That's one hell of a fairy tale. So cruel and so true. Like the mirror of the throne, it reflects the evil that rules th minds of rulers to the point of self anihilation.
The idea of a whole population turned into the food of another is one not so far from some realities. Sometimes cannibalism adopts different forms. The same people who may be devouring their fellow countrymen in more ways than they can imagine or admit, may hypocritically react in disbelief when some other people acts violently against another.
Very good story. Great use of the tropes and required elements.
So sorry for such a late response.
It sounds like you are a literature major. :-) I love the analysis of my work. When I was in college I was a feedback junkie (I probably still am) and I very much enjoyed sitting around and discussing the works of various authors. Your comment takes me right back to those days. :-)