Breath in, teeth clenched
Say it louder

Gold crowns made of plastic
Promises dissolve on sight
Everyone wants loyalty
As long as it's one-sided
Pretty words, borrowed morals
Friendship sold by the hour
You shake hands, cross fingers
Calling betrayal power

Funny how trust gets fragile
When attention changes hands
You swear it's not personal
Then do it again

Build your kingdom out of lies
Call it love, call it fate
When the lights go out tonight
See what loyalty weighs
You trade souls for applause
Wear a smile, sharpen knives
All these cheap, hollow crowns
Cut the heads they sit on tight

You say: Nothing really matters
Till it's you left out to dry
Then suddenly it's serious
Suddenly you cry
Everyone's brave in groups
Everyone folds alone
You don't stand for each other
You stand where it's warm

No one leaves clean-handed
No one stays the same
You don't fall from grace
You give it away

Build your kingdom out of noise
Call it truth, call it right
When the crowd turns overnight
See who stays, who hides
You sell trust for momentum
Call it growth, call it pride
All these cheap, hollow crowns
Crack the moment pressure bites

Loyalty isn't loud
It shows up when there's nothing to gain

Build your empire out of smoke
Watch it vanish in the rain
When the fun dries up
Who remains?
You wanted fast, you wanted more
You wanted shine, not scars
All these cheap, hollow crowns
Never made anyone a king

Keep the crown
I keep my spine