Foolish… and so self-righteous.

Rean turned his face away, refusing to meet Olga’s gaze.

A sting of humiliation washed over him—unlike before, this time, he was genuinely angry.

Did she actually believe she was sacrificing herself for peace, reluctantly lowering herself to marry him?

No wonder everyone from the Celestial Realm was so idealistic.

“Lord Rean is right. We aren’t forcing this marriage,” Gabriel interjected smoothly. “If you truly cannot accept it together, Lady Glena and I won’t insist.”

“Let’s pause here for today. Why not both take time to consider? After all… we’re not exactly demons.”

Sensing the tension thickening, Gabriel diplomatically stepped back. Glena nodded beside him.

Rean knew pressing further would only cost him face. Even if he argued on, results wouldn’t come soon.

With a reluctant nod of silent consent, he rose and left his seat.

Just as others assumed he’d exit through the training ground’s main gate, a violent gale erupted across the arena. Sensing the crushing weight of magical energy, Olga whipped her head toward its source—only to see Rean’s slender right leg slam down onto the floor.

*BOOM!*

Where he’d stood now gaped a pitch-black void. The magically reinforced floor shattered under one stomp. Debris flew wildly; spiderweb cracks raced up the walls. The once-fortress-like training ground now trembled like a candle in the wind.

…

“Father… truly *brilliant* move,” Rean murmured coldly, leaning against a library shelf. His icy gaze settled on Bysain, who sat alone—guilt-ridden for skipping the “blind date.”

“And to think *I*, the one involved, was kept completely in the dark. Even Samuel knew before me?!”

Dust sifted steadily from a person-wide hole above, dusting Bysain’s hair gray. His expression was stiff, words failing him.

That single stomp had sent Rean plummeting straight down—through floors, corridors, like a pile driver—crashing into the library right before his father. One look at Rean’s stormy face, and Bysain understood everything.

He hadn’t snapped in front of Olga or Gabriel—but that didn’t mean he wasn’t furious.

He knew his father prioritized Christine’s people. But to be *this* blatantly set up for a Celestial marriage? Was their father-son bond really this flimsy?

“N-no… Rean, think carefully! This is for Christine’s people, right?” Bysain forced a laugh, brushing gray dust from his hair. The image of the “steadfast, reliable Demon King” crumbled instantly.

“Besides… with your personality, would any girl even like you? That angel is actually quite suitable…”

“You call the woman who drew her sword the *moment* she saw me ‘suitable’?! Why don’t *you* marry her?! No rule bans multiple wives!”

“Your mother would *kill* me! Then you’d be fatherless!”

The spineless retort barely left Bysain’s lips when Rean’s magic surged—nearly toppling the bookshelf behind him.

*What was the point of all my devotion…?*

Years of trust, fed to the dogs. Training since childhood to make them proud—only to be betrayed like this. If they’d just *asked*…

So the Demon King title he’d longed for was secured through a humiliating political marriage… all behind his back.

Wait.

A bold idea flashed in Rean’s mind.

If only those inside the Demon King Citadel knew of his succession as the Seventh Demon King and the arranged marriage to Olga…

Then the solution was clear: ensure this secret never sees the light of day.

“Heh… hehe… HAHAHAHA!”

What began as a stifled chuckle exploded into unrestrained laughter. Rean stumbled out of the library, leaving Bysain wondering if his son had truly lost his mind.

…

The next morning, Christine’s territory—long shrouded in gloom—basked in rare, gentle sunlight, as if blessed by the angel’s presence. Golden light gilded the dusty earth.

Rean stood at his windowsill, ready for a sunlit escape.

He checked the ribbon-like spatial storage tool on his wrist—a magic-infused band granting access to a pocket dimension. Inside rested travel supplies, trinkets… and every unread tome and stone tablet from the citadel library, looted during last night’s stealth raid.

“This should do. Doubt they’ll catch me anyway.”

He vaulted onto the sill, crouching low.

Yes. He was prepared.

To elope.

Only the citadel knew. Bysain remained the public Seventh Demon King. His disappearance wouldn’t spark chaos. The Celestial delegation sought peace—they wouldn’t risk severing ties with House Christine. If they turned to another Demon King? Rean would leak the truth. The entire Demon Realm’s ire would shift elsewhere. The marriage would stall. And Rean? He had all the time in the world.

“Catch me if you can. My mood decides everything! I’m out!”

Sunlight catching his grin, he leaped.

Teleportation would’ve been ideal—but setting a stable circle required a full day at a ley line nexus. Impossible here. Worse: the small altar he’d arrived on last night? Smashed to rubble.

So he chose the most primitive method—jumping.

Mid-air, he shot a thread of condensed magic, hooking a devil statue atop the wall. Pulling himself up with spider-like agility—

*Dignity?* Pfft. *Future first.*

He slid down the outer wall, freedom inches away—

Then froze.

Nearly collapsing onto his backside.

“Good morning.”

Olga stood beyond the gate, face unreadable, giving a calm little wave.