25 Leigboury I

'Outdated. It was outdated.' Calluna thought to herself bitterly.

Upon arriving in Leigboury with her new companion in tow, she noticed immediately that the city was absolutely nothing like what she had read. In the historical recollections of Leigboury, it was a grand city booming with life and societal success. Fair distributions of wealth and a healthy economy, their specialty growing and selling almonds.

What she was looking at through the carriage window, however, was the exact opposite.

People riddled with illness inhabited each alleyway; the sounds of coughing and sneezing seemed to have become part of Leigboury's typical ambience. The putrid smells of sick and alcohol were unavoidable to everyone's noses as soon as they entered the city walls. Many of the shops, even in what should have been the 'busy downtown', were closed – some of the establishments gone as far as being boarded shut.

"It wasn't always like this," a quiet voice spoke from beside her. "It's actually a fairly recent development."

Calluna frowned and turned to face Wesley, whose soft icy eyes were clouded with worry. "Could you tell me more?"

"Until three years ago, Leigboury was a very popular and safe place within Killia. It was even considered a good tourist location," the snowy-haired young man explained, pushing his glasses back into place with an index finger. "However, when the new governor, Governor Allen, was elected… Well, everything went downhill. Leigboury is now a hub for criminal organizations, and due to high taxation most of the citizens live in poverty."

Calluna sighed and looked at the alchemist with a forlorn expression. "This… Governor Allen; it sounds to me that he's not very good at the whole 'governing' thing."

Guinevere, who sat across from Calluna, had remained silent during the conversation; but it seemed the prince's words resonated with her, as she nodded passionately in agreement. "Naturally he lacks talent in that department. He didn't get elected through any fair means, either; he used bribery to seat himself in that position."

"I hate politicians," Calluna muttered. "All so corrupt and disgusting."

"There are some pretty awful rumors about Sir Allen, though I'm not from here and have no idea how much of said gossip is true," Wes added with a sad smile.

"Enlighten me."

"I don't have many details, but I have heard things about him participating actively in the black market," he said.

Guinevere's face contorted into one of disgust, and she said through clenched teeth, "I've also heard that he's a bastard that utilizes human trafficking and funds the illegal sex trade."

Human trafficking?! That was the last straw. Calluna had to take a deep breath before saying anything else, her tawny palms beginning to tremble with barely-contained rage. She knew just from what her friends were saying that there was no way he'd be an agreeable man willing to endorse her journey to Kinghood.

"I… see." She managed after several moments of uncomfortable silence. "When does a new governor get elected?"

Her companions cast complicated glances at one another before Wesley turned his head to face her. "Unfortunately, becoming the Governor is a lifelong duty… so he will remain in that position until he passes on."

"You've got to be kidding me," Calluna groaned, then added in a serious tone: "I may end up forcibly removing the title of Governor from him."

Wesley gave her a nod. "If that's you see is fit, then you have every right to do so. Everything I relayed is only hearsay, so don't give up hope on convincing him just yet."

The crown prince sighed and gave a 'mnh' of acknowledgement, then turned her gaze back out the window. For the remainder of their ride, she quietly observed Leigboury's suffering with a bitter taste in her mouth.

-

The Governor's Mansion was in far better shape than the rest of the city.

There were beautiful, trimmed shrubbery lining the outside of the large property. Eight flowerbeds decorated the front yard, each boasting luscious, vibrant flowers. A smooth, cobblestone path went from the gate to the entrance of the large building.

Once the carriage pulled to a stop, Vincenzo opened the door and held an arm out for Calluna to take. She stepped out of the cabin and placed a shaky boot onto the stone, taking a deep breath to steady her churning belly. Her eye narrowed when she noticed a maid that had come out to greet them.

"Welcome to the Allen Mansion, Your Highness," the girl said, voice shaking nervously.

Calluna gave a curt nod, then asked, "How old are you?"

"I'm f-fourteen, miss."

The crown prince gave Vincenzo and Wesley a frustrated look. Vincenzo bowed his head slightly in understanding, and Wesley's smile thinned into a pinched line.

"What's your name, dear?" Calluna asked quietly.

"Flora, miss."

"How long have you worked for Governor Allen?"

"I only started working here six months ago."

"I see. Well, Flora, would you mind taking us inside?"

Flora nodded silently and began walking toward the house. She was small and frail, and her cheeks were gaunt. Calluna had noticed immediately that she was young – which isn't inherently bad, since some maids did indeed start training in their early teens – but she had a suspicion that there might be a majority of young girls working as servants in the man's home.

They followed the tiny maid as lead them into the mansion. She stopped upon entering the doorway, glancing shyly at Calluna and her entourage as they stepped inside.

"Are you alright?" Calluna queried with a furrowed brow. "You seem nervous."

"A-ah! No, no. I'm alright! I've just never faced royalty before, miss." Flora squeaked, shaking her head vigorously. Despite her words, however, she glanced around to ensure no one was looking and closed the distance between she and Calluna. The young girl grabbed the prince's hand and motioned for the woman to lean downward a bit.

Calluna did as she was asked and moved her head down to Flora's level. She could feel the maid's hands shaking in her palm, and upon closer inspection found that beneath the long-sleeved maid uniform were scars around her wrists. It took all the strength that she had not to burst into anger right then, but for the girl's sake decided to remain calm.

"C-can you help my friend?" Her whisper was faint and weak, but Calluna managed to make it out.

"Sure. I don't want to get you in trouble, though. Is there somewhere we can meet later to talk about everything?" Calluna replied softly, lifting one of her hands to gently touch Flora's cheek.

Flora nodded once again, her wide brown eyes trembling. "Meet me in the hedge-maze at midnight."

Calluna smiled at her reassuringly and straightened her posture. "Could you lead us to my room? I'd like to rest."

"Of course, miss!" Was Flora's enthusiastic reply. It seemed that Calluna's cooperation eased her mind enough for her to act more naturally.

-

Once the crown prince and her three companions were alone in the guest's quarters, Calluna could no longer hold her tongue.

"I hate him and I haven't even met him."

Vincenzo frowned, tossing his ponytail off his shoulder, "I'd have to agree with you, he already seems deplorable."

"What did the girl say, Luna?" Wesley asked. At the use of Calluna's nickname, the tall soldier standing beside him furrowed his brow but remained silent.

"She asked if I could help her friend," the blonde explained, bringing a thoughtful hand up to her chin, " I'm not sure what she needs from me. It was obvious that she was frightened, though, so I asked her if I could meet her somewhere later for details."

Guinevere's eyes were sad and nervous as she listened. "I hope that you're actually able to assist her, Calluna."

"I will help her." Calluna responded resolutely, not even a shadow of a doubt lingering on her lips.

All three of her friends smiled at her conviction, and Wesley was the first to speak up again, "When do you meet her? Will you need any help?"

"Midnight, in the hedge maze. I don't think I'll need any help, but I'll bring Vincenzo with me just in case. You two can cover for me here," she replied.

"A hedge maze?" Vincenzo echoed, "That sounds pretty sketchy, yeah…"

"Sketchiness means nothing to me after I felt her fingers trembling in mine. She is scared, and I will do everything to figure out what exactly is going on." Calluna grabbed her linen-toned hair and draped it over one shoulder, taking in a deep breath. "Guinevere, could you find some other maids and prepare a bath for me?"

"Yes, miss."

"Oh, and while you're at it… why don't you see how old all of them are? Even ask about the head maid if you get the chance."

Guinevere smiled in acknowledgement and left the room, and Vincenzo and Wesley soon followed suit to prepare for the following morning's meeting with the governor. Calluna had instructed Wesley to prepare a basic alchemy lesson for her as well, to keep her mind occupied while they finished up the last few cities on the tour.

As the crown prince sat in wait for her bath on the thick sheets of the guest bed, her mind couldn't stop returning to Flora's state.

Calluna frowned upon remembering; and it was then that she knew that she would do whatever it took. Grown men taking advantage of girls was one of the things she'd never tolerate, regardless of the time period or universe.