I, the emperor's advisor, have been planning his assassination since day one. I hate his guts no matter how much he tries to deceive me. I know him all too well. He looks nice but he actually isn't. He makes me sick! If only he was dead. It won't be too much longer. I just have to wait patiently for the next month. That's it. Then it's over.

I was walking through the hall to the Emporers study as he requested. It was nerve-wracking. I wondered if he knew. The plan would be scraped and I will die if he ever finds out. I need to make sure. Everything has to come through...

I knocked thrice on the Emporer's door. He knows instantly it's me. "Come in William..." The Emporer says.

I come in to see him at his desk looking through piles of paper. I composed myself as I have done several times before. This is like every day. Just stay calm and he will know nothing. He can't know.

"You called?" I question the Emporer. I am loyal to the Emperor. Never straying from his words... As far as he knows. He once told me to drop the formalities as he treats me as his friend. I don't buy it but I do as he told.

The Emporer doesn't answer me. He's probably busy with paperwork. What does he want? Advice? A loyal companion? I don't know. Maybe nothing at all. That would be for the best.

Then suddenly the Emporer speaks, still not looking up from his paperwork. "How long?" He asks.

"What?" I answered instantly. How long for what? I don't understand. He couldn't know. There was no way. Nothing makes sense. Did I do something wrong? Does it show on my face? No... It couldn't. He hasn't looked up from his work. Then what?

"How long have you been so disloyal?" He asks as if he already knows.

"Never! as I am always loyal to you. Isn't that why you made me your advisor?" I decide questioning would be a better road than saying nothing. After all, he couldn't know. There was no way. I must calm down. The Emporer knows nothing... He can't.

"Hmm.. Very well..." He says scribbling something on his paperwork. I must calm down before he looks. If he looks at me he would be able to tell. I could hear my heart beating in my ears. Still wracked with nerves. "You know lying can get you killed." He continued.

Shocked. That's what I was doing. How did he know? No... He can't know... There is no way he could tell... No way... My plan was perfect!

"Of course," I say answering him. I don't have time for him to question me. I must change the subject. Something... Anything at all... Ah! "Have you read the book I recommended, your majesty?" I questioned when I noticed the book sitting beside a stack of papers.

"Changing the subject I see..." He says once again scribbling. I wish I could read his mind. I wouldn't be so nervous. "If you won't be honest then I'll come out and say it... How long have you been planning my assassination?" The Emporer asks finally looking up from his work. He looked straight at me.

What do I do now? He knows! How? I don't understand. I must get him off my trail and fast. "I don't understand what you're talking about, your majesty. I wouldn't dare do something such as that." I say bowing my head with my arm across my chest. He trusts me. There is no way he would ever think it was me.

"I already know so be honest." He says calmly, "and drop the formalities. That's not like you." He's looking me dead in the eyes. I can't do this. Not like this. I must beg for forgiveness... Or something. And fast.

I quickly got on my hands and knees ready to beg for forgiveness. "I'm so sorry your majesty. I had no choice! You must believe me!" I say nearly yelling. I must convince him and fast.

"I already know you're the culprit. There is no need to beg, that's not like you. I'll ask one last time. If you don't answer honestly then I will have no choice but to hang you from the palace. How long have you been planning my assassination?" He says with cold eyes. I could tell he was serious.

I have no choice. I must tell the truth. If I'm going down then I might as well take him with me. I got up onto my feet, looked him in the eyes, and said "since day one. My plans are nearly complete. Even if you kill me here and now, you will still die. Even if not by my hands. I must say I didn't think you would find out this quickly." I won't let him have the last laugh. Everyone will finally see him for the person he really was.

"Good," He says looking back down at his paperwork. I was stunned. What did he mean by good? What's up with him? Is he trying to trick me? He can't! I could hear him scribble away at more paperwork. He really mean what he said.

"What do you mean?" I finally spoke up. This was bizarre. Who wouldn't ask more once knowing there was an assassination plan? I don't get him.

"Hmm?" He says not even paying attention.

I walk up to his desk and slammed my hand down. "What. Do. You. Mean. By. Good?" I asked word by word. He needs to be serious about this. He will die and he's acting like I didn't say anything. Like he doesn't know what I'm talking about. What happened?

"I want you to continue with your plan. Act like I know nothing." He says scribbling away at the paper in front of him.

"What? Why? You're going to die and there is nothing you can do about it." I say bewildered. This man makes no sense. Shouldn't he do what he can to make it stop? What is up with him?

"Why should I? I won't be dying." He continues, "that's all, you may leave." He says dismissively waving his hand.

Shocked, I leave his study room, closing the door behind me. The halls were dead. You couldn't hear a pin drop if you wanted to. Confused I walk aimlessly through the halls not knowing what to do. He knows... What am I to do now? What was his plan? Should I go with my plan anyways? I don't know.