Author's note: This was actually written for my English III AP class.
I have done it.
At the moment, I am standing at the top of my empire, atop the highest tower of my castle, gazing down at my kingdom.
When my tutors told me I was crazy, this was too big a feat, I did not listen to them. One of my tutors, Sir Fathen, was not like the others. He, as my history teacher, told me that such things had been done, just not in our part of the universe. In our land, there has never been such a ruler as I. There was only ever a king or queen, and he or she has always been peaceful, therefore keeping our country relatively peaceful as well. But Sir Fathen told me that in other lands, people have conquered their own nation or even conquered people from nations near them. Sir Fathen told me of a man, Sir Machiavelli, who wrote an entire piece of literature on the subject of acquiring, maintaining, and keeping a nation. I immediately demanded that Sir Fathen bring me a copy of this.
When I finally acquired this book, titled "The Prince", I marveled at how Sir Machiavelli had compiled such a stunning inventory of regulations. Even more amazing was that he was not a Prince himself. He evidently gathered all this information in order to tell Princes how to rule, and perhaps even to mock them. Hopefully with this, I will be able to rule for as long as I shall live.
Years have passed and I still rule. I have done what Machiavelli suggested. I have created sound laws and I have an all powerful army; I have ruled with my iron fist, yet I have remained merciful in the eyes of my people; I have appointed intelligent nobles and staff, though not so intelligent as to turn on me. I have done everything right so far. I intend for it to stay that way.
HOW DARE THEY DO THIS TO ME? I was a fair and just dictator! I held my country together in times of dreadful crises! AND THEY DARE TO ATTEMPT AN ATTACK ON MY LIFE? They shall pay! ALL OF THEM!
I beheaded them all—every noble who decided it was my time to die—I decided it was theirs. But word spread among my people. The repulsive little gossipmongers. They were not fond of the fact that I had executed so many people. When I attempted to explain they only became more fearful, because if the nobles believed it was no longer my time to rule, then I must be unfit to govern any longer.
Although it is my wish to remain leader of this once noble land, I cannot ignore the angry mob at my door. I write these last words in the hope that, if someone should want to rule a country and they happen to stumble upon my notes, they will listen to the last piece of advice I will ever give.
Do not listen to the words of Niccolo Machiavelli. They will only get you killed.