A thunderous roar erupted from the vast crowd, a sea of faces pressed together, their cheers a vibrant, echoing wave that vibrated through the very ground. The air thrummed with the collective joy, a palpable energy that crackled in the warm afternoon sun. Three resonant chimes from a massive bell cut through the jubilant noise, silencing the throng instantly. From the towering battlements of the colossal castle before them, a figure emerged – King Ferre Suffrian, an old man, yet his posture spoke of unwavering strength and pride. His smile, warm and radiant, illuminated his weathered face as he raised a hand, the gesture instantly calming the expectant crowd. With a technological marvel of his own invention – a device he called a microphone – his voice, amplified and clear, boomed across the square.
"My people," he declared, his tone rich with emotion, "thank you for your unwavering support and tireless assistance. Without your dedication, I would not stand before you today. Each and every one of you is the reason I stand here, my heart overflowing with pride and joy. Together, we, the people of Suffrian, shall uphold peace eternally, forging our own path to lasting harmony." A renewed wave of cheers and applause thundered through the square, punctuated by the joyful sobs of many.
The kingdom of Suffrian, under the reign of King Ferre Suffrian, the Righteous King – the fourth of his name – had known unparalleled peace and prosperity for over four decades. His reign had been marked by victory after victory, yet peace, not conquest, was his true ambition. King Ferre, a man of unwavering righteousness, possessed a unique approach to conflict. To his soldiers, he would always say, "War and wickedness are not permanent. We can and will solve and prevent them." He believed that wickedness, though present in the world, was not inherent to humanity, but rather a flaw that resided within individuals.
Even before ascending the throne, Ferre had achieved legendary feats, earning him the moniker "The Farmer of Life." Tales of his superhuman prowess circulated throughout the land: leading ten soldiers to victory against four thousand enemy soldiers, completely unscathed; disarming and defeating a band of ruthless bandits without a single weapon; and, perhaps his most incredible feat, silently eliminating three hundred archers before they even knew he was there. These were but a few of his many extraordinary accomplishments.
After finding love, however, he chose a different path, trading the battlefield for the throne. He married a commoner, a woman who inspired him to embrace his destiny. Together, they raised three children: two daughters, Selen and Selion, and a son, Senme, the twins being seven years old. His wife, Sylvester Suffrian, was his rock, the constant source of motivation that propelled him to greatness.
But the path to lasting peace was not without its challenges. Prince Lemuel Suffrian, the king's younger brother, consumed by envy and a thirst for power, sought to undermine his brother's beliefs. Lemuel craved war, the thrill of violence, and the absolute power he believed it would grant him. As he spoke, his voice dripped with venom, his words laced with malice. "My brother's become a puppet, weakened by his precious wife, children, and the ambitious people who control him," he sneered, his lips curling into a snarl. The sound of his voice sent a shiver down the spines of those who listened, its cold calculation and ruthless ambition hanging in the air like a challenge. "He didn't fight to the death; that's the fault of his wife, children, and his ambitious people – they all control him," Lemuel spat, his eyes flashing with resentment.
Overhearing the nobles' disdainful whispers – "The king says he won't fight, that he'll just talk to solve problems. What stupidity!" – Lemuel saw an opportunity to seize the throne. "My Lord! My Lord!" Queen Sylvester cried, rushing towards the king, her face pale with terror. "What is it, my love?" King Ferre asked, his voice laced with concern. "Your brother… he's proposed to Selen!"
The king's blood ran cold. He strode towards his brother's chambers, his heart pounding with a mixture of anger and disbelief. He confronted Lemuel directly. "Why have you chosen my daughter? She is only eighteen years old!" Lemuel responded with arrogant nonchalance, his voice taking on a sly, manipulative tone. "What's the problem with that?" he drawled, his eyes glinting with amusement as he watched the king's reaction. The sound of his own voice seemed to amuse him, and a cold smile spread across his face.
King Ferre's fury erupted. He vehemently refused to allow the marriage, warning his brother that any further advances toward his daughter would sever their familial bond forever. The king's words hung in the air, a palpable tension settling between the brothers.
Under the cloak of night, Prince Lemuel and a cabal of treacherous nobles gathered in secret. Their plan, brutal and inhumane, was to eliminate the king without alarming the populace. The nobles, eager for power and change, readily agreed to Lemuel's barbaric scheme.
Selen, renowned for her beauty and kindness, was unaware of the impending danger. Her younger siblings, Selion and Senme, remained blissfully ignorant of the dark plot unfolding around them. As the night wore on, the conspirators' whispers grew more urgent, their shadows dancing on the walls like specters of doom.
A week passed, the tension in the kingdom palpable. The seeds of treachery sown by Lemuel and his conspirators were about to bear their bitter fruit. The kingdom of Suffrian, once a beacon of peace and prosperity, teetered on the brink of chaos, its fate hanging precariously in the balance.