Ophelia sat on the couch in the living room, sorting through the mail delivered to the castle she and her husband live in. It had been a year since she talked to Tilla and heard of her ailment, which she didn't like to think about. Nowadays the only people she spoke to willingly were her parents, her son, Stolas, and a few friends among the royalty she made, mainly the other Ars Goetia wives. The latter weren't as exciting or fun to talk to as Tilla, but at least she could vent her frustrations with Paimon to someone, even if those wives were arguably as pompous as her husband.

As she looked through the mail, something caught her eye. It was an advertisement for Cash Buckzo's Traveling Circus, which was now in Pride. Not only that, but it was nearby too in almost perfect walking distance. While she couldn't care less for Cash, maybe she could find Tilla or maybe even her children there.

Her thoughts were interrupted when her own son ran into the room crying. "Mommy!" He said as he hugged her leg.

"Stolas!?" She said as she picked him up. "What's wrong, my little bird?"

"All those boys, they… they made fun of me because I like boys!"

Ophelia should've smelt something suspicious the moment she heard a group of kids asked him to hang out with them. Stolas was a lonely child in school, so when a few kids asked him to hang out after class, he was so happy that she didn't question it. But of course, she should've known better with these damn royal children.

"There, there, my dear." She said as she wiped the tears from his eyes. "Don't let those bullies hurt you."

"Am I weird for liking boys, Mother?"

"Of course you aren't! It's not weird at all to love who you love!"

"But… they all made fun of me for it."

"It doesn't matter what they say. Know this, darling, no matter what life you pick for yourself I will always love you."

Stolas smiled, "You mean it?"

"Of course I mean it." She said as she rubbed her beak against his forehead. Ophelia then turned to the circus advertisement and got an idea. "Say, do you want to go to the circus today?"

"The circus!? That sounds like fun!"

"I'm glad, now why don't you go get yourself fixed up and we'll get going." After he hugged her mother, Stolas ran to his room, with Ophelia smiling at him as he did. However, that smile would soon disappear when she heard a familiar voice come from behind her.

"You know, the more you coddle him, the more of a weak ruler he will be." The voice said with pure condescension.

"Paimon, he's our son," Ophelia replied. "The least we can do is support him during hardships."

"Do you know what my parents did when I cried? Nothing. Because they understood that if I was to be a ruler, I would have to deal with the harshness of reality and sadness myself."

"And you turned out so well," Ophelia said sarcastically.

"At least I wasn't an exile, Bitch." Paimon said as he walked away. Ophelia clenched her fists, wanting nothing more than to punch that asshole in his stupid face. But she knew how powerful he was, and of course, there was Stolas to think about. So she restrained herself, trying to calm her rage down as she waited for her son to be ready.

The moment Ophelia and Stolas entered the circus they were greeted with bustling and loud music. The young boy couldn't help but feel in awe at what was happening around him. For Ophelia, it was very nostalgic since the last time she went to a circus was with Tilla, and that was when they first met Cash.

She had Stolas play the games outside, from the Strength-O-Meter all the way to the shooting galleries where he got a plushie of an eldritch creature. But the main event they were interested in was the show itself which took place inside a massive tent in the middle of the circus. The two took their seats in the front with the rest of the crowd. Ophelia looked around and laughed to herself since this was the first time since marrying Paimon that she actually got to be around the general populace. If Paimon was here, if not physically then through that stupid magic mirror that he would project through as his servant carried it around, he would've suggested somewhere at the front but also where he wouldn't have to "smell the poor."

Soon enough the show started with jugglers, acrobats, and horse riders who rode while balancing on their right arm. Just then, and to Ophelia's shock, Cash Buckzo himself came out into the ring. He looked almost exactly the same as when she first saw him, minus that little white beard he had as well as a few wrinkles on the side.

"Now, everyone's favorite thing about circus shit! The motherfucking clowns!" He shouted before many clowns jumped out from behind him, scaring everyone in the audience and having Ophelia cover her son's eyes. From what Tilla told her, he loved fucking with the audience with this act, something to get a laugh out of himself. Kinda fucked up now that she thought about it more.

After that nightmare fuel, next was the rope act, with two imp children swinging around together. One of these performers caught her attention, as she recognized them from pictures Tilla showed her. This child was Blitzo, if her memory served right. Soon enough, Blitzo jumped off the rope and landed on a giant ball in the middle of the ring.

"Ta-da!" He said as he jumped off the ball laughing. There were a few claps in the audience, but to Ophelia's surprise, Stolas clapped the hardest.

"Heya, folks!" Blitzo said as he pulled out a deflated balloon. "Wanna see me make a horse!?" He then blew into the balloon and twisted it around, creating what looked like a ball with a stick coming out of both ends. The balloon popped, "Crap." He said before pulling out another balloon and doing the same thing… with the exact same result.

He did this several times for an amount of time that was so uncomfortable even Ophelia got embarrassed for the poor boy. Eventually, he made something resembling a horse… if it had no legs. "Horse!" Blitzo shouted as he showed off his creation, but to his disappointment, no one reacted. However, he found a way to turn it around. "Well, it was a horse! But then it ate too much sugar and his legs stopped working. So they had to amputate. Now, it's a gross worm horse!"

Ophelia heard her son laugh next to him. She didn't understand why, as it wasn't really a joke, but because he looked so happy she couldn't help but join in on the laughter. "See!" Blitzo said as he pointed to them. "Those two get it! These horses, they make no sense."

"Ok, Blitzo," The other child imp said, which Ophelia remembered his name being Fizzaroli. "That's enough horsin' around!" He then shaped the balloon he had in his own hand into the shape of something that actually looked like a horse. "Hey, everybody! Look at this! It's Banana Pudding the clown horsey!" Somehow, that got the crowd to cheer.

"Circus people are more odd than I remember." Ophelia thought to herself. Then again, she shouldn't judge since she laughed at a non-joke.

"I liked his broken horse joke," Stolas said. "It was funny. Their legs do stop working when they eat too much sugar. It's called Laminitis." The young demon looked disappointed that Blitzo got upstaged. Suddenly, a lightbulb went on in Ophelia's head.

Shortly after the show was over, she used her status as queen to get her and Stolas backstage to meet Cash, who was drinking booze. "Hello, Cash." She said, which caught his attention.

"Do I know you?" He replied.

"It's me, Ophelia. Tilla's friend."

"No shit, now I remember you. You're the girl she kept meeting up with."

"Indeed, I am. If I might ask, how is she doing? Last time I heard from her she had-"

"Beelzelung? Ah, don't worry about her. She's resting nicely at home. But I'll tell her you said hi!" The ringleader noticed the tiny owl next to her, "And who's this little guy?"

Ophelia nodded to the little one, "S-Stolas." He said.

"He's actually the reason I came to see you."

Cash had a grin on his face, "Ah, so you wanna sell 'em?"

"What!? No! Of course not! I'm here to purchase the services of one of your performers for him. You see, Stolas had a rough day, and I'd figure he could use someone to hang out with outside of his typical circle."

"Oh, I understand. But Fizzarolli is a big draw. He has a few more shows to be in today, so it would be pretty expensive."

"Oh no, I don't mean him. I meant the other one, Blitzo."

"Blitzo!?"

"Yes, my son finds him quite entertaining."

Stolas spoke, "His horse joke was funny."

Cash looked at Stolas, "No it fuckin' wasn't. It wasn't even a joke."

Ophelia took back the conversation, "For Satan's sake, just name your price for him!"

"You can have him for free."

"What?"

"Yeah, consider it a late, late wedding gift!" Ophelia was disgusted by the fact that he would give his son away like that with no concern whatsoever. But still, at least she wouldn't have to explain to Paimon why there was a purchase for an imp circus performer… not that it was any of his business what she spent her money on.

The next day Ophelia and Stolas were standing outside the castle, waiting for the imp to arrive. They couldn't have timed this better, since Paimon had to go to Sloth to deal with something involving one of his minions. To make sure that no one would snitch to him, she gave the entire staff the day off if they promised not to tell her husband, which was surprisingly easy to do.

Cash eventually arrived with his son, and the moment Stolas saw him he was giddy with excitement. "Hello there, Blitzo!" Stolas said before bowing. "I'm Stolas! A pleasure to meet you!" Ophelia once again laughed to herself when she saw her son bow. Seeing this would've made Paimon furious. "We don't bow down to lesser demons!" He probably would've said. Another fuck you to Paimon.

"Uh, yeah," Blitzo said, "Nice to meet you too, I guess?"

"Alright, have fun Blitzo!" Cash said before giving his son a wink and walking away.

"Stolas," Ophelia said as she kneeled next to him. "Why don't you get your things ready for Blitzo while I have a talk with him." Stolas nodded before running inside. She then turned her attention toward the little imp. "Hello, Blitzo. How are you doing?"

Blitzo seemed surprised, "Oh, um… I'm fine." His nervous expression told her otherwise.

"Now, I know castles like this can be scary for someone who's not used to it, but I assure you nothing bad will happen to you here."

"OK, sure. Can I go play now?"

Ophelia sighed, "Go ahead." Blitzo then ran inside.

The queen went into her quarters and indulged in some Hella Novella while the boys had their time together, taking advantage of the freedom she had now that Paimon was away. Soon enough she heard them laughing outside as they ran down the hall, which made her very happy. She then got the bright idea of making something special for them: Mouse Cookies, Stolas' favorite.

After half an hour of baking the things, she got the tray of cookies and went out into the room where she heard them laughing, hoping to surprise them with a treat. But when she entered, she saw Blitzo to her left going onto the balcony carrying a brown bag that was way too big for him. It also might've been her hearing things, but she could've sworn she heard jingling in the bag.

Ophelia went onto the balcony without Blitzo noticing her. She saw him lift the bag over the railing, with the jingling definitely more audible, and throwing it over. "Blitzo?" she said.

The boy quickly turned around in a panic, "Uh… yes?"

"What was that you just threw over?"

"It… was…uhmmm…." Ophelia could see the sweat coming from Blitzo. She could also see behind him in the bushes below something shaking around. A very familiar pair of horns poked out and moved away from them, Cash's horns.

Blitzo noticed her looking and began to cry, thinking that his life was over now that he was caught. "WAAAAHHHH! I'm sorry! Please don't execute me!"

"Why would I do that!?" Ophelia said as she kneeled down and put the cookies aside.

"Is… isn't that what royals do when imps do bad things to them?"

"Well… yes, but I'm not like them."

"So… you're not gonna…. gonna kill me?"

"I wouldn't dream of it dear. Now tell me, what did you do?"

Blitzo told her everything about how this playdate was agreed to so that Blitzo could steal as much as he could from the castle and hand it off to his Dad. "He's more of a prick than I thought," Ophelia said to herself, disgusted that he would put his own son in danger for this.

"I didn't want to do it," Blitzo said, wiping the tears from his eyes. "But Mama's really sick, and Papa said this would help her."

"That fucking asshole!" Ophelia said to herself. How dare he manipulate him like this? But even so, she didn't have the heart to tell him that his mother was doomed no matter what. So she came up with yet another idea. Purely sentimental but she hoped it would give some comfort, plus it would be another fuck you to Paimon.

"Here, take this." She said as she removed her wedding ring from her left hand and gave it to Blitzo.

"Wow," Blitzo replied as he took the ring. "You're really giving me this?"

Ophelia nodded, "Give it to your mother when you get back, without telling your father of course. Tell her it's a gift from a friend."

Blitzo looked at the ring and then back at Ophelia, looking like he was about to cry again. He then jumped at her and gave her a hug, much to the queen's surprise. She returned the hug before they heard a voice call out. "Hey, Blitzo!" Stolas yelled out from the room nearby them.

"Your playdate isn't over yet," Ophelia said. "Now go have fun." Blitzo ran towards Stolas' voice as she watched him with a smile on her face. All these attempts to keep this playdate a secret were up in smoke now that half of the castle's valuables were stolen, but better that she get berated than a child be executed.

"WHAT THE FUCK!?" Paimon shouted as he looked at the empty shelves of the treasury. Ophelia stood next to him as he predictably threw a fit. "THEY TOOK THE… THEY TOOK THE GODDAMN ANCIENT CROWN AND THE RARE MINERALS! HOW THE FUCK DID THEY EVEN GET HALF THIS SHIT!?" Seeing him act in such an unregal way was incredibly humorous to Ophelia, so much so that she accidentally let out a giggle. "What's so fucking funny!?"He said as he approached Ophelia.

"I can't help it, dear," She said. "Seeing you act this way over a bunch of trinkets is hilarious."

"Don't tempt me, you bitch! These things are worth more than you could…" He noticed she wasn't wearing her ring, so he grabbed her arm to get a closer look at it. "Where's your wedding ring!"

Ophelia pulled her arm away. "I'm not wearing it right now."

"Why is that?"

"Why do you care?"

"Because the only reason you would take it off is if you were in the shower or…. Oh, I understand now."

"Understand what?"

"You looked the other way for that imp, didn't you? You even gave him your ring!"

Ophelia scoffed, "Satan, you sound paranoid."

"But I'm right am I? It makes sense. You hate me, so you figured this would be the perfect way to spite me."

"I will not entertain this ridiculous allegation-" She was interrupted with a slap across the face by Paimon, which shocked her since these fights never got physical.

"Do not lie to me. You helped him."

A lifetime of rage that was built up inside Ophelia finally burst out. "If that's what you think, then just execute me already, you giant pompous dick!"

Paimon just smiled. "No, I don't think I will."

"Why!? Isn't that what you do with all your wives when they stop being of use to you!? That's right, I looked into your ex-wives! You either kill them, exile them, or just throw them to the side after they can't make any more babies for you! So why am I still around!?"

Paimon replied with a laugh, then looked her dead in the eyes with a stare as paralyzing as Medusa. "You want to know why I keep you around?" he said as he put his face close to hers.

"Because I love tormenting you."

"W-what?" Ophelia said in pure disbelief.

"Tell me, do you know why your family was exiled? It's because your ancestor killed my father, King Baal, in an attempt to take the title for himself. He was found out and as a result, had his entire bloodline exiled. But for me, it wasn't enough. He was my father, for Satan's sake, I wanted the murderer to suffer more. Then your parents came and offered you. I thought, 'What better way to get revenge on my father's killer than have his descendent have my child and live a life of agony at my hands?'"

"So… all of this, the marriage, Stolas, all of it-"

"Was nothing more than a way to get vengeance and produce a new Ars Goetia. So the next time you ask why your life is miserable now, remember that it's your own fault for being part of a murderer's family."

Ophelia clenched her fists, only this time she didn't restrain herself. She punched him in the face and knocked him onto the ground. She then climbed on top of him and continued to deliver a flurry of punches towards his face. "IM NOT YOUR FUCKING TOY!" She shouted as she grabbed a nearby bust from the shelve and slammed it against him. Throughout the assault, Paimon didn't react at all, he didn't even look damaged. He just stared at her as she hit him over and over again.

"DO YOU HEAR ME!? I'M NOT YOUR FUCKING TOY!" Ophelia let go of all logic to let out all her frustrations on the man who ruined her life, letting the built-up rage control her.

"Mother!?" A voice from behind her said. It was as if an anger switch was turned off inside her as she stopped pummeling Paimon to look behind her. She saw Stolas at the doorway with tears in his eyes and a look of pure terror on his face.

"Stolas?" She said as she reached out to him, only for the boy to run away in fear. She pushed all feelings of Paimon aside as she ran towards her son, only for him to enter his room and shut the door on her.

"Stolas, please open the door!" Ophelia pleaded as she knocked on said door. She didn't want to barge in there and scare him even more, so she tried to get him to let her in. "Darling, I don't know how much you saw, but you know that I would never hurt you!"

There was no response. "Stolas, please answer me!"

No response. "STOLAS!" Tears rolled down her eyes as she leaned against the door in despair.

"See?" She heard Paimon say next to her. "This is what coddling does to people." Ophelia brushed him off and ran out of the castle. She had to get away, anywhere but at home with that monster. So she went to the first place she could think of.

Ophelia banged repeatedly on the door of her parent's mansion. Eventually, an imp servant opened the door, and when they did she ran straight through, going up the grand staircase all the way to her parent's living room, where her Mother was sitting. "Ophelia?" Mother said with shock when she heard the door open.

"I… I need help." Ophelia said, panting.

She sat down next to her mother and explained everything that had happened at the castle. "By Satan," Mother said, still processing the information. "That explains… quite a bit."

"I don't know what to do! That bastard has control of everything!"

Mother thought for a bit before speaking, "OK, here's what you will do. You're going to go back to Paimon and beg him for forgiveness, on your knees if you have to."

"What!? Mother, have you not heard a thing I've been saying!?"

"Of course I have. And the only way to fix this is if you apologize to him and promise to be a better wife!"

"He used me as a baby maker and something to torture!"

"You're still queen aren't you?"

"Is that what this is about? Well, if you wanted me to have a better life this wasn't it. I was better at the camp!"

Hearing that made Mother furious as she slapped her daughter across the face. Ophelia looked at her mother with disbelief as she put her hand on her own cheek. "W-why would you do that?" She asked.

"Because Paimon didn't knock enough sense into you. You really think life would've been better if we stayed at that encampment, you spoiled child!? I've lived that life longer than you have! I've seen friends kill each other over a slice of bread! I've seen people forsaking their families for the promise of a better life, only to end up in the exact same situation they were in but now with no one! And I've seen men who start off strong go down a spiral of gambling debt, causing nothing but suffering to the people around him!"

The room was quiet for a short while, then Mother continued. "I was trying to protect you from that, but it seems I might've been too soft. You might not like Paimon, but I assure you that living with him is preferable to living on the streets where everyone can take advantage of you."

"Madam," The Butler said as he entered the room. "King Paimon is here."

A chill went down Ophelia's spine when she heard that. Mother just looked at her and motioned to go meet him, which she reluctantly did. As Ophelia walked down the steps, she saw Paimon at the bottom, looking somewhat different than before. She couldn't quite make it out, but he looked more somber now. Still, she would not let her guard down.

"Come to torture me some more?" She said.

"... I think we all said some things that we regret." He replied.

"Oh, is that so? Who regrets it more, I wonder?"

"Just listen to me… please."

Ophelia rolled her eyes, "Very well, go on."

"What I said, about taking you as my bride for revenge and to make an Ars Goetia, was true. But that's not what it ended up being for me."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that I've slowly grown fond of you during our time together. The way you handle things by yourself, the way you push through regardless of the circumstances you're in, it captured my heart."

"Well… you certainly have a way of showing it."

"I'll admit, I didn't portray how I truly felt well. But as someone raised in royalty, you're discouraged from showing those types of emotions, less you get mocked for being a romantic. So I did the best I could to hide those feelings from you, which only made everything worse."

Paimon slowly approached Ophelia carefully. "I deeply apologize for how I acted, but you must understand why I was furious."

This was a side of Paimon that she had never seen before, so it definitely took her off guard. "I… I do."

He held her hand, "Please, my dear, I promise I'll be a much better husband to you. I won't shout or insult you anymore. All I ask is that you trust me from now on. Do nothing that I wouldn't approve of and I promise you I'll make your life better. If you won't accept for me, at the very least accept for Stolas."

Ophelia didn't have much of a choice other than to accept Paimon. Tilla was Satan knows where, Stolas was afraid of her, her other friends cared more about their standing than helping Ophelia, and her Mother didn't care how she felt as long as she was rich. "... Ok, I'll come back."

Paimon smiled, "Thank you, my dear." He then gave her a hug. "I love you, you know that right?"

"Yes." She said before returning the hug.

Paimon may have acted sweet, but it was all a facade. From the moment he noticed Stolas peeking in on them back in the treasury room, he saw the perfect opportunity to break Ophelia by turning the one thing she treasured against her. And this total lie about "loving you" was made to make her submissive to Paimon, to make her a trophy wife.

And the worst part is, deep, deep down, Ophelia knew. But she felt as if she didn't have a choice.

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