Just like in a fairy tale

Chapter 3

-Come on! Come on! Come and taste my apples they are delicious!

Kaminari called brandishing his apples, introducing them to passers-by.

The village was crowded with people in this early morning time, having come from the four corners of the kingdom. With that, he could have thought that the sale would be good but it must be said that; his "miserable" apples went unnoticed in the face of the innumerable choices that the market presented. And as always, he hadn't sold anything.

Tsuyu and Hagakure stopped in front of his small business.

-Seller? it really doesn't suit you, Kaminari, Tsuyu said.

-I know..., Kaminari sighed. Ashido insisted.

Suddenly, the sound of drums was heard behind them. Tsuyu, Hagakure and Kaminari turned to face the newcomer.

A huge escort of horses and teams was advancing steadily through the village. The knights were beating drums and soon the sound of the trumpets joined them. Men pulled aside by the side of the road, and women dragged their children by force.

Iida, the prince's official knight, stepped out of the troop and took out a large manuscript.

-Your attention please, new order from the prince!, he shouted to the attention of the presents.

"After a great debate and consideration of the current state of the country, the government has decided to question the affordable market prices. In the absence of tolerance, the coffers of the kingdom fell enormously. And given your total refusal to increase, we decided to double the taxes."

After this unpleasant speech, loud clamors rose among the citizens. Everyone is upset by this completely unfair new law in everyone's opinion.

-But that's good! With the money we have left we have enough to feed our children, a woman said with ironic intent.

-After getting rid of his father this damned prince believes himself absolutely everything allowed!, Kyoka said.

-Is it safe to leave our destiny in the hands of a kid?, Sero added.

And protests resumed. Unable to manage the general discontent, Iida followed by the rest of his escort leaved the premises.

-It looks bad, Hagakure pointed out.

-Of course if he continues like this he will attract all the hatred of the kingdom, Tsuyu completed.

Yet, the prince didn't care much about the love of his people. As long as it was in its own interest, the opinion of others did not count.

Even when the closest people try to convince him...

***

There was a knock on the door of the room.

-Your majesty, may I come in?, Momo asked.

Shoto straightened his head.

-Who's there?

-It's me, your greatness. Yaoyorozu!

-Come in!

The door opened. Momo bowed on her knees, her hand on her chest.

-What's going on?, he asked coldly.

The prince was incredibly charming; Probably the only inheritance from his mother . His two-tone hair was perfectly straight, his eyes were dark gray and piercing turquoise, and his blazed face was beautifully drawn.

Unfortunately, his left side had been, by I don't know what curse, covered with a kind of thick layer of ice which, over the days, had taken a dark tint, so that it resembles an e half-human half-monster creature.

Without realizing, Momo was admiring him. So much so that she forgot the reason for her coming.

-So?

-Oh, ye...yes, she pulled herself together. It concerns your latest law.

-If you try to make me give up it's not worth it, he said.

-It's not that! Well, yes...but...

-Cut it out!

She was silent.

-It's always the same thing!, he got up and knocked on the desk. You are never satisfied whatever I do! This decision was well thought out, I don't see any inconveniences.

-But, your highness, many families don't have enough money to pay.

-They manage! I have nothing to do with people who cannot even survive.

-It's not about survival, it's about life! Hundreds of people are born right now. We must at least be able to assure them a decent life!

A long silence settled between them.

-Alright, since we cannot take care of everyone, only the strongest will have the right to live.

-What?, she asked confused. What does it mean?

-An eradication...

That said, the young woman trembled in frustration.

-Anyone who dares to break the law, he continued, will be killed on the spot.

Momo tried one last time to convince him.

-I am sure we can do it other than by violence!

-Should I start with you?

She frozed.

-At your command your majesty, she said bitterly before leaving the room.

She leaned against the wall and slid slowly to the floor.

"He'll never listen..."

To be continued...