The Ruthless Kings Replacement Queen

THIS BOOK IS COMPLETELY INSPIRED BY THE BOOK OF ESTHER FROM THE BIBLE, ALTHOUGH THE STORY IS MY INTERPRITATION OF THAT STORY FOR THE FIRST HALF,  THE SECOND HALF IS TOTALLY WHAT I ENVISAGE OF WHAT HAPPENED NEXT.   King Xavier IV Point of view   Today is the second day in our traditional three day celebration, where all the leaders and their wives, or concubines of each city, town and village attend my palace, take a seat at my table and we show unity.  This was an important even in our yearly calendar, where each leader will bow to me, and pledge alliance to the throne, all seeking my favour.  Most of them in reality were here for the free food, and to try and negotiate themselves a deal in which they would pay less tax than last year, I do not know why they bother, because they always pay more than the year before. A price they should be happy to pay, I offer them protection, keep them from wars, and lead with strength ensuring their lives are peaceful, and successful. I walked into the large ball room, as the footman announced my arrival, with the trumpets blowing loudly. “King Xavier the Fourth, Lord and protector of the realm” he announces Not that I need much announcing, it is not like these people do not know exactly who I am, and if they do not, it is clearly obvious as I wear the state 200 year old golden crown on my head, which is heavy and uncomfortable, but all part of the show.  I have my gold spectre in hand, nobody may approach me without touching the tip, and those who do are punished by death. I am above these people, and everything about me reminds them of it.  My long regal red robe with white fur collar, my shoulder length dark brown waved hair.  Some say my eyes are cold, void of feeling, despite the warm caramel colour, they are not wrong, I do not feel, nor really care.  I have boundless wealth and power that could never be challenged, I have a harem of over 100 concubines, all kept away from the world, to be used as and when I see fit. Then my queen, she is known for her beauty across the realm, her blonde hair, like golden sunshine so unusual in these parts, she was a find when I had been touring the different countries around this world after my coronation.  I was to choose a wife from the many virgins within the cities under my protection, but was less satisfied with how they may have conducted themselves.  To have Valarie beside me, the most beautiful and unusual woman I had ever seen was more suitable to my needs. As tradition dictates, the Men and Women celebrate separately and my Queen plays host to these lesser mortal’s wives and concubines, until I have need of her presence either by my side or in my bed. Bed, that is where I have been for the past two hours, after being entertained by three of my concubines from the harem, as they attended to my every desire before Enoch returned them to the harem until I requested their presence again.  With over a 100, I was spoilt for choice, and only the lucky few would reach my bedchamber more than once.  My trusted advisor Holden arrived, waiting for an audience, as always I held out my Spector, to him as he touched the tip he approached me. “Your highness” he bowed his head in respect “Holden sit with me” I commanded. Holden was a short man, standing only at 5 foot 6 inches, I towered above him at 6ft 2 inches, in fact I towered above most people, adding to my show of power and intimidation, but I could tolerate his presence more than the other men who were placed around me to advise on matters of State, he was less stuffy, younger at 30 years of age, a relief from the aged royal advisors.   “As always, your highness, the celebration is a huge success because of your magnificence” Holden informed me. Of course he was correct, it was a huge success, we had managed to increase the taxes by another 5 percent, ensuring our wealth and comfort for the next year to come. I sat back on my throne, one leg over the golden arm, looking out to my subjects, as I ate a chicken leg, then threw the bone to one of the royal dogs, a large German Shepard, that I allowed to languish under my table. The dog was loyal, he respected and knew me as his master, he was protective of me, and would attack any unwanted person who came into my presence on command, I did not name him, dogs are not people, but I did prefer him to all the others.  Some may say, I had a heart to allow him to lay beside me, but no, I care not for most things I possess, they were all to serve a purpose, to showcase my power, and wealth. I cared for those things’ other men, and rulers desired, so I would say I care for my queen, because she is desired by every man who has ever set eyes on her such is her beauty. I do not subscribe to the mix up of hormones some would call love, I have never given, nor received this so called feeling. My father had brought me up to be a strong, and feared King, my mother, was Queen, she did her duty as required to serve her king, and I was not her king at that time, so was of little consequence to her, just a thing that she had achieved to please my father, an heir to the throne. That thought had played on my mind, although I have many bastards, I do not have a legitimate heir, my attempts with Queen Valarie had not brought fruit to our union.  I am still a young man at 27 years of age, my Queen, still child bearing age at 25 years, so there is time. However, if she fails in her duty to produce me an heir, with in the next year, I may have to replace her with one who can.  I would not miss her presence as much as one might think, it is not in my nature, but it would be a shame, as I know men crave her beauty, and envy me for having her by my side, and that I will miss, but an heir is more important to me and the throne. I drank more wine, as the celebration continued, the men were becoming quite merry, and two of the large city leaders were in a heated debate over which of their wives had the most beauty. I laugh inwardly, none can compare to Queen Valarie, and I have a need to settle this dispute, by bringing her here, to show these men that I have the most prized woman as my queen. “Holden, bring Queen Valarie to me” I command, “Yes, your majesty” Holden, turned to a royal announcer and passed on the order. Soon my queen would arrive, and these men would realise the futility of their pointless argument. A few moments later the announcer returned, and whispered to Holden, as I looked on, I noticed his face pale slightly. “Your majesty, it seems Queen Valarie has said that she and the ladies are quite busy at present and requests your permission to attend to you tomorrow” I spun my head round, rage filled me, how dare she refuse, I am the King, and she will obey! “Inform the Queen I require her presence Immediately” my voice bellowed around the hall, causing all to stop and look their heads bowed in submission to me. “I will go directly myself your Majesty, she will not refuse one of your most trusted advisors.” he informs me. I nod then wave my hand at him to shoo him away and fetch my Queen. I wait impatiently, for her arrival, and calm myself with thoughts of how the men who are around me will be envious of my having such a beauty by my side. Holden arrive back, I held out the Spector to him, he touched the top, and approached “Your majesty, the queen refuses to attend you, hoping you will understand that she is quite busy with the celebration enjoying the company of the other ladies” Holden bowed his head. How dare she refuse, who is she to deny or defy me, I saw the men looking, muttering, noting that I was challenged by my own Queen. “Holden, your advice” I commanded “Your majesty, the Queens refusal is disappointing, and also dangerous a direct challenge to your ultimate authority.  These men will see you as weak if you do not do something to rectify this immediately, it is a direct threat to your power and magnificence.” Holden bowed “If I may continue, my advice my lord, is to de throne her immediately, have her removed from your presence permanently, and replace her as Queen” I sighed, I knew this was the only course of action, it will be a shame for all that beauty to be snuffed out, but it must happen, I am not to be challenged, therefore Valarie will lose her crown, and her head this evening.  However, there is none in my harem that are worthy to take the crown, and this is of concern, I need a beauty, even more desired than Valarie, a young, virgin to replace her with someone less than she was, would not be tolerated “I agree, but I have no replacement that would meet with my desires for a queen, within the palace walls, your advice” I asked “Sire, send out a decree this every night to all the cities, towns and villages in the realm, that they each send three of their most beautiful, virgins aged 18 and above, and the best amongst them will be chosen as the future Queen, those who do not satisfy your desires will be housed in the harem for your pleasure when required.” “Yes, this would work, a younger, more beautiful queen, but to ensure she is perfect, the ladies will be brought to the harem to be beautified, by Enoch and his team, for a period of 6 months, then each will be brought to my bed chamber, those that satisfy me will stay in the palace, those that do not attract me will be returned to their family with payment, and the one who will be Queen, her family will be given high status, and wealth beyond their imaginings… Go, Deal with this and send out the announcers, and organise the removal of the crown and head of Valarie this instant”