Ren was in the castle garden, trying to teach a shadow hound how to play fetch. The hound, a beast the size of a car, was happily slobbering all over a bone.
"Ren!"
Malphas stormed into the garden. He was holding a book—a romance novel Ren had requested from the Hero.
"This trash!" Malphas shouted, throwing the book on the ground. "Why does the Hero bring you gifts? I told you I would kill him."
Ren wiped the dog drool off his hands. "It's a book, Malphas. 'The Duke's Secret Love'. Very educational. And Leon just dropped it off at the gate. He didn't even see me."
"I don't care," Malphas growled, wrapping his arms around Ren from behind. He buried his face in Ren's neck, inhaling the scent that calmed his raging soul. "You are mine. I don't want other men giving you things."
Ren sighed. "You're like a jealous puppy. A very large, murderous puppy."
[System Alert: The Hero, Leon, is approaching the castle gates with an army. He has issued a formal challenge for the Saint's freedom.]
Ren froze. "Oh, come on. I thought we were doing the 'slow burn' thing."
Malphas's eyes turned blood red. "He dares challenge me on my land? I will turn his bones into dust."
"Wait," Ren grabbed Malphas's arm before he could teleport away. "If you fight him, people will die. Innocent villagers, your soldiers... it'll be a mess. And I hate cleaning up blood."
"Then what do you suggest?" Malphas hissed. "I hide?"
"No," Ren smirked. "We talk. But we do it my way."
Ren had a plan. The original story ended with the Saint sealing the Demon King because the King went berserk. If Ren could prove the Demon King was 'tamed' (or at least leashed), the Hero would have no reason to fight.
"Put on something nice," Ren ordered. "And no killing. Smile. Try to look... domestic."
"Domestic?" Malphas looked horrified. "I am the Lord of Darkness."
"And right now, you are my boyfriend meeting the nosy neighbor. Move."