Crossed

“Today is the day King Serlene will be passing his crown. His rule as king has lasted exactly 53 years today. He has now decided that this will be the time for his successor to take rule over the Yerzine Kingdom. Out of his four children, which will be wearing the crown?” Advisor William looked around the crowd of happy and proud subjects. “Will it be his eldest son Tresdon? Second eldest daughter Amiya? The third oldest son, Hinley? Or his youngest son, Markson?” William straightened the papers in his hands, obviously blank as he has no need for prepared words. “This new ruler will begin their term for the next age of the Kingdom tomorrow, therefore you all will have no choice but to welcome them with open arms.”

The audience of over 15,000 subjects stare in awe, happily awaiting the news. Some would prefer the traditional youngest to rule, while others would want a more modern approach like the now economically prospering Kingdom of Francis, who has elected the first queen of the kingdom in 240 years. Queen Aslina wasn’t the youngest of her family as this also broke traditional values.

William took a deep breath trying not to notice the antsy children behind his back readying their speech. “King Serlene has asked me to pronounce one final declaration before his crown falls.” Markson looked at William with wide eyes. He was trained from a young age on how to be king, following his father’s every move just for this moment. William pushed his gold round glasses on his nose and looked at the crowd once more. “King Serlene’s final declaration is that of Royal Celebration Day. As We all know King Serlene is very prominent in the respect of our fallen and beloved rulers before our time, so King Serlene is now declaring, today Royal Celebration Day, a day of joyous activities inside of the castle for the people by the royal family to bring our Kingdom closer, while not all of our citizens are here live to know of this new celebration, we hope that all will start this celebration today with the announcement of the new ruler.” The crowd burst into applause and cheers, as was usual for a declaration by King Serlene.

A crash and a bang from drums begin as the crowd parts for the royal band. All dressed in the kingdom’s many shades of red, which change with each ruler. King Serlene’s royal band wore a cardinal colored red. The band played the Ode to Tellian marching forth to the front of the stage. The cheers and applause roared as the chariot carrying the 74-year-old king rode toward the stage. He waved as well as he could with a smile bigger than his first on his face. He shined as all eyes and lights were on him. The royal crown on his head, fitted with rubies and diamonds ready to be passed down to another generation.

It took 15 minutes for the King to make it on stage. He stood up slowly and began his climb up the stairs. “King Serlene began his rule when he was 21 years old. His first achievement was saving the eastern towns from a harvestal ruin. He quickly made headway with the people by marching alongside the common man during the City War, just two years into his kinghod. King Serlene has ramped up the education of our kingdom as much as possible, with the new allowance of doctors, scientists, mathematicians, and more. King Serlene leant more money to the people than any other king before him. Our king has done nothing short of putting his life on the line for our kingdom!” The audience would not settle down, William got louder, as King Serlene, now on stage, walked toward him.

“Our king has done everything for our kingdom! Our king has treated our kingdom! Our king has chased away the evil from our kingdom! And now with nothing less than the most he can offer our king will leave us with one final gift, one of eternal love from Tellian, a new ruler!” William took his hand off of the mic and bowed in the presence of the king, the entire crowd bowed for the king, the cameramen and news anchors bowed for the king.

King Serlene reached for the microphone. He cleared his throat and looked back at his children, all of whom were bowing. “It is said-” King Serlene started. Everyone immediately traced their attention to him. “That a king cannot rule forever, or else he will become a god. I take that with great warning, and I shall drop my crown.” The audience was silent. “I will pass on our kingdom to someone new, fresh, and young.” William looked up at the king. “I will hope that even after my passing our kingdom will prosper and never fall again.”

“So please, citizens of Yerzine and citizens of Tellian, I hope you will all welcome our new ruler.” Pure joy and happiness spread across the kingdom at that moment. “My eldest son Tresdon shall be crowned king.” The audience lost all control as Tresdon made his way closer to his father. “I know I am only king for the rest of this glorious day, but before you all at home or to my face, I shall pass my crown publicly and truthfully to our new ruler. King Tresdon!” The audience clapped as Serlene took the golden crown from his head. “And with this my eldest son, I hope that you will make our kingdom even better for the people, I am hoping that you will not lose faith in Tellian or our people when you need help, as you are one of them no more than you are king.” Tears filled King Serlene’s eyes, his voice starting to shake. “I hope to Tellian, that my dear son, you will make everyone proud, I hope the kingdom will do nothing but gain more recognition for the great things you can and will do. My son I am proud to announce you as king and I am proud to pass you the selfless title ‘King of Yerzine’.”

King Serlene looked at his son, a mirror image of his mother and placed the open crown on Tresdon’s head. The audience looked in awe at the most emotional crown dropping in history. Tresdon accepted the crown from his loving, elder father. Under his face of strength and happiness, Tresdon choked back the tears of regretting sadness.