The Three Who Reached for a King
After giving the finance minister his deadline, Leon stepped back from the cell, the man still bowing and shaking behind the bars like a lump of terrified meat.
Leon glanced to the side.
The nearest guard straightened immediately.
"You," Leon said, voice calm but edged with command. "From today onward, this minister is in your care. He will get everything he needs—but not more than he asks."
The guard thumped a fist over his chest. "Yes, Your Majesty."
"Provide him with any ledgers, scrolls, and documents he requests," Leon continued. "Send people to his house. Bring every ledger, sealed chest, and hidden compartment he points to. I don't want a single book or coin vanishing on the way."
"Yes, sire. We'll personally escort all records."
Leon's gaze sharpened. "And after two weeks, I'll come back to collect what he's prepared. If anything goes missing, I'll know whether the rat is inside the cage or standing outside it. Understood?"
