窃情谋欲

Damien learned about the war, the tournament, and the involvement of the infamous group called "Midnight Consortium."

He was appalled, flabbergasted, and aghast hearing this news like he already doesn't know about them.

Daeron then produced two advanced healing potions and gave one to his brother. They both drank it in a swoop like a drinking race that they played in childhood. At least, that is what Daeron saying since the other person is clearly isn't the original one.

Damien had shed his ice arm. It fell to the ground like a large statue made of crystals and shattered. It was just ice after all. He watches the millions of pieces of ice melting and forming into a water puddle. The effect then hit him.

The stump on his left hand felt hot for a certain reason, then he howled in pain. He staggered to the floor and watched his bones from the shoulders tearing his skin where the stump was closed, blood dripping through it.

It hurt like mother fucker and it was gruesome.

Daeron was saying something, something about the way the potion taking effect or something. But Damien was not in the state to hear it as the pain gnawed through him.

The bone extended downward, it split after forming the joint and began to grow until it formed the wrist and the fingers. Then the other gruesome things started to form. The muscle tissue grew outward accompanied by the development of tendons and ligaments. Blood vessels appeared, ensuring a steady blood supply as the tissues expanded. Nerves were also growing rapidly throughout the limb. Then skin started to form and stretch until it covered the entirety of the arm.

 A new sensation of warmth filled the area between his shoulder blades; but at first, he did not feel anything else. This continued for several minutes before any movement could be detected within the newly regenerated extremity. After another minute or so, a slight tremor ran down the length of his forearm, followed immediately thereafter by an electric jolt up along the nerve ending. As if to confirm its existence, Damien's fingertips twitched involuntarily.

He marveled at the new arm. It was like he never had lost one at all. It fits perfectly and the pain from before was replaced by the joy and happiness he felt when seeing such a wonderful thing happen to himself. He flexed the hand several times to make sure everything works well without any problem. There are no signs of scarring or whatsoever.

Damien thanked his brother again for this. Daeron chuckled embarrassingly at the compliment.

A pang of guilt had placed itself in Damien's heart when he heard about their childhood adventures. Almost made him want to tell him about the truth but he persisted.

The real Damien is gone. Whatever happened to him, he doesn't know. And he doesn't want to know at all. This is his family now. The man that stands before him is his elder brother. There is no change in it all.

There is no reason for him to reveal this to his family and make them sad and split the entire family. Zadkiels' have a name and reputation and he's one of them.

Damien thanked him and helped him with some paper. After some time, he dropped the helping part and left the office, feeling stiff and sour from just sitting there and looking through papers.

It reminded him of his old lifestyle. He hates it.

This made Daeron flabbergasted, but before he can protest, Damien had already left the room in a hurry.

He descended the stairs and climbed another set of stairs to his room. Maids and butlers bowed at him whenever he passes any of them. He didn't give any mind to them at all. He's a noble after all.

His eyes took in the familiar corridor, the different rooms accommodating his siblings.

Though the other three may be empty now, he knew the other two were not empty at all, and sure enough when he passed by Daeny's chamber her door suddenly opened.

They both looked at each other in shock. Both of them not expecting to see each other at all.

Daenys looked like she just came from taking a bath. She wore a black robe tied around the waist and long sleeves. Her hair is still wet and messy.

A towel hung around her hair and neck.

Strands of wet hair clung together while droplets of water dripped onto her cheeks and forehead, making her look even more beautiful than usual.

She stared back at him with a wide open mouth.

"Uh..." Damien was taken back with sudden beauty.

He remember her being beautiful but after not seeing her more than a year and a half made him realize that she really has grown prettier. His breath caught in his throat.

The gown accentuated her figure, hugging tightly to her body, revealing the curves of her hips and breasts.

The gown pulled shot on her legs and showed off her shapely calves and thighs.

As soon as he saw the sight, Damien felt like he wanted to touch those lovely limbs.

'What is this? I need to find Lilly very quickly,' he cursed himself for thinking indecently about his sister. Well, at least 'his' sister. The original ones.

Daenys had her eyes wide, seeing him after a year and a half. Her lips parted in surprise.

She suddenly got aware of her dressing and a slight blush painted her cheeks.

"Yo-you look beautiful."

~Slam~

As soon as the cursed words passed off his mouth, she darted back and slammed the door on him. It happened in a split second he only even comprehend what happened after the slam of the door pierced his ears.

"What the fuck did I just say?" He cursed himself, thinking about the most vile and cursed thing that he told Daenys about. She's not supposed to get that compliment from him but at that time she really was just beautiful.