Chapter 1

A long time ago, Astra was a quiet and peaceful place, not until the third prince was born.

Vanliel Cole, the third prince, son of emperor Vincent Cole. Since young, he experienced cruelty, not only from his sorry as an ass father and brother, but also from the people of Astra as as they believe that he is bad luck to Astra and its people.

"Vanliel, you're such a disappointment. A disgrace to the family." The emperor, Vincent Cole, harshly and rigidly said with his usual Stoic expression. "Your mission was basic yet you weren't able to accomplish it."

Vanliel couldn't do anything apart from focusing his glance on the floor. Trying his best not to let his father's words crash him into pieces. He was used to this, his father being hard on him. He mustn't break down. It will only add fuel to the fire as per crying only means that you're letting your opponent see your weakness, words of the emperor, not his.

He can't even mutter a word to defend himself. He wants to speak, but his mouth is like having its brain. Even how much he wanted to speak, his mouth wouldn't cooperate.

He hissed in his mind. He took a deep breath and blows it, as heavy as his feelings as of the moment.

"Such a coward, you can't even defend yourself. Is that how weak you are?" The emperor back bitingly said without a hint of hesitance. "Nevertheless, you are still my son, even though you bring nothing but disappointment." He then shows his infamous smirk.

"I will give you another chance to redeem yourself and to prove to me and the people of Astra that you are ain't just a useless son of mine."

Vanliel's eyes widened as to what he heard. His tempted and, at the same time, excited.

He closed his fist tightly, this is it, his chance to prove his self and to be noticed by his father. He will not let this chance slid away like the last time.

The emperor laughs evil, he can clearly see the excitement and desperation in Vanliel's eyes.

"To redeem yourself, I want you to erase the existence of a clan located near the Ion Lake, north side of Astra." his smirk went wider as to how easily the excitement and desperation on Vanliel's eyes disappeared. "What? You can't do it? Tsk, I'm giving you my permission, you won't get convicted, so what are you scared of?"

Vanliel clenched his fist. How can his father order him to do such an act? He is an emperor, and he ordered him to erase a clan as if it was an easy job to do so. Like, what the hell? Is he out of his mind?

"Father, I can't do that. I can't just erase a clan without a valid reason." He thanked all the gods and goddesses for not stuttering. His heart is pounding so loud, not just because of nervousness, but also, fear. Yea, fear…

The emperor looked at him like as if he's the most stupid person he had ever met. "Do you really think that I'm stupid enough to order you to erase their existence if they did not offend me?"

That silence him, right, his father, even though he is heartless, he will not simply order his knights to erase a clan just because he wants to. There must be a deep reason behind it. How stupid of him to think bad of his father.

"I'm sorry, father." He sincerely said.

"Erase the Smith clan, and I will give you a break and a mansion of your own. A place for you to stay without being bothered by your older brother. Now, are you going to do it or not? Because if not, I will be the one to punish you, and I'll make sure that it will leave a pleasant memory inside that brainless head of yours."

Whatever reason it is, he doesn't have a choice. He would rather not be punished by his father. His conscience will kill him, but it's significantly better than being punished by his father. He knows that he will not give some mercy, he will not consider him being his son and will just do his thing, torturing him, until he is satisfied enough to leave his prey almost lifeless.

"I will do it, father."

******

As the door closed, and as Vanliel was about to walk, a person stopped him by grabbing his collar.

A green eyes met his… He blows a heavy breath because he's sure that his brother will not let him go so easily.

"Good morning, brother, what can I do for you?"

He asked politely, even though he so much wanted to behead his brother.

Von Cole, the second prince of Astra, second son of Emperor Vincent Cole. The arrogant and bully brother of his.

His brother mockingly looks at him, then suddenly, he felt a pang in his right cheek and found himself laying on the floor.

He did not react nor give a vile reaction, it will only anger his brother and prolong his misery in the hands of his brother.

His brother drawn near him, he lifted his chin harshly. His eyes show outrage. He didn't mind hiding his annoyance towards him.

"What did father tell you?" His eyes leave no space of ignoring his question. It's like, not answering his question is a forbidden sin.

Before answering his brothers' question, Vanliel spit blood. His brother is truly a strong ass. The side of his face that the punches landed stings as hell.

"Answer me! You punk!"

"He ordered me to kill and completely erase the existence of a clan."

His brother harshly renounced from his grip on Vanliel's chin. He tsk-ed then turned his back. He leaves Vanliel, still laying on the floor, almost dumbfounded.

The moment when Vanliel was about to get up, a voice suddenly interrupted. He looked where the voice comes from. To his surprise, he saw his older brother, Van Cole, the first prince of Astra.

He avoided his gaze from his brother. He doesn't know, but whenever he looked at his older brother, Van, he always feels like it's strange. There's this unknown feeling that he seems to can't get enough. It's like urging him to hug his brother.

"Why did you let him punch you? For once, can you please fight?" His voice doesn't sound as if he's mad or what, rather, he sounds like a father, lecturing his son to stand for his self.

He did not bother to answer, not because he doesn't want to, it's just that, he couldn't find the right words to answer his brother.

Van heavy breath can be heard since the place where they at right now is far from noise. Van, shaking his head while walking near Vanliel's direction. He stopped 1 meter away from Vanliel.

"Why did you let him punch you? For once, can you please fight?" His voice doesn't sound as if he's mad or what, rather, he sounds like a father, lecturing his son to stand "You are a prince Vanliel, not a slave nor a punching bag." His brother said angrily. "I've heard that you're going to erase a whole clan existence, what are you Vanliel? A prince or a slave to the king?"

His brother's question silenced him more. He doesn't know what to say, nor he can't even open his mouth to say something.

"He's toying you Vanliel, he wanted you to become the monster that he would use against his enemy. Open your eyes and don't be fooled by his words. You're smart, use your brain for once and don't let your feelings and desire to be noticed by that damn sorry of an ass father over power you. You know what's right from wrong. Stop being stupid and decide for your own."

After saying those words, his older brother left him. He felt like he's out of strength. Van's words affect him so much because he knows for a fact that he's right.

He closed his fist and was about to leave when a person that he didn't wish to see showed up. He cursed in his head multiple times and wished to all gods and goddesses to just kill the demon in front of him.

Not only that, but he so much wanted to erase his mug smirk. Vanliel was certain that the jerk heard everything and even saw his misery.

The demon shook his head then muttered a word that made Vanliel want to take his sword and cut its tongue.

"Weak"