They called him the Tiger of Sults because of something that happened during his youth, when he was still only an inheriting prince and not the king that they were now incinerating. When Hesbig III, grandfather of Alanzor, still reigned gave his son and future successor a peculiar pet; a tiger. The animal, surely irritated by the capture and the noise, got rid of its bonds and attacked the first thing that crossed its path, which turned out to be the crown prince. Later there were those who thought about the possibility that this was an attempt to assassinate the prince by one of his rivals, but at that moment the only thing that the whole world saw, or so the chronicles narrated, was like the future successor of the Throne killed the tiger with his bare hands. Since then to Hesbig IV, name that would take that brave prince once he ascended to the throne, would be known him by the name of tiger of Sults.

Alanzor could not help thinking how strange it was to remember that story while watching his father's body burn. Under normal circumstances he would never have been so close to the funeral pyre, nor would he have set it on fire, but his half-brother and current king had decided to remain with his wives instead of honoring the one who had given him everything he now had.

(Regrettable) thought the boy referring to the father who had so much favored that bastard bastard who now governed them. Although in reality his stepbrother would only be king of name, since if he continued locking himself in his harem the lords would not take long to take control of the power of the kingdom.

—Brother —Bemlos whispered to get his attention —have they already told you what the king will do with us? —Normally none of them referred to their older half-brother with such respect, but in that ceremony they decided to keep up appearances for fear that someone might hear them.

Bemlos was also his older half-brother, however that was a mere formality. Actually the two young men took just under four months, with Alanzor being the youngest of the two, but the one who had the highest rank because his mother was an official wife and not a concubine with was the case of his best friend.

—I do not think it will take them long to let us know what the king's plans are for us —he said, keeping in mind that they were most likely to be sent away from the capital, if they were not killed.

His father's remains, which at first smelled like grilled meat, now stank of burned flesh, and the young man soon needed to clear his throat after breathing in that stench. Fortunately, he was not the only one who needed to do it.

—Prince Alanzor, maybe it would be a good time for the experts to finish the job while the rest of us go to the banquet hall —suggested Hokas, one of the few ministers who was faithful to the kingdom and not to his own interests.

The boy nodded and the man began to give instructions to proceed with the celebration after the ceremony. Among the instructions was to find the new king to preside over the funeral banquet.

—My mother is hysterical to know what will happen to her —Bemlos sighed, his brown eyes darkening a little more as he thought about the female he was talking about.

—And mine —agreed Alanzor.

Their respective mothers did not get along; rather, they hated each other. Alanzor's mother had been the official queen of Hesbig IV, but Bemlos's had been the king's favorite concubine, which had pitted both women helplessly. This situation worsened greatly when one began to have males while the other only had females, and did not improve after the birth of our protagonist.

—If I were them, I would be more concerned about the possibility of being elected by the new king to be part of his harem to be sent away from the capital —said Tanmi, the head of the guards unit that had been placed at the disposal of Alanzor when after the death of many of his older brothers the youngster became the second in line of succession.

He was a young man, about twenty-five years of age or older, always willing to give his opinion on matters that did not concern him but he served well as the prince's shadow.

—Then it's a good thing you're not part of the harem, Tanmi, —Hokas chided him, indicating that he would regain his place in the parade.

The young princes smiled at the thought of that warrior in one of the flashy dresses that courtesans used to wear.

—What is happening? —Alanzor asked when cries came from the inside of the palace.

Almost immediately Tanmi stood in front of him to protect him from possible danger, and with the same speed the prince grabbed his stepbrother to also guarantee his safety. Fortunately, the only thing that happened was that the messenger that Hokas had sent for the king returned running and visibly hurried.

—Someone…! Someone have killed the king!

Immediately, one of the soldiers who participated in the procession captured the messenger and immobilized him while all the others, except for those who protected Alanzor, left in relief of the king.

—Get Prince Alanzor out of here —Hokas ordered Tanmi.

—Yes sir.

The boy had no choice but to be carried away by his protector to a safe place, and yes, dragging Bemlos with him. It was a somewhat childish action on his part, but he was only fourteen years old at that time and that was not only his stepbrother; it was his best friend.

—Do you think it's true what that man said? Is our head-hollow brother dead?

(I hope not, they would think it was all a mother's plan to put me on the throne) the boy thought.

—I'm sure he's been knocked unconscious by the drink —something that had happened before—. The messenger has confused what he has seen.

—Even so, if it were true and he ...

—You forget his son —he reminded him, realizing that his stepbrother was already pointing him out as the next king.

—And you forget that the hollow head was not crowned yet.

(The coronation ceremony is a mere formality) Alanzor thought.

Also, in terms of power a baby was easier to control. He, on the contrary ... Could he govern if he was named king? He was fourteen years old, true, but age had never been a problem in his family. Did not the great Hesbig I make his first military conquest at the age of fifteen? His great-great-grandfather had to be a great man, and from an early age.

—Any new, Tanmi? —The boy shouted to be heard through the door of his quarters, where the guard had locked them to protect them.

—It's weird that it takes so long to clarify the situation —Bemlos commented.

—I did not think you were a coward —Alanzor taunted him.

—Prince Alanzor, —his guard spoke from the other side of the door—, the ministers of the royal council request permission to enter!

—All of them!? —He asked involuntarily.

—Yes sir! —Replied his faithful watchdog.

—Oh my God! You are king, Alan —said his stepbrother, referring to him with the affectionate name with which only his closest associates used to call him.

(I wish Bemlos was quiet) thought the hurried boy, trying at the same time to keep the composure so that his expression did not reveal his thoughts.

—Make them come! —He ordered Tanmi.

In a way, in his heart he knew why those nobles who had always ignored him had gathered there before him. He knew it and at the same time he could not help feeling nervous, as if he was afraid that everything was a misunderstanding and ... What if the worst had happened and they accused him ...? No, it could not be. Those fat and lazy gentlemen would not have come in person, but would have sent the guards directly for him.

—And well, what happened? Bemlos asked for him.

On that occasion he was grateful that his stepbrother could not keep his mouth shut.

—We regret to inform your highness that the prince —the always correct and faithful Hokas said prince and not king —Hesbig has been found dead in his quarters.

Alanzor had his heart in one fist.

—And my nephew?

—There is no reason to worry about the health of Prince Hesbig's son. —At that moment, the boy was sure that the minister was speaking on purpose.

—So…

—Long live the king! —Bemlos interrupted him as he dropped his knee to the floor.

—Long live the king! —Hokas followed, who despite his years also knelt.

—Long live the king!! —The rest shouted, copying the gesture.

For some reason, being revered by those who throughout his life had ignored him, the young man felt more in danger than ever. And at the same time, somewhat excited by what was to come.