Page 3 of Cursed By Gold

At the foot of the dais, Vladok meets my gaze, his hawkish features set in an expression mirroring my boredom. As my First Minister, he suffers through these tedious meetings at my side. I catch his subtle eye roll at Lord Demir's latest long-winded complaint regarding grain shipments. My lip curls in a hint of a smirk.

Lord Greystone looks to be napping in his seat, a curtain of dark hair concealing his face. I honestly don’t even know why he comes to these, other than to make sure I don’t forget that he exists. Our resident mage, Lord Caius, toys absently with a dancing flame in his palm, ignoring the withering look Minister Darius shoots him. Only Sofia remains attentive at her post,scanning the murmuring nobles for any hint of threat. Ever the vigilant guard.

I shift on my throne. How much longer must I endure this monotonous pageantry posing as counsel? I contemplate adjourning the session early, propriety be damned. Before I can act on the impulse, the smaller side door creaks open to admit a new arrival.

Vladok straightens, giving me a meaningful look. The interruption must be important then. I lean forward as the man I recognize as one of our senior intelligence agents strides up to murmur in my First Minister's ear.

As Vladok's expression hardens, I feel a curl of anticipation. Finally, something of significance. I cut off Lord Demir's rambling with an impatient slash of my hand.

"Enough! Unless the kingdom faces imminent threat, I've no interest in such trifles." All eyes turn to Vladok as he steps forward. "It seems you come with more pressing news."

His features are grim as he gives a short bow of apology. "Indeed, your majesty. There has been another robbery..."

I scowl. "Again? That's the second in as many weeks."

"Indeed. They somehow stripped an entire gallery of priceless artwork without stirring Hendrik’s household."

"And no doubt Duke Geralsh expects compensation for his stolen treasures," I fume. That greedy old weasel will be pitching a fit at court, blustering about his close friendship with the crown. As if I need another noble begging at my heels. It’s not my job to fund the results of his poor security.

I begin to pull off my gloves in irritation before thinking better of it. Revealing bare skin around others is unwise, no matter the circumstances. With an effort, I restrain my temper.

"What of this thieves' guild you claim is behind these brazen crimes? Have you made progress tracking them down?"

Vladok's frown deepens. "Unfortunately, they cover their trail well. We have turned up no solid leads yet. However, I have taken the liberty of doubling the guard patrols near estates containing significant valuables..."

I hold up a hand, cutting him off. "A stopgap measure. We must go on the offensive." I rise to pace before the hearth, the firelight glinting menacingly off my golden armor.

"Sire, perhaps a bounty on information would loosen tongues..." Vladok ventures hesitantly.

A spark of interest kindles in my chest. "Intriguing notion. And once we have a name, we can stamp out this pestilence for good."

I turn and stride toward Vladok. "See that it's done. Once we have a target, eliminating them shall be swift."

"At once, my king." Vladok bows and takes his leave.

Alone now except for Sofia, my personal guard, I stride to the fireplace and drum my fingers on the mantel, lost in thought. Out of habit, I reach to pull off my restrictive gloves, the day's grievances almost making me forget caution. But I stop myself just in time. Revealing my deadly curse, even for a moment, is unwise.

Sofia approaches silently to stand at my shoulder, face carefully averted. It saddens me that my closest friend and protector cannot even meet my bare skin. But after accidentally turning her favorite childhood doll to solid gold with an affectionate touch, we learned to take precautions.

No one else alive knows of the curse that transforms anything I touch into gold. None but Sofia, who has kept my secret these long years without falter or fear. A living fortress, shielding me from a kingdom that would recoil in terror of their deadly king.

Her quiet presence soothes my simmering temper. "Crippling these criminals subtly may prove difficult, if their skills live up torumor," she says. "I could assemble a covert team suited for such a task."

I nod slowly, ever grateful for her counsel. "See that it is done. Use whatever methods necessary to excise this growing threat."

We stand in pensive silence as the fire slowly gutters. With each brazen theft, these mysterious interlopers endanger my kingdom's stability and my own rule. I cannot allow such defiance to spread unchecked.

Soon enough the serpentine guild will find itself in my grasp, its leader chained and kneeling at my feet to face fatal justice. Sofia will help me keep my curse secret even as I crush these rogues publicly. None can be allowed to defy their king and live.

My gloved hands clench with anticipation. Once we have them in our sights, their days are numbered. I will finally satisfy this craving for retribution simmering in my cursed veins. None escape my wrath unscathed.

That’s Not So Wee

Scarlet

Icrouch in the shadows, thankful for the cover of darkness tonight. With the moon tucked behind the clouds, even the guards' watchful eyes would struggle to see me sneaking past.

My knees ache from holding still so long, but I don't dare move. Patience is key for any good thief, as Fairy Godmother always says.

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