Part IV: Death's First Sword
In Tywin's daughter's war room, far from the southern front where she clashed with King Leofric of Kingdom Stella—widely feared as the strongest knight in the world—Nex stood staring into the tall mirror beside the window, unable to tear his gaze away from the color of his hair.
He couldn't process Tywin's words.
Runes. His mother being a queen. The massacre being man-made.
It all stirred questions he wasn't ready to ask—let alone answer. Now he was stuck. Running from his brother. Hunted by his sister. Waiting for his friends.
"It suits you better, prince."
The voice came from the hallway behind him. Nex blinked and met Sao's eyes through the mirror—the knight now out of his armor, dressed simply for sleep, his approach slow and calm.
Still staring at his reflection, Nex asked quietly,
"If white hair gives people comfort—makes them feel safe—then what will they see when they look at this?"
He gestured to the dark strands in the mirror.
"What do you think this color will make them feel?"
Sao stepped closer until he stood directly behind him, resting a hand gently on Nex's head.
"From what I just heard my father say, your mother—the queen—also had black hair, did she not? Then why would they feel anything different than they did when they looked at her?"
"My mother made a strong first impression," Nex murmured.
"She won tournaments under false names. She even beat my aunt, the Lioness, in a sword duel once. When they found out who she really was, people were more interested in how she won than who she was. And when she finally revealed herself—proposing to the emperor with a tournament victory—she already had their hearts."
"She sounds like a strong woman," Sao said quietly.
"I wish I had met her. But surely the rumors of her beating the Lioness are just… stories."
Nex turned slightly, meeting his gaze without hesitation.
"I heard it from my aunt Sarah herself."
Sao blinked, surprised.
"Then your mother truly was one of a kind. The Lioness became a Swordmaster just four years older than you are now—and your mother beat her?"
He let out a low whistle.
"A queen. A duelist. A princess… who knows what else she accomplished that history hasn't recorded yet."
Sao gave a small nod. "I look up to her." then a slight smile and began stepping back.
"My mother?" Nex asked, surprised. "You never even knew her."
"No," Sao said, pausing by the door.
"Not your mother. The Lioness. I was going to swear my loyalty to her after my victory at the Battle of the Blackwater Swamps. But I suppose, with her in Vaelthrone... maybe I'll swear it to you instead, Prince Nex."
"The battle where you led from the front," Nex said, narrowing his eyes, "while my siblings hid in their tents... killing deserters."
Sao froze.
"…They what?"
He turned sharply.
"Do you understand what you're saying? Can you prove that?"
"I can't. But there's a bounty hunter—Loa. He hunted down most of the deserters. He only cares about coin and safety. Offer him both, and he'll admit it himself. He did nothing wrong—just followed coin."
Sao was quiet, then asked carefully,
"Why were you even there, Nex? Why weren't you sent home—or sent to fight, at least?"
"They wanted something from me," Nex replied flatly.
"Some twisted show of mercy. They wanted me alive. The last thing I was ordered to do was ride to Lumen with Abigail—cleaned, dressed in noble clothes. I assume they meant to display me. Or maybe... sell me to one of the noble houses here."
"There wouldn't have been a single noble in this city foolish enough to buy or display you without my father knowing," Sao said. "I suppose he must have known then... He cares about you you know."
"Then why didn't he ride to the camp himself?" Nex snapped. "One of the High Knights alone would've made the whole camp shit themselves."
"Technically, yes—they're under his command, since they're part of Lumen. But the High Knights have full autonomy. They can do whatever they see fit. They only answer to the Knight Commander—the highest authority in the Empire below the Emperor himself."
"I suppose that's true," Nex muttered, "but your father could've gotten me out of that camp sooner. I spent twenty days living as a slave for my sister and brother—digging graves for the deserters they had my friend kill. Why did he wait and have nobles try to buy me off from them?"
Sao frowned. "Are you saying my father let you stay there? That he knew, and did nothing?"
He stepped forward, voice lowering.
"Did you see his face when he saw you alive? That was the first time in my entire life I've seen my father cry. Not when my mother died. Not even when my sister and me left for war. But when he saw you."
Silence fell between them. Nex finally turned to face him. He knew—logically—that his thoughts didn't make sense. But he still felt it: a tightness in his chest. A gnawing unease he couldn't shake.
"Would you really do it?" Nex asked.
"Swear loyalty to me, instead of the strongest swordswoman in the Empire? You know I have nothing. No sword, no men, no coin. So why?"
Sao hesitated. A slow smile crept onto his face—not mocking, but nostalgic, as old memories surfaced. His own childhood hadn't been so different from the young prince's. The difference was the father.
Where the Emperor abandoned Nex and declared him dead, Tywin raised Sao—gave him purpose. Gave him something to believe in. Something to aim for. Something he now saw missing in the boy before him.
"…No reason," Sao finally said, that same small smile still lingering.
"I just want to serve the Prince of Death."
Nex blinked.
"It has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?" Sao continued.
"Imagine it—on the frontlines. That flash of dark—or maybe even white—hair. And then the whispers: 'It's him. The Prince of Death. Nex—the cursed prince. Death himself stands with the army.'
That would terrify any enemy."
"Enough with your jokes, Sao," Nex muttered. "Just tell me—will you really swear it or not?"
Sao's smirk faded, replaced by something softer. A quieter, more heartfelt smile.
"Of course, my prince."
"I, Sao Loras, son of Tywin Loras, Governor and Guardian of Lumen—Knight of no order, knighted by the Commander of the High Knights, Arthur himself—swear that I will follow you through life and death. I will raise my sword only to defend you, and strike only those you deem enemies. I will obey your commands as if they are the word of God—even if they stand against the word of the Emperor himself."
He lifted his gaze. "Will you accept me into your service, Your Majesty?"
Nex stepped forward, his voice steadier than before.
"Yes, Sao Loras. I, Nex Augustus, son of Aurora the Sword Princess and Aurelian Augustus, Emperor of Augustus—accept you as one of my own."
"Any insult to your honor shall be an insult to mine. Your death will be my death. And your loyalty will be met with gratitude, respect, and honor."
"I accept you."
Sao rose, a dashing smile lighting up his face.
"Does this mean if I stab myself now, I'd basically be assassinating you, my prince?"
Nex gave a dry laugh. "It also means if I stabbed you, I might as well be committing suicide."
They both burst into laughter. Nex couldn't remember the last time he had felt truly safe—protected—simply by the presence of one person.
"We should get some sleep, Prince. We'll need it. I presume my father's stories aren't done yet."
"If I could sleep, I'd already be dreaming in your sister's overly comfortable bed."
Sao chuckled. "What keeps you awake? Alexander and Abigail?"
Then, with a flash of steel in his voice:
"Not even the Emperor Aurelian himself could take you from Lumen by force—not even with half the empire's army. He wouldn't succeed."
"It's not fear that keeps me awake," Nex said quietly. "It's worry. For my friends. They should be on their way to Lumen right now—with that infant."
Sao raised an eyebrow.
"Infant? I didn't know you already had your first prince. And here I thought you were the child."
He broke into soft laughter, the sarcasm light but playful.
Nex gave a tired smile, but didn't laugh.
"It's not mine, Sao. But I want to raise it as if it were."
His voice grew distant, eyes fixed on the stars.
"Without that child… I would've given up a long time ago. It gave me hope. A responsibility. Something to look toward. A reason to keep going."
He hesitated, then added:
"Even Lucy and Sarah couldn't give me that."
"If your friends are anything like you, Prince, then I assure you—they'll be fine."
Sao sat beside him, his tone turning sincere.
"You're eleven winters old, and when your entire life was torn apart, you didn't crumble. You questioned my father—not for answers, but for revenge."
He let that sink in a moment before continuing.
"Once your friends make it into Lumen, they'll be safe. I'll speak to the gate guards myself. Just give me their descriptions, and by morning I'll have the scouts and watchmen on the lookout."
Then he stood and gave a small nod toward the bed.
"But for now, get some sleep. Just lie down, look up at the ceiling, and start counting. Eventually, your mind will tire itself out."
He paused at the door.
"You're not alone anymore, Prince. Try to remember that."