Sons of a devil-Chapter 102: Brighter days

Leo laughed, but there was a seriousness beneath his voice. "Well, no. Not a war per se. But something... more challenging than organizing the royal kitchens and deciding which flowers look better in the garden."

"I agree," Eren said, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "I mean, we've faced literal gods and demons, right? How hard can this kingdom politics stuff be?"

Cain gave them both a pointed look. "You're both insane."

"Look, Cain," Leo said, his tone suddenly softening. "I'm not saying we go out looking for trouble, but this peace is... strange. For years, we were constantly on the move, always at war, always fighting. Now, it's like we've just... stopped."

"Maybe that's a good thing," Eren said thoughtfully. "We've earned this, haven't we? All the battles, all the chaos, the sacrifices... we deserve a little peace."

Cain didn't answer right away. He leaned back against the stone bench, staring at the setting sun. It was true—he had fought hard, bled and sacrificed more than he'd ever thought possible. The war had taken a toll on him in ways he was still trying to comprehend. The nights of restlessness, the never-ending pressure to keep everyone safe... he had pushed himself to the edge.

But maybe, just maybe, Leo had a point. The peace they had now was strange, uncomfortable even, but it was theirs. It was the result of everything they had endured, the choice they had made to protect their world from the darkness that had threatened to consume it.

"I think you're right," Cain said after a long pause. "We've fought enough battles. But that doesn't mean we sit back and do nothing. We find purpose in something else."

Eren blinked at him. "Like what?"

Cain's eyes flickered across the peaceful gardens, the vibrant flowers swaying gently in the wind. "We've rebuilt the kingdom, but there's more we can do. We've been so focused on fighting that we've forgotten how to live, how to build, how to grow."

Leo leaned forward, a serious expression settling over his face. "So, what, we become farmers now? Spend our days planting crops?"

Cain smirked at him. "Not exactly. But we can use what we've learned from all of this—the power we have, the wisdom we've gained—to do more than just defend. We can shape the future. Help people. Create a lasting legacy, not of blood and destruction, but of peace and progress."

"Sounds like a lot of work," Eren muttered, but there was a glint of interest in his eyes.

"It won't be easy," Cain acknowledged. "Nothing worth doing ever is. But we've seen how fragile peace is, how easily it can be shattered. So we have to hold onto it, protect it in ways that go beyond weapons and war."

Leo looked thoughtful for a moment, then chuckled. "Well, I guess I can try not to burn down half the palace with my lightning every time I get bored."

Eren grinned. "Yeah, and I'll try not to turn the whole kingdom upside down with my little... mischief."

Cain's smile was small but genuine. "I'm counting on you."

They sat in silence for a while, letting the stillness of the moment wash over them. The quiet peace, the weight of their shared history, all of it felt so... surreal. But deep down, Cain knew they were on the right path. The land was healing, and so were they. Together, they would build a future that was far different from the war-torn world they had once known.

It wasn't the peace they had expected, but it was the one they had earned.

And that was enough.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the gardens in a soft twilight glow, they were joined by their parents—King Darius and Queen Lysandra. Their expressions were serene, but there was a hint of pride in their eyes as they surveyed the kingdom that now belonged to their children. They had all come so far, and for the first time, they could truly look forward to the future.

Their family, their legacy, was secure. The brothers had come through the storm, and now they were standing on the other side, ready to build a world of their own design.

"Are you all finally getting along?" Queen Lysandra asked with a knowing smile, settling beside them.

Cain rolled his eyes but didn't say anything. Leo shot his mother a playful wink. "Well, it's peaceful, at least. It's just... strange."

King Darius chuckled, stepping forward and resting a hand on Leo's shoulder. "It'll take some getting used to, but that doesn't mean it isn't worth it."

Eren stretched his arms overhead, letting out a satisfied sigh. "Yeah, I think I can get used to this."

Cain looked at his family—the siblings who had been through so much together, the parents who had been distant yet protective, and the kingdom they had inherited.

This was only the beginning.

And whatever came next, he knew they would face it together.