One Night With The King: The Next Empire

Esther POV This morning I woke up with a heavy heart. My husband Xerxes is dead. We have laid him to rest earlier in the day. I am now being arraigned as queen for the last time. I have to place the crown Xerxes once wore upon Benjamin's head. Of course it isn't the exact crown but he holds a few of the jewels as well as King Darius before him. Looking at my son is like looking into the face of Xerxes again. "Your highness your liter is waiting, I know this must be hard for you. Everyone in the palace knows how much you loved the king." Hatach spoke while embracing. I am grateful for his years of friendship. "Let's do this one last time after today I am no longer queen and no longer wish to be called Esther but Hadassah." I answered exiting what was once Xerxes chambers. The room will be handed over to Benjamin later tonight. As I went through the corridors that led to the throne room. I remembered all of the memories we once shared. [Flashback] While I walk through the palace with Hegai I am curious as to my being summoned. We turn down a dimly lit corridor and I start to inwardly panic. I have never seen this part of the palace before. Why is no one else in this area? Why is it extremely quiet? Why is it so far away from every other bedchamber? My thoughts were interrupted by Hegai. "Seat yourself on the stool and read the scroll. It is the chronicles of the King, the royal diary. Through these doors you are no longer a candidate, you are a servant. Remember the protocol to approach uninvited is death." he said. I looked up at him with realization of what was behind those golden doors we stopped at. "I read for the King, alone? Like this?" I replied taking in my inadequate attire. He shrugged and I walked into the room with caution. I had never seen the King up close. I felt very nervous to even be in the same room as him. Anyways I sat on the stool like I was supposed to and opened the scroll and began to read. "Daily entry 23. Egyptian wheat reserves were reported at half the normal levels due to a recent drought. Admiral Xtes was honored for serving twenty years in the Royal Fleet. After a lengthy speech, he promptly keeled over and died." I giggled after reading that but continued on. "25. Three herd of sheep were stolen from Dirmalmirah, Satrap of Midea. He requests that the crown send out the proper authority." I realized this sounded just like the story of Jacob so I began to tell it. "And so Jacob, also a shepherd by trade, was sent off into the far, far-off land where he came across the fair Rachel tending her father's sheep. He was smitten, and went and rolled the stone from the well, and watered her flock for her. Then Jacob kissed Rachel and lifted up his voice and wept with joy. When Laban, Rachel's father, heard of this, he said to Jacob, "Should you serve me for nothing? Tell me, what shall your wages be?" Jacob said, "I will serve you seven years for your daughter Rachel." So Jacob served seven years tending Laban's sheep. And they only seemed but a few days, for the love he had for her. Then Jacob said to Laban, "Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled." So Laban threw a great wedding feast, but in the dark of the evening Laban brought his older daughter in to Jacob. And, behold, in the morning it was Leah, not Rachel. Jacob was shocked. He said to Laban, "What is this thou hast done unto me? Did I not serve with thee for Rachel? Why, then, have you beguiled me?" I was interrupted by Xerxes' voice behind me. When did he move? How come I never noticed his movements? I was honestly terrified of how he would react. "Why, then, have you beguiled me? I must admit that never before has such a tale been found in the pages of a royal diary. Here I expect to be lulled to sleep by tedious reports, instead I'm beguiled by a love story. And how ends your tale? This Jacob, he's able to have his bride? He's able to have her?" he inquires as walks from behind me to where he was originally behind the curtains. The look on his face was one of expectancy. I needed to answer and quickly. "Only after serving seven more years for her, my lord King." I replied while looking down chastised for my outburst. "Believeth you in such, love?" he asked with another expectant look although his tone appeared softer. " Is not the greatest commandment no matter what God one serves." I replied sheepishly. "How do they call you?" He asks genuinely. He really wants to know my name? What have I done? "Esther of Susa." I replied using my pagan name just like I promised Mordecai I would. "Susa? No, nothing good ever comes out of Susa. Look at me." he replied with a smirk. I don't think I understand the joke but who am I to question a king. He stares at me for a moment before answering. " Come, come if you wish to see what I do." he said before extending a hand and inviting me to approach him. Once inside the curtain he explains the clay figure on the table as the Greek god of love and makes the comparison between love and poison by saying the symptoms are the same. I nod my head in agreement. He then turns to Hegai who has appeared in the room unnoticed. I am escorted away from the royal bedchamber and charged to tell no one what happened. Of course I will not as I am just fortunate to get a chance to be in the presence of the great king of Persia. [Flashback Over] Those were great times and they had now come to an end. I carried my love for my beloved husband forever in my heart. I approached the throne room and waited for Hegai to announce me. "Presenting for the last time Queen Esther, wife of beloved King Xerxes, may he rest in peace." He spoke. Moments later the grand doors opened and I began my walk down the aisle with my husband's robe and scepter in possession. The people bowed reverently before me as they have done countless times before. I sat upon his throne and waited for Benjamin to arrive. Princess Sarah was announced first and came into the room solemnly. She kneeled in front of the throne and shed a few tears for Xerxes as well. I smiled a comforting smile towards her as she arose to await her husband. "I appeal to you by the order of King Xerxes and Queen Esther, your crowned Prince Benjamin. As it is written in the chronicles following the death of his father the coronation takes place. It is the will of the late king that Persia adheres to him." Hegai announced my son's arrival. He entered solemnly as well knowing his place he kept his head held high. I knew that it had tp be hard to assume the throne this way. He waited at the bottom of the stairs showing honor to me and his father's throne. I extended the scepter to him allowing him to approach. He ascended the stairs and bowed in front of me. I remember the first time he had done this was before his father. [Flashback In Xerxes POV He lifted his eyes towards and smiled brightly replying, "You sent for me my lord." I could not be more proud than I was at the moment. He knew not address me as father, what else did Esther teach him? "I did young prince you may rise. You have learned well from the queen and Hegai." I answered with a smile. "Yes your majesty, Queen Esther and Hegai have spent many months preparing me for this day. I am ready to take on my responsibility as the crowned prince." He replied and I turned to my queen with a warm smile. She smiled in return before I turned my attention back to my son. I stood up from my throne and grabbed his hands in my own before speaking, "On this day I give your crowned prince and heir to the Medo-Persian Empire, Benjamin. It is my will that you regard him as you would your king." I turned to Harbona who stood with my son's crown on a red pillow behind me. I lifted the crown off of the pillow and turned to place it upon my son's head. He bowed before the crown even touched his head. Once he stood up completely I reached out my hand for him to take. He placed his hand in mine and we turned to entire throne room of Persians which erupted in praise for the new prince. [Flashback Over] "You sent for me Queen Esther." He asked and I couldn't help but smile at my firstborn. "Yes my prince I did, as were King Xerxes wishes I am to pass the crown onto you." I said. I removed his crown from his head and sat it on the pillow behind me that rested on his former throne. I turned to my son with his crown as king in my hands. "On this day I give you your new king of the Medo-Persian empire. I also present to you his wife, Sarah. Benjamin please place the signet rings of the kings before you on your right hand and then extend your left." I said with authority. Once he done what I had requested, I placed his new signet ring on his left ring finger. I then touched the scepter to it symbolizing his authority. After doing so I placed the crown on his head. "Persians it is my honor to be the first to acknowledge King Benjamin, son of Xerxes. It is my will that you obey him and regard him as such. I also will the title of queen be bestowed upon Sarah." I spoke authoritatively while removing my crown from my head. I turned to Sarah and placed her new crown upon her head. I then handed the scepter to my son the king. I stepped to the left and let Benjamin sit for the first time on his father's throne. He turned to the left and gestured for me to step forward. "As requested by my father before me, I bestow the honor of Queen Mother upon you. As was your request the people will no longer call you Esther but Hadassah. I place this crown back upon your head until your death. Your signet ring will hold just as much power as mine. Anything you decree shall be law. Persia will still reverence you as if you were still queen. That is my will." Benjamin spoke and then bowed to me, Sarah following suit. Hours later we went our separate ways into our chambers, of course Sarah was in the queen's chambers. I was moved into Xerxes chambers as Benjamin had requested that his chambers would remain untouched out of respect for me. I would spend my days here. I won't really be required to do much except come when Benjamin summons me in court. I settled into the bed we once shared, his scent still lingered on the pillows. I cried silently until sleep consumed me.