Power & Control

"Huh... Did your father send you here as a hostage, Princess Guinevere?" King Uther asked with a judgmental gaze fixed upon her as she stood before him in the grand throne room. His expression turned thoughtful as he continued, his voice tinged with suspicion.

"It is unlike him to do something like this, especially for a man who loves his daughter above all else. Strange, indeed."

"I came here of my own will, King Uther," Princess Guinevere responded with firm determination evident in her tone, her eyes resolute.

"My father did not send me as a hostage. We wished to demonstrate our sincerity through our act of surrender." With those words, she gracefully knelt before the imposing figure of King Uther, bowing her head to signify both submission and allegiance, a gesture meant to convey her unwavering loyalty to his reign.

Instead of directly acknowledging or refuting her show of allegiance, King Uther posed a rhetorical question, his voice laced with intrigue.

"Do you understand why Gaius Julius Caesar ultimately failed, while Augustus triumphed in the complex Game of Thrones, Guinevere?" He leaned forward slightly, his piercing gaze holding hers as he elaborated.

"When we examine the history closely, we see that Caesar spared many of his enemies. He extended mercy, offering them second chances. Yet, despite his clemency, he was betrayed. But what of Augustus? He wielded the butcher's knife not just against his foes, but also against his allies. His cruelty knew no bounds; he struck down even Caesar's former generals, and Caesar's own children were not exempt from his ruthless nature. And yet, despite all this, why did Augustus emerge victorious? Why did he win where Caesar failed?"

"I... I do not know, King Uther," Princess Guinevere admitted humbly, her voice betraying her uncertainty.

"Their tale is intricate and shrouded in political complexities that I struggle to understand." She hesitated briefly before continuing, aware that she did not fully grasp the significance of his question or how it related to her loyalty, but fearing to displease him, she answered as honestly as she could, "I am not well-versed in the workings of politics."

King Uther sighed deeply, as if reminiscing about something long past.

"Because of power, Caesar may have spared their lives, but he wasn't merciful enough to share it. Augustus, on the other hand, demonstrated his willingness to share power, even with his enemies, including the man who murdered his adopted father."

"It's not forgiveness that people seek, but power."

"You can take their lives, but never their power. That is why Augustus prevailed—because he was willing to compromise, whereas Caesar was too aggressive and refused to share his power."

"Now, do you understand why I have won, why I remain popular even to this day, despite my glaring flaws and cruelty? It's because I never demanded anything from my people. I gave them what they truly desired: power, revenge, and wealth. I gave them what they sought. Your father was never my equal, nor did he ever stand a chance against me, because he didn't even know how to share his power, nor did he have the broadness to share his wealth with his own people. He could have been a ruler in peaceful times, but in chaos, he was nothing more than a mediocre king."

"Go back and tell your father that I do not demand hostages from him. If he wishes to surrender, let him show sincerity. I will attack Vortigern and unite Britannia soon. You know what to say to him, Princess. But remember this—I hate betrayal above all else," Uther declared firmly.

Guinevere couldn't help but feel a sense of incredulity as King Uther allowed her to leave so easily, returning to her home without resistance.

"Don't make me repeat myself, woman," he said firmly.

"Thank you, King Uther," she replied, her voice breaking as tears welled in her eyes. She couldn't stop the flow of emotion, finally heading home after enduring the immense tension of offering herself as a hostage in King Uther's hands. No one could truly understand the pressure she felt when she made that choice.

"I thought you would act cruelly. Everyone thought so," she confessed, her words carrying the weight of rumors and fear.

King Uther, now reclined comfortably on his throne, responded nonchalantly. "I will not raise my hand against someone who shows sufficient respect."

Guinevere nodded gratefully, bowing her head deeply as she retreated from the throne room. With every step she took, her heart lightened, but her mind still whirled with disbelief.

Her departure is a mix of relief and disbelief. She expected cruelty but found a king who respects those who show respect.

King Uther swirled the wine in his glass, watching her figure slowly disappear from view, before taking a casual sip. He remained silent, but his thoughts were anything but idle.

In the end, the answer was clear: it was all about power. When he took Guinevere as a hostage, it was as if he had stripped her father of his authority, power, and will. But what would that bring him? Not respect, not allegiance, but resentment.

By taking Guinevere as a hostage, he could've destroyed her father's authority—taken away the man's pride and power.

But Uther knows that doing so would only create more enemies down the road. He's not interested in creating a martyr or a victim.

He's after something far more durable: control through strategic mercy.

For a man who had faced countless betrayals in his life, how could he not understand this simple truth?

If Vortigern had any sense, he would save Guinevere and return her to her home to win Guinevere's father gratitude and allegiance.

So, when Uther went all out in his attack against Vortigern, what Uther would face in return was a blade in the back.

Power and control. They may not be what humans claim to desire most, but in truth, it's all a lie. Everyone seeks power and control, whether it's in choosing a girl to marry, deciding what to eat the next day, or selecting a career. Without power and control, how can anyone claim to have the freedom to choose?

This is the essence of human nature.

When you strip power away from someone, all you're left with is their thirst for revenge. The tale of Gaius Julius Caesar and Octavian Augustus stands as a prime example of the importance of power and control.

When compared to life itself, people often value power more.

Hah…

When Guinevere's figure had fully disappeared from sight, only King Uther remained seated on his throne, leisurely savoring the taste of the red wine in his hand.

The faint clink of his glass echoed in the quiet chamber, as he pondered over the truth that governs all men.