The motherfucker is dying!
"How long do you have?"
"...10 days at most"
And I in the 11th. Fuck. I should have known things were going too smoothly to be my life.
We continued the rest of the walk on the long hallway in silence. I could already hear the distant chatter as I approached the King's balcony. The knights stomped their spears in unison and my officials gave a respectful bow but none of them meant anything to me. There's no guarantee that one of them won't slit my throat on the night Butler dies. I walked past them into the balcony, to an outstretched crowd of possibly hundreds of thousands of people. The moment I stepped onto the balcony, the air seemed to vibrate with the energy of the crowd. Their deafening cheers filled every corner, a symphony of joyous celebration. Parents hoisted their children onto their shoulders, tiny hands waving frantically in excitement. The sea of faces beamed with admiration and loyalty, their eyes fixed on me with reverence and hope.
I stared at them, unimpressed.
These motherfuckers are too forgiving. I haven't even done anything yet. No doubt they will do the same if I'm killed today.
Raising my arm, I signaled for the crowd to quieten down. The thunderous cheers gradually subsided, like the ebbing of a powerful tide. The parents, still holding their children high, gently lowered them onto their shoulders, and the little ones hushed their voices, mirroring the adults' actions. The once roiling sea of noise now transformed into a sea of expectant faces, all eyes fixed upon me in anticipation. As the silence spread, a sense of reverence and eagerness permeated the atmosphere, creating an almost tangible aura of respect and attention.
"My dear people of Drakoria," I began, looking across them. "For far too long, we have endured hardships and known the pangs of hunger. We've suffered as a nation, witnessing the decline of our once-great kingdom to the deplorable state it is now. But I believe it's time for healing."
" It's time for our nation to reclaim its position in the continent," I continued with determination. "Under my rule as King Daran Dragonhart, Drakoria will become the capital of prosperity, and we shall know the joy of plenty and progression like never before!"
The cheers erupted once more, and I allowed them to revel in the moment before proceeding,
"And as a gesture of my profound gratitude for your unwavering patience, I decree that from this moment forward, no citizen of Drakoria shall bear the burden of paying taxes. Never again shall you be weighed down by this burden. Not while I'm king!"
The crowd stood still for a moment, as if holding their breath, before the dam burst open, and a roaring cheer engulfed the square. The sound was electric, filling every corner with unrestrained joy. The cheers were accompanied by clapping, shouts, and laughter, an overwhelming symphony of happiness. It felt as though the entire city had been freed from its burdens and constraints and the crowd began to chant,
"Long live the king! Long live the king!"
I left the balcony with the chants still echoing.
"That was ill advised, your majesty" an official said. He is a level 59 wind mage with lots of interesting skills including flight but what does he know about running a kingdom?
"Let's have this conversation in a month time " I said, walking away with the Butler trailing.
What does any of them know? They are just a pack of hungry wolves and shouldn't exist this close to the throne.
┌─────── ⇦♕⇨ ───────┐
Amidst the joyful laughter of the children, Helene with an aura of compassion played with them in front of the orphanage, a hint of nostalgia in her eyes as she observed their innocent delight. The orphanage stood proudly by the side of a powerful, stony river, its currents roaring with a fierce determination. Her graceful movements and serene smile contrasted the mighty force of the river, underscoring her inner strength and resilience.
As she playfully chased the children, her laughter rang out in harmony with the rumbling of the powerful river. The current's intensity mirrored the depth of her love for these adopted children, as she had never experienced motherhood in her own life. Yet, the bond she shared with the kids was undeniable, a connection rooted in utmost care and affection.
In the midst of their carefree play, it can easily be seen that the woman's weathered face bore witness to the experiences she had lived through, each wrinkle reflecting her unwavering determination and the courage to navigate life's challenges. Her youthful beauty may have faded, but she somehow found profound joy in the midst of these children.
Suddenly, as she continued to play with the children, she heard a familiar voice say, "I hope I'm not interrupting."
"Pa Ulric!"
The kids screamed with excitement and left her, rushing towards Grand Mage Ulric Von Hohenberg. He leaned on a gnarled staff, its wooden surface adorned with ancient runes and was in resplendent robes adorned with elaborate designs, as always, his long white beard cascading gracefully like a waterfall as he smiled at the kids ruffling their hairs.
"Kids, why don't you go play? I have something important to discuss with Ma Helene."
The children eagerly agreed, their faces beaming with excitement, and they ran off past Helene, who brandished them a warm smile.
" Children are beautiful, are they not? " Von Hohenberg said, watching the backs of the exuberant retreating children.
"What brings you here, Ulric?" Helene asked, not willing to talk about the children.
She knows him too well and she knows he doesn't care about children, even though he has six of them.
"Care for a walk?"
They walked silently along the stony beach of the river, the rugged terrain underfoot adding a sense of unease to the atmosphere. The occasional heavy splash of water sent cold droplets into the air, heightening the chill around them. The river's currents roared with fierce determination, a stark contrast to the serene beauty of the surrounding landscape.
They stopped, facing the river. Helene brought out a small pouch from her belt, revealing a handful of breadcrumbs. She started throwing the crumbs gently into the river, creating ripples that danced along the surface. The ducks nearby noticed the offering and eagerly swam closer, quacking with anticipation.
As the ducks feasted on the breadcrumbs, a brief moment of tranquility enveloped them. The sound of their contented quacks harmonized with the rushing river, creating a serene symphony of nature. Despite the unsettling presence of Von Hohenberg, the sight of the joyful ducks brought a sense of peace to the scene, offering a delightful interlude.
"The young king has changed a lot, hasn't he?" Von Hohenberg said.
"So I see," Helene replied, offering nothing.
Von Hohenberg, oblivious to her lack of response or perhaps choosing to ignore it, pressed on. "A few weeks ago, he couldn't look any of us in the eye, let alone be in the same room with us," he chuckled briefly. "But now he summons everyone into the same room, stands defiant in my [Presence], looks me in the eye, and sends us on errands."
Another laugh escaped him. "Almost like he is another person altogether."
"Well, is he?" Helene asked, pausing to look at him, curious.
"...i don't know"
Helene's face displayed a mix of emotions. Her brows knit together in confusion, while her eyes sparkled with curiosity.
"What do you mean you don't know? You didn't use [Soul Read]?"
"I did" he said while using water magic to bring up the mother duck, trapping her in a water bubble. The ducklings protesting loudly. "But it shows nothing"
"That's not how it works" Helene said, her attention on the frightened mother duck.
The duck squawked in mute panic, flapping her wings frantically, her feathers ruffling like a flurry of autumn leaves. Her eyes wide with fear, she peered down at the river, desperate to escape the confining bubble that held her captive in the void between water and sky.
"No."
The water began to boil. Her squawks turned into muted cries of agony, her delicate form writhing within the bubble as the pain grew unbearable,then the water dissipated and the dead duck fell back to her children.
"He has sent our plans back"
Our? You are the one who wants to be king! But Helene can't say that. Not when she had the kids. The king must have known. First the army, now the people? Those might seem like foolish moves but they will make things difficult. Though not impossible. Not when it comes to Ulric Von Hohenberg.
"So what now?"
"Now? Now we wait." he said. "The old monster has but days"
Helene nodded understanding what he meant. Her gaze turned to the young ducklings still protesting their mother's death. Another senseless death, but who is she to judge.