-Execution- Chapter 2
The knights arrested Zach's Father and brought him inside the castle's court for questioning. He was handcuffed by the knights to prevent him from escaping. His Highness arrived and told them to remove the handcuffs so they can talk properly.
"So? where's the money?" His Highness asked
"Your Highness, I-I don't know.." Zach's Father answered nervously
"What do you mean you don't know?" His Highness remained calm
"I--M-my wife ran away with the money" he silently replied
"All of it?"
"Y-yes Your Highness"
"But I've heard that you've been losing millions of money from gambling? is that true?"
"..." he remained silent
"Don't lie to me now"
"I-I have been gambling, yes"
"So you lost money from gambling and your wife ran away with everything that's left? is that right?"
"Yes, that's right Your Highness"
"So you do remember about our contract correct?"
"Please have mercy, Your Highness!"
"The deal is the deal, our contract clearly stated that if you aren't able to pay after a year you'll be executed as a punishment, our conversation ends here, no need to question him any further"
He quickly kneeled with his head on the floor
"Your Highness! I'll give you my son as payment! You can have him work to death!" he shouted as His Highness was about to leave.
His Highness turned around and glared at him then suddenly gave him a kick in the head.
The King is one of the most righteous rulers and having heard something like this, he could never tolerate such behavior.
Even the knights who were present were surprised by such an utterly ridiculous statement.
"HOW DARE YOU SAY SUCH A THING! DO YOU THINK THAT I'LL ACCEPT SUCH PAYMENT!?"
"I'm sorry Your Highness I was naive! Please forgive my impudence!" he said still kneeling
"Imprison him! We'll have you executed within 3 days! Within those three days, you should repent of your sins!" His Highness ordered then left still fuming with anger.
The knights immediately followed the order and imprisoned him.
"You better behave yourself now!" the knight said after locking him up
Not even five minutes later someone came to see him.
She didn't say anything and just stood there until he eventually realized her presence.
"Who --!" after seeing who it was he immediately kneeled
"Your Majesty, the Queen, what might you be doing here in such a place?"
"I'm here to ask you a question"
"You can ask whatever you want Your Majesty"
"Then, did you use that money to help your business grow?"
"I used the money to gamble thinking that I would get more and unfortunately lose them all"
"Then did you try to earn more back by actually managing your business properly?"
"No, I did not Your Majesty, thinking that I had enough inside my treasury made me feel at ease"
"So did you realize what you did wrong?"
"Yes I have Your Majesty"
"I'm sorry for you but I'm afraid I won't be able to call off your execution, but because you've been honest with me I'll give you whatever you want because this isn't entirely your fault"
"Are you sure Your Highness?"
"As long as it's not something bad then I'll do my best"
"You have a very good heart Your Majesty, Thank you"
"What is it then?"
"First, please find my wife, I also included her name on our contract, therefore, she deserves the same punishment, second, please bring my daughter to her grandparents just outside the city they will surely take good care of her and lastly, My - son, my son had endured so much, he has nowhere to go now, I have failed as a father so- so please take care of my son! he is a very good kid and I'm sure he will repay your kindness so please take him in!" he begged the Queen
"Very well, I'll try my best to grant all your wishes"
"I'm very grateful Your Majesty!"
"I'll be leaving now, it's very inappropriate of me to stay here"
"Yes, Your Majesty! Thank you!"
He then continuously bowed while thanking Her Majesty
"What an unfortunate and foolish man" the Queen whispered to herself while walking her way out of the prison.