Post

The Puppet King

Noble Lady Airan - 1 vote
Opu Karani - 1 vote
Prince Marubua - 19 votes
Abstain - 7

The National Assembly has elected Prince Marubua to ascend to the throne. The young prince, unaware of this, sits with a friend of his in a garden of his mansion in the outskirts of Ta Kuong. The two discuss the state of each other's lives. Suddenly, one of Marubua's servants emerges from the mansion and rushes to the prince.

"Your majesty," the servant says after bowing, "You are needed."

The Prince springs up and the servant brings him to the mansion's foyer. There, he sees his parents with faces of deep concern. The Minister of Defense Pala Mani stands, clad in ornate armor, surrounded by a dozen guards and a dozen eunuchs. The Minister holds a shining spear in his right hand and a scroll in the other. On the spear is carved scenes from Keyrahti history, such as the subjugation of the Harapuri and the conquest of the island of Wo'aru. On his chestplate is a depiction of the traditional Keyrahti cosmos. Pala Mani towers over everybody else.

"Prince Wasowak Marubua, the National Assembly summons you to the Royal Palace in Mo'ikor," Pala says, looking down on Marubua, "The Royal Court shall provide a proper escort to you. You are not permitted to bring anything into the palace besides that which you wear. You are not permitted to bring anyone along with you. Your presence at the Royal Palace is non-negotiable."

"What is this?" The Prince asks. Before he can ask further, two of the guards grab him by his arms and place him into a palanquin. Eventually, he is placed into a carriage. The next day, he arrives at the Royal Palace, where Regent Te Moruon is awaiting him. The Regent, as well as Pala Mani, the guards, and the eunuchs, bow before Marubua.

"Your Majesty," the Regent begins, "It is with great pleasure I must inform you that the National Assembly has selected you to serve as the next King of Keyraht, the Light of the Keyrahtis, the King of the Cosmos. Indeed, ever since the day that Kanewarman VII left us, I have guarded your throne and kept it clean. Please, for the sake of the entirety of the world, sit upon your throne and reign over the Land of Enlightenment. The Center of the Universe awaits your presence."

He gestures to the throne. Marubua hesitantly walks over and sits upon it. Chants of "Tautani hou!" begin, ceremonial wishes of one million years of rule. Te Moruon walks up to the newly-ascended king.

"I have conferred upon you the regnal name of 'King Wasowak I.' You are to be educated in the ways of Keyrahti rulership. In the mean time, I shall carry out your wishes. On your behalf I will oversee your domain until you are fit to rule."

Celebrations begin later that day and tens of thousands of Keyrahtis line the main street of Mo'ikor to partake in a mass kowtow. The anthem, ironically still calling for the eternal reign of the Bakan, is sung. The new King Wasowak I, on the arrangement of Pala Mani and Te Moruon, is married to now-Queen consort Ruana.