– The Throne

were being

rsations between masked technicians, cables running like veins benea

, he did

d said only three

orld w

ared to ask

anished again-th

flection had stopped

Lilly summoned him t

e illusion of being everywhere at once. At its center stood a throne made entirely of

sat upon i

rown. She did

," she

ob

. His reflection stared ba

at you

d

e what

ated. "Ob

hat you give me. I want t

don't

ro

refoot ar

. A man made of hunger and fear. N

n. Her breath

ens... when I

the announce

entertainment empire-post

een. One wo

A single gold crown

exploded wi

ulat

ms ig

s a film, a performance

n knew

morning, he was

, white, and silver. Shimmeri

en Lilly said. "Not for

om was

ite floors and walls, flo

d in the

him, fitting the new collar, brushing his

ched from a gla

," she

the motions she

e

kn

his heart,

dience

d lines f

to fall, but to

lose power, but t

rs. Ent

his knees, arms

lappe

ga

ag

ag

led against the marble. Until the words no

e broadcast, somethi

amber when he found a lette

as no s

s

ne sen

to wear the chain. Yo

ands tr

note in the

ords foll

nce. Even in

to remember what

e performance, Quee

ce. Commands. May

fered some

be

r

she pulled back the sheets an

tood

for comfort," she wa

nod

ppe

er like a fr

n't tou

she

er what you we

. was angry. Star

d n

n't k

pered. "That mea

osed h

d nothi

rld wa

ens, millions tuned in

in silence. A bl

ure, kneelin

e

him. His collar shimmered with embedde

oice echoed thr

He is not your idol. Not you

s mi

ooded th

ro

we

n the pe

rooms designed to test posture, restrai

till while mechanical arms circled h

strangers appeared, sho

ained

obe

end

m was the Cha

one stood at

y descende

ing

like p

of pure silver an

"p

"b

"sla

"K

he b

eamed dow

she re

eneath the layers,

the chain t

round hi

whisp

m what worshi

wled f

shame-but o

sed he

her

his forehea

en faded

word rea

be

idn't know

lled it

lled it d

hey talked. They po

ce was e

ling. N

kne

ne

for three d

once did