After Seri had escaped the Kingdom, Simon killed the rest of the people loyal to the previous King. Unfortunately, the eldest Prince still managed to escape somehow. It was only a matter of time before he became a thorn in his side.

Simon addressed his citizens with an air of dominance only befitting of a King. As he overlooked the entire Kingdom that was now under his reign, a single thought emerged from his memory. The thing he thought he had always desired.

He wanted to take the Kingdom and ruin it.

So ruin it he shall.

He spoke in a booming voice for his subjects to hear, "As your King, I will not forget the vow I had made to my people. I have heard the painful cries and the pleading from those who have suffered. That is why, from this day forward, the Kingdom will no longer follow its previous tradition. From now on, the Sanki Kingdom will be a democratic monarchy. It will be ruled by the people for the people!"

Gilyn looked at Simon in shock, "Y-Your Majesty! Do you realize what you are saying?!"

Even the citizens were shocked at Simon's announcement. However, no one could deny that this turn of events would benefit the common people more than the previous reign. Most of the taxes were implemented by the wealthy and directly targeted the working class. As a result, they had to struggle just to buy one meal.

Simon glanced at Gilyn with a cold look in his eyes, "Of course I know what it means. The people will vote for those who will make the rules, and I will merely rule over them as a figurehead. In the end, isn't this befitting of the treacherous Sanki Kingdom?"

The people cheered, "LONG LIVE THE KING!"

Gilyn took a knee as he lowered his head, "Long live King Simon."

Simon listened to the cheers and declaration of loyalty with an empty heart. After addressing the people, he turned to leave behind Gilyn without a single look. Gilyn was not only his closest aide, but he was also in charge of the entire Royal Army. Simon had given him this position because Gilyn had helped with the rebellion. However, Gilyn was surprised that Simon would go this far. Simon had always looked at him with contempt and hatred. However, lately there was a look of emptiness behind his eyes.

Still, this was the child Gilyn believed to be the closest thing he had ever come to having a son. He couldn't tell Simon about his love for him and the Holy Empress, so he could only maintain a serious expression while serving him dutifully.

However, Simon wasn't ignorant. He was the one who had stolen the diary entries of the Holy Empress from Seri's secret hiding place. Every night, he would return to reread them. Every time he felt such a painful and heart wrenching feeling in his chest. He didn't understand this feeling.

------

Simon stood as the maids began to dress him in his official King attire. Gilyn knocked and stepped in, "Your Majesty. The newly elected officials are here."

Since Simon had changed the government of the Sanki Kingdom, he established certain titles that any person no matter how poor or how rich could run for. One, was the Prime Minister who was in charge of writing laws. The second was the Treasury secretary who was in charge of the financial situation in the Kingdom. They were in charge of taxes and maintaining the balance of money. The third was the Chief of Justice. They were in charge of ensuring laws were followed. Lastly, was the Secretary of Defense who was in charge of the Royal Army.

Gilyn had achieved this position by the choice of the people.

In fact, most of those voted to these positions were those who fought in the rebellion.

Still, Simon refused to let go of any power. So of course, everything that the officials decided must be ran by him first. In the future, he would rarely go against their wishes. However, he used it as an excuse to maintain control.

Truthfully, he was still Simon. And Simon craved power.

During the party for congratulating the winners, Simon slipped away. He walked through the halls with an empty feeling. Soon, he found himself in the wing of the Holy Empress again. He always seemed to end up at her portrait these days. He would stare at it for hours while a strange feeling twisted his insides.

A feeling he had never recognized before.

He stopped in his tracks as he saw another person in front of the portrait. He recognized the man and strolled to him casually, "Prime Minister. I see you are here. Congratulations on winning the position."

The Prime Minister stared at the portrait. His stoic expression seemed to match the portrait's almost too perfectly. He spoke, "I did not think I would win. I was just a goat farmer before this. Sometimes I do not think I am suited for this position."

Simon smiled, "Ah, but I hear you were the one who fought alongside my deceased Fiancé. If it wasn't for you, the people wouldn't have been convinced to follow her in a rebellion."

The goat famer gave a nod and responded somberly, "I am sorry I haven't given my condolences yet. Your fiancé was a special woman. It is a shame that the rebellion took her life."

Simon lied effortlessly, "She died to give the Kingdom back to the people. I think that she is resting in peace knowing she succeeded."

Of course, his so-called fiancé had survived. She even ran off with the war criminal, but Simon and Gilyn quickly spread rumors that the two had actually died. After all, they couldn't let the people think that Simon let a war criminal and his fiancé escape to the Imperial Kingdom. Luckily for him, no one thought to check.

"I am sure she has never been prouder of your Majesty. Especially for what you are doing for the people." The goat farmer changed the subject, "I heard the church got a new Holy Empress."

"They did."

"I also heard that your Majesty asked them to allow the child to live freely instead of being trapped in a room as was tradition."

Simon watched the farmer with a calm expression. He didn't make a sound.

The Farmer continued, "You know… I moved to the Sanki Capital because of the Holy Empress."

Simon was slightly surprised but didn't show it. "You did?"

"A long time ago, my wife and I gave birth to a beautiful daughter. We were so happy…" He let out a sigh as he stared at the portrait, "Unfortunately, she was born the same day the previous Holy Empress died. Our only daughter was ripped from our arms and taken to the church of the Holy Empress. My wife and I were devastated. We sold everything and moved to the Capital in the hopes we could be reunited with our daughter once more. However, the church wouldn't allow us to see her. That child never knew we were her parents…"

Simon's smile fell as he stared at the man before him.

"That's why… When the King killed them and brought her out, we were hopeful. We thought that we could get to see her again. And we did. For once, she showed her face to the people. It was so beautiful… My wife and I were happy beyond belief… However…" He let out a sigh, "She didn't recognize us. But why should she? Yet, we were still gracious just to see her face. Then eventually… She stopped making public appearances."

Simon knew the ending to the story.

The goat farmer turned to him, "Is it true?... Did the previous King really kill the Holy Empress?"

Simon stared at him for a while without speaking. Then, he finally answered.

His voice was low, "He did."

The goat farmer's eyes fell slowly to the ground, "…I see."

"I was the one who killed her."

The farmer was shocked and turned to look at Simon. His face was expressionless and his eyes were cold. However, behind those eyes was an empty feeling. Simon didn't understand why he had just admitted it. This was something that could threaten his new position. However, he couldn't stop talking.

"She was my mother. When I was a young child, my father took me from her and threw me to the army as a child solider. I didn't die, but only grew stronger. My hatred for my parents drove me to get strong in order to achieve my revenge. I wanted them to suffer for throwing me to that terrible life."

The farmer listened to him with his mouth slightly agape.

"So when my father offered to let me kill her, I gladly accepted. I stabbed her though the stomach and left her to die by flames. Then, I did everything I could do to return to the Sanki Kingdom to finish my revenge."

The farmer suddenly spoke, "How did it feel?"

Simon hesitated, "How did what feel?"

"Finishing your revenge."

Simon closed his mouth and looked at the portraits lining the wall. How did it feel?

It felt pointless.

He was still filled with rage and resentment.

Simon didn't answer, but instead spoke from a dark place. "Before my mother had died, she gave me a curse. She said I would think I have everything, but I would actually have nothing." Simon looked into the farmer's recognizable eyes, "She was right."

Strapped to his waist was two swords.

One was his.

The other…

Was the sword belonging to the love he could never attain.

The farmer watched him closely and saw a flash of regret in his eyes. The farmer asked quietly, "When you found the Holy Empress… What was she like?... Was she happy?"

Simon glanced away from his pleading eyes. He looked back at the portrait with a solemn look as he answered, "She was. She was well taken care of. It was clear that she didn't have to suffer in her new life. She was surrounded by those who loved her."

Simon couldn't understand why he had just lied. Why didn't he say the truth?

The farmer seemed to understand something and gave a nod. "Then… I am glad it was you." Simon looked at the farmer without knowing what to say. The farmer patted his shoulder, "Your mother would be proud to see what you have become."

Simon watched in shock as the man walked away. Then he turned back to the portrait. His stomach twisted as he stared at her expressionless face. Would she really be proud?

Simon…

A murderer with a cold heart.

A man who cared for nothing but power.

A man who desperately wanted the things he could never have.

A man who could care less who lived and who died.

A man too cunning for his own good.

No.

He believed his mother would be extremely disappointed in him. After all, he had done nothing but prove her right. He really was too much like his father.

At this sudden thought, he finally understood the twisting sensation that he had been feeling since his revenge was finished. He cracked a painful smile, "Ah… I see… It was guilt all along…"

Guilt. A word he had never fully understood. A word that he never was able to understand. That was until this moment.

The rims of his eyes were red as he made a vow, "I promise Mother… I will atone for my sins… I will help those who need it… So please… When we meet again… Let me apologize to you…"

Simon turned away from the portrait to go make his new vow transpire.

He was cruel to those who wanted to spread pain to those weaker and innocent. He fought in battles alongside his own people to stop the Rebels who only caused chaos and destruction.

In the end…

He sincerely regretted his sins.