Long live the King, they all said

As they placed the crown upon his head

And immediately started scheming.

Long live the King, his courtiers said

Between whispers of the way he led

And critiques of his dreaming.

Long live the King, his people said

He watched them from his weary bed

And felt his plans all crumbling.

Long live the King, his servants said

And the one who would rule in his stead

As he watched his monarch stumbling.

Long live the King, his erstwhile allies said

They took the throne and painted red

Smiles across his neck and name.

Long live the King, the people said

And laid the crown on another head

To start it all again.

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A/N: I had another one planned yesterday, but Wattpad was glitching. So here's today's. I've been witnessing some quietly brutal politics at work, so it made me think about all the young heroes who won a crown for themselves in fairytales... and how that's never the end and could well be where it all goes wrong.