Chapter 19- Dethronement of the Illegitimate Queen

The twisting streets of stone and dirt portrayed the gloominess of its inhabitants. As Iris traveled further from the capital, the gap between the rich and poor became more noticeable. There were a few larger cities where the disparity wasn't as prominent, but the poor state of the kingdom was still apparent. One wrong turn into an alleyway felt as if being transported into a different, poorer, kingdom.

Iris wasn't completely lying when she told Reis she wanted a better understanding of the kingdom. Her task wasn't to make Braelon a better kingdom, or anything of the sort. And based on her last mission, she would likely only have to be the monarch until she completed her other tasks. However, it would be much easier to maintain her position if she was managing competently. 

She could probably kill both Reis and Salina very quickly, and therefore complete her mission. However, she had suspicions about a ploy against her that might have repercussions that would reach into her real life. She didn't want to treat this flippantly.

Specifically, she wanted to test whether or not Reis was connected to Leon, both being the male leads of the novels.

Iris separated herself from her distracted thoughts when she came to her destination. She hadn't just come to this bustling city to observe its condition. She opened the door to a large apothecary. A tidy-looking middle-aged man was manning the shop.

"Welcome in! How can I help you?" He said cheerfully. Iris observed the shop closely. If she was correct, Reis had come to this shop regularly later in the novel. On the surface, it sold simple herbs and solvents. But underground it sold deadly poisons and toxins. Reis would use it to retaliate against some of his more personal grievances. 

But Iris wasn't here to prevent that. She just thought it would be a convenient way to complete one of her tasks. 

"I would like to purvey some of your more… Impactful products." Iris met the shopkeeper's now suspicious gaze. It wasn't legal to sell poisons, so the sellers had to be very sure of the customer's trustworthiness.

" I see. And what is the young lady's name?" He furtively asked. It was easier to sell to higher-profile clients, they had more money and a more delicate reputation. The upper class didn't want it to get out that they were buying poisons.

"Iris." She didn't give out Netra's name, but she did flash the royal seal she had brought. 

"I see…Come right this way." The man briefly showed a surprised expression before guiding her to a door behind the counter. He led her to a messy office.

"Please take a seat." He pulled a chair in front of her but stiffened when he met Iris's blank gaze. She stayed standing. 

The shopkeeper coughed a bit awkwardly but released the chair and walked behind the large desk. 

"What would you like to order?"

Iris passed a few pieces of paper over to him. He began looking over the order.

"It's a remarkable order so it should take a couple weeks, but it's entirely doable."

Iris turned for the door as soon as she heard the confirmation.

"I'll be here to pick it up in two weeks," Iris informed him as she left the room, not seeing the shopkeeper's strange gaze that followed her.

-

In a tavern in the center of a small town, Iris was eating her dinner. She spent about a week constantly traveling. She mostly spent her time studying the inner affairs of the kingdom, with the large amount of paperwork she brought. But she also would spend time in lively locations like these. It wasn't only a good way to gain insight into the country's economic status, but the social status as well. There was information about the citizens of Braelon that wasn't attainable from people who didn't experience everyday life as a normal citizen. 

As Iris was gathering her things and preparing to head to her room, a large burly man suddenly loomed over her. She looked at him with a large frown.

She had lost the copious amounts of guards that were forced upon her very early into the trip. Not only would they get in the way, but they would also attract unnecessary attention. Yet somehow, she had still attracted attention.

"Hey, pretty girl, what's your name?" The man tried to sound friendly, but his steadily approaching hands and greedy eyes betrayed his intentions. Iris was prepared to fight but was interrupted by a high-pitched voice.

"What are you doing! Go away!" A slim figure stepped in front of her and yelled at the rude man. 

"This is none of your business!" He growled at the brave girl. 

"It is! This is my father's territory and I'll have you arrested!" She said arrogantly. 

He laughed mockingly but still backed off. The girl was dressed in fine silks and glittering jewelry. She was the perfect example of a noble's daughter. When the girl was completely sure the man had left, she turned around to face Iris.

 "Are you okay?" She asked with genuine worry. 

Iris found her intentions pure and returned her sincerity.

"Yes. Thank you very much." She would have been able to manage the situation without help, but it still allowed her to avoid a troublesome situation. 

"My name is Cianne, what's your's?" Cianne asked. Her face held an energetic yet gentle expression.

"Iris." 

Cianne nodded without any doubts.

"Nice to meet you!" 

Iris wasn't worried that Cianne would recognize her. Netra was famous for her foolish deeds, not her looks. Her appearance wasn't well known to the general public. And while Cianne was a noble, Iris knew she wouldn't know the appearance of the Queen. 

Cianne was a character that appeared in the novel. Both she and her twin sister had joined Reis's harem at different parts of the story. Any young, beautiful woman would end up falling in love with Reis by the end of his adventures. Rather than humans, they were phrased more as collectibles in the novel. 

While Cianne's twin sister is the typical demure and gentle woman, Cianne is described as being more lively and ignorant of political affairs. Her sister was deemed as the flower of high society while Cianne was having fun in her father's small territories.

It was because of this that Iris wasn't worried about Cianne recognizing her. 

Iris watched Cianne as she talked, finding it difficult to find similarities to the one-dimensional girl in the novel. 

-

Cianne waved to Iris as she left the tavern, heading home. Iris gave a small tired sigh as she headed back to her room. Meeting one of the plot characters was a big event, even if Cianne wasn't that important. Of the two, Cianne's twin sister would aid Reis more. She would help him gain a very positive reputation and would add to his assets, with her father's help. 

Iris remembered Reis's stern and grim demeanor and had trouble imagining him with a harem of countless beauties. He seemed more likely to converse about politics than romantic poetry. She shook the thought from her mind and tried to go to sleep.