Devlin walked through the hallway of his family's castle accompanied by his thoughts. He would only be here for a few days before continuing on his cross-country trip back in America. He really didn't want to be surrounded by the cold walls of his home.
He walked past his father's study and heard a couple of voices. Curiosity got the better of him so he leaned against the door to listen.
"You're making a huge mistake," he heard another voice, not his father's but it was male all the same and sounded enraged.
"I doubt it," he heard his father say. "You only want to marry your daughter off to my youngest son for power." His father continued, "Besides, he already has a girl he loves."
The other man huffed, "What does love have to do with anything? Is she of noble blood? If she isn't then there isn't any point. She's nothing!" Devlin felt like punching the man in the face.
"Like the way you treat your daughter as a bargaining chip?" his father retorted. "Just because my son is the heir of the Demon Emperor? That is all you care about. It's the prestige."
"Your son has great potential but is a fool who is far too emotional."
"He also has more power than you will ever have."
Devlin found himself surprised, something that didn't happen often. It seemed that this man was attempting to access the power of the Demon Emperor through marriage. A logical political move. The Demon Emperor was one of the most powerful supernatural beings and Devlin was named his heir. News also traveled fast through the supernatural circles. Of course anyone who kept their ears to the ground would hear about his power. Apparently this man was from one of the noble families that weren't already married into the Akuma Clan. Either that or he wanted to get the power directly with a daughter that wasn't already married off.
Devlin was also surprised that his father was refusing the marriage idea. If some families were that determined to access the power of the Demon Emperor then they would be willing to give a lot in terms of dowries. Ichiro was a shrewd businessman and it wouldn't have surprised Devlin for him to hold out for more or better offers, but it seemed that he was rejecting the marriage offers because Devlin was already in a relationship.
"And you will let your son waste his potential just because of simple emotion?" the man inside asked.
"He's developing his potential just fine," Ichiro retorted calmly. "He already has access to the Arms Monsters, the Great Dragoon, and even Roulette has deemed him worthy of the full power. Although you already knew that…didn't you?"
The man frowned, but still tried to find a suitable argument to prove that Devlin marrying his daughter would be a good idea.
"My family does have its resources and much of it will be part of the dowry," the man spoke. "Not only are we a corporate power but we also are a powerful Oni family."
"Which is why I am listening to your proposal instead of shutting you out," Ichiro answered. "You've had my attention and respect because of your position. However, your case is being presented rather poorly. Your family gains access to the power of the Demon Emperor and mine gains access to the many companies Smart Brain has been trying to deal with. However, you haven't even mentioned once how your daughter feels about it."
"I don't see how it matters," the man groused. "However, since you want to know, she is actually very eager to meet the Demon Prince. She is hoping to make a good impression so they can get along. If the proposal is accepted then they will make a good pair."
"Yes, I've seen her," Ichiro sighed. "A very fetching woman. Any man would be lucky to have a beauty like her."
"She has been taking lessons all her life for this," the man continued. "She knows that an arranged marriage is unavoidable in our lives and she hopes that she will have a good husband. She feels that the Demon Prince will be perfect for her."
"So she is resting her hopes on Kyoichiro's shoulders," Ichiro sighed. He began rubbing his brow.
Devlin knew this man had his father tightly. Mother had often said that his father had a soft spot for people who were in arranged marriage situations and hating it. He had been subject to the process himself when he was picked to be the next leader of the Akuma Clan. Either this man knew that or he had lucked out.
"My son is going to throttle me," Ichiro sighed to himself. "Tell you what. We'll have them meet. If your daughter is that much taken with Kyoichiro then we'll see what happens. I doubt her chances though. Kyoichiro's current girlfriend has him snared soundly."
"He'll change his tune when they meet," the man smirked. "Besides, as his father you can order him to break up with her anyway."'
'Like that will ever happen,' frowned Devlin. He wasn't going to abandon Danielle for any girl, arranged marriage or not. He discreetly glided away, turning his feet into a gaseous form in order to move silently.
Devlin heard the sound of knocking at his bedroom door. "Come in," he said. He was sitting on his bed, reading a book. Fangula was hanging from a perch, asleep, while Roulette was lying on his master's lap. The door opened and Ichiro came in.
"Son, we need to talk about something," said Ichiro evenly. His relationship with his son had been on thin ice for quite awhile now and even though they were on speaking terms, there was still a wall between them.
"Then talk," said Devlin without looking away from his book. "I'm listening."
Ichiro took a chair and sat down and Devlin looked over to his father, putting the book down. "Son, I know things between us have been difficult since…"
"Since the day you enrolled me in the Deathtron Academy to be a killer," Devlin finished.
Ichiro couldn't deny it. That hadn't been his intention to be honest but his youngest son had so much talent and could be an assassin for the honor of the Deathtrons. Unfortunately, Devlin didn't see it like that. "I know what I did was wrong, but it was for the best."
"Whose? Mine or yours?" Devlin argued.
Ichiro sighed. His son could hold a grudge. Maybe it was because he, his father, had technically betrayed him and refused to listen to his own wishes. But what else could Ichiro have done? His son couldn't go to a human school because of his powers. It was the only place he knew that could handle Devlin because of his powers.
Deciding to think of the present, Ichiro spoke, "An acquaintance of mine came with a marriage proposal. He wishes to arrange a marriage between his daughter…and you."
Devlin gritted his teeth. He'd heard it. "So, what did you decide?"
"You should meet her," said Ichiro. "Maybe you'll like her."
'And maybe pigs will grow wings and fly.' "I'm too young to be getting married, father," stated Devlin. "And even if I wasn't I have no intention of marrying a stranger. Plus, I'm already in a relationship."
Ichiro sighed, "Well, she's been looking forward to meeting you. Just, promise when you meet her you'll turn her down gently."
"I'll try, but I'm not making any promises."
"Well, that's all I have to say," said Ichiro. "Good night." He turned to leave but stopped at the door to say, "It's good that you came to visit. Your mother and I missed having you here." Devlin remained silent as his father walked out and shut the door.
A day later, Devlin's future 'bride-to-be' came. She certainly looked the part of a traditional Japanese beauty. She was wearing a very expensive looking blue kimono with a pink obi around her waist. She seemed to be a bit taller than regular Japanese girls. She had a green tint to her hair which was braided at the back. She was smiling demurely and looked every bit like the lady that she was expected to be.
Of course, the scene of her father standing behind her with a smug grin sort of ruined the image that the maidenly young woman was giving off. Of course, even with that, she still looked very beautiful. If Devlin wasn't with Danielle and so much in love with her, he might have considered at least attempting to meet this woman in a more familiar sense.
She walked up to Devlin and bowed deeply, showing humility and respect for the boy in front of her and his family.
"Konnichiwa," she spoke. "I am Umi Onimaru. It is my honor to meet you, Demon Prince-sama."
"It is a pleasure to meet you too, Umi-san," Devlin nodded. "I welcome you to our home."
The two families moved inside to the main sitting room where the fathers took a seat off in the distance so that Umi and Devlin could speak privately. Devlin knew his home was anything but private. His mother and Megumi were probably spying already while Ichijyo was using one of his many skills to get a report of the situation.
Both Devlin and Umi were sitting across from each other and hadn't really said anything to each other. Umi seemed almost too shy while Devlin really didn't want to get attached to this girl or else turning her down would become much harder.
"Um," she spoke up. "So…are you really the heir of the Demon Emperor?"
"Yes," Devlin nodded. "I inherited his power, subjects, and abilities. Though, I am called the Demon Prince by the Fangire population."
"I see," Umi nodded. "I heard you are a powerful warrior. Many of the Fangire population are telling stories about your battles."
"Well, I'm Devlin Amakusa first and the Demon Prince second," Devlin shrugged. "I use the power when I have to, but prefer not to fight if given the chance."
"That's nice," Umi smiled. She looked to her hands for a moment as a small flush came to her cheeks. "I…I hope we can get along. I mean…we may be married and I hope we can at least be friends."
"I have no problems being friends. I have only a few," Devlin nodded. "However, I am afraid that there is little chance of us being wed."
"Huh?" Umi blinked. "But…Demon Prince-sama…our families."
"Call me Devlin, please," Devlin sighed. "I know how much your family must be pushing for this, but mine is nowhere near as hopeful. And even if they were, I would still be unwilling. I am currently in a relationship and hold no thoughts about breaking it off."
"I see," Umi frowned sadly. "Then she must be special if I am so unappealing to you."
"Unappealing? You? Perish the thought," Devlin commented. "If I wasn't in my current relationship then I would be very willing to see if something can develop between us. As it is, I do not."
"Oh," Umi blushed. That was a rather nice thing to say. It made her feel good. He didn't find her lacking at all. He just had someone else in his heart. "Then I guess…this meeting won't go the way my family hopes."
"Unfortunately, no," Devlin chuckled. "Still, I was telling the truth when I said I would like to be your friend."
"I would like that too," Umi smiled. "So…how did you become the heir of the Demon Emperor?"
"That's a rather funny story," Devlin smiled. He then launched into the tale of how he and Fangula first met.
Umi and Devlin talked for hours about each other. Devlin told stories about his adventures as Fang and about his friends in America. Umi was entranced by his stories and paid rapt attention. She was amazed that Devlin was so kind and gentle. She had heard the Demon Prince was a powerful and brutal warrior who destroyed all his foes. Devlin confirmed that he had destroyed many Fangires, but all of them had gone on rampages and were killing people left and right. Umi knew that some monsters had to feed on humans to live, but killing on such a scale just for fun was sickening.
Eventually, it was time for Umi and her father to leave. The man still had a smug look on his face, believing that he was closer to gaining access to the Demon Emperor's power. Saying their goodbyes, Umi and her father headed back to their limo. Devlin and Ichiro watched them go before finally heading back inside.
"You seemed to get along well with her," Ichiro commented. "I assume you had a lot to talk about?"
"She was pleasant company," Devlin nodded. "She will make some lucky man a fine wife. Unfortunately for her father's plans, it won't be me."
"Oh, I assume he'll be back," Ichiro chuckled. "He won't give up. Would you believe he attempted to place a love compulsion spell on you and her? As if I wouldn't notice and stop it."
"The man seemed desperate," Devlin frowned. "Much too smug for his own good."
"Yes. Sorry about putting you through that," Ichiro sighed. "I needed to get him off my back somehow and his daughter to move on, hopefully to find someone else."
"I understand," Devlin nodded. "Besides, I made a new friend today. Hopefully I can see her again sometime without her father's meddling."
MEANWHILE…
Umi was smiling pleasantly in her family's limo as her father cussed about the failure of the meeting. He kept ranting about how he was sure that the love compulsion spell had taken hold. Umi knew her father would try some trick to force the issue and get her married to Devlin. That was fine since it didn't work.
Umi had to admit that Devlin surprised her. He was much nicer than she thought he'd be and way different than expected. He was truly a king in the making, despite her father's opinion that he was squandering his potential. It was just a shame that he already found a princess.
'Still,' Umi pondered. 'The future is not set in stone.'