We Were Born To Lose

“Don’t say it, Jack.” I said, clenching my fists. He opened his mouth.
“Don’t you fucking say it.” I repeated. Then he said it. And everything fell to pieces.


Let me take you back a few hours.


My father was furious but I knew he would be because his pride was hurt. Sometimes I wondered whether he was still fit to be king, after all he was an old man who’s judgment has been clouded.

Father had me working extra patrols as punishment for being so dickish to him and that meant Jack came with me. I tried to get him to stay at the castle but he wasn’t having it.

We were riding through a trail. The weather was beautiful. Not too hot but not too cold. The spring flowers were beginning to grow, filling the air with their light, sweet scent which mixed perfectly with the earthy scent of the bark on the trees. It was absolutely perfect. Suddenly a bunch of Cenrid’s soldiers attacked. As usual, I looked for Jack to make sure he was okay. I spotted him with a sword in hand holding his own against another soldier. Once I realized he was alright, I swung into action. I jumped off my horse and fought.

We had almost defeated everyone when a second wave moved in. These soldiers were unwounded and fully energized unlike us who’d just spent the last ten minutes fighting our asses off. I slay the enemy before me and searched for Jack who was just barely holding off two enemies. A rush of protectiveness flew through my veins and I sprinted at one of them. He was dead within three seconds and when I looked at Jack, he was standing over his enemy’s body.
‘Thank you’ He mouthed before colliding his sword with another’s. I smiled at him and raised my weapon. We fought side by side, drawing strength from each other until the last man was down or had run off.
“Shit that was a lot.” Dawson said, wiping his face.
“Everyone move to the shade and get some rest, you all deserve it.” I said. We all took refuge away from the sun and sat down to give our tired bodies a rest. I heard leaves rustle behind me followed by a gasp and I spun around to see Jack with a dagger in his hand and a man with a sword aimed at his back.
“Jack.” I whispered, his eyes were wide and on me. The man behind him was in Cenrid’s colors so I knew he was one of his soldiers.
“What I want you to do is very simple. Take that dagger and send it into your prince’s heart or else I’ll run you through and do it for you.” He said. My heart faced in fear for Jack.
“Why are you doing this? If it’s money, you can have all you want.” I said. He laughed coldly,
“It’s not money we want! We want you dead! They said we could do whatever we want with you so long as you’re killed so I thought forcing the servant to kill his master would be entertaining.” He said with a grin.
“We?” I asked. That’s when ten more soldiers stepped out of the woods, outnumbering us by five.
I would’ve made a move against him had it been anyone besides Jack, but right now, he had Jack’s life in his hands and that was too much to risk.
“Jack do it.” I said. His eyes got wider and he shook his head.
“I suggest you listen to the prince.” The solder murmured to him.
“Dawson I trust you’ll look after him?” I asked.
“Alex-“ He started but I cut him off,
“Good. Now Jack, do what he says.” I said. His jaw tightened and he gave me a hard expression as he shook his head again. In response, the soldier poked Jack, making him wince. I clenched my fists knowing there wasn’t anything I could do.
“Kill him.” He growled.
“Jack, kill me.” I begged more than commanded. Jack turned around to face the soldiers. I saw his jaw move as he mouthed the word,
‘No.’
“Alright have it your way,” Just as the soldier thrusted his sword forward to send it into Jack, Dawson appeared out of the corner of my eye and crashed his sword down, sending it away from him. I grabbed the back of Jack’s shirt and pulled him away from the mass of soldiers that were already beginning to charge. Thats the moment I witnessed a soldier’s sword entering Dawson’s back.
“RIAN!” I screamed and started running back for him, Jack grabbed my arm and made me keep going but the whole time I kept my eyes on my loyal knight who lay dead on the ground. When we got to the horses, I tore my eyes off of Rian and hoisted myself up. It wasn’t hard to outrun them as we were on horses but I was only half aware of what I was doing.

I knew I’d always be indebted to him as he saved Jack’s life and probably mine too. Once we were halfway home we walked the rest of the way in silence. Once we got back, Jack and I went out with another set of knights to get his body. Luckily they left him alone as opposed to taking his body with them and stringing him up into a tree as a trophy or something sick like that.

“Who’s gonna tell Cass?” Sir Dorian asked after we’d placed him in a coffin in the throne room so that he could lay there before we buried him. This question added to our heavy hearts.
“I will.” I spoke up, my voice ragged. Immediately I left with Jack falling behind me. The halls were as empty as I felt. Rian had been my brother, I’d known him since I was only ten years old. We became best friends from the day we met and he was the first person I personally knighted.

I took a breath and knocked on Cass’s door. I was doing this in person because I was the only person who knew that Rian and Cass loved each other. They were waiting for me to become King so that I could marry them because they knew my father would never do it. As soon as she opened the door, she knew something was wrong. She always was very smart.
“What happened?” She asked, inviting us in. She was so concerned she didn’t bow but I was so heart broken I didn’t care, besides she didn’t have to anyway.
I started explaining what had happened, making myself stop to swallow the lump in my throat a few times. I hadn’t cried in front of anyone yet and I wasn’t going to now. By the time I’d finished, tears had welled up in my eyes and Cass already had them streaming down their cheeks. Her body shook with silent sobs and I pulled her into my arms in a warm hug. It wasn’t something a prince would normally do with a servant but my best friend had just died so I couldn’t give two shits about formalities. “I’m so sorry.” I murmured. Once her breathing had calmed down, I let her go but tears still wet her cheeks.
“He saved both of your lives?” She asked looking from Jack to me. We nodded. Her face twisted up in a sad smile, “Rian always was such a loyal knight. It was an honor to serve him. When do you want me out?”

I was confused for a moment but then I understood. She thought we were going to kick her out since she didn’t serve anyone anymore.

“Cass, you aren’t going anywhere. You will remain in this castle with me and the knights. You’re our family!” I exclaimed. She let out a small laugh and looked down.
“Did you get his body?” She asked. I nodded, “Can I see him?” She asked, looking up at me, her voice breaking.
“Of course.” I murmured and lead her down to the throne room.

The moment her eyes met his form, she looked like she was numb. She didn’t cry or shake or anything as she walked up. The knights who had surrounded him parted to make way for her but the moment she touched his hand, she broke again. The knights enveloped her with kind touches and soft words. I was so terribly sad but seeing my knights comfort a servant warmed my heart. I knew I’d chosen the right people to knight because right now, she wasn’t a servant to them. Right now she was their sister and they were all comforting each other. I felt a hand touch my arm. My head turned and to my surprise, there was my father.
“I’m sorry, son.” He murmured with sad eyes before he pulled me into a hug. This was the father I remembered. He let me go and walked out of the room to leave us alone. A tear slipped out of my eye and I quickly wiped it away but I knew more were coming. I left and hurried up to my room. I knew Jack was behind me, he always is. Once the door was opened, they spilled out. My hands covered my face and I hunched over a bit. I felt Jack pull me into his arms and I cried in his warm embrace. I opened my eyes and saw the fire. It was captivating and I used it to calm myself down. I felt Jack kiss the top of my head and squeeze me tighter and I sent a silent thank you to Rian for saving my Jack.

Notes

Title Cred: Mama by My Chemical Romance


RIAN NOOOOO

I legit almost cried while writing this, his death was so hard to write.

but seriously if you thought this was bad, just wait till the future updates