Disclamer : The Rose of Versailles belongs to its rightful creators and owners.

Summary : If his blood was the price to pay for France's happiness, Louis XVI gladly offered it.

Author's note : English isn't my first language, it's French. If you spot any mistakes or weirdness, please feel free to notify me ! This is also a translation from a OS I wrote in january.

This story is part of the writing month challenge from TheWritter1996: Write a one-shot per day and share it for an entire month. For more challenge, I decided to go one different fandom per day.

If it's the price to pay for a nation

Looking at the device that was about to end his life, one he ironically helped in bettering during its creation, Louis XVI thought of countless things.

He wasn't afraid to die.

It was his fate.

He was to be reunited to his poor Joseph, to his poor Sophie. He thought of those he was leaving behind, especially those who shared his misfortune. His sister who had not wanted to leave him despite their aunts begging her to follow them. His daughter, who didn't have the chance to be a little girl anymore and who had engraved all the horrors she had witnessed in her heart. His son, who would certainly be mistreated for being born a king's son. And his wife, who had endured everything since the start of their marriage, mockeries, rumours, and now she was facing France's wrath because he had been to weak to lead it properly. This France he had never stopped loving, even when it condemned him to die. Had he actually understood her? He had done his best, but his best had not been enough. In its troubles times, France needed a Louis XIV. He had been someone far from him. That condemned monarchy and his entire family.

"And I pray God that the blood you are about to shed won't fall on France."

However, there was a certainty in his heart: if shedding his blood would contribute to a lasting happiness for France, if it was the price to pay for a nation, then he gladly offered it.

Because he loved France and its people, even if he hadn't been the king they should have had.

He prayed God one last time, silently, so his loved ones could have a better life once he was gone.

The End