We choose what we make with our lives

If followed by pain and sadness

We must learn from them and move forward

…

He should've known.

He should've known that Ivan would find out.

He was just surprised at how fast he was able to figure his plan out. But then again, his plan did come with a few flaws. The boy stared at the cold cell floor as Ivan's words echoed in his head. The solemn look he carried; it was obvious he knew. But as much as he wanted to tell him, he couldn't.

One of the guards told him he had a visitor that day he was about to be executed. The former king drew a sigh; he only knew one person who would even pay a visit to him at this time. Ivan Braginski entered his cell with the jail doors closing behind him with a clink. He looked down at the young male, but it was not a look of hate, or of his usual childish facades. It was a look of pity, and of sadness as well.

"Why did you do it?" he asked. The former "king" looked up at him with a sad smile.

"I just wanted to be a little selfish, that's all," he answered, "I know that it would be best if Roma stepped down from the throne, but I suspected that he would be killed as well. I know that it would be for the best but…I already lost everything else, and he's all I have left,"

"What is it that see in him, Feliciano?" Ivan continued, "What is it about Romano that you find so important that you'd sacrifice yourself for?"

"He's like a brother to me, Ivan," Feliciano answered, reverting his gaze to the floor once more, "Sure he's selfish and rude, but…I guess that's what I admire about him. He's too stubborn to be pushed down, and me…I can't stop cowering behind everyone. I was afraid of everything, and I know he is too. But unlike me, he stands up to them, or at least tries to,"

"You think highly of him, despite his rash decisions before," Ivan muttered under his breath, "But even so, once the people find out that we have executed you and not the king, they'll go after Romano anyway. What would happen then? Have you thought about that?"

"Yes, I did," Feliciano answered, "And honestly, I don't think it would matter. I won't be able to tell what happens after today, so whether they find out or not wouldn't really matter anymore, would it?"

Ivan merely shrugged at his words, and turned away. The servant looked up at the swordsman and sighed; though he had a strange way of showing it, he knew that Ivan cared about him greatly. The least he'd wanted was to kill him in place of his twin.

"I still have my hopes, though," Feliciano continued, "We look almost the same, and I have my doubts that the entire kingdom knows what Romano really looks like. Most likely, they won't be able to tell us apart,"

"If you put it that way, it makes me want to kill you," Ivan confessed, causing the younger to laugh, "But it leaves me wondering; what is your relationship with the king. He doesn't treat you like everyone else, and you seem to idolize him more than a regular person would. It's a surprise you enjoy his presence anyway,"

"I would tell you, but that's a secret I'll be carrying to my grave, if I have one," Feliciano answered. The executor looked at him before he decided to take his leave. But before he could, a somewhat childish voice called from behind.

"Is there anything else you wish to say, Feliciano?" he asked, turning to the servant boy once more.

"I have a favor to ask of you; a…a final testimony, if you will," he answered, pulling out a small scroll of paper, "If you have the time, I want you to deliver this to my brother, Lovino. I haven't spoken to him in a long time, and I would've sent him something if I knew where he was. But after a while…I found out where he may be,"

"May I ask what is in the letter?" Ivan asked as he took the parchment from the boy's hands.

"If you find Lovi, he might be able to explain. But I can't say anything, nor will I let you read what's on it," Feliciano explained, "However, if you decide to read it out of your own will, I won't be able to stop you then…but even if you do read it and find the truth, I still wish for the letter to be delivered to him,"

"There's more?" The swordsman asked, suddenly curious.

"I've written some things in there for Lovi to read himself," The servant said, "There are so many things I have yet to say to him, but my time ends here. Please, will you take that to him?"

The air was silent for a moment. Ivan merely nodded before he took his leave. Once again, Feliciano was left alone in the cold room, and once more he sighed. He was to die today, when the clock struck three. The thought of death just around the corner terrified him; what would it feel like to die? Will it be painful? Will it leave him in agonizing pain? Or will just be like slipping into a dream? Feliciano wondered as he gazed out the only window to the world beyond.

The day seemed to mock him; the distant calling of the birds, the rustling leaves, and the gentle sunlight looked down upon him and his dying day. But then again, it could be a joyful day for the rest of Italia; they were the ones freed from a tyrant king. They just looked at the king's death as killing a pest. That's all Romano was to them; a sneaky and selfish rat.

Feliciano continued to gaze out the door when something rather remarkable happened; there came a gust of wind and with it a single rose petal. It would seem that the petal strayed from a small celebration somewhere, but for it to come to the doomed boy like so. Feliciano gazed at the petal with tearful eyes; it was said that though he wouldn't admit it; Romano did favor roses. He never said so himself, but it was seen that he would sometimes pick a rose or two at some point.

I wonder what this would mean, Feliciano thought as he wiped his tears, Maybe it means…you're safe somewhere? Or maybe…maybe this is God's way of showing he forgives me of my sin.

The guards came once again, his time to bring him to the guillotine. Feliciano his hid face once again, and let the guards bind his hands and send him on his way.

…

Since the citizens of Italia have long taken Feliciano away, Romano had returned to the deserted palace. It probably wouldn't have been the best choice, but with the people busy celebrating the success of the revolution no one would be looking anyway. Not to mention, he was only interested with what lies within the barracks; everything else held little value now.

Romano looked at what was the rapier that belonged to is father. The same sword Feliciano used to hold of Ivan and Antonio as he ran away. He ran away; ran away from all the troubles he caused. Now Feliciano was the one to handle it. Without much thought, the former king took the hilt of the sword and gazed at the reflection in the steel

He saw eyes of guilt looking back at him; guilt for causing his brother so much trouble – guilt for leaving his twin behind in fear of his own life. He hated the feeling; he wanted it to go away. But the young king knew that there's no way to rid this painful feeling; he knew that Feliciano was going to be executed today.

How stupid of me, he thought as he left the barracks, sword at hand, For the most I can just see him off, but…damn it, I don't want him die! Not after… He stopped for a moment, and let his gaze fall to the ground …Not after what he did for me…god, what the hell is wrong with me? Romano became lost in his thoughts. So many things ran through his head since he say the sad smile Feliciano shot him as he was taken away. So many that it made his head throb.

Without realizing it, he ran into a commoner who appeared to be in a hurry. Romano was about to scold the man when he realized his place; he was stripped of his title the moment he ran. The young male turned away with a quick, "Sorry,"

"No worries, kid," the man said, "I was in such a hurry I didn't see ya coming by. Where ya off ta anyway?"

"Nowhere in particular," Romano hastily responded, "And you? What is it that's so important you want to make a mad run for?"

"King Romano's execution, what else?" Romano's eyes widen in horror at that man's words as he continued, "Then again, it would be weird to see someone die yet again. Everyone's sick of seeing someone die every single, damned day. But I guess all those killings gave us a sense of blood lust for the king's death,"

"Where would it be?" Romano asked.

"Town square as always, Why, watcha gonna do there a-hey! Where ya running off ta?!" As the man gave the direction, Romano made a dash to the center of town. The sword laid hidden under his – Feliciano's – cloak, and as he ran it clang against the cobblestone pavement.

The guillotine came into sight, and Romano pushed through the crowd, trying to reach the front. The people cried out at the boy's desperate pursuit, and some shoved back at him. Eventually he made it the front, and there he was. Feliciano stood by the stands, two guards restricting him; on the opposite side stood Ivan and Antonio, in position and ready to bring the sharp blade down on command. Their command.

Romano looked at his brother with pleading eyes, and to his surprise, Feliciano smiled as the disguised servant's eyes averted to him. He mouthed a silent I'm sorry as the soldiers pushed him into position. The wooden block came down, and the servant was strapped to the killing machined that had already taken many lives before him.

Feliciano looked at Romano one last time before the clock rang out.

One…

"Any last words, Roma?" Antonio asked.

Two…

"Like I'd say anything to a bastard like you," Feliciano snorted.

Three…

The blade came down, and amidst the applause and cheers, a single pained cry rang out. The last call for a twin lost forever.

.

.

.

I decided to post chapter 10 earlier than said date. I said to myself that it's not really that long, but in the meantime I hope people feel real emotion with this. I feel numb trying to type this out because of what I did. I knew it was coming, I had planned this moment from the very beginning but...I did not expect it to be this tragic...

The message for Lovino (aka Romano) will not be explained in this story. What Ivan did with the parchment is completely up to you buuuut...I know what he really did. I would share it, but this story was not created for a silly note. If you know what I mean~

R&R