“Protect His Highness! Protect His Highness!”

Rean muttered inwardly, *These people just stand there watching—why not lend a hand?! If it weren’t for saving them, would I still be stuck with Olga right now?!*

“Cut it out…!” Unable to endure any longer, Rean grabbed Olga’s arm, pushed himself up from beneath her, brushed the dirt off his clothes, and turned to face the villagers with a calm expression. “How is everyone? Any serious injuries?”

“Yes… Thanks to Lord Rean’s rescue, no one suffered major wounds.”

The man who seemed to lead the group stepped forward, clutching his still-aching chest, and stammered.

*Good. If someone had been badly hurt, this Demon King… no, this prince would’ve failed big time.*

Truth was, Rean no longer wanted that throne—the very goal he’d once chased as a human… wait, as a demon. Marrying an angel as the price? Felt like a raw deal.

He subtly tucked the royal ring on his finger out of sight.

“Head home early and rest up.”

“As you wish, Lord Rean… but…” The man glanced at Olga’s pale face, lowered his voice cautiously, “The lady behind you seems furious. Please be careful.”

Rean slightly turned his head. Olga stood arms crossed, shooting him a flustered, indignant glare. *Amusing. Serves her right—she dug this hole herself.*

“No need to worry. She’s just…”

“I’m Olga, Rean’s fiancée~ So glad no one’s hurt!”

Olga stepped forward with an angelically gentle smile (well, she *was* an angel), looped her arm through Rean’s, and rested her cheek lightly on his shoulder. “The path home may still be dangerous. Let us escort you.”

The crowd froze. A beat later, everyone except Olga gasped in unison: “Eh!?”

Rean caught the sly upward curve of Olga’s lips and her triumphant gaze—*Let’s see how you handle this.*

*Damn it! She’s a devil!*

A chaotic stampede of thoughts flooded Rean’s mind. *Did she really go this far just to spite me? …No. Maybe she’s sealing my escape route.*

He suddenly recalled: Olga followed him to force a marriage. Force failed—but if villagers believed in their engagement *without* exposing his identity? Everyone would assume he *had* to marry her.

*Damn, women can be cunning!*

“Wait! Don’t believe her nonsen—”

“Rean, let’s walk them home together!”

“Just… shut up already…”

*Escorting them? Even less chance to escape!*

“Wonderful… Lord Rean finally has a fiancée…”

“So that earlier scene was just affection…”

“I always wondered why someone so capable stayed unwed—she’s stunning! Such relief!”

“Lady Olga, please cherish Lord Rean’s heart!”

“May Lucifer bless you!”

Trapped in the wave of blessings, Rean couldn’t speak. For the first time, he felt like vanishing. *When did they start seeing me—a handsome, talented, high-status guy—as some hopeless bachelor?!*

“I didn’t expect you’d be so beloved… dear~” Olga whispered.

Her words pricked him. *They mean well… but believing her so easily? Adorably naive.*

“That’s enough. Don’t push me to flip.”

Rean turned, jaw twitching. Yeah, “dear” sent a tiny flutter—but her teasing tone? Infuriating.

Also… something else nagged him.

“Hold on. What you’re carrying doesn’t look like work tools. Why were you in the forest so early?”

The villagers’ excitement vanished like cold water dousing flames. Heads dropped. Silence.

Rean knew—something was off.

“Lord Rean… would you come to our town? Words alone won’t explain it.”