Chapter 25

The day of judgement arrived. The sun rose beautifully in the kingdom of Vigor. The rays showered all around, waking everything in its path. The people, the animals, the trees and even the sky. The people woke up as usual to their jobs unaware of the power struggle taking place in their Kingdom.

Due to the high cost of living , no one could afford to lazy around and do nothing. Putting a plate of food on the table required blood, sweat and tears. The only people who didn't have to work so hard were from the noble families. Since they came from generational wealth they didn't have to raise a finger.

Even though they didn't work as much, the noblemen were shrewd and deceitful. They stole from the people by increasing taxes. These increased taxes were for their personal use, unknown by the crown. With every tax introduced by the crown , they added a little bit more which would go directly to their pockets.

However not every nobleman did this. The noblemen from smaller districts only imposed taxes approved by the King. They only took what they were required to . That is why life in these regions was relatively fair than life in bigger districts. People who couldn't afford to stay in bigger districts due to the high cost of living fled to these small districts.

They sold their possessions , moved to other regions and started new lives. Most of these people were now living good lives. Those who haven't moved are still living hard lives, trying so hard to survive.

Unknowingly, they cursed the King for their sad and depressive lives without knowing the King was not at fault. The King had no idea of what was happening to his people until one of the noblemen Landon asked for an audience with the King.

Nobleman Landon was from the district of Zenah , one of the smaller districts of the kingdom of Vigor. He lived his entire life in this small district. His father taught him that being a nobleman entails having empathy. His district was his home and the people in it were his family.

He treated his people equally and with respect. When he became a nobleman after his father's death, he continued his father's legacy. Being a small district he knew everyone who lived there. But as the days went by more and more people came to live in his district. When he enquired why, they said living in the other districts was too expensive. They could barely put food on the table.

He was often touched by their stories and gave them places to stay and jobs to do. However more and more people kept trickling in. Some with kids some without. In no time his district was at its capacity. He couldn't take in more people without causing discomfort to the natives, so he sort an audience with the King.

After all this was his Kingdom and these were his people, he would know what to do. Landon was not stupid , he knew of the King's reputation, however he was more concerned for his people than his fear for the King. He was genuinely trying to help his people and he hoped the King could see that.

He was scheduled to see the King today and at the moment he was outside the throne room. The announcer could tell he was nervous, so he offered a smile of assurance. When the King ordered him to come in, the announcer Harry whispered

" He's not as bad as you think, don't be too nervous" he encouraged.

Landon thanked him for his kind words before he walked into the throne. It was not his first time here, so he did the customary greetings. After the king asked him to sit. He sat on the floor as he should.

The King observed the young nobleman in front of him. None of the noblemen had as much courage as this young man. None of them except Sir Carl could stand in his presence alone. They always came in pairs to support each other like kids. He admired his courage and tenacity. He was very interested to hear what the young man had to say.

" Please, can you introduce yourself and tell me why you are here?"

Landon took a deep breath and rose to his feet. For some reason talking while seated didn't feel like it showed the magnitude of the problem. He was afraid the King would comment on his sudden movement but the King was silently observing him.

' you can do this' he gave himself a pep talk.

" Greetings your highness" he started.

The King wanted to point out that he already greeted him but he kept quiet. He could tell the young man was nervous , so he encouraged him with a small smile.

" My name is Sir Landon and I am a nobleman from the district of Zenah. Its quite small so maybe you don't remember it. We don't generate a lot of revenue because of our size but we try our best. My people live comfortably in the district" he explained

" What is the problem?" Asked the king.

" Your highness over the past few years refugees have been coming from the larger districts seeking refuge in my district. At first I accepted them as no one should be homeless but now they are too many. My people are struggling to house them and give them jobs"

" Why are they fleeing to your district?"

" They say the cost of living in the larger districts is too high. They can barely take care of their families, your highness" he answered.

" The cost of living" the King wondered

" What is the difference between your district and the larger districts?" The King asked

" The taxes your highness" Landon answered without hesitation, he saw no reason to lie to the King. After all he was the only person who could help in this situation.

" Taxes? Aren't the taxes the same in the entire Kingdom. If I remember correctly I set the taxes"

" Yes your highness, the taxes are supposed to be the same, however..." Landon hesitated

" Don't be scared tell me the truth" the King growled.

" The larger districts are imposing additional taxes to what you placed. If for example the tax is two pieces of silver, they end up taking five pieces of silver . They present the two you asked for and pocket the rest" he explained

The King could feel anger rushing inside him . Those bastards were stealing from him and his people. It seems he had given them too much power to play around with him like this. Who did they think they were? How dare they deceive him, their King. The King was too stunned to speak.

Landon observed the king's reaction. He could tell the King was mad. From his reaction, he had no idea what was happening in his Kingdom. He could only imagine how the King felt. Being betrayed and taken for a fool like that had to hurt big time. Some people might call him a snitch but he didn't care, he wanted to take care of his people.

" Thank you for informing me. " The King said

" Your welcome your highness. I believe we should help the people under our care and not extort from them"

" What about the smaller regions?" Asked the King

" They have the same problem as me. They asked me to come and present our grievances to you today"

" I see"

" We have implemented everything you asked us to. This time we need your help to protect our people"

" Don't worry, now that I am aware of the situation, I will make sure to ease your burden. Is there anything else you need ?" Asked the King

" If we could get some relief food that would help alot" he asked

" Sure, I will send some at the course of week. If there's nothing else, we can stop here for today"

" Yes your highness," Landon bowed before the King and left the throne room.

Why do people say the King is scary? He wasn't that scary. In fact the King listened to him without any interruptions and offered to help as much as he could. He was glad they had a good and kind King .

The King was left in shock. His brain tried to process all the new information presented to him. He couldn't believe everything that has been happening under his nose. He was aware the noblemen were shrewd and lazy but he had no idea they went as far as stealing from his people and taking him for a fool.

What was wrong with these people? They were already the richest people in his Kingdom. Why were they stealing from those without? What kind of selfishness is these! The more the King thought about it, the angrier he got.

" You want to play with me....mmmh let's see what you've got" he said out loud.

" Harry!" He called

"Yes your highness" Harry rushed in.

" I want you to find Lord Stanley. Ask him to meet me" he ordered

Harry left immediately he received the King's command.

The hunt was about to start and the King wondered if he was the predator or prey.

" Let the hunt begin" he smirked .