Ixion sighed at the dismal prospect of the next few weeks, which would be filled with rebellion. Rebellion spawned from his flippant attitude and surrender to the Scourge.
It wouldn't be long before his strength wouldn't matter as a deterrent anymore, and Duke Marlowe, or perhaps Count Marcus, would lead a revolt. A revolt that no doubt everyone in the kingdom would support.
Still… this was necessary. People should hate him. People needed to hate him.
That was the only way the world would have its vengeance.
The only way the night sky would come crashing down on the Scourge.
After receiving Marlowe, Ixion went to the dining hall and waited as the taster took a portion, only to die three minutes later.
Ixion screamed at the sight:
"By the gods! Your cooking is so bad you killed the poor fool!"
On the inside, he sighed.
'What a pitiful assassination attempt. I much more appreciate the time someone tried to drop a chandelier on me. Now that was exciting!'
***
With Ixion's kingly duty nearly done for the day, he paid a visit to the chancery, deciding he'd visit the exchequer tomorrow.
As for his current mission?
He wanted to tease Andrea, the Grand Chancellor, as she performed his duties.
Well, his duties were split up between four chancellors: the Grand Chancellor and Chancellor of the Seal, Andrea; the Chancellor of the Treasury, Laura Silvanyr; the Chancellor of War, Cecelia Wreath; and the Chancellor of Education and Faith, Se'van Mhyas.
Yet, Andrea had the worst of it as she was the one who had to hear the people's endless complaints. Their endless demands for affordable housing, better living conditions and food for their growling stomachs.
'They complain, knowing nothing.'
They cry for liberation, demanding that an army be sent against the Scourge.
'Yet too frightened even to imagine the front lines themselves.'
They beg for bandits to be punished when thieves themselves.
'Pitiful…'
Anyways…
Yes, his chancellors were all women. In fact, most employed at the royal palace were women.
'Who wanted to be surrounded by men at the end of the world?!'
Ixion, a man himself, sneered as he continued until finally reaching the chancery and slipped inside.
Andrea, her dark skin glistening in the candlelight, looked up and gave Ixion a practiced smile.
She stood out of her seat and curtsied to him.
"To what do I owe the pleasure, Your Grace?"
Ixion scanned the room, taking in the mess of documents in the corners and the sheer amount of paper on the diligent worker's desk.
'Yikes…'
'Who gave so much work to this beautiful woman?!'
'Oh, right. I did!'
Ixion snickered as he said:
"I was wondering about the Duke's plan. I want to know what you think."
Andrea slightly rose out of her curtsy, but still kept her head lowered.
"He submitted quite a fastidious proposal. It detailed a delicate, drawn-out 5-year plan that will gradually help transition to this forced monetary system. The punishments are tame at first, but progress as the shift continues. All—"
Andrea stopped when she noticed the displeased glint in Ixion's eye.
"Ahem… What I meant to say is that this proposal was absolutely terrible and something we should throw out on account of how revolting such an idea would be. But, by your magnanimous grace, we shall adopt such a policy to satisfy the pitiful noble's wish as one last act of mercy before the Scourge claims all of our lives."
Ixion smiled ear to ear.
"Ah! Splendid recount! Truly, his proposal was most awful. Repugnant even! It was worse than what my taster ate for breakfast!"
Andrea said evenly:
"I'm sorry to hear about your breakfast experience."
Ixion laughed.
"Oh, I liked it, actually. The meal was to die for."
Andrea held back an exasperated sigh; this was not nearly the first time he'd cracked that same joke. She couldn't help but wonder why people even kept trying to kill the King in such idiotic ways; he was much too strong to die from poison, any normal poison at least.