Prince Oliver’s face was on every TV screen, iPad, and web browser in the city. Yesterday the fighting had finally ended, and it was now the prince’s duty to give an official statement on the terrible price that the war had cost them.

The prince’s voice cracked and his lips trembled as he began. “It is with great anguish that I address you today. Yesterday the war with Helios finally came to an end, which should cause much joy, but there is no joy in my heart.

“We have successfully defended you, our loving wives and our beloved children, from a fate worse than death, but the cost is too much for me to bear.”

Oliver’s voice caught in his throat. He struggled to hold back tears. He bowed his head to compose himself.

“Besides the sacrifice of your husbands and sons, the highest price we have paid is that of our beloved King Ben. He did not return from battle,” he sputtered. Oliver could not go on until he had cleared his throat and swallowed the heavy emotions that were bubbling to the surface. “I would recount his last moments, but I have not the strength, for the King was killed because of me. He came to my rescue in the final minutes of the battle and sacrificed his life for mine.”

Prince Oliver could not continue. Tears streamed down his face. He sobbed and wiped at his tears. His wife stepped forward in her stately dress and put her arms around him. She laid her head on his shoulder, disheveling her expertly formed hair. She closed her eyes as tears rolled down her cheeks followed by the running eyeliner.

The prince did not continue for several minutes. His wife cuddled and comforted him. Many of the royal family and other officers behind the podium dabbed at wet eyes.

“You all know that King Ben was not only a good king, but I daresay he was the best king this world has known in many generations. Instead of burdening us with heavy taxes, he maintained a full-time job and required that everyone in the royal family did the same. He served us with all the energy of his heart. He was a great father, a great farmer, and a great king.

“You may be asking why Crown Prince Carter, my beloved brother —” The last word caught in his throat and he stopped once again to hold back his tears. “You may be asking why he is not giving this speech. He too died valiantly defending our peace and way of life. He will be missed by all, but most of all by me.

“I could never hope to be as good as he was. He was my dearest friend and this country treated him like a son. We all looked forward to the day that he would be king. I could never hope to replace either my brother or my father.

“But because of an evil war that was waged against us they are gone. And now I must,” the prince paused again to compose himself.

“Now I must be your king.”

Another pause.

“I know that I will never live up to the stature of King Ben, but I will serve you and work hard so that you all feel our love for you. So that you feel God’s love for you. And I promise you that your husbands and your sons have not died in vain. We will live in peace because of their ultimate sacrifice.”

A young officer who served in the military that was standing on the far right side of the stage did something that caused a chain reaction throughout those standing on the stage, and everyone that was gathered at the capitol building.

The soldier kneeled down on his left knee. He swiftly swung his right arm forward so that it rested on his right knee. Lastly, he slowly bowed his head so that his forehead rested on that arm.

It was the city-state’s sign of respect and adoration. Everyone understood it and one by one, they too fell to their knee in the same memorized movements as the young soldier until everyone in the plaza was bowing before the new king.