The Beloved King

There was once a king who was loved by his subjects. A brave war hero who took time to come out of the palace and walk about the town. He stopped by shops, greeted his citizens, and even gave out charity. One day this king fell ill and not long after he died. Everyone mourned the death of their King and looked with optimism of the Son the king left behind. Hoping that he would be just like his father.

However, the son ignored his subjects. He barred himself in the palace and ignored the corruption that followed his father’s death. He allowed his vassals to act as suede Kings and create their own policies. He appointed the wrong people in positions of power and they terrorized the citizens. Allowing things such as drugs, human trafficking, famine, high taxes, and disease to run rampart in his city. The people resented the young king who put them in this situation. They cursed his name every night and if the soldiers heard this, they would beat the citizens responsible.

Out of all of these there were a couple of his vassals that stayed loyal and tried their best to limit the corruption. But the few that they were couldn’t handle it alone with their limited power. They needed their king to step up and enforce his power. That is the only way that the kingdom could turn around. The closest aide to his father, a decorated military official with undying loyalty to the Kingdom. Pleaded with the young king to leave the palace and see what is happening to the city. He wanted the King to finally make a move, but the young King refused to leave the palace still. For years this went on and finally when the General was ready to give up on the Kingdom and organize a coup. The King finally gathered his wits and started to take action.

The Young King attended the monthly meeting like usual. This is the meeting the disgruntled General chose to make himself heard. The Vassals went around ignoring the king as usual and treating the meeting as a bar meetup. Some showing up drunk and others with women that has nothing to do with the Kingdom. The general stood and told off the vassals. You could hear the frustration in his voice, as he yelled at the top of his lungs. His face turning red as he continues to berate everyone in the room. Finally, his tantrum was over and the rest of vassals with grins on their face mocked the General. Saying how disrespectful he was for displaying such a showing in front of the King. The General thought that his words once again would just fall on death’s ear. But the Young King stood up and looked at the general. Everyone yelling for the general to apologize, but the King put up his hand and the room fell silent. The general would accept his punishment regardless of what it was and knelt in front of the King.

But to the Generals surprise the King grabbed him and stood him up. He expressed his thanks for sticking by his side and never giving up on him. The King then looked at the others in the room, some drinking, some eating, others engaging in acts not meant for a meeting. Everyone still treating the king as a joke just ignored him and carried on. The King slammed his fist on the table, causing drinks to topple over. Everyone looked up in a surprise, and tried to appease the king. Asking him what has him upset and offering drinks and women to the King. Usually, he would have accepted these offers, but something about the King was different today.

The king quickly went through all the violations and corruption that has been going on in the city. He dismissed the vassals in his cabinet that were at the fore front of these actions. Guards came and took them away as they protested the sentence. This sent a warning to the others to quickly get their act together. The king then looked to the General and asked him to become his right hand as he was with his father. Together they would devise plans to ease the tensions that is going on in their kingdom. With the main cancers now gone the meeting continued and they created many ideas on how to improve.

Quickly these were put into action, they cleaned the streets of drugs. Without the corrupt officials the usually drug routes were now covered with guards and many suppliers were caught and arrested. He eased up on taxes on the public, bringing in a influx of new wealth the city hasn’t had in years. He helped properly grow crops and equally disperse food. Which cut down on famine and he brought in doctors and medicine to quell disease and improve overall health of the kingdom. The citizens sang the praises of the King that has seemingly transformed the nation over night. He had the support of all and would be showered with gifts and compliments whenever walking the streets of his kingdom.

Everyone credits the General for finally pulling the king out of his shell. And even the King himself credits him, saying his loyalty finally pierced his heart. That he could no longer bring shame to both the General and his deceased father. And now he was ready to bring the Kingdom to new prosperity. With a newly booming nation he easily acquired many skilled workers, soldiers, doctors, and merchants. Strengthening his nation. And although he cites the death of his father and his youth for holing himself in the Castle. Then Cites the General for bringing him out of his shell to finally act like a King. It was all a lie. Everything that happened to the Kingdom was apart of the Young King’s plan.

At the time the prince was smarter than most people knew and often sat in on discussions about the issues in the Kingdom with his father. He saw a lot of potential in the Kingdom, but his father was fine with the status quo. Although they were one of the weaker Kingdoms, there people loved their King and enjoyed their humble lives. Happy citizens are all that is needed to be a good Kingdom, is what his father would often say. The prince disagreed however. Which is why he took the actions he did when his father died.

The prince wanted a powerful kingdom, to create his ideal kingdom. He didn’t want his citizens to just like him, he wanted unconditional love and trust from his citizens. For if his citizens only liked him, when things go bad that favor, they have towards him can turn into disdain. Even if he is trying his best. Instead of running the risk of a slow decline, he would rather unhook from the parachute and make it a freefall. He would allow corruption to take hold in the kingdom, which would expose many of his Vassals. It would also show how many of them are actually loyal to the Kingdom. While holding up in the Palace he watched the Kingdom decline into chaos. And heard the words of the citizens cursing his name.

The prince knew however that the only thing citizens love more than a Leader that maintains prosperity. Is one that saves them from the abyss and brings riches the likes they have never seen. People love a hero even if that hero is the same villain that caused their downfall in the first place. As I said the prince didn’t just want his citizens to like him, he wanted unconditional love and trust of everyone that lives in the kingdom. He bided his time and waited until the Kingdom hit the point of no return. The general was the perfect person to keep around as a gage of where the Kingdom is at. At the last meeting when the general had his final outburst the prince knew it was now time to put his plan in action.

Now with the undying loyalty the prince was free to enact any actions he seemed fit. It’s not that the Young King is a evil ruler who will now reign with an iron fist. But now he has options in his back pocket. For the King knows that now if he ever feels the need to plunge his Kingdom back into the depths of hell, he will now have the support of the people when he does it. They will fight for their king; they will die for their king and not one will complain. Instead, they will be jumping at the opportunity. For he is their sun that shined when it was night, he is their BELOVED KING!