Framing him was easy. I had spent seven years by his side- enough time to catalog his beliefs, habits, and unwavering faith in my counsel.

Therefore, it was easy to trick him into trespassing a restricted mine owned by the royals and committing treason. Even as he crossed that threshold, his smile remained earnest.

Two months have passed since his arrest. Strangely I find myself searching for his familiar rounded figure with every heavy footstep and boisterous laughter.

But I cannot hesitate. I must not give in to hesitation. This is the path I chose. The path to help him truly mature. Because only through betrayal will he finally see the world as it truly is.

With that in mind, I started drafting a letter he would receive in five years.

“Dear Round One,

If you're reading this letter, then five years must have passed—enough time for your rage to mellow or intensify.

I sit by the pier surrounded by...