The Queen - II

The day was as cloudy as the eyes of Prince Amon, who looked at Naran's gray sky with deep bitterness. As soon as he leaned over the window and noticed the significant number of nobles dressed in red, perfectly lined up in the palace's courtyard asking for the princess's release, that image made his heart uneasy.

Even though he managed to prove, even with forged evidence, Mei Yang's criminal mind, the nobles cried out for his return. His bastard blood was as repulsive to these men as the possibility of being ruled by an assassin.

Even though he had been used to being rejected by the people for as long as he can remember, when he walked the streets of Naran and everyone accused him of wanting the throne when he didn't even know what a crown meant, seeing that scene outside saddened him deeply . Their intentions to overthrow the king and princess were only to bring the best to the people and even then, they did not accept it. Amon was aware that men's minds were manipulated from a young age by the strict laws of Naran. They were made to believe solely and exclusively that the pureblooded king is the only one capable of bringing peace and prosperity to the nation and that any foreigner or impure blood would bring chaos and disgrace. And how could he, a bastard hated by the nobility, assume such a position in the face of so many protests? That was what his conscience cried out as his mind scanned every corner for a possible solution.

- Now, we have to end Mei Yang. - Ayame, who was sitting on the edge of the bed that belonged to Kong Naran until the previous day, stared at the sheets perfectly stretched. She remembered when she was rejected by her majesty and saw him enter with the most diverse women in his rooms, despising her as if it were a mere disposal. His smiles of satisfaction at being in that room alone, and knowing that his king was dead and everything he disowned was now hers, gave him as much pleasure as knowing that Tai'Ner's daughter would soon go to the same destination.

- What will we do with her? - Amon turned and saw the room lit by the morning light where his mother was. Qiang Mao, who was standing by the fireplace with his eyes closed, seemed to be concentrating on his injury. He only thought of his reward after all, what the noble consort had promised him to commit such a betrayal to the State.

- Of course, we will kill her! Do you think I will let live the greatest threat to your throne? - Ayame expressed himself without shame.

- I think killing Mei Yang is not a wise thing to do now! Everyone knows that the princess is under arrest, if we kill her, everyone will distrust us. We have to be cautious about this. - Qiang Mao spoke.

- And what do we do? Are we going to wait for everyone to get this bastard out of jail and find out that all the evidence is false? - Ayame got up a little irritated.

- My mother, Qiang Mao is right. We can only do something with Mei Yang after everything is fine. Until then I will try to negotiate with the nobles for my coronation...

- Negotiate? - Ayame spoke exasperated with a laugh of irony. - negotiate with these decrepit old people?

- It is the only way for Amon to take power now. - Qiang Mao said raising his eyebrows at the consort who seemed not to believe what they were saying. It was clear to the general, as well as to the prince, that she was blind with hatred and was not reasoning well. The weeks she spent alone in the cold palace of exile had greatly increased the bitterness that inhabited the heart of the future queen mother.

- You men were not really made to sit on thrones. They only know how to raise swords and gather armies for war. However, when it comes to politics they are dumb animals. Do you really think a king needs nobles to rule? Do you know why Kong Naran I was recognized as the "dragon king"? His reign was solely for the people. What makes a king great are not the fat and stupendously rich nobles, but the people! The people who worship their king and see him as a god. Naran's kings were just fools ruling for nobility. Do you want to be a fool as they all were? Do as the Dragon King, rule for the mass oppressed by the nobles. Be part of the opposition. If they accept you, the nobles can do nothing if you do not accept their coronation.

- And how will I do that? How will I pass over the nobles and become a king? Giving gold to the poor?

- Amon, what do the people need most right now? Naran went through years of misery at the hand of the late king as he filled Naran's coffers with gold and stocks of food to increase Naran's territory with wars. The people cry out for food! Give the poor what they want. Open the warehouses and exchange feed for whatever old cloth they have and save your gold to buy those idiots who are camped outside in this serene. If the Naran Nation accepts you and asks for your coronation, the nobles can do nothing!

- However, you are forgetting that Mei Yang is very loved by the people - Qiang Mao got up and walked to the window finally seeing what they were saying so much. All of Naran's advice was outside in the cold, each carrying a torch of fire in their hands. They had been there since Mei Yang was imprisoned, and to go over the old tradition of a council watch would be stupendously difficult.

- Mei Yang is the least of our problems. What we need now is to put Amon on the throne. As for the princess, we can get rid of.

- And how do you think about getting rid of Mei Yang? - Amon asked a little distressed. Even though he wanted the throne for himself, he didn't want to have to kill his sister. After all, he was just a silly child who knew nothing about wars or political games. His heart knew that what he was doing was wrong, but it was necessary.

- Qiang Mao, does Madame Ming still own that hut? - The general opened his eyes wide and smiled. Soon, Amon realized his mother's intentions.

- No! - Shouted the prince - I will not allow you to take Mei Yang to that place! Death is preferable to living in something so sordid.

- Something sordid that you got tired of lying ... - Qiang Mao mocked.

- It is very different. I was raised in dirty streets because they did not accept me in the palace. They said I was a threat to Mei Yang.

However, she was born here, was shaped by the luxury and treats she received from the king. She is not used to the streets, nor in this life of misery.

The consort stared blankly at her son. No one could read the woman's wicked mind. Few recognized her intelligence, and both Amon and Qiang Mao realized that Ayame was a brilliant strategist, as much than the men who made up the war field. It would be very profitable for them if that mind possessed a man. It would be of great value to the army in fighting tactics. However, it all belonged to a woman who had been gifted by the gods for the gift of wisdom. Even though she still used her mind for evil, they could not help but recognize her merits.

- Mei Yang will not die if she spends a season with Madame Ming. If those poor women who were taken as children to the brothel live with benefits, Mei Yang will live too!

- Your mother is right, Amon. Do you think Mei Yang will live helplessly? Everyone knows how beautiful the princess of Naran, despite her young age, is like any girl who attends courtrooms. Madame Ming will be extremely pleased with her arrival. Her women are getting old and used. Many are looking for fresh meat. If we take her to the State of Honga we can control her steps and at the right time put an end to her.

- No ... - Amon did not accept this agreement.