"We are each our own devil, and we make this world our hell."
— Oscar Wilde
At last we met, he stood before me—The Magnus Drakonhart, for the fifteenth time, it was time I made my final move.
"Your Holiness… I can explain," Celia stammered, standing nervously beside Magnus.
"There's no need, I understand."
Her cheeks flushed, and she fumbled for words, surprised by my leniency. Perhaps Lucian had never tolerated a priestess sneaking out with a man before.
It was scandalous after all.
"Lucian…" Magnus started, but Celia cut him off, her voice sharp. "Lucian? It's Your Holiness, Your Highness!" She glared at him, unaware of the friendship we shared, or for him—we still share.
"Celia, if you'd allow me a moment with Magnus," I said calmly.
She hesitated, then nodded with a glare at Magnus for his impropriety. "Of course, Your Holiness."
"Its been a while."
For him, it had been months. For me? Three days, since I last saw his face at my execution.
"I apologize I could not find you during the banquet." His tone sincere, that's the protagonist I made! Noble and apologetic.
Lucian was Magnus's one of the only friends he could really trust.
"I assume you've been in great health"
He hesitated. "Is there… something you need to tell me, Lucian?"
"Perhaps," I replied. "But first, isn't there something you need to tell me?"
"So it is what I expected, is that not?" I followed.
Without a second word, we both knew where to go—the training hall.
"You're the first one I will be showing this to."
The one hand sword in his hand shone, a glint of blue light pierced through the darkness. His one slash in the air evaporated the snow before it could reach the ground.
And the moment he turned, the entire snow field had turned to vapors behind him.
"I've done it, Lucian. I've achieved the level of a Swordmaster," he said, his voice filled with awe and disbelief.
I forced a smile. "You've earned it, Magnus. Truly." I followed."Your effort has made it come true."
He looked to the ground, dazed. In his first life he failed to achieve anything, in fact he lost everything he had.
It made sense this was immense for him.
"The first sword master from the imperial family, I can tell you're truly blessed by her, the mighty one." His eyes gleamed as he fell upon his knees, touching the moist ground.
"I have truly made it… Lucian." His eyes said more than he did. Or it was my imagination, considering I wrote each sentence he thought in his head.
"After this, father will crown me without a doubt, right away" He clenched the soil in his hand. "The nobles are all on my side, after father's approval I will finally be able to save—"
"Save who?" I asked, little to no curiosity within me, I already knew everything.
"Hah! Thanks for being alongside me Lucian. This life won't be a waste."
His words struck me. I knew he said that for himself, yet it felt nice hearing. It applied to me as well.
"You talk as if you've lived before."
The smile on his face disappeared. He replied, "That only happens in fairy tales Lucian. Though if I had, you'd be one of the very few to guess so." He let out a chuckle and rubbed his arms across his eyes, wiping off the tears.
I patted his back, before getting to the point. For what I was really here for.
"I was called here by his majesty." The mood took a turn. He was huffing with joy a minute ago.
"What… why would his majesty call you himself?"
"He made me an offer." He walked up to me, desperately. "What…! offer?"
His anxiety perhaps came from believing this was his fault, because in his past life Lucian did not ever meet emperor this time around. In the story, Magnus remained constantly anxious about each butterfly effect he accidentally set in.
"More of a threat, less of an offer." I paused, "He will not ever crown you Magnus."
His eyes slightly flickered, it felt as if he tried to contain himself. "Why… why do you say that…" his voice fainted away, and the lump in his throat made his voice sound heavy.
"He threatened me, if I do not support Theron, he would take the estate of my father away." I put on my best act.
"Theron? He wants Theron to sit on the throne?" His voice furious, "and he threatened you?" He scoffed, and turned back.
Pacing. "Why… Why did I think this life would be different? I've been such a fool. I showed you my mastery, so proud… so convinced that I'd finally won." His voice broke, and he let out a bitter laugh. "What a joke I must seem to you."
"You don't," I said softly, though my sympathy was paper-thin.
He turned back to face me. Hope in his eyes, I wanted him to realize. Only one here who truly remained on his side was me.
"Lucian." His eyes looking down, "I will make sure your father's estate is not taken. I promise"
"Do you?" I stepped closer, my voice colder now. "Then swear it, Magnus. Make an oath. Because if you don't…"
"If I don't?" His tone wavered.
"Then I'll support Theron. And we'll stand on opposite sides. That will be your choice, not mine."
He was a man of his word, had never betrayed anybody. Yet this time, I desired his betrayal more than anything.
I followed, "I may not possess rights to interfere in politics, but the public sentiment, you already know. Emperor wouldn't ask for my support without a reason."
His jaw tightened, and he closed his eyes. "That won't happen, Lucian. I swear it. Before anything else, you're my friend."
We both held the same weight, yet different burden.
He wanted to save the world and live, I wanted to end the world and perish."