The problem of becoming a monarch at such a young age was that no one took him seriously, not even his own mother, nor did they count on him for government decisions. In a way this was the fault of the last years of his father's reign, in which it was the ministers and not the king who governed; but it was not a time to point out guilty parties, but to look for solutions.

—Has your Majesty thought what name he will use during his reign? By tradition from his great-great-grandfather, Hesbig I, the sovereigns have…

—I will be Alanzor Hasbim —He interrupted Hokas.

That tradition was really painful in the boy's opinion. For generations the kings had reused the name of the great Hesbig I, who was emperor, and then dedicate themselves to losing land, gold and prestige. No, definitely he would not continue with that tradition.

—Then that will be —Agreed the only minister in whose rectitude the young man trusted—. As for the death of his brother…

—Must we talk about that subject now? —Asked his mother, who of course was with him everywhere now that she was the most powerful woman in the palace.

—Madam, the death of an heir is a matter that must be investigated —The minister replied demurely.

—My stepson Hesbig died of his excesses, everyone knows it —Added the female.

(Everyone suspects you, fool. They think you killed him to put me on the throne, and the truth is that it does not surprise me to think about how you talk about his death) Alanzor thought as he smiled condescendingly at Hokas.

—I would like to know what killed my brother, if you know already —Said the young king to end the discussion of the two adults.

—According to the royal physician, Prince Hesbig's heart failed due to overexertion during his conjugal activities —The minister cleared his throat.

—What I told you before —Said the king's mother once more.

That woman was once a beautiful foreign princess with white skin, blue eyes and golden hair. However, the marriage with the polygamous father of Alanzor, the constant fights with the other women of the harem and the stress of not having his coveted male had turned her into an unbearable harlot.

—Mother, it is clear that the loss of my sister Minla —Who died during the epidemic —and of my father have deeply affected you. Would not you rather go to rest in your rooms instead of being here?

—How can I prefer to be in another place instead of staying with my son when he needs me the most?

(If you really wanted to help me you would remain silent) the boy thought somewhat bitter.

—Do you know what eye colour have my nephew?

The golden eye colour of the royal family was not visible from the moment the child was born, but appeared from the tenth day of the infant's life. It was such a special feature that, if the baby had it, he would have become the heir of Alanzor, being ahead of his elder relatives and even the king's own children if they did not inherit this characteristic.

—Browns, your majesty.

That was a relief, because with a heir younger and easier to control than him the life of the king of fourteen years would have run in more danger if possible.

—His mother will be disappointed —The female there smiled wickedly.

(At least you should disguise your joy) in thoughts, Alanzor reproached the woman who had brought him into the world.

He did not hate his mother, but he could not stand her either. She was one of the few people to whom he owed respect for his position and kinship and that put him in a difficult situation.

—Hokas, do you think it would be possible to end the uprising of the western lords before my coronation? —He spent the whole morning mulling over the expense reports of that conflict.

—Your Majesty? —The good man asked without understanding.

—I understand that it is my older brother, Malakar, who leads our army there. I wish to visit him —Before any of those present people could oppose him, he added—. I'm counting on you Hokas to make it possible —He dismissed the minister.

—Alan, dear son, what…?

—Mother… —He bit his tongue to keep from shutting her up—. To tell the truth, I also wanted to order something. Something I can only entrust to you —he tried to make the task seem more important than it really was.

—What is it, my son?

—I need you to make a list with all the palace women. Their names, origins, descent and occupation must appear on the list.

He knew that she would understand that he was referring to the harems of his father and brother, and also to him sisters who were still alive.

—It's an important task —She said, with her face lit up.

(What on earth would she have understood that I want her to do?) the young king asked himself.

—It is —He nodded without showing what he was thinking—, and for that reason mother will be excused from the political meetings until you finish with the task that I have assigned you.

That way he would at least get rid of her comments and interruptions for some time.

—I will —She agreed—. But, my son, why do you want to go west before your coronation? And more while at war: it is dangerous —At that moment the female did not seem the proud and hysterical queen he had always known, but a real mother concerned about the welfare of her son.

(I need a position of power. If I allow Malakar to gain prestige for his military conquests then no one can prevent him from claiming the throne for himself) thought the boy, who feared for his own safety.

—I must go or I will not deserve the crown —He said to his mother.

(In addition, that absurd revolt is costing us too expensive) mentally criticized the mismanagement of the conflict.

Of course she did not understand it, neither she nor anyone else. But he was now the king and his orders were obeyed despite the fact that many thought it was a childish whim coming from a still immature king.