In the hall, whispers filled the air, mixing with anxiety. Ministers stood in their places, tension evident. Those backing Jericho couldn’t muster their usual confidence; sweat beaded on their foreheads, a visible sign of their nerves.
Despite the cool breeze, Jericho’s supporters felt the heat of fear. They dreaded what this meeting might bring.
The night before, Jericho had convinced a guard to take the blame for killing an assassin. He’d warned his followers not to support the ministers from the accounting and finance departments, suspecting a trap set by his brother, Alpha Malik.
Suddenly, Jericho entered the hall, his usual regal manner intact. His face betrayed no guilt or fear, surprising his followers. Though they knew him to be cruel and wicked, they still expected a hint of fear in his eyes.
“Welcome, your Majesty,” his followers bowed, paying homage to him as the royalty he was.
Meanwhile, only hearing the greetings from his supporters, Jericho turned to see the faction against him, his brother’s followers. Their visible joy angered him, knowing they purposely ignored his presence, fueling his rage.
Yet, amidst his fury, a sense of excitement stirred within him. Their arrogance provided an opportunity to protect his followers.
“What punishment awaits those who disrespect the crown, Minister Jaguar?” he inquired, addressing the man who advised Alpha Malik, standing alone and neutral.
“For commoners, banishment. For the nobles, resignation from their posts. And for those without position, half their wealth is surrendered to the palace,” Jaguar replied, his words sinking in too late. Before he could retract or revise his answer, the king entered the hall.
“Long live the king!” echoed throughout as Alpha Malik made his way to his throne, settling into it heavily.
Jaguar hurriedly passed the scroll to initiate the meeting, hoping to divert Jericho’s attention from the earlier incident.
Jericho’s laughter at Jaguar’s reaction only puzzled Alpha Malik further, sensing the underlying tension and fear in his advisor.
As Alpha Malik began to read the scroll, the door burst open, and guards ushered in the ministers of guards and finance.
At the sight of their apprehensive faces, Jericho’s anxiety spiked. Alpha Malik’s plan was unfolding perfectly as he scanned the ministers, seeking out Jericho’s supporters, fueled by their fear. Alpha Malik thrived on such emotions, using them to his advantage while identifying potential threats.
“Perhaps, my king, we should set an example with these two,” Jericho interjected, intentionally disrupting Alpha Malik’s search. He was aware of his brother’s knack for sensing fear and suspected he was onto something.
“Yes, brother,” Alpha Malik responded, his voice tinged with anger.
“So, these two individuals have been stealing from our coffers, causing harm to the town’s businesses. However, I choose to pardon them, considering they were coerced into their actions. Nevertheless, I will dismiss all staff from their positions and appoint new ministers to take their place.”
As the king made his declaration, Jaguar’s gaze shifted towards his ruler. He questioned whether this was the same man he had once served faithfully. Why was the king advocating for the release of traitors who would inevitably rejoin forces with his brother?
“Does anyone oppose this decision?” Alpha Malik inquired, prompting uneasy glances among Jericho’s faction. They debated internally whether to allow the king to thwart their faction members working in the town’s financial departments. Yet, fear silenced them, unwilling to arouse suspicion from the king.
“Your Majesty, perhaps it would be wiser for the ministers of finance and accounting to reveal the names of those behind them. This way, we can set an example without punishing innocent workers,” Jericho suggested, subtly revealing his ulterior motive. The king, understanding Jericho’s strategy, responded accordingly.
“If they refuse to name names, it’s likely because their families’ safety is tied to their loyalty. These individuals may hold significant power and influence. As their king, my foremost duty is to protect my subjects,” Malik replied, subtly sowing seeds of doubt regarding Jericho and his followers.
Jericho realized that his manipulation of their families’ safety to secure their allegiance might have led them to divulge everything to the king. Hearing Alpha Malik’s response, he began to believe that his plan had backfired, and his followers might have betrayed him.
“But there’s still something that must be addressed,” Jericho interjected, mustering his last ounce of concern for his followers’ well-being.
“Minister Jaguar, earlier you enlightened me on the punishment for those who dishonor the royals. Could you please enlighten the king on how the Kora faction insulted his only brother?” Jericho’s words sparked shock in Alpha Malik and Jaguar, who understood his intentions.
Jaguar proceeded to recount the incident to the king, detailing how the Kora faction had disrespected Jericho. The Kora faction, now realizing their mistake, bristled at the accusation.
“My brother, what is your intention?” Alpha Malik inquired, his fists clenched in anger as he glared at the Kora faction.
“I propose this: I will forgive them, however, I implore you to spare the remaining staff in the department. I myself am one of them, and I cannot bear to see their livelihoods taken away,” Jericho stated, presenting a contract of sorts to Alpha Malik.
Though it posed a risk to Alpha Malik’s plans, he believed it was worth it to ensure their survival, the Alpha Malik loyalists.
“Let all the staff in the accounting department remain, but I will be sending two new people to join them. They aren’t elites but educated individuals whom King Malik can trust. Both are females and will be joining the department tomorrow,” Alpha Malik declared, sealing the deal. Though he didn’t entirely win, he managed to introduce two individuals into the mix.
“But Your Majesty, who are these two people if they aren’t elites? Only elites-” Jericho began, but the king cut him off.
“Bring him in,” the king commanded, and the guard who claimed responsibility for the assassination attempt was pushed into the room. As Alpha Malik’s gaze settled on the guard, a dagger, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, struck the guard’s hand, causing him to growl in pain.
Just as Alpha Malik was about to confront his brother, he was informed that the guard had confessed to being behind the assassination attempt. Angered by this revelation, Alpha Malik realized that Jericho’s influence extended further than he had anticipated.
A sense of unease permeated the hall as ministers glanced around, unsure of who had thrown the dagger. Jericho, however, turned to Alpha Malik, recognizing the calculated move. Now he understood the true nature of his heartless brother, who sat upon the throne. It had been a while since Jericho had seen this side of him.
“No one should tend to him or remove the dagger from his hand until he is ready to reveal it to everyone who ordered him to kill the assassin. He is not solely responsible for the assassination attempt; someone else is involved,” Malik declared, his gaze fixed firmly on his brother.
“I’m the one, Your Majesty!” the guard confessed, but Malik didn’t entertain him further. With a deadly aura surrounding him, he descended from his throne and stormed out of the hall in anger.
Fear and curiosity gripped the atmosphere as whispers filled the room. Some speculated about who could be behind the guards, while others pondered the identity of the two non-elites the king intended to introduce into the financial department.
Meanwhile, Jericho’s concerns took a different turn. His mind raced with thoughts of how to eliminate the guards before they could betray him. No one could withstand the agony of Malik’s wrathful dagger.