Cedric and Ayra had left for Basarisk early in the morning. Since he had court today, they didn't wait for breakfast and left when the sun wasn't fully up in the sky.
Arcabous was present to send them back to Basarisk. Thus they reached on time before the courthouse had started. Cedric suggested Ayra before taking his way towards the courthouse,
" You can look into my library if you feel bored or ask any maid to let you visit the entire palace."
Ayra assured not liking the idea of wandering with someone unknown,
" I will be fine on my own."
Cedric dimmed his eyes in dissapointment a little. It was hard to understand what did she like honestly. She was quite reservant around him and always settled a boundary before he could reach her mind.
Cedric patted on her head like a little child before resuming his way into the courtroom,
" Wait for me."
Ayra twitched her lips on his retreating back. She didn't want his companion. If they stayed together, half of the time he would apply his dirty tricks on her.
Well, why did she feel that she actually didn't hate his behaviors that much? What was wrong with her brain?
Cedric entered into the courtroom. The ministers of Basarisk all stood up upon his arrival. He was instantly switched into his domineering attitude from his earlier soft one that had reserved for Ayra only.
The ministers sat up frantically and showed their respect to the king with a long bow. As the hail of speech ended, they all sat down automatically allowing the men to present their issues.
Cedric sat on his king throne, a few good inches high from their spots and crossed his legs leisurely. A falcon like eyes swiped on the ministers who had their eyes lowering down and finally landed on an empty chair.
A tight frown appeared on his forehead as he questioned coldly,
" Where is Mr. Maxwell?"
The other minister who was seated beside the empty chair to state the reason stood up nervously. Sweating deep inside his body, he suttured trying to keep his tone calm and believable,
" Your highness! Mr.Maxwell has asked me to tell you that he is terribly sick and can't come on court today. He hopes that you would forgive him for his absence."
Cedric chuckled amusingly watching the lies that he just uttered and replied twisting his lips sarcastically,
" Ummm..he must be really tired after traveling in Davina quite frequently. After all, the distance is quite far from Basarisk. What do you think? Should I gift him a carriage for better ride?"
Cedric's words caused a great commotion among the minister. Mr.Maxwell was the right handed minister of Cedric who handled the areas from west. The meaning behind Cedric's words were clear and evident. Mr.Maxwell was actually passing news to DAVINA's kingdom.
The man who spoke on behalf of Mr.Maxwell uttered out fearfully,
" Your highness! I... actually..."
Cedric cut off smiling at him more devilishly to see him wiping sweat repeatedly,
" Why are you increasing your punishments in making up lies, Mr. Hale? You should better stay away from those friends who bring dangers on you."
Cedric then shifted his eyes on the other minister who wrote down everyone's punishment and ordered calmly,
" 2000 coins from Mr. Hale in our Royal Fund."
Mr. Hale cried out pleadingly. He clasped his palms together before starting to howl so loudly that everyone almost went deaf in ears,
Cedric cut off again,hissing at him annoyingly and added,
" 3000 coins for talking back to me and another additional 500 coins for deafing our ears."
In a moment, Mr. Hale went into the mood of mute and didn't even cry anymore. Cedric was impressed with his own judgement.
He grinned at the other astounded ministers who was speechless by his words and spoke,
" Seee! It's always effective."
The ministers swallowed hard and didn't utter a single word in case they were forced to give coins like Mr.Hale.
They determined to open their mouths only when Cedric allowed them. Cedric gave his next command, looking around the courtroom sharply,
" Next issue starting from Mr.Derrick."
Mr.Derrick, the old minister stood up and bowed at Cedric greatfully. He spoke paying much attention on his words with a smile,
" Your highness! Congratulations on your wedding first. The citizens are eager to meet their new queen."
Cedric scoffed taking a sip from his drink aside,
" Why? She is my wife. Why am I supposed to let them see her? She is mine after all."
The ministers who stated the request first went through several changes of expression. At first, he was shy, then embarrassed and lastly speechless. No one expected him to talk so blatantly inside the courtroom.
Mr.Derrick broke out in cold sweat before proceeding for his next question. With a heart like racing horse, he spoke again seeking blessings from heaven and hell mentally,
" They.. some of them also gossiped telling that you have married a woman so elder than your age."
This time, Cedric's face turned dark in anger. Slamming the glass down beside his side table, he challenged with a smirk,
" Why? Are they concerned that I can't satisfy my wife or there is something wrong with my reproduction system?"
Once again, the entire courtroom was speechless. Even they forgot where they were or what were they doing. Mr.Derrick didn't even feel the courage of asking next question. Skipping all the questions at once, he changed the subject quickly,
" Aaahh! Forget about their questions, Your Highness! What are your opinion regarding the last attack from Davina that happened last night?"
Cedric stopped drinking. His dark eyes narrowed slightly as he blurted out impatiently,
" Attack? What attack? Why don't I know anything?"
The ministers were all shocked. Mr. Derrick continued nervously with a gulp,
" Well, we..we thought that you were aware of everything."
Cedric's eyes wandered around before falling on Frenchies who could predict that the world was tumbling down around him.
********************************
Do consider giving golden tickets to this book if you're enjoying.