Kingdoms

REALMS

["**Hint:** Territories ruled by monarchs.\n\nThis hint keeps the focus on the general concept of \"kingdoms\" while using a slightly different phrasing to guide the solver toward \"realms\" without directly stating it. It’s easier than the original clue but still requires the solver to make the connection."]

The clue "Kingdoms" leads to the answer "REALMS" through a straightforward synonym relationship. In this context, "realms" is another term for "kingdoms," as both words refer to territories ruled by a monarch or sovereign. There is no wordplay, pun, or cultural reference involved; it is a direct definition-based clue. Therefore, if you know that a realm is a kingdom, you can easily deduce the answer.