The 2 con men, one tall and slender while the other portly and short, were striding towards the castle.
"From what I've gathered, this king is foolish and vain," adjusting his hat, the tall guy spoke hoarsely.
"Not to mention filthily wealthy," the short guy said. There is a slight hint of disgust in his tone but mostly eagerness, or actually greediness.
"That smells like a goldmine, don't you think, Fred?" the tall guy said, with a grin.
The short guy, or Fred, smiled as he replied, "Don't count your chicks before they hatch, Ben. But profit is almost guaranteed. Let's hope the rumours about the king are true."
"Now we may be tailors," Ben said as he looked up. "After we have performed our magic, we will be rich!"
Fred wiped the perspiration off his forehead and said nothing. What else needed to be said? He could feel the money already. We will be going home rich, Fred murmured to himself.
"Your Majesty, these are the 2 young lads I mentioned earlier." one of the King's righthand man reported formally.
Ben cleared his throat and said, "Your Majesty, we have a..."
"Just a minute. Let me complete this puzzle and I will be ready," the King said as he raised his hand to stop Ben.
The 2 men exchanged glances and shrugged. After 5 minutes, the King was still playing. 10... 20... Finally, about half an hour later, the King exclaimed in satisfaction, "Done! Phew, that was tough. Rolland, accompany me to the dance performance." The King gestured his righthand man to go over.
"Er, your Majesty, the two lads here..."
"Oh, how silly of me, I've forgotten about you guys," the King said as he slapped his forehead.
"Obviously utterly silly, you moron. We have been standing in front of you like wood stumps for half an hour and yet you could forget about our presence." Ben muttered under his breath.
"What did you just say?" the King asked.
"Oh, nothing."
Fred eyed at Ben. Ben kept quiet thence.
"I must be hearing things. Nevermind, must be the old age," the King laughed it off, totally unsuspicious. "So what business do you have here?"
"We have something valuable for you, your Majesty," Fred said.
"Valuable? How so? Rare gems and golden sculptures?"
"No. Something more... exotic," Fred said, accenting on the last word deliberately.
The King frowned. "Exotic, you say. Care to elaborate?"
"A rare form of textile has come to our possession, your Majesty," Fred said slowly, letting each word sank into the King's mind. "It is woven from the silk spun by the elusive Mist Spiders. They are found on the peaks of the Alps."
The King leaned forward and apparently, he found whatever the man was saying very intriguing. "Go on."
Fred continued, "The silk is, as the spider's name implies, misty in nature. Fabrics that are made from such silk are hence very unique. They could only be seen if a person is intelligent."
"Fascinating. Well, I am an intelligent man myself. Donning such apparel will accentuate my ingenuity."
Ben and Fred tried very hard not to laugh at this remark.
"There will be a nationwide celebration by next week, can you manage to make 2 sets of suits using that silk by then?"
"Definitely, your Majesty, definitely."
"Good. I will pay you handsomely."
That was what the 2 con men wanted to hear.
"Where is the new suit?" the King demanded.
"Here, your Majesty." The 2 men showed the King an empty rack.
"Did you see them, your Majesty? They are magnificent, aren't they?" Fred said.
The King did not respond immediately. He was appalled. He recalled the condition to be able to see the suit. Of course, he couldn't admit he saw nothing at all. That would be humiliating, wouldn't it?
The King faked a smile. "Amazing. I will keep them in a locked chest until the great celebration. Imagine how the crowd would react." The King stopped, as if he was really picturing the scene where his people marvelled at the piece of art. "Well done, you two. After the celebration, you will be paid as promised."
"My head..." the King tried to get down from his bed."Too much liquor, I think."
"Don't strain yourself. Are you ill?" the Queen asked worryingly. She helped the King to lie back on his bed and positioned his down-feathered pillow. Satisfied, she looked at her husband, waiting for his reply.
"Just feeling a little bit light-headed and feverish," the King managed a smile but his facial expression quickly reverted to agony, betraying his pain.
"You have to stay in bed then."
"I can't. Today is the grand celebration. I have also promised the people to show them the new clothes. I cannot stay bed-ridden."
"No, you stay on the bed, I will do the inauguration and the rest. Until you are feeling better, you are to remain on this very bed." the Queen insisted, in a stern tone.
The King knew it was wise not to argue. He didn't have the strength anyway. Hence, he said resignedly, "Fine. You take care of the celebration. Make sure the people see the suits. They yearned to see it. The suits are in the locked chest under the bed."
"What is so special about the suits? You wouldn't tell me." the Queen questioned with slight indignation while fumbling beneath the bed. She drew out a long box. She held the box in her arms.
"It is a surprise. I know you like surprises." The King stretched his hands, patted the box and smile.
The Queen sighed. Her ever so foolish husband. She loved him nevertheless.
"Very well, you have my word. I will get the 2 tailors." the Queen said as she caressed his head.
"What?" The 2 men exclaimed in unison.
"The King is ill. He needs someone to parade the suits you made. Since the King cannot wear it himself, I guess you two can do the honour of donning them. Is there a problem?"
"Yes, I mean... I mean... no..." Ben stammered.
"Your Highness, we are lowly people and we really shouldn't wear these tunics. It will be a disgrace to..." Fred tried to argue, later to find his excuse in vain.
"It is by the King's order that these suits are to be paraded," the Queen interrupted. "It is an honourable task by letting you two doing it, how could it be a disgrace? Come, we have no time to waste. The people are waiting. Get into the fitting room. I have an army protecting that room while you two get to change. Now hurry."
The 2 men paled.
"Here are the suits," the Queen passed them the unlocked chest. "Put on an overall after you've donned the suit. Take off the overalls only when I ask you to do so in front of the people. Just as an element of surprise." the Queen said with a wink.
Somewhere deep in their heart, they thought the Queen might know of their plot and tried to embarrass them, making them the laughingstock of mankind. But the Queen, they were told, was kept in the dark by the King about the nature of the "intelligent suits". They tried not to let anyone else knew of their little con. They had convinced the King to make this a nationwide surprise. So, it had been a secret between the King and themselves. Or so, they hoped.
With pallid faces, they took the "invisible clothes" and overalls as they entered the fitting room. They knew they were done for.
They thought of escaping or at least sneaking out some clothes to pretend them to be the new suits. But with the army escorts and watchful guards, their chances were effectively zero.
* * *
"Open the door, it's time." an usher knocked at the door.
The door opened, ever so slowly. 2 men, clad in a black overall, stepped out and walked onto the stage. Beneath the overalls, would be a shame of their life.
"My beloved people, as the King has promised, you will witness the mysterious suit - now behold!" the Queen motioned the 2 men to remove their overalls as she announced to the curious crowd.
The 2 men, shivering beneath the overalls, still refused to divest their cloak.
The Queen urged them to reveal the suit. "What's wrong? Take off the overalls and show them the suits."
The 2 men exchanged glances. Then, they closed their eyes. In their heart, it was a mixture of regret, anger and shame. They didn't expect it to turn out this way. Not at all. Still with their eyes closed, they reached out for their overalls. They should have worked out a contingency plan or something. Too late for remorse anyway. With trembling fingers, they grabbed onto the overalls for a second too long. Then, they tugged it.
It was dead silence at first. The "obscene exhibition" took awhile to register in the people's mind. Then the ladies screamed and it was all chaos.
The Queen was simply just too horrified to speak. She closed her eyes and commanded the troops to take the con men down to the dungeon.
She wondered how her husband, her foolish husband, would react upon hearing this unexpected turn of events.
Yes, he was right, she indeed loved surprises. But nothing like this. It wasn't a surprise, not even remotely so. It's a downright disgrace. She shook her head and sighed deeply.
"From what I've gathered, this king is foolish and vain," adjusting his hat, the tall guy spoke hoarsely.
"Not to mention filthily wealthy," the short guy said. There is a slight hint of disgust in his tone but mostly eagerness, or actually greediness.
"That smells like a goldmine, don't you think, Fred?" the tall guy said, with a grin.
The short guy, or Fred, smiled as he replied, "Don't count your chicks before they hatch, Ben. But profit is almost guaranteed. Let's hope the rumours about the king are true."
"Now we may be tailors," Ben said as he looked up. "After we have performed our magic, we will be rich!"
Fred wiped the perspiration off his forehead and said nothing. What else needed to be said? He could feel the money already. We will be going home rich, Fred murmured to himself.
* * *
"Your Majesty, these are the 2 young lads I mentioned earlier." one of the King's righthand man reported formally.
Ben cleared his throat and said, "Your Majesty, we have a..."
"Just a minute. Let me complete this puzzle and I will be ready," the King said as he raised his hand to stop Ben.
The 2 men exchanged glances and shrugged. After 5 minutes, the King was still playing. 10... 20... Finally, about half an hour later, the King exclaimed in satisfaction, "Done! Phew, that was tough. Rolland, accompany me to the dance performance." The King gestured his righthand man to go over.
"Er, your Majesty, the two lads here..."
"Oh, how silly of me, I've forgotten about you guys," the King said as he slapped his forehead.
"Obviously utterly silly, you moron. We have been standing in front of you like wood stumps for half an hour and yet you could forget about our presence." Ben muttered under his breath.
"What did you just say?" the King asked.
"Oh, nothing."
Fred eyed at Ben. Ben kept quiet thence.
"I must be hearing things. Nevermind, must be the old age," the King laughed it off, totally unsuspicious. "So what business do you have here?"
"We have something valuable for you, your Majesty," Fred said.
"Valuable? How so? Rare gems and golden sculptures?"
"No. Something more... exotic," Fred said, accenting on the last word deliberately.
The King frowned. "Exotic, you say. Care to elaborate?"
"A rare form of textile has come to our possession, your Majesty," Fred said slowly, letting each word sank into the King's mind. "It is woven from the silk spun by the elusive Mist Spiders. They are found on the peaks of the Alps."
The King leaned forward and apparently, he found whatever the man was saying very intriguing. "Go on."
Fred continued, "The silk is, as the spider's name implies, misty in nature. Fabrics that are made from such silk are hence very unique. They could only be seen if a person is intelligent."
"Fascinating. Well, I am an intelligent man myself. Donning such apparel will accentuate my ingenuity."
Ben and Fred tried very hard not to laugh at this remark.
"There will be a nationwide celebration by next week, can you manage to make 2 sets of suits using that silk by then?"
"Definitely, your Majesty, definitely."
"Good. I will pay you handsomely."
That was what the 2 con men wanted to hear.
* * *
"Where is the new suit?" the King demanded.
"Here, your Majesty." The 2 men showed the King an empty rack.
"Did you see them, your Majesty? They are magnificent, aren't they?" Fred said.
The King did not respond immediately. He was appalled. He recalled the condition to be able to see the suit. Of course, he couldn't admit he saw nothing at all. That would be humiliating, wouldn't it?
The King faked a smile. "Amazing. I will keep them in a locked chest until the great celebration. Imagine how the crowd would react." The King stopped, as if he was really picturing the scene where his people marvelled at the piece of art. "Well done, you two. After the celebration, you will be paid as promised."
* * *
"My head..." the King tried to get down from his bed."Too much liquor, I think."
"Don't strain yourself. Are you ill?" the Queen asked worryingly. She helped the King to lie back on his bed and positioned his down-feathered pillow. Satisfied, she looked at her husband, waiting for his reply.
"Just feeling a little bit light-headed and feverish," the King managed a smile but his facial expression quickly reverted to agony, betraying his pain.
"You have to stay in bed then."
"I can't. Today is the grand celebration. I have also promised the people to show them the new clothes. I cannot stay bed-ridden."
"No, you stay on the bed, I will do the inauguration and the rest. Until you are feeling better, you are to remain on this very bed." the Queen insisted, in a stern tone.
The King knew it was wise not to argue. He didn't have the strength anyway. Hence, he said resignedly, "Fine. You take care of the celebration. Make sure the people see the suits. They yearned to see it. The suits are in the locked chest under the bed."
"What is so special about the suits? You wouldn't tell me." the Queen questioned with slight indignation while fumbling beneath the bed. She drew out a long box. She held the box in her arms.
"It is a surprise. I know you like surprises." The King stretched his hands, patted the box and smile.
The Queen sighed. Her ever so foolish husband. She loved him nevertheless.
"Very well, you have my word. I will get the 2 tailors." the Queen said as she caressed his head.
* * *
"What?" The 2 men exclaimed in unison.
"The King is ill. He needs someone to parade the suits you made. Since the King cannot wear it himself, I guess you two can do the honour of donning them. Is there a problem?"
"Yes, I mean... I mean... no..." Ben stammered.
"Your Highness, we are lowly people and we really shouldn't wear these tunics. It will be a disgrace to..." Fred tried to argue, later to find his excuse in vain.
"It is by the King's order that these suits are to be paraded," the Queen interrupted. "It is an honourable task by letting you two doing it, how could it be a disgrace? Come, we have no time to waste. The people are waiting. Get into the fitting room. I have an army protecting that room while you two get to change. Now hurry."
The 2 men paled.
"Here are the suits," the Queen passed them the unlocked chest. "Put on an overall after you've donned the suit. Take off the overalls only when I ask you to do so in front of the people. Just as an element of surprise." the Queen said with a wink.
Somewhere deep in their heart, they thought the Queen might know of their plot and tried to embarrass them, making them the laughingstock of mankind. But the Queen, they were told, was kept in the dark by the King about the nature of the "intelligent suits". They tried not to let anyone else knew of their little con. They had convinced the King to make this a nationwide surprise. So, it had been a secret between the King and themselves. Or so, they hoped.
With pallid faces, they took the "invisible clothes" and overalls as they entered the fitting room. They knew they were done for.
They thought of escaping or at least sneaking out some clothes to pretend them to be the new suits. But with the army escorts and watchful guards, their chances were effectively zero.
* * *
"Open the door, it's time." an usher knocked at the door.
The door opened, ever so slowly. 2 men, clad in a black overall, stepped out and walked onto the stage. Beneath the overalls, would be a shame of their life.
"My beloved people, as the King has promised, you will witness the mysterious suit - now behold!" the Queen motioned the 2 men to remove their overalls as she announced to the curious crowd.
The 2 men, shivering beneath the overalls, still refused to divest their cloak.
The Queen urged them to reveal the suit. "What's wrong? Take off the overalls and show them the suits."
The 2 men exchanged glances. Then, they closed their eyes. In their heart, it was a mixture of regret, anger and shame. They didn't expect it to turn out this way. Not at all. Still with their eyes closed, they reached out for their overalls. They should have worked out a contingency plan or something. Too late for remorse anyway. With trembling fingers, they grabbed onto the overalls for a second too long. Then, they tugged it.
It was dead silence at first. The "obscene exhibition" took awhile to register in the people's mind. Then the ladies screamed and it was all chaos.
The Queen was simply just too horrified to speak. She closed her eyes and commanded the troops to take the con men down to the dungeon.
She wondered how her husband, her foolish husband, would react upon hearing this unexpected turn of events.
Yes, he was right, she indeed loved surprises. But nothing like this. It wasn't a surprise, not even remotely so. It's a downright disgrace. She shook her head and sighed deeply.
The "naked duo" was never heard of again. This matter was never to be raised anytime in the future.
Composed by,
