Royal Bastard’s Bloodstained Regression
Chapter 119: The Angel innocence

Lilac pushed Daemon away, her face flushed. She glared at him, realizing too late—this was his plan. All of it.

She stood frozen, still rattled by everything. Her thoughts spiraled—what did he mean by "demonic energy controlling him"? Did that mean... he wasn't aware of what he was doing? Was he even in control at all?

Before she could make sense of it, Zaria flew forward, her wings flaring as she shoved Daemon aside with a burst of feathers and fury.

"Don't touch her!" she shouted, throwing her arms around Lilac protectively, glaring daggers at Daemon.

He raised his hands with a smirk, feigning innocence. "Alright, alright. I won't. Calm down."

Zaria held Lilac tightly, whispering something only she could hear.

Meanwhile, Daemon strolled toward Gabriel, his posture relaxed like none of it had fazed him.

"You done talking with the High Priest?" he asked casually.

Gabriel nodded, his tone more serious. "Yes. We discussed the situation with the Arcane Dominion."

Daemon's eyes narrowed slightly. "What did they do this time?"

Gabriel crossed his arms. "They've begun human experimentation. Twisting people into monsters, from what the scouts say. Some kind of living weapon. It's still unclear."

Daemon stilled for a breath. It must be the fragment from Aurelia. King Velrick had hinted they were using it—but how? He was supposed to be the only one who knew the locations. The only one with access to the book.

"I don't know what those mages are planning," Gabriel continued, "but I'm convinced they were behind the fall of Aurelia. Maybe even responsible for the rumors about you."

Daemon blinked, hiding the smile building beneath his calm exterior. So you're blaming them now, huh?

"Oh? So you don't think I was involved after all?" he asked, playing the surprised card.

Gabriel nodded firmly. "Of course not. I told the bishop myself. They're framing you, trying to stir chaos."

Daemon smiled sincerely—this time, not entirely faked. "Thanks, Gabriel. Really. It means a lot that you believe in me."

Gabriel clapped a hand on his shoulder. "You're my brother. I won't let anyone tear that apart."

Even if it's built on a lie, Daemon thought. But for now, it worked. Gabriel's loyalty gave him more room to move—and more time.

"Ugh, this brotherly love is disgusting," Zaria scoffed, arms wrapped protectively around Lilac. "How can you still defend someone like him? He's Seraphiel! A demon! I can smell his thoughts—they're practically screaming evil! He's definitely planning something twisted."

Gabriel sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. He was already exhausted by her dramatics.

"You wound me, angel," Daemon said dryly, placing a hand over his chest in mock offense.

"Bah! You don't even look hurt!" she snapped, hugging Lilac tighter.

Daemon glanced at Zaria. She was more trouble than he expected. An angel of her caliber wasn't just dangerous—she was nearly untouchable. Absorbing her life force wasn't even an option right now. It'd be like trying to pour an ocean into a cup—his body would shatter before it could hold her power.

Killing her? Out of the question. She didn't age, and her strength far outclassed his current level. He needed a different strategy. A way to push her out of the picture—subtly—before she unraveled everything.

"What are you staring at, you creep?!" she snapped again.

"Nothing," he said with a cool smile, though her presence grated on him more with each passing second.

Her immature tantrums were infuriating. She was loud, reckless, and far too unpredictable. But most of all, she was a threat.

At least Nyxtriel doesn't act like this, he thought with a sigh. The image of her flashed in his mind—quiet, poised, deadly. He hadn't realized how much he missed her until now.

He turned away, hiding the irritation behind a calm expression.

Lilac quietly turned her face away, tired of hearing Daemon and Zaria bicker like children. She just wanted to return to her quarters. After everything today—the confrontation, the emotional strain—she was exhausted. And there was still the looming issue of the destroyed book. The temple didn't even know it was gone yet.

"Saintess, are you alright?" Zaria asked, noticing the shift in her expression. "Did that scum do something to you?"

"Oh, not at all!" Lilac said quickly, waving her hands. "He's... a gentleman."

She glanced briefly at Daemon—then immediately looked away after catching the smug grin on his face. Ugh, I swear if I could just punch that look off him...

Zaria narrowed her eyes and shot Daemon a glare that could melt stone.

"Well then," Daemon said, brushing imaginary dust from his sleeve, "Gabriel, shall we head back?"

Gabriel nodded. "Yeah, let's go home."

"What? You're leaving already? No..." Zaria's voice dropped, her wings sagging. "You're upset with me, aren't you? Because of how I treated your brother?"

Gabriel hesitated. Yes, he wanted to say—but he held back and gave her a soft smile. "Not at all. I just have matters to attend to at the palace. I can't stay long."

Daemon watched quietly, reading between every word.

"You're not making any sense!" Zaria pouted. "I came all the way from Heaven just to see you, and you're running off—unless... unless you've found someone else..."

"I told you," Gabriel said, gently but firmly, "I have a fiancée. She's waiting for me."

Daemon's eyes narrowed slightly. So that's it... she's in love with him. He didn't expect that. Weren't angels supposed to be pure, above mortal emotions?

"Daemon," Gabriel said, clearing his throat. "Let's go."

"Not so fast."

A familiar voice interrupted. Both brothers turned.

Walking toward them was High Priest Orlan, his long robes trailing behind him, his presence as stern as ever.

"I greet you, Your Holiness," Daemon said, bowing out of courtesy—though internally, he groaned. Just what I needed... this old buzzard.

"Daemon," Orlan said gravely, "I heard you returned to Varyndor, and yet you didn't bother to visit the temple. The Goddess must be displeased."

Daemon scoffed. "Well, considering I'm the reincarnation of the demon king, it's understandable. I didn't want to ruin the mood around here. Wouldn't want to make anyone uncomfortable."

Orlan sighed. "You don't have to be resentful, child. That's not what I meant. I was genuinely concerned. And don't speak so harshly of yourself. So what if you were born under a dark fate? You're here now—and that means something. You are not a demon."

Daemon blinked. That was... unexpected. This man, of all people, wasn't condemning him.

He allowed a faint smile. "I understand."

Zaria huffed and crossed her arms, clearly unimpressed.

"And you, Miss Zaria," Orlan said, turning to the angel with a faint smile, "when do you plan to return to Heaven?"

Zaria folded her arms, her wings gently fluttering. "I'll be staying until the coronation."

Orlan sighed quietly. "I see… But you must understand—mortals are not like beings as pure as yourself. You are like a white cloth—if it falls into the mud, it stains. The longer you stay here, the greater the risk you may never return to what you once were."

Zaria's confident expression wavered, but she nodded. "I understand, Your Holiness."

Orlan offered a solemn bow before turning back to Daemon. "My child, you should visit the temple more often. The doors are always open for you to come and pray. No matter your past, this place will not turn you away."

"I understand, Your Holiness," Daemon said with a calm smile.

As the priest walked away, Daemon's expression darkened for just a moment. So she's still pure, he thought, watching Zaria out of the corner of his eye. Untouched, untainted… but not for long.

The idea formed like poison in his mind. If even Seraphiel fell… then so can she. Before the coronation, I'll drag her into the mud with me. Slowly. Carefully. Until she can't fly away even if she tries.

And the key, he realized, wasn't just Zaria—it was Gabriel.

"Brother, why are you making that weird face?" Gabriel blinked, staring at him.

Daemon snapped out of his thoughts and smiled. "Oh, I was just thinking… what if we went to the theatre tomorrow?"

Gabriel tilted his head. "The theatre?"

"Yeah. It's been a while since we spent time together. Before you get too busy playing king, let's do something fun like we used to."

Gabriel's eyes softened. "That sounds nice. I'd like that. But… I'd have to bring my fiancée with me, if that's alright."

"Of course!" Daemon grinned. "But I'll bring someone too—Zaria."

"What?!" Zaria, Gabriel, and even a nearby maid said in unison.

"I mean, Zaria hates me," Daemon said with a smirk, "so I figured I'd try to spend a little time with her. Build a bridge or two."

Gabriel raised a brow. "What about Nyxtriel?"

"Oh, she'll be busy. I asked her to handle an errand for me," Daemon replied smoothly.

In truth, things had reached a point where Lilac was no longer useful—not as a saintess, and certainly not as a liability. She knew too much. If the Holy Land ever got wind of the truth and pressured her, she could destroy everything he'd worked for. He couldn't afford to let that happen.

She had to disappear.

But not just yet. He still needed her—for one last thing.

The fragment.

The one that triggered his blackouts, the one tied to the unstable energy festering inside him. If anyone could stabilize that chaos, it was Lilac. Once that was done, she'd outlived her purpose.

That's why Nyxtriel would handle her. Quietly.

Gabriel, meanwhile, was clearly uneasy. A bead of sweat rolled down his temple as he glanced between his brother and Zaria. "Alright… if that's really what you want."

Zaria crossed her arms, clearly annoyed. "Tch. I don't want to go, but fine! If it means keeping my eye on you, I'll come."

"Excellent," Daemon said, his smile polite—but cold beneath the surface.

With the angel close, he'd finally have the chance to study her, test her purity—and maybe, just maybe, drag her into the dark. And with Nyxtriel handling Lilac, everything was starting to move into place.

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