Ezekiel Tristan Solvaire was never meant to inherit the sun, yet here he stands, crowned in fire and glory.

"I do have to thank you for your wonderful work, Lord Blackwell." His eyes were filled with contempt and disdain. Seeing the cold expression on the emperor's face, I smiled.

I, Lucien Blackwell, the orchestrator of his ascension to power, was now kneeling before him. Before the very man I admired for fifteen years. I sacrificed everything I have for him. My power, my family, my own self. He was the center of my world. My one and only emperor.

But why? Why am I kneeling before him? Before the same person who was my world? Why are my hands tied behind my back? Why am I wearing rugged clothes unwashed for months? Shouldn't I be given the treatment I deserve for making him the emperor? Shouldn't I be standing beside him?

"It seems my time at your side has run out, Your Majesty..." my body shivered as the cold winter winds harassed my bleeding skin.

Emperor Ezekiel unsheathed his sword and pointed it at my neck. The tip of the blade that touched my skin immediately drew blood.

"Any last words?" He asked. I couldn't see his eyes, but I felt his cold and sharp gaze cut into me.

Last words...?

"Your majesty..." I whispered as I finally gave up. No matter how much time had passed and how much effort I gave to be acknowledged, I will never achieve that goal.

"It's the first time you've looked me in the eyes for months." My vision was slowly getting blurry but I could see how his body tensed up. Even the faintest of his reactions were engraved like a sacred scripture in my head.

"But too bad it would be the last." This time, I closed my eyes.

Were those the words I wished to say on my final moments? Definitely not.

If only I could rewrite the stars, I would be someone who won't be by your side. I would not throw myself away, I would cherish my family and friends.

Memories rushed through my head as I realized I was finally going to die.

I regret everything.

"Let me suffer in hell, Izek. Just like what I've been doing all throughout these years chasing after you." 

All I ever wanted was to be acknowledged. To be more than the shadow behind his rise. I gave him everything. My hands, my heart, my soul, and he gave me silence.

I regret you.