Lavender Town, Kanto, February 14th 1600
Today was the day that Lance Den, The King Of Johto would be sentenced to death. His executioner, Rukia Kuchiki unleashed her curved sword as she practiced her role. The Queen of Kanto stated that she could kill King Lance however she desired. Her sword was a silver katana with a slim blade. Queen Delia ordered Fuji household to supply her with any luxuries she desired as well as access to servants. Queen Delia was also staying at Fuji house and she would often speak to Rukia about the most random topics.
"I want an early night," Queen Delia told Rukia. "I'm getting married tomorrow and I just want to get all this over and done with." With each word Delia spoke, the tone of her voice became deeper and her accent became strained and weary. She shook her head and looked up onto the executioner. "Now my dear, is there anything we can do to make your stay more comfortable?"
"I think it would be beneficial to have a talk to him," Rukia suggested. "Along with the other two I have to execute to make sure he knows his place. And I hear from The Duke of Pewter that over ten thousand have come to watch the execution."
"More will come," Queen Delia confirmed. Rukia listened to The Queen well, and she couldn't help but feel that there was a tinge of sadness coming from her presence. She was told that Queen Delia radiated joy and happiness to all who knew her. "They've come to watch that scumbag die. People are always quick to point out that Ash and Gary were cousins. But Lance was my nephew too. I don't know why he had do that to little Kamon."
"I understand it must be quite hard to lose a child at any age," Rukia announced. "And I apologize for your loss and I assure you that the execution will be done very quickly."
"My lords," Queen Delia said to the monks as they swept up the rugs. "Take Rukia over to Lance."
"Yes Your Majesty!"
Delia inhaled her breath for a long time and as soon as the guards led Rukia out of the chamber, she exhaled with tears gushing from her eyes. Her knees silently dropped to the floor as her arms spread out above shoulders. As The Queen of Kanto cried harder, her arms tumbled in-between her cheeks. When she had become queen, she wouldn't have thought that she would have to order an execution, let alone help towards her nephew's murder.
But if it was true that Lance had been trying to kill Giovanni and her sons, then Delia had to take some action. She had never seen Ash so angry or upset at anybody before, she didn't want to believe the rumours. She had actually hoped that Gary's death would have been the end to it all, but according to Ash, there was one more traitor in their midst.
When she got her son's letter, it came to the point where she didn't care weather Lance was innocent or not. If Ash wanted Lance dead, then she would help him do it. At the same time, there was something deep inside her that was telling her that she was a fool. She just didn't want to live anymore, but she didn't want to die cowardly from a suicide.
The Queen of Kanto was lost and losing the ones she loved. She doubted anybody could save her. Her wedding day was tomorrow, but she was still deep in morning over the loss of Giovanni, so she wondered if she was even in a fit state to remarry.
"TODAY IS THE DAY!" Cilan screamed at the top of his voice. He lifted his heals and felt as light as a feather as he went through his extravagant wardrobe, Cilan struggled to decided what he should wear for his wedding. He was swept of his feet by the golden silk and the florescent kimonos before him. He wanted to look like a proper king. He wanted to represent the radiant persona that Iris had fell in love with.
"While you're picking your wedding clothes, Lance is preparing for his execution," Drayden hissed at Cilan. He lectured him like a child who had committed a terrible mistake.
"So?" Cilan didn't believe he was doing anything wrong.
"You are disgraceful," Drayden roared with his hands in the air. "And I hope you burn in Hell!" Drayden stormed out without even taking a single glance and made a vow that he would never see Cilan's face again.
"He really liked Lance didn't he?" Cilan frowned as he asked the question. He sat down and sighed. "When is he going to learn that Iris loves me?"
Lord Cheren tried to cheer him up. "I'm sure if you give him time..."
"He's had plenty of time," Cilan snapped.
"Don't forget Sire, there was a lapse in your marriage."
"The marriage is to be postponed until further notice," Bianca announced as she ran into the room. Cilan heard the words and felt as if he had been stabbed in the heart.
"Where is The Queen?" Cilan asked as he opened his mouth.
Bianca's lips tembled as she responded, but Cheren nodded as if it was a sign for her tell the truth. "She has gone to see King Lance's execution and she shall return once the affairs are settled."
"That murderer is not worth her time," Cilan growled. "What if she decides to spare him? What if she chooses him at the last minute?"
"I don't think that's possible," Hilda replied. "She says that you are the love of her life."
"Lance's death means that I am a survivor and this is my freedom," Cilan announced, raising his voice. "Gallons of blood was split by Lance's orders. I cannot let him take Iris away from me after everything we've been through."
"He can't," Cheren said. "He will die tonight. And as soon as Lance is out of the way, you two will be free to marry in no time."
"Iris has been bewitched, what if the damage is permanent?"
"We will find the culprit," Cheren promised his future-king. "As I said before, you need not worry."
Cilan closed his eyes and his body floated on the floor as if he was going to bed. Cilan didn't consider himself to be a religious man, but he felt like praying for Iris' safety.
"I like Daddy Lance," Lilia told her brothers. "I want him to stay in Unova forever and ever."
"Lilia," Salem said as he held onto his sister's hand. "You'll be a fine queen one of these days."
"But I thought Pagan was going to be king after mother."
"Not like that," Salem responded. He tried his best to smile. "You'll have many magnificent kings fighting for your affection."
"The Queen is here," one of the gaurds said as the men lead them to Lance.
"I thought she would be asleep," they heard Lance say.
"The Queen of Unova and Johto, Your Grace!"
"Iris..."Lance was stunned. Iris made her way through the dull room as Lance hugged her as soon as she was a foot away from him.
"I have other people to see you too," Iris said as she her two sons and daughter stepped forward as the two brothers held onto Lilia's hand.
"I must say how much I will morn your loss," Salem said as he bowed before his father. "And bid you remember others before you who were executed in dignity."
"You are so brave," Lance said, smiling at his son. Salem's bravery moved Pagan into tears.
"Will you be coming to my tea ceremony?" Lilia asked Lance with a huge smile on her face with excitement in the tone of her voice. She was too young to understand the gruesome back-story of why they were in Kanto and innocent to the fact that it would be the last time Lilia would see him.
"I'm afraid I won't be able to make it," Lance said as he bent over to Lilia's level. A sound coming from Pagan made him rise his head. "Why are you crying Pagan?"
"I don't want you to die," Pagan sobbed.
"Don't be sad for me," Lance requested. "You've come to that age when it's time for you to make your own family. Have you chosen your wife yet?"
"I want to marry the Lady Clair," Pagan said. "She understands me more than anybody can."
"Pagan should marry whoever he deems worthy," Iris declared as she looked at her eldest son. Lance nodded, even though he thought it would be strange for Pagan to marry his second cousin, as long as he was happy, Lance would make no comment about it.
Iris thought that Lance had made his own death wish when he said he pretended he was still married. Even though he was pleased to see her, Iris could still tell that he was traumatized.
Iris was reminded of the time where people begged her to stay by Lance's side, and now they were telling her declare the abuse she received from him. It sounded easy, and Cilan was already making plans for his coronation in Johto. It would all be written off in history as a happily ever after.
The Queen of Unova found a major flaw to the logic: to her knowledge, Lance had never abused her. Iris wanted to find Lance guilty, but she couldn't help but feel he was innocent. Nobody came to her about Lance's accusations.
Lance was once one of the most powerful kings in Asia; now he was about to be beheaded as his people were lost and helpless. She wanted to help Lance, but if she interfered too much, then Pope Mickey might turn around and say that she can't marry Cilan.
Cilan was the love of her life, and she had learned many things during her reign, that had nearly lasted twenty years. After everything she had been through, she could only see a future with Cilan.
"What were you trying to do?" Iris asked. She slid around every corner of the room as her two sons, Salem and Pagan, followed her. She wanted to look away from Lance, but her instincts told her otherwise. From the moment she barged into the room, Lance and Iris' sight where in deadlock.
"I was trying to be your true and loving husband," Lance responded. "As I always was and always shall be."
"It was a good twelve years," Iris told him. "You made me very happy."
"Nineteen," Lance said as if he was trying to correct him. Iris didn't understand why he was smiling. He was about to be condemned to death and the love of his life would be marrying someone else.
She was so in love with Cilan that she never stopped to think about Lance.
Rukia stood up as she walked in between them and faced Lance. "It is time," she said. Lance removed his wedding ring and passed it to Pagan. Pagan took the ring and wore it and then Iris did the same thing to Salem. Iris and her children hopped onto a carriage as they parted ways with Lance. He didnt want his children to watch him die, nor did he think that Kamon would want Lilia watching bloody executions from the age of four.
Will, Xigbar and Lance had to share the same scaffold. Will and Xigbar's death was just a warm-up, all the people came to watch Lance die and probably didn't know nor care about the other two. Will was the first person to die, he begged everyone to pray for him and he sobbed through his death. Next was Xigbar who just took it as it was; no speech or anything. Two heads had been beheaded, but it didn't scare Lance: he had been long prepared.
"As you all know I have come here to die," Lance announced to the crowd as he walked in front of Rukia and next to his coffin. "So I will not delay you for much long, but I want you all to listen and pass it on to your sovereigns. As Arceus and Mew are my witnesses, I forgive all those who brought me here and pray that you do not charge them for my death. As for my final wish, I pray for you all to pray for Queen Iris, for there was never a more sweeter princess and help her maintain the peace of our kingdom."
Everyone was on their knees, including Rukia. "Your Majesty... forgive me."
"Gladly," Lance said as he sat on his knees and removed his cape.
"I promise you that it will be so subtle that you won't be able to feel anything," Rukia whispered into Lance's ear.
"GET ON WITH IT!" It was a voice of a man who was close up front. He was tall with ginger hair and wore the same robes as Rukia. She stared at the man and then looked down at The King's neck who turned at the man's frustrated face. In the corner of Lance's eye, he could see
A perfect angle: King Lance Den was beheaded by a single stroke from Rukia's sword.
