Work Text:
Deputy_Ace has slain by SargeLAW
Lettuce was silent as he looked at his friend's body lying lifeless, he tried to remain firm in front of his soldiers but his heart pounding so fast. He raised his hand to signal to disperse "look for Parrot and Theo, don't let them escape."
Most of his soldiers nodded, SargeLAW immediately put on his elytra and flew away, Meanwhile, a small group of his solders remained silent, looking at Lettuce with a pitiful look before being forced to leave because Lettuce was staring at them sharply.
The atmosphere around him was silent, there was no breath of wind considering they were underground, there was only the sound of heavy breathing from Lettuce himself and his friend's corpse. He slowly walked closer to the pool of blood that stained his shoes.
He lowered his hand and moved it towards Ace's cheek, stroking the cold cheek slowly. He stared at it with complicated feelings as if something inside him had just disappeared. Slowly he lifted Ace's cold body, carrying him out of the narrow underground passage, memories of when he was still in mine city filled his mind.
The time when he still dreamed of bringing justice, the time when he saw parrot as his hero, the time when he still hoped he could bring justice without shedding blood. But it was too late, he became the person he hated, a cruel leader.
As he exited the mine, a gust of wind pierced Lettuce's spine, he looked at Ace on his hand before covering Ace's body with his robe. With heavy steps he carried Ace to his old house, he began to tell about his old days in this place as if his friend could still hear him.
His legs slowly weakened, his hands trembling, he fell to the stone floor. Hugging Ace's body tightly, tears fell down his cheeks, He sobbed and cried, calling Ace's name repeatedly, hoping his friend would answer him. But he received no answer, only the coldness from the body he was holding tightly, which slowly turned into dust, blending with the air.
“ace, I’m sorry…”
“I’m sorry, I should listen to you..”
“please.. ”
“Forgive me…”
The rumbling sound of people from above was heard, LettuceK a fallen king now wearing his prisoner's clothes, there were black spots under his eyes, his gaze looked more tired, he also became thinner and weaker. He leaned against the cell wall and sat on the floor flipping through the book Wemmbu had given him. Who knows what made him so interested that he stared at the pages for hours.
The sound of footsteps was heard approaching his prison cell, Lettuce turned his head when he saw parrot standing right at his cell window. ParrotX2 is someone who inspired him to build the Law and also someone he targeted during debate.
But now standing right in front of him was the king parrot, the man chosen by the server itself to lead everyone. Lettuce slowly stood up and walked towards Parrot.
“it’s seem everyone was right about you” He smiled, a genuine smile, not the sly smile he used when targeting Parrot.
“congratulations for being the king”
Parrot swallowed, honestly feeling sorry for him. But remembering that the person standing before him was the same person who had sent thousands to their deaths and who had tried to kill him.
“thanks.. I’m here to deliver this” Parrot took out a letter in his coat and hand it to Lettuce.
“I found this in one of the bedroom on the table, it belongs to ace and it’s for you.”
Lettuce's expression changed, he stared at the letter for long time before carefully taking it as if it a fragile thing. When the letter was received, Parrot turned away and walked out leaving lettuce alone in his cell again.
Lettuce slowly opened the letter and sure enough he know the writing so very well, he read the letter slowly, each sentence making his heart ached and tears fall down his cheeks.
"My dear friend, lettuceK.
If you’re reading this, it means I never got the chance to explain everything myself. And that hurts me more than anything.
I’m sorry to even think of betrayed you. I already can imagine the disappointment in your eyes. You trusted me and I broke that trust. I won’t pretend it didn’t happen. I won’t pretend it didn’t hurt you. It did. And for that, I am so, so sorry.
But please believe me when I say I never did it to hurt you. I made that choice because I thought it would protect you. I thought if I carried the blame, if I stood between you and the consequences, you would be safe. I thought losing your trust was better than losing you completely. I didn’t know the silence between us would grow so wide. I didn’t know time would run out before I could tell you the truth.
Every day after that, I always tried to bring you back. But the way the power consumed you making you someone I didn’t recognize makes my heart ached even more.
If I could ask for one thing now, it wouldn’t be forgiveness for me. It would be peace for you. I don’t want my mistake to become a weight you carry forever. I don’t want my absence to be filled with anger.
And if someday you can, forgive me.. not because I deserve it, but because you deserve freedom from the pain you hides.
When the server hates you, I’m still grateful for you. Still proud of you. Still calling you my friend.
I’m sorry, Lettuce.
I hope you understand.
ㅤ─Always, Your deputy.”