Many years had passed since the incident with Paimon. Stolas grew up before Ophelia's very eyes and had an arranged marriage with Stella, the daughter of Paimon's closest friend Boara. Together they had a daughter, Octavia, continuing the family line. Ideally, she would've been happy, but with Tilla dead, her children being Satan knows where, and her own son being distant from her, Ophelia's life was a dreadful one. At the very least she had her "friends" and Paimon, both of whom convinced her that this life was the best.

Then one day, she heard about her son having an affair with an imp. Not just any imp either, it was Tilla's own child, Blitzo. Although, from what she heard, he was Blitz now, which honestly sounded better to her. Stolas even divorced Stella and planned on marrying the man, which would technically make Ophelia his mother-in-law. Knowing this made her a little happy, thinking that after all these years of doing nothing, she could finally keep her promise to Tilla.

She passed by the dining room where her son and husband were to meet, standing by the doorway to overhear their conversation. They were both sitting at the table with Stolas sitting across from Paimon. "It's decided," Stolas said, not letting his father's disapproving stare overpower him. "I will be marrying Blitz. I don't care if you disapprove, but as your son, I felt it my duty to inform you personally."

"So now you care about duty," Paimon said. "Where was this attitude when you started fucking that imp?"

Stolas didn't respond. Paimon stood up. "I don't care that you divorced Stella. In fact, I'm surprised it took you this long to do so. What I do care about is how others will react to the fact that my own flesh and blood is marrying an imp."

"I'm just one of your many, many children, Father," Stolas said. "I doubt I'm going to be the one that ruins the name of the Ars Goetia."

"True," Paimon said as he walked around the table to Stolas. "Your siblings' prestige will probably overshadow your embarrassment. But there's one thing they'll be curious about, and I can't say I blame them."

"And that is?"

"Why now, of all times?" Paimon stood over his son with a menacing look, which made it hard for Stolas to keep eye contact.

"Blitz is the one who proposed to me, and I accepted."

"And it just hit you then and there that you could divorce your current wife? You could've kicked her out at any time and none of us would have cared. You already got your heir, unless you were trying to make another one she served no more purpose. Yet you kept her around despite her mistreatment of you."

"I… I thought it would be good for Via to have both of her parents' home."

"Ah yes, shouting, insults, and an imp consort fucking her father in her very own house. I'm sure my granddaughter loved that environment." Paimon leaned in closer to Stolas' face. "You know what I think? I think you were too much of a coward to do anything. Stella noticed this and walked all over you. But then this Blitz fellow came in and for once you felt in control of something, and despite being caught you wanted more of that feeling, thinking you could have that and whatever it was you were trying to keep at the same time. Face it, Stolas, you're just a thrill seeker who will hurt whoever it takes to have that feeling again."

"That's not true."

"Then tell me the truth! Why would you finally decide to divorce Stella after years of disrespect!"

"I was scared."

"Scared of what?"

Stolas defiantly stood up. "Of everything! Of change, of being alone, of disappointing you, so many reasons my terrified brain would make! Should I have done this in the past? Yes, but I'm doing it now that I know it's the right thing to do for me and my family! Is it too late for this? Maybe, but I should at least try instead of letting fear control me like it has for all these years!"

Stolas took a deep breath before continuing, "This is why I came to you in person. I love Blitz and I'm marrying him, your approval be damned." He walked out of the room past his mother, who ended up following him.

"Stolas!" She said, which made him stop in his tracks and turn around towards her. There were so many things she wanted to say. Ever since he saw her beat up Paimon their relationship just wasn't the same as before. His father took a more active role in his life and she had less freedom to be with him. Ophelia wanted him to know that no matter what she still loved him.

Eventually, she came up with something to tell him. "... I'm proud of you."

The prince gave a smile, the first smile he'd given her in a long time. "Thank you, Mother. I… very much appreciate it." He said before leaving, and for the first time in a while, Ophelia was truly happy.

It didn't last long though, because soon Paimon put his hands on her shoulders. "That boy thinks he doesn't need my approval anymore?" He said. "We'll see about that come next year's Centenary Ars Goetia Reunion."

And once again the helplessness came back into her.

To be continued in Part 2