The throne room was cold and dark. Heavy black curtains covered every window, and hadn’t been removed since Nero's funeral. They let in no light, and the fireplaces remained empty.

Daemon sat sideways on the King’s throne, his legs hanging over the arm. He had one hand over his face, and he hadn’t moved from that spot all day.

“Sire?” One of the guards approached him tentatively. He was clutching a rolled-up parchment in his hands, and he looked confused. “Forgive me, but isn’t this a bit extreme?”

“Extreme?” Daemon lowered his hand before turning his attention the guard, and some of the other guards shared looks of concern. He sat up slowly, planting his feet firmly on the floor.

Daemon looked terrible. He refused to wear the crown after he was coronated, and he dressed like a peasant from the old farmlands. His hair was unkempt, he’d grown a thick beard, and there were dark circles under his eyes. His anger was practically tangible as he stared down the guard.

“Extreme?” he repeated. “Magic killed my family. If it’s only going to cause death and destruction, I don’t want it.”

“But so many people in this kingdom rely on magic to—”

“Well, they’ll have to learn to live without, won’t they?”

The guard sighed. Daemon had stated that he would never do magic again, and now that he was King of Anzino, he didn’t want to see or hear anything about magic ever again.

When the guards read the ordinance in the city, there was great uproar. Many were angry about it, but those without magic power seemed to sigh in relief. The new King of Anzino might not have meant to do it, but by outlawing magic, he was giving regular people an equal opportunity to improve their lives.

However, it almost immediately caused a decline in the quality of life for magic-users. There would be a steep penalty for anyone caught doing magic, and many people feared for themselves and their families.

“Nero was right,” Daemon muttered to himself. “This kingdom doesn’t need magic anymore.”

Daemon enforced the new regulations without an inch of leniency for anyone. Shops were shut down, farmlands seized, people imprisoned… If there was even a hint of magic, King Daemon would send the guards to snuff it out.

It wasn’t long before the kingdom began to suffer without magic. Anzino had thrived for centuries, supported by magic-users, so to have it taken away so abruptly sent it spiraling downward. Many who relied on magic could no longer sustain their lifestyles, buildings began to decay, crops were harder to keep alive… but Daemon didn’t care. If the kingdom couldn’t survive without magic, then it shouldn’t survive any longer.

Many citizens went to the king, begging for changes to the new laws, but they fell on deaf ears. Daemon couldn’t be swayed in favor of magic.

It would have been different if Nero was still alive. They’d been so close when they were younger, but had grown apart as they got older. Daemon was pushed into learning the duties of taking over as king while Nero was pushed off to train with the Royal Guard. Despite all his teasing, Daemon was actually devastated when they found out Nero couldn’t do magic. He had thought they would rule the kingdom together—they had been a great team as children.

When he was sleeping, which was rare, Daemon would dream about his childhood. He and Nero were almost always together. His twin was always quieter, enjoying books more than activities, but they would still play together in the castle and the courtyard. Daemon would do physical work, like putting together forts and treehouses, while Nero would direct him on how to do it. They would play pretend games with imaginary magic, talking about how amazing it would be when they grew up and got their real magic.

Nero was never angry or jealous that Daemon was the Crown Prince, and was supportive of Daemon becoming the future King of Anzino. They would stay up late, sneaking into each other’s rooms when they were supposed to be asleep, talking about what the kingdom would be like when they were the ones in charge. Of course, they imagined silly things like trees with sweet rolls growing on them, but they were happy, and ready to rule the kingdom together so eagerly.

“Daemon…” An older woman approached the throne one morning. Daemon was sitting there, as always, looking tired and messy. He was getting worse by the day, and there were talks among the guards about his anger. “Don’t you think this has gone on long enough? You have to take care of yourself.”

Her name was Naylene, and was the caregiver for Daemon and Nero when they were children. She would watch them while they played, bathe them, teach them, and keep them occupied while their parents were busy. She was a quiet, kind woman.

She didn’t look well. She had grieved hard over Nero and the King and Queen just as much as Daemon had. She looked old and tired, much older than Daemon remembered her.

“Go away, Naylene,” he said, turning his gaze away from her. “I don’t need you to tell me what to do anymore.”

“Daemon, please… Listen to me. There are rumors throughout the castle and kingdom. The people think you’re not fit to be King of Anzino. They think you’ve lost your mind and need to be replaced. I know you’re hurt, but you need to pick yourself up now. If you want to keep hold of this kingdom, you need to show everyone that you’re capable of ruling it.”

“And what do you suggest I do?”

“Clean yourself up, for starters,” she said, pointing to the loose, ill-fitted shirt he was wearing. He’d lost a lot of weight from not eating or sleeping. “Get yourself a bath, brush your hair, and put on some proper clothing. Wear your father’s crown like you’re meant to, and address your people properly. You need to help the magic-users in this kingdom, as well. They're suffering under your new rule.”

“I’m not going to allow magic to destroy this kingdom any longer!”

“You’re destroying your kingdom without it!”

“Enough!” Daemon stood, glaring down at the woman. “Get out before I have you thrown in the cells with the rest of the traitors.”

“Traitor?” Naylene looked like Daemon had slapped her in the face. “I don’t even have any magic power. I’m trying to help you!”

“Get out,” he demanded. “I won’t tell you a third time.”

Naylene’s shoulders dropped in defeat. She shook her head with disdain and turned away from him.

“I’ll be leaving the kingdom within a fortnight,” she told him. “With magic outlawed, my daughter can no longer survive here. She had to close her bakery, which she had supplemented with magic. I hope you see reason before you lose everything.”

Daemon sat back down on the throne. He leaned back, covering his face with his hand.

“I’ve already lost everything.”