You slowly made your way back to Fluttershy's cottage, your mind heavy. I barely know Fluttershy...and I...I...had sex with her...I've only known her for two weeks and I had sex with her...what have I done? Was it the right thing to do? Fluttershy acted like she...liked it...or was happy, but...I told myself I wouldn't, and I did...

Ugh, I'd hope I would never have to help you again, your voice came out of nowhere.

You again?

Yes, me again. Your subconscious. I'm basically the smart part of you, and now you need help again.

...I made a promise to myself, and I broke it...

So? Fluttershy didn't seem to mind, did she?

W-well no, but-

'But' nothing! You want to make her happy more than anything, right?

Yeah...if she isn't happy, I couldn't be happy...

But look at her. She's happy, happier than you've ever seen her. And, if she's happy, you're happy right?

You thought on that for a moment. Even though the voice was technically you and your subconscious, it was pretty smart.

Yeah...you're right. She's happy, and if she's happy, I'm happy.

There ya go. The answer to your problems was in you all along.

New epiphany in hand, you walk to Fluttershy's cottage, a quick pace now present. You question your sanity as you trek, but for the moment, it didn't matter.

***

Tactic sat, hunched over a desk with the letters from Czar to Celestia. She knew this man? He thought to himself, brooding over the pieces of paper. How come she forgot about Epee, and all of this? Was she lying? Had she never read the letters? Had she merely forgotten? Tactic rose to search in the archives once more. By chance, he uncovered letters with Celestia's seal on them. He reopened them, and read.

***

Dear Czar,

I'm so happy for you, Czar. Yes, it is arduous, but the respect from your subjects makes up for. Rule justly and fairly, with a good blend of leniency and firmness, and your path should be somewhat smooth. Yes, I do rule the largest kingdom, and it is hard, but, I like it. I feel as though my subjects are my friends. I just hope you can feel the same about yours. Don't worry, Czar, have more faith in yourself. Have those years you spent with me gone to waste now?

Dear Czar,

Oh my, that's awful! I wish I could do something, but I sadly can't. I can't create what only your body can create. But, you still have my support the whole way. Don't talk as if all hope is lost, there will be a way to put things right. I wish I could be there as well, I wish to help in any way I can. And don't you worry about sending these letters; you come first. Please, handle what is ailing you before worrying about me.

Dear Czar,

See? It all worked out in the end. I'm sure those three will make excellent rulers. And no, it's not in your own selfish desires. It's a mutual thing. You know that you are glad that you can help them and help yourself at the same time correct? How can I forgive you when there is nothing to forgive?

Dear Czar,

Please tell me you are kidding! You can't die! Not now! What about Epee, Terra, and Broad?! What about Marvalia?! What about me?! Sorry, I overreacted. I don't really know what to say. Judging from my previous reaction, it's obvious that I am not taking this well. But, I know you. You are strong. You will know how to handle this. Be strong Czar, for your country, for your children, for me. It was all you though, Czar. The only thing I did, was help bring it out. I wish to see you too, Czar. I wish to see your face, see your smile, just like all those years ago. It hurts to know that your life span is nearly minutes to. I have been in this world for so many millennium. I wish to be with you again Czar, I wish to be with you again...

***

The letters stopped there. Celestia had not replied to his last letter. Could she have not read it? Could she have not replied? Tactic sensed something was very wrong here.

I should tell her! Tactic thought to himself as he began to find Celestia. Wait, he stopped himself. Epee asked me to keep this a secret... Tactic sighed as he slumped down at a desk, at a loss of what to do next.

***

Czar sat on his bed, just finished vomiting blood. It was only a matter of time before he died. The doctor gave him about 6 months until he would be bedridden for another year, then the sickness would end him.

Czar sat up weakly and walked over to a mirror. His eyes were red, he had bags under his eyes, his face was pale, and his body was gaunt and frail. Czar used to stand proud and tall, strong physically and mentally. Now, he was feeble, weak.

He walked over to his desk, and opened the bottom drawer. He reached in and grabbed a letter that was hidden under empty sheets of paper. He unfurled the folded paper and read.

Dear Celestia,

I don't know how I can word this. It's hard to say what I have to say. But, I will try my hardest.

I have...very strong feelings for you. Every time I think of you, I find myself dwelling on that thought for hours. It didn't alarm me at first, but then it got so bad as to where it was hard to be in the same room as you. It's funny really, thinking back on those days, when I was a prince, being love struck and feeling like a schoolboy. I still am. Then, when I left, it was the hardest thing for me. I didn't know how you felt when I left. Even after all we had...the...experience..we shared, I did not have the courage to tell you how I felt. I wanted to tell you, and maybe you felt it. Maybe it was like one of those things that didn't need to be spoken, it was just felt. Yet, still, It pains me to know that I never told you. I love you Celestia, more than I can put into words. It was mere luck that I met you. My father had brought me to Equestria to be used to another country. I was only a young man then, just out of his teens. I wasn't very good at socializing with anyone, especially you. Yet, we'd gotten acquainted. We ended up being good friends for a few years. Then...it...happened. You told me how you felt about me. You told me that you loved me. You wrapped your arms around me, pressed your lips against mine. I still remember the warm feeling of your lips, the sweet taste. It had to be kept secret, the love had to be thrown away. The chaos it would bring would be drastic. We couldn't be together...

I don't expect a positive reply, Celestia, but, I needed to get my feelings out. I'm dying, my country hates me, my own son abandoned me...It hurts Celestia. So much pain. The last decade has been so hard. I need you Celestia; this pain is too much to bear...

Czar set the letter down, tears streaming down his pale cheeks. He would cry every time he read the letter he'd written a couple years ago. He'd been too weak to send it, afraid of her response. Now, Czar was almost dead, his life was nearing it's end. If he didn't send it, his feelings would go down a secret for the rest of eternity.

Czar grabbed an envelope and slid the letter inside. He wrote Celestia's name on it and sealed the letter.

"Celestia...please forgive me..."

***

Celestia paced in her quarters. Many thoughts flew through her mind. The arson, Epee and his attacker...

Why does that name sound so familiar? Celestia thought to herself. It sounded as if she had heard that name before, but she couldn't place it. Had she read it in a letter, or heard it in a conversation?

She plopped down on her bed, tired and frustrated. As she lay there, she thought about something that hadn't come across her mind in a long time. She hadn't heard from Czar in ages; she was worried. Had he forgotten about her? Had the sickness gotten to him? She rolled to her side and curled up. Czar couldn't be dead...he couldn't just leave her...He'd never told her how he felt...even after what they had...

"Czar...please forgive me..."