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