by LeAnn McRae
No one thought Thomas would be King. He stood fifth in line. He received no special recognition for his place in line, no royal lessons, only a tutor, Professor Carter.
One stormy night a fire raged through the palace, taking the lives of the King, Queen, their three boys, and Thomas’s father, making room for Thomas.
“Long live the King!” The crowd’s chant charged his spirit. He drew strength from them, though strangers, as a chain bearing a symbolic key round his neck and a crown on his head made him King Thomas Tawndy of Perania.
—–
Thomas stared out the window. A bird pecked the glass and flew away. Thomas envied its freedom. He wanted to be home, grieving with his mother. Did she, too, feel an empty ache since his father’s death? Instead, Thomas endured lectures on trade policies, taxes, and national security in attempts to teach him to rule. In his ignorance, he echoed his uncle’s chief advisor, Melville. What Melville approved, Thomas approved.
“He doesn’t have his own opinion. He is Melville’s puppet.” Thomas overheard.
Melville’s puppet? He would be no one’s puppet.
“Do you think I’m Melville’s puppet?” he asked his trusted tutor. Professor Carter’s wrinkled hand held a mirror before Thomas. “What do you see?”
“Dark hair and a large forehead.”
“And?”
“Umm. Great eyebrows.” Thomas turned to examine himself.
Carter waited.
“I see a handsome young man.”
“No.” Carter boomed. Thomas jumped.
“Are you saying I’m not handsome?” he smiled an unreturned smile.
Carter continued holding the mirror.
Thomas shrugged. “What do you want me to see?”
Carter slammed the mirror down on the table. “A king.” He retrieved the mirror pushing it in front of Thomas, revealing a crack running its length. “You have the right to rule, to make law. Stop wasting your influence and be king.”
Thomas had never seen his tutor adamant before.
“I don’t know how,” he looked down.
“Yes, you do.” For the first time, Thomas felt small next to Carter’s towering presence. “I have prepared you. You are strong. You have authority. You can lead. You need to believe that.”
“I can lead,” repeated Thomas. He walked the room musing. “I can do whatever I want. I can cancel boring meetings. I am King and I will lead.”
Thomas’ first command called for an increase in topaz exports to increase Perania’s revenue.
“Your highness, the miners felt overworked under your uncle. If we increase their load there could be trouble.” Melville objected.
“Then I will meet the miners and remind them of their duty to their country.” He turned to his assistant. “Make it happen.”
“Yes, your highness.”
Yes, your highness. The words thrilled him. He spoke and yes, your highness, it was done.
—–
Long Live the King – Part 2 will appear in the February edition of The Vail Voice
