After a long while, he stood up, the tear tracks on his face already dry. His eyes were badly swollen and bloodshot, but his gaze was remarkably calm.
"Leave me. I want to be alone for a while," he said evenly.
Oberyn had already left. The soldiers from the Reach who remained on guard exchanged glances, then turned and left.
After all, Loras was still a member of House Tyrell. They were in no position to defy him.
The doors of the main hall closed behind Loras, and the footsteps gradually faded.
Standing beside Renly's body, Loras reached out once more and gently stroked his hair. His fingers trembled, but his touch was light, as though he were caressing a fragile treasure.
"You lied to me," he whispered tenderly. "But I don't blame you. I'll come to you."
He bent down and pressed a kiss to Renly's forehead. Then he picked up the sword lying beside Renly and drew it straight across his own throat.
Blood gushed out, splashing onto Renly's cloak and the hall's stone floor. Loras fell beside Renly, his head resting against Renly's shoulder.
After a long while, the guards outside heard no movement within. They called out several times, but when no one answered, they pushed the doors open and entered.
They found Loras lying beside Renly, blood still seeping from the wound in his neck. The sword lay on the floor, the blood on its blade still fresh.
"Quick, report this to Lord Randyll," one of them said, his face grim. "Lord Loras has taken his own life."
Soon, footsteps sounded outside. Randyll Tarly was the first to rush into the main hall, and his steps faltered when he saw Loras's body.
He crouched down and felt Loras's neck. There was no pulse, and his