The throne has been filled with tensions, the ministers have been on the hot seat since morning, and he gave them no resting torment. He has been bringing out their flops as a minister. Their faces held a frowned glimpse, many wished to leave, but they had no excuse to give to the king since he was on a seat like them since morning. They dare not leave Malik like to sit and go home.
“What is your duty as a minister, if you don’t know the thought of your subject? What are the fears and challenges of your people? You don’t know. I gave every minister two days automaton to find the link of communication between the subject and their king,”
The king hadn’t finished speaking when a medium-height man among the ministers raised his hand, he looked older than the king, and he had a hairy beard, he let out in a calm voice.
“My king, the chiefs governing each street are the link of communication between you and the subject, they are in the position to know the subject’s fears.
They are your representatives, and it is their responsibility to solve the problem of the subject on your behalf,” He spoke in a gentle voice. A murmur aroused immediately among the ministers, supporting his speech. The deep baritone voice of the king halted the murmurs.
“The chiefs are doing their work, how come my ear is deaf to it,” He said and sprang up to his feet, he walked towards the minister who spoke, and he looked into his face with a deadly shot.
“How come I haven’t received complaints or unsolved issues from them,” He spoke in an angry tone.
None of the ministers can utter a word, they looked startled, knowing the king will find out about the way they had been treating the subject.
“Since I became the king, I have been giving free food to the people in each street, giving fertilizer to the farmers. How come none of them have sent a letter of appreciation to the palace… Ministers of food,” King Malik let out, the minister of foods surged out and faced the king, he lowered his head, and one could easily discover he was hiding
something, his body was unstable as he stood in the king’s presence.
“My king,” He said.
“I hope you used to give the chiefs, the free food belonging to the poor in their community,” Malik’s voice echoed.
“Yes my king, his highness can testify to it,” he said and looked beyond his shoulder, his face fell on Jericho.
Jericho quickly nodded to affirm his dialogue.
The heartbeats of the chiefs in the meeting raced up drastically, seeing how Jericho supported the minister brought down their racing heartbeats.
It was as if Malik were waiting for someone he trusted to confirm the minister’s food dialogue because immediately Jericho nodded his head, the king looked at his face, and Jericho gave him a reassuring smile, and he believed him.
“Okay, still I want you to investigate the chiefs, every chief should present the list of how they have been distributing the goods to the poor, likewise let every man minister come up with ideas on how to create a link of communication between me and my subject,” he said and sprang to his feet, the ministers lowered their head instantly, he walked out from the throne room with his cold aura following him.
Many of the ministers breathed deeply loudly, it was as if a burden was removed from their shoulders, their frowned faces lits up; they began to leave the throne room in numbers. The Minister of food was in the hallway leading to the outside of the palace when a guard showed up in his presence.
“Good day sir,” The guard lowered his head and greeted him, seeing the guard, his face startled, and he followed him obediently without bothering to ask him any questions.
“You can go in sir,” The guard said, pointing his hand to the door, he bowed his head once more and vanished out of his presence.
He pushed the door slightly, and it opened, he halted his step as he entered, Jericho was paddling up and down until he looked back to see the ministers of food lowering his head.
Quickly, his fist landed on the minister of food, he staggered back, but Jericho pulled him forward, helping him not to fall, he adjusted his collar and patted his back. Ministers of food were shivering as he stood in his presence.
“If you are shivering this way because of me, many people will think I’m a tyrant more than the king,” Jericho uttered with a devilish smile.
“No, your Highness, I’m not shivering,” he replied nervously.
“Anyway, it’s good knowing you see a tyrant in Malik more than me, if not, you won’t have feared Malik and put me into trouble,” Saying this, Jericho’s hand moved to his neck, choking the life out of it. He struggled to remove Jericho’s hand, but he couldn’t because Jericho overpowered him.
“Did you want the king to see me as a bad brother? I gave you just a day to clear the mess, make sure all the chiefs prepare a list of the foods given to the poor in their community, the king must not know what we are doing with the food stuffs…, I don’t want any deterrents to my plans, nothing must stop me from attaining my rightful position,” he sounded furious, echoing the seriousness of his word to his ears.
“Did you hear me?” He stretched the word as if it will be his last word on earth as he tightened his grip on his neck, signaling him to reply.
“Yes, your highness,” he replied. The door slammed open as he threw him to the ground in a thub
Xena furrowed her brows as she walked in, she looked at the minister on the ground with a questioning look, she wondered what was going on with the awkward atmosphere she met as she stepped inside.
“Sorry, minister of food,” Jericho rushed and got him to his feet.
“Hope you are okay,” he asked with a devilish smile, and with gritted teeth.
“Yes, your highness,” He replied nervously as his eyes were scrutinizing Xena, wondering what she was there for.
“Your highness”, He greeted her, lowered his head, and stepped out of the room.
Seeing him leaving, Jericho closed the gap between him and Xena, he jerked her closer to him, wanting to insert his lips into hers, but a sudden thundering sound was heard.