The weed that hides the blue rose

A day passed since the beginning of the transfers. I was sitting on a chair near the wall, half asleep after tasting a horrible meal prepared by Hori. Lately, I've been trying my best to keep my monologues from being said out loud, however...

BAM!!

['That'll teach you next time to criticize me, I don't care if you're a king or not.']

After receiving a slap, here I am with a face as red as my eyes. This time, she didn't hold back.

['But I don't do it on purpose, it's not my fault if my mouth says what it thinks unconsciously.']

BAM!!

Here I am with a face even redder than my eyes. Dazed, I took the time to lift my head to try to orient myself in space-time. Nothing in sight, no glass, no wall, no clock, I only saw Hori looking away. I need to think about hiring a bodyguard...

BAM!!!!!!!

I think that'll educate him the next time he criticizes me. Me, a threat? Me, incapable of protecting him? Yeah, right. Why isn't he getting up?

['Your Highness!! Majesty!! King!!']

He's still breathing, looks like he's lost consciousness. I admit I went a bit too far this time. If I leave him here, he'll rot, plus, he needs to answer me about something. I dragged him to the wall so he could sleep long enough to regain consciousness because usually, all the guys I've hit stayed in a coma for a long time. The best of them woke up after 4 days, the worst never woke up.

However, he, even before I realized it, was already in the kitchen preparing tea, saying:

['I heard you had a question to ask me, so tea is a must, isn't it?']

Not believing what she saw, she sat on the chair and then said:

['Sorry, I'm sincerely sorry!']

['No, it's not a big deal, I should apologize.']

Lately, she has been acting strangely, before she didn't react like that. After putting the glasses on the table and pouring the tea, her mood stabilized.

['Yes, Hori, what is your question?']

Maybe she wants to know how I make my delicious and fabulous tea!

['Majesty, I did what you ordered me to do. I searched for the information and spoke in front of the king of Mendika, yet it was you who deduced all that and, I still can't understand the reason for these transfers. With them, our country will be composed of 100% criminals; it's no longer a city but a prison which is much worse than not having any inhabitants.']

[Hori, what if you come with me for a walk in the city?]

[Okay, Majesty.]

She opened the door cautiously, then after a few steps, she remained motionless, dazzled by the state of the city.

[Haven't you noticed that the city is all clean? There is no trace of blood, the corpses were hidden at the back of the city. There are merchants, bakers, janitors, gardeners, blacksmiths, and lumberjacks...]

[What have you done!!?]

[Nothing at all. In fact, Mendika is a city where the chances of finding a job are around 0%, mainly due to its overpopulation. Those who have committed thefts are just poor citizens who haven't found a job, and here in Madina, the chances of finding one are 100%.]

[It's a clever strategy, however, there is a flaw.]

[What is it?]

[Of all the criminals that we have transferred, I doubt that 100% of them have good intentions and won't do anything.]

[Good point but still has an answer. I repeat, Mendika has a percentage of finding a job of 0%. Knights, soldiers, and police officers... are no exception. If the transfer contained 100% good people, it would have ended without a job because there is nothing to watch and no one to arrest.]

[Yes, I see! One last point, your highness, why is it me who spoke to the king and not you?]

[Ah, that's just a little detail, but okay. In fact, since you were talking to the king, he was looking at you, and since you're cute and defenseless, it reminded him of his people defenseless against these criminals. So he wanted to keep the danger away from them. Your speaking was just a way to make sure he accepts.]

[When did you get this idea?]

[At the moment I read the dossier you brought me.]

[And if he had refused?]

[I would have simply released all the prisoners then negotiated with him. As his city would be in critical condition, I don't see why he would have refused!]

[And if unfortunately he still refused?]

[In that case, I had an infallible third plan. It's better that you don't know it.]

[I understand, and you Majesty, don't you have any questions?]

[Yes, I have one. Don't you think this place is too small?]

[Yes, it's not worthy of you, Majesty. Unfortunately, Madina has no palace; the old government didn't see the usefulness.]

[Have the city architect tasked with building a palace. The plan doesn't have to be accepted.]

[Understood, Majesty!]

[And last thing, as you know no one should approach the residence of the former knight of Anermi, and it should be fully barricaded.]

[Yes, Majesty, at your command.]

{At night, in his room with X, he repeated}:

"Hori ima, Hori ima, Hori ima, I see that his file is at least interesting! Great find! Thank you, Majesty. Have you found anything else?"

"No, not for the moment. If I find something, you'll be the first to know."

Quote: "Only a genius can understand another genius."