Two Yellow Tulips (Prolouge)

The new Emperor, first ruler of Theopaís, stood in front of the thousands that had gathered to hear his first speech, well aware that the impressions he made that day would last for the rest of his reign. His soft, caring, brown eyes scanned the crowd, trying to tell who would be the one that would serve as his example. Many stood out, but not enough to make a solid choice, he decided he’d have to wait and observe reactions to the speech before picking someone.1

The proud, young man looked over his shoulder, smirking at the sight of his Elite Police; the men in black coats, standing in a row behind him, weapons at the ready. He gave the slightest nod of his head and with a great explosion of sound; the officers fired the shotguns into the air. Instantly the crowd quieted.2

***3

Near the front of the crowd, four year old Kyle Hadget sat on his father’s shoulders, index fingers firmly in his ears. For the young boy, today was quite exciting; he never knew so many people could fit into the court yard at Capitol Square. He didn’t understand why the adults looked so sad, scared and angry. 4

Kyle, of course, new about the war that had ended recently; everyone did. His mother had lost a brother in the last of the large battles and he remembered how unhappy his parents had been when they received the news; his mother cried for days. But, the war was over and as far as Kyle knew, that should have been a cause for celebration. 5

Highly confused, Kyle removed his fingers from his ears and paid careful attention as the handsome man up on the platform cleared his throat and began to speak.6

“People of Theopaís, you stand before me as my subjects and I before you, as your Emperor.” His voice was raspy and deep, a jarring contrast to his boyish face and unruly black hair. Out of the corner of his eye, Kyle saw his beloved mother draw in a sharp breath and reach for her husband’s hand. He realized that she was afraid, but still didn’t understand why. Surely this beautiful, mesmerizing man could not be so awful. “My followers have done well, defeating and destroying the majority of your military. You have only your soldiers to blame for what has befallen your country, so do not dare despise me.”7

The Emperor smiled arrogantly over the people, as angry whispers stirred in each direction. “I am your pillar of strength, I am you sovereign lord and protector, I am the great decision maker and you will abide by my governing as though I were your father and friend.”8

At this, the people could no longer contain themselves; shouts rose up from every conceivable area within the crowd. An old man standing next to the Hadgets hollered toward the platform “You are far from being a friend of mine, Boy!” And once more, the youngest of the three Hadgets covered his ears.9

“Silence, you remarkable fools! You do not have to befriend me,” The Emperor continued, rather indifferently, “but, if you value your life, you will respect me as if you had and will treat me just the same. My Black Coats, the Elite Police, will not hesitate to follow any order. Capitol Punishment can be issued in a second.” 10

“Was it on your order then, that my grandchildren were slaughtered in there sleep?” The old man cried. “And was it because of you that my son and wife had to watch? And as if that wasn’t torture enough, my son had to see his wife decapitated? Tell me, Emperor,” a sad, bitter sarcasm shook his words, “was it on your order?”11

“You’re the patriarch of the Monroe family, aren’t you? Jackson? Yes, well, you and your son were two of the most important men in the old political climate of your country; it was necessary to break you. I’m deeply sorry that your son took his own life; he could have been a very valuable asset. Apparently he was weaker than I thought. But, I did request silence and you disobeyed. Punishment is, of course necessary…” The Emperor’s arrogant, mocking grin stayed firmly in place as the enraged old man pushed forward. “Shoot him.”12

The five Black Coats that stood closest to where Hadgets was in the crowd raised their weapons and simultaneously fired on the man named Jackson Monroe. The crowd scattered, as Kyle’s mother took her sobbing child into her arms and his father lead them away. 13

“Return to your homes instructions, laws and further information will be delivered to each household within the next forty-eight hours.” The Emperor said calmly as he watched the chaos unfolding before him. He never stopped grinning.14