Chapter Text
You stood quietly in the hall, looking upon your citizens in the city below through the wide gaps of ionic pillars, hands rested behind your back.
You hummed thoughtfully. It echoed in the halls.
“Isn’t it beautiful, Phil?”
He took a few steps closer to stand beside you. “Something like that.”
“You and I both know that this is temporary,” You said, the weight of the thought unmatched by your gentle tone. “Such is the rule for countries like mine.”
“And what comes after that?” He asked, “Death?” You didn’t look at him, but you could guess his expression.
“No. My death…” You came to squint as the sun reflected off of white buildings, the clear green of grass and red of roofs soon blurred under the radiance. “...It will neither be before nor after the end of my empire. My death will coincide with the death of my kingdom.”
“I thought you said you learned from their mistakes,” Phil said. You finally turned to look at him. You saw a man full of regret.
“Some things never change, Philza.”
“Is it only pride that persists throughout history?” He asked.
You sat silent for a moment, but shook your head.
“No. Call it what you will, but I say…”
L’manburg was everything to me, it still is. Even if it was for a selfish reason, I will always love L’manburg.
“...this is love, Phil.”