"In the name of the Republic, Ray Raven will hereby be executed by beheading being guilty of committing treason."
In front of the large crowd, the judge announced his verdict, which shocked them.
Ray Raven, one of the rebel leaders and a great founder of the Republic of Grassland was now about to be executed due to treason!
'So to bring down a tyrant, we just replaced him with another one!'
'Let them kill me. Hang me on the street as an exhibition. Cause the entire life of mine turned out to be worthless anyway.'
While standing on the gullotine, he turned his head toward the crowd- filled with curiosity and fear. They neither hated nor loved him.
They watched the rebellion filled with hope but it didn't take long before their hope shattered into pieces.
With a bitter face, he placed his head on the guillotine.
For the last time, he lifted his head. The dim light of the afternoon fell on the green horizon, and a particular, innocent boy, was clueless about the situation.
The executioner was holding his blade ready to slay his head. But he didn't feel any horror or fear. He had many regrets but in the last moment, he didn't want to remember those.
"At least nature is giving me a warm goodbye. Goodbye, grassland and its people. I tried my best to help you but failed miserably. I hope a bright future awaits this nation though it might be just wishful thinking'
The blade fell down and with a soft smile, he accepted the death.
The crowd just watched not knowing whether they should be happy or sad. Some spectators began to puke after the beheading that's all.
The farce of the day shattered the hope of the republic but for the populace whose only thought was ensuring the next meal, it didn't mean much anyway.
_______
"Uhhhh" - with a loud scream Ray woke up from his bed. It felt like a nightmare - his body was all sweaty, heavy pain on his head.
His sight fell on the marvelous portrait of Rein Raven- his father holding a cigar in his hand.
With a dizzy head, he noticed the familiar bedroom after seemingly a long time.
'Wa.. was that all a nightmare?'
He checked his soft, pale hand, then his face which didn't have any scars of rebellion.
'Was it all just a bad memory then?'-
Moving his neck around, he looked at the marvelous architecture and luxurious furniture which once used to make him hate his family. The inequality of the society, exploitation of the nobility once created burning hatred in his heart.
But now there's nothing, he understood society is hierarchical by nature and inequality can't be erased completely. But what's possible is to help each other and create harmony. So, the lack of materialistic possessions didn't matter to them.
But the path he had chosen was filled with hatred and destruction. Which was the fault from the very beginning.
"lord Ray, did something happen? I heard a scream" - Irin- his maid rushed into the room in a hurry.
Looking at her he remembered the moment when she slapped him. During the rebellion, his father maintained his unshaken royalty. Later, he himself led the assault and sent his parents to prison.
"No. I just had a nightmare. That's all"- he felt guilt while saying that.
"You should head for the dinner table. Count will arrive there any moment"- saying that she left.
Irin was more than just a maid- she had taken care of him since childhood. She's more like a mother.
'I don't think it's a nightmare. It's too real, too detailed to be so. '
'Did I go back to the past or am I living in a dream after my death?'
He didn't want to think about those things now.
While approaching the dinner table, he marvelled at the luxurious interior and portraits of his ancestors.
"Good morning Ray, I heard you scream, Did you wet your bed or something"
-Ria, Irin's daughter was not only informal but also made fun of him at any opportunity she got.
"I'm not a brat like you"- Ray decided to ignore him but the image of her crying came to his mind. She pleaded to release her father but Ray was clouded by his ideals. He couldn't help but feel guilty about it.
At the dinner table, he met his mother, daughter of duke astray. She was politically active and assisted his father, that's why she was sent to prison for 10 years by the jury made up of rebels.
The youthful sight of his younger brother Robin creating a picture of something made him feel guilty. He remembered how much resentment he had for Ray after their parents went to prison.
Rein Raven, his father, entered the room not like some high and mighty aristocrat but as a family man.
"Sorry. I'm late 'cause an urgent matter just came."
Count Rein was always a good and loyal man. But it was Ray himself who declared his execution. He was a member of the jury and a judge- he could've easily saved his father. But to gain the trust of his rebel comrade he sacrificed his father.
The last word of his father was,
"Ray, I always knew you were different, a boy with high ideals. But the path you chose, is it really the only path forward?"
With a long sigh, he said,
"Just remember, your father always loved you, even loves you now. Make sure to take good care of Robin. May Almighty bless you."