The grand throne room of the Blackthorne Castle echoed with silence. Its towering marble pillars glistened under the light of the mana crystals hanging above, casting a soft glow on the crimson carpets that led to the foot of the obsidian throne.
At the very end of it sat King Elric Blackthorne, his presence radiating the weight of an empire. The golden crown atop his head gleamed with prestige and power. His sharp, stormy eyes slowly scanned the seven figures kneeling before him—each a child a potential heir to his throne… and one not.
He rose to his feet with a booming voice resounding in every corner of the hall.
"Listen up kids, keep in mind that before being recognized as rightful heirs to the throne, you all are still siblings!"
Gasps rippled throughout the chamber,
'I don't blame them for their reactions though,' Damian thought, 'The commoner boy... now stands as an heir?... Now that's a headline for the news.' he jeered.
dressed in modest black robes that contrasted the royal white attire of his newfound siblings, Damian bowed his head lower, pressing his knee deeper into the marble floor.
"We respect your wishes, Your Majesty," they all chorused after a little front and back.
The king gave a satisfied nod.
To no ones surprise, neither the eldest son nor daughter voiced any complaint. They regarded the other siblings with disinterested eyes, as if they were just pebbles on their path. To them, the introduction of a no-name sibling was merely a new name added to the list, one that would likely be eliminated given enough time.
King Elric chuckled as he waved a hand, bringing the murmurs to a halt. "Alright kids..." With a wide grin plastered on his face, his voice slowed, a glint of mischief flashed in his eyes. "Who wants to be king?"
• • •
The heavy double doors creaked open as Damian walked out of the throne room, a rare skip in his step. For once, the air didn't feel as suffocating.
But that moment of peace was brief.
"Hey, commoner."
The words stopped him cold.
Kai leaned against a marble pillar with crossed arms, a sneer curled on his lips. Kaia stood just beside him, amused and twirling a strand of her blonde silver hair.
Kai's smirk wavered, his tone laced with disdain. "I don't care what Father said in there. You'll always be a lowlife brat to me—just a commoner pretending to be royalty."
Damian tensed slightly and clenched his fists as the pair turned to leave—
"By any chance brother…" Damian's voice rang out, loud and theatrical but painfully teasing. "…are you scared?"
Kai froze mid-step.
"…What did you just say?"
His fist clenched as he spun around, striding toward Damian with rage bubbling to the surface. His arm already raised and bout to strike.
But just before it connected, a hand gently touched his shoulder, followed by a gentle voice.
"Kai."
"…Lucien?" Kai muttered, recognizing the calm yet commanding voice.
Lucien stepped between them, his eyes never leaving Damian's.
"Calm yourself," he said plainly. Then, turning fully to face Damian, he spoke with an amused smirk. "You're quite something, commoner. To already be forming plans mere minutes after father's declaration."
Damian returned the grin. "What can I say, brother Lucien… it just came to me."
• • •
[Earlier – Flashback]
King Elric stood from his throne, arms behind his back, casting a glance at the kneeling children.
"One last thing before you leave," he said in his usual gruff tone. "Before heirs… you are siblings first."
"Yes, Father," although hesitantly, they all replied in unison.
The king looked down upon them, a rare smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
"And so, I give you my one and only rule."
The air thickened. Hearts pounded in the silence that followed.
"I'll say it plainly—between heirs… thou shalt not kill." He chuckled, betraying the thoughts of the children before him.
"Other forms of victory are yours to claim. But take a life… and you forfeit the throne."
The silence that followed was breathtaking, But the message was clear.
[Back to present]
• • •
"I really don't know what you're talking about, brother Lucien," Damian teased, voice laced with false innocence.
Lucien's jaw tightened, but he kept walking, choosing silence over conflict.
Lucien's eye twitched ever so slightly at the sound of brother veiled under his title. But rather than dignify it with a response, he simply turned and walked away, giving Kai a look that said more than words.
Heh… Bet that guy's stomach is churning right now, Damian thought with dark amusement.
"Let's go." He ordered.
Hesitantly, Kai and Kaia followed suit, with Aeron trailing behind, casting Damian a quick glance, still silent as always with his signature smile still on his face.
Damian watched them leave, grinning to himself.
"And with that… the seeds of rebellion have been sown."
He turned his gaze to the double doors behind him.
A memory flickered to life—one of being thrown through those very doors, completely humiliated, barely ten years old.
'In my past life… I walked down this hall as Trash,... A nameless disgrace... A weak and insignificant child,... Denied even the right to call myself an heir.''
He paused, his smile widening.
"But today… I walk through these same doors as Prince Damian Blackthorne," he declared. "Seventh Heir of King Elric Blackthorne—my father."