Monarchy

Father was ill. He had been, for the past six months. Anyone who saw him could tell that he was not getting better, despite the team of imperial physicians that slaved day and night for a cure. No one quite knew what he was down with.

His face had lost its radiant glow within the first few days, darkening with some epidermal pigment that turned him hideous. He had also lost pounds in muscle mass, leaving his once-muscled torso and arms weak - he could barely support his own body, and had to be propped up with pillows.

At first, his gaunt look did not affect his fiery vigour in the search for a cure. He needed to get back on his feet so that he could quell the uprisings, appease the townsfolk, and govern the nation well. After all, his grandfather and father before him had done a marvellous job in conquering rival states and unified them under their control – what would they think if he let it fall back to ruin?

However, as the sands of time flowed by, the disease took its toll upon Father, and he had the greatest of difficulties carrying out the smallest of tasks, like sitting up to eat. We knew his time was nigh, but no one dared to say it to his face. After all, he could still order our painful execution with a casual flick of his finger.

Behind his back, the various factions in the palace had already begun to move. Generals indirectly pushed their champion as the next king. As did the queen dowager, the ministers, and anyone who belonged to a clan which had some influence over palace matters. Each sought discreetly to extend that sphere of influence, to puppeteer the next king.

The favourite was of course, my elder brother Yi Lang. He was well-decorated with military honours, tall, handsome, charismatic, and not too bright. Perfect for manipulating.

Next was the queen dowager’s nephew Wen Jun. He was technically still part of the royal family, and therefore a possibility. He was another figurehead, somebody for the queen’s clan to work behind.

I was third. I was too young to participate in the war when Father suppressed the smaller hill tribes and subjected them to his will, and therefore was relatively unknown compared to the aforementioned duo. However, I was intelligent and wily. I had a knack of reading people’s body language. I always knew when Father would slam his hand on the table, flying into one of his rages.

Being relatively unknown, I had to gather my own support from the various factions. I targeted the smaller, stray clans who were constantly neglected and overlooked. I promised them my favour upon ascending the throne if they pledged their allegiance to me.

While my elder brother and Wen Jun clashed head on, I snuck behind the scenes, gently tugging on strings and currying favour from the ministers. The queen dowager and the military generals collided in sparks, all unbeknownst to dear Father.

During the period of mourning for Father’s death, I went about sowing discord within the queen dowager’s factions and the military faction, making the opposing party seem guilty. My plan was to let each clan collapse, then blame the other for that collapse, burn themselves out, and I would inherit the throne.

Right after the stipulated days of mourning, the various factions prepared for the final attack, but true to my plan, both rival clans tumbled splendidly. Fingers pointed and accusations flew – there was even a high-profile murder of the minister of the treasury, the queen’s second nephew by marriage.

This was all working to plan, I thought gleefully. With the backing I secured clan by clan, I emerged onto the scene, shocking both the queen dowager and the military general’s factions. No one had even considered me a potential, potential threat, that is. I easily crushed both factions and mysteriously got rid of my brother and Wen Jun, ascending the throne within a week of Father’s untimely demise.

Monarch at last.

-Odysseus

a friend gave me this topic..I don't like it heh. but well, here it is.

a break from Hal and Jerry. I'll get back to them asap :)