Chapter 52 - The Forgotten Alley

Following Princess Maya through the winding streets of the Central District, Miss Sera glanced at me with a raised brow.

"Care to explain why _you're_ not in disguise?" she asked.

"Because I don't need to," I shrugged. "Look at me—I'm always dressed casually, even inside the Royal Palace."

She smirked. "Yeah... I noticed. Especially with your coat still lying on that table in the mansion."

Huh? Then why even ask me in the first place?

Miss Sera truly is a strange one.

"Anyway," I said, glancing around, "I've never heard of any orphanage in this area..."

We followed Princess Maya into one of the side streets. Actually, calling it a street was generous—this was more of an alleyway, narrow and half-shrouded in shadows. There was barely any space between the crumbling buildings, the stone walls looks weathered and cracked.

And yet…

"We're here!" Princess Maya chirped as she stopped in front of a worn wooden door tucked into the wall.

"Master," I murmured quietly.

"Yeah, I know," Miss Sera responded, her tone serious as she stepped forward and reached for the handle.

This wasn't a place a princess should be visiting. Not without guards. Not without someone knowing. So how did she even _know_ about it?

"Princess Maya," I asked, "How did you come to know this place?"

She turned slightly, lowering her hood. "I ran into some kids a while ago—dirty, hungry... they told me about it. I visited once. This is only my second time here."

I see… That explained the secrecy. And the silence surrounding this orphanage.

As the door creaked open, we were greeted by dim lighting and a musty odor. The air was thick, damp, with visible mold on the walls. Some windows were broken, their shards still lodged into the rusting frames. This place didn't feel lived in—it felt abandoned.

And yet…

> _If they've been receiving donations for a year… then where did all the money go?_

As that question formed in my mind, a man emerged from the shadows—mid-30s, neatly dressed, hair slicked back. His appearance stood in stark contrast to the building.

"Can I help you?" he asked politely. Then, upon seeing the hooded girl behind us, his demeanor shifted. "Princess Maya… is there a reason for your personal visit?"

"You sent a request for more donations," Maya replied calmly. "You said more children had joined the orphanage. I wanted to see how things were going."

"Ah, yes, yes…" he said smoothly. "That's correct. And I do appreciate the visit. Are you here for that reason?"

I stepped in, not liking the tone. "How about we check on the children first? It's not like we're in a hurry." I offered a light chuckle and gestured to Maya. "The Princess is visiting after a long time, after all."

The man hesitated. "They're sleeping at the moment. It's best not to disturb them."

My eyes narrowed. "That's strange… I'm fairly sure I heard noises coming from that room behind you."

I stepped forward, feigning a smile, but my body tensed.

He shifted awkwardly to block the doorway. That was all I needed to see.

I pushed past him—just enough to peek inside the darkened room.

And I froze.

Thin bodies. Pale faces. Children lying on the cold stone floor, huddled together under threadbare cloths. Some flinched at the light. Others didn't move at all.

> _So this is the state of the children…? After all the donations?_

My voice dropped, cold and sharp. "Master. Detain him. Now."

Miss Sera didn't hesitate. In one swift motion, she twisted the man's arm behind his back and forced him to his knees.

I stepped fully into the room, surveying the horror. One child—barely conscious—looked up at me with sunken eyes.

"...Help…"

The look in their eyes.

This wasn't neglect. This was exploitation.

And someone was going to explain.