ʙʟᴏᴏᴅ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴡɪᴄᴋᴇᴅ, Sookai

002

◦❈•≫────≪•◦❈◦•♕❈♕•◦❈◦•≫────≪•❈◦

HUENINGKAI

I enter the castle as two guards swing open the large wooden doors for me, the rich material of my royal mantle flowing with every step I take. My uncle walks right behind me, to my left, steps quick to keep up with mine.

The Collector falls behind and scurries after us, barely keeping up. The bag with my staves in that he carries hit together with every beat, a melody to my ears-even if the actual sound is unpleasant.

If this is the best he can do at keeping up with my uncle and I, then his best isn't good enough. Whether or not it's because he's trying not to drop the money he'd collected villagers' coins in doesn't matter.

I stride down the red carpet on the marble floor that leads directly to my throne, taking the seat that's rightfully mine. Those that think otherwise know not to voice their absurd opinions or they'll receive a well justified punishment.

An act of treason has always been punishable by death, I didn't set that Law.

As my uncle takes the smaller throne to my right, I stare down at the Collector, bored gaze on his frightened stature. "Count it," I demand, tilting my head to the right.

Some may believe that my actions are out of greed, but that's untrue. Their perspective of the situation is wrong, only taken from face-value.

Their face value, which says more about them as an individual than I.

My actions are out of generosity, if anything, if I didn't take from the poor, they'd disrupt the social hierarchy.

You see, there are various social classes within this hierarchy: there's the Royals, the upper-class, the middle-class and the lower-class.

By allowing the lower-class to make money and keep it, I'd also be allowing them to mess with the established system within these classes.

The poor would work their way up the social ladder, deviating from their own class and mingling with those born into their position.

And while they may fake their importance with their new title, a poor man will never be wealthy. The middle-class and higher-class will ostracised them, unwilling to disgrace their image with peasants.

If they manage to maintain their wealth within one of these classes, then there comes the risk of inflation: The more money made, the more it loses it's value. This, as an alternative, risks middle or higher-class-born individuals falling down on the social hierarchy.

Most of whom, I know well and wouldn't watch suffer for the nobodies belonging to the lower-class.

By setting boundaries and maintaining equilibrium, I'm helping those closest to me live in comfort, who will surely return the favour to their King if ever needed.

So, if you ask me, we can't have too many wealthy people... There will always be a surplus population, it's just up to me to choose who.

The Collector's eyes widen in shock, but he knows not to disobey the monarch. He refuses to be one of those punished for not following orders and nods, counting nervously under his breath as he sets each coin aside.

He counts the money in front of me because then I can ensure he doesn't steal anything. Some have tried to in the past, meeting their ends because of it.

My last Collector was foolish enough to do such a thing, my current one seems much smarter.

"Your Royal Highness," a guard calls out, opening the door to the hall. "Prince Beomgyu of Emisteen has arrived."