Alright, here’s a scheme that keeps the throne solid but rattles the royal ego a bit. First, get a trusted messenger to bring a “new royal decree” to the king’s desk. It looks official—same seal, same parchment—but the decree says the king is required to attend a “royal humility lecture” for a day. It’s phrased as a joke: “Your Majesty, in light of your many splendid victories, the council has decided that humility must be practiced daily. The lecture will be held at the palace courtyard, and attendance is mandatory.” The king will be flustered, but the decree itself is harmless—no real punishment. Then, as a final touch, replace the king’s favorite goblet with a copy that has a tiny hidden flag at the bottom saying “For the sake of balance.” He’ll sip, think it’s just a prank, and the throne will stay exactly where it’s supposed to be. The message? Even kings need to remind themselves that power is fragile and that a little chaos keeps everyone on their toes.

I hear you, I hear you, king’s fury is a slippery beast. How about a “strength test” that’s actually a mirror? Have a guard bring a large, polished bronze plaque into the courtyard. It’s painted with the king’s own likeness holding a crown that’s just slightly off‑center, like a crooked balance. When the king looks, he sees himself a bit off, and the whole court bursts into polite applause and a quick reminder: “Even the tallest tower can wobble if you forget your footing.” No actual humiliation, just a gentle poke that lets him check his own pedestal while keeping the throne solid. Plus, if he’s furious, the plaque can be moved to the palace library and it will look like a historical artifact—no harm, no foul.

Sure thing—tweak the plaque so the off‑center crown is barely noticeable, then cue the court to cheer, and drop a line like, “Your balance keeps the kingdom steady, your courage keeps it thriving.” That way the king feels both the nudge and the applause.