The Lady or The Tiger: The New Ruler

The New Ruler

“He turned, and with a firm and rapid step he walked across the empty space. Every heart stopped beating, every breath was held, every eye was fixed immovably upon that man. Without the slightest hesitation, he went to the door on the right…” but abruptly he heard a clamor of desperation. It was none other than the princess. The Princess had yelled at her lover telling him to stop. The princess’ face was a disarray filled with innumerable emotions and frenzy. The princess promptly collected herself realizing at once the effect of her action. She knew that the eyes, of the citizens and visitors, who were once synchronized in their gazes on the young man were now on her. Suddenly she was nervous with all the pressure and attention.

The princess had yelled the word, “Stop.” in hopes that it would save her lover and especially herself from total doom.  She looked to her side, where her father, whom she had loved since her birth was with an expression of impatience. She knew no one had dared stop his justice, though an unbelievable one, from being completed and that he wasn’t going to let it now. She raised her hand with swift determination as it touched her father’s cheek. This was the only thing she could do to stop him.

The audience gasped in bewilderment and shock caused by her unthinkable actions. To the normal citizens under the King’s rule they were followers of his every order be it barbaric or just. None had the courage to go against him or show any sign of resistance to his unmatched and unparalleled will. Though the audience was visibly affected immensely, with their jaws dropped to the floor, there was no greater reaction then the king.

Immediately after being slapped the King held the Princess’ hand with such a force that almost all the arena could hear her bones break. The Princess bit her lip as she resisted the urge to back away from fear and scream with pain. At the very first sign of violence her lover followed his gut and charged with the force of a bull and speed of a cheetah to the seats of the King and spread his arms around the Princess. He didn’t have to run for long as he was below the king.  He would protect her, that was something she was sure of.

“Let her go!” her lover exclaimed. But the king wouldn’t listen and he yelled back, “No.”He wouldn’t listen to anyone, especially not to this commoner, this disgrace. The young man in return grabbed the King’s arm. Slowy as the pain and pressure increased the King gave a small groan. Then not having enough strength to hold on to her let go of the Princess’ broken hand.

The Princess murmured, “Finally…” She had endured such pain, not only because of her broken bones but because of who had hurt her, her very own father.

The Princess had been the first in all his reign to hurt him and now he had been hurt by a criminal, her lover. No one could ever reach him in all his glory and if it was possible they would be killed instantly by the guards.

The guards were filled with confusion. Should they kill the king's beloved but rebellious daughter and risk making the mistake that would cost their lives? Or should they let her be? Should they kill the young man, her lover, instead? Or should they let the King kill the young man, her lover, himself?

The Princess knew that the situation could change for the worst in a matter of seconds. The Guards or even worse her father could take action in killing her lover or forcing him back into the arena. She had to do something now. She said, “Father, we’re even in pain, but you have committed a sin against me!” The King steadily watched her. She continued, ”You destined me and my lover to a life without each other!” The King was taken aback at his daughter spreading her own wings, gaining independence. But she wouldn’t give him the time to be proud because she followed up quickly exclaiming,  “I challenge you for the throne!” The audience didn’t make a sound and waited for the king’s reaction.

The King was furious and with no thought of his actions he replied, “I accept.” But let me tell you one thing, it will be a battle to the death and there is no going back. You and your partner have raised your hand against me and if you die then I will torture him in exchange for his actions and he won’t survive.”

These series of events were more than the audience could have ever imagined happening. At first they were all excited to see if there was going to be a wedding or a slaughter but now they could see something of a much bigger magnitude. A fight between King and Princess, Father and Daughter! All of the audience though of their extreme luck. No one had seen a fight like this in decades when the King was crowned after fighting his very own father.

The duel would be anything the challenger picked. The Princess was a woman of many talents but none except her father could match with her sword skills. They would be having a sword fight. It would be a fight to the death and the last man, or woman in this case, standing would immediately be crowned ruler. There was no turning back because now not only was she fighting for freedom but she was fighting for her lover’s safety.

The battle was ready to initiate and The King and The Princess looked at each other with such fury. The princess said carefully, “Father, I’m sorry you have to die this way but if you continue with your stubborn and biased ways I have no choice but to exact my own justice!”

The King and The Princess were both still in their firm stances, waiting for one for one of them to make the first move. The crowd was still with excitement and anxiety. The King took charge and with small steps he increased the proximity of their swords. Then the King saw an opening as The Princess took a step back. He took a slash which reached her arm leaving an injury of small importance. The Princess was relieved but immediately got back on guard.

The Princess decided she too should start attacking and slashed at the King’s neck. Surprisingly she almost reached it but the King parried her attack. The Princess pulled back and then stabbed his stomach. He was caught off guard and she understood that she had won. She had taken her father’s life.

The Princess was taken aback with the rush of realization. She was now ruler and a murderer, of her very own father. The princess dropped to her knees and muttered, “I did it. I secured our freedom…” Her lover knew her pain and he crouched down to hug her. The Princess looked at her lover and smiled bitterly holding back as much tears as possible. They would have a hard time  with her having to reign the kingdom but at least they would be together.

“I love you.” she whispered in his ear. “I love you too.” he replied. Though they had been in a relationship for many months the Princess had never mentioned the word love. He had known that she cared for him quite a lot but this was enough proof to show how much she loved him.

Two months later they we’re happily married. They had the grandest ceremony possible. They invited all the people of the kingdom to witness their matrimony. All of the kingdom knew they were a match made in heaven and they all lived happily ever after.