Royal Insult

THE LIAR KING

 

Queen Shebaba is the young and beautiful wife of Ranaldi, King of the heel of Nordstromi. At age six Princess Shebaba was already betrothed to Ranaldi. She had little time to be a child as her grooming filled her days and some nights. Walk this way; hold your head high; look up to the sky, to the clouds; hold your spoon this way, your gown that way. Never bend over to pick up anything. Your ladies in waiting will always be near.

 

Every year on Shebaba's birthday, King Ranaldi comes with a caravan to see how well Shebaba is growing. She must lie in bed with him and sleep naked. By the flickering light of torches he watches her, hears her breathing, longs for her to magically become a woman. When at last she has reached age fourteen, he sends a messenger to the town where she has always lived and been taught what will happen to her when at last she can make King Ranaldi happy and bear him children.
Trumpets blare. The message is delivered and the home of Shebaba's family is ready with gifts, old family treasures, hand loomed silk coats for the king and their daughter. A caravan of wagons heads to Nordstromi. It takes five long, tiring days and nights to arrive. Everyone is tired but the welcoming joyous reception refreshes them Wine flows like the mighty Snake River.

 

A sedan chair, held by four handsome, muscular men is carried down the long path to the castle. On the upper balcony Shebaba sees the King standing still while a beautiful lady uses a large ostrich fan to cool him. He kisses her. Another enters, lets the king run his big hands over her body, remove her bodice so everyone can see her magnificent large breasts. She shakes them for the onlookers who shout and applaud.

 

The queen Shebaba had always imagined she would be some day, fades faster than the sun. Her father, sitting beside her, pats her hand, understands the situation and fondles his trusty dagger that is always with him. The entourage enters the castle gates. Pages lead just Shebaba and her father to the king who sits at the head of a great, long wooden table, filled with the finest of foods, wine as red as blood.
Behind the king are the ladies who he had displayed, kissed in front of her.

 

Not afraid, Shebaba snatches her father's dagger from his waist band, shouts loudly as she stabs King Rinaldi in his groin,' Liar, liar, you took away my youth and now my dignity. You were to be true to me. May you die now in agony.'

 

With that she uses her father's dagger and plunges it into her own heart. Her father hears her cry out again, her last words, 'Liar! Liar!'