I sit on my throne, the crown atop my head.

I did it. I finally did it. All the years of political manoeuvring, all the half-truths and dirty lies, all the secrets kept at great cost, and the ones revealed for an even higher one. They have all led me here, where I truly belong.

I was born with next to nothing and told to be grateful for what little I had, but I couldn’t accept that. I knew I was made for more. So I didn’t beg and bow. I stole. It started small. A bit of coin could feed you, clothe you, and make rest more comfortable.

But then one day my light fingers plucked a wallet, and I discovered something more valuable than money. A lesser thief may have tossed it away, but I saw its real worth.

I quickly learnt how to trade in information. What to reveal and what to hide. How to use honeyed words to conceal poisoned intent. When to strike a deal and when to strike a throat.

Then I met him. Our revered king. A man who did nothing more than be born into his position, and yet he was adored for it. I couldn’t let the injustice of it stand. 

He was young and idealistic. He favoured a new generation of advisers and went to work on creating what he believed to be a fairer kingdom. It made it easy to infiltrate and eliminate his inner circle until he was wholly reliant on me.

That’s when I struck. He couldn’t understand why, despite my humble beginnings. But now that I’m king, I can show them all what is possible when you are born with next to nothing.