‘Dear Sigurd... and Diadora as well,
I know I’ve made far too many mistakes, and I can’t ask that you forgive me. Your son has grown up without the two of you and thus has been deprived of far too many things.
I couldn’t tell you that day... and instead I killed you. My life was miserable, and I knew I had to act quickly, but that doesn’t excuse my actions. I realized everything too late, and by then, Sigurd, you were gone. It was only after those events that I realized you may have been the one who could have helped me. Had I asked for your assistance, I know you would have helped me. I also know how you cherished that Silver Sword that was given to me to give to you by His Majesty. Did you know, that all the way to the end, His Majesty believed in you? Even though I, who stayed at his side and protected him to the end of his life, insisted so intently for the sake of a plan that you were a traitor, he believed none of it. There was never a chance that you would be condemned by him as a traitor from the very beginning.
You have the right to be mad. Diadora, I suppose you do as well. You wished for a chance to speak with Sigurd, when all I had you there for was to confirm my own suspicions. I... used you, in a way. Then I sent you back to the castle when I was sure of my own concerns, and gave no thought to you. At the time, all I could think of was my own pain. Everything happening was all too much for me at once, and I couldn’t calm down long enough to think about ways out of my problems. I hurt you both, and I’m sorry I’ve realized it all too late.
Diadora, I’m sorry I couldn’t protect our son. Had I kept Manfloy away from him, or even killed that man at any chance I could have possibly had, the world wouldn’t have to suffer like this. Until I die, I will continue to take the fall for our son, and let myself be seen as the villain in hopes I can save his name.
When the time comes, I will see to it that the Tyrfing reaches Celice’s hands. I have guarded it all these years, perhaps as a way to repent when your son was old enough to use it. He is surely after revenge, and I don’t blame him for that.
Perhaps Azel was right to stay away from me. There have been times in the past that I couldn’t control my anger, and I’ve scared him many times. I’m glad to know he was safe around you, Sigurd, and most importantly, happy. Even if I wished that he was by my side, his happiness was more important than that. I still can’t believe I thanked you for all you did for him by ending your life... and with him right there, no less.
Perhaps all of these words mean nothing. What’s done is done, and lives have been destroyed. Time keeps flowing, and as it does, I only further wish I could go back and redo the things that happened that day. Not just your son, but you, Sigurd, were a beacon of hope for the people around you. You should have also been that beacon for myself, but I pushed you away.
I know words cannot ever make up these errors, but I am truly sorry. I will live and fight for as long as I can, and protect the people of Jugdral as best I can. I won’t give in to the past if it means I can save many more lives. I believe that is what you would both want, and it is my wish to free these people from discrimination and oppression. As Emperor, that is my role.
Someday, I hope to meet you both again in death. In a place where we can finally be at peace and let our troubles die with us. With your graves beside each other, I hope you have both found peace faster than I have. I’ll join you once Celice is old enough and strong enough to care for these lands in my place.
Even if this apology is hollow to you now, and the word alone is not enough to express the truth of what I feel, I am... sorry.
Would he be forgiven? If only he could have another life to make up for everything. Surely, that wasn’t possible.
The day before his encounter with Celice at Chalphy, the letter was moved and placed in a flower pot, surrounded by brightly colored flowers that it rested between to accompany it and left between the two graves that laid beside each other.
‘Rest well. I’ll be with you soon, my friends.’