Terramore, 20 years ago
Arsenic. A poison without a cure, lethal in large doses. But that wouldn't do at all. It was a waiting game, a coiled cobra poised for attack. Suspicions would never be raised. The royal family was in bad health, after all.
The queen was the first to go. Knife in the chest by some unknown assassin. He was caught an killed, yelling that he was a good man. There needn't be any complications after the King died.
Two drops per cup. The head chef always checked the king's water. He was also paid a large sum of money directly from the prince himself. Prince Nikolai could wait. Time would always be on his side.
Two drops per cup is a lot after 30 years.
Funeral bells rang.
The King was dead.
Nikolai Romanov stood before the altar of the Supreme Church. The Archbishop held a crown, no, his crown on a cushion to his left. The High Priest was reciting his coronation vows, but that was not important. He had waited all those years for his father to die, to seize the throne for himself. This was it. Today he would be king. The High Priest finished his speech and faced Nikolai.
"In the presence of the divine and the eyes of our ancestors, I, the High Priest of the Kingdom of Terramore, chosen servant of the heavens and keeper of sacred traditions, do solemnly beseech you, Nikolai Romanov, to take this vow as you ascend to the honored throne of our forebears. Before the witnesses assembled, before the realm, and before the eternal Creator, I bid you to swear by your heart, your blood, and your sacred duty to the people of this kingdom. Do you vow to serve and protect the people of this realm, to act as their shield against adversity, to promote their welfare, and to ensure their happiness and prosperity to the best of your abilities?"
"I swear."
"Do you promise to administer justice with impartiality, upholding the laws of the land, and ensuring that no one, regardless of birth or station, shall be above the law, nor any innocent subjected to injustice?"
"I swear."
The High priest nodded in approval and signaled for the Archbishop to step forward with the crown.
"By the power vested in me as a servant of the divine and a guardian of our traditions, I now pronounce you, Nikolai Romanov, as the sovereign ruler of this realm. May you wear the crown with grace, rule with wisdom, and forever carry the hopes and aspirations of your people in your heart. So swear you, so be it, now and forevermore.
Nikolai couldn't help but smirk as he lowered his head to receive the crown. The weight of it felt right on his head, the feel of the heavy gold comforting on his brow.
"All hail His Majesty Nikolai Romanov!"
His Majesty Nikolai Romanov. He was the king.
The new king faced the crowd, arranging a smile on his lips. "I swear to give my undivided attention to the care of this kingdom and its subjects. Let us celebrate this glorious day!"
"All hail his Majesty Nikolai Romanov!"
The cheer rang through the entire chapel. It was music to Nikolai's ears, and he basked in the attention.
The celebrations began, and the palace bustled with nobility, knights, and foreign officials. Even the common folk were out in the streets, toasting to the new king. Dozens upon dozens of people wanted to meet the sovereign, and he kept his smile the entire time. As the day waned and the sun set, the clusters of nobility trickled out of the palace. The palace staff wished King Nikolai good night as he retired to his royal chambers.
He stared about his room, drinking in the vaulted ceiling and the lavish décor. It was his now, all of it was his. He set his coronation robes aside and walked over to his private balcony. A cool breeze ruffled Nikolai's hair as he gazed upon his kingdom.
He caught wisps of conversation from the streets below, and saw the twinkling lights of the few taverns that were open at this hour. Just along the horizon, barely visible, was another set of lights. Aetheria. The Magi.
He retreated back to his bedroom, and placed his crown tenderly beside his bed. It was time to start a knew era, one where Nikolai, and only Nikolai ruled. King Nikolai Romanov. No one would ever defy his authority again.
In the darkness of the night, a sinister smile grew on his lips.
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A/N
And that's the first chapter!
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Veridia
FantasyPart one: Complete In the world of Veridia, there were those with magic and those without. They lived separately, magi in Aetheria and non-magi in Terramore. They coexisted peacefully, with the gates of both kingdoms open. That was until twenty year...
