5

ERIC’S POV

We enter the boundary of Ash Ville and even from here I can see the citizens of AshVille waiting for my arrival. They are all lined up to welcome me and my army which has never failed in protecting them. If not for the army, then some other kingdom would have destroyed us. People of every age are present here. They all are holding baskets filled with flowers in them. I can see the excited faces of children. They are eager to see the king and the army.

“Long live the king”. They all chant loudly when we reach them. They shower flowers on us as we pass through the narrow streets of Ash Ville. I can see that people are scared but happy too. I love to see this fear in their eyes. They all are scared of me and they know I show no mercy but still, they are forced to be happy at my arrival.

We continue to move forward toward the magnificent palace. When my palace came into view, a smile crept onto my face. My Belle is there. I have not seen her for such a long time. I cannot wait to see her, hold her and feel her presence. This time I will surely claim her. She was mine the moment I saw her but this time I will claim her body.

The royal gates of the palace boundary open up as we reach. All servants bow down their heads. When I am in the courtyard, I climb down my horse and enter the palace. All the servants are raising slogans for my victory and success.

Deep down I was to go and see my Belle but I have to do other duties too. I move toward the throne room. The palace is decorated beautifully. There are flower petals scattered on my way towards the throne room. I wonder if she will also be looking beautiful. I want to see her beautiful face and her beautiful smile but first I have to make an announcement. I have to hear about everything that happened in my absence. I have to know about current affairs too.

Everyone bows their head as I enter the throne room. My magnificent throne which shows my power is placed high above others and in the center like usual. My throne is made of gold and the rare stone and jewels make it more majestic. There is a lion carved on the head of it. The throne room is filled with commoners and my ministers.

Usually, commoners are not allowed in the throne room. They are allowed here only in weekly hearings and on the occasions of festivals or if the king wants to make an announcement.

I sit on my throne and gesture with my hand for everyone to raise their heads. My eyes move toward every corner of the throne room. This room is also decorated. I look towards the commoners and they cast their eyes downwards at my one glance. I smirk at their reaction. They never fail to amaze me with the amount of fear they feel.

I look towards my ministers and see that all of them are present here. Ministers are bound to attend every meeting held here. Only those ministers are given relaxation who have a serious issue or are out of town.

I look to my right and see that some ministers from other kingdoms are present too. I recognize some of them to be from Rosewood, Alavia, Viniesta, and Mair. I look toward the commoners and ministers who are awaiting my speech.

“I, Eric Leonor the king of Alsair Kingdom, am proud to announce that we have returned from the war with victory. We did not lose a single battle. In these two years of war, we have not only conquered villages but some important towns too. Those villages and towns will strengthen our economy. We will now extend trade to vast areas of the world.

On this occasion, I announce a five-day celebration in the whole kingdom. I order the guards to distribute gold coins among the people of Ash Ville in the happiness of our victory.

There is good news for farmers too. Now the farmers of my kingdom will only have to pay five percent of their income to the kingdom instead of ten percent. This order is only for those farmers who do not belong to the villages we recently conquered.

At last, I would appreciate my brave army who has proved their bravery in the war numerous times. Long live the Kingdom”. I end with this and look toward the happy faces of the people of my kingdom. These people are not only from Ash Ville but from my whole kingdom. Most of them appear to be farmers.

“Your highness, I would like to say something”. Henry, my minister of trade respectfully says gaining my attention.

“Continue”. I loudly say. He looks toward me with a scared expression.

“My king, ministers from different kingdoms are here to congratulate you on your marvelous victory”. I gesture with my hand for him to bring them.

“The minister from the Alavia Kingdom”. Henry introduces him.

One minister enters the throne room and bows his head before saying, “I, the minister of trade from the Alavia Kingdom congratulate you on your victory from our king Lucas. My king has sent this rare jewel as a gift for the king on his victory”. He says and forwards a box which my servants take from him.

“Alivia kingdom has been our friend for years and we are thankful to them for helping us whenever we need it. Tell your king that I will visit his kingdom soon”. He bows his head and leaves. The king of Alavia is my friend and the friendship between both kingdoms started during my father’s reign. It has been quite some time since I visited Alavia.

“The minister from the Mair Kingdom”. Henry tells. Mair kingdom. I have good relations with this kingdom because my mother is the sister of the king of Mair.

“Congratulations to the brave King Eric Leonor on his splendid conquest from our king. As everyone knows that our kingdom is famous for the finest silk that’s why our king has sent you these clothes made from the best silk which is only worthy for a king like you. Please accept this gift from our king”. He respectfully says.

“Pay my regards to your king”. I order him and he leaves with a smile.

“The minister from the Rosewood Kingdom”. Henry says.

The next minister comes and from his clothes, I already recognized from which kingdom he is. All people of Rosewood Kingdom wear clothes like this. His clothes are dark brown. This color represents them.

“I am the minister of trade from the Rosewood kingdom. I congratulate King Eric for his marvelous victory. As a gift my king has sent five thousand gold coins and three thousand silver coins”. He speaks. I expected this. I knew he would send coins as a gift. He looks scared and I know the reason for his fear. His king has sent a lamb to the lion’s den.

“I have gotten news that your kingdom has still not paid the amount which was decided among us”. I say to him and all the color from his face vanishes. He starts shaking. Their kingdom was once flourishing but now for a year, their condition is not good.

Their kingdom like many others pays me a certain amount if they do not want to die. There is a river named Sineiria which flows from my kingdom towards Rosewood and some other kingdoms too. If I block the water of that river then there will be no water in the Rosewood kingdom.

The water of River Sineiria is the main source of cultivation in Rosewood. If the river water is blocked then there will be no agriculture and no crops. Hence the people will die from hunger. That’s why they have to pay me a certain amount annually. It has been two months but they have not paid me.

“Your highness, my king has sent me here with the request regarding this. Your majesty, we cannot pay this big amount now. It has been months since clouds have not showered rain on our kingdom. No crops have grown in areas where rain is the only source of water.

The crops from other parts of the kingdom are barely enough to feed the people of our kingdom. There are chances of drought in certain areas. The condition of trade is not good as well. Your highness, our country is going through harsh times. Please have mercy on us”. He begs.

I look towards Henry. “How much they had to pay, Henry”. I ask and he stands up from his seat.

“My king, they have to pay ten thousand gold coins, five thousand silver coins, twenty horses, and sixteen camels”. He says loudly.

I look towards the minister of Rosewood. I can see hope shining in his eyes. I love when people beg me for mercy despite knowing that I am merciless. I love to shatter this hope in people’s eyes. He hopes that I will spare their kingdom but what he does not know is that I don’t care even a little about them.

“If your kingdom cannot pay this amount then you have no right on the water of Sineiria as well”. I declare loudly and stand up from my throne. Everyone also stands up.

I was leaving the throne room when I stopped near the minister of Rosewood. “Tell your king to pay the amount as soon as possible. He has only three weeks-“ I was saying but he cuts me off by saying “Please king have mercy on us. I beg you to have mercy on our people''.

How dare he cut me when I was speaking. How dare he cut my sentence. I feel anger rushing in my veins and without wasting any second, I take out my sword and strike it in his stomach. Loud gasps and his scream reach my ear. I twist my sword and he screams with pain.

“This is what you get for cutting me when I am speaking”. I take out my sword from his body and blood splatters out of his body like a waterfall. I feel inner satisfaction upon seeing his blood. He falls to the floor and dies. I smirk and look around me. The commoners are looking at me horrified. Some have even taken steps back. I look towards my ministers. Their eyes are cast downwards in fear and respect.

I leave the throne room. Bastard! He ruined my mood. I know what will change my mood instantly. A smile appears on my face just thinking about her.

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