The explosion of the home he has ever known was massive. The destruction of the castle had left a thick blanket of smoke in the air and the dust particles got caught in his throat. He coughed as he lay beneath the rubble.

He would have thought he'd be dead. But, he wasn't. He had managed to survive and even though he was alive all he could think of was about one thing. Isabella. He knew if he had managed to survive she would too. He couldn't bare the thought that she had died. And it would have been his fault.

Screaming out her name, Guy held his breath hoping to hear an answer. No sound could be heard. Fearing the worst he struggled to free himself from underneath the stone. He managed to pull free, but as he was about to stand up a hit of pain rushed straight down his side. He grunted. Looking down he saw he had a deep cut on top of his left thigh. The wound was bleeding profusely. It needed to be stopped, yet that didn't matter to him at the moment. All that mattered was finding his sister. Crawling through the tunnel Guy called out once more pleading to himself that Isabella was still alive. Again no reply.

With fear creeping into his thoughts Guy felt his heart breaking. Tears were forming in his eyes. As continued to search for Isabella he sensed his breath was becoming shallower and the strength left in his body was beginning to falter. He knew he did not have much time left and there was so much he wanted to say to her. Words he should have spoken a long time ago, words she should have heard. Now time was not on his side anymore and he was starting to succumb to the darkness engulfing him.

He did not have the strength left anymore to continue. His body felt weak. He laid down on the cold stone floor. With his last breaths he could manage Guy confessed all the words he should have said hoping somewhere Isabella would hear them. Hoping she would finally forgive him. His words filled the air as he spoke:

"Isabella, if you can hear me there are a few words I should have told you a long time ago. Words I should have said when I hurt you.

I should have known that I was hurting you. And the truth of it is I did know that. I knew very well what I was doing. But, I was too prideful to admit it. I am ashamed to say it but, that is my one weakness. I will never admit that I was wrong. I could never say that my decisions only benefitted one person. Myself.

I used you. I took advantage of what you could give in exchange for my rise to power. You were a pawn to me, nothing more. And because of my blindness I forgot about who you were. I became a stranger in your eyes and I forgot that you were my sister, my little sister. A sister who needed protection from her older brother.

I never knew just how much pain I caused you when I married you off. I thought that you felt the same way about the arrangement as I did and believed that you were pleased about reinstating our family name in society. I was wrong. I completely misunderstood you. It seems to me that I have never actually understood you. I mean as your brother, your own flesh and blood I should have known you better than I did. But, I didn't. I never even once paused to think how you must have felt nor did I ask you. For that I am ashamed. I should have asked you. Would have asked you if I wasn't so blinded by my quest for power.

Even when you asked me for an apology, I didn't give you one. I just shouted at you and told you that if it wasn't for me, we would still be living in France with absolutely nothing. I never believed you when you told me that your husband was abusing you. Wouldn't believe you. I just ignored your pleas because I still thought that what I did was the best. I never realised just how much you were hurt. Time and time again you tried to push me for an apology and still I wouldn't give it"

Guy inhaled a sharp breath as the pain in his thigh got worse. He let the pain subside for a few moments before continuing. A sudden movement soon disturbed him and he paused in mid sentence of his monologue. The scratching sounded again. Guy's heart started racing. The sound gave him hope that Isabella might still be alive. Ignoring the pain throughout his entire body, he struggled to get up on his knees. Slowly he moved towards the sound.

"Isabella!"

His voice rang through the air. Still receiving no reply he was answered by the scratching noise. Reaching a pile of fallen debris he started lifting the stone away hoping to see Isabella underneath. As he started to lift the stone he saw a necklace he recognised. It was Isabella. Quickly yet gently Guy continued lifting the stone away. Finally having cleared most of the fallen building he saw Isabella. Guy placed a hand on her to see if she would react. No movement.

"No. Isabella?" He said desperately as he tried to feel for a pulse. "Please don't be dead."

Cradling her in his arms he rocked back and forth calling out her name. Pleading with her to not be dead. He kept stroking her hair hoping she would open her eyes. His efforts were futile. She did not awaken. He had lost her. She was dead and there was nothing he could do.

He held her close to his chest not wanting to let her go. She was still so young and much to live for. He made a promise she would never have to go back to her husband, just as long as she could be alive.

"I'm so sorry." He kept repeating the words, "This is all my fault. If I had apologised, had admitted my mistake, you wouldn't be in prison and would still be alive. I cannot take back what has been done, but I want you to know this. I never stopped loving you, dear Isabella. You are and will always be my little sister. I am so proud to be called your brother. I only wish that you were here to know that. I will never forgive myself for what I have done to you. I have broken your heart so many times that it is understandable that you cannot forgive me. I will not be able to forgive myself for as long as I live. I only wish in time you will come to understand that what I did I thought was the best for the both of us. I would do anything for you to see the sunlight again, to feel the cool air on your face. It should be me who's dead, not you. You should be the one here. Lord knows I deserve it. I've caused so much hurt to those closest to me that all the good in me is covered by this evil and I cannot change. All those who saw good in me I turned away. I put up a shield to protect me. I did not want to show weakness or emotion. I was too proud. And that I will have to live with."

Gently, Guy laid Isabella back down on the floor. Laying down next to her, still stroking her hair he closed his eyes one final time.

"Forgive me." He whispers. His final words before succumbing to the darkness surrounding him.