What I noticed initially were all the gilded necklaces, crowns, and adorned attire of the guests. Dressed as a gaudy emperor, I shifted my tie to the side as a subtle show of defiance. My aide, Inda, to the left of me, gave me a sharp glance, but didn’t want to make a scene. She’s much more poised than I ever since we were thirteen. I am the emperor who never cared for the title, and she is from the middle class.

Inda says with a forced smile, “ Would you like to sit, Emperor?” Nodding my head in agreement, we walk to the enormous silver table lined with tantalising desserts and drinks, and take our seats. In her mind, Inda is thinking of what ways the Emperor will make his claims. Will he finally listen to the teachings and etiquette she has begged him to follow tonight? Before Inda can explore that thought further, the king enters the room.

The king was a man with radiant energy; his shifts in mood could be felt throughout the room. When he laughed, there was a symphony of forced audience laughter that filled the large dining hall. His opinions were the first thing to be said, with no regard for the people or provinces he was insulting.

As I listen to the king, I grab a slice of passionfruit cake for myself and Inda, as a hopeful gesture of goodwill for the words to come.

As I hand her the slice, I say, “Remember, what I say tonight could define our actions to come.” She accepts the dessert with a raised eyebrow.

Moments into eating, I am patiently waiting for a good time to speak, but the king is boasting on and on about the regiment he is expanding. A regiment that everyone else knows has been raiding towns and stealing from poor families for months now. All in the name of building upon the kingdom’s wealth. "

“And now he wants to increase their numbers!”I think to myself.

Inda says, “ Once he has finished boasting, then seize your chance to speak, before another blowhard does.”

I hardly noticed what she said; rather, I am thinking about all that it took to get to this moment. Finding the right attire, meeting with the people of these ravished homes. Here in the presence of the king, he is joyful of the turmoil he has brought to our citizens. My ears and head grow hotter and hotter from rage, and my fist begins to clench so tightly that my knuckles turn red.

In that moment, I forgot about respect and hierarchy and yelled, “ YOU ARE A RULER OF MURDERERS, YOU BEING THE WORST OF THEM ALL!”