Why Did Lucian Make His Biggest Regret In 'Lucian'S Regret'?

Lucian's biggest regret in 'Lucian's Regret' stems from his inability to protect his younger sister during a critical moment. His arrogance blinded him to the dangers lurking in their world, and when the attack came, he prioritized proving his strength over her safety. By the time he realized his mistake, it was too late—she was gone. The novel paints his regret as a slow burn, with every victory afterward feeling hollow because she wasn't there to share it. His journey becomes about atonement, but the weight of that single failure never lifts. The author does a brilliant job showing how one decision can unravel an entire life.

The core of Lucian's regret in 'Lucian's Regret' isn't just about a single mistake—it's about the series of choices that led there. Early in the story, Lucian dismisses warnings from his allies, convinced his combat skills make him untouchable. This overconfidence creates a rift with his sister, who sees the threats he ignores. When their home is attacked, he charges into battle instead of staying by her side, believing he could end the conflict swiftly. The enemy exploits this, targeting her while he's distracted.

What makes his regret so devastating is the aftermath. Lucian survives as a broken man, haunted by 'what ifs.' The novel doesn't glamorize his pain; it shows him struggling with mundane triggers—a laugh that sounds like hers, a dish she used to cook. His later heroics feel bittersweet because they're driven by guilt, not virtue. The author subtly contrasts Lucian with the villain, who also lost family but chose vengeance over remorse. This parallel makes Lucian's regret a thematic anchor for the entire story.

Interestingly, the narrative never lets Lucian fully redeem himself. His final sacrifice saves others, but he dies knowing he couldn't rewrite the past. That refusal to offer cheap closure is what makes 'Lucian's Regret' stand out in the genre.

Lucian's regret in 'Lucian's Regret' hits hard because it's so relatable—it's about failing someone you love when they needed you most. The novel reveals through flashbacks that his sister actually begged him to stay home that night, but he brushed her off, calling her paranoid. His dismissal wasn't malicious; he genuinely believed nothing could harm them. That makes his regret cut deeper. The attack wasn't some grand battle—it was a quiet ambush, and her death was quick, almost impersonal.

The brilliance of the storytelling lies in how Lucian's regret evolves. Initially, he rages against the world, hunting down those responsible. Later, he realizes his true enemy was his own negligence. A standout scene shows him teaching orphans combat skills, desperately trying to prevent others from repeating his mistake. His regret isn't just grief; it's the crushing awareness that his actions have irreversible consequences. The novel avoids melodrama by grounding Lucian's pain in small, everyday moments—like how he can't bring himself to visit her favorite garden or how he keeps her old scarf long after it's frayed beyond use.