Chapter 27

" We may begin" the King ordered.

The noblemen looked at each other inquisitively. None of them knew why they were called to court. This was an emergency session. They all looked at the king with confusion on their faces. The only person wearing a smug look was Sir Stanley, he knew what was about to happen.

" Your highness, why are we here?" Asked sir Carl.

The King turned his gaze towards him. Sir Carl was like a snake, he could shed his skin anytime. He was aware of his association with other noblemen but the King chose to be silent today. He will punish one person at a time or else his Kingdom will be in chaos. After all, these men and women held the most power in the Kingdom after him.

In an event where he dies prematurely, they would decide the next successor to the throne. The King couldn't help but look at these power hungry hyenas in disguist. They always smile and agree in his face but turn and humiliate him behind his back. The King was aware that they didn't agree with some of his rulings, however they should remember he was the King. The supreme ruler.

" It has come to my attention that my people are suffering" the King began.

" What???" Someone asked

" Which people?" Asked another

A murmur began as the noblemen tried to understand the king's statement.

" Your highness, I can assure you no one is suffering" said another.

The king chuckled at their gullibility. Did they think he would stop there? They were wrong. He has been waiting for a long time to punish them and finally he has found his chance.

" Sir Melvin step forward" asked the King.

Melvin was surprised by the King. Why on earth would he call him during court. He had no idea the King even knew his name. He took small timid steps towards the throne and stopped at the foot of the stairs.

"Could you introduce yourself? "

" Oh,mmhh ... My name is Sir Melvin, I am the leader of the second largest district in the Kingdom"  Melvin finished quickly.

" What is the name of your district?" Asked an annoyed King.

" Roma, the name of my district is Roma" he answered.

" I have a few questions for you Sir Melvin. I hope you will answer them correctly  and truthfully."

The moment Nalani heard the word Roma her heart began to beat quickly. Roma was her home. The district her father was given by the late King for his hard work. The name held painful memories for Nalani. Both her parents died there. And this man Melvin threw Nalani and her mother out of their home.

He was the third person on her list. After the King and the person who betrayed her father. Anger started to spread through her as she looked at this Melvin guy. She could remember the day she was chased out of her home, like it was yesterday. His cocky smile, the disguist on his face as he looked at them. The way he kept cursing at her dead father. She will never forget this vile man.

" Did you initiate the land tax?" The King asked

" Well ....huh...mh" Melvin struggled to answer

" It's a yes or no question"

" No" he answered in a low voice but everyone heard him.

" How many people reside in your district?"

," Well, I have never counted them. Maybe forty or fifty thousand?" Melvin asked instead of answering.

" In other words you have no idea how many people are under your care"

" No your highness, I didn't mean it like that"

According to the King, Melvin was some idiot given a high position. He knew nothing of his duties. He was a puppet placed to serve someone else, but the King wondered by whom.

" Is there anything else you'd like to tell me?" Asked the king.

" What? What do you mean" Melvin's voice broke

" If you confess now, I will be lenient towards you"

Melvin dropped to his knees.

" Your highness, I have nothing to confess. I have done nothing wrong" he tried to defend himself

" I didn't say you have done anything wrong, but since you suspect yourself, I can't help but wonder what you did wrong." Said the King.

It was like a lamb taken to the slaughter. The lamb being sir Melvin had no idea what he did wrong, but he knew deep inside something was wrong.

" Your highness, please forgive me" cried Melvin

" I haven't said your in the wrong yet. Why are you begging for mercy?" Asked the King.

Melvin felt like he has been played. Why was he asking for forgiveness if he did nothing wrong. It was very suspicious. Melvin stood up and bent his head. He could sense that the King wasn't done with him.

" It has come to my attention, that you, Melvin have been taxing the people more than required. Is it true or false"

Melvin was stunned. How did the king know of the additional tax they have been taking from the people. And even though he knew, he didn't have evidence. It was better to reject all claims.

The other noblemen were also shocked. How did the King find out? Has he been spying on them ? What was going on?

" No your highness" Melvin answered without hesitation

" I will give you one more chance to tell the truth" growled the King so loudly that everyone flinched.

" I am speaking the truth" Sir Melvin insisted

" Suit yourself" said the King " Sir Stanley, please hand over the accounting books from the district of Roma" he ordered

Melvin froze. Infact not just Melvin but also all the noblemen who have been stealing from the King froze. How did he get his hands on the accounting books?

" Its funny how people can give up others for their own safety. Your officials gave me both accounting books. The one presented to me and the one with additional taxes. When they were interrogated, they claimed you forced them to acquire additional tax. What do you have to say ?" Asks dthe king

Those bastards betrayed me' Melvin thought.

How was he going to get out of this situation? Who will help him? Was it better to accept the charges and beg for forgiveness

" Your highness please forgive me" he begged

" Forgive you for what exactly? Stealing from me and my people or making my people suffer so much that they had to flee your district?" The King's voice hardened.

" I..I... please forgive me" Melvin cried.

The King was annoyed by his begging. When his people begged him to reduce the taxes imposed on them he refused and now he had the nerve to beg.

" When my people begged you to reduce the taxes, you sent soldiers to beat them up. Did you think I wouldn't know? You piece of shit! " The King raged

Everyone was surprised by the King's insult. Normally the King was calm but today he was furious. He was so angry that no one spoke. Everyone in the room bowed their heads including Nalani. She thought she knew how the King looked like when he was angry, she was wrong. He was terrifying right now.

No one spoke. Only the sobs from Melvin could be heard. Even though he was stupid, he knew he was in trouble. He ran to Sir Carl and grabbed his robe.

" Please Sir Carl help me" he begged

Sir Carl already assessed the situation in his mind. Anyone who helped Melvin would be punished with him.

" There's nothing I can do" Sir Carl said in defeat.

" But you are the one who...."

Before Melvin could finish sir Carl slapped him hard across the face.

" Why did you slap me? " Melvin was shocked.

" You were about to speak nonsense" Sir Carl sneered.

The king watched their interaction. After what happened he was convinced that Sir Carl had something to do with what was happening in Roma. However he didn't have any evidence to put him there.

Melvin turned to Sir Noah.

" Sir Noah please help me. We are friends aren't we ?" He begged

" I can't help you Melvin"

That was the moment Melvin realised that he was all alone. His so called friends abandoned him. Sir Carl and Sir Noah dared to refuse him. They were the reason he was in this mess in the first place. If they didn't lure him with the promise of wealth, he wouldn't have done it.

" Court will be adjourned. We will continue tomorrow. I will come up with a suitable punishment for sir Melvin" the king announced.

Some knights came in the room and dragged Melvin away. He was kicking and screaming profanities at his friends. The King walked out of the room followed by Nalani and Sir Stanley.