But the people remained silent, none ready to speak.
Bunch of idiots! I even ended up calling them beloved.
Not like I need their approval to exercise my authority, hmph!
"This, my people, is the reason I have you all gathered today. To punish the wrong and make an example of them. So that anyone who dares to go against my authority, or do anything like they have done, will also suffer the same fate."
Koul shifted his gaze to the other guards, and commanded sternly to one of them.
"Come out."
A chilling fear gripped the guard but he came out regardless.
"Draw your sword," he said to the guard. "All three of you," he added, referring to his other two guards that had escorted him there.
They drew their swords as commanded, and each stood behind the three guards—the offenders kneeling. They were already sweating and trembling with their hearts pounding as loud as it could.
Koul raised his hand, and said. "At the drop of my hand…" he paused, eyes glaring down with a cold glint. "Decapitate them."
Only at this command did the people finally break free from their silence, murmuring and whispering amongst themselves as they shivered.
Just as Koul attempted to bring down his hand, a knight stepped out, calling him.
"Your majesty," he said, stepping forward from the crowd.
He was tall and toned. Appearing older than Koul and seemingly in his mid to late twenties. His hair was a red, tousled buzz cut with a stylish line stretching from the scalp to the back.
As he stepped forward, he exuded a unique kind of aura. But the air around him alone was enough to know he wasn't like any other knight present. He was strong.
"Forgive me your majesty, but I do not intend to question your authority by this," he started.
"However, I see that the punishment you've declared upon them is too harsh. All for a reason without proof and that hasn't been confirmed."
This bastard! Are you questioning my words?Even without proof, a king's word should stand no matter what.
But I already have a good idea of how they are. Because they loathe me, they do not respect me.
"The guards are people meant to protect you. They wouldn't deliberately let any harm come to you. Them not doing anything or reacting quick enough when someone attempted to kill you, might simply be because they were taken aback and delayed in response. Not because they wish you death."
Tsk! You and I know very well you're aware they loathe me and that I am right! Even you standing before me right now reek of hatred toward me, so you must know!
"So I plead with you to please reconsider their punishment."
He's totally questioning my authority.
Koul retracted his hand slowly, not bringing it down as a signal to carry out his order.
His eyes remained stagnant on the knight, silent. Then a creepy smirk abruptly stretched across his lips, confusing the people all the more.
"According to you, all that I have said about them is simply from my head, right?" He started. "That they wish death upon me is simply my imagination, not their intention."
"You're equally trying to say that I have in no way been neglected by them. But let me show you this, so that you all that chose to be blind will finally awaken your keen sights."
With a wide grin, Koul turned swiftly. He undid his garment, letting it drop to his waist and revealing his bareback, precisely his wounds.
There was a low gasp from the people which caused his grin to stretch wider.
I've been waiting for this moment. I endured all that pain just for this specific moment!
"Now look, look at the pain I carry with me," he said, masking the thrilling excitement that coursed through him with feigned pain.
The wounds had reopened and started bleeding due to the lack of treatment and his clothes scraping them, so it was a sore sight to see.
After feasting their eyes, Koul put back his clothes and turned to face them.
"Even though I carry such pain and agony with me, not a single one of you had offered to treat me. Not one of you had wanted to alleviate my pain. Why then are you here? What is the reason of your existence if you cannot bring me comfort in my time of trouble and discomfort?" He asked, eyes sweeping over everyone.
Especially the knight that had stepped out to question him.
"You say they do not wish me bad in any way, yet they let me suffer this way? Shouldn't an upright subject see to it that their king is at his best?," he questioned.
"First they allow perpetrators to freely execute their attempts at me. Then they avert their eyes and overlook my pain. But despite this, you see no wrong in them. What difference then is between you and them?" he continued.
"Shouldn't a knight be upright and just in whatever they do? Should they not be loyal to their king? Are you saying I should overlook their crimes and wrongs and continue feeding on their disrespect?"
Koul's eyes shifted to the palace workers and guards, bearing down on them with oppression. He knew some of them had offered to treat his wounds and had outright rejected them, which they themselves were well aware of.
So he was keeping them in check, controlling them with his mere eyes that if they dare protest or attempt to say a word, he would not pardon them.
Back to the knight he turned and questioned.
"What say you now? Will you continue to question my authority for these criminals with no ounce of loyalty in them, or will you draw your sword and see to it that my command be met?"
Decide fast, you idiot! I'm running out of time!