After dinner, the first thing I learn is that feeding children does not end the day.
Naive people might think it does.
They might imagine that once children eat, finish homework, wash up, and go to their rooms, the household finally enters a quiet phase of calm domestic peace.
Those people are fools.
Optimistic fools.
Children do not simply go to bed. They negotiate. They delay. They create side quests. They suddenly remember questions that apparently cannot wait until morning. They request water. They ask if clouds sleep. They insist that certain objects need to come with them because those objects are important.
In Hikari's case, the object is a spoon.
In Karin's case, it is a towel.
A suspicious towel.
A towel rolled so tightly that it has become less "bath item" and more "improvised blunt weapon."
Ruri, naturally, is the easiest. She finishes her homework properly, stacks her papers neatly, places her pencil case beside her school bag, and tells me goodnight with the quiet dignity of a child who makes me question whether I am the adult in this household.
Karin, meanwhile, tries to walk toward her room with the towel hidden behind her back.
I stare at her.
She stares back.
"…What?" she asks.
"Hand it over."
"What?"
"The towel."
"This is just a towel."
"It has the aura of premeditated violence."
"That's not a thing."
"It became a thing when you entered my life."
Karin pouts, but she hands it over.
The towel lands in my hand with a weight that confirms my suspicion. She tied something inside it. I do not open it. I am too tired to discover the truth.
Hikari attempts to bring three spoons to bed.
Not one.
Three.
I crouch in front of her with one hand extended.
"Hikari."
"Hikari needs them."
"No."
"Hikari needs tiny spoon, medium spoon, and soup spoon."
"For sleep?"
"Hikari thinks spoons also need rest."
"They can rest in the kitchen."
"But Hikari's room is peaceful."
"The drawer is peaceful."
"Hikari disagrees."
"Hikari loses."
Her eyes widen as if I have betrayed both her and cutlery as a concept.
Ruri gently takes Hikari's hand. "Hikari, the spoons will be safe in the drawer."
"Hikari wants to say goodnight to them."
"…You can say goodnight from here."
Hikari turns toward the kitchen.
"Goodnight, spoons."
I close my eyes.
I confiscate all three.
By the time I finish checking each room, tucking the girls in, confirming no hidden spoons, no suspicious towels, no secret snacks, no blanket ropes, and no signs of Karin attempting to establish a night patrol, I feel like I have completed a low-level dungeon with high psychological damage.
Ruri is asleep first, as usual, curled neatly beneath her blanket with her homework folder placed on the desk beside her. She looks peaceful. Too peaceful. The kind of peaceful that makes me adjust the blanket once more even though it does not need adjusting.
Karin claims she is not sleepy, then falls asleep halfway through insisting she can guard the hallway.
Hikari asks if Pretty Lady will still be here tomorrow.
I hesitate at that one.
"…Maybe."
"Hikari likes Pretty Lady's food."
"I noticed."
"Hikari thinks Pretty Lady is angry."
"She is."
"Is Pretty Lady angry because she is lonely?"
That question sits in the room a little longer than I want it to.
"…Sleep, Hikari."
"Hikari will sleep."
She closes her eyes obediently, still holding the ribbon she insists is for luck.
I stand there for a moment after she drifts off, listening to the quiet breathing from three different rooms. The condominium is large enough that each girl has space now, but I still find myself walking between their doors twice before returning to the living room.
Old habits.
New fears.
Same exhaustion.
When I finally return to the living room, I am carrying three confiscated spoons and one weaponized towel.
Astrea is still sitting on the small couch.
Still wearing the cat apron.
Still looking like she is enduring a humiliation so deep it may become historical.
She watches me place the spoons on the kitchen counter and the towel on a shelf far out of Karin's reach.
Her expression shifts slightly.
"…Were those weapons?"
"One of them was probably becoming one."
"The spoons?"
"The towel."
Astrea stares.
Then she looks toward the hallway where the girls' rooms are.
"The sharp-eyed one attempted to weaponize a towel?"
"She has range."
Astrea's mouth opens.
Then closes.
For once, she seems unable to immediately judge me.
That is new.
I sit back down in my usual spot across from her and glance at the clock.
8:03 p.m.
Still early.
That is offensive.
After everything that happened today, the universe should at least have the courtesy to make it midnight.
I lean back and rub my face.
Astrea crosses her arms. "You look like death treated you poorly and returned you out of pity."
"Good evening to you too."
"You dragged me into your home, forced me to cook, sealed my remaining power, and then tucked children into bed as if this entire situation were ordinary."
"It's been a strange week."
"A strange week?"
"Month, maybe."
She scoffs elegantly, which is annoying because even powerless and in a cat apron, she somehow manages to make judgment look expensive.
"You are absurd."
"Accurate."
The room falls into a tense quiet.
Not dangerous quiet.
Domestic quiet.
Which is probably more humiliating for her.
I stare at the low table between us. Earlier, she nearly cracked it by slamming her hands onto it. I should probably add "no table violence" to whatever rules we eventually make.
Rules.
Right.
Apparently I am now considering house rules for the Demon King.
I need more sleep.
Astrea's eyes narrow. "Why are you staring at the table?"
"Because you almost broke it."
"I was making a point."
"You can make points without damaging furniture."
"Furniture is replaceable."
"I just bought that."
Her gaze sharpens with disdain. "You sealed me for three years, and you expect me to care about your table?"
"Yes."
"You are shameless."
"I am a homeowner now."
"That is not a defense."
"It is spiritually a defense."
Astrea looks like she wants to argue, but then she visibly remembers she has no power and is sitting on my couch in an apron. Her pride suffers quietly.
Good.
I take a slow breath and decide I should explain the situation before it becomes even worse.
Although, honestly, I am not sure how it could get worse.
That thought is dangerous. I immediately regret it.
"Listen," I say. "Since you're here, you might as well understand what kind of disaster you walked into."
"I walked into nothing. You dragged me in."
"Same result."
"It is not the same."
"Close enough."
She lifts her chin. "Very well. Explain your miserable circumstances, mage. Perhaps they will amuse me."
"Rude."
"Intended."
I sigh and start from the least ridiculous angle available, which is still ridiculous.
"I have three daughters."
Astrea glances toward the hallway. "That much is evident."
"They're currently enrolled in school on provisional paperwork."
"School."
"Yes."
"The small ancient beings attend school."
"They are children."
"They feel older than many ruins."
I pause.
That is inconveniently perceptive.
Astrea may be powerless now, but her senses are still sharp. She can feel something from the girls. Their dragon nature is not obvious to normal people, but to someone like her, even sealed and weakened, the traces are probably strange.
I keep my expression flat.
"They're children," I repeat.
Astrea studies me.
For a moment, I wonder if she will push.
She does not.
Interesting.
Instead, she leans back slightly, eyes narrowing with a different kind of judgment.
"You placed ancient children in school?"
"They need socialization."
"You speak as if they are pets."
"They also need paperwork."
"Paperwork?"
I gesture toward the stack on the side table.
She follows my hand and stares at the forms with visible contempt.
"I see. Your civilization has grown even more pathetic."
"That is the most accurate thing you've said tonight."
Her eyebrow lifts.
I continue, "There's household registration, school documents, health declarations, guardian forms, emergency contacts, temporary enrollment approvals, residency follow-ups, and eventually, documents involving their mother."
Astrea's expression shifts.
"Their mother?"
"Publicly, I have a wife."
"You have a wife?"
I stare at her.
She stares back.
Then her face twists with disbelief.
"You?"
"Your shock is insulting."
"You look like a man who has never successfully flirted with a houseplant."
"That is oddly specific."
"Am I wrong?"
I look away.
Astrea's eyes sharpen.
"You are wrong?" she asks, savoring it.
"I have never dated."
She goes very still.
Then, slowly, a smile appears.
It is not kind.
It is devastatingly smug.
"Oh."
"Do not."
"Oh, this is rich."
"Don't."
"You invented a wife."
"It was a cover story."
"You invented a wife for bureaucratic convenience despite having no romantic experience."
"Strategic cover story."
"You are drowning in documents because of a woman who does not exist."
"I am aware."
Astrea leans back with the satisfied expression of someone who has discovered treasure in enemy territory.
"This may be the greatest punishment possible for you."
"I sealed the Demon King and got trapped by my own fake marriage."
"Poetic."
"Annoying."
"Both."
I hate that she is enjoying this.
At least someone is.
I explain more because apparently I am too tired to stop. The school calls. Karin's incidents. Hikari's suspiciously fast social influence. Ruri's endless good job stars. The mother documents. Aaron's help. Ruruka's support. The fact that every day seems to generate three new problems and a receipt.
Astrea listens.
Judgmentally.
Elegantly.
Like a queen being forced to hear a peasant's tax complaints.
When I mention that Karin was called to the office five times, Astrea's eyes flicker toward the hallway again.
"The sharp-eyed one has spirit."
"She has incident reports."
"Those are often signs of spirit."
"They are signs of me losing years off my life."
"You are weak."
"I currently have thirty percent of my power available and the exhaustion level of a corpse."
"Thirty percent?" Her gaze sharpens. "You only have thirty percent?"
"Roughly."
"And yet you sealed me completely."
"You attacked in front of my kids."
The words come out colder than intended.
Astrea goes quiet.
For a moment, the air between us changes.
She is prideful, furious, and dangerous, but not stupid. She understands what that means. She understands exactly why my body moved before my brain fully caught up.
Then she looks away.
"Hmph. Sentimental."
"Yes."
She glances back, surprised.
I shrug.
"I have three daughters. Sentimental comes with the territory."
Astrea says nothing.
Her silence is less sharp this time.
Then I remember something important.
Something I should have done immediately.
"…Right."
Astrea narrows her eyes. "What now?"
"I haven't told my sister."
"The swordswoman?"
"Yeah."
"The one who visited earlier?"
"Yeah."
"She knows about you?"
"Enough."
Astrea's eyes sharpen. "Enough meaning?"
"Enough that if I don't tell her you're here, she'll kill me before you get the chance."
"That seems efficient."
I take out my phone.
Astrea watches like the device personally offends her.
I dial Ruruka.
She answers almost immediately.
"Nii-sama? What's up?"
Her voice sounds cautious.
Smart girl.
I stare at Astrea sitting across from me in the cat apron.
Then I stare at the confiscated towel.
Then at the forms.
Then at my life.
"…I may or may not have a Demon King sitting on my couch right now."
Silence.
Long silence.
The kind of silence where the entire world pauses to make sure it heard correctly.
Then Ruruka speaks.
Very calmly.
"I'm on my way."
The call ends.
I lower the phone.
Astrea stares at me. "She did not ask for clarification."
"She knows me."
"That is concerning."
"Yes."
While waiting for Ruruka, I decide to continue the conversation because apparently this night is determined to become an administrative meeting with my former enemy.
Astrea sits with her arms folded, chin lifted, still trying to pretend the apron does not exist.
It exists.
Powerfully.
"Since we're in a similar situation," I begin.
Her eyes narrow. "We are not."
"You have your powers sealed."
"By you."
"Yes."
"Do not phrase it like shared misfortune when you are the cause."
"I said similar, not equal."
"You are insufferable."
"Known issue."
I lean forward slightly, resting my elbows on my knees.
"You have nowhere to go."
Her expression hardens. "I have the world."
"You have no ID, no registered address, no modern clothes, no money except oversized mana crystals, no current contacts, and you look like you walked out of an ancient sealed chamber because you did."
Her lips press into a thin line.
"And," I continue, "your powers are sealed. Completely. You can't use magic right now."
Astrea's fingers curl against her arm.
"You take pleasure in repeating that."
"No. I take caution in repeating that."
"I will regain my strength."
"Probably."
"And when I do—"
"You'll try to kill me. We covered that."
Her jaw tightens.
I sigh.
"Look. You can keep threatening me, but where exactly will you go tonight?"
"I will kill you and take over this place."
I stare at her.
She stares back.
I raise one hand and count on my fingers.
"You have zero powers. I have thirty percent left, which is still equivalent to a high S-rank hunter. My daughters are asleep. One of them could probably beat you right now by accident. My sister is on the way with a sword. Also, you're wearing a cat apron."
Astrea's head lowers slightly.
Not much.
Barely.
But enough.
Humiliation lands beautifully.
Karin would call it a critical hit.
I almost feel bad.
Almost.
Astrea inhales slowly, then lifts her head again with as much dignity as possible.
"…Speak."
"Good."
"I did not say I agree."
"You said speak."
"That is not agreement."
"It's progress."
She glares.
I continue anyway.
"You can stay here temporarily."
Her expression immediately becomes offended.
"What?"
"Temporarily."
"I am a sovereign being."
"Currently a powerless sovereign being."
Her eye twitches.
"I am not a domestic helper."
"I didn't say helper."
"You implied it."
"I said stay."
"With conditions."
"Yes."
"Which include labor."
"Basic household contribution."
"That is labor."
"You cooked for the kids earlier."
"That is not the point."
"It is a pretty relevant point."
Her cheeks color faintly, anger or embarrassment or both.
"I cooked because you forced a ladle into my hands and collapsed."
"And you did well."
She looks away.
"Hmph."
There it is again.
Tsundere response.
Noted.
Dangerous.
Useful.
I explain the offer more carefully. She stays here under strict conditions. No violence. No magic without permission, though that part is currently unnecessary. No threats against the girls. No wandering outside unattended until we sort out her identity situation. She helps with meals or supervision when needed. In exchange, I do not re-imprison her underground, do not hand her to the guild, and eventually look into restoring both our strengths enough for a proper rematch.
Astrea listens, but her pride keeps rejecting every word before reason can process it.
"You expect me to accept charity from you?"
"No."
"Then what is this?"
"A terrible arrangement born from mutual inconvenience."
She pauses.
That, apparently, is more acceptable.
"…Mutual inconvenience," she repeats.
"Yes."
"You are inconvenient."
"So are you."
"You sealed me."
"You tried to conquer things."
"You ruined my conquest."
"You made conquest necessary to ruin."
She glares again.
For several minutes, the conversation loops like that. Astrea objects. I counter with reality. She threatens me. I remind her she has no power. She insults my life choices. I agree too quickly, which irritates her more.
Eventually, she sits back with a stiff posture.
"Very well," she says.
I blink.
"…Really?"
"I said very well."
"That was faster than expected."
"Do not misunderstand. I am not submitting. I am not serving. I am not accepting defeat. I am merely choosing the most practical path toward the eventual restoration of my power and your destruction."
"Sure."
"Do not say sure like that."
"Understood."
"You are not taking me seriously."
"I am. I'm just tired."
"You are always tired."
"Recent development."
Before she can answer, the front door opens.
Not the doorbell.
Not a knock.
The lock opens because Ruruka has emergency access.
The door swings inward, and my little sister steps inside with her sword already drawn.
The blade gleams under the entry light.
Her expression is calm in the way only truly dangerous people are calm.
Astrea immediately rises from the couch.
I rise too, much slower, because my body hates me.
"Yo, little sis, chill."
Ruruka does not chill.
Her eyes lock onto Astrea. "Step away from him."
Astrea's chin lifts. "You dare command me?"
Ruruka's grip tightens.
"Nii-sama, don't stop me. She'll hurt the kids."
"Don't worry," I say. "She won't."
Ruruka's gaze flicks toward me.
I add, "Well, actually, she literally can't. She has zero powers right now. Even Karin could beat her."
Astrea's head lowers.
Slowly.
Deeply.
The humiliation is so strong it almost becomes visible.
Ruruka stares at her.
Then at me.
Then at the apron.
Then back at me.
After a long moment, she sheathes her sword.
Not because she trusts Astrea.
Because she trusts my assessment.
Probably.
Her glare turns fully toward me.
"Nii-sama."
"Yes?"
"Explain."
I spread my hands slightly.
"In my defense, she rang the doorbell."
Ruruka closes her eyes.
"That is not a defense."
"I thought it was a strong opening."
"It was not."
Astrea seems to decide this is her moment to regain dignity. She steps forward slightly, shoulders squared, voice ringing with cold elegance.
"I am Astrea, sovereign of—"
Ruruka cuts her off immediately.
"You're wearing my brother's cat apron."
Silence.
Astrea stops.
Her mouth remains slightly open.
No words come out.
Critical hit.
Super effective.
I look away because if I laugh, I may die.
Ruruka walks farther inside, removes her shoes properly despite the emergency, and studies Astrea from head to toe. "This is the Demon King?"
"Yes."
"The one you sealed three years ago?"
"Yes."
"She's wearing the apron."
"Yes."
"She cooked dinner?"
"Yes."
Ruruka looks at me.
"Nii-sama."
"What?"
"What is wrong with your life?"
"A lot."
Astrea finally recovers enough to speak, though her voice is colder now.
"I did not come here to be appraised like misplaced furniture."
"You broke into my brother's home," Ruruka says.
"I rang the doorbell."
I point slightly. "She did."
"That does not improve things," Ruruka says.
Astrea crosses her arms. "He dragged me inside."
Ruruka turns toward me.
I cough.
"I was tired."
"You dragged the Demon King into your kitchen because you were tired?"
"And hungry."
Ruruka's expression becomes unreadable.
Then she sighs so deeply I feel it spiritually.
"I should have stayed home."
"You came here."
"Because you said Demon King."
"Fair."
We sit down again, though Ruruka chooses the chair closest to the entrance where she can move quickly if needed. Astrea returns to the small couch with visible offense. I take my usual spot, because my legs are starting to regret standing.
I explain properly this time.
Astrea escaped the old seal, burned through most of her remaining power, tracked me here, charmed the receptionist, arrived at the door, tried to attack after dinner, and got sealed again with Arcane Seal. I explain that the current seal fully shuts down her remaining power but costs me a portion of mine to maintain. I also explain that killing her would be pointless and messy.
Ruruka listens without interrupting.
Astrea interrupts five times.
"I did not escape pathetically."
"I did not charm the receptionist pathetically."
"I did not try to attack after dinner. I declared revenge."
"I am not messy."
"My defeat is temporary."
Ruruka ignores every correction.
Good girl.
When I finish, Ruruka looks toward Astrea.
"She's dangerous."
"Yes."
Astrea lifts her chin proudly.
"Powerless," I add.
Her pride cracks again.
Ruruka turns back to me. "Then what should we do with her?"
That is the question.
The terrible, practical, adult question.
I look at Astrea.
Then at the hallway.
Then at the documents.
Then at the kitchen.
Then at the apron.
Problems assemble themselves in my head, one by one.
Astrea has no ID.
No modern clothes.
No money in usable form, unless we want to explain why she keeps paying taxis with high-grade mana crystals.
No registered address.
No current legal existence.
No understanding of modern society beyond "vehicle goes direction."
She cannot be seen wandering around looking like a sealed calamity who escaped a history book.
Aaron must not find out too suddenly because he might actually have a heart attack, and I need Aaron alive for paperwork.
The school must never meet her until we can explain why a terrifying elegant woman with ancient speech patterns is in my household.
The building receptionist may already be compromised by charm magic, which is another problem.
I rub my face with both hands.
"…More paperwork and shopping."
Ruruka sighs with me.
For one perfect moment, we are united in despair.
Astrea looks between us with confusion and disdain.
"You both speak of paperwork as if it is a plague."
"It is," Ruruka and I say at the same time.
Astrea leans back. "How pathetic."
"You'll understand soon," I mutter.
"I will not."
"She will," Ruruka says.
We look at each other.
We both know she will.
Ruruka stands after a long silence, then turns toward me.
"Fine. She can stay."
Astrea's eyes sharpen.
"I do not require your permission."
"Yes, you do," Ruruka says calmly.
Astrea goes still.
I also go still.
My little sister's voice is polite.
That is the dangerous version.
Ruruka continues, "You are in my brother's home. His children are sleeping nearby. You are powerless because you tried to attack him in front of them. Whether you are a sovereign, calamity, Demon King, or whatever title you prefer, right now you are a risk inside a family home. So yes, you need permission."
Astrea says nothing.
Interesting.
Ruruka looks back at me.
"She can stay, but she's all on you. I am not helping you deal with her."
"That is fair."
"I mean it."
"I know."
"If she causes problems, call me."
"I thought you weren't helping."
"I said I'm not dealing with her. I didn't say I wouldn't stab her if necessary."
Astrea smiles coldly.
"I would like to see you try."
Ruruka's hand drifts near her sword.
I raise both hands.
"No stabbing in the living room."
Ruruka and Astrea both look at me.
I point at the table.
"Expensive."
Ruruka closes her eyes again.
Astrea whispers, "Unbelievable."
Eventually, Ruruka says goodbye. She checks on the girls first, quietly opening each door to make sure they are asleep. Hikari apparently wakes just enough to murmur "Auntie," and Ruruka nearly loses all of her sternness right there.
When she returns to the entrance, her expression is softer.
"Rest, Nii-sama."
"I'll try."
"No. Actually rest."
"I have a Demon King on my couch."
"Then make her useful."
Astrea's eyebrow twitches.
Ruruka gives me one last tired look, then leaves.
The door closes.
Silence returns.
I look at Astrea.
Astrea looks at me.
The cat apron remains.
I sigh and stand, grabbing one of Ruri's blank homework sheets from the table.
"If you're staying here, we need ground rules."
Astrea's expression darkens.
"I do not obey household laws written by my enemy."
"You do if you want a roof tonight."
"I could sleep elsewhere."
"Where?"
She opens her mouth.
Nothing comes out.
"Exactly."
I sit down and write across the top of the page.
House Rules.
Astrea looks personally insulted.
I begin writing.
"Rule one. No killing Papa."
Astrea stares.
"Papa?"
"That's what the girls call me."
"You are writing this from their perspective?"
"It keeps things simple."
"It makes it humiliating."
"Good. You'll remember it."
I write the second line.
"No attacking children."
Astrea scoffs. "I have no interest in harming children."
I glance at her.
She looks away.
Interesting.
"Still writing it."
Third line.
"No magic without permission."
"I have no magic."
"Temporary condition."
Fourth.
"No damaging furniture."
Astrea immediately glares.
"This is about the table."
"Yes."
"Petty."
"Expensive."
Fifth.
"Help with meals if staying."
"I am not a cook."
"You are tonight."
"That was under duress."
"Still good."
She looks away sharply.
Sixth.
I pause.
Then write it carefully.
"Do not teach Karin conquest strategies."
Astrea looks at the paper.
Then at me.
Her expression shifts from anger to genuine confusion.
"That sixth one is oddly specific."
I look her dead in the eyes.
"She's my kid. I know her too well."
For once, Astrea does not immediately argue.
Probably because even she met Karin.
Instead, she glances toward the hallway and mutters, "The sharp-eyed one does have dangerous promise."
I point the pen at her.
"Exactly why rule six exists."
"Hmph."
I add a few more lines under the main rules.
No leaving the condominium without permission until identity is sorted.
No frightening visitors.
No charming building staff.
Astrea looks offended by the last one.
"That was efficient."
"That was a security issue."
"It worked."
"That is why it's an issue."
She crosses her arms.
I slide the paper toward her and offer the pen.
"Here. Sign it."
Astrea looks at the pen as if I have placed a cursed dagger before her.
"No."
"Yes."
"I will not sign a childlike rule sheet drafted by the man who sealed me."
"Then you can sleep in the hallway."
"You would not dare."
"I am tired enough to dare many things."
She stares at me.
I stare back.
The silence stretches.
Then, slowly, with the fury of a queen signing a surrender treaty while surrounded by idiots, Astrea takes the pen.
"This is humiliating."
"Yeah," I say. "I feel you."
She glares at me as she signs.
I lean back and sigh.
"Good for you, though. You signed up for this. I didn't even sign up for this kind of life."
Astrea pauses mid-signature.
Then slowly looks at me.
"You expect sympathy?"
"No."
"Good."
She finishes signing with unnecessarily elegant handwriting and pushes the paper back toward me.
"There. Your ridiculous household contract is complete."
I pick it up and inspect the signature.
Astrea.
Beautiful handwriting.
Terrifying person.
Cat apron.
House rule sheet.
This is my life now.
I stand and place the paper on the fridge with a magnet shaped like a smiling bear that Hikari chose during shopping.
Astrea watches in silence.
Her signed humiliation is now displayed beneath a bear magnet.
I hear a very quiet inhale behind me.
I turn.
Astrea's face is frozen.
"…Remove that."
"No."
"It is undignified."
"It's visible."
"It is under a bear."
"The bear is load-bearing."
"You are doing this intentionally."
"Partially."
Her eyes narrow.
"I despise you."
"Fair."
I walk back toward the sofa, then stop.
"One more thing."
"What now?"
"You can use the guest room for tonight. Tomorrow we figure out clothes, identity, and how to explain you to Aaron without killing him."
Astrea lifts her chin. "I require no charity."
"It has a bed."
She pauses.
A very small pause.
But I see it.
"...Adequate."
"Great."
"And I am not grateful."
"Never said you were."
"I remain your enemy."
"Noted."
"I will still have my revenge."
"After breakfast."
Her eye twitches.
I walk toward the hallway to grab spare bedding, already feeling the weight of tomorrow forming ahead of me.
More shopping.
More paperwork.
More explanations.
A Demon King in my guest room.
Three dragon daughters asleep nearby.
A fake wife problem still unresolved.
My sister probably judging me from miles away.
Aaron definitely going to suffer soon.
I pause by the hallway and glance back.
Astrea sits stiffly on the couch, arms folded, still wearing the cat apron, trying to look like a sovereign despite being sealed, homeless, and legally nonexistent.
Honestly, I almost respect the effort.
Almost.
"…Astrea."
She looks at me sharply.
"What?"
"Don't wake the kids."
Her expression shifts.
For a second, she looks offended that I even need to say it.
Then she looks away.
"Hmph. I am not so crude."
Good.
That is something.
I nod and continue down the hallway.
Behind me, Astrea mutters under her breath, probably about my arrogance, my foolishness, my unbearable existence, or the indignity of bear magnets.
I ignore it.
Because for tonight, nobody is attacking.
Nobody is bleeding.
The girls are asleep.
The house is intact.
And the Demon King signed the fridge rules.
Honestly?
Could be worse.
*****
End of Chapter 28
Dad Status Report:
Name: Ren Arclight
Former Occupation: Retired Archmage / Former Demon King Slayer
Current Occupation: Full-Time Dragon Dad
Primary Objective:
Maintain household order while integrating one extremely unwilling former Demon King into family life.
Daughters Under Supervision:
Karin – Fire / Chaos / Future Towel Weapons Engineer
Ruri – Ice / Responsibility / Bedtime Commander
Hikari – Light / Curiosity / Spoon Rights Activist
Today's Activities:
Successfully completed bedtime patrol
Confiscated three unauthorized spoons
Neutralized one weaponized towel
Conducted nightly room inspections
Explained modern bureaucracy to an ancient sovereign
Revealed existence of imaginary wife
Contacted emergency sibling support
Negotiated temporary housing agreement
Drafted official household rules
Secured former Demon King's signature
Displayed signed agreement on refrigerator beneath bear magnet
New Developments:
Astrea officially becomes temporary house guest
Household Rules established
Revenge postponed indefinitely
Guest room assigned
Fake marriage cover story exposed
Ruruka approves temporary arrangement
Bear magnet promoted to legal document holder
Threat Level (Environment):
Peaceful
Stable
Emotionally Questionable
Threat Level (Household):
High
Karin continues developing unconventional weapon concepts
Hikari maintains diplomatic relations through spoons
Ruri remains the most responsible person in the building
Astrea remains prideful despite legal homelessness
Papa continues solving global threats with paperwork
Daughter Safety Status:
Sleeping Peacefully
Under Absolute Protection
Dad Stress Levels:
Mentally Drained
Paperwork Overloaded
Surprisingly Functional
Parenting Skill Growth:
39.6% (Bedtime Routine + Former Demon King Integration Bonus Applied)
Current Dad Status:
Operational
Household Administrator
Professional Spoon Confiscator
Immediate Priorities:
Purchase modern clothes for Astrea
Establish legal identity
Explain situation to Aaron without causing cardiac arrest
Prevent Karin from weaponizing household items
Continue bedtime inspections
Keep signed house rules visible at all times
Operational Assessment:
Mission Type: Domestic Management + Enemy Rehabilitation
Difficulty: Escalating Daily
Emotional Status:
Exhausted – Responsible – Cautiously Optimistic
Future Outlook:
Paperwork Increasing
Family Expanding
Chaos Guaranteed
Dad Personal Statement:
"Rule one. No killing Papa."
Reality's Response:
"Former Demon King has acknowledged the Household Rules."