The Greedy King and His Loyal Knights

Within the castle’s hallowed halls sat a great evil. An evil born from a lineage founded upon blood and corruption and a long, long history of sin. Wrathful, prideful, lustful, slothful, gluttonous, and envious- that is the history of the Kings and Queens from the Kingdom of Sin. They were cruel, conniving and carnivorous—they devoured the fruits of others’ labour for no reason other than the simple pleasure it granted them, and they trampled over each other to actualise their own selfish desires.

Over generations, each royal possessed a great power that allowed them to lay claim to the land in the shape they saw most fit.

The Glutinous Queen, with a touch of her hand, bled the land dry and starved an entire county before then stealing their remaining treasures.

The Slothful Lord, possessing endless patience, had won all wars by attrition alone. They would remain the only combatant amongst warring factions by simply waiting until all other combatants died of starvation or thirst.

The King of Wrath, the forefather of his royal bloodline, who had allegedly made a pact with the devil himself, had no need for an army; he was said to have the power to crush a man’s skull with a single hand, and could survive a thousand blows from countless swords. It was also said he was usurped by his daughter, the Envious Princess, who sliced his throat as he slept.

These rulers, all equally selfish and abhorrent, would only bequeath their royalty to the next generation with their dying breath. Great resentment toward each other’s predecessors brewed within the corrupt family.

That was, until the kingdom’s 46th ruler, King Avarice, also known as the Greedy King.

A stoic man with an aged face: square and angular, with long black hair that parted over his large, wrinkled ears. His beard was scraggly, with whispers of rouge grey hairs peeking through. Judgmental eyes sat on a sagging face perpetually donned by a dramatic frown. Despite their seemingly weary disposition, they held a glare so devilish that those who were beholden to them were stricken with fear and madness. It is common belief that he was born like this — that his face never changed from the moment he was born. And it is said that with that same never-ending gaze full of malice, he claimed the throne by driving his own mother into insanity.

He possessed an uncanny ability to read into the hearts and minds of those he observed. Using this power and his nature as a tactician and manipulator, he coerced many factions to fall under his heel by striking their hearts with fear. His greed knew no bounds — all thoughts belonged to him.

But unlike his forefathers, he held a great reverence for his child, whom he had named Denouement. His son was frail, cowardly and quiet, which was precisely by the King’s design. He held the belief that his son would continue his legacy, and that his ideals and desires would be passed down for generations to come. If he could mould his son into his perfect vessel, he would make for the perfect vestige. Even if he were to succumb to the mortal coil, he would be truly ever-present throughout history. He wanted to be known far and wide, and he wanted to be known forever as a king whose rule outlived even himself. He wanted and wanted.

Yes, he truly was a greedy king.

He would often place his large hand on his son’s small, timid shoulders to bestow what he believed to be worldly advice.

“You must remember, boy. Every action has a consequence. Without our predecessors, we wouldn’t be where we are today. And what we do today affects how we are remembered tomorrow. Our bloodline was stuck in a never-ending cycle of children killing their parents. We will be remembered as something more. We will be the almighty family untainted by corruption. Treat every action with intention. For there are some actions from which there is no way back.” His son would listen with admiration. Despite his father’s title, the Prince wanted very little. He cared not for riches or pleasure. He held but one desire, though he was never given it.

One day, in his great greed, the King held a luxurious banquet. King Avarice sat atop his throne, with Prince Denouement sat to his side, and invited many nobles from across the land to shower them with endless gifts, as many as would fit his fancy. A buffet of fatty meats was slumped onto a large table, and sweet confections were strewn across like confetti, soaking in the seeping juices from the bulbous cuts of deflating flesh. The King pursed and smacked his lips. The Prince grimaced.

Despite it falling upon his son’s 18th birthday, the purpose of this meal was not to celebrate the Prince, but to bestow two of the land’s best knights with roles befitting their prowess.

Months prior, there was a war between two rival factions of the country, one fighting for resources, the other defending their dwindling own. Although both were under the thumb of the King, he offered them no support. Hundreds lost their lives. They did not reach peace, but the two sides, equally weathered, came to a unanimous surrender.

Only then did King Avarice offer support, in exchange for the two best knights from either side to become his personal bodyguards — he foresaw great entertainment from the co-operation of rivals.

Amongst the gifts he was given at the banquet was a plate of from a meek servant. Prince Denouement raised a knife, but the King grabbed the Prince’s hands and stopped him.

The King looked deeply into the heart of the quivering servant. The King’s rigid frown contorted into a vicious smile. What followed the Greedy King’s smile was always the recipient’s doom.

“I know of your Master’s intentions to pander to me so that I may bestow greater riches upon him. I do not deal in such equality. People must give me what I desire because I have the power to desire it. Not for their own gain. Going against my whims is an act you cannot come back from.”

The King raised his hand and looked to a cavalcade of soldiers situated nearby.

“My knights, put a warrant out for his execution, post-haste.”

The King placed his hand back down onto the Prince’s shoulder and watched as the servant fled into the crowd ahead of them.

“Do not sully yourself with tainted goods, boy. I am better than that. And as my heir, I expect you to be the same. Demand the world. Expect more. With our abilities, gifted to us, we are a force of nature.”

The Prince sighed. “Father, truly, must we host this banquet —”

“-Silence, boy. The entertainment for the evening has just arrived.”

A male and female knight, respectively donned in blue and red armour, entered the great hall. The Knight in Blue was broad-shouldered and confident, but his eyes seemed to hold a certain innocence. He lumbered his way into the hall, as though he was carrying an immense pressure upon his back.

“It has been my sworn duty to protect the sanctity of the throne, as my lineage has done for generations,” he thought. “I promised my family I would serve the throne, no matter what.”

He briefly glanced at the King, who stared back at him intensely. The Blue Knight shook his head, as if to dispel a thought. The innocence in his eyes faltered for just a moment, though the King had not noticed, for he was too preoccupied with the tense Red Knight, who stood by Blue.

Red was shorter but still stocky. Her face was covered in scars. She had a bitter, defiant expression; her eyes, especially, were full of hatred, which she directed entirely towards Blue.

“So this is the face of a man who abandons his own humanity in favour of a so-called honour,” she thought.

“When I was a young girl, I would often look out to my father’s fields. He worked endless hours, day and night. He gave me so much love - he put everything into keeping everyone fed. But when resources ran low, and the Greedy King turned his back on us, my people grew restless; we had little choice but to fight to live. My father was amongst the rebels who fought back. We just never anticipated a war. My father may have been slain, but I will avenge him.”

Blue noticed this contempt. He did not judge her. He also bloodied his hands in that war. He knew he had committed sins he could never come back from. But he had to. It was his duty.

The King now understood his new knights. Red was rebellious, but her anger could be used as a tool. Blue was loyal and driven by honour and guilt. The King carefully considered his next actions. Then, he raised his hands and beckoned to them.

“My Knights. I thank you for coming. I understand the turmoil you have both faced. I want it to be known that as long as you serve me faithfully, I will ensure no harm comes to your settlements.”

What about the harm already done?” thought Red “You only support us when it aids you, you greedy—”

“— It is an honour to serve you,” spoke Blue.

Red’s eyes moved fiercely towards him, sharp like daggers.

The King took notice.

“Thank you, Blue. Your honour as a Knight is admirable.” A smile crept across his face.

“Red, your rebellion was unforgivable. Many innocents were hurt. Many hands were sullied by war. And yet,” continued the King, “I still understand. It was not fair on Blue’s people to hoard goods that should have been shared. Oh, it hurts my heart.”

“But sire - ” chimed in Blue.“—Oh, I know. It was your duty as a Knight. Nonetheless, you did fight back, no? You cannot lie to me. I know the blade of rebellious farmers drips from your gauntlets. You have a lot of making up to do.”

“I will make up for my sin by following your decree from now on. It is the… most honourable way I can make up for it.”

“Lapdog,” muttered Red.

The Blue Knight glared at her.

“It is my duty to serve the throne. Do you not understand that sacrifice must be made, as a knight?”

“Oh, I am perfectly aware. I will sacrifice everything to protect my village, just as my father did. Even if I sacrifice my own pride.”

The King lightly chuckled under his breath.

“Father, you should not goad them,” whispered the Prince, “that Red Knight seems very defiant.”

“Do you not see, boy?” said the King, not averting his gaze from the bickering knights. “Their own selfish views blind them to what is in front of them. They are too busy bickering amongst themselves to consider doing us harm.”

The two Knights continued to bicker.

“Father, do you truly think I need a Knight positioned by my side?”

“Yes, I anticipate further enemies.”

“Further enemies?” asked the Prince.

“Indeed,” said the King, not moving his gaze away from the argument. “This war worked rather favourably. A pity about those who died, especially the soldiers, but their sacrifice was worth it, for it has brought the strongest to their full potential. I could see employing a similar strategy across the land.”

The two knights stopped arguing.

Red's eyes, bewildered and enraged, lit up with defiance.

“Careful, now, Red. Don’t let that rebellious spirit lead you to an action you’ll regret,” mocked the King.

Blue gripped his blade.

“Can this truly be the ruler of the throne? This selfish monster?”

“And you, Blue, do not forget who your allegiance is to. After all, don’t you bear the responsibility of your family’s honour to serve the throne?”

“He is correct. I serve the Throne, as have generations done before me. And I am not innocent. I am guilty.”

The King smiled, certain he snuffed out the flame of rebellion.

Blue looked to Red, whose mark of the sacrifices she had made was plastered on her face.

“I am guilty of serving these tainted Royals, who taint the throne with their Sin…” Blue thought.

“…Forgive me, my family. I serve not the King… but the throne.”

Within an instant, Blue pulled out his blade and swung it towards the King. But the King did not flinch, for he knew he was protected.

Red blocked the blade with her own.

Her body shook from the power of Blue and the shock at her own actions.

“Why do you block my blade? Do you not see the corruption?” he asked.

“I… don’t know…” she hesitated.

The King placed his large hands on her shaking shoulders. She jittered.

“No. You do, my dear. You fear that if you raise your blade to me, you will be struck back tenfold. Those previous villagers you protect? Gone. You protect me out of fear. And you would be correct.”

The King frowned deeply.

“Blue, I had truly thought your honour was steadfast. Your mind seemed so determined. Perhaps it’s that very determination which corrupted you. You dare raise a blade to a King? You will find that the ramifications are most dire.”

But Blue did not care about the King’s temptations. He looked longingly into Red’s confused eyes.

“You are scared…” mumbled Blue quietly. “I understand. I, too, am scared. This Greedy King has stolen my honour. My duty to my people. But… he has not stolen yours. I can see in your eyes. Your duty… to protect your people.”

The King hesitated for a moment, worried Blue’s words may have an effect on her.

“I cannot kill the king”, she thought.

The King sighed with relief. Yes, nobody could ever kill him. The fear he struck into them was too much. But Prince Denouement saw the flame of rebellion in her eyes.“Father, the female knight —”

The King raised his hand. “Silence, boy.” The King said as he turned to Blue.

“Do not think you can get into her head, you overambitious knight. She is fully aware of the consequences of acting against me. She knows full well that there are some actions you can’t come back from.”

“He’s right,” she said.

“I cannot kill the King,” she thought. “I am too scared… but…”

Quickly, she shifted her gaze towards the Prince. The look lasted but a moment, but the sheer contempt it held was paramount.

“…that fear never stopped my father.”

With one fell motion, Red turned towards the King and swung her sword ferociously. The King jumped back in shock and horror.

“How was this possible?! These were not her thoughts! She had no intention to harm me!” And the foolish King was correct, for he was not her target. The blade swung quickly past his head and flew towards the Prince. Within a second, the blade had halted.

The Prince, who had aptly dodged the blade, kicked it away, then pushed down the Knight. The other guards ran over and restrained Red and Blue.

“You may have fooled the King by hiding your thoughts in that roundabout manner,” said the Prince, spite and superiority radiating from his voice, “but your intent was obvious. It wasn’t just your thoughts; it was your eyes. Trust me, I am experienced with the truth that the mind can hide, but the eyes reveal. The direction of one’s eyes… shows who’s truly on their mind…” The Prince looked to his father with disgust in his eyes.

“Ha-ha-ha! You fools! Did you truly think that would be enough to stop my son?!” jumped up the King, pointing at the dishevelled knights, paying no mind to his son. “He possesses my own royal blood. Thanks to me, he is invincible!” Avarice turned his back on the Prince. “Do you see, everyone?! Fear us! Fear me! I am King Avarice — and I shall not be bested by the likes of—”

Suddenly, his back ran cold.

As the knife that was plunged into his back twisted, the Greedy king, his face contorted with pain, anguish and fury, turned to his son, who started back despondently, knife in hand. Denouement wore the look one gives when one accidentally steps on an ant — a brief, fleeting grief, before one goes about their day.

“You… you fool. I have given you so much. I gave you everything. This… what you have done…” spluttered the King.

“I am aware of the consequences,” said the Prince as he pulled the knife away, flicking the blood onto the floor.

“Truthfully, you pitiful king, you gave me nothing. You showered me with gifts and praise, but all of it was for your own ego. Your mind said it was for me, but I could tell by your eyes that it never was. All I simply desired was your love and praise. A father. But never once in my life have you truly looked at me.” The Prince sighed.

“But the Knight’s determination has given me a new resolve. I must act before I regret it. If you won’t allow me what I most desire, I won’t allow you, either. You want to be remembered as unique? Too bad. Children killing parents. History will remember us no differently than it remembers anyone else in our bloodline. Yes, this is my greed. To take everything you desired away from you, forever. And there will be nothing you can do. There is no going back now.”

He looked to the knights, whose thoughts were a jumbled mess of panic and fear.

“Kneel,” he commanded.

All of the knights, Red and Blue included, fearful of his sadism, knelt.

The Prince pushed Avarice’s body to the floor and took his throne.

“Truly, I am a monster just like all before me. Truly, I am a Greedy Prince.”