***The entire court officials had convened at the palace. They had been ban by the king from coming in for regular court except when invited, for a while now. That meant a lot of issues had to be decided on and resolved today. The king sat in a sickly yet bored manner. He seemed to sigh every time some thing was brought up.
"Any thing else to report?" the king said tiredly, as though he could not wait for them to leave. Seeing this, no one dared to talk. They thought it best to come back instead of angering him. That was when the minister for finance rose. He bowed to the king and let loose a worried expression.
"There is still something I need to report my king. I wish you grant me permission to do so." the elderly man said.
"Go ahead." the king sighed in a frustrated manner; yet unknown to all, he was excited for this part. This was the part he had been waiting for all day.
The minister immediately went on his knees before his peers causing some people to stiffen. Something as wrong here.
"My king, I deserve to be punished! I have sinned greatly!" the minister said.
"What have you done?" the king asked with a frown.
"Royal money has been misplaced and it was pa.s.sed through my office to do so, I have failed, my king. I only discovered this recently." the minster said sorrowfully.
"What? What are you talking about?" the king asked sitting up. Every one in the room seemed to feel the temperature drop drastically. This was bad.
"Money from the royal treasury was stolen and some of the subordinates from my ministry had a hand in aiding this. I only just stumbled upon the evidence. Your Majesty, I am faithful, but I have failed you! Please hand out punishment!" the minister said.
"Who? You would not come so clean in hope of clearing your mistake, if you did not have a name. Who?" the king raged!
"The...Her Majesty, Queen Lilith." the minister said with caution. The room fell into deep silence. Before the king could react, an official stood in out rage.
"Watch your tongue, Official Yrum. How can you....." before the Official could finish, the king exploded.
"Shut up! Did this king ask you to speak for him?" the official shrunk back at the king"s anger. Many could tell he was really angry.
"Forgive me, Your Majesty." he begged.
"Official Yrum! Do you know the punishment for defaming one from the royal family? Think well before you speak again." the king"s voice lowered dangerously.
"I know, Your Majesty. But this is too troublesome for me to keep quiet. The amount of gold taken is enough to buy a third rate kingdom! I come to present evidence before you. Please, Your Majesty, allow me to present it!" the minister kowtowed, his head kissing the marble floors. He took out a scroll and showed it to the crowd.
Immediately, a division took place in the hall. Many decided that if the evidence was strong enough, they would abandon the queen immediately. The other half had sneer instead. They had not forgotten the queen"s background. So what if she stole some money? This was not enough to bring her down.
"Bring it." the king said and everyone tensed. This was not the meeting they expected to have this morning. One of the officials signalled a royal guard loyal to him, to sneak out and inform the queen. If this was a plot to bring her down, she would be the only one to help herself out.
A maid rushed towards the queen"s palace, but was stopped by guards.
"I am the queen"s personal maid; you must at me pa.s.s!" she insisted. She was still far from the queen"s palace and she was scared of the increased guards on her way. She had been informed by Official Ghuil"s man of what was happening in the throne room. She rushed all the way only to be blocked.
"No one is allowed through to the queen"s palace." the guard said. She froze; she knew something was wrong with this situation. Serving the queen as a personal maid, meant she was well educated; so, she walked away. But, her determination had not lessened. She changed direction towards the prince"s palace; she was luckily not stopped.
She soon requested an audience and was granted. She walked in and did a full bow before the prince.
"Speak! You said mother was in danger. What is happening?" the prince asked.
"Your Highness, I was told by Official Ghuil"s man that the minister of finance is presenting evidence before His Majesty against Her Majesty. He says I must get to her; but, guards have blocked the way. No one is allowed into her palace." she explained with her head down.