The cloudy sky seemed to match perfectly with the event that would occur. Commoners and nobles were gathered in the central square of the capital, watching the wooden stage that was built to show the horrible show to its audience. Beside on a podium, the entire Imperial Family was gathered with cold and distant faces, perfectly hiding their true feelings about what was to happen.
A messenger wearing the royal uniform went up on the woody stage and observed all the audience that stretched out in front of him. He opened the scroll and soon began to read.
"According to the trial held, under the crime of betrayal to the Roveaven Empire and attempted rebellion that claimed innocent lives, we begin the execution of traitors..."
The man read the list of names. The people called were brought by the knights, being greeted by public's hostility. The last person to climb was the one who was once considered the beloved princess.
Those who were once bathed in lust and riches, now wore dirty rags that showed their fall to political power. Lucian went on stage wearing the dark clothes of the temple, standing there to fulfill his role as a saint and pray for their redemption from their sins so that they have a righteous reincarnation.
Although he did not believe it.
When Lucian stood in front of his sister kneeling and tied, he did not fail to feel the irony of events.
"The Goddess always showed me how I would die" Lucian whispered as Raven's peach eyes rose coldly to him "Was I fallen impaled and you standing in front of me. But I think I have managed to reverse the situation."
Raven opened an ironic smile.
"Are you having fun with your hero role, little brother?"
"I am. And thank you for waiting for my awakening. It means a lot to me to watch you die."
Turning to the audience, Lucian began to make the rehearsed speech. He pretended the best he can, after all should be the Saint who prays for the goodness of the world. However, Lucian did not want to be kind, not with the one who tormented his life to achieve their plans.
Scanning the space around him, Lucian saw Magnus and his daughter, looking at him coldly as if bored. Lucian also saw the Imperial Family impassive, which left him with a strange feeling in his chest.
"May their sins be washed away in the sea of the dead, and their souls find the light of the Goddess for an honest life."
At the end of the prayer, Lucian stood aside, and the execution began. One by one was taken to the guillotine, a cold and quick death, which terrified those who watched and waited for their turn. The nobles involved in that plan screamed desperately:
"Your Majesty!!! Mercy!! I am innocent!"
"Please, Your Majesty!"
The Emperor, on the other hand, remained impassive without answering to anyone. The horrible spectacle was to watch each of the traitors being publicly beheaded, as a reminder to the living that betrayal was not an option. And even if they were chosen, this would be their end.
When it was finally Raven's turn, Lucian approached her again.
"Last words?"
Raven, kneeling before him, just smiled.
"I do not regret my choices. I did what I thought was best for this Empire."
"Whatever path you take, this would be your end. However, if you're not sorry, I think it's worth something."
Raven raised his eyes to her brother.
"Remember, Lucian, don't think you're safe either. I never lied when I said we could be abandoned when we step out of our role." She looked at the Emperor and continued to whisper "It's in our blood to think about yourself and abandon when there is no use."
Lucian understood her words, and even considered them true. Raven fulfilled her role as a princess, but she sought more. The princess tried to get out of the script by being ambitious, and this resulted in her beheading. Lucian had also left his role and ended up being killed in the first life.
However, he himself chose to live outside the theater that was the Imperial Family.
Time was up. Stepping away, Lucian watched the moment when Raven received her punishment. For all those present, it was very symbolic, given the importance of all the events that culminated in the execution of what was once called a beloved princess.
Lucian imagined that moment would haunt him for the rest of his life, but not as a guilt-ridden hunt, but a reminder of all his efforts to ensure his survival. Lucian, who should have died, survived, but had another life snatched in his place.
The remains of the traitors was collected and taken to burn. The Emperor called his two remaining sons to meet in the garden, where Lucian first discovered about the roses that grew in memory of those who left.
Rehael asked for Raven to be cremated, as did Elyon. A part of her ashes were buried in that garden, and then a rose was planted. Lucian observed the garden with conflicting feelings, as he never imagined that such a place existed. But by noticing the expression of Cadec and Cassander, perhaps they already knew.
"It's time for me to step away from the throne" Rehael said coldly.
"My dear..."
"My father, wait a little longer. I still need to strengthen myself." Cadec asked.
"Of course, I know you need to finish your work with the Grand Duke and ensure that Geledel does not dare to cross the border" the Emperor looked at the First Prince "and young Grimwood needs to learn how to be an ideal consort for the crown. But I'm already too tired to continue."
Lucian understood his motives. Of the eight children he had, only three were alive. Dahlia had already returned to the sea with her husband, and the state of her relationship with the Emperor was unknown to Lucian. Your father had to watch his children kill each other for power, probably blaming himself for the inability to make them stop.
Now that he was also a father, Lucian understood that feeling. Perhaps Lucian would go mad in his place.
"As soon as we finish this, then..." Cadec promised, stroking the old father's shoulder " ... Then I will take my place and rule following the footsteps of our ancestors, never losing wisdom not to fall into the traps of our enemies."
"I know you will be a wise ruler, Cadec." Rehael then turned to Lucian "I know you will also be assisting your brother, even from the shadows."
"I'm not that smart for politics, but I'll bridge as Holy of the Temple of the Goddess Kronosis" smiled Lucian.
"Yes... it makes me feel good. But do not forget, my children, never to put yourself in danger. I know it's hard, and it will happen, but now you both have people to protect."
Cadec and Lucian exchanged glances, knowing very well that this involved the only Grand Duchy of the Empire.
"Dad, you're talking like this is a goodbye" Cadec crossed his arms "And as far as I know, you are healthy."
"Your father and I planned to go to the Palace near the coast" Cassander held his husband's hand and smiled at him "It's time to prepare for a more calm life after so many years fighting for the Empire."
"I will visit you often, so do not get used to loneliness" Lucian remembered, blushing a little embarrassed that he has not yet become accustomed to being close to his parents.
"But of course, after all, we can only be grandparents who have fun with their grandchildren, right?"
Lucian smiled at Cassander. Well, it was a new life whose future was unknown, but there was nothing to make him anxious. Could say that it was fine for now.
The four stayed in the garden watching the roses for some more time. Then, as dusk fell, Lucian left the Imperial Palace feeling strangely at peace. Raising his eyes to the cloudy sky, he wondered what kind of end he was living. Or maybe Lucian was sad for the deaths he witnessed today?
"Babababa."
Lowering his eyes, Lucian saw Magnus standing in front of the carriage, holding Kiana. The two looked at him as if they were calling him and Lucian can not help but relax.
"Oh, were you expecting me?"
"You have the terrible gift of being requisitioned. We're thinking about kidnapping you and taking you to Grimwood territory."
Approaching them, Lucian saw the baby reach out to him. Holding her against his chest, Lucian stroked his daughter's full cheek and looked at the husband.
"Wouldn't be a bad idea. Your heat is coming, so it would be good to take a vacation."
"What does my heat have to do with it?" Magnus crossed his arms.
Lucian pulled Magnus by the waist and smiled sweetly.
"It means making up for all the time lost. I bet you forgot my smell."
"I forgot about your face" Magnus came in the joke "I think I need to memorize everything again."
"Don't seduce me so brazenly, dear."
"I didn't even start, you wimp."
Magnus squeezed Lucian's ass and let out a funny laugh when he saw the expression of surprise on the prince. Lucian could hardly believe that his omega was getting perverted and he was loving.
"Bababa" Kiana shouted, making them realize her small presence.
Lucian quickly pulled his husband's hand to the carriage, seeming to be in a hurry to get in.
"Hey, where are you going..."
"Didn't you hear that? Kiana wants a brother. We must make one."
Magnus frowned, but did not resist and got into the carriage as well. Whatever the feeling of emptiness that Lucian felt when he left the Imperial Palace, now no longer existed thanks to his beloved villain and the family he had built now.