The grand hall of the palace echoed with the murmurs of nobles and officials, their whispers weaving through the ornate columns and golden chandeliers. I stood at the edge of the crowd, my presence noted but largely ignored, a silent observer in a world that had long ceased to captivate me. Today, however, was different. Today, Daemon would take his place as king.

"Have you seen him?" one noble whispered to another, their eyes wide with a mix of fear and awe. "They say he rose from the depths of the untouchables, a demon in human form.""Indeed," the other replied, nodding. "But look at what he's achieved. He's transformed the kingdom in ways we never thought possible."

Their words washed over me, barely registering. I had seen Daemon's rise firsthand, his ruthless determination and unyielding will. But what fascinated me was not his ascent to power, but his obsession with me. A hollow heart like mine should not inspire such devotion, and yet here we were.

As the doors at the far end of the hall swung open, a hush fell over the crowd. Daemon entered, his presence commanding and undeniable. His dark eyes scanned the room, seeking me out even amidst the throng of onlookers. When his gaze locked onto mine, a flicker of something—satisfaction, perhaps—crossed his face.

He approached the throne, his steps measured and deliberate. The ceremony began, the High Priest reciting the ancient rites, but my attention was fixed on Daemon. Even now, as he stood on the brink of ultimate power, his eyes would dart back to me, as if ensuring I was still there, still watching.

Once the formalities were completed, Daemon took his seat on the throne, the crown resting heavily on his brow. He raised a hand, silencing the assembled nobles."Today marks a new era for our kingdom," he declared, his voice resonating through the hall. "No longer will we be divided by arbitrary lines. Royals, normals, untouchables—all will be one under my rule."

A murmur of approval rippled through the crowd, but I remained unmoved. These were just words, grand promises that meant little to me. What mattered was the man behind them, the demon whose obsession with me had brought us both to this moment.After the ceremony, the hall began to empty, the nobles eager to celebrate in more private settings. I lingered, knowing Daemon would seek me out. And I was not disappointed. As the last of the courtiers left, he approached, his eyes never leaving mine.

"Dante," he said, his voice soft but insistent. "I did this for you."

"You did this for yourself," I replied, my tone flat. "You've always been driven by your own desires, Daemon."

He smiled, a predatory gleam in his eyes. "Perhaps. But my desire for you is stronger than any ambition. You complete me, Dante. Without you, none of this would matter."

I sighed, turning away from him. "I am hollow, Daemon. I have nothing to offer you.""You're wrong," he whispered, stepping closer. "You offer me everything. Your indifference, your resistance—it fuels me. It makes me stronger."

I turned back to him, meeting his gaze. "And what of my own desires? What if I want nothing to do with you?"

He reached out, his fingers brushing against my cheek. "Then I will spend eternity proving to you that we belong together. You are mine, Dante. Now and forever."

His touch was warm, a stark contrast to the emptiness within me. For a moment, I allowed myself to feel, to let his obsession fill the void. But I knew it would not last. My heart was stone, and no amount of warmth could change that.

"Very well," I said, stepping back. "Show me, then. Prove to me that this world, your world, has a place for someone like me."

Daemon's smile widened, a dark promise in his eyes. "I will, Dante. I will show you a world where you are the center, where your hollow heart is my greatest treasure."

As he led me from the hall, I couldn't help but wonder if this new world of his could truly offer something different, something more. Only time would tell.