Royal Bastard’s Bloodstained Regression Chapter 127 127: The Smile of a Snake

It was already night as the carriage neared the palace gates.

For Vivian, the entire outing had been a failure. Daemon had barely spoken to her. He hadn't even seed embarrassed after the accidental kiss. In fact, he spent most of the ride sleeping.

Was he really injured? she wondered. Was I wrong about Sir Luka? Maybe he really did attack him...

Now, watching him rest so easily—unguarded and silent—she realized sothing. He didn't see her. Not really. Not as anything more than background noise.

"Lady Vivian," he said suddenly, breaking the silence. "How is your father, Duke Sterling? I hope his health is well back in the territory."

The formality in his voice caught her off guard. He started a conversation? Now? Why so formal?

"H-he's fine," she stamred, cheeks coloring from the surprise.

"You don't have to be nervous around ," he said with a faint smile. "I don't bite."

"I'm not nervous," she lied, eyes eting his. "It just... feels like you don't really get along with . Do you... hate ?"

Daemon blinked. "Hate you? Why would I hate you?"

She didn't answer. Her lips parted, but the words stayed buried.

"That's what's been bothering you?" he said with a chuckle. "How funny."

He laughed—soft and careless—and crossed his legs. "You shouldn't worry. Soon, you'll be part of the family. A beautiful woman like you has no reason to doubt her place. I don't hate anyone important to my brother. You're his fiancée. That makes you my sister-in-law, right?"

He smiled again. Calm. Effortless. Warm.

A mask.

That was a lie—and she knew it. Deep down, Vivian could see it: the man sitting across from her wore a mask. She wanted to rip it off, to tear through that carefully crafted smile and see the real face beneath it.

Every word that left his lips slithered around her like a serpent—smooth, seductive, suffocating. It wrapped tighter with every sweet line, dulling her thoughts with false warmth until she forgot the danger. If she didn't wake up soon, he'd consu her whole.

She lowered her gaze. Her hands trembled slightly. She wanted to confront him—say what she saw earlier when he stood before Gabriel. That smile... That sa chilling smile he wore the day the temple crowd demanded his death.

He hadn't changed. He'd only gotten better at hiding it.

"Miss Vivian?"

She blinked, startled. His voice pulled her back. She forced a laugh and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "I understand... I'm glad you don't hate . We should try getting along, after all—we'll be family soon."

"Yes," Daemon said with that sa smile. "You're right."

The mont he smiled, she knew: she was letting herself be swallowed whole. And she hated it.

I won't be useless forever, she told herself. Not anymore. I'll find the truth. I'll tear the mask off myself if I have to.

And this ti, she would not back down.

The carriage ca to a slow stop outside the palace gates. Maids and manservants stood neatly in line, expecting Gabriel and the rest of the group. But as the carriage door opened, only Daon and Vivian stepped out.

Lady Vexen stepped forward, smiling as she saw Daon.

"Welco back, Your Highness."

He gave a small nod. Vivian did the sa, then turned to him.

"I'll inform the queen about everything. I hope you're doing well. I'll co visit you tomorrow."

Visit? Daon thought. That was unnecessary.

"You don't have to," he replied flatly.

Vivian smiled, undeterred. "As your sister-in-law, I think I do."

Daon gave a faint smile and nodded.

"Goodnight then," she said, and walked off with the servants trailing behind her.

"You all follow her," Daon ordered. "I only need Vexen."

The servants exchanged looks and nodded. "As you wish, Your Highness."

Once they were gone, Vexen's smile faded slightly. She noticed the dark circles under Daon's eyes.

"Your Highness, are you alright—?"

Daon staggered slightly, but held his ground. Now cos the real problem, he thought. If Lilac's in my room, I can't let her see like this.

Earlier, after absorbing Sir Luka's divine energy and life force, he hadn't stored it properly. It was raw, unstable—but Zaria's interrupted making his core unstable,moreover the second fragnt wasn't fusing. Not without more divine energy. He needed to learn how to use it—master it—before gathering the next five fragnts, each stronger than the last. If not, the demonic energy would consu him.

But right now, he needed to ditate.

"Vexen, take to my room."

Her eyes widened. "Are you sure, sir?"

He nodded.

She stepped forward to support him. Her heart raced. Was he inviting her into his room... for that? She wasn't ready.

They climbed the stairs slowly, walked the quiet hallway, and finally reached his chamber door. She braced herself.

But the mont the door opened—

"Lord Daon!" William's voice rang out.

The once-skinny boy, now scarred and sharper-eyed, stood up straight. His dagger glinted at his side.

"Kekeke! We're back, my lord," Varian grinned from the shadows.

Inside, Nyxtriel stood quietly, arms crossed, watching.

Daon closed the door behind them and smiled.

"Welco back."

Vexen stared in disbelief. Just monts ago, he was barely standing—and now he was composed, his strength fully returned.

"You... you tricked !" she shouted.

Daon didn't flinch. He moved past her toward the group.

"Didn't you notice?" he said calmly. "Soone was following us. Most likely Vivian she must have sent one of the maids."

Daon leaned back, thoughtful. Vivian… He didn't understand her. If he recalled correctly, they'd barely spoken, never truly spent ti together. And yet, she had that look in her eyes—quiet, but sharp. Maybe she wasn't as naïve as she acted. Did she see through the lie? If she kept poking around, he'd have no choice but to deal with her.

He shook the thought off.

"Forget about that for now," Daon said, his voice firm. "Let's focus on what I asked you to bring."

"Right, right," Varian grinned. "We've got it. William here knows so shady people—scary as hell, honestly."

Daon turned his gaze to William, eyeing him closely. "What happened to you? You've changed."

"I trained him," Nyxtriel said simply. "Dragged him through Velmira and back. Four days of hell."

And it showed. The boy who once flinched at everything now looked him in the eye with calm determination.

"You went that hard on him?" Daon asked, raising a brow.

William stepped forward, then knelt on one knee. "My lord, I asked him to. I was weak. You've saved more than once… I owe you my life. You gave a second chance, a place to belong. That's why I want to train as an assassin—to be your shadow."

The room fell silent.

Even Nyxtriel's expression softened slightly. Varian blinked, then snorted.

"Wow. Did I hit him too hard?" he said, laughing.

Daon, however, simply smiled.

For a twelve-year-old to say sothing like that… Daon hadn't expected it. He had planned to train William as a sword, a weapon. But for him to ask to beco his shadow—that was even better.

Daon nodded. "Very well. I'll allow it. But first, you'll need an Astra core. Since you don't have one yet, I'll train you and inject demonic energy into your body."

Varian frowned. "Isn't that dangerous? I an, demonic energy isn't exactly… safe. Forcing it into soone that young—"

"You don't need to worry," Nyxtriel said, smiling calmly. "My lord knows exactly what he's doing. After all, he's the Demon King."

Vexen, who had been silently watching, was growing increasingly uneasy. She didn't understand what they were talking about, and seeing Nyxtriel so close to Daon irritated her more than she cared to admit.

Varian tilted his head. "Now that I think about it… what's Miss Nyxtriel doing here, anyway?"

"Important business, kid," Nyxtriel replied flatly.

"Ohh, I see. You two must've gotten real close while I was gone," Varian teased with a smirk.

"Shut up, idiot!" Nyxtriel snapped, cheeks tinged pink as she threw a pillow at his face.

"Ahem—" Vexen finally cut in, straightening her posture. "My lord, it's getting late. Shall I escort everyone out?"

"Sure," Daon said, "but Nyxtriel stays."

"What?" Vexen blinked. "You can't just let her stay here—it's against palace rules."

"Oh, right—the sacred royal family rules," Daon muttered, voice dripping with sarcasm. "But here's the thing, Vexen. I'm not exactly their golden child. They hate anyway."

He turned and gave her a cold stare. "So don't question it. Just escort Varian and William out."

Vexen flinched slightly but bowed her head. "As you wish, Your Highness."

Varian chuckled as he stretched. "Guess we're off then. Sleep tight, lovebirds."

William bowed respectfully. "Goodnight, my lord."

Once they were gone and the door closed behind them, Nyxtriel turned to Daon. "My lord…"

"Where is our guest?" Daon cut in.

Nyxtriel smirked and nodded toward the closet. "Tied up. Just like you asked."

Daon walked over and opened the closet door.

Inside, Lilac sat with her arms and legs bound, her mouth gagged, eyes blazing with fury. The chains glimred faintly with divine resistance—useless now.

"Hey there, Lilac," Daon said with a smile. "Glad to see you again, my dear friend."