(Book 5) Hayden Mackay and The Pride of Haima-Endira

12.1 Web of Deception

Author's Note : Kindly DO NOT read the comments while reading the chapter. They are full of spoilers. This is my humble request.

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The King of Narula Dynasty peered down through the window of his personal chamber.

The village, his village, the huts of which were tall and cone-shaped, colorful and symmetrical, an entirely classy establishment. Free of the beasts, unlike the other dynasties. Even from a distance, he exuded self-righteous, the sort of pretentious smug attitude. How well he controlled every move of his villagers. How well he inflicted fear of consequences if disobeyed his demands. Gaining their respect that lacked independence must be a sheer pleasure. They were the dolls in his doll-house, the dolls born to serve him. Men were supposed to sweat all day long, work more than their caliber to meet the expected revenues. And the role of women was to drain blood for the men born in his family, their only job was to give them sensual gratification.

The one God he feared, whose methods he followed without any judgments. There shall never be remorse to revere the human turned beast this country was forever terrified of- Almourah.

"Your Majesty," his minister said, standing in the middle of the chamber accompanied by a knight, "The requests from the other Kings are pouring in. We already suffering from overcapacity. Are we willing to open extra spaces for the other dynasties?"

Bhupathi scoffed pathetically. "Yes, we are."

The minister stood silent, affected with great wonder. "We are?"

The king turned around and nodded, his beady eyes gleaming with cruel intelligence. "For our own good, that is. In return to give them shelter, they have to work for me, and only me. I don't want the involvement of the other kings. Tell them they are off the hook. I'm very much pleased to be responsible for the whole country."

"But that will cost us. We have to set wages and salaries..."

"The amount of money we have been spending has always been a third of the revenues we gain. Now with the addition of people, I ain't spending a paise more than I do."

"But...how?"

The king smiled. "Cut down the wages. Divide the amount equally among everyone. The more the villagers join, the lessers the salaries they shall get. I know, the Kings will question. They will raise an argument. Wouldn't I question if I were one of them?" He walked up front, his smile fading away and face flashing greed as that of a wolf. "Before they dare to question me...create more distress among the poor. Destroy their lands and their businesses. It shall be slow and daily, but burn everything down. That will make every piece of bread they earn worth a crore. Let them be grateful for whatever they get and we'll remain gracious to them as ever. But make sure, I make more money. If there is none, take away their inventory and crops they cultivate. More people, more goods. It shall be a mutually beneficial situation, where I stand more beneficial."

"Understood," said the minister, "So should I send a word out to the Kings?"

"Yes. Let the money start rolling in from tonight."

The minister bowed at the decision of the King and began walking outside. The knight followed. Bhupathi snapped his fingers in front of his face, making the knight stop. "Listen, if you see a woman, send her to me, would you?"

An hour passed in solitary...

The wind chimes tinkling with the soft breeze in the silence...

Bhupathi Garg still waiting for a woman...