[ WP ] The King is dying and decides to abdicate his throne before he dies . During the coronation ceremony , he places the crown on a servant 's head and declares him king , rather than one of his two sons .

The King trembled. I gazed upon him with open pity. It was a posture which did not suit him, this man who we both knew well, this strong and proud personal servant to our family. 
 
 `` WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS?!'' - my brothers usual bellowing voice crashed out towards Father, for the first time nearly appropriate. I shared his outrage, in that moment. 
 Fathers smirk broke then, into uproarious laughter. 
 `` FATHER!'' he bellowed again. 
 But the former king only laughed harder, in response, and thus slowly starved my brothers rage down to puzzlement. And then to a great sadness, which it pained my own heart to see emerge slowly across his face. For none in the family had loved the servant more than he - and none been loved. 
 
 What must come next would be hard, for either of us. The rules concerning succession of the throne were defined, quite completely, as a matter of Scripture - which we both knew well, or at least, for my brother, well enough. A healthy King, not of mortal age, was forbidden from voluntarily abdicating his station to any other than a direct heir. The new King, though certainly aged, would have no honest claim to being'mortally' so for many years, or even decades, hence. The Kingdom had not lasted as long as it had by permitting such drawn-out succession dramas - things would be settled this day. 
 
 The old man on the throne watched keenly now, as the strong young challenger approached his victim, who stood staring at the floor. 
 `` I'm sorry, Teacher.'' 
 The King looked up, into his executioners eyes, then turned to finally meet the stare of his condemner. I stared as well, searching for meaning, any reason for this monstrous final act. 
 `` Nay,'' His first, and likely last, Proclamation. ``'t is I who has cause to apologize.'' 
 He turned back, now raising his hand to rest it on the strong sons broad shoulder. `` But not you, my dearest, and neither shall you have any cause to apologize to me.'' He breaks out into a large and genuine smile. `` There is no crisis here today!'' His hands move shakingly up to the the metal upon his head. `` I hereby - `` 
 
 I step forward, and plunge my dagger into the nape of his neck. 
 `` I hereby claim this Kingdom, by right of conquest.'' I seem not to speak the words, but rather simply open my mouth and let them echo from some unknown cavern inside of me. 
 I look to my father - he nods sagely. I look to my brother - my poor brother stares into the dead mans eyes, still waiting for the next word.
