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The Empty Throne and Broken Hopes
The capital of Mayana — Eldor.
There stood the grand and mighty Sataar Palace, with towering minarets that kissed the sky.
Every major kingdom had its own Sataar Palace — a sacred place where violence was forbidden.
No sword could be drawn, no blood could be shed... unless war was declared or explicit permission was granted.
Breaking this law had only one punishment: death.
The Sataar Palace wasn't just in Mayana's seven primary kingdoms, but also in every land that had signed a treaty with Mayana.
And today... in the court of Eldor's Sataar Palace, thirteen grand chairs were arranged — six to the right, six to the left, and one magnificent throne in the center.
Seated on the twelve chairs were the rulers of Mayana's seven kingdoms and five chief ministers.
Each king ruled his own land — all except Eldor, which belonged solely to the Emperor.
And the Throne?
It still remained empty… for Mayana had yet to find its true Emperor.
The kings and ministers sat with their pride and arrogance gleaming.
Today was a special day — the Election Day.
All votes were cast.
And when the voting ended, a man — seated on the third chair to the right — slowly rose.
He was neither a king nor a minister.
Draped in a long black cloak, he moved as if darkness itself followed his steps.
With a dazzling smile, he spoke,
"Huhhh... so once again, no one has been chosen."
(Smiling)
"Once again, each one voted for themselves. Truly entertaining... Come here every five years, and watch this circus unfold."
(A little more serious, laced with sarcasm)
"But honestly... if any of you fools had actually been crowned Emperor, Mayana would have been doomed by now."
He then burst out laughing, echoing through the hall, and walked away without a care.
After he left, two kings whispered to each other.
One king — seated fourth to the right — spoke seriously,
"This Mullar... he's all talk. Doesn't participate in elections, doesn't vote, yet mocks everyone else."
The second king (a little louder, with frustration) added,
"True. But he's not wrong either. For another five years, we'll sit in these chairs while the Throne stays empty.
Neither our gain, nor Mayana's."
Then a proud minister, seated last on the left, snapped angrily,
"So what, you expect us to vote for you?
Remember this — none of us here are worthy of the Throne! I would never vote for any of you."
Saying this, he stormed out of the hall.
The rest followed, walking away with slow, weary steps.
The next election... would be five long years later.
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The Inter-Kingdom Laws of the Sataar Palace
Even among the twelve members, there existed a strict hierarchy.
The seven kings held greater power and status than the five chief ministers.
And even among the kings, there was a ranking.
The king seated furthest forward on the right was recognized as the most powerful — the First May King.
After him, the second, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth kings followed in descending order of strength.
Then, seated at the front left, was the Seventh May King.
Behind him sat the five chief ministers — considered lesser in rank compared to the kings.
The closer your chair to the center, the greater your honor and power...
The further back, the lesser your strength and standing.
But one truth gnawed at them all —
The Throne remained empty.
And an empty Throne... was the clearest omen for Mayana's uncertain future.
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