The unloved 3

The king's eyes which lingered long on Khaldun slowly shifted to glance around the room as he adjusted his position on the throne before he began to address the people in the court. Since the meeting was scheduled to hold before dawn, because he had an important appointment to attend to, he signalled the minister who held a paper, to proceed.

"Greetings milord, greetings the iron fist of Harengon". A minister greeted, bowing his head to the man who sat on the throne, receiving a nod of approval from him.

" Shocking issues have risen, my lord. Firstly, one of us, a minister. Minister Isolde, had been killed in cold blood and her house was set on fire and parts of her body were amputated. We were earlier notified, that she was killed by a blood-sucking creature; a vampire who had drained her blood entirely, before tearing her limbs to limbs. My lord, words are spreading of people panicking about the presence of the evil creature. They are scared of whom it/they would ambush next and I suggest that this creature or creatures be found and annihilated completely and immediately. Secondly Milord, a white which was found and caught in the woods practising the abominable act which is witchcraft and sorcery, milord. The law already states to have creatures which are not associated with humans, one must have them staked and burnt to death without trial - - -"

"If you would permit me to speak up, my lord?". Khaldun said, interrupting the minister who was about to say something, turning the room icy cold, as all attention fell on him.

The King turned annoyed at the sudden interruption to the minister's words from the last person he wanted to see here. He stared at him with a hostile expression and he made sure Khaldun had seen it. If it was possible, he would readily ask the guards to take him away and then behead him for such insolence or probably let him rot in jail.

" I wish to ask minister Adulse, how he had identified the cause of minister Isolde's death as caused by a vampire?". Khaldun asked politely, noticing the hardened look on his father and the expression on some ministers who wanted to revolt against him from speaking.

Minister Adulse, turned to stare at the lowly imp who was detested by his blood father, who dared to interrupt his reports. "You don't have the right to - -

" That's not the answer to the question, minister Adulse. Wonder why your heart is beating wildly? Are you the real culprit?". Khaldun asked the minister, faking a surprised expression.

The minister's eyes widened at the sudden accusation levelled against him before sweeping his eyes around the court, trying to decipher the expressions on their face. "What nonsense. I can never stoop so low to get a fellow minister - - -

" Minister Adulse, I'm pretty sure you don't know what you're talking about. But please, continue". Khaldun said, gesturing for him to continue with his reports.

The room erupted into murmurings. Some opposed the prince, claiming he was insolent and proud and was just trying to embarrass the minister. Some murmured about the minister's attitude of hiding some truth and they spoke of a chance of the prince's words, turning authentic.

Khaldun heard it all. He could hear the little whisperings, marking those who were alleging him of lying, a wide grin breaking forth to his lips.

King Bratador Deamonne turned highly infuriated at the disruption of peace. He couldn't believe his so-called son would displace the orderliness of the entire court just by a few words. What more would he do in future?. He thought, his heart skipping a beat.

"SILENCE!!!". He yelled, turning the noisy room, instantly into silence. King Bratador stared furiously at the people who were in the court before moving his eyes to the minister who stood still and then Khaldun, narrowing his eyes at him. " Do you just know you have placed an enormous accusation on a nobleman, not just noble but a king's minister, in the presence of the king and witnesses?". King Bratador, questioned the young man who stared at him with a conniving smile.

Khaldun felt an urge to roll his eyes and wag his tongue at the king but this was not the right time, instead, he gave a deep bow to the king before facing to speak to him. "I do know, my lord". Khaldun agreed, giving another bow like he was the most loyal person in the room which irked the king, his father.

" Then do you have concrete evidence for this? If not, then you would face severe punishment, serving as an example to the rest of the people who would take a lead from your actions". Bratador announced, already looking forward to punishing him.

"Khaldun took five steps forward, toward the throne, before veering around to the people who stared at him with mixed expressions and then at the minister, whose heart he was hearing, thudding in fear. He could already detect his feet going wobbly in anxiety.

" My lord". Khaldun began, facing back to the king with a respectful expression, which the King hated most. "I got the news earlier than this minister as I already have a lot of people that are devoted to me. He paused, basking in satisfaction from the reaction and changes in heartbeats from the king and the tension he was causing amidst the people in the court. He knew he had indirectly declared he was capable and he was gathering support and revolting against him from stepping up for the throne was going to be extremely difficult.

" I was notified and had to instantly run her body for an autopsy, getting an unmistakable result of being murdered, not by draining her blood and by a sharp doubled weapon, not by the fangs of the alleged vampire. Must have been a larger fork or a weapon of the pointed doubled head. For the evidence, my lord? I have concrete evidence, which would be displayed sooner or later. For the burnt house in ruins? It must have been done by the culprit to erase the evidence of the cold-blooded murder". Khaldun informed.