A boy was born, hated by the world.
He was called "God-given" because he was the first son born after four stillbirths.
His father died when he was four.
When he was five, he nearly drowned.
At nine, he suffered from smallpox and nearly died ten days later.
Around the same time, nobles revolted against him. He had done nothing. He was a child, a king, yes, but a child. His mother and her advisor held all the power. They were doing what they thought would be best for him. And the nobles wanted to create a council to advise him. They also acted in his interest, they said.
He was declared to have reached majority when he was barely a teenager. He still believed in true love and was enamoured with the niece of his advisor. And yet, she was sent away by his mother. They wanted a political marriage for him. And so it was.
Cancer and other diseases plagued these years of his life. Before he could reach the age of 20, he was destined to die at the hands of typhoid. He barely clung to life, as his very hair was falling down his head and after receiving his Extreme Unction.
It was as if the entire world wanted him dead. Like the whole world hated him.
The king who should have died was unwanted.
"You wanted to see me, Sire?"
"Why else would I ask of you, Mazarin?"
"I can tell you're in a foul mood today, Your Majesty."
"Am I ever in a good mood?"
"..."
"... why?"
"Excuse me, S-"
"Why does the world hate me?"
"Your Majesty, I can assur-"
"I know it, Mazarin! There's no need to lie to my face. They hate me just like they hate you, you who had to flee and exile yourself."
"Who do you think hates you, Your Majesty?"
"The peasants, the nobles, the soldiers, the people who bow to me every single day... they all hate me! The other countries, fate itself, the entire world hates me!"
"... why? Why, Mazarin... why does no one love me?"
"Because they all envy you."
"... what?"
"They all envy you. Everyone would want to be you, your Majesty. The power, the wealth, the freedom... there's not a single person in France, a single person in the world who wouldn't want that."
"But I'm not free! I'm not happy! Everything I do has to carry a purpose, has to be in accordance to rules I didn't create, I am a slave of my own power!"
"What do you suggest, your Majesty? That you go live a peasant life in the countryside?"
"At least then I could travel around the world, without wearing these ridiculous outfits!"
"You can decide what outfits everyone should wear, you're the king."
"But the people, the noble-"
"Fuck the people and fuck the nobles. You think they care about you? You think they love you?"
"Do you care about me, Mazarin?"
"I care about the future of France, and I know that with you, we could be destined for a great future."
"... I see... I'm just a pawn in your little games... I'm no different in this regard from the poor people we force our tributes on. I understand now."
"What do you understand, your Majesty?"
"I understand that there's not a single person in the world that doesn't hate me."
"Your Majesty, I think hate and envy are much more desirable than love."
"Of course a cardinal would say that. Wasn't your mission to spread a message of love?"
"... why do you think people worship gods, Your Majesty?"
"... to be loved by them, to seek comfort, to-"
"Because they envy them. Because a god can do whatever he pleases. Because a god can't die. Because a god is free. What was the first act of man once created by God? He saw the animals with a companion and became envious. And what did Adam and Eve do once God offered them the eternal garden? They grew envious of God and wished to be like him. Many scholars say that pride is the worst sin. Perhaps it is. But envy... envy is the driving force of humanity."
"... they have no reason to envy me. Not good ones, anyway. Everyone who wishes to be me would regret it sooner or later. Their envy is without reason."
"Good. Then give them a reason to envy you. And once the whole world will envy you... the world will be yours."
***
"Apologies, your Majesty, I must have heard you incorrectly."
"No, you didn't."
"Your Majesty, now that Cardinal Mazarino has moved on to a better life, you're not going to appoint a new Prime Minister?"
"Correct."
"Your Majesty, I urge you to reconsider your decision."
"How can the State function when-"
"I AM THE STATE! This country, this entire world is mine to take, mine to play, mine to do whatever I please. I am what drives it, what moves it, I am the reason it exists. I am its Sun.
I am the Sun King."
When Louis XIV died, the Sun died with him. He had built a world that was completely his. A gift from the East had given him access to something, something that was out of this world. Rumours spread, his enemies wondered how he could never lose, how his palace could be so stunning, how his trees so green, how he could always escape death and win every war.
Some servants told of magic doors that opened to a huge vault full of riches and books, and witnesses would swear that they could see the King fly and heal wounds. But those were just rumours, perpetrated by madmen or envious people. Because that's what envy brings. It brings worship, it brings adoration, it brings fear and it brings respect.
But envy never brought the King love.
And so, the Sun King who ruled the world died just as he had lived.
Unwanted and hated by everyone.
***
"Damn it!"
"I have never seen that guy so angry."
"Gil, calm down, we can still-"
"Still what? That man is coming and I... I couldn't even make him break a sweat."
"Well, this is a first. The great King of Heroes scared."
"Shut up, Salter! I'm not scared!"
A scepter struck the ground with great force. Everyone turned towards Louis.
"We won't let Augustus' sacrifice be in vain. We will make the preparations necessary and defend this place. We should still have time to get ready for the arrival of this invader."
"Honestly, if not to save your own skin, why do you even care?"
"Jeanne, don't-"
"Don't what? He comes in here, talking about sacrifices and what not, while he's just an asshole trying not to get himself killed."
"If the real world gets corrupted, it could have unforseen consequences-"
"Don't act like you wouldn't do this if you had the chance. If to stay in power you had to destroy the world, you would do it without hesitation."
"... in life... perhaps... however, this one time, at least for my sake, I feel like this is what I want to do."
"And what exactly do you want to do?"
"Protect what I built and shine as bright as a Star, not just for me, but for everyone else too. I want the gods up above, those who rule this reality... to be envious of me, a mere human."
"... you still sound like an asshole."