"Hey, do you think this will work?"

This innocent question my friend asked me was only answered with silence. Deafening silence.

I wasn't sure how to answer him. I wasn't entirely sure it would work either.

But I'd grown tired of having my life dictated by someone who doesn't know me. Someone who probably doesn't even know I exist.

So, to answer his question; "It has to," It truly, truly has to.

"Well that's not much of an answer!"

I smile weakly at his complaint, looking down quickly.

"It's the only answer I can give you, Ezra,"

His outraged cry weighed heavily on my heart.

His life, his future, his family, it all rested on this half-baked plan I concocted, so it had to work.

"Rowan," he whimpered, "Please, please give me a straight answer! Don’t do this to me again! You always do this. You shut me out. Please, please, please let me in. Please tell me the truth!"

I inhale sharply, slowly looking up at him. What a mistake that was.

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His bright blue, innocent eyes stare down at me, pleading for the truth.

"It… It might not work. It probably won't. I'm sorry" I whisper.

I hate how I can never resist those eyes.

And I hate how he hugs me every time. It's so warm and forgiving.

It's too kind.

He's too kind.

I let out a shuddering breath, then stand up and out of his arms.

I turn around to face him and hold out a hand.

He knows what I want.

He hesitantly hands over one of his earrings, but hesitates before dropping it in to my palm.

The second it hits my skin, I quickly place it in my ear and then disappear from his view.

"Rowan," he murmurs, "We don’t have to do this. We can turn back. We can forget about this. We can--"

"No." I interrupt, "We started this, so we have to see it through. I'm sorry"

Pain flashes through his blue eyes, "You have nothing to be sorry for,"

I look away and then say coldly, "Let's go,".

I know that if I look back then I'll never go through with it. And I need to go through with it.

For him.

For us.

For me.

So I start walking, and I keep walking. I walk until my legs hurt and can walk no longer.

I've walked to the Illuminated Palace.

I waltz inside, bypassing all security and leaving none the wiser.

I've always been great at going unnoticed. To any and all but him.

Focus!

Stay on target.

I make my way to the throne room, where I know the emperor will be.

The grand doors to the throne room swing open easily and quietly.

Before me is a grand view, with gold and purple highlights and a white undertone.

A red carpet leads up to the throne in which the emperor sits.

I stroll up to him, unnoticed by all of his vassals and lords.

I reach the throne, stopping a few feet before it, staring in to the emperor's unforgiving eyes.

I slip my hand in to the largest hidden pocket of my pants, and bring out a dagger.

Then I plunge it in to the emperor's heart.

This is for all the people you've hurt and killed during your reign. This is for all of them and more.