The room became silent, with worried and anxious gazes of Paul and Simon lingering on Asmodeus, who looked at Ciela and moved towards her with quiet steps.
'I originally planned to kill her... Even if she was a pawn used by Lumina, that woman almost hurt those close to me and tried to kill me.'
He felt it foolish to trust her blindly, yet to keep her around, it would be impossible for him to justify. If he used extreme measures, Asmodeus could probably trust her, but in reality, it would make him become a true monster and the fear of those around him changing their hearts because of his actions also weighed on his mind.
While looking at Ciela's apologetic look, Asmodeus couldn't help but cup her cheek with his palm and lift her face to look at him. "Is that what you truly desire? If so, I cannot promise to forgive her, but... For you, I will make it so that she doesn't give up and finds a reason to exist."
The dark elf princess seemed to have found resolve nodded, and slowly smiled bitterly, trying her best to hold back her tears. Sheila was her friend, and the one who helped her leave the forest, although it might have been for an agenda for Lumina thinking back now.
'I know that this makes my dear husband suffer, the things she did... Almost hurting and causing damage to us, the pain and anger he feels, I can feel it too... his concern for me is even greater than his desire.
How can I make it up to this man who adores me this much?' Ciela thought to herself as she felt the feelings of Asmodeus thanks to their deep connection—she wanted to reach out but felt that would be unfair to him because of what she was already asking him.
"Ciela... This is my last question to you," Asmodeus muttered while he stared into her eyes. He moved his lips closer to her long, dark ears and asked her his question. "If the only way I can give her the will to live is to make her miserable. Can you forgive me?"
He wasn't doing it for himself, nor was he willing to forgive her easily—however, Asmodeus planned to take care of this incident from now on.
'Sheila is my enemy. However, Paul, Simon and Ciela are my family and friends... They will be hurt if that woman takes her own life. So I have to keep her alive, even if I am to become a monster that they might despise.'
His tone made Ciela understand that this was his last offer—she didn't know whether she could bear the thought of what he might feel to help her. However, knowing that she could not see her friend ever again pained her equally.
"I am sorry for making you deal with something so difficult. Please, save her..." Ciela spoke with an almost voiceless whisper.
Hearing such words come out from Ciela, Asmodeus could feel his heartache—the feelings he got from her that helped him realise how much she cared for him and his feelings, but also he couldn't stand to make Ciela sad when she spoke, his hand stroked her cheek slightly rougher than usual, showing that it wasn't easy for him.
"Understood, I'll do what I can."
For some reason, he felt that his actions right now might change something in the future, but Asmodeus threw out that thought while he held his lover and gently kissed her cheek. Then he walked toward the stairs leading down to the basement without looking back, moving his head left to right as he felt irritated.
"I have to ask you to go prepare a place for our new guest on the carriages, though whether I let her ride one is up to fate."
"No problem, I will take care of it," Yumiko answered before heading for the door.
Not looking back to check the faces of Ciela, Paul and Simon, Asmodeus began ascending the stairs with a calm face. He would face the woman who threatened his life and forcibly kissed him after she knocked him unconscious in the past...
While opening the door that led to the second floor and heading towards his room, he noticed Yumiko standing by the main entrance; she glanced at him with a serious expression on her face as she mouthed, 'Do your best.' Then she waved while blowing a kiss, before she bowed before she went outside.
***
Although the rooms were beautiful, there were many differences between the high level of the royal palace and the Apostle's abode, where Sheila once lived.
However, she no longer felt anything for the past building or lifestyle she lived anymore. The lavish designs on the bed or furniture didn't interest her, and even if they had cost fortunes beyond imagination, she saw them all as useless items without purpose.
He hadn't expected his reaction to be so intense upon seeing her again—he believed it would just be anger, but he could feel it, a dark desire because of this woman's actions and the feelings from before she chose Lumina.
"..."
"Why?" The man spoke with an eerily cold tone to his words.
Sheila gulped at this, trying to focus and keep control of herself even if she told him the truth about how most of her life was controlled because she was nothing but Lumina's puppet.
Even the kiss was not Sheila's desire, but Lumina, who overtook her body, knew he couldn't accept that, and neither did Sheila plan to give those excuses.
"Because I wanted you to be mine and to follow me."
A half-truth. She felt lingering affection for him, and it took the past four months without Lumina for most of the effects of her control to fade.
Yet this man was one thing Sheila couldn't forget or let go.
Sheila accepted her feelings even though he might despise her and kill her, but she became stubborn and would rather die or suffer at his hands than hide her true feelings, even if they were born from the actions of Lumina and her obsession with him.
"Sheila, there is no way I could suddenly accept you, let alone forgive you."
"Nn... I understand."
His words were stern, but hers were soft.
Asmodeus sighed deeply, then calmly stated, "You understand, but won't you explain yourself?"
"I want to stay with you forever..." A beautiful whisper left her lips.
"How selfish are you...?!"
His hand slammed into the wall, causing the entire hotel to shudder—the poor priestess, who lacked the benefit of her apostle powers, trembled as she cowered slightly.
"Do you think you deserve to have such desires after all that you've done to Ciela, Paul, Simon and me?! Don't make me laugh!" He shouted.
"Then what do you suggest I do?! I couldn't help that. It wasn't my wish to act that way!"
'I gathered so because Serena already told me, although my head understands I can't change my anger and distorted feelings towards her so easily.'
'You're asking for too much...' Asmodeus wanted to say that, but he could feel his body beginning to burn with an overwhelming force, a feeling of humiliation when he learned from Serena that it was Lumina who kissed him and injected her divine power, trying to control his mind and make him her slave.
That day, they defeated the Lich. He learned after becoming a demon king that it was Lumina who tried to seduce him, not Sheila. Yet even so, that feeling of betrayal and confusion upon seeing her face. It was something Asmodeus couldn't just forget and put aside, forgiving everything because of the goddess.
'Because the Goddess has already been punished... She's dead...'