The door creaked open without knocking the second time.
Daemon, seated at the window, didn't need to look up. He already felt the familiar pulse of that golden core before the voice followed.
"Still awake?" Gabriel asked, stepping inside. "I figured you'd be... meditating or brooding or something."
Daemon glanced over his shoulder. "Bit of both, I guess."
Gabriel chuckled and sat at the edge of the bed, his princely robes a little too perfect for a casual visit.
For a moment, the silence between them wasn't awkward. Just quiet.
"I was thinking," Gabriel said after a while. "Do you remember when we used to hide behind the stables? Make those stupid wooden swords and fight over who gets to be the dragon?"
Daemon smirked faintly. "You always lost."
Gabriel rolled his eyes. "Because I let you win."
Daemon didn't respond.
Gabriel leaned back on his hands, looking at the ceiling.
"Back then, you always acted like the older brother. Took the blame. Stole bread for me when I dropped mine. Covered for me when I set the garden on fire."
"You set it on fire," Daemon said flatly.
"And you took the whipping," Gabriel added with a smile. "You were always braver than me."
Daemon's eyes narrowed slightly. He didn't reply.
"I guess what I'm trying to say is... I'm sorry." Gabriel paused. "That it's like this now."
A long beat passed.
"You mean," Daemon said slowly, "that you're sorry I'm not getting crowned?"
Gabriel exhaled. "That's not what I meant."
"Then say what you meant."
Gabriel looked at him again, this time more serious. "You're not getting executed. That's what I meant. That's a gift in itself. I asked Father to spare you."
"How kind," Daemon said, smiling without humor.
Gabriel kept going. "You still haven't chosen, have you? Between taking land or serving as my knight?"
Daemon shrugged. "Still thinking."
Gabriel leaned forward slightly. "Then hear me out."
Daemon raised an eyebrow. "Go on."
"I want to build something new, Daemon. A kingdom of peace. No more blood on palace floors. No more monsters in our temples. A world where children don't grow up afraid." He looked at his twin, eyes bright with conviction. "But I can't do it alone. I need someone strong beside me. Someone I trust."
Daemon didn't blink. "You trust me?"
Gabriel nodded. "You're my brother."
Daemon leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms.
"You want me to kneel."
"I want you to lead. With me."
Daemon tilted his head. "As your soldier."
"As my general," Gabriel offered quickly. "You'll be seen. Respected. The people will finally love you. And together, we'll fix this broken empire."
Daemon looked at him for a long time.
"You think the world needs fixing?"
Gabriel nodded. "Yes."
"And you're the one to fix it?"
"I believe I am."
Daemon smiled.
Cold. Sharp. Not playful anymore.
"I think you believe a lot of things."
Gabriel stood, smoothing his robe. "Think about it. No one will ever love you the way I do, Daemon. I'm offering you a place in paradise. Don't throw it away chasing shadows."
Daemon stood, slowly, meeting Gabriel's eyes.
"I don't need your love," he said quietly. "And I don't take orders from shadows dressed in gold."
Gabriel flinched—but only slightly.
Then he smiled.
"Still stubborn," he said. "Like always."
Daemon leaned in just enough to make his point.
"Still lying," he whispered. "Like always."
Gabriel turned and walked toward the door then he paused , half-turned in shadow, his expression unreadable.
Then he smiled—soft, warm, sincere in a way that might've fooled anyone else.
"I meant what I said," he added. "You'll always have a place in my heart, Daemon. Even if we walk different paths. I don't care about prophecies, reincarnation, or any of that demon-hero nonsense."
He tapped his chest.
"All I know is the one standing in front of me... is my brother."
Daemon's face didn't change. Not immediately.
He smiled slowly. Politely. It was almost convincing.
In another life, it would've been enough.
But now?
That warmth made his skin crawl.
He stepped forward and placed a hand gently on Gabriel's shoulder.
"Thank you," Daemon said. "That means a lot."
Their eyes met.
And then—like they'd both silently agreed—
The tension shifted.
Gabriel's grin returned, this time more boyish. "Come on. You and me. One last round?"
Daemon raised an eyebrow.
"With swords?"
"With wooden ones. No blood. For now," Gabriel joked.
Daemon chuckled. "Sure. I'm curious to see how much your 'peaceful kingdom' swings."
"Let's go brother"
They made their way through the eastern courtyard, an open-air stone corridor lined with creeping ivy and towering statues of former kings. The path curved around a mosaic garden before dipping into the Lower Ring—a wide marble staircase spiraling toward the outer training grounds.
The palace itself was a fortress of artistry.
Tall, white walls etched with celestial symbols. Pillars that reflected the sunrise with streaks of gold. Every corner hummed with divine architecture—designed not just for beauty, but to remind its people that the royal family was chosen by heaven.
Daemon had always hated it.
When they reached the royal training court, several knights and squires were mid-session—sparring with steel and aura. The clang of metal rang out in rhythm. Banners rustled in the wind.
As soon as the twins stepped into view, the courtyard fell silent.
Dozens of eyes turned.
Daemon could feel it instantly.
The whispers.
"That's him..."
"The demon prince."
"Why's he here?"
"Is he allowed to walk freely now?"
He ignored them.
But one voice dug deeper than the rest.
"Clear the grounds!" a sharp voice barked. "Make way for the Highborn."
Daemon turned—and saw him.
Captain Veyne.
One of the empire's prized knights. Tall, stoic, always in gleaming steel. Loyal to a fault.
Daemon remembered that face well.
"Hahaha no way"
The captain he use to respect in his past life,he'd seen it last when he was on his knees, arms bound in chains, with Veyne reading out his execution orders beside Gabriel.
For a second, Daemon's fingers twitched.
Then he asked Gabriel.
"He's still around? I thought Father reassigned him to the border."
"He requested to come back after I was named Crown Prince," Gabriel said with a shrug. "Guess he missed the palace."
Daemon's lips twitched in something that was almost a smile.
Or maybe he missed the blood.
The wooden weapons were handed over.
Daemon ran his fingers over the grip.
Light. Smooth. Familiar.
Gabriel spun his lazily, grinning.
"Try not to fall too quickly. I'd hate to bruise your pride right before you pick your future."
Daemon stepped onto the sand-marked platform. "Oh, I'm not worried. Let's see how well the kingdom's savior really swings."
The soldiers watched from a distance—tense. Waiting. Whispering.
But Daemon only focused on one thing:
This time, he wouldn't be holding back.