But the people you rule over tend to act out. Countless acts of slander and betrayal, secrets and lies, have left a mark over your beloved people of your kingdom. But you're so merciful that you pardon them everytime. Every assassination attempt, every swindled tax payment, every burglary and theft, you have pardoned. Do these deeds anger you? Of course they do, but you are a merciful leader. You over everything. Do you have feelings of anger and retribution towards your people? Do you want to punish every single terrible action of theirs? Do you want to destroy every wrong-doer that rears his head? Yes. Yes you do. You want to make every single person suffer for every single thing that has angered you. Burn all bridges. Show no mercy. Sever all ties to anybody that did you wrong.
At first, it seems like a great idea. Without those to anger you, your reign will be at peace. You could even start over. Start a new, better kingdom complete with that New-Kingdom smell. Yes, that's the solution. What's not to like about it? Everyone would be good again. Revere you, treat the kingdom correctly, pick up their mess and never wrong you. You prepare the fires. You ready yourself for the torrents of wrath. The power to restart is all yours, in the tip of your fingers. With one word, your servants will purge the kingdom in flame and smoke. Your lips begin to form the words necessary to begin, but you lock up.
You begin to think that the suffering you're in now is better than anything that could come from starting over. Hell, even if you do start over, who's to say that people won't revolt? What guarantee is there that leads you to believe it'll solve your problems? There is none. With that realization you call off the destruction. Bridges stay intact. The assassins, bandits and thieves remain unharmed. You walk back to your throne, defeated. A period of good comes over your kingdom. Then in one swift action, everything comes crashing down on you again. A tidal wave of remorse and hatred overcomes your being and yet you do nothing. There is nothing you can do. You thought you allowed your empire to live and thrive but the empire you so much adore is the one in control. It has you by the neck. It strangles you and you know there is a way out. But you don't seek it. Your control is a myth and you are overwhelmed with unknowing.
Your empire continues its cycle between bliss and misery. You believe you can better it, but the fear of the unknown has you in its grips, cackling maliciously.
