, and looked toward the locked wardrobe across the room.
01:39No one would believe that Aaliyah, the queen everyone envied, lived in the grandest chamber of Whitestone Palace yet could
01:46not even open her own wardrobe.
01:50My gowns were locked in the West Wing wardrobe.
01:52My jewelry was locked in the queen's jewel room.
01:56My carriage sat in the Eastgate carriage house.
01:58My father's reward money was sealed inside an iron coffer at the bottom of the royal treasury.
02:03Even when I wanted to call a royal physician for my father, I had to ask Lydia for the apothecary
02:09key and permission to leave the palace.
02:11And every one of those keys was in Lydia's hands.
02:14She was the king's chief court lady, and she had grown up with Leon.
02:18Before I appeared, everyone believed she would become the woman who ruled this palace.
02:23Later, on his deathbed, the old king insisted that Leon marry me, because my father, Thomas, had saved the old
02:31king during a winter hunt.
02:33But Leon looked down on my low birth.
02:35He always believed that if a poor family suddenly received wealth, we would waste it the moment it reached our
02:41hands.
02:41The gold will stay in the royal treasury.
02:46It will be released whenever your father truly needs it.
02:50I believed him then.
02:52I thought being queen meant I had finally earned a place where my father would be safe.
02:57Instead, I found myself standing before locked doors, waiting for another woman to decide whether my needs were proper enough.
03:05Three days ago, my father was dying.
03:08I begged Leon to give me the key to my father's gold coffer.
03:11I also begged him to let me take medicine from the royal apothecary.
03:15Lydia kept holding back the treasury key and the apothecary key.
03:19Again and again.
03:21Until my father died in his bed.
03:23All these years, I endured everything so my father could keep receiving treatment from the royal.
03:29Physicians and medicine from the palace apothecary.
03:31Now my father was gone.
03:33There was no reason for me to stay.
03:37When I asked Leon to end our marriage, he refused.
03:40He was in his study, reading the border tax ledgers.
03:44His eyes never left the parchment.
03:46His voice was as cold as if he were scolding a maid who had broken a cup.
03:53Stop making trouble.
03:54He treated it like nothing more than a childish error.
03:57Not realizing for a moment that I meant every word.
04:00I'm not making trouble.
04:02I've already submitted the petition to the archbishop's court.
04:05I stood before his desk and said calmly.
04:08Only then did Leon look up at me.
04:10His eyes were cold, as though my words were a waste of his time.
04:16About your father.
04:17I was the one who told Lydia not to give you the apothecary key.
04:21It had nothing to do with her.
04:23She was only following my orders.
04:27My fingers twitched at my sides.
04:29In the past, the moment he mentioned my father, I would lower my head.
04:35My father's old wounds flared up every winter.
04:39Village healers could not help him.
04:41He had to rely on the royal physicians and medicine from the palace apothecary to stay.
04:46Alive, that was the reward the late king had promised him.
04:51But after the old king died, Leon said my father did not know how to manage money.
04:55He said a blacksmith who suddenly possessed that much gold would only be cheated, robbed, and perhaps killed for it.
05:02So he locked my father's gold coffer inside the royal treasury.
05:06He said he would release it whenever my father truly needed it.
05:10But every need had to go through Lydia.
05:13His majesty's commands are absolute.
05:15I have no special privileges even when my own father's life was hanging in the balance.
05:22My father was burning with fever.
05:24His old wound rotting open.
05:26I knelt outside the apothecary door and begged Lydia to give me the key.
05:30She wore a pale blue court gown and held a ring of keys in her hand.
05:34Her smile was gentle, almost regretful.
05:38Your majesty, the apothecary key cannot be handed over carially.
05:44Visa they Thomas, your group and traceable is.
05:47Master Thomas is only a commoner.
05:50He does not fall under royal emergency care.
05:53That treatment was promised to him by the late king.
05:56I'm not denying the late king's generosity.
06:00But rules are rules.
06:02Have the village healer write a note describing his condition first.
06:09Then have it sealed by a church physician.
06:12Only then can I open the apothecary.
06:17I brought back the note.
06:19She glanced at it and frowned lightly.
06:21I brought back the note.
06:22She glanced at it and frowned lightly.
06:26The date isn't clear enough.
06:28It only says fever.
06:30It doesn't specify whether his life is in danger.
06:32Your majesty, I'm not trying to make this harder.
06:36Every bottle in the royal apothecary must be recorded.
06:40You are queen.
06:42You cannot act like you are still in a blacksmith shop, taking whatever you want whenever you want it.
06:47And after that, she made me bring a travel permit.
06:51A physician's certificate.
06:52A written reason for withdrawing from the gold card.
06:55A statement explaining why my father could not be treated by a village healer.
07:00I ran back and forth again and again.
07:02My father's breathing grew weaker each time.
07:04I returned.
07:06The village healer pressed the last certificate into my hand and whispered that there might still be time if I
07:12hurried.
07:15By the time I returned with the paper, my shoes were soaked through with mud.
07:20And Lydia only asked whether the church seal was placed in the correct column.
07:29By the time the key finally arrived at the blacksmith shop,
07:32my father never opened his house again.
07:41So now, when Leon said he would have someone bring me the apothecary key tonight,
07:46I found it absurd.
07:47The apothecary no longer mattered.
07:49My father had no use for it anymore.
07:51Leon watched my silence and thought I had finally learned to be afraid.
07:55He closed the parchment in his hand.
07:57Impatient.
07:58Alia.
07:59Lydia, if you hadn't stormed into the household office a few days ago and shouted at Lydia,
08:03I would never have let her hold back the keys to teach you a lesson.
08:07You are queen.
08:08Not some little girl throwing a fit in a blacksmith shop.
08:14Last night, I already told her to give you the apothecary key.
08:17My time is precious.
08:19I don't have the patience to watch you lose your temper.
08:21With that, he stood and turned to leave.
08:24He was certain I would lower my head soon enough.
08:27Just like I had for the past three years.
08:29Even when he said in front of the nobles that I looked desperate to please,
08:33I only smiled and said nothing.
08:36Even when Lydia smiled and took one key after another away from me,
08:40I endured it.
08:41I once thought that as long as my father was alive,
08:44I could endure anything.
08:46Now my father was gone and I did not need to stay anymore.
08:49But Leon did not know that he had never been willing to let me finish a sentence.
08:53Later, a maid brought me the celebration ledger Lydia had sent.
08:58His majesty asks your majesty to write a line of praise.
09:02So no one Mr. Stans, Lady Lydia.
09:05I sound that joke and laughed.
09:08The maid lowered her eyes, afraid I would tear the ledger apart.
09:12Instead, I took the quill with steady fingers.
09:16I picked up the quill and wrote carefully.
09:20Lady Lydia is diligent indeed.
09:23With one ring of keys, she rules over both the queen and the servants.
09:35Aladia.
09:38May she keep guarding every door and may she keep guarding the place she hopes to move into one day.
09:45Your majesty, should I really deliver this?
09:49The maid's face went pale.
09:53Deliver it exactly as written.
09:55His majesty wanted praise.
09:59After writing it, I closed the ledger.
10:02Then I returned to my chamber and began to pack.
10:05There was not much to pack.
10:06Everything that seemed to belong to me in the palace was locked in someone else's hands.
10:12The only things I could take were the old dress I wore when I entered the palace.
10:15A few faded shirts and the little hammer my father had given me.
10:19For all these years, I had lived in the palace like a temporary guest.
10:24Only now did I understand.
10:26Even a guest could at least open a door for herself.
10:30I folded the old dress carefully and placed my father's hammer on top of it.
10:34The iron handle was cold, but the weight of it steadied me more than any crown ever had.
10:40Outside, the bells of white stone palace rang for Lydia's private dinner.
10:45Inside, I closed my trunk and finally felt something like peace.
10:49No longer a queen, no longer in need of anyone's keys.
10:53I am just me the me who can make any decision.
10:57Leon came back very quickly.
10:59Whenever it involved Lydia, he was always prompt.
11:03He strode into my chamber and did not even notice the small leather trunk at my feet.
11:07I said flatly.
11:09I heard.
11:11I didn't want to.
11:12Leon looked as if I had said something outrageous.
11:15I already told you.
11:16Lydia has managed the palace household well lately, so I held a dinner to reward her.
11:22There are already enough people in the palace misunderstanding her.
11:26After what you wrote in the ledger, how is she supposed to face anyone?
11:30I could not help that.
11:34So not everyone is blind.
11:38If people misunderstand her so easily, maybe they already know what she's been doing.
11:43Leon's face darkened.
11:46Aaliyah!
11:47When did you become so vulgar?
11:50Lydia, you know exactly how hard it is for a young woman without a noble title to rise this far.
11:55Why would you smear another capable woman like this?
12:00Lydia only manages the palace for me.
12:05If you hadn't made us fade a scene in the household office, would people be talking about her now?
12:09He looked at me with exhaustion and blame in his eyes.
12:12If you want to be a queen who knows nothing except how to hold out her hand for keys, I
12:17won't blame you.
12:20I gave you a crown, a palace, and status.
12:25What more do you want?
12:26For three years, I had wanted him to ask that question sincerely, now that he had finally asked it.
12:33But now, there's no point in my answering anymore.
12:38But if you keep targeting Lydia, don't blame me for being harsh.
12:42Think about your father.
12:46I finally laughed out loud.
12:49It hurt my throat.
12:51Then I opened my trunk right in front of him.
12:57A crown?
12:58A palace?
13:00Dignity?
13:01Leon, look at what my life in your palace has been.
13:07I'm leaving, and I can't even pack four decent dresses.
13:16If I wanted to change into a ball gown, I had to ask your lady of the court for a
13:20key.
13:23If I wanted to visit my father, I had to explain the reason to Lydia first.
13:28What queen has to live at the mercy of her husband's favorite court lady?
13:32There was not a trace of guilt on Leon's face.
13:34He only frowned and asked, genuinely baffled.
13:39All this over that?
13:43So you were jealous of Lydia and deliberately tried to ruin her name?
13:47My heart went cold.
13:48Inch by inch.
13:50If he truly thought this was wrong,
13:52he would not have let Lydia take my keys again and again for three years.
13:56He would not have allowed the entire palace to know the queen had no right to open her own doors.
14:01I lowered my eyes.
14:08Dissolved.
14:09Leon laughed instead.
14:11There was a knowing look in that laugh.
14:13As if he had finally seen through my cheap little trick.
14:16Enough.
14:17I don't have time to coax you through another tantrum.
14:21You're doing all this because of Lydia, aren't you?
14:25Don't assume every woman is like you.
14:28Always fighting over a man.
14:30As he spoke, he smoothed the wrinkle from his sleeve as though making a great concession.
14:37Tomorrow, I will send the royal physician to see your father in person.
14:42In a moment, I'll have Lydia give you the keys to the queen's quadro, the jewel room, and the carriage
14:50house.
14:51From now on, your daily expenses won't need to go through the household accounts.
14:57After three years as Leon's wife, I understood him well enough.
15:00For him, this was already the greatest compromise he could offer.
15:04Under normal circumstances, I should have known when to stop.
15:08But I was tired of this marriage of three people, just like now.
15:13He had made so many promises, yet he never mentioned Lydia holding back the apothecary key.
15:19I don't want anything, except to end this marriage.
15:23Leon finally realized I was not acting poor.
15:25His impatience instantly turned into anger.
15:29Aaliyah, don't forget how you became queen.
15:33Your father saved the late king.
15:37That is why the late king rewarded your family with honor.
15:42If you leave me, those rewards, that gold, those properties, you won't get a single copper oil.
15:50And your father's illness.
15:53Without the royal physicians and the royal apothecary, how long do you think we can last?
15:59Not long at all.
16:01I knew that better than anyone.
16:03Now everything was only returning to where it should have been.
16:06I fastened.
16:07My trunk again and said lightly.
16:10Do whatever you want.
16:13Leon froze.
16:14He seemed unable to understand why a threat that had always worked on Aaliyah suddenly had no effect.
16:20But his pride would not let him lower his head again.
16:24So he watched her drag her trunk toward the door with a cold face.
16:27When Aaliyah pulled open the chamber doors, he seemed as if he wanted to call her back.
16:32In the end, he said nothing.
16:35Only later did Aaliyah learn that Lydia went to his study that night.
16:39Your majesty doesn't need to humor her.
16:41Leave her alone for a few days.
16:44She'll come back and apologize.
16:46Her majesty has simply grown too comfortable as queen and wants to make a scene.
16:52Leon believed her.
16:53He even found a honey mint in his study and thought of Aaliyah.
16:57His throat always hurt in winter.
16:59So Aaliyah had once learned to make those candies for him.
17:02Leon turned the candy between his fingers for a long while.
17:08She is not completely useless after all.
17:11Lydia lowered her eyes to hide the shadow of jealousy.
17:14Even now, even while he was angry, one small candy was enough to make Leon think of Aaliyah first.
17:21He told himself that Aaliyah was not completely useless after all when she came back.
17:25He would make her apologize sincerely.
17:28And she would never again threaten him with a petition to dissolve their marriage.
17:33After leaving the palace, I did not leave the kingdom.
17:37I first went to the archbishop's court to confirm that my petition had been filed.
17:42Then, carrying my father's ashes, I went to the armory camp on the northern border.
17:47That was where my father had worked when he was young.
17:50He used to say that in the north.
17:52People did not ask where you came from.
17:55They only asked whether you were good with your hands.
17:57I did not understand that before.
18:00Now I did.
18:01When I arrived at the armory camp, dragging my trunk behind me, the soldier at the gate looked at me
18:07with obvious suspicion.
18:11Who are you looking for?
18:14Madam Martha.
18:15Madam Martha was the old blacksmith of the armory camp, and she had once trained with my father.
18:21Before I married into the palace, she had come to persuade me not to go.
18:26A place like the palace isn't meant for people like us, people who live by our hands.
18:31I did not listen then.
18:33Now when I saw her again, her hair had turned white.
18:37She looked at the trunk in my hand and the urn in my arms.
18:40She did not ask a single question.
18:43Come in.
18:45She simply stepped aside.
18:50My nose stung, and tears fell before I could stop them.
18:53For the first time since my father's death, no one asked me for a permit, a seal, or a reason.
19:01One door opened because someone chose to open it for me.
19:06After I had cried enough, Madam Martha said slowly.
19:13Done crying?
19:15Then wash your hands.
19:19I'm sure to lock repairer, and someone who can mend armor.
19:22If you still remember what your father taught you, stay.
19:25I stared at her.
19:28You're not going to ask why I'm here?
19:31Madam Martha snorted.
19:33Anyone who can walk out of the palace alive is lucky enough.
19:38What is there to ask?
19:40Or did three years as queen make you too delicate to hold a hammer?
19:44I smiled through my tears.
19:49I can hold one.
19:50For myself?
19:51I can hold anything.
19:53At first, I was not used to it.
19:57The wind in the north was hard.
19:59The furnace was scorching.
20:01And the armory camp was nothing like the palace.
20:03No maids came to make my bed.
20:06Blisters soon formed across my palms.
20:08A young apprentice saw the blood on my fingers and held out a strip of cloth.
20:14Miss Allelia, maybe you should rest.
20:17I wrapped my palm and picked up the hammer again.
20:24If I stop every time I bleed, I will never make anything strong.
20:28But as time passed, the skills carved into my bones slowly returned.
20:33How to hear the quality of metal.
20:36How to tell where a lock's inner teeth were stuck.
20:38How to shape a horseshoe with the right curve.
20:41How to mend a broken sword.
20:47The steadier my hands became.
20:49Once.
20:50I repaired a cracked bracer for a night.
20:53He tested it twice and raised his thumb in surprise.
20:56I smiled.
20:59I thought someone from the palace would only know how to wear rings.
21:07I couldn't afford rings before.
21:11The soldiers around us froze for a second.
21:14Then burst into laughter.
21:16That was the first time I laughed easily after leaving the palace.
21:20Then an unwelcome voice sounded behind me.
21:23A lady?
21:23I looked up and saw Lydia.
21:25She wore a white fox fur cloak and stood not far away.
21:28Several servants behind her.
21:30Her gaze swept over my hands.
21:32Stained with coal and iron dust.
21:34Then over the soldiers beside me.
21:36The corner of her mouth lifted.
21:41So this is why her majesty suddenly made such a fuss about ending the marriage.
21:46You came back to a place like this.
21:49Some people can wear a crown.
21:51And still never forget they came from a blacksmith's shop.
21:55I would rest such a face.
21:58My face went cold.
22:00The people of the northern armory mended armor.
22:03Forged swords.
22:04And repaired gates in wind and snow to protect the border.
22:08They did not deserve her contempt.
22:13I set down the tongs in my hand.
22:17Lydia.
22:18Do you not have a room of your own?
22:20Why are you behind every door I open?
22:23Lydia's expression changed at that moment.
22:25A familiar voice came from behind her.
22:29What happened?
22:32So, he had come to inspect the northern border.
22:35And of course Lydia had come with him.
22:38Her eyes reddened as she lowered her voice.
22:41Nothing, your majesty.
22:44I only saw her majesty away from the palace for so long.
22:49Surrounded by soldiers and smith.
22:51And worried she might be taken advantage of.
22:55I tried to advise her.
22:57But she misunderstood me.
23:00Only then did Leon notice me.
23:03His brows drew together slightly.
23:05There was that familiar certainty in his eyes.
23:09Aelia.
23:10Did you bully Lydia again?
23:13If you came here to admit your mistake.
23:16Apologize to her first.
23:17I looked at him once.
23:19Then turned away without wasting a word and picked up my tools.
23:22The young apprentice beside me whispered.
23:27Miss Aelia.
23:28Who is that?
23:29I said coldly.
23:31My blind, brainless husband.
23:33Leon's face darkened.
23:35Aelia.
23:38You've followed me all the way to the north.
23:41How long do you plan to keep this up?
23:44You've been away from the palace for so long.
23:47Ignoring your father completely.
23:54Are you really trying to force me to never give him the apothetory key again?
23:59I looked at him, tired of him to the bone.
24:04Then don't give it.
24:07That's what you're best at, isn't it?
24:11Something in my eyes must have cut Leon.
24:14He turned sharply to the servant beside him.
24:17Send orders back to the capital.
24:20From today on, Thomas is not to be given the apothetory key again.
24:25And the gold coffet is not to be opened.
24:28Panic flashed across Lydia's face.
24:31Your majesty.
24:33Perhaps we shouldn't.
24:35Leon coldly pressed down the hand she had placed on his arm.
24:38She needs to be taught a lesson.
24:42Otherwise, she will never learn how to be queen.
24:45The servant's face went deathly pale and he did not answer.
24:49Leon frowned.
24:50What?
24:51The servant lowered his head.
24:53His voice tightened.
24:55Your majesty.
24:57Master Thomas has passed away.
24:59Leon froze.
25:01What did you say?
25:02The servant forced the words out.
25:05Three days ago.
25:07Her majesty.
25:10The quest of the apothetory be opened.
25:13But the key was never delivered.
25:15By the time the physician arrived,
25:18Master Thomas had already...
25:19He did not finish.
25:22Leon stood there as if he had suddenly forgotten how to understand language.
25:26A long time passed before him.
25:29How is that, boss?
25:34Why didn't anyone tell me?
25:39The servant looked even more troubled.
25:42Someone did report it to your majesty at the time.
25:45Leon stared at him.
25:48What did I say?
25:50The servant clenched his jaw.
25:53You said that while you and Lady Lydia were watching the winter lantern parade,
25:57you did not want to hear anything related to the queen.
26:00In that instant, Leon's face went white.
26:02I watched him finally remember.
26:05That day, I had burst into the household office and begged Lydia to give me the apothecary key.
26:11He said I had shamed the crown.
26:13Later, to comfort Lydia after she had been frightened,
26:17he lit winter lanterns across the capital for an entire night.
26:21The nobles all said his majesty truly favored his chief court lady.
26:25My father took his last breath that same night.
26:28Leon turned sharply toward Lydia.
26:31Tears welled in Lydia's eyes as if she had suffered a great injustice.
26:36Leon, I didn't mean to keep it from you.
26:39I only thought Master Thomas had already received so much grace from the late king.
26:45And her majesty always makes things sound worse than they are.
26:48I was afraid she would influence her.
26:51I froley.
26:53Give me your key ledger.
26:55For the first time, Leon cut her off.
26:58What?
27:00Lydia froze.
27:04The record from the cabin tree key.
27:06The treasury key.
27:08And the carriage house key from the past few days.
27:12All of them.
27:14The blood drained from Lydia's face.
27:18Leon, these are household affairs.
27:20You've never investigated me like this before.
27:22Oh, what was left to explain.
27:25Everything I had said was true.
27:27I had not been jealous of Lydia.
27:29I had not used my father's illness to threaten him.
27:32I had truly wanted to leave.
27:33The way Leon looked at me finally began to change.
27:36But I only felt tired.
27:38I looked away and lowered my head to sort my tools.
27:42Three whole years had been wrong.
27:43Leon took one step toward me.
27:45But the soldiers of the armory camp shifted almost at the same time.
27:50No one drew a weapon.
27:51They only stood there, silent and solid.
27:54Between the king and the woman he had cornered for too long.
28:02Aaliyah.
28:03Don't.
28:05That single word stopped him more sharply than any royal command.
28:09Lydia's fingers closed around the edge of her cloak.
28:13Your Majesty.
28:14I can explain the ledgers.
28:17Her Majesty always demanded things outside procedure.
28:21I was protecting your reputation.
28:24Leon looked at her.
28:26And for once, he did not immediately believe him.
28:29Then you will explain them in writing.
28:31Every missing hour.
28:34Every delayed key.
28:37Every sealed door.
28:38I heard those words and felt nothing like triumph.
28:41There was no victory.
28:42In being believed after the person you loved most was already dead.
28:51Late that night, I came out of the armory camp to dump furnace ash and saw Leon standing not far
28:57away.
28:57The firelight was dim, and snow rested on his shoulders.
29:01I had only seen him that afternoon, yet he looked as if his soul had been drained out of him.
29:06When he saw me, he stepped toward me at once.
29:09Aaliyah.
29:09I frowned and stepped back.
29:11He stopped.
29:12His voice was hoarse.
29:15I've taken all the keys back from Lydia.
29:16She is no longer the chief court lady.
29:19About your father, I didn't know.
29:22Give me a chance to make it up to you, alright?
29:23My heart did not soften.
29:25I only found it absurd.
29:27Once, I had begged him to listen to one sentence, and he found me annoying.
29:31Now he stood in the snow, finally willing to bow his head.
29:34But it was too late.
29:36I looked at him calmly.
29:38Leon, do you think Lydia is the only problem between us?
29:41He seemed caught off guard.
29:44I know I was wrong.
29:45He seemed caught off guard.
29:46I shouldn't have let her control your keys.
29:50I shouldn't have used that method to teach you rules.
29:54I just thought the palace had always been like this.
29:57Noblemen manage their common-born wives this way all the time.
30:02I never thought it would hurt you.
30:05And I never truly meant to abandon your father.
30:09I looked at him.
30:11Leon, even now, you still think that if you are willing to give,
30:16I should be grateful enough to take it.
30:18You made me queen, then handed my wardrobe, the apothetry,
30:21and my father's life-saving money to Lydia.
30:22You saw my humiliation.
30:23You just believed someone of my birth had no right to feel humiliated.
30:26His face turned paler by the second.
30:28I went on.
30:30We are over.
30:32I don't want anything.
30:34When the Archbip's court asks for your response,
30:36don't stand in the way.
30:38That's all.
30:39Confusion filled.
30:40Leon's eyes.
30:41He seemed unable to understand why I refused to forgive him
30:44when he had already lowered himself this far.
30:47Carefully, he asked.
30:48What will it take for you to come back with me?
30:52I can give you the keys to the queen's wardrobe.
30:54The jewel room, the treasury, the apothetry, all of them.
30:58From today on,
30:59no door in the palace will stand in your way.
31:03I could not help laughing.
31:05If all you needed was a vase beside your throne,
31:07you should never have been kind to me in the beginning.
31:09Yes.
31:11I had loved him once.
31:12During my first year in the palace,
31:14Leon had not always been cold.
31:16He taught me my first court dance.
31:19He taught me my first court dance.
31:23When noble ladies mocked my accent,
31:26he took my hand and walked me across the entire ballroom.
31:29She is my queen.
31:32In that moment,
31:33I truly believed I had been chosen.
31:39Leon began to say I did not understand the rules.
31:41That I was too sensitive.
31:43Too petty.
31:45Too embarrassing.
31:46That Lydia was only helping him.
31:48His tenderness was like winter fog on a window.
31:51The moment I touched it,
31:52it disappeared.
31:54I looked at Leon and said softly,
31:56I don't need your compensation.
31:59I only need this marriage to end.
32:01Leon looked as if he had been struck.
32:04He stumbled one step forward and reached for me.
32:06I avoided him.
32:08His hand froze in the air.
32:13Aelia,
32:13even a prisoner dragged before a court
32:15gets to defend himself once.
32:17His voice was almost pleading.
32:19You can't deny me even one chance to explain.
32:23I gave you many chances.
32:24I said calmly.
32:27Every time I waited outside your study.
32:30Every time I went to the household office to beg for a key.
32:35Every time I told you stake for me when key.
32:39Every time I told you Lydia was delaying me on purpose.
32:44Every time you said listen to Lydia.
32:48Those were chances.
32:50You were the one who threw them all away.
32:53Leon had nothing left to say.
32:55I knew how stubborn he was.
32:57I also knew dissolving our marriage would not be easy.
33:00But I did not expect him to arrive at the armory camp
33:03the next morning with a train of carriages.
33:05They were loaded with silk,
33:07medicine,
33:08gold coffers,
33:09and food.
33:14The northern armory is always short on funds.
33:17I've already ordered the treasurer to allocate money to you.
33:23Leon stood in the snow when he saw me.
33:26There was even a careful smile on his face.
33:30These medicines and iron supplies are for the camp as well.
33:33Then he took a small box from a servant.
33:37These are candied figs.
33:38I remember you used to ask for them late at night.
33:41Eat while they're still warm.
33:42I did not reach for them.
33:44You don't like them?
33:45The hope in Leon's eyes stiffened little by little.
33:48I don't like candied figs.
33:50Lydia does.
33:51I said lightly.
33:53Leon froze.
33:54I looked at the box and remembered long ago
33:57for a period of time.
33:58He often asked me to have the kitchens
34:00make candied figs late at night.
34:02I thought he liked sweets while working late.
34:05Only later did I learn they were for Lydia.
34:08Once I saw her sitting at the small table
34:10in the king's study with my own eyes.
34:14Your majesty,
34:15please have the kitchens make another serving next time.
34:18At Leon tried them
34:19and thinks they're good too.
34:24That day I argued with Leon.
34:28It's just a bit of food from the kitchen.
34:31You are queen
34:32and Lydia runs the palace household for me.
34:34What's wrong with rewarding her?
34:35Stop acting so small-minded.
34:37Now, thinking back,
34:39I found myself almost laughable.
34:41So I had once been that devoted.
34:44I'm sorry.
34:45I remembered wrong.
34:46Leon gave a difficult smile.
34:50Then what do you like?
34:51I'll wish to her it.
34:53I'll have someone prepare it.
34:54I lowered my head
34:55and continued inspecting a broken sword.
34:58No need.
34:59But Leon did not give up
35:01over the next few days.
35:03He kept sending gifts.
35:05Sometimes it was a sapphire necklace.
35:07Sometimes a gold-threaded shawl.
35:10Sometimes white roses
35:11from the royal greenhouse once.
35:13He even sent a pair of ivory gloves
35:15set with tiny pearls.
35:17I looked at those things
35:18and became genuinely curious.
35:20How did a man who listened this badly
35:22manage to rule a country?
35:24When the armory finished repairing
35:25a batch of border longswords,
35:28Leon came again.
35:29This time he carried
35:30a delicate wooden box.
35:34I did not let him open it.
35:36The palace keys?
35:39His eyes lit up.
35:41How did you know?
35:42I looked at him
35:43and gave a small smile.
35:44Because you finally remembered
35:46that keys were what I lacked most
35:48for the past three years.
35:49A hint of joy
35:50appeared on his face.
35:51As if he thought
35:52he had finally done something right,
35:54he opened the box.
35:55Inside lay a ring of golden keys,
35:57the wardrobe,
35:58the jewel room,
36:00the apothecary,
36:01the carriage house,
36:02the treasury,
36:03the inner chamber.
36:04Each key bore the queen's crest.
36:08From today on,
36:10you can open every room
36:11in the palace.
36:14A'Lelia,
36:16I will make up for everything
36:18I owe you.
36:20I looked at those keys,
36:22so late in coming,
36:23and suddenly felt exhausted.
36:25Leon,
36:26you still don't understand.
36:27Leon,
36:28you still don't understand.
36:30I wanted keys before
36:31because I was still trying
36:32to survive inside that palace.
36:35I don't need them now.
36:37I never wanted the keys
36:39to every door in the palace.
36:41I never want to go back
36:42to that palace at all.
36:45The color drained
36:46from Leon's face.
36:47I continued.
36:49The sapphire you sent
36:50is what Lydia likes.
36:52The gold-threaded shoal
36:53is something she wears often.
36:56White roses sit
36:57in her room all year.
36:59The ivory gloves
37:00are what she wears
37:00before every winter hunt.
37:03See?
37:04You remember
37:05another woman's taste
37:06so clearly.
37:07So why not dissolve
37:08this marriage smoothly
37:10and marry her?
37:11Leon answered
37:11almost without thinking.
37:13She cannot be queen.
37:15Her birth is not suitable.
37:17She only likes power
37:18and the things
37:19inside the palace.
37:20I suddenly understood.
37:22He saw Lydia clearly.
37:24He had simply
37:24never considered her
37:25someone who could
37:26stand beside her.
37:27As for me,
37:28I had the late king's command
37:30and the title
37:30of the savior's daughter.
37:32My birth was low,
37:33but I had no noble family
37:35that could threaten her.
37:36I was suited to be a queen
37:37placed beside his throne.
37:39Perhaps there was love
37:40in his attachment to me.
37:42But more than that,
37:43he could not accept
37:44that I had chosen
37:45to leave him.
37:47I looked straight at Leon.
37:49So you think
37:50I walked away with nothing
37:51because I loved you?
37:53Because you broke my heart
37:54because I wanted you
37:55to regret it?
37:56Leon looked away.
37:58I said softly,
38:00You're wrong.
38:02I married you
38:03because my father
38:04needed the physicians
38:05and medicine
38:06the late king promised him.
38:08I stayed in the palace
38:09because he was still alive.
38:14Now he is dead.
38:15I don't need your money.
38:17I don't need your keys.
38:18I don't need your love.
38:22And I don't need you,
38:24Leon.
38:27The ruling from the archbishop's court
38:29came sooner than I expected.
38:31Perhaps because Leon
38:32did not interfere again.
38:34Perhaps because too many people
38:36in the capital
38:36already knew that
38:37before the queen's father died.
38:39The apothecary key
38:40had been delayed again and again.
38:42The marriage is dissolved
38:44on the grounds
38:45that it was arranged
38:46by the late king's command
38:47that there are no children
38:49and that the relationship
38:50has broken beyond repair.
38:54Leon did not appear, Dot.
38:56Royal judges handled everything
38:57on his behalf.
38:58To my surprise,
39:00he did not leave me with nothing
39:01as he had once threatened to do.
39:03He sent all the reward money
39:04my father should have received
39:06to the north.
39:06He also gave me an estate
39:08near the border,
39:09a box of jewels,
39:10and everything that had once
39:12belonged to me
39:12in the queen's chamber.
39:14I returned to the palace once.
39:16Nothing in that chamber
39:17had been moved.
39:17The wardrobe stood open.
39:19The jewel room stood open.
39:21Even the inner room
39:22I could not enter
39:23for three years
39:24had its door wide open.
39:25On the table
39:26lay that ring of golden keys.
39:28Each one had been polished
39:30until it shone,
39:31but I no longer wanted them.
39:34I spent two days
39:35handing the gowns,
39:36jewelry,
39:37and properties in the capital
39:39over to the merchant's guild
39:40for auction.
39:41Part of the money
39:42went to repairing
39:42the northern armory camp.
39:44Part went to the families
39:45of fallen border soldiers.
39:47The rest,
39:48I used to build
39:49a small workshop
39:49in my father's name,
39:51one that would take in girls
39:52with nowhere else to go
39:53and teach them a trade.
39:55On the third evening,
39:56a royal servant
39:57came to the armory camp.
39:59He carried a small gold chest
40:01and looked uncomfortable.
40:02Miss Aaliyah,
40:04His Majesty said
40:05the earlier compensation
40:06was not enough.
40:09These are new deeds
40:10and letters of credit.
40:12I looked at the black carriage
40:13parked in the distance.
40:14I took the chest
40:16and walked over.
40:17After a while,
40:18the carriage window lowered.
40:20Leon sat inside.
40:22He had lost
40:22a great deal of weight.
40:24Dark stubble
40:25shadowed his jaw
40:26and his eyes
40:27were full of exhaustion.
40:30I handed the chest
40:32back through the window.
40:35Leon,
40:37I am grateful
40:38you didn't truly
40:38send me away empty-handed.
40:41What you have already
40:41given me is enough.
40:45But I will still
40:45sell the gowns,
40:47the jewels,
40:49and the houses.
40:51I have enough money.
40:54I simply don't want
40:55to keep anything
40:56from the palace.
40:57Leon's voice was hoarse.
41:00Aaliyah,
41:02I only want
41:03to make it up to you.
41:06You've already
41:06made up enough.
41:13We owe each other
41:14nothing now.
41:17Leon suddenly
41:18grew agitated.
41:19How can we
41:20owe each other
41:20nothing?
41:22Your father
41:23and the way
41:25I treated you before.
41:27I wronged you.
41:28I was silent
41:29for a moment.
41:33I did hate you.
41:35My father
41:36saved the late king.
41:37But the reward
41:38he earned
41:39was locked
41:39inside the palace.
41:40When he needed
41:41those things to live,
41:42I couldn't even
41:43get a key.
41:45There was a time
41:46when I wanted
41:47to burn that palace down.
41:48Leon's face
41:49turned pale.
41:51I went on.
41:53But I also
41:53have to admit,
41:55Leon,
41:56that my father
41:57survived those
41:58three years
41:58because of the royal
41:59physicians
42:00and the apothetry.
42:01That was what
42:02the old king
42:03promised him.
42:06And it was
42:06something you
42:07never completely
42:08own.
42:11He never
42:11completely took
42:12away.
42:13Before my father
42:14died,
42:14he held my hand
42:15with the little
42:16strength he had
42:17left.
42:20Alia,
42:22don't spend
42:23your whole life
42:24inside hatred.
42:26My greatest
42:28regret is not
42:29that I never
42:29lived in a
42:30grand house.
42:31It's that I
42:32never got to
42:33see you return
42:34to the forge.
42:36My daughter
42:37could have
42:38made the
42:38finest keys.
42:40Win the
42:41finest keys.
42:43At that moment,
42:45the person I
42:46hated most
42:46became myself.
42:47I hated
42:48myself for
42:49being useless.
42:50I hated
42:51that even
42:51though I
42:51knew the
42:52palace was
42:52not my
42:53home.
42:53I still
42:54endured
42:54three years
42:55there for
42:55my father,
42:56and I
42:56hated that
42:57in the
42:57end.
42:58I still
42:58failed to
42:59save him.
43:00So now
43:01everything is
43:01only returning
43:02to where it
43:03should be.
43:04And it was
43:05something you
43:05never completely
43:06own.
43:09He never
43:09completely
43:10took away.
43:11Something
43:11seemed to
43:12shatter in
43:12Leon's eyes.
43:17We
43:18sat in
43:18silence for
43:19a long
43:19time.
43:20In the
43:20end,
43:20there was
43:21no
43:21unnecessary
43:22farewell.
43:23When the
43:23carriage left,
43:24I did
43:25not look
43:25back.
43:26Over
43:26the next
43:27few
43:27years,
43:28I poured
43:28almost all
43:29my time
43:29into the
43:30armory
43:30camp.
43:31I
43:31repaired
43:32gates,
43:33adjusted
43:33crossbows,
43:35redesigned
43:35horseshoes for
43:36the northern
43:36cavalry.
43:37Eventually,
43:38even the
43:39minister of
43:39war in the
43:40capital heard
43:41that there
43:41was a female
43:42armorer in
43:43the north who
43:43could make
43:44ruined plates of
43:45armor look
43:45new again.
43:46When
43:47Madame Martha
43:47grew older,
43:48she often sat
43:49by the forge
43:50and watched me
43:50train apprentices.
43:53Choose your
43:54students carefully.
43:55I'm too old to
43:57rescue you first
43:57and then rescue
43:58your useless
43:59little apprentices
44:00too.
44:01My apprentices
44:02and I all
44:03laughed.
44:05That winter,
44:06I suddenly
44:07received news.
44:08Leon had been
44:09injured.
44:09A fire had
44:10broken out in
44:11the old queen's
44:12chamber,
44:12and he had
44:13rushed in to
44:14save someone.
44:17half his face
44:18had been burned.
44:19The messenger
44:20said Lydia
44:20had set the
44:21fire.
44:23After she
44:23was driven
44:24from the
44:24palace,
44:25she never
44:25accepted it.
44:26She believed
44:27his majesty
44:27refused to
44:28marry her
44:29because you
44:29were still
44:29alive,
44:31and because
44:32he had kept
44:32the queen's
44:33chamber untouched.
44:35She used
44:36an old key
44:37she had
44:37secretly copied,
44:38slipped into
44:39Whitestone Palace,
44:40and tried to
44:40burn the
44:41chamber down.
44:42Maybe she
44:43wanted to
44:43kill Leon.
44:43Maybe she
44:44wanted to
44:45kill me.
44:46The woman
44:46she believed
44:47would one
44:47day return.
44:48After
44:49hesitating for
44:50a long
44:50time,
44:51I went to
44:51see him
44:52once,
44:52my heart
44:53had not
44:53softened.
44:54Some things
44:55simply needed
44:55a real
44:56ending.
45:00Leon lay in
45:01the palace
45:01infirmary.
45:02Half of his
45:03face was
45:03wrapped in
45:04white bandages.
45:05The physicians
45:06whispered that
45:07the scar would
45:07likely be deep.
45:08When he saw
45:09me, he gave a
45:10smile uglier than
45:11crying.
45:12You came.
45:14I nodded
45:14politely as
45:15if visiting an
45:16old acquaintance.
45:17I heard you
45:18were hurt.
45:18He said,
45:20Lydia will
45:21stand trial.
45:23Falsifying the
45:23key ledger,
45:24holding back
45:25the apothetory
45:26key, hiding
45:27the queen's
45:27travel permits
45:28and arson.
45:30She will pay
45:31for all of it.
45:32I did not
45:32ask further.
45:33None of those
45:34things had
45:34anything to do
45:35with me now.
45:36I only asked
45:37a few polite
45:38questions about
45:39his injuries.
45:44Will the burn
45:45affect your
45:46sight?
45:51The physicians
45:52say one eye
45:52may blur in
45:53winter.
45:54It doesn't
45:54matter.
45:56Then follow
45:57their instructions.
45:58When the next
45:59group of nobles
46:00came in to visit,
46:01I took the
46:02chance to leave
46:03at the door.
46:04Leon suddenly
46:05called my name.
46:11I stopped
46:12but did not
46:13turn around.
46:14His voice
46:15was low.
46:17That chamber
46:19is gone.
46:22Everything
46:23from before
46:23is gone too.
46:25I said calmly,
46:26that's alright.
46:28I never wanted
46:29any of it.
46:31I said calmly,
46:34behind me,
46:35there was a
46:36long silence.
46:37I opened the
46:37door and walked
46:38out of the
46:38infirmary.
46:40The sunlight
46:40outside was
46:41bright,
46:41like my new
46:42life.
46:52Lydia's trial
46:52was held in
46:53the old
46:53judgment hall
46:54of White
46:54Stone Palace.
46:55She no longer
46:56wore pale blue
46:57silk or white
46:58fox fur.
46:59Her wrists
47:00were bound.
47:01Her hair
47:01was loose.
47:02And smoke
47:03stains still
47:04clung to the
47:04hem of her
47:05gown.
47:05Lydia,
47:06former chief
47:07court lady,
47:08you are accused
47:09of falsifying
47:09household ledgers,
47:11withholding royal
47:11keys,
47:12concealing travel
47:13permits,
47:14delaying royal
47:14medicine,
47:15and setting
47:15fire to the
47:16queen's chamber.
47:17How do you
47:18answer?
47:19Lydia lifted
47:20her head and
47:20laughed shortly.
47:23Queen's chamber?
47:24She was never
47:25worthy of that
47:26chamber.
47:27The nobles
47:27whispered
47:28at Leon
47:28sat behind
47:29the carved
47:29screen,
47:30half his face
47:31hidden beneath
47:32bandages.
47:33He did not
47:33speak.
47:35The recovered
47:36ledger shows
47:37that the
47:38apothecary
47:39key was
47:39requested five
47:40times on the
47:41night Master
47:42Thomas died.
47:44Each request
47:45was delayed
47:46under your
47:47seal.
47:48I followed
47:49palace.
47:50I followed
47:51palace rules.
47:52The travel
47:53permit was
47:54also hidden
47:55under your
47:55seal.
47:57because she
47:58always wanted
47:58to run
47:59back to
48:00that filthy
48:00forge.
48:03Not the
48:03furls.
48:05Leon
48:06closed his
48:07eyes.
48:07Lydia
48:08suddenly turned
48:09toward the
48:09screen as if
48:10she could see
48:10him.
48:11Leon, if
48:12Allelia had
48:13not appeared,
48:14I would have
48:14been queen
48:15long ago!
48:17You kept
48:18that chamber
48:18untouched
48:19because you
48:19still dreamed
48:20she would
48:20return.
48:21If she
48:22died,
48:23everything
48:24would go
48:25back to
48:25how it
48:26was!
48:28The judgment
48:28hall fell
48:29silent.
48:30Then you
48:30admit you
48:31set the
48:31fire, knowing
48:32she might
48:32return.
48:33Lydia's face
48:34twisted.
48:36I admit
48:36nothing except
48:37that she stole
48:38what should
48:39have been
48:39mine.
48:46After the
48:47trial, Leon
48:48dismissed
48:48every guard
48:49and walked
48:50alone to
48:50the ruins
48:51of the
48:51old queen's
48:51chamber.
48:52The corridor
48:53still smelled
48:54of smoke.
48:55The portraits
48:56of past
48:56queens remained
48:57on the walls,
48:57but the
48:58place where
48:59Allelia's
48:59portrait had
49:00once hung
49:00was black
49:01and empty.
49:03Your
49:03Majesty,
49:04the physician
49:05said you
49:05should not
49:05be near
49:06Ash.
49:10Leave.
49:11The guard
49:12bowed and
49:13retreated.
49:14Leon stepped
49:14over burned
49:15silk, broken
49:16beams, and
49:17melted glass.
49:18The wardrobe
49:19that he had
49:19finally opened
49:20for Allelia
49:21was gone.
49:21The jewel
49:22room was
49:23gone.
49:23The table
49:24where he
49:24had placed
49:25the polished
49:25golden.
49:26Keys was
49:27split in
49:28half.
49:28A half-melted
49:29key lay in
49:30the ashes.
49:31Leon picked
49:32it up with
49:32his bandaged
49:33hand.
49:36Your
49:37Majesty,
49:38your wound
49:38will reopen.
49:39It should.
49:40He looked at
49:41the twisted
49:42key and
49:42suddenly remembered
49:43Allia standing
49:44before him with
49:45a small trunk
49:45at her feet.
49:50Allia's voice
49:51seemed to return
49:52from the fire.
49:53I don't need
49:54them now.
49:56Leon pressed
49:57the key
49:57against his
49:58palm.
49:59Four years,
50:00he had believed
50:00that if he kept
50:01the chamber,
50:02kept the gowns,
50:04kept the keys,
50:05he could keep
50:05the possibility
50:06of her return.
50:08But the chamber
50:09had burned,
50:10the portrait
50:10had burned,
50:11even the keys
50:12had lost their
50:13shape.
50:14Only then
50:15did Leon
50:15understand that
50:16Allia had not
50:17disappeared from
50:18his life
50:18because a door
50:19had closed.
50:20She had left
50:21because he had
50:22never given her
50:23one worth opening.
50:25The palace
50:26corridor looked
50:27as brilliant
50:28as it had
50:28before,
50:29with portraits
50:30of past queens
50:31hanging along
50:31the walls.
50:32There had once
50:33been a portrait
50:33of me there too
50:34after the
50:35dissolution.
50:36Leon never
50:37ordered it
50:37removed.
50:38Now that portrait
50:39had burned
50:40with the chamber.
50:41Good.
50:42Some things
50:42should never
50:43have been kept
50:43later.
50:44I heard that
50:45Lydia cursed
50:46my name
50:46throughout her
50:47trial.
50:48She said
50:48that if it
50:49had not
50:49been for
50:50me,
50:50she would
50:50have been
50:51queen long
50:51ago.
50:52She said
50:53that if it
50:53had not
50:53been for
50:54me,
50:56she said
50:56that if I
50:57died,
50:57everything would
50:58go back
50:58to how it
50:59was.
50:59I only found
51:00it ridiculous
51:01in the end.
51:02They really
51:03were a perfect
51:04match.
51:05One believed
51:05that as long
51:06as he kept
51:06the old chamber,
51:07I would one
51:08day return.
51:09The other
51:10believed that
51:10as long as
51:11I disappeared,
51:12she would be
51:13able to walk
51:13through that
51:13door.
51:14They were both
51:15stubbornly
51:16guarding things
51:16that did not
51:17belong to
51:17them.
51:18Both of them
51:18were trapped in
51:19the past,
51:20refusing to move
51:21on.
51:21What a shame
51:22I had not seen
51:23it sooner.
51:23One regret in a
51:25lifetime was
51:25enough.
51:26A young girl at
51:27the work table
51:28glanced at the
51:29messenger's letter
51:30in my hand.
51:31teacher, is that
51:32news from the
51:33palace?
51:34I folded the
51:35letter and
51:36pushed it into
51:36the fire.
51:39No, it is
51:41only ash.
51:43Madam Martha
51:43snorted from the
51:44corner.
51:45Good answer.
51:46Now teach that
51:47girl how to file a
51:48clean edge before
51:50she ruins my
51:51tools.
51:51After that, I
51:53never went back to
51:53the palace.
51:54I never followed
51:55any news of
51:56Leon again.
51:58Several months
51:59after Lydia's
52:00sentence, the
52:01minister of war
52:02placed a northern
52:03armory report
52:04before Leon.
52:05Your majesty, the
52:06border cavalry
52:07requests more
52:08horseshoes from
52:09Miss Alia's
52:09workshop.
52:10Their design has
52:11reduced winter
52:12injuries by nearly
52:13half.
52:14Leon's fingers
52:15paused on the
52:16seal.
52:16The capital
52:17armory could
52:18use her skill.
52:19We may invite
52:20her to White
52:21Stone for a
52:21royal commission.
52:22For a moment, the
52:23chamber was silent.
52:25Then Leon said
52:26quietly, send the
52:27invitation.
52:28He told himself
52:29it was for the
52:29kingdom.
52:30He did not tell
52:31the minister that
52:32he had read every
52:32northern report.
52:33With her name on
52:34it, he did not
52:36say that each
52:36mention of Alia's
52:37work hurt worse
52:38than a scar across
52:39his face.
52:40Days later, a
52:41royal messenger
52:42arrived at Thomas'
52:43workshop.
52:44Miss Alia, his
52:46majesty invites you
52:47to the capital to
52:48oversee a new lock
52:49system for White
52:49Stone Palace.
52:51I did not stop
52:52filing the iron
52:53plate in my hand.
52:54Tell the ministry
52:55to send the
52:56measurements.
52:57I will design
52:58what the palace
52:59needs from here.
53:00His majesty
53:00hoped you would
53:01come in person.
53:02I finally looked
53:03up.
53:04I am an armchair,
53:06not a memory he
53:07can summon.
53:07That evening, I
53:08wrote a formal
53:09reply.
53:11Thomas' workshop
53:12accepts commissions
53:13for tools,
53:15hinges,
53:15armor plates,
53:17locks,
53:18and keys.
53:19It does not
53:19accept invitations
53:20to reopen
53:21closed doors.
53:22When Leon received
53:23the letter,
53:25he read the last
53:25line three times,
53:26then he folded
53:27it carefully and
53:28placed it beside
53:29the ruined golden
53:29key he still
53:30kept in his desk.
53:33The winters in the
53:34north were long,
53:35but the forge fire
53:36never went out.
53:38One of the new
53:38girls held up a
53:39broken lock and
53:40asked softly,
53:41teacher,
53:42what should I do
53:43if this won't
53:44open?
53:44I glanced at it
53:46and pushed a bar
53:46of iron into the
53:47fire.
53:49If it won't
53:50open,
53:50replace it.
53:52Same with doors,
53:53same with people.
53:54The fire rose.
53:56The red-hot iron
53:57slowly took shape
53:58beneath the hammer.
53:59I suddenly thought
54:00of the night.
54:01I left the palace
54:02three years ago,
54:04back then.
54:05I thought I had
54:06lost everything.
54:07Only now did I
54:08understand.
54:08I had simply
54:09carried myself
54:10out of a palace
54:11where I had
54:12never been given
54:13a key.
54:15From then on,
54:16my life would
54:17only move forward.
54:18I would never
54:19look back.
54:20The new girl
54:21stared at the
54:22broken lock
54:23in her palm,
54:23then looked at
54:24the iron glowing
54:25in the furnace.
54:27Teacher,
54:28can I make
54:29my own key?
54:30I handed her
54:31the smaller hammer
54:32my father once
54:32made for me.
54:35You can make
54:35a key.
54:36You can make
54:37a door.
54:38You can even
54:38decide there
54:39should be
54:39no door
54:40there at all.
54:40Less talking.
54:42More hammering.
54:43The apprentices
54:44burst into laughter.
54:46I laughed
54:46with them.
54:47Outside,
54:48the northern snow
54:49covered the road
54:50to the capital.
54:51Inside,
54:52the forge
54:52burned brighter
54:53than any palace
54:54chandelier I had
54:55ever seen.
54:55I raised the hammer.
54:57The first strike
54:58rang clear.
54:59Then the
54:59second,
55:00then the third.
55:01A new shape
55:02began to form
55:02beneath my hands.
55:03The other.
55:04The prime
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