1 Execution.

Here's the thing, I'm not some weakling that people easily shove around. God no. Up until this week Tuesday, I've been the reigning King of Zaria. The world saw me as someone powerful, unquestionable, unstoppable. And I was the one who made Zaria the greatest Kingdom to ever exist in this lame excuse of a Universe.

Everything was fine. Perfect even, and I was happy with my people, killing only those outside of Zaria who threatened our tranquility.

We were doing great without interference. That is until… He showed up.

I didn't expect it, but in a strange, downright peculiar turn of events, I ended up trusting and letting in someone I really shouldn't have. I valued them, treasured them, and completely fell in love with them.

But that's why right now, I have magic inhibitors around my wrists and ankles as I'm forced to walk up to the guillotine.

Really, never in my life did I expect to be here, forced to drink the Elixir of Mortality. But, here we are.

Right now, I can't help but laugh mirthlessly and look at all the familiar faces riddled with despair before me. I know it's unnerving to them seeing me like this, but god, I'm tired. That old man who delivers fresh bread to the castle... That old, senile peddler who likes to sell rocks... That kid who likes to catch the pixies out by the forest lake... None of them understand why their all-powerful Immortal king, who was never once defeated in his 548-year reign, is being executed before their very eyes. They can't understand why I'm not fighting back. Retorting. Screaming.

Or crying, in the very least.

Well, it's because right now, I feel so worthless, weak, tired and empty that it's funny. However, there's no pain. It's just… Hollow.

Some part of my mind vaguely wonders what will happen to them as I look out at the sea of Zarians begging me with their eyes to do something to free myself. Will they be tortured?

Will they be sold off as slaves?

Sex-slave trade and prostitution?

What will become of them?

I had never let my people sully their hands. No. My soldiers and I took care of it all the dirty matters, and let them live a tranquil existence within our borders.

But these bastards restraining me and holding up that barrier preventing my people from escaping probably gave less than a shit about that. They're probably going to kill, kidnap, torture, or enslave every last one of my Zarians.

Even so, at this moment, as apathetic as it seems… I really don't give a damn.

None of that matters.

I just want this cold, longing ache, and emptiness to be over.

I've always known that in many ways, people do loathe my existence. I never once thought it was a big deal. But to go this far for revenge… To come into my life, and toy with my heart? How cruel.

"Open his mouth." Someone says next to me.

I scoff. While I am quite pathetic right now, I still have some pride. "I'll drink it myself," I say and the group glance at one another. They must have thought I would fight or refuse. What for? He's already won.

"YOUR MAJESTY! YOU MUSTN'T!" Someone screams from the crowd. I feel my mouth moving, chuckling coldly. At any other point in my life, that encouragement would have been what I needed to get up and persevere.

But now, I can't find a reason to keep going. I'm so, so tired. I can't think of anything else but that face of his. Last week, I could have sworn he felt the same way because those clear, green eyes were always sparkling with innocence and honesty.

"SILENCE! THE NEXT PERSON WHO TALKS WILL BE BEHEADED TOO!"

But it seems I was played for a fool. Did he really have to go this far? If he hated me so much, why did he have to pretend so flawlessly? He had so many opportunities to kill me. I let my guard down so many times in front of him... Was it because he wanted me to die publicly, in front of my people and all those who despise me?

Was all that pretending to make sure I was completely convinced? To make sure I never saw it coming? Or was it to make me hurt? Well, he sure got me good, because I fell in love with him, and I fell hard. It hurt.

I should have known. All that time, I… I should have known.

I should have executed him back then when my guards discovered his identity. I should have gotten rid of him. I should have, if nothing else, kept my guard up, and realized that no good could have ever come from loving someone from the enemy kingdom.

But even as I think this, do I even hate him?

No. Quite the opposite. I can't hate him. I've been trying all week, but the moment I saw his face when he came to my prison cell, I knew it was impossible. Even though he stared at me with anger, crying in aggravation and glaring at me in malice, my only thought was that I wanted to stop those tears from making his pale cheeks so red.

I've given up because this is what he wishes.

If he wants my blood, then who am I to deny him when I promised I'd make him happy?

"Drink it." Someone from behind me says, pushing my back.

I pick up the cup and look at the swirling blue fluid within in. The chill of the crystal cup seeps into my hand as I stand before the chopping block.

I guess this is how I end.

"GENERAL!"

I look up at the familiar voice that's made my heart flutter for months now.

There he is.

Even now, after performing the betrayal of a lifetime, he has that innocent look upon his face. How has he been? The new robes he's wearing seem to be well fit. Is he living a better life for his services?

His long, black hair is braided loosely. He couldn't have done that. With his shaky hands, he can barely hold a hairbrush. It looks messy like he's been running. Silly. He knows he doesn't have the stamina to run around with his injuries, especially in this cold weather. His skin is even paler than usual as he takes several breaths.

His eyes look especially bright in the light of winter's dusk. How are they always so beautiful?

In all the years I've lived I've never seen a shade of green that fresh before. But he's crying.

Why?

"Master Wu Jing! You're here? You shouldn't be moving around with those wounds! Don't run anymore! What is it? Why did you come here on your own?" I don't know that person who suddenly grabs him, but they seem to be quite close judging by that person's concerned expression... And did he call him 'Master'?

I see... So he also lied about being a peasant.

"I-Well I-" He starts. Ah well, I'm going to die anyway. What's one more lie to the list of them that he's said thus far. They all sound pretty coming from him. Maybe it was that lovely voice of his that hooked me in the first place because I sure wasn't into feminine-looking men or women in the past, and now I'm going to die because of one.

"What is it? Is there a message from the Kingdom?" The booming voice of the enemy Kingdom's reigning Patriarch questions.

"N-No, your majesty… I…I …"

His head shifts so that he's staring right back at me. I'm really a lovesick moron, aren't I?

He's destroyed me, but here I am, thankful that he's at least come to see me in my final moments.

Love really makes people stupid.

"I just…" He falters.

"Ah, did you come to watch?" That bulky man, King Avery asks, slapping him on the back with a hearty laugh. Imbecile, doesn't he know Jing's injured?

"Oh! We would have waited if you said you wanted to see, you're the most important person in this siege! This was all because of you, Wu Jing. And after everything you had to endure with this bastard, you deserve more."

King Avery pulls the cup away from me and kicks me behind the knees so that I fall forward, right below the blade of the magical execution tool.

"Here. You can feed it to him." King Avery says, putting the cup in Wu Jing's hands with much joviality.

His delicate hands are shaking around the cup and for some reason, he looks like he's paled even further. "Go on."

He's crying so much. Is he that relieved that it's all over? He looks into my eyes, and I no longer understand what those green orbs are saying. However, since this is the end, I don't think he needs me to.

I smile to myself and close my own eyes, almost at peace, but of course, not quite. Well, if it's by his hand, he'll remember me no matter what.

Even if he despises me, and if it's a selfish thought, I don't want him to forget me. I already know that I will never be able to forget him, even in death.

But if he does forget, I'll make sure to remember it all on my own, and if I'm lucky enough to be born again, I'll be a better man and find him again.

Next time, next time hopefully, he'll love me back.