Royal Bastard’s Bloodstained Regression

But even with her smile perfectly in place, Vexen knew the truth—Dameon wasn't someone who could be controlled. He was far too dangerous, too calculated. And yet... that danger only drew her in more. After all, his goal aligned with hers: to bring ruin to the royal family. The same family that had crushed her dreams, erased her name, and made her into nothing more than a shadow in their palace.

For years, she believed Dameon would be the instrument of her revenge. Then he vanished.

No word. No sign.

She nearly gave up on him.

Until he returned—stronger, colder, and more focused than ever. Just what she needed.

But he didn't come back alone.

Nyxtriel.

That name alone was enough to make Vexen's skin crawl.

Seeing her beside Dameon, always near him, whispering into his ear like they shared some secret world—made her burn. It wasn't love. No. It wasn't even about loyalty.

It was the old, buried flame of something she thought she'd killed a long time ago.

Jealousy.

She clenched her fists and swallowed it down.

She didn't need his affection. She needed his destruction.

And if Nyxtriel got in the way of that...

She would deal with it.

First, Vexen would get rid of her.

Quietly. Cleanly. Maybe an accident. Or a well-timed disappearance. A kidnapping would do just fine—something that would pull Nyxtriel out of Dameon's life for good. Vexen chuckled under her breath, already playing out the scenario.

William and Varian glanced at each other uneasily.

"...Is she laughing by herself?" William whispered.

"Dunno, man. She's off her rocker," Varian muttered, scratching his head.

Meanwhile, inside Dameon's chamber, the mood was darker.

He sat casually, eyes downcast, studying the woman kneeling before him.

Lilac.

Her wrists were tied, her mouth gagged, divine energy barely flickering around her like a dying ember.

"My, my," Dameon said, tugging the tape from her mouth. "The saintess looks rather elegant on her knees."

Lilac flinched and coughed, spitting her anger like venom. "You bastard! What do you want from me?!"

"Nothing much," Dameon replied coolly. "I just missed my old friend. Isn't that allowed?"

She scoffed. "Friend? Since when does a demon prince collect 'friends'? And how the hell did that thing—" she nodded toward Nyxtriel—"end up with you?"

He smirked. "She followed me home. And unlike you, she's useful."

"Lucky her," Lilac said bitterly. "I hope she enjoys betrayal."

"Oh, she's lucky, alright. Smart too. And alive." He leaned in slightly. "Which is more than I can say for you... if you keep testing my patience."

Her eyes widened. "What does that mean? Are you going to kill me?!"

She tried summoning her divine chains in desperation—but Nyxtriel was faster.

With a swift motion, she slammed Lilac's head to the floor.

"Don't you dare try to harm my lord," Nyxtriel hissed.

Lilac groaned, dazed. She couldn't fight. Not them. Not like this.

She'd failed once before—failed to protect those children. And now?

Now she was nothing more than a broken tool in the hands of a devil.

"What's wrong, Saintess? Gonna cry?" Dameon asked with a cold grin.

"I doubt it," Nyxtriel said, folding her arms and glancing away. "She always had that arrogant streak."

"Huh?" Dameon raised a brow. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Nyxtriel didn't answer, her crimson eyes fixed on the far wall.

Lilac chuckled weakly, her voice hoarse. "Oh, I see it now. The cracks are forming already. She'll betray you. Sooner than you think. And you—" she sneered "—you won't even see it coming. Pathetic."

Dameon sighed and stood. "Whatever. I'm not here to trade insults. I need your help."

Lilac narrowed her eyes. "For what?"

"My Astra core is unstable. I need someone strong enough—skilled enough—to stabilize it. That means you."

"Stabilize it?" she echoed, confused.

Without warning, Dameon took her hand and placed it gently on his abdomen.

"Focus."

In an instant, her mind was yanked into a horrifying vision.

A sea of blood. Twisting flesh. Screaming mouths. Eyes—dozens of them—opening and closing within the mass. The agony. The raw chaos. It wasn't power. It was torment. It was death made sentient.

She gasped and recoiled, falling back onto her knees. Her whole body shook. "What... what the hell was that?! How many people have you killed, Dameon?!"

He didn't flinch. "Enough."

Her horror deepened.

"I'm carrying two of the Demon King's fragments," he added, voice steady. "I doubt you've even heard of them in this life."

"What are you talking about...?" Her voice was barely a whisper.

Dameon paused, then chuckled bitterly. "Right. Of course. You wouldn't remember. You're still too far behind."

He met her eyes. "I'm from the future, Lilac. In that life... you and Gabriel killed me."

She blinked. "What kind of absurd shit are you spouting...?"

But doubt flickered across her face. He knew too much. Said too little. Predicted everything. It wasn't normal.

"I don't care if you believe me," Dameon said. "Just stabilize the core. Help me break through, and I'll let you go."

Lilac stayed quiet, her thoughts racing.

Then she looked at him with quiet resolve. "Before I do... tell me. In that future you came from... what did I do? What made you hate me this much?"

Dameon's smile faded.

"That's a long list," he said.

Lilac's voice trembled. "Are you playing with me?"

Dameon tilted his head, his tone casual. "No. But I'll spare you the long version. In my past life, you were a narcissistic, sanctimonious saintess. You wore purity like a costume. You hated me. Tried to kill me more than once. And now, even in this life... you're doing it again. Some things never change."

She looked away, her guilt written all over her face.

"No need to look so innocent," Dameon continued. "Tell me—how does a saintess justify trying to kill a child?"

"That's because you're the demon king!" she snapped.

He chuckled. "Yes, I was. But I was also a child. One you could've guided. Instead of justice or compassion, you gave me judgment and fear. You didn't teach peace—you helped me hate this world."

Lilac sighed. "If that's really how it happened... then how did I kill you?"

Dameon's expression darkened. "Remember the Book of the Demon King? In my past life, you read it—every word. You used my brother to hunt down the fragments, then tricked me into fusing them into my core. I lost control. The demonic energy took over. I became the world's villain... and Gabriel executed me in front of the entire empire. You were there, smiling. So was my mother. So was everyone."

Lilac's face went pale.

"But maybe it was all a dream," he added mockingly. "Don't worry—I've already changed the future."

"You idiot," she spat. "Those fragments will ruin you! You'll turn into something worse than before. Is that what you want? To die a monster again?"

Dameon smiled thinly. "In the past, I tried to be the hero. It got me nowhere. So now, I'll be what this world always feared: exactly what they wanted me to be. But to do that, I need your help. To master divine energy."

"I won't," she said through gritted teeth. "I won't be part of this madness!"

"Oh? Finally acting like a saintess?" he mocked. "Pity it's too late. I've already killed thousands. And soon, I'll turn this whole cursed kingdom into a desert. That's my promise."

"No—please..." she whispered, eyes wide with fear. "If you do this, so many innocent people will die."

"I don't care." His voice was cold now. "Your only job is to stabilize my core."

"I won't! I'd rather die than help you!" she shouted. Her hands still bound, bruised and dirty, she staggered forward and spat in his face. "I'll expose you. I'll make sure the world sees what you are."

Nyxtriel flared up instantly. "You filthy—!"

Dameon raised a hand. "Wait."

He wiped the spit from his cheek slowly, glaring at Lilac.

He was done talking.

Dark tendrils surged from his palm, wrapping around her wrists and ankles. They lifted her into the air, her body suspended like a broken puppet.

"You could've made this easier," he said, eyes cold. "But you've always liked playing martyr."

Lilac gasped, struggling as the tendrils tightened.

"You'll help me," Dameon whispered. "One way or another."

"What is this demonic energy?!" Lilac screamed, thrashing against the tendrils as they hoisted her into the air. Her legs kicked uselessly, chains rattling.

"No point in struggling," Dameon said calmly. "You refused. Now you obey. Or stay quiet."

Lilac's heart pounded,she knew this wasn't an idle threat. This was the same boy who could kill without blinking, who once slaughtered innocents children like they were nothing,a demon.

She shut her eyes tight, teeth clenched. Then she opened them again, glaring at him with fury and defiance.

"Do whatever you want. Torture me, kill me—I won't help you,just understand you're just a wasting your time !."

Dameon grinned. "Oh ?"