"What?"
Kismet was a scary-looking man with his square head and square beard. It was hard to tell what he was thinking when serious. He always wore oversized clothes, making it impossible to discern his body type. With his tall figure, he was intimidating.
"What, what?"
"What do you mean I'm next in line to succeed my uncle?"
"Don't worry about that. It's all taken care of."
"What do you mean by 'all taken care of'? What's the opinion of my cousins?"
"They don't matter. They don't even know where this place is on a map."
"They surely must know about this."
"They will. Ask me the thing you want to ask me. "
Kismet didn't like people wasting his time with bullshit
"I have lived my life trying to be a good helper to the family—taking lessons, training, and doing everything asked of me. I never did any of that expecting to become the one to secure the family's future."
"You think your education is normal among your family members?"
"What?"
"You'd better prepare yourself for what I'm about to say. My plan was always to make you king. I was never going to let outsiders, who killed your uncle, take the throne. Your cousins are already lost to the Uzumaki family."
"But what's stopping them from challenging me? Or… what if I don't want to be king?"
"What if you don't want to be king?" Kismet echoed mockingly. "Didn't you say you've spent your whole life trying to be useful to the family? What better way to prove your worth than ensuring the family's survival? If your cousins become rulers, this city will become a puppet show, and your people will suffer."
Kratosus: "..."
"Son, the ceremony is tomorrow. I'll send your grandmother and some servants to help you prepare. I'll leave now. Is there anything you don't understand?"
"See you tomorrow, Kismet," Kratosus said, his voice heavy with defeat, but also trying to hurt him.
"You may not understand this now," Kismet replied, "but everything I do is for you and the family."
Kismet left, instructing the guards to secure the room.
Kratosus sat in his room, drained of energy. Everything was moving too fast. He didn't want to provoke anyone, so he blew out the candles and lay down on his bed.
He muttered one thing to himself that entire night:
"This is a fitting end for me—my true self dying and becoming an idea." A single tear slid from his right eye.
*****
The next morning
A knock was heard.
"Master, are you awake?"
"Yes, come in."
"Your grandfather sent us. We've brought clothes for today and warm water for your bath."
"No need for a bath."
"But sir—"
"I washed myself with cold water before any of you arrived."
As they entered, Yara followed. She and Kratosus exchanged glances but said nothing.
"So, where is my grandmother?"
"We don't know, sir."
Kratosus: "..."
Yara approached Kratosus.
"I don't know if I should tell you this, but your grandmother told me last night that she felt like a sailing with a boat."
Kratosus's eyes widened.
"Maybe it's nothing. She may have just gone out for some air," Yara added.
Kratosus began laughing bitterly.
"Someone told me everything was taken care of."
The servant girl began dressing him.
*****
The servants escorted Kratosus to the castle gates, where carriages and soldiers waited. He climbed into the carriage where his grandfather was already seated.
Kismet: "I see you've become quite handsome today—like a king."
"And I see you without a wife, like a divorcé."
"Just a minor miscalculation. Unimportant."
"For you, maybe, but it's a great deal to me."
"Why?"
"The first thing I'll do as king is send you to bring back your wife."
"A foolish thought for a king."
"Good thing I'll be king, then. I'll decide what's important."
Kismet gave serius look with is mouth twisting form angre
"Pick your battles well child i dont have time for child play"
"Oh just trying to punish you for not keep ing you word "
Kismet liked that but didnt show it
*****
They arrived at the building where the coronation was to take place. A large crowd had gathered.
"One thing before we go," Kismet said. "You'll enter later. Follow the priest's instructions."
A figure in dark robes approached the carriage.
"My king, may I enter?"
"What do you say?" Kismet asked Kratosus.
"Let him in."
"My king, you look as holy as they say."
Kratosus: "..."
"What will you do now, Kismet?"
"Me? I'm going to give the grandest entrance this city has ever seen."
Kratosus smirked, his eyes betraying approval.
"I'm going now," Kismet said. "Priest, go and tell your people to ring the bells. The coronation has begun."
"Yes, my king If you can, please follow me."
The priest was an old man with a long beard, wearing only a dark robe, but showing no signs of coldness despite the weather. He was small, bald, and had deep-set eyes that made it difficult to tell where he was looking.
Kratosus followed the old man into a room filled with guards.
The bells began to toll.
"Before we enter, Kismet is going to address the people about how important this day is," the priest said.
Kratosus: "..."
"Then the guards will clear a path through the crowd for us to reach the podium. I will follow you, sprinkling you with holy water as we go."
"Who is at the podium?" Kratosus asked.
"All your second and third cousins(two second cousins,four third cousins), every master of the late king(master of war,master of coin,master of law,master of ship,master of whisperers,Lord Commander of the Kingsguard,grand master) and your grandfather—the Hand of the King," the priest replied.
"Where is the water?"
"Here," he said, pointing to a large bowl of water.
"And what makes it holy?"
"Because it will be used to bless you, the one chosen by God."
Kratosus gave an ironic smirk.
Kismet began his speech.
*****
"Lords and ladies, knights and citizens of the KY, today we gather under the heavens and before the gods to witness the ascension of a new ruler. With hearts full of hope and eyes set upon a future of prosperity, we stand united.
In the line of great kings and queens who have come before, King Kratosus has been chosen by fate, guided by wisdom, and tempered by the trials of the world. His reign shall be one of fairness, justice, and peace for all our people."
The guards moved through the crowd, clearing a path. Other guards equipped with drums began to play, their rhythm resonating: "daam doom, daam doom." For a brief moment, the sound filled the air before young Kratosus emerged.
He made his way toward the podium.
"Though we have faced strife, division, and doubt, we now stand as one," the Hand of the King continued. "As your Hand, I pledge my loyalty and service—not just to the throne, but to each of you, the heart of this great kingdom. Together, we will face any challenge that may arise.
We are not blind to the trials ahead, but we shall stand firm, as we always have. With King Kratosus upon the throne, we shall rise stronger than ever."
Kratosus reached the podium and bowed. Two female priestesses approached,one carrying the crown, while the other priestess holding a sword.
The priest placed the crown on Kratosus's head. Rising, Kratosus took the dark steel sword with its leather handle.
"So, let us stand together in loyalty, in strength, and in unity. To our new King, we pledge our swords, our hearts, and our service. This is the dawn of a new era, and in it, we shall thrive.
May the gods bless this realm, may the spirits of our ancestors guide us, and may the reign of King Kratosus be one of greatness and glory. Long live the King!"
Kratosus raised his sword high.
The crowd erupted in cheers, their voices echoing throughout the square.
But then, one of the cousins standing on the podium stepped forward.
"What you are doing is a crime!" the cousin shouted. "The true rulers have learned of this travesty and have sent me to deliver justice in their name."
The crowd gasped, murmurs spreading like wildfire.
"I am the champion of the rightful king, Kermes, son of Kian. I have been sent to put an end to this crime!"
He turned to Kratosus.
"I challenge my cousin to a duel. Let the gods grant justice to the righteous!"