In a world where palaces are full of luxury and the streets drown in darkness and poverty, Alfirane discovers that reality can be harsher than imagination. Today, she steps out to face a world she has never known, realizing that darkness doesn't always hide in corners… but in hearts corrupted by greed.
Chapter Five: Corruption
Alfirane was sitting in her spacious room inside the castle, sunlight timidly seeping through the silk curtains. Everything around her exuded luxury and calm… yet the words she had just heard from the servants would not leave her mind.
"The poor districts live a miserable life… people there die of hunger."
The words echoed repeatedly in her head.
She slowly stood in front of the tall mirror. She looked at her reflection—Commander Alfirane, leader of the Death Knights, a figure of authority and renown in the kingdom. Then she closed her eyes.
"I will see for myself."
She began changing her clothes, removing the symbols of command, and hid her features under a simple cloak. She was no longer the commander… just an ordinary citizen.
She opened her door quietly and walked carefully through the castle corridors. Leaving without guards was not something she was used to, but today was different. She passed through the castle gate for the first time without knights accompanying her… without banners… without her name.
She stepped out alone.
Every step took her farther from the world she knew and closer to a world she did not.
She headed toward the poor districts.
And with the first street she entered, her steps froze.
She saw men in tattered clothes, pale faces, children sleeping on the ground as if the sidewalks had become their beds. The smell of disease and decay choked the air.
Then she saw something that made her stomach twist.
Corpses… abandoned on the roadside.
She covered her mouth with her hand, feeling nauseous. The rumors had not been exaggerated… the truth was harsher than she had imagined.
She continued walking, her heart growing heavier with every scene.
She reached a river flowing near the district… but she saw no clear water as she was used to in the castle. The river was full of waste, its color a foul green, and the stench rose mercilessly.
She remembered something.
This waste… comes from the nobles' districts.
Anger surged in her chest.
"We live in palaces… and they choke on the remains of our luxury."
She clenched her hand and continued walking.
Suddenly, a little girl bumped into her.
"Sorry, sir!" she said quickly, then ran off.
Alfirane did not pay much attention at first… but when she reached into her purse, her money was gone.
She stopped.
"She stole from me."
She looked up and saw the girl running away quickly, and without hesitation, she chased her.
But she did not shout… nor did she get angry… she just wanted to see.
She followed her until the girl reached a small bakery. She took the money and bought four loaves of bread. Her hands were trembling as she received them, as if she feared the food would be taken from her.
Then she ran again.
Alfirane followed her until they reached a dilapidated house, its walls cracked, the door barely standing. The place was infested with rats and insects.
She stood at the entrance… then looked inside.
Twelve small children… in tattered clothes… eyes hollow from hunger.
The girl distributed the loaves carefully among them, as if she were handing out a priceless treasure. They ate quickly, as if they hadn't tasted food for days.
Alfirane felt a pang in her heart.
This was not theft… it was survival.
The girl noticed her presence and froze in place.
"Sir… please forgive me… I had no choice."
Her voice was broken.
Alfirane stepped forward slowly and said calmly, "Do not worry… I will not punish you. But tell me… what is happening here?"
The girl hesitated, then said, "All this is because of corruption… the king, his ministers, and the nobles impose taxes on us. And whoever does not pay… is imprisoned."
Alfirane asked, "And your parents?"
The girl's voice dropped: "My father was killed… because he refused to pay the taxes and fought with the guards. They killed him in cold blood. And my mother… she died of illness."
Tears streamed down her eyes.
Alfirane felt her chest tighten. Her eyes glistened with tears, yet she held herself together.
Then the girl whispered: "And there… there is a black market. They sell women and slaves there."
Alfirane froze.
"Are you serious?"
"Yes."
Alfirane stood, gave her some coins.
"Consider it done."
Then she turned and ran toward the castle.
She went straight to King Aldern.
"Your Majesty… are the rumors about the black market true?"
The king looked at her coldly.
"I advise you, Alfirane… do not meddle in what does not concern you. Or you will face severe consequences."
His voice was devoid of any hesitation.
She left, her heart pounding.
She found Princess Alindra in the corridor.
"Have you finally heard about the black market?"
"Do you know about it?"
"Yes… but there is nothing I can do, because this market is shared between our kingdom and Noraf Kingdom."
The shocks kept piling up.
She returned home and confronted her father.
"Father… do you know about the black market?"
"Yes."
"Then why does no one do anything?"
"Do not interfere in what does not concern you… or you will be killed."
She felt the ground tremble beneath her feet.
She entered her room.
Closed the door.
Looked around… everything luxurious… everything calm… everything false.
She slapped herself.
"This is not a dream…"
She sat at her desk and took out her musical instrument.
She began to play.
The melody was different… not just sad, but filled with anger.
She whispered:
"Oh, this corrupt world… people live in luxury… while others die in poverty… there is no honor in this world."
Then she closed her eyes and whispered softly:
"When the heart betrays its endurance… darkness sharpens its fangs."
Silence followed.
Alfirane sat in her room, her heart heavy with anger and shock. What she saw was not mere poverty, but a struggle for survival under rampant corruption. She realized that the world does not punish the oppressed… it rewards those who control the darkness. The path ahead remains long… and her ambition will lead her to a greater power, one that could change the fate of the entire kingdom.