King provides rights to protect even bullies (5)
I believe the answer is:
ruler
'king' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'rights to protect even bullies' is the wordplay.
'rights' becomes 'rr'.
'to protect' indicates putting letters inside.
'even' indicates alternate letters (even-numbered letters are used).
The alternating letters of 'bullies' are 'ule'.
'rr' enclosing 'ule' is 'RULER'.
'provides' is the link.
(Other definitions for ruler that I've seen before include "King or, president, say" , "leader in government" , "One who commands - often seen in the classroom" , "one responsible for a line?" , "Straight edge; governor" .)