Once Upon The Life of The Wise King

The Three Councilmen Were Convicted

ONCE UPON THE LIFE OF THE WISE KING

Volume 1

The Birth of The Wise King

Chapter 21 - The Three Councilmen Were Convicted

Duke du Vondrich arrived in the palace the next day. The King welcomed him himself. As they settled in the King's study, Duke du Vondrich sincerely apologized for what his daughter had done. "Please, forgive my daughter, Your Majesty," he said, wiping his sweat.

With a sigh, King Wenhart replied, "I know you did not mean for this to happen, so I will let it slide this time. However, make sure that there will be no next time."

"Yes, yes, Your Majesty!" The duke nodded vigorously.

"By the way, we have detained lady Alyssa. Temporarily."

"What!?" Duke du Vondrich suddenly stood up. He was quite surprised to hear that his beloved daughter got detained. "Oh, please. Please, Your Majesty. Please, forgive her," he cried.

"No, no. It is not like we put her in the prison. She is simply locked up in the guest room with guards guarding the doors and the windows. She really is quite a handful, child." The King chuckled lightly. "You can take her after our meeting," he said.

"Thank you, Your Highness." The duke bowed deeply.

The two of them discussed the matter of tax payment. Duke du Vondrich had no qualms about the changes. In fact, he was supportive of the new protocol. Their discussion did not take too long. Once they were done, the duke also left with his daughter.

One week later, King Wenhart received news from Rio. In his letter, Rio mentioned that he had collected three more proofs of the councilmen's misconduct. He requested for the King to prepare a location for him to turn over the cubes.

The King wrote his reply. Then, he called one of his most trusted soldiers and asked him to deliver the letter safely.

In the afternoon, King Wenhart disguised himself as a commoner. He went to the tavern in town to meet Rio.

"Your Majesty." Rio kneeled upon seeing the King in a private room of the tavern.

"Rio. Come and take a seat," the King said as he gestured to the chair in front of him.

"It took me longer to get more proofs, Your Majesty. But, here it is now." Rio pulled out a bag and placed it on the table. He looked on as his King grabbed the bag and poured the contents out onto the table. There were three cubes. The King picked one and turned it in his hand.

The King hummed. "I appreciate your hard work. I will take these to review," he said as he stood up. He reached out a hand for a handshake which Rio, who felt like he won a lottery, took.

"Ye-yes, Your Majesty. Thank you for your patronage," Rio stammered.

King Wenhart nodded at the man and left the tavern. We returned to his study and watch the project of each cube against the wall. It played the conversations between Mr. Lucas, Peterson, and Robert. It also displayed their suspicious movements that lead to an attempt to get closer to the vault containing the national funds. Upon seeing it, it made the King's blood boil with anger. "Those are the hard-earned money of our people. How dare they try to steal it!?"

Meanwhile, those three councilmen who did the crime were enjoying their time in their own houses. What they did not know was that, the palace soldiers were on their way to take them away.

The soldiers kicked the doors open, shocking the people inside. They took their wives away for interrogation while the children were taken into custody. They rounded all maids and servants to stay in the receiving area while the palace soldiers inspected each rooms and found the councilmen.

"What are you doing!?" Mr. Lucas yelled as he struggled against the palace soldier's hold. In front of him was another palace soldier who informed him of his crime. "Impossible! Impossible!" He was getting hysterical. "No, no, no!" He shook his said, and said, "I would never steal money! Even in my dreams! I dare not!"

"There is solid evidence that you committed a crime," the palace said calmly. "His Majesty has already ordered to take you and you must face the consequences." He turned to the person holding the nobleman. "Take him."

In Robert's residence, the same thing happened. He was too shock to even give a reaction until the palace soldiers took him out of his house. "Wait!" he suddenly screamed, stopping the palace soldiers. "Why did you handcuff me? Where are you guys taking me? Do you know who you are disrespecting!?"

The palace soldiers rolled their eyes.

"We knew who you are that is why we are taking you to the palace court to receive your punishment," one of the palace soldiers said.

"Punishment? Punishment for what?" Robert's face turned blue. He had an inkling why he was receiving a punishment, but he did not want to believe it. He kept denying the reality.

"Drag him!"

Peterson on the other hand, cried and beg. Apart from being told that he committed a crime, so he got a punishment waiting for him, he was also told that all of his money and riches will be confiscated.

"Nooooooooooo! Not that!" Peterson screamed as he attempted to take the vase from the palace soldiers. However, he was no matched with them.

"Drag him now!"

In the palace court, the three councilmen kneeled in the center. They were surrounded by other members of the council and in front of them was the King.

King Wenhart glared down on them. "You know why you are here, do you not?"

Mr. Lucas tried to plea. "Your Majesty, whatever we have done wrong please forgive us."

"What I hate the most are liars," the King growled. He took out the cubes, and one by one, he played them. While the scenes were playing, the councilmen who committed the crime were terrified. They were doomed.

"The evidence is clear. You are hereby sentenced to twenty years of imprisonment, no, make that forever. I hate liars!"