“Why?!”
“Never in a million years!”
Upon hearing *“You two should get married,”* Rean and Olga both shrieked in protest, slamming their palms on the table and shooting to their feet. Behind Rean, the Six Nights instantly shifted into battle stance; Olga’s fingers closed around her sword hilt. Eyes locked, fury blazing between them.
Rean had vaguely sensed this direction earlier—but hearing it straight from Gabriel’s lips still left him stunned, utterly unwilling to accept it.
A memory surfaced: during his travels in human lands, he’d witnessed a ritual called a “blind date.” Unmarried men and women past a certain age would meet under elders’ arrangements. If conditions matched and both were satisfied, engagement followed. Though these two weren’t mother and daughter, this elder-arranged meeting was unmistakably a *blind date*!
True, his lifespan dwarfed humans’—age meant nothing. But he’d *just* inherited the Demon King title from his father. He hadn’t even warmed the throne. How could a Demon King be shoved into marriage with an *angel*?
“Well… springing this on you so suddenly *is* hard to swallow,” Glena murmured calmly, pressing Rean gently back into his chair. Across the table, Gabriel signaled Olga to sit.
“Obviously!” Rean shot back, resentment sharp in his voice—but he stood down. The Six Nights melted silently back into the void. “Mother, you know the rift between the Celestial Realm and Demon Realm better than I do. Right?”
“Exactly,” Gabriel said softly, lowering her gaze. A shadow dimmed her flawless smile. “Thousands of years have passed. Few who fought the First War remain. Yet the hatred between our realms burns undimmed. If this cycle continues… mutual destruction is all that awaits us.”
“Rean,” Glena added, tone turning grave, “you know the Christine family holds the weakest seat among the Seven Demon Kings. No matter our personal strength, protecting every soul in our territory is nearly impossible.”
Her words struck true. Even with his reputation as the Demon Realm’s strongest potential king—and now its crowned ruler—shielding all his people in wartime felt impossible. Especially with the Celestial Realm looming.
Yet the Celestials had bled heavily too. Ending the feud served both sides far better than clinging to ancient grudges.
So this “blind date” was really a political marriage. A marriage alliance.
The Celestial Realm couldn’t reconcile with all Seven Demon Kings at once. Gabriel chose the Christine line— weakest in influence, yet led by Rean, strongest in power. To secure his people’s future… acceptance was his only viable path.
*No wonder they summoned me back in secret to inherit the throne…* Rean thought bitterly. *Clever. Calculating.*
But why couldn’t *that old man* marry an angel himself?! Don’t dump this on your son just ’cause you’re scared of your wife!
“I get it now,” Rean said, lips curling into a cold smirk. “But sending an ordinary angel to wed the Seventh Demon King? I see the logic… but it feels like you’re underestimating us.”
“Oh my~” A faint blush dusted Gabriel’s porcelain cheeks. Her gaze drifted shyly. “Does Lord Rean… prefer someone of closer standing? Perhaps… an Archangel like myself…?”
“No! That’s not what I meant!” Rean shook his head fast. He’d caught his mother’s teasing *“Hoh~”* and Olga’s disgusted glare—as if he were a filthy insect. He’d only voiced objection; how did she twist it *there*?!
Besides—he knew full well. For all Gabriel’s youthful grace, she’d walked the same era as Lucifer. Her age dwarfed his by decades. A genuine old lady.
“I understand your concern,” Gabriel continued smoothly, sealing his escape. “But Olga’s strength ranks among the elite beyond the Four Archangels. The Celestial Realm is considering elevating her to the Archangel Council. Soon, her status will equal ours.”
Rean glanced at Olga. The angel who’d raged moments ago now sat silent, jaw tight, eyes clouded with quiet conflict.
“…I understand your hope for peace,” Rean sighed lightly, voice turning earnest. “But even from your side—I hope you’ll consider Lady Olga’s feelings. Marriage is weighty. Even for long-lived beings, it shouldn’t be decided lightly. And… peace between realms doesn’t *require* a marriage alliance.”
(Not that he cared about the sword-drawing angel’s feelings. He just didn’t want this marriage. And if word spread beyond the Citadel? His own territory would revolt. *“Your Majesty, why betray us?!”* Generals storming the gates—he could already picture it. Olga’s refusal would be perfect. There *had* to be another way…)
“I accept.”
Huh?!
Three words shattered Rean’s thoughts. He stared, eyes wide.
Only then did he see Olga’s gaze fixed on him—not with love, not with hate, but with quiet, sacrificial resolve.
“I accept the marriage alliance. I will wed Lord Rean.”
When Rean stayed silent, Olga held his eyes firmly and reaffirmed her choice.
