SOLVED. Perfect State, by Brandon Sanderson: Fantasy short story about a man who is king of his own country, matrix style, where everyone when born gets to be the ruler of their own country. [s]

[Molly]

This story is short story from a fantasy anthology. The premise is a little like the movie The Matrix, in that when humans are born, they live a "dream" life where each person gets to be the ruler of their own country. Rulers of neighboring territories are other humans. Everyone in a person's country are computers/robots. The man is now bored of ruling his own country and interacting with only computer driven subjects. He goes on a "date" with the ruler from a different country, who turns up in the form of a beautiful woman in a red dress. They go on an adventure, as the man is in a conflict with the ruler of a neighboring country who is trying to beat him.

Fantasy short story from an anthology.

[Veronica]

Perfect State by Brandon Sanderson?
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

[Molly]

Thank you so much Veronica! That's totally it!!!