Reborn: To Love My Prince Who Never Became a King The Price of Redemption

The Price of Redemption

Previously~

Spirit

You now stand before the gates of heaven

Zane Knight {DO}

(Zane’s brows furrowed)

Zane Knight {DO}

Heaven? (He let out a humorless laugh, shaking his head)

Zane Knight {DO}

There’s no way I belong here. Not after what I did to him

Zane Knight {DO}

(His voice cracked, guilt clawing at his chest)

Zane Knight {DO}

I mistreated an innocent person… I broke someone who had already been broken enough

Zane Knight {DO}

(Memories flashed before his eyes—the cold stares, the harsh words, the times he turned away when Lucian needed him most. Each one cut deeper than the last.)

The spirit watched him, silent for a moment before finally speaking.

Spirit

You are here because of your husband

Zane Knight {DO}

(Zane’s head snapped up)

Zane Knight {DO}

Lucian?

Spirit

He prayed for you, even in his final moments. His soul was weighed down by grief, but not hatred. Because of him, you have been given a choice

Zane Knight {DO}

(Zane’s throat tightened) A… choice?

Spirit

(The spirit nodded) You are being given a chance to be reborn. To change your fate… and his.

Shock rippled through Zane, but it was quickly replaced by something else. Desperation.

Zane Knight {DO}

Instead of giving me this chance… (His voice wavered as his hands trembled)

Zane Knight {DO}

Can’t you give it to him?

Zane Knight {DO}

(Zane took a shaky step forward, pleading now)

Zane Knight {DO}

Lucian suffered his entire life. He had people around him, but not a single person who was truly his. He was a good soul who never deserved the pain he endured. I thought he was a monster when I was forced to marry him, but I was the real monster. He was just another victim—just like me.

Zane Knight {DO}

(His chest heaved, emotions crashing over him like waves)

Zane Knight {DO}

I only realized too late that he never wanted this either. The cold, ruthless mask he wore—it was just a shield.

Zane Knight {DO}

Deep down, he was still a child who longed for love

Zane Knight {DO}

(His voice broke) And he died saving me

Zane Knight {DO}

(Tears spilled down his face as he fell to his knees)

Zane Knight {DO}

Please… please let him live instead of me

The spirit stepped forward, kneeling before him. Then, to Zane’s shock, it pulled him into a gentle embrace.

Spirit

Do you truly believe, that if I gave him this chance, he would use it for himself? (spoke in soft tone)

Zane Knight {DO}

(stilled)

Spirit

Lucian would never seek revenge for himself. But for you? He would tear the world apart.

Zane’s hands curled into fists against the spirit’s form. He knew it was true. Lucian had always endured silently, never fighting back against those who wronged him. If given the chance, he wouldn’t seek justice for himself—he’d do it for Zane.

Spirit

You misunderstand (pulling back to look at him)

Spirit

This second chance is not for you. It is for the prince who never became a king

Zane Knight {DO}

(His breath caught in his throat)

Spirit

I want you to make him feel loved, Zane. And I want you to bring justice to those who made his life a living hell

Zane Knight {DO}

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