Chapter 7
King Kyros sat upon his throne, his piercing gaze fixed upon the two middle-aged men standing before him. The queen mother sat beside him, her presence a subtle reminder of her influence, though she maintained a deliberate distance.
The king's eyes narrowed as he addressed one of the men. "It has been reported that you stole a bag of rice from this man." The accused man bowed deeply, his voice laced with contrition. "Your Majesty, I was entirely unaware of the theft."
King Kyros's smirk was a subtle, knowing curve of his lips. "But now that you are aware of the situation..." The man nodded shamefacedly, his eyes cast downward. "The transgression was committed by my son, Your Majesty."
The king relaxed into his throne, his posture exuding a sense of calm authority. The queen mother, however, was not so sanguine. Her voice cut through the silence, her tone sharp and unyielding. "If he is guilty, then you are equally culpable. He is your son, and his misdeed reflects on you."
King Kyros's gaze flicked to his mother, his eyes flashing with a warning. He leaned forward, his voice low and authoritative. "Mother, I am fully capable of handling this matter. I implore you, refrain from further comment." The queen mother's lips compressed into a thin line, but she held her tongue, her eyes fixed intently on the two men.
The king's attention turned back to the men, his gaze settling on the second individual. "Why did you not raise alarm initially?" The man bowed, his voice filled with deference. "Your Majesty, I did not wish to appear accusatory, That is why I brought the matter before you, seeking justice and a fair resolution."
King Kyros nodded, a small smile of approval playing on his lips. "You acted wisely in seeking my judgment, rather than taking matters into your own hands." His words were a testament to the man's prudence and respect for the law.
The throne room doors swung open, and a contingent of guards entered, one of them holding a small sack of pilfered rice. Two others escorted a young man into the royal presence. The men standing before the king exchanged glances as the youth was compelled to kneel before the monarch.
King Kyros's piercing gaze settled on the young man, his voice firm yet measured. "What is your name?" The youth's response was hesitant, his voice trembling with trepidation. "Th...ane."
The king's eyes narrowed slightly, his tone unwavering. "And how many winters have you seen, young man?" The youth's stammer grew more pronounced as he replied, "Ni...ne...teen!" Fear was palpable in his demeanor, his eyes wide with anxiety.
King Kyros's expression turned stern, his voice taking on a note of gravity. "Are you aware of the fact that the penalty for theft is death?" The youth's father, who had been standing silently, suddenly stepped forward, prostrating himself on the ground with utmost humility. "I beseech you, Your Majesty, to grant clemency to my son! Show compassion and mercy upon him, I implore you!" he entreated, his voice filled with abject supplication.
The king's gaze lingered on the father's supplicant form before he spoke, his voice softening. "Very well, the stolen goods have been recovered. I shall grant a pardon this time, conditional upon your future behavior. However, should you transgress again, I assure you that my leniency will not be forthcoming, and the full weight of the law shall be brought to bear upon you." The father's gratitude was evident, while the youth, Thane, looked up at the king with a mixture of fear and profound relief.
"You may all withdraw," King Kyros decreed, his voice authoritative and commanding. He then turned to the other man, his tone softening slightly. "Retrieve your bag of rice from the guards." The man bowed his head in gratitude and departed.
The throne room fell silent, with only the king and the queen mother remaining. King Kyros's voice broke the stillness, his tone measured and inquiring. "How did you find my judgment, Mother?" He posed the question without looking at the queen mother, his gaze fixed on some distant point.
The queen mother's response was laconic, her voice dripping with subtle disapproval. "It was adequate, Your Majesty." The king's gaze shifted to his mother, his eyes narrowing slightly as he spoke. "Mother, regarding Mara... I implore you to treat her with kindness. Her inability to conceive is not a personal failing on her part."
The queen mother's scoff was audible, her voice laced with disdain and sarcasm. "The evidence speaks for itself, does it not? When I presented the royal concubine to you, and you... availed yourself of her charms, she became pregnant with alacrity. The implications are clear." Her words were a thinly veiled indictment, implying that Queen Mara's infertility was a personal failing.
The king's attempt to interject was cut short by the queen mother's sharp tongue. "Enough! I shall not be swayed by sentiment. At our next meeting, we shall discuss the matter of Queen Mara's dethronement, and the royal concubine's ascension to the throne." The queen mother's words were a declaration, her tone brooking no dissent or debate.
"I will not entertain such discussions with you, Mother!" King Kyros's voice rose in indignation as he stood up, his authority challenged. The queen mother, undaunted, rose from her seat, her eyes flashing with determination.
"A barren tree serves no purpose and should be pruned swiftly," she declared, her words dripping with venom. "I shall take my leave now and attend to the royal concubine Odessa, who requires careful attention in her delicate condition, carrying the future heir of our dynasty." The queen mother's tone was laced with subtle triumph as she began to make her way out of the throne room.
" Mother, we are far from finished discussing this matter!" King Kyros's voice echoed through the chamber, his anger and frustration palpable. However, the queen mother ignored his protests, her regal bearing unwavering as she swept out of the throne room, leaving the king to seethe in frustration. King Kyros slumped back into his throne, his chest heaving with exertion as he struggled to rein in his temper.