Theme: Regret

Characters: Again, pretty easy to guess.

Title: Lament of the Dog Prince

There are many things I regret in life. Many things I have done wrong and suffer the scars from, or have done right and still managed to hurt someone deeply.

I regret not dancing with that human girl when my father took me to see his human. She was so beautiful, but I let pride stand in the way.

I regret letting Father run off alone and face the dragon. I should've been with him.

I regret letting him go to that human girl alone. That decision left me, and my little brother, fatherless.

I regret not protecting my little brother like I should have. He had to learn to be strong, but to lose the only one who loved you and be forced out on your own when you're still a baby in most eyes is just stupid.

I regret not being there for him. Being thrown out into the world like that was the main cause for his pain now. I could've stopped it and given him a happier life. I didn't.

I regret not stopping him from being with that priestess. It was a foolish and damned union, one that cost him 50 years of his life.

Little girl in my lap, you've shown me something though. You're words ring on in my head as I look down at you resting, my brother and his friends just a few steps ahead of us.

"You've always been a brother, just not a good one. But that doesn't mean you can't start being a good one now."

I regret not being the brother he needed, and I can't offer him to be any better. He hates me for what I've done, and that may never change. "Go home and rest. I will not pursue you or your friends any longer, and I offer my services should you need them," my mouth speaks before my brain hears it. The looks on their faces show confusion, but his little human girl nods her head and says a silent thank you.

"Go with peace, little brother," the ancient blessings leaves my mouth, slowly stumbling over the last two words, sincere for the first time in my life. His face softens, an action not gone unnoticed by me or the girl by his side.

"Go with peace, brother."

I regret many things in my life, little one in my lap. Yet, there is one thing I will never be able to regret as long as I live on this earth. I will never regret bringing you back into this world, into my life.