Royal Bastard’s Bloodstained Regression
Chapter 116: A Reunion in the Field

"Brother!"

Daemon turned at the familiar voice. Gabriel approached, smiling, with a woman beside him—tall, graceful, with silver hair and piercing blue eyes. She held herself like nobility, and she was. Vivian Starling, the daughter of Duke Starling and Gabriel's betrothed.

The soldiers straightened at once. Whispers swept through the ranks.

"The crown prince..."

"Is that Lady Vivian? She's even more beautiful in person."

Captain Veyne gave a crisp salute, and the rest of the soldiers followed, showing respect to their future king and queen. Gabriel returned their gestures with a warm smile, waving lightly before setting his gaze on Daemon.

Daemon stepped out from the training group, wooden sword still in hand, his expression unreadable. He was flanked by Veyne and Nyxtriel, who kept a careful eye on the new arrivals.

Gabriel's schedule had been packed for days—meetings, ceremonies, preparations for his coronation. It wasn't surprising that he hadn't visited. Still, seeing him here, out on the training field, caught Daemon slightly off guard.

"You've been busy," Daemon said.

Gabriel laughed lightly. "That's the nature of being next in line to the throne. But I couldn't keep making excuses. I had to come see my brother."

He turned to the soldiers. "You're all training hard. It's good to see. My father would be proud."

Vivian gave a polite smile, bowing slightly to the group. "It's a pleasure to meet you all. The future of the kingdom rests in strong hands."

Daemon glanced at her, then back at Gabriel. He noticed the way Gabriel's hand lingered at the small of her back. They seemed close—at least in public. It made sense. They were to rule together soon.

Veyne cleared his throat and stepped forward. "Your Highness, would you and Lady Vivian like to observe the prince's training?"

"Only if my brother doesn't mind," Gabriel said, looking at Daemon with that familiar warmth.

Daemon forced a small smile. "You're welcome to stay. But the show's over for now. The soldiers need a break."

"Always so considerate," Gabriel chuckled.

But Nyxtriel watched closely. She didn't miss the slight twitch in Daemon's jaw. The tension just beneath the surface. Something about this reunion didn't sit right with her.

And Daemon, for all his control, felt it too.

Something about Gabriel's smile...

Felt like a mask.

Gabriel pulled Daemon aside, away from the others. They stood near a stone archway, just out of earshot. In the distance, Vivian was speaking with Veyne, and Nyxtriel stood silently, eyes always watchful.

Daemon leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "Pulling me away like this… you must have something serious to say."

Gabriel nodded. "You're right. These past few days, I've been dealing with more than just coronation matters. The Mage Kingdom—Vealther—they've started moving again. The temple received a new prophecy."

The moment Daemon heard the word prophecy, his expression hardened. His shoulders tensed, and his smile vanished.

Gabriel caught it. "I know what you're thinking. You don't need to worry—it's not about you. This time, it's about them. Vealther's Arcane Dominion. According to the Saintess, they're planning something… apocalyptic."

Daemon's gaze sharpened. "What kind of something?"

Gabriel's jaw clenched. "They're preparing to summon something. A being powerful enough to erase entire kingdoms. The prophecy was vague, but it called it 'the devourer of ages.' If we don't stop it… the world could fall."

A being… Daemon thought. So the prophecy had changed. In his past life, the temple foresaw war and the rise of the Demon King's fragments—him. But now, the "end times" were approaching. Which could only mean one thing: he'd succeeded in disrupting the path of fate. The future had changed.

"And that's all they said?" Daemon asked, eyes unreadable.

Gabriel nodded. "Just that time is running out, and if the kingdoms don't unite, we'll all fall."

Daemon let out a quiet laugh. "Then I guess we'd better stop them. I still plan to live a lazy, peaceful life. Watching the sun rise without the world ending around me."

Gabriel blinked—then laughed. "A peaceful life? You? That's the biggest joke I've heard today."

Daemon smirked. "One can dream."

"Yeah… peaceful, huh?" Gabriel muttered, a faint smile on his lips. "I hope you really do get to follow that path, Daemon."

Daemon noticed the shift in his brother's tone. There was something somber beneath it, but he chose not to press. He simply stayed quiet, letting the silence speak.

"So," Daemon said after a moment, "what's the real reason you're telling me all this? It's rare for someone as busy as you to stop by out of the blue."

Gabriel exhaled. "It's something that happened while I was still in school—two years ago. At the temple. Four members of the Holy Order came here asking for you. They were investigating Aurelia and asked if you had ever been there."

Daemon didn't flinch. Nyxtriel had already warned him about this after his coma. But hearing it from Gabriel's lips still made it more real. More dangerous.

"I was never there," Daemon replied with a shrug. "Why would anyone suspect a harmless prince like me?"

Gabriel chuckled lightly. "I know it wasn't you. But they didn't look convinced. After their investigation, they left for the Holy Lands. Still… I think they'll show up at the coronation."

He paused.

"But that's not what I really wanted to talk about."

Daemon narrowed his eyes. "Then what is it?"

Gabriel's expression turned serious. "An angel descended to the temple the same day Mother and I arrived in the kingdom. That's why I was called to the temple so urgently yesterday."

Daemon's eyes widened.

An angel? That was more than bad news. That was dangerous. Angels were divine beings—servants of the gods. Their power was overwhelming, and their purpose absolute. For one to descend… something massive must have shifted in the world.

Before he could spiral too deep into thought, Gabriel added, "Don't overthink it. She's… weird. Lazy. Rude. Not exactly what you'd expect."

"She?" Daemon echoed, raising a brow.

Gabriel nodded. "Yeah. The angel's female. Powerful, but definitely not what the priests expected. You'll see."

Daemon didn't like the sound of that. Not one bit.

The news was giving Daemon a headache.

He hadn't even fulfilled his revenge yet—let alone gathered the rest of the fragments. And now there was an angel walking freely in the kingdom? Just great. Still, at least he could hide his demonic energy. That would have to do… for now.

"To be honest," Gabriel said, his tone turning more serious, "I'm worried about you. As the reincarnation of the Demon King, you're the one she might target. If that angel senses anything… I don't want you to get hurt."

Daemon knew Gabriel was right.

Angels despised demons more than anything. If she found out who he really was—who he used to be—it wouldn't be a conversation. It would be war.

Daemon sighed. I'll figure something out, he thought. I always do.

"I get what you're saying," he replied with a calm smile, "but you don't have to worry about me."

"You're wrong!" Gabriel suddenly grabbed Daemon's shoulders, his voice tight. "I won't let anyone lay a finger on you. I'll protect you."

Daemon blinked, caught off guard. "You don't have to," he muttered, brushing his brother's hands off. "I'm not a kid."

"That's why," he added, "I've decided to go with you. To the temple."

Gabriel's eyes widened. "Are you insane?!"

"Yes," Daemon said, smirking. "But I need to see that angel for myself. And Lilac too. She took care of me when I was younger… I kind of miss her."

That was a lie, of course—but one Gabriel would believe.

"Oh. Lilac," Gabriel relaxed slightly. "She's… a little better than before. But something's still off with her. If that's what you want, though, I won't stop you."

He looked uneasy. "But don't blame me if she attacks you—and I end up fighting her."

Daemon tilted his head. Was Gabriel always this overprotective? He's acting strange. Still, he nodded. "I'll take that risk."

His eyes drifted to Nyxtriel. He wanted her to come, but no—this was too dangerous. If a fight broke out, she'd intervene without hesitation. He couldn't let her get caught up in it.

"What about your fiancée?" Daemon asked casually. "Is she going with you too?"

Gabriel shook his head. "No. She'll stay at the palace."

"I see." That settled it.

Gabriel smirked. "What about your girlfriend? She staying behind too?"

Daemon blinked. "Girlfriend?"

Gabriel gestured toward Nyxtriel with a knowing grin.

Daemon scoffed. "She's staying here."

"You didn't deny it," Gabriel teased, raising an eyebrow.

"There's no point," Daemon said flatly, before his expression softened just a little. "Soon, she'll be more than that."

Gabriel laughed. "Well… I'll be rooting for you, lover boy."

"Yeah, yeah…" Daemon muttered, scratching the back of his head to hide the creeping flush of embarrassment. "Let's just go."

Gabriel chuckled and nodded, then walked over to the group to let them know he and Daemon had some important business to attend to—but they'd return soon.

As Daemon turned to follow, his eyes landed on Nyxtriel.

She was blushing.

He blinked. Wait… why is she blushing?

A beat of silence.

No way… she heard that, he realized.He quickly looked away, trying to suppress the smirk tugging at his lips.

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