By Your Command

It had been weeks, but it was still hard to believe. As the High Priest placed the crown on his head and the last words of the Rite of Succession left his lips, my face looked out unblinkingly across the crowd. They cheered. "The king is dead!" one voice cried, adding, "Long live the king!" Everyone expected me to be the one to save this kingdom. I was barely prepared to be a man. Yet these people expected me to be a king.

I swallowed and stood from my throne. It was a simple structure, made mostly of wood with small bits of gold and gemstone decorating the structure. I cleared my throat. "Good morning, everyone, and thank you for attending. My father was a good man, and his death is, of course, a tragedy. You all have great expectations, and I hope that I will live up to them as your..."