CH. 16 Things have come to a change

(TUT POV)

It seems like things have honestly come to this, here I was standing in front of my people.

Going to go forward with Mala's plan, I actually took the time to listen to someone's input on a matter. Took the time to actually consider something, that I didn't think of myself and move forward with what someone else came up with. This would not have been me before I came in contact with Mala. I would not have moved forward with anyone's plan. I honestly would have been outraged and left feeling like how could they know what was best for me when they weren't me. That's just how I thought, I admit it but I wasn't cruel. I always had considered other people, I always had considered my people.

So the reason why my mind has changed is that I begin to see from another perspective.

If I always had done things before without considering how my people would feel, without considering what was best for them and not only me.

That would not have been right which leaves me thinking, have I actually considered others as I thought to have.

Have I considered their thought on a certain subject? I could already tell that Mala was having a huge impact on me and I know for sure I would most likely take her advice again or input into a high consideration.

I now not only have to worry about my mother by law, evil plans now I had someone else who was looking to get rid of me.

I wasn't even the number one King, if they were looking to get rid of me like this I could imagine what my brothers were going through.

My mind flashes thinking of my Father.

He was the number one King.

The Queen would have taken us out one by one, but she wasn't going to do it in order. If she did it in the order of our ranking it would not look good for her at all and would have look set up.

Which has me thinking that she was going to come up with another plan on getting Mala.

I had a feeling about what she was going to do.

I push the thoughts away from my mind for now.

I remembered that I had something else I had to take care of right now.

I turned around so I could stare at her, so I could stare at Mala and I found her face forming an odd expression.

As if she couldn't believe her eyes, what did she think I meant when I said we would tell the people by gathering them.

Did she not know how it went? Did she not know when a King calls for all his people to gather and hear him. Everyone gathers to hear him? I stared at her as her eyes widen, I was actually amused by her expressions.

If she thought this was impressive she hasn't seen anything yet.

Her eyes found mine, I stared at her for a moment and then turned my head towards the people that were staring at us.

My people, although I don't know what's in their hearts they were still my people.

Yes some of them most likely secretly hated me, yes some of them probably looked up to me and some of them probably don't even like me at all, just going on with their daily life and proving for their families.... Right after they provided for me.

I knew that I couldn't yell, so I was given something to make my voice be able to reach the people.

"My people, I come to you barring a tragic conflict that had taken place before I called your attention here. It seems like a serpent was placed in my room a poisonous one at that." I said which had the people gasping and speaking in hush tones wondering who could do such a thing.

"I had actually happened to have to ask my servant boy to go prepare something in the room, where he was attacked by the serpent that was placed where I lay. Hearing the boy scream, I ran into the bedroom and had to quickly pull the serpent off of him with the help of my lady before the serpent set his marks at him. You can imagine how furious I was that the boy could have been hurt." I said and my people gave me a look of shock, none of them expecting I to say such a thing.

I shook my heading wondering if the people thought I was that cruel, I happen to actually like Leo and his brother Ramo very much.

"I am angry that this is someone amongst us that took such steps to hurt me but not only I but to take such drastic measures by putting my servants in danger also. That is something I won't accept, to try to hurt the Kings people and also the King. Claiming that you're one of us when you're surely not. Just because my Servants aren't apart of the royal family doesn't mean that they're not my people. Doesn't mean my people are not my family because you people are, yes not by blood but by a group. We're all in the same group, we're all the same kind and we're supposed to be seen as worthy of living. This young boy could have lost his life today, he could have died and he hasn't lived much of his life at all. What a cruel thing to do."

I said pausing and shaking my head

I noticed that the people were quiet, listening and waiting for what else I had to say.

I let a sigh out.

"It upsets me that this wasn't from an enemy from an area we're having war with but from someone amongst us, it upsets me that this person didn't think that they could have harmed others also. It upset that a person hates me this much that they didn't think one of my servants could have been taking care of my room and fell into the trap that they had set up for me and my lady. That they didn't think about endangering someone that was one of them. Surely not if they wanted to harm me also, surely not if they wanted to harm someone I deeply care about also." I said.

I turned to look at Leo and motion for him to come near me which he did.

I turned back to the people and said.

"This is the young boy that was in the room, where I and my lady had to save him. See how young he is, this could be your son. Your younger brother or a family member. I am glad that he gets to live another day and many more. This person that did this should feel ashamed of their self because they almost cost this young man his life, imagine losing someone extremely close to. a child like this because of what that person did" I said actually meaning every word that came out of my mouth because it was the truth.

I was glad that nothing happened to Leo, I turned to look at Mala and realizing that I wouldn't know what to do if something bad were to happen to her either.

"Now, my people, you may go live your daily lives as you all do so but protect your loved ones, the people you care about, the one you have friendships with because you never know when someone could be planning to harm you or someone else and end up harming another person that has taken your place.

I thank you all for coming." I said walking away with Leo and ruffling his hair letting him know he did a good job.

He gave me a smile, pardoning his self and going to Ramo his brother.

"My King, I am quite taken back by what you said. I never knew my King think so highly of us that way. Forgive me for doubting that." One of my Men said and I nodded my head.

"I said nothing but the truth," I said patting him in the back and before I knew it more of the Men came towards me talking to me and I listen to what each one of them had to say that very moment, which shocks them all that they were being listened too. As we made our way back into the halls, my mind was on Mala wondering what she thought of my speech, yes it was her idea but I threw some of my thoughts in there too.

I finished listening to all of them, as they pardon themselves.

I looked up to find Mala staring at me with a mischievous smile.

I gave her a questioning look, as I stop a servant who was walking down the hallway asking them to bring food for Mala and me.

When I was done talking to the servant I saw Mala making her way back to my chambers.

Or should I say 'Our Chambers'

I followed her, watching as the guards who were now on duty guarding my chambers nodding at her opening the door for her as she smiled at them going in.

I nodded at the guards and walked in behind her, hearing the doors close I saw Mala walked to the end of the room, eyeing her surroundings and the bed.

I walked towards her still with a confused look to why she still stayed in silence. I thought she would be thrilled that her plan worked.

"Well, your plan work but you don't look too happy that it did and if I am wrong, I am certainly hoping that is not your happy face at all," I said

Mala looked at me and let out a laugh that brought shivers done to my bones.

"Oh yes, I am glad it was a success, believe me, which helped me noticed a few things. You did good Tut, but that is not why I am like this right now." She said and I rosed an eyebrow.

"Then why?" I asked her.

She let out a sigh, sitting on the bed.

"Because while you were giving your speech, I was also doing the other half of the work. I was observing. Giving the speech was one thing but looking at the people faces to catch reactions that can help us solve this is another." She said and my eyes widen at the words she said, taking it in that she was right.

I sat on the bed, facing her.

I let a smile form on my face looking at the woman in front of me.

"You made me give a speech with all my guts, putting my all into it so you could find the culprit in the crowd while watching the people faces. Do you know how many people were in that crowd? You mean to tell me while I was getting the spotlight and giving my worthy speech, you were working the sidelines?" I asked her laughing but also impressed.

She raised her brow at me and smiled.

"Well, good thing I had a good seat." She said and said nothing but I stared at her as I watch her sitting there and from that look, she had her face. The look I was starting to get used too, I knew she was going into deep thoughts and I wanted in on it.

I wanted to get into her mind, knowing I wouldn't even mind getting lost.

"What is that you need to tell me?" I asked her.

She nodded her head slowly coming to a conclusion.

"I was staring at the people in the crowd and two faces caught my attention the most, I eyed everyone, observing the ones who needed to be observed but my eyes kept going back to those two. Like my mind was telling me to focus on those two faces." She said and I nodded my head letting her know that she should continue.

"Well, one of them looked guilty. Like they didn't want that to happen. Not the guilty like 'darn I've been caught' but the guilty look that forms on your face saying 'I didn't want this and I never wanted to be a part of this. Whereas the other person face was consumed with anger with their face saying another story. That couldn't believe that it didn't end up happening, that they didn't care that someone else could have died. That they didn't care how much people they took down until they got to their target." She said and my eyes widen that she read face reactions that well.

"Well, why didn't you say something? Why didn't you tell me after the speech? I could have got one or two of my guards to go down there and get them both." I said.

Her eyes widen as she gave me a smile, showing me those two deep circles on her face. I held my breath wondering what I did or said to receive such an image from her.

"Remember saying I should start acting the role of who I claim to be, well I already told two of your guards. While you were giving your heartfelt wonderful speech of course that I was paying attention to and noticed that you meant every word you said. To go down and get the two people that I was observing, not letting them come in contact with each other or see that they both have been taken in by guards. I also told those two guards to put them in separate rooms and to have another guard come to get us when that was done being set up, having the original guards who got them to stay with the suspects guarding them and not taking their eyes off them. Being silent and not telling them anything." She said and my mouth dropped open at the realization that this woman only lets me know a little bit information about her plans.

"You did? How come I was not informed on this side of your plan?" I asked her and she shrugged her shoulder.

I was going to tell her I couldn't believe she didn't feel the need to tell me until her words stopped me.

"If I had informed you of those two people while you were giving your speech or straight after your speech your eyes would have sought them out and if you had seen the look on the face of the one who seems to be angry that the plan didn't work, it would have struck something inside of you that the crowd didn't need to see. They needed to see the kind side of you, not a side of you who wants to rip someone throat out. I guess you can say I was protecting you and protecting your image." she said.

I said nothing but stared at her, I didn't even realize when I reached my hand out to touch her face until I saw her eyes widen from my touch.

"You're amazing next to me, I need to keep you close," I told her feeling something start to form deep inside of me that I wasn't sure what it was but it was a feeling that I was having that very moment while staring into her eyes.

Knowing that I had to get her back to where she belongs when the day comes made me not wanting the day to ever come which was selfish of me.

"Why because you know the Queen needs me and will kill me if you don't keep close?" she said letting out a humorless laugh.

"That and also if someone else happens to get to know you like how I am getting to know you. They might take you from me and keep you to themselves. I can't allow that." I said staring at her, I know I'm attracted to her.

I know I feel for her, she looked at me with a confused look and was going to say something until a knock came from the door.

Her eyes widen, she shook her head and I moved my hand from her face.

"That's for you, it's most likely one of the guards letting us know that they're in the separate rooms." She said getting up and staring at me while giving me one of those smiles that had my heart clenching because I knew I never wanted her to stop staring or smiling at me like that. What was she doing to me? When did I start feeling this way? What has become of me?

"Ready to question some suspects?" she said and I nodded my head.

Getting up and staring at her from her head to her feet, analyzing her and realizing that she was as clever as anyone I have ever met and will ever meet. That her beauty is out of this world and I wanted her.

When you meet someone like that how do you let them go? Knowing that they're not yours to keep?

She gave me a concerned look and I realized that I was just standing there looking at her, I wanted to smack myself in the face. I needed to get myself together, I was going to laugh and tell her I was just proud of her until another knock came from the door.

I forced a smile saying "After you my lady." She looked at me with her concern look and seem like she wanted to ask me something but I assumed she pushed the thought away giving me a nod and walking towards the door.

This time it was me following her, trying to catch up so I could have the opportunity to walk next to her.

(*Kassandra Speaks*)