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Everyone loves a handsome killer. And everyone loves a monarch who gets things done quietly and efficiently without telling them all the details. That's not what they say, but that's what they want. Thus I introduce two characters: myself and My Sovereign.
That's where I come in; a silent, handsome killer. I've worked for this family, the so called Monarchy of Roses, for seven generations now. I suppose that means that this story has to go back in time and that therefore it should start with "once upon a time." I suppose I can do that.
Once upon a time, I owed a man a favor. I offered him immortality, but he wouldn't take it. For that reason alone, I consider him both the smartest and most foolish human I have ever met. But he did ask for immortality of name, and that was something that I could assist him with.
My Sovereign lived in a country that was plagued with hunger, poverty, vice and war. Freedom fighters killed each other in the street for the smallest of reasons, but all in the name of their cause. Various groups pulled the strings of the puppet government, and its neighbors didn't even bother to attack, simply waiting for the country to implode upon itself.
But this young man wanted to rule his country, and more importantly, he wanted his family to rule it for generations to come. He wanted to be the peacemaker, the bringer of life, the one who ushered in a new golden age. For a human, such things are almost impossible to guarantee. So many other humans can meddle, for their own selfish reasons, and ruin a reputation. But for one on the outside, such as myself, it was but a matter of course.
And so, a "bloodless" coup.
He became the leader, and he began to implement the changes necessary to bring peace and happiness to his people. And every opponent he had somehow died or lost interest before a war could be declared. It was quite possibly the most peaceful generation that this country had ever seen. And My Sovereign never had to get his own fingers dirty, because that was my job.
But then, his son. I had made a promise to protect his legacy, and sometimes that goal does not follow the same path as the one his progeny would like to take. I have to admit, there have been more than one tragic death in this ruling family, but those lives are inconsequential in the long list of games I have played for my king. Of consequence are the seven hundred years of peace, prosperity, and fortune for the Monarchy of Roses. My Sovereign's name is emblazoned upon more edifices than he could ever want, and his great, great granddaughter, my current Queen, shall carry on his excellent name.
Of course, that may all change tonight. I made a very specific arrangement, and that arrangement was not to babysit this country forever. As amusing as this has been, my years are completed; I'm interested in a different climate. Perhaps screwing with some of my old playmates; some of them could be so deliciously fun to torment, as I recall. And so, I'm leaving the Monarchy.
I'm not going to act against the Queen, for that would be breaking my oath, but I will no longer seek to prevent her tears. And she is so pretty when she cries. I will do nothing directly, but it will become readily apparent to my children and my brethren that I am no longer playing god behind her throne. What they chose to do then, who they chose to sell or give this information to, is none of my concern. If they want to attack, to destroy, then I say let it burn.
After all, Nero only became a true legend after Rome fell. My Sovereign will only truly gain his desire when the people have something to compare him to, when the golden age is over. And that age ends tonight.