It seemed Gabriel's fate was truly to suffer — to depend on others until the end of his life.
Daisy noticed her brother's downcast expression and felt a pang of pity.
"How many times must I tell you to leave my brother alone?" she shouted at Delaney.
"Ha! The little princess arrives to save her hero again," Delaney sneered. Her mocking words added salt to Gabriel's wounds, deepening his embarrassment.
"What is wrong with you, Delaney?" Daisy demanded. "He's your brother too. Why are you always so cruel?"
"This worthless piece of trash can't be my brother," Delaney spat. "My brother would be a heroic, powerful, and talented cultivator destined for greatness. Not… this gigolo."
Daisy's rage boiled over. She was ready to lose all restraint and teach her unruly sister a painful lesson — but Gabriel held her back.
Turning to him, she saw a faint, bitter smile."It's okay," Gabriel said softly. "She isn't wrong." He chuckled self-deprecatingly before quietly walking over to his small bed.
"Waste," Delaney muttered as she stormed out.
"Gabriel, don't mind—" Daisy began, but he cut her off.
"Please… don't. I just want to be alone."
She clenched her fists at the sight of his bruised body. "If you need someone to talk to, you know where to find me." She lingered a moment, but when Gabriel gave no reply, she finally left.
The moment the door closed, Gabriel locked it and slumped against it. He did not want his sister to see him cry. At least he could keep that much dignity. Silent tears streamed down his face before he finally dragged himself back to his bed.
His small room only deepened his grief. Apart from the creaky bed and a worn-out bag of clothes in the corner, there was nothing else. Even some palace servants had better quarters. His chamber was no better than the room of the lowliest servant.
Lying on the bed, Gabriel's thoughts turned bitterly to his life.
He was Gabriel Ashford, first son of King Orion Ashford. His unearthly handsomeness and long dark-blue hair — often mistaken for black — made him stand out wherever he went. But what others saw as beauty, he saw as a curse. The tallest trees are the first to feel the wind, they said. Yet he had no strength to resist any storm.
King Orion had three wives. Gabriel's mother was the first, but she and her children were despised. Including Daisy and Delaney, Gabriel had seven siblings in total:
The Ashford Royal Family (Eldest → Youngest)
Samuel Ashford – Eldest son, Gabriel's full brother (same mother).
Gabriel Ashford – Second child, son of King Orion and his first wife.
Daisy Ashford – Third child, Gabriel's full sister (same mother).
Susan Ashford – Fourth child, daughter of the second wife.
David Ashford – Fifth child, son of the second wife.
Leonel Ashford – Sixth child, son of the second wife.
Delaney Ashford – Seventh child, daughter of the third wife.
Gary Ashford – Youngest (eighth child), son of the third wife.
First Wife's Children: Samuel, Gabriel, Daisy
Second Wife's Children: Susan, David, Leonel
Third Wife's Children: Delaney, Gary
Every one of them was talented — except him. Gabriel was the family disgrace, the blemish on the Ashford name. Worse, he feared his shame might drag down Samuel in the battle for the throne. His father's hatred for him and his mother's line was deep, almost unnatural. Gabriel once thought it was because of his weakness, but now… he suspected there was something more.
Curled up on his small bed, Gabriel thought about his family until sleep finally claimed him.