Many days passed.

  .

  .

  .

  Vaughn got more angry and agitated. He pissed at night, his body trembled with cold and he often woke up with bruises. Something was amiss, something that he was not noticing. It was shameful enough he was reborn as a bed wetter but him not having any political leverage was even worse.

  For the last few days in the palace, he had gotten an idea of this prince’s position in the palace. Elio An Bastalia — the 3rd prince, was a political clown — often ridiculed in the senate, made fun of, and even disrespected from those below him.

  The perpetrator- — The King’s Advisor —Stulo Lon Armedo. He was a snarky middle-aged man, his hair combed away from his head always as his beady eyes dictated the senate from beside the King’s Throne. He was the crown prince’s Uncle after all and no one in the council would dare speak against him. Stulo’s wish was their command. He could show his shit smeared ass and his men’s hands would rise up fighting for who would get to do the honours of wiping his highness's bottoms.

  “Elio, I got you these flowers…As I thought they would look better on your crown.”, Mul whispered as he leaned close to his ear. Mul was Stulo’s favourite son. Unlike him, Mul pretended to be weak, he often showed his sheep-like appeal before he would bare his canines to rip his enemy to shreds.

  And these days, he has been overly friendly with Elio. He was a man in his early 20’s, with a very feminine looking face and a slim build. Though he could not fight a physical war, winning a war of the minds with him was almost impossible, earning him the title of “Bastalia’s Flower Strategist”. No one genuinely knew if he liked you, or he was just using you to discard you later.

  His Keeper had told him that he and the prince, the body he resided in —Elio, are actually good acquaintances, oftentimes with Mul, much to his father’s dismay having defended Elio in the Senate.

  Vaughn touched his hand softly and smiled at him, before whispering a light thank you, Afterall, Vaughn did not rule Elmarts’ throne from the age of 12 for nothing. He knew when to make enemies, when to discard them and when to turn a blind eye to them. This time he was going to play Mul’s little game.

  Let’s hope you win. Vaughn thought as he gazed at Mul’s face softly, a smile branding his face.

  Because if you lose….

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  Vaughn shook his head with a kind smile still on his face as he turned his face towards Stulo.

  “The crops of the south are no longer harvestable, my king.” He spoke in his high pitched voice as he ran his sharp nailed hands through his thin, long beard. His eyes now on Elio.

  ”What do you suggest, Stulo?”

  “The people are agitated, my king. And since the 3rd prince failed to slay the mud worm that mutilated their crops, their agitation has turned into anger for the crown.”

  “What are you suggesting, Stulo?”

  ”The north is rattled with droughts my lord. There is some news that Vugo Nation may be planning on attacking us from the east very soon.”

  ”Stulo?”

  ”The prince’s failure has angered the Gods.” He nodded towards the council. Various yeas and yups could be heard as the council agreed in haste.

  ”What are you suggesting, Stulo?”, This was the 3rd time the king had asked, sensing the change in his voice, Stulo spoke the words he had been rehearsing from the last 3 weeks, planning the prince’s demise.

  “Since the prince made the mistake….”

  Vaughn’s face tightened as his eyes chilled with darkness, This man would not.

  “I suggest we have the prince perform the 3 heavens ritual.”

  Vaughn sank back into his seat, his Keeper and Bellator’s faces turned pale from Stulo’s words as fear seeped through their veins.

  The State of Bastalia, had different ways — olden even, they believed in the long lost Elmarian Gods, the ones long forgotten in his Empire of Elmarst, they worshiped them and they sacrificed for them.

  Some would call Vaughn a Tyrannical Emperor but surprisingly in his Kingdom, there was no place for superstitions. Practicing harmful rituals was punishable by death.

  3 heavens was one such ritual. Three, The Domini, The Keeper and The Bellator. All were sacrificed to the Temple of Elmarian Gods is a 3 Day Ritual. They believed anyone who did so, ascended to Godhood. For some, it was a matter of spirituality, for some, it was an efficient way to discard political enemies.

  And knowing Stulo, he knew which was his.

  Stulo continued as the Senate uproared in whispers, questions and even a few derogatory remarks.

  Raising his hands up in the air, he signaled the senate to keep calm.

  “The last time a prince performed the 3 Heavens Ritual, the empire was brought to prosperity. We must thank the Acended Duo Ru Bastalia. As for his sacrifice the great war ended and our lands flourished, our Country strengthened politically and our treasury doubled in gold. If this is not a sign, then I challenge you, What is?”

  No one spoke up. Annik, my Bellator, looked at me, horror dripping from his eyes. Who wasn’t afraid of death? Ask me.

  “Your Majesty, The Grand Advisor is right. It’s time one of the royals ascended to godhood. After all, who else will the gods be impressed with? If not the purest and most Nobelist blood Bastalia has to offer. The people of the state are agitated. Rumours are that some factions say Prince Elio is the perfect candidate.” The one who spoke wielded almost no power, so it was evident that he was trying to get to Stulo’s good side.

  “Minster Minst is Right!”

  More uproars followed.

  Everyone knew even if Vaughn wanted to he could not deny, anyone who did was charged with treason for trying to anger the gods and bringing calamities on the Kingdom.

  Biting his fingernails, Vaughn calculated the situation. A thousand scenarios ran through the strings of his mind, as he carefully read the situation. He has to survive. Afterall, it was the matter of his revenge and he never left anything undone.

  The King, finally agitated from all the hollering among his senate members, finally raised his hand for silence, but before he could drive the senate further, Vaughn interrupted loudly, silencing everyone in shock.

  “I would be honoured.” He announced.