In the short story "The Lady or the Tiger" what is the king's relationship with his subjects?

Frank Stockton's short story "The Lady or the Tiger" is based on a simple premise. Justice, in the realm of a "semi-barbaric" king, is determined in a public arena. The accused walks into the middle of a "vast amphitheater" and has the choice of two doors. Behind one door is a "hungry tiger" which immediately tears the man to pieces as punishment for his guilt. If he chooses the other door he is greeted by "a lady, the most suitable to his years and station that his majesty could select among his fair subjects," and, as a reward for his innocence, is immediately married to that lady. 

Obviously, this means of justice relies heavily on luck. It is difficult, however, to ascertain the relationship of the king to his subjects, other than the fact that the public trials were popular and well attended:

"The institution was a very popular one. When the people gathered together on one of the great trial days, they never knew whether they were to witness a bloody slaughter or a hilarious wedding. This element of uncertainty lent an interest to the occasion which it could not otherwise have attained. Thus, the masses were entertained and pleased, and the thinking part of the community could bring no charge of unfairness against this plan, for did not the accused person have the whole matter in his own hands?"

Much like the Roman gladiatorial games, NFL football or auto racing, people are drawn to potential violence. Imagine if this were a network television show, much like "Survivor" or "American Idol?" A certain segment of the population would undoubtedly watch with intense interest. Certainly in a kingdom with a "semi-barbaric" ruler the multitude relished the trials. If the accused was guilty they witnessed a brutal slaying and if proved innocent they were in attendance of a beautiful wedding.

Of course, the family of an accused man who chose poorly might view the king's arena with less ardor, especially if the family absolutely knew the accused to be innocent. On the other hand, the typical subject who was never accused of a crime must have considered the trial of the two doors as perfectly fair. After all, the accused held his fate totally in his own hands. So, for some subjects the king was a brutal despot, and for others he was much beloved for devising such a perfect system of justice.