His eyes opened, a groan left his mouth as he turned over on his bed, looking at the wall, he pushed himself up, his hands shaking as he sat at the edge of his bedframe. "Ah." He rubbed his shoulder before stretching his arms. "Okay, Lilium, new day..." He pushed himself up, walking around his room as the floorboards creaked under his feet. He walked over to his window pushing it open the smell of the sea filled his room before the rotting smell or fish and sea waste hits his nose, his eyes shot up, he leaned at the edge of the window looking out, watching as the ships sailed out, his eyes moved down to the streets below watching as men haul heavy lumber, sea food or hauling bricks. The women were chatting with their husbands as they set up stalls for the morning, and there were children carrying vegetables and clay jars filled with water following behind their parents. Rubbing the bridge of his eyes, he closed the window before he walked to his door, pushing it open. Walking to the stairs, he turned around, looking at his mother's room.

  He tapped his fingers on the railing before turning back to the stairs. He walked down the steps, the boards bending under his feet as he made his way to the door. Resting his hand on the handle, he took a breath. His head turned, looking over his shoulder at the stairs. He took his hand off the handle, walking back to the stairs as he sat on the lower step, looking upstairs. The door upstairs opened as Florins exited her room, her wavy, rusted golden brown hair glowing within the shafts of light as she stepped out. She looked down, seeing Lilium sitting at the bottom of the stairs. He raised his head, looking at her, as she looked back at him.

  Walking down the stairs, she held up her light blue dress, which had embroidery around the wrists and around the neck, walking down the stairs, she stopped one step away from Lilium. She looked at him. "My... Son." She looked at him, and he looked at her. He was shirtless, dressed in nothing but his breeches. "Mother..." She sat on the step above him, holding her dress around her legs. "Lilium. About yesterday?" He nodded. "Yes, you said we'd speak today. And that boy with me was my friend," Florins nodded. "Lilium, I... I did not expect you to do that yesterday." She reached her hand out, touching his face, her long nails trailing across his soft skin. "You've changed what happened? This isn't like you, but it's not unwelcome." He raised his hand, resting it on hers. "I..." Her hand tightened around his. "Don't, Lilium, you don't have to say a word." She let go of his hand, looking down the stairs. "Let's just be quiet. We don't need to utter another word." he turned his head, looking down at the wooden floor. The splinters of the dark wood cracked, and gaps between the boards showed the mud underneath.

  "Hm." Raising his head, he turned, looking at her. "I can't help but wonder... Do we always have to live the life we are born into? No matter the class or blood?" Her gaze turned to him. "I can't say, one moment you could be the emperor of the land, next you're a nobody selling at the market goods..." A heavy breath left her mouth. "And sometimes services." He lowered his head. "And yet, isn't selling goods most honest? Than waging a war or..." he rested his hand on the stairs, gripping the floorboards, she nodded. "Yes, it is more honest, Lilium, but sometimes honesty gets you nowhere, well, except with an empty stomach, especially so when there are two." His head lowers as he taps his fingers on the step. "Yet, to be honest is to be free of burdens; honesty can pay. I saw it with my own eyes, mother, if what you say is true, and I agree with you." He closed his eyes. "Yet... Yet I don't think I can hold true to that anymore, if I wasn't honest with myself, I would have." His chest rose before he exhaled. "I would have been like those whom I looked down upon, I'd be the filth hiding in alleyways, robbing and killing, the men who work to pay debts, or even a blade for hire," he raised his head, looking at her. "And because of my honesty... No, I agree with you." She stood up, reaching into his dress pockets, taking out a thin thread necklace from the bottom, hanging a shimmering blue crystal ball wrapped in elegant patterns tightly around the crystal. "I made you something..." She extended her arm as the necklace hung between them. "I found this gem where I find it well, my boy." A smile formed at the edge of her mouth. "It's a secret until you return." Lilium looked at the necklace. "How could someone lose something like this?" he reached out, taking the necklace from her, and he placed it over his head around his neck as it sat in the middle of his chest. "It's beautiful," he picked up the pendant. "This is so," he paused, laughing. "Thank you..." She lowered her head, nodding. "You should leave for work now, son. I'll clean up after you're gone." He looked at her. "Mother, I am half-naked. I am not leaving until I get properly dressed," he turned around, walking up the stairs, and paused.

  His hand clenched the rail as his eyes widened. He stayed still, motionless as the noise faded and a sharp ring stung his ears, his face curled, his breath grew heavy, before he continued up the rows of stairs. As he moved up the stairs his movement slowed as liquid thick was holding his feet, his vision blurred as grass took over the steps, the walls fell rotted, he was in an open field the wind howling clashing with his bare chest, he looked forward in the distance he saw a man, dressed in armor, iron at the top of his set sat a black crista he stood there looking onto the ocean, he approached the man on the beach, as he walked ruins of stone and marble littered the beach, walls were shattered as piles of smoke filled the air behind him as sound filled his ears screaming, crying as a blazing fire burned behind him, turning around he found himself on a bridge looking down at the people burning in fire tears ran down his face, he jerked back yet the body looking down did not move Lilium approach, looking at the man from the side his face was shadowed by darkness, turning his head he was now standing in a grand hall in front of him sat a massive painting a man wearing a crown with a single white line running through them, a woman wearing a green veil with flowing hair and a child held in her arms, he walked down the hall and stood in his position was the same man from the beach and bridge.

  "Lilium... You've grown into a competent young man," a voice echoed. "I only wish I could have seen you grow. None of my sons inherited this curse of my family, and in truth, I am glad." The voice echoed as he turned around. He stood in a well-lit room. Inside the room, there was a cradle with a baby inside. The man stood over the crib playing with the child. "I only wish you didn't get this curse, let it end with me, I dream, but I've already seen how it'll play out." A heavy breath left his mouth. "There is nothing I can do." his finger was grasped by the baby. "You are my son, I am your father, I am to protect you... Yet I cannot protect my own people, my wife or you, not from Him, I've failed in many ways, everyone in our blood has we were once great only truly once I've seen things I want not of you to see, I've turned so many to enemies, and so few to allies I've failed your mother now she plans to leave I don't know where but she's taking you perhaps for the better, for yourself. But I can't say for her, I know you'll hear this when you do come meet me but I won't be the same man I once was, I can't promise you anything, I can't give you anything because I can't help myself I doubt I'm the one even ruling anymore, It's all just falling apart and I fear so am I, goodbye my son I pray for you, for you not to be like Him for you to be better than our blood."

  The world fades as his vision dims, as his eyes open, he continued walking up the stairs, beads of sweat ran down his face and cheek, a jagged breath left his mouth as he gulped. "... Father?" his eyes widen, he turned around looking at his mother as his eyes widen. "Mother..." He turned took a step down the stairs, before stopping he gripped the railings, turning around he walked back up the stairs, walked to his room he grabbed his shirt and coat, putting on his shirt he smoothen the fabric, followed by his coat, he walked down the steps as he reached downstairs he noticed his mother already left, he picked up his shoes, slipping them on he walked out the door into the mud and gravel road of the Back District. "It... Can't be my father can't- It's impossible." his eyebrowns twitch as he walked through the streets, as the buildings and people passed in a blur, he approached the stairs leading up to the Nobles View, the stone road turning to marble as he stood at the edge of the Nobles View. His gaze reached high into the sky, the towering buildings of marble casting shallow shadows in the early morning sun.

  He clenched his fist, walking through the Nobles View, and he heard whispers. "Did you hear? Someone bought that old Lillian-style manor." A woman replied, accompanied by two guards. "Oh, that eye sore? Hm, I suppose someone would take a liking to it, truth be told, I found it to be quite... Rustic, it's charming for what it is." The other woman replied. "Ah, yes! A show item, much like the bloom seals." The other woman nodded. "Yes, I asked my husband to buy it, it was only a few regum pieces." The lady sighed. "Said it was too expensive, it was five, maybe six pieces of regum ." The other woman gasps. "Why! That much for that manor? It seems a bit much. At most, I'd pay two regum pieces and five princeps, maybe two pieces of reginae to move the wheels faster." The other woman sighed. "The manor, yes, I'd pay the same amount, but it's the size of the land that makes it worth it." The woman adjusted her silk stola, which was embroidered with symbols of the sun. "And my husband said so as well, so it must be true." The other woman nodded. "Ah, I see your point. If he said so, it must be true. I wish I could say the same for my husband; he takes such unnecessary risks." Lilium began walking away, shaking his head. He walked deeper into Nobles View. "Ebur... Ebur." He muttered. "He owes me a favour. I- AHH! Now is the time to use it." his lips moved as the words exited quietly.

  He moved through the streets, walking, and rubbed his eyes. "What was that... No, I know what it is. But what is it?" he moved through the paths, walking towards a grand estate. The pillars had more markings on them, now showing the sun as a ring in the sky. The artisans worked dressed in fine cloth, hitting their hammers against chisels of different sizes. Lilium approached the door as guards blocked him. "What is your reason for coming here? The Lord of the estate do not have the time to deal with commonfolks at this moment." Lilium looked up at the guard they wore layerd steal with a leather pteruges and greaves on their legs they wore a royal blue cloak around thier bodies and a pair of caligae on their feet, their face was blocked by a full face iron mask, that was attached to thier helmet, they had engravings running down their mask ending in gashing across the eyes of the mask. Lilium raised his head, looking at them, his jaw clenched and unclenched. "Okay," he turned around, as a voice echoed. "Wait!" He turned around as Ebur walked towards him. He wore a red robe with a slash of purple across his shoulder. "Apologies about the guards, they are just doing their work." A smile formed on his face as the sun reflected off his emerald green eyes; his platinum hair hung freely. "Did you reconsider my offer? If you have? Lovely! Come on in." Lilium tapped his forehead. "No, No not that, you haven't proven you are someone I'd want to follow." Ebur looked at him, his lips pressed into a line. "Hm. Then why are you here?" Lilium grabbed his hand, walking away. "To talk." Ebur blinked. "About what?" Lilium continued walking behind the estate, and he looked at Ebur. "What do you know about King Sol Ardentis La Durus?" Ebur paused, looking at Lilium. "Why would you want to know about our king? That he's an amazing man, a strong and just leader, a direct descendant of Kaiser the Unifier, what else is there to know? Nothing, so why are you asking this?" Lilium looked at Ebur. "I think I might be his son." Ebur looked at Lilium. He stood still, the sound of hammering stopped, and Ebur began to laugh. "If you're King Ardentis son, your mother has to be his first wife-" Ebur stopped, looking at Lilium. "His first wife... Princess Florins Clamet sixth of her name." Ebur took a step back. "YOU!?" he looked at the ground. "Give me a moment." He raised his hand.

  Lilium stepped back. "Wait, hold on now-." Ebur looked at Lilium. "You, I knew it!" Lilium looked at him. "Okay, so you're good now?" Ebur run his hand through his hair. "Good? Good?! I'm excited! I'm in shock, I can't- Lilium! Oh god I feel so stupid, of course Lilium! The name of King Ardentis' eldest son, the night, I wasn't born yet, but! My father, not just my father, everyone spoke about that night when an entire district went up in flames, a disgraced commander not loyal to any side attacked, claiming the heretic religion! It makes sense now! That night, King Ardentis lost his wife and newborn child a few weeks old. They were going to announce it at that district, so I heard, but early that day she ran away with the child somewhere." he looked at Lilium. "Now you are here! This is... This is what my goals needed!" Lilium looked at him. "I came here to get help, not join you in, whatever in the gods' name you're doing." He turned around, and Ebur walked in front of him. "Hold on now, we can help each other," he pointed his finger at Lilium's chest. "Think about it, you're a prince, a real prince with a claim, your mother was married to King Ardentis, that's a legitimate claim." He looked at Lilium. "But you lack coinage, the right to rule, a real goal and standing." Ebur breath. "I can offer all of that, you just have to be my personal knight, that'll help me with my goal and knowing you're a prince, that'll make me achieve more!" Lilium looked at Ebur. "Prove it, prove you are worthy of my loyalty." Ebur looked at him. "I know gold won't work, I tried it." He looked at Lilium. "Partners." Lilium's eyes widen. "What?" Ebur looked at him. "I like you, I see you as an equal in some parts, and I will share my dream with you, my real dream." A breath left Lilium's mouth. "So am I under you or standing with you?" Ebur looked down. "I stand where I want and when it's needed." Lilium nodded. "Complex way of saying below you, but I know where I stand, and I'm willing to be below you until I can stand with you." Ebur extended his hand. "Then I promise to never stand in your way." Lilium extended his hand, holding Ebur's. "Then it's settled." Ebur nodded.

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  Looking at Lilium, he opened his mouth. "I still need a moment, I can't believe- he closed his mouth. "I can't believe the prince was in the Back District." Lilium nodded. "I didn't think it was possible", Ebur closed his eyes. "How did you learn about it?" Lilium looked at him. "I... You won't understand." Ebur nodded. "I guess you're right." Ebur turned around. "Come." He began walking into the estate, and Lilium raised an eyebrow as he began walking behind him. "What now?" Ebur pushed open the door of the estate, turning left down a hallway of marble walls, towering sculptures of different men and woman, he entered a room, turning around, he looked at Lilium. Lilium entered as dust filled his nose, and he wiped his nose, sneezing as it echoed throughout the room and estate. "You are my knight? Yes." He walked up to a gleaming suit of armour. "That makes you mine." He ran his hand across the armour. "And since you are mine, you have to wear my family's crest." Lilium looked at him. "I suppose." Ebur nodded. "Good." Turning around, he looked at Lilium. "A prince needs fine armour, a knight needs proper armour. I wonder what are you?" Lilium looked at the armour sets. "Hm." His hand brushed across them. "I don't know what I am anymore." Ebur walked over to him; the footsteps echoed in the room. "Then what do you want to become?" Lilium looked at him. "Want?" He looked at the armour. "I want to know what's happening with me." He looked at Ebur. "My entire life was and is defined by hate, anger, sadness, and I aimed it at someone who didn't deserve it." He walked across the rooms looking at the armour, from bronze to iron, some were engraved, others were plain.

  He stood in front of a set of armour, it was iron with bronze lining, the top ended with a pointed crown, the face was covered with a face, it had hollowed cheeks, the details showed skin clinging to the bones, the front had engravings of the sun across the chest, with flowing lines across the arms and legs. "I was starving for a reason, why me? Why was I the one suffering?" He touched the armour. "But I wasn't suffering, I didn't even know what suffering meant, I just knew poverty and hunger like all the others in the slums, never giving thanks to the only person in my life." He looked at the armour. "I am a fool," he said, picking up the helmet. "This one." Ebur walked, stopping near Lilium. "Hm. This was inspired by Kaiser's funereal armour." He handed Lilium a set of gambeson, he watched as Lilium removed his old clothes keeping his leggings on he put on the thick gambeson, Ebur handed him a chainmail with long sleeves Lilium put it on as the chain clink together rattling, Ebur handed him chainmail leggings Lilium put it on using the leather strap to tie it around his waist, Ebur approched him putting the pieces of armour around him pulling the hidden straps around his body. Ebur picked up the helmet, and he removed the face mask, placing it on Lilium's head. "I, Ebur Voluntarius, take Lilium Clamet, now known Prince Lilium La Durus Clamet, First of his name, as a knight in my personal service." He placed the mask back on, sliding it from the botton latching it to the mask. "I, Prince Lilium La Durus Clamet, recognise Ebur Voluntarius to be my lord." Ebur nodded. "Good." He turned around. "Everything is coming together." He picked up a blade. "I'm sure you remember this." He held it out to him, the black handle wrapped in leather catching his eye. "Yes, I do." He reached out, picking up the blade that fit flush in his hands. "How could I forget something I helped made?" He unsheathed the blade, looking at it. "But not because I made something means I know how to use it," he sheathed the blade, throwing it at Ebur. He caught the blade, looking at Lilium. "But your mentor is Animae, the man who led the Lillian army." Ebur looked at him. "How can you not know swordsmanship with such a mentor!" He grabbed Lilium's wrist. "He's just a blacksmith, what are you on about?" Ebur let go. "You don't know? How can you NOT know about the Lillian mortem knights! They single-handedly destroyed our capital city of Aureae Portae." Ebur ran his hand through his hair. "He was by far the most skilled leader in the war! He knows swordsmanship better than anyone, better than my father, my guards, hell, it rivals the current Sol, it rivals King Ardentis." Lilium placed a hand on Ebur's shoulder. "Calm down, Ebur." Ebur backed away. "CALM DOWN! Lilium, this day, it's just. Wow, Okay, see." He took a breath. "It's not every day you find a Sol in the gutters." Lilium raised an eyebrow. "A what?" Ebur tapped his forehead. "Right! Right! I never explained it so to the basics, a Sol is the current ruler of the Domain of Sol, we call them the current Sol, those of the." He looked at Lilium. "Calls them a King, if we're being informal, we say King, or King Sol to be clear. But!" he raised his hand at Lilium. "If we're being formal, we say Sol." Lilium walked over to the door, looking out. "Stupid. Just call the man king, it's more standard." Ebur opened his mouth before closing it. He walked behind him.

  They made their way outside, standing in the courtyard. "You still need to learn everything I said. Even with such a strong claim, you don't have the right to rule, not at all." Lilium turned around. "Right to what?" Ebur stopped. "Right to rule the kingdom, sit on the throne, make moves using your title. You know? Ruling, you are a prince, but you're also a hidden one, you have no social standing outside me, maybe form connections with the old money in Nobles front." Lilium nodded. "There is a woman." Ebur tilted his head. "Heh? wha-" Lilium raised his hand. "No, it wasn't like that, her name is Ecce." Ebur walked around him. "Ecce? That eccentric. You do know she is married to a very rich man, yet she beds everyone." Ebur waved his hand. "Please, you need a real connection, not some." His lips twitched. "Vento woman, you know those people are crude and uncivilised." Ebur clenched his jaw. "You need someone native. A Solian, not a Venton." Lilium walked away. "Well, you look for them, I'm going home, my mother wanted to show me something." Ebur walked behind him. "Hm. Fine, but I expect you to be close by." He held out a leather bag. "Here. Lords often pay their knights." Lilium took the bag, opening it. "Hm. Ten Regums." he tied it around his waist. "Knights get paid this much? To what walk around near a rich idiot." Ebur closed his eyes, cracking his fingers. "I take offence to that, and no, knights don't get paid that." He pointed to the pouch. "Much, they get a few around fifteen Princeps monthly, that is a favour of goodwill and a promise for more." Lilium's body began to shake, the armour rattling. "Hmhmhmha! Wow, you handed me this much? As goodwill, are you an idiot? I overheard a few women, this is the price of an estate and some." Ebur rubbed his face. "No, Lilium, it's standard to offer a prince- Nevermind just return later in a few days, we have to speak about your manners and social etiquette." A heavy breath left Lilium's mouth. "Fine, fine. I can hear you're getting tired." Lilium looked at him. "If it means that much, fine, I'm willing to pretend if it means finishing whatever you're planning." He tapped the top of Ebur's head, feeling the silky smooth hair on the palm of his hand. "You are too young to be plotting takeovers, you know that? And I understand I've been nothing but rude." Ebur shook his head. "No, it's fine." He looked at Lilium. "What are you? like fourteen cycles in? You're only one year older than me! You can't comment on my age." He paused. "But you're right, both of us need to, well, hold the same head." He looked at his family estate, the massive sprawling estate, marble and stone, the locks of Imbrix and tegula surrounded by towering buildings of marble and stained glass, casting long shadows across the yard. "I'm risking everything." He looked at Lilium. "Because this can go two ways: one, it shows we're loyal to the original Sol bloodline, or two, we are traitors of our nation." Lilium looked down. "Then we don't fail." He walked away, turning around, he walked out of the back gate leading into an alleyway, he walked out as his eyes adjusted to the golden sun reflecting low off the glass and polished marble of the Nobles View, he blinked, walking into the streets.

  Ebur stood there, looking at the estate. "Then we don't..." He raised a hand over to the afternoon sun, clenching his fist around it as a ring of light formed around his hand. "We won't." He turned his back, walking into the estate, the halls of marble and red silk curtains fading behind him. Outside, Lilium was making his way down the stairs, leading into the back district. In the distance, far into the ocean, the tides have lowered, and people fill the beach. Men, woman and children, families walking on the sand picking up crabs, lobsters, mussels and limpets. They dug it out using sticks or using their hands to pluck them off stones or using their hands to push small rocks, picking up stranded crabs. Lilium walked down the stairs, the metal sabaton sinking partly into the mud. He continued walking as his feet stopped sinking into the mud and gravel. He walked to his home, his armour clanking as he moved, and the gravel and mud were hardened. As he walked, people stopped and stared. "Who is that? A knight, what's a knight doing here?" A man spoke. "He's going to the whore Florins's house; what trouble did that woman bring onto herself?" A woman spoke up. "Florins isn't a whore, she's an escort only high value man." The man snorted. "Same thing, different class." Lilium looked at the man from under his mask. "Mind your words. Such a crude manner of speaking is ill." He looked at the man, the man dressed in rough wool breeches and a tunic, backed down. "Didn't think anyone would care, you know?" The man lowered his head, walking away.

  He stopped in front of his door, looking at the bucket of water near him he looked at his armoured feet before just walking in. "Mother! I am home!" Florins poked her head out from the kitchen. "Lilium, your home..." She looked at him, the helmet pointed above his head a jagged crown, the armour engraved with bronze and gold, the muddy sabaton, the pouch around his waist. "Lilium?" He looked at her. "Mother..." She walked out of the kitchen, walking to him, her hand touched the mask, her hands touched the hollow cheeks, her finger went under the mask, unlatching it, removing the face plate, she looked at him. "How? Just this morning, I thought you were at work." She held the face plate in her hand, looking into his blue eyes, and she held his cheek. "How much do you know?" He looked down. "Enough." She moved her hand across his cheek. "You have his eyes." She kissed his cheeks, putting back the face plate. "Eyes that looked older than age, burdened. Tired. Hopeful." She pulled away. "Eyes that I can't understand, even in my own son." He stood there. "You said you wanted to show me something?" She nodded, moving to his side behind her. Everything was packed in a few crates. "What is this?" She looked at him, handing him a deed. "Our new life. Away from this place you hate." He opened it, looking at the deed. "Why?" She smiled. "Because a prince shouldn't be in the slums." She picked up a crate, stacking them on each other, picking up the pair, and walked out. "Gather the rest, darling." Lilium picked up the last two crates in his hand, filled with ingredients and cooking tools, and she walked into the streets, her green dress blowing in the ocean breeze. Lilium walked out behind her, looking at the house he called home, two stories of rotten wood, bugs and wind blowing through the boards. He looked away, looking up at the Nobles View. "Come now." Florins began walking with her head held high as she walked through the Back District. She walked past everyone, her gaze forward. Lilium walked behind her; they walked past old, broken, rotten buildings, brothels and taverns. The gravel and dirt path ended, as stone and marble stairs stood before them. She walked up the stairs, as the Nobles Front opened before them, she walked faster as Lilium picked up speed, his armour rattling as people looked at them. "My, what a... Knight, is that the Voluntarius's family crest?" The person next to them nodded. "Yes, I've seen it on their estate." A woman looked at the woman. "She is very beautiful, is that her knight? That armour, it looks expensive, around two golden regums and five silver princeps." Another person nodded. "I'd like to guess, but look their moving in, amazing. To achieve that from the Back District, inspiring. Lillians were always clever." Another nodded. "Yes, I can agree with that." They watched their heads held high by the golden rings around their neck. Guards stood around the chatting woman, their armour simple iron and leather.

  He looked at his mother as she walked through the streets, her green dress billowing. "You changed your dress?" She looked at him. "Huh? Oh. I did cleaning, got it dirty... er." She smiled. "You noticed?" He nodded as they stopped infront an estate, the building extending and curving in an L-shape. "Mother, why are we here?" She walked forward to the door taking out a key from her dress pocket, and opened the door. "This is our new home..." She walked into the massive inside, the floors were mopped, reflecting the ceiling of the estate, the walls and window wiped, revealing their colour and tapestry, the furniture was cleaned and set back, most of the estate was empty, the walls lay bare, rooms vacant of furniture. She entered, looking around. "How- Mom- I wow." He looked around, turning around, his gaze wandering across the floors. She stood by the door smiling. She walked up to him, removing the face plate and helmet, setting them on a nearby table. "There are many bedrooms, too many." She held his gauntlets while walking around the building. "There are two floors, darling." She led him to a massive bedroom. "This is our room?" He looked at her. "Our?" She let go, walking to the bed, and she sat on it, sinking into the soft silk. "There is only one bed, the rooms are empty and need to be filled, and most of the estate needs to be filled." He nodded, walking to the window of the room, unlatching the armour from his arms, and he placed them in a pile, near the window. "A start." He placed the removed leather pouch, placing it with the armour pieces. He looked into the courtyard. "Yes." Florins looked at him before lying down. Lilium stared at the yard, his hand resting on the edge of the window.