The temple's gates loomed wide as Daemon approached, his black cloak dusted with early sunlight and road grime. His horse's hooves clacked against the white marble of the outer court as he dismounted, drawing faint glances from nearby priests and guards.
He didn't care.
His core had stabilized. His mind was razor sharp.
And the Saintess was out of time.
He turned toward the grand staircase, about to storm inside—
But paused.
At the top of the steps stood Lilac—surrounded by children.
They laughed and tugged at her robes, their small hands reaching for her hair, her sleeves, her attention.
And she smiled at them.
A real smile.
Daemon's brows knit slightly. "What are children doing here? In a temple this sacred?"
One girl placed a daisy crown on Lilac's head.
She crouched to fix a boy's sandal.
Daemon's foot tapped against the first step.
He was about to walk up when two holy guards crossed their spears in front of him.
"Stop," one of them said. "The Saintess is not to be disturbed. She's tending to Temple matters—"
That's when Lilac looked up.
She saw him.
Her expression didn't shift—but Daemon saw it in her eyes: alert. Calculating. Guarded.
She raised a hand and waved her fingers once.
The soldiers hesitated—then bowed quickly and stepped aside.
"She said to let me pass," Daemon muttered, not even glancing at them.
The guards lowered their gaze. "Our apologies, Your Highness..."
But their tone was cold.
Their faces curled in disgust as he walked past.
Daemon didn't acknowledge it.
He was used to it.
He climbed the steps slowly, one hand trailing along the white banister. The closer he got, the clearer the children's laughter became. The warmth of their play clashed against the cold knot building in his chest.
One little boy looked at him and immediately shrank behind Lilac's robes.
Another whispered something.
Daemon reached the top and stood still, his shadow long in the morning light.
Lilac turned and greeted him with a neutral voice. "Prince Daemon. A surprise, as always."
He didn't respond.
He looked at the kids.
Then back at her.
"I need to speak with you," he said.
Her smile faded. "Of course. Shall we step inside?"
Daemon's gaze lingered on the children one last time.
"So these are the ones you love most, he thought. Interesting."
The marble doors shut behind them with a soft echo as Daemon stepped into the inner chamber. The quiet was broken by the soft padding of feet.
A little girl—no older than six—wandered in after them, clutching a ragged teddy bear. Her eyes were wide with curiosity, her smile missing a tooth.
She tugged gently at the hem of Daemon's cloak.
"Saintess," she asked, "who's the sad boy?"
Lilac chuckled.
"He's just a guest, little one."
Daemon glanced down, blinking at the child.
She smiled up at him.
He knelt, just for a second, and placed a hand on her head. "Nice bear," he muttered.
She beamed.
Lilac watched with an expression Daemon couldn't place—something between amused and deeply sad.
He stood, turning to her with a sharp look. "We need to talk. Now."
She nodded once, her tone calm. "Inside, then."
They walked side by side, deeper into the prayer hall, leaving the children behind in the courtyard's glow.
The moment the doors closed, the air changed.
Daemon dropped the facade.
"I'm not here to play this game anymore," he said, voice low. "You know what I want."
Lilac didn't flinch. "And I've already given you my answer."
He stepped closer. "If I reveal what you did—what you're hiding—do you think they'll let you keep your robes?"
"I don't," she said simply. "Which is why I'm prepared to lose them."
That made him pause.
Lilac looked him in the eye. "If you want to expose me, do it. But I'm not handing over the book."
Daemon's hands curled into fists. "You think this is a bluff?"
She stepped forward and—softly, gently—patted his head.
Daemon froze.
"You're twelve, Daemon," she said. "You shouldn't be thinking about demons and wars and old gods. You should be sneaking into kitchens and stealing pastries."
His jaw tightened.
Lilac turned away, walking back toward the courtyard. "The book is cursed. It ruined the man you used to be. And it will ruin you again."
He didn't follow at first. He stood there, breath shallow, mind reeling.
Is she serious? She'd give it all up—just to keep that book away from me?
Lilac's voice drifted back as she crouched beside the children.
"If you threaten me again," she added without turning, "I will kill you. Quickly, painlessly, and without regret."
He stepped into the courtyard again, and the same little girl with the teddy bear ran to him and grabbed his hand.
"Do you wanna play, too?"
He blinked.
Then slowly smiled.
"Sure," he said, letting her pull him along.
But his eyes were locked on Lilac the entire time.
You think that makes you strong,
But all it does is show me where to cut.
The little girl giggled as she tugged Daemon toward the garden fountain, still holding his hand. She tossed her teddy bear into the air and caught it like it was a game.
Daemon let her drag him along, silent, lost in thought.
I remember this...
The orphanage I visited during the war. The children ran from me—every time.
Some cried. Some pointed. "Demon prince," they'd whisper.
Even when I brought them food. Even when I smiled. They never saw me as human.
He blinked, and the sunlight caught in his lashes.
The little girl stopped. She looked up at him—quiet now.
"Why are you sad?" she asked.
Daemon looked down. "Sad?"
She nodded, hugging her teddy. "Your eyes look like... really tired. But not sleepy tired. Like your heart hurts."
That hit him harder than a spell.
He blinked again, confused. "You can see that?"
She held out her teddy bear. "Hug this. It helps."
Daemon stared at the ragged, button-eyed thing in her small hands.
He reached out, almost hesitating—then took it.
He didn't even realize he was smiling until he felt his face ache.
When was the last time someone gave me something without wanting anything back?
He knelt and hugged the bear briefly, then gently patted her head.
"...Thank you," he whispered.
That's when Lilac approached, hands folded behind her back. She smiled as she watched the girl skip away to join the others.
"These children," she said softly, "they're from a little orphanage I grew up in. After I became Saintess, I made sure they'd never suffer the way I did."
She looked at Daemon, her voice full of quiet pride. "Now they laugh. They eat well. They're safe."
Daemon didn't answer immediately. He watched the children play.
Then he asked, "Is the orphanage dear to you?"
Lilac turned her head slowly toward him.
Her smile was gentle... but firm.
"Yes," she said. "Very."
Then her voice hardened—just a little.
"That's why I'm warning you again, Daemon. Don't chase evil. Don't drag the world down with you. Or you'll destroy more than yourself..."
She looked at the teddy bear still in his hands.
"...You'll destroy them, too."