Chapter 4: What Are Characteristics of a Good King?

Some of the qualities of a good king include being calm and centred, being decisive, and having personal integrity. In addition, being hardworking and energetic, speaking well, protecting the people, maintaining order, blessing others, and acknowledging other people’s efforts are a few more ideal characteristics of a king.

King David was the “apple of God’s eye,” a “man after God’s own heart.” Yet, he selfishly used his power to sleep with Bathsheba and to murder her husband as a cover-up. King David took Bathsheba lustfully, “at a time when kings go out to battle.” He mistimed his steps, misused his resources, and set the kingdom off balance for generations.

He wonders what would have happened that season if David had led as king that time instead of a lover?

Like David, we’re all hypocrites, and yet … God wants us to lead those around us the best we can.

Desmend thank the gods he’d believed in that best friends, may they rest in peace force to attend all those stupid classes with them.

The South African boy remembers the equities of a strong king. At least what the Netflix show his boy scout of buddy Arthur showed him:

 Order: With the help of the Warrior, a king sets boundaries on relationships and organizes resources such as people, time, money, health, and physical environment.

 Infinite Blessing/Benevolence: With infinite fatherly love, good kings want all people, even their enemies, to thrive.

 Counsel: With benevolence, the king honours all his advisors and seeks counsel, even from those who disagree with him. A while back, Dmitri Bilgere wrote about Level 3 emotional intelligence. A healthy king is at level 3 or 4, free of the rule of his own emotions as well as the rule of other people’s emotions.

 Decisiveness: After considering all counsel, the ideal king is able to quickly assess current reality and make the right decision at the right time.

 Legacy: Good leaders stay true to plans with long-term benefits, not just what feels good in the moment. Good kings see what’s best for the whole kingdom for generations, not just a few people in one. Sometimes it is costly and lonely to hold this long-term vision. So much of the country disapproved of Lincoln that it went to war with itself.

 Communication: Good leaders communicate their decisions and vision concisely, precisely, and consistently, striving to promote unity and joy.

 Joy and Creativity: A good king, leader, especially a father, knows how to dance, how to play uninhibited by shame. He loves the children of the world and the child within. They are gifts from God and a source of great joy and creativity.

 Connected to God: A healthy king connects with our sovereign God Most High, knowing that ruling the kingdom is impossible without spiritual power from beyond the natural world.

 Assurance: Because all these other qualities are strong, the king feels self-assured and can facilitate that same assurance and peace in those around him.

Arthur was the noblest, most valorous, and couldn’t be evil to save his life! The dude was a saint. But for some reason, the boy also said a tyrant would make a great king as well.

“Chosen One?”

Desmend stops his train of thought and glances at the very beautiful woman. Thas long, white hair which curls slightly at the ends, with two bangs framing her face and reaching down to her chest; letting a large strand cover her forehead freely, and had most of her hair tied in a high, larger ponytail on the back of her head by a massive white ribbon.

White robes with blue outlines and a golden decoration around her hip.

"How is my blom van groot skoonheiddoing today?" Desmend spoke in a tone a line from home language. Afrikaans and what he said to was: flower of great beauty.

“W-what?” Was Tangerine taken aback by the Chosen One? Uh, sudden attention towards her. The other nobles are looking at them now. She hadn’t started blushing yet, mainly because she had been so stunned that her blood had stopped circulating in her veins. But she did feel her cheeks warm up when his smooth voice spoke again in that language she didn’t understand:

“Si Magnifique...”

Tangerine’s heart was beating fast. Even though she had absolutely no idea what he was talking about (he could be reciting a roasted chicken recipe for all she knew), she couldn’t deny the fact that it sounded very romantic.

“Need something?”

Uh... um, I-I.” She sputtered dumbly. She’d always dreamed of talking to the chosen one someday, but now she’s unsure of how to react to this peculiar situation. “I-I’m just asking you if you want to know about the kingdom. You know how it is.”

“Glad to hear.” Desmend smiled gently as he took Tangerine’s hand in his own. “You know, you’re lovely when you sputter like that.”

In an incredibly bold act that caught everyone off guard, cue silence the second time today, Desmend leaned forward and tenderly kissed the back of Tangerine’s hand like a seasoned gentleman, causing the already flustered girl to spout out more incoherent nonsense and her mind to overload.

It was wordy enough that Desmend would already hit the skip button if this were a game.

Tangerine, in a mousey manner, told Desmend the basic logistics/

First, she spoke about this world.

The world is made of several supercontinents. The continent of Arcada, to be exact. On Arcada, there were many countries, large and small. In addition to humans, these were populated by beastkin, elves, dwarves, and dragons, among other races. There were countries where these races coexisted, kingdoms that barred entrances to all but one race, and many more.

Soon Tangerine calmed her nerves when she got into the blight. A race of tainted humanoid creatures that travelled the world in a mist of death and plague.

Then the white-haired beauty went on the history of her family and the kingdom.

The Kingdom of Aucrulethen was the only kingdom that accepted all races in their territory. A super-sized nation with three borders in the south parts of Arcada. It was ruled under a monarchy. Even though the past kings were only human, those of other races were accepted and respected by the kings and their families for generations. Regardless of race, everyone held citizenship, and aside from “king,” they could take any job they desired.

There have been few attacks because of the natural barrier of the faraway mountains that block invasions from the blight and other races. However, the Kingdom is in trouble because of the four lords attacking borders. The land of Aucrulethen naturally has strong predators and monsters; some plants are known to be carnivorous and possess abilities and features that make them seem more like animals.

Fodd shortages had been terrible in recent years, and that had only exacerbated the problem of refugees disposed of by the expansion blight and the Republic Empire.

Desmend is really hoping for the skip button now.

There were dark storm clouds on both the domestic and international fronts.

In addition to the four lords’ problem, the relations were with the Republic Empire, the longest country on the continent on the other side of the Arcada. The Empire was the on global conquest under the term of “peacekeeping” and was requesting war subsidies from other countries. To put it simply, they were requesting that countries that were far away from their “war,” and despite being called requests, they were closer to ultimatums when they came from a superpower.

They were asking for manpower, weapons, and money on which the Aucrulethen Kingdom didn’t have any to spare.

After all, that Tangerine talked about the hero summoning that her late father and mother taught her and her sisters in case anything were to happen to them.

“So, are you sure this is ok?” Desmend asked the silver-haired consort of his after taking a moment to rid himself of the incoming headache.

“A-about what? Chosen One?” Tangerine asked to the best of her abilities, which at the moment, wasn’t really saying much.

“About turning ‘giving me the reins of the kingdom’ thing.”

She pauses for a moment, and a sudden stab of guilt strikes Desmend. He can easily tell by the way she’s looking at him. She wants him to be comfortable and happy, and she takes it as a personal failure that he’s not.

"Blom van groot skoonheid. Don’t make such a sad face.” The black-haired young man smiled warmly at Tangerine.

“The Goddes chose you in our time of need. I trust you.”

Desmend can only give out an honest smile at this. The boy always loved making people’s day and woman well it was his mission never to disappoint them... EVER!

“I guess I should finish this then,” Desmend said, taking his dark chocolate eyes to the towering stacks of paper on the desk.

Tangerine finds the courage to look at him again; “What are you doing up so early, Chosen One?”

“Oh, me? I got up early to finish these stacks of paper and so that I can watch the sunset,” said Desmend pointing to the open window. “Seeing the extravagant red sky of the early morn reminds me of you.” He winked at Tangerine, causing her to turn redder than a sunburned tomato.

“Chosen One! Easy on the compliments, tiger.” One of the divine nobles interjected. An old female one. “She might pass out.”

“No, no. It’s fine, Eri. I’m f-fine” Tangerine looked away, desperately trying to hide her face. “T-thank you, Chosen One, for complimenting me and taking this job without complaints. There aren’t a lot of guys like that nowadays.”

“A lot of guys aren’t nearly as passionate as I am,” Desmend stated. “If a pretty asks for my help. Well, my buddies from beyond the grave will kick my ass for not helping her.”

“Yes. Well, okay...” Tangerine idly twiddled her thumbs. “Um, I think I hear my sisters calling me. Please excuse me!” Without another word, Tangerine turned and ran straight to well anywhere, slamming the door behind her as she did so; Leaving behind a perplexed individual in her wake.

“Well, back to work... Can someone call Clementine Aucrulethen? I need her to teach me the combat ways in this world. Oh, by the way, I find out a way to pay Empire’s absurd, preposterous demand.”

The divine nobles who are spiritual council to the royal looked at Desmend in shock.

“That School of Socioeconomic Studies, Carnival logistics specialist, Money launderer, Embezzler are really coming in handy right now,” Desmend mused on his past. He had committed fraud once and absconded with a lot of money. He remembered the last heist, setting the intention in his mind to never make that same mistake again.

Plus, he is now king. Kings aren’t rich; they make their people rich. A lousy position since the South African boy loves money, but oh well.

He lit a cigarette, wanting to take a few puffs. He had earned it

“Tootsie Roll flavour... Best invention ever.” Desmend explained and went back to work. “Nice to work on the money reforms, and most importantly, get better drinks. Papa needs something good, and Ale isn’t on the menu.”

Desmend pauses for dramatic flair. “As you well know, one of the keys to success is a clear and consistent understanding of ones own limitations. And my limitation is that I’m sober for this... So bring me something to drink if you please.”