'So it's starting…'
Rie didn't react outwardly, but her spoon hung in the air for a heartbeat longer than it should have.
Three days…huh?
A moment later, he added, as if it were just another note passed across the table:
"Your mother will be returning that day as well."
Rie's fingers tightened around the bowl ever so slightly.
But she didn't let her face show anything.
And keep her focus on eating...
She wasent practically sad or happy with the news why?
because this whole event…
'It has nothing to do with me'
She shoved another spoonful of ice cream into her mouth.
This is for the heirs.
.'The Crimson Oath'
A faint smile tugged at the corner of Rie's lips as she scooped another bite of ice cream, letting the chill settle against her tongue. Of course, the others in the room were excited—nervous, even. To them, this was an ancient, mysterious tradition. But to her?
She already knew everything.
Every two centuries, like clockwork, the seven great clans of the Demon Realm—Wrath, Pride, Envy, Greed, Sloth, Gluttony, and Lust—would gather under one roof for what the world politely called the Crimson Oath.
To outsiders, it was a grand celebration. A political marriage ritual. A chance for young heirs to find their "perfect match" through a series of traditional trials. They called it sacred. They called it noble.
She called it a blood-soaked war fought by children.
Created by the Demon God himself after the Demon Realm's founding, the Crimson Oath was never just about love. It was a necessary evil. A leash on chaos. Because when one clan gained too much power—when their heir stood on the cusp of taking the Demon King's throne—what stopped the others from declaring war? Assassinations, betrayals, entire cities burned to the ground—yes, that happened once.
The Crimson Oath was the solution:
A contract. A show of strength—contained, ritualized, and sealed with ancient magic. The rules were simple: heirs would compete in brutal trials. The strongest earned the right to choose. Marriages were forged, alliances set in stone, and the balance of power delicately restored.
But Rie?
She knew it never ended there.
In her last life, she'd seen what happened behind the curtain. The manipulation. The real war that came after. The lust for control. And the woman at the top—her own mother—pulling strings from behind.
Rie licked the spoon slowly, letting a chuckle bubble in her chest.
'Let them play their little games.
Because this time, she wouldn't be a pawn on their board.
She would flip the entire damn table.
Rie's eyes shifted subtly toward the head seat of the table. Her father, the Demon King, had already risen. Following him everyone rise.
as he walked out of the room.
The moment his footfalls echoed down the hall and his pressure vanished, the temperature in the room lifted. Everyone visibly relaxed, air rushing back into their lungs like they hadn't breathed for minutes.
"Let's train tonight," Lily's voice snapped through the quiet.
Kiel nodded, though his gaze lingered on Rie for a breath longer.
She ignores him as she looked at the dining table.
Then, without shame, she picked up the entire silver tray of ice cream, the one meant to serve at least six people, and walked out of the room.
Lily's brows twitched.
Kiel didn't comment—but he definitely noticed.
Rie didn't care.
She wasn't much interested in the ceremony.
Well, it made sense she is not awakened and can't even use mana.
With that he turns his head toward lily "let's go"