"You sent for me?", I called. My voice bounced off the great marble walls, echoing back to me. There he sat, the Emperor, his small toes hovering above the ground. Another sign that this throne was not meant for him. I gripped the dagger behind my back even tighter. It was either now, or never.

"Yes, I did. Please come forward." he answered sternly. His squeaky voice barely filling the room.

I walked forward out of the shadow of the door, my chest becoming heavier with each step. It's for the good of the empire. Just remember. The good of the empire.

When I finally stepped out into the light, his once lively face, now contorted into a look of disgust. My heart sank and my eyes widened. His fat cheeks pressed against the hood of his brow. His piercing blue eyes, illuminated with fury.

"I'm sorry, my Emperor. But is there something that seems to be troubling you?" I inquired innocently. My mind began to race.

Oh, my god. he knew. How could he know? The sweat began dripping down my hands. I could feel the golden hilt of the dagger slipping out of my fingers.

"I know" he muttered begrudgingly. His face sinking into his velvet robes. His once golden hair, now a light brown due to his distaste for bathes. His crown barely staying on top of his oily head.

I could feel my heartbeat bursting out of my chest. My breaths becoming shallower and quicker. No, this can't be it. There have been too many signs. Too many opportunities for this to finally to be over. I could feel my breath escaping me.

"Kn....know what?" I finally managed to sputter out, hoping he would finally lift his head. I could feel the knife slipping out of my hand, and with it, the empire.

"What you've been planning. I know everything." he growled as he leaned forward. His red pudgy hands tightly gripping the ruby handles of his throne. His blue eyes watery with rage. The veins on his neck pulsating like a drum. I had never seen him this angry before.

I stepped back in shock. The dagger slipping out of my wet hands into the frigid air. I fell to my knees in defeat as the dagger clamored against ground behind me. Ringing against the hall floor like the sound of an alarm. This was it. Please. god just give me one more sign. The clanging of the knife still ringing in my ears.

Silence followed.

"I'm sorry." I finally croaked. The tears began to well into my eyes. Everything lost. Years, months, days of planning. All lost. Lost someone like him. The last bit of hope for the empire slipping between my fingers.

I stared defeatedly as I watched his small but swollen body writhe in anger. This Emperor could barely fit into his throne let alone rule.

Wait. How could I lose to someone like him? The thoughts of retribution continued to fester and dance around in my head.

My disappointment quickly dissipated to anger. My muscles recharging with adrenaline.

"It's for the good of the empire!" I screamed. My eyes ablaze and baring into his. The hot tears now streaming down my face. My fingernails digging into my fists so tightly I could feel the warm blood begin to drip down my hands.

A small giggle burst out between his plump lips. His teeth still stained from chocolate.

I can't believe it, he's taunting me. I could feel the hot rage burning against the back of my neck. I need to find that dagger.

I glimpsed over my shoulder to find where the dagger had fallen, but before I could turn around the sound of running footsteps filled my ears. I hastily stiffened my body, ready for the fight that was about to ensue. His menacing laughter filling the hall as he ran towards me. My hands anxiously searching the ground for the dagger.

Time felt as it had slowed down as the golden hilt gleamed beneath the foot of the chair. As I reached for it, my head hit the stone floor before I could reach the dagger. I look up from the ground to see the emperor looming over me like a predator who had just caught their prey. Giggling like a hyena as he sat on my chest.

"It's okay. I was only just messing around." he giggled as he hugged me. My body still stiff. The thoughts in my head had stopped racing. My brain still foggy from my head hitting the floor. I wiped the tears away from my eyes so I could see his face more clearly.

"What?" I murmured out. His face no longer twisted into a look of fury, but into the sweet look of a childish joy. Was this the sign from god?

"I knew you were planning something amazing for my eighth birthday. I tried to trick you into telling me, but you always stink at telling secrets." he teased as bits of chocolate crumbs fell from his lips onto my chest. His fat cheeks red from laughter.

"Get off of me." I muttered as I shoved his small frame off of my chest. The fog slowly clearing from my brain. My eyes desperately darting around the room for the dagger. Hopefully I find it before he does.

"Here." he said. He hands barely big enough to hold on to the metal hilt. His blue eyes still gleaming with enjoyment. He must have never noticed I dropped it. Probably too busy trying to conceal his silly attempt of a prank from me.

"I found it under the chair, silly" he laughed shoving the dagger closer to my hands. As I snatched the dagger out of his hands, my eyes quickly fixated onto something that glittered from across room. My whole-body electrifying with awe. There lied the crown glistening against the torch light as it lay on the stone floor. Not on the Emperor's head.

This was it. This was my sign from god. In his attempt to taunt me, the stupid fool hadn't noticed the crown had slipped off his head. It must of fell of when he tackled me. Finally, it was my time to take the throne.

"Trust me, you're never going to guess what the surprise is." I teased. A smirk began to grow across my lips. Adrenaline running through my veins faster than before. My fingertips tightening around the golden hilt. In the reflection of the blade, I could see a vision of myself sitting on the throne. The empire once again, back into my hands.

As I stood deep in thought, the emperor jumped into my chest, his little arms wrapping into a tight hug.

"You're the best big sister ever." he muffled as he buried his head deep into my dress. His small fingers squeezing my back firmly.

"Best big sister ever." I muttered as I raised the dagger above his back. The torch light bouncing of the blade's reflection. Making the dagger look like it was made of fire. My eyes eagerly glanced back to the front of the room. The crown and the throne, sitting there waiting. Waiting for their rightful ruler.

It was either now, or never.