Rimuru the sin of love

The path of deception and trust

Rimuru's POV

As Zeldris's form disappeared into the horizon, I let out a long sigh, sinking back against the tree. Out of all the demons in the Demon King's court, Zeldris was certainly one of the most... intense. He was as sharp as he was prideful, and not the sort to let go of things easily. Still, despite his stubborn nature and no-nonsense attitude, I could tell I'd managed to deflect his suspicion, at least for now.

"Ciel," I muttered, almost to myself, "that was a little close. If Zeldris had seen through that lie, things would've gotten messy."

Ciel's calm voice responded in my mind, {{You handled it well, Master. Zeldris's intelligence is limited where his temper is involved, and he's biased enough to believe what he wants to hear. He has no reason to doubt your claim.}}

I couldn't help but smirk. Zeldris was a formidable opponent in his own way, but he also had a certain... predictability. His loyalty to the Demon King, his sense of duty—it all made him easy to manipulate when needed. And though he didn't know the truth, that truth was something I needed to keep hidden at all costs.

The lie I'd told him about the royal ceremony not only covered my tracks but helped keep my real nature hidden. To Zeldris, I was a demon with a high-ranking bloodline, a potential ally or rival, but still someone familiar, someone he thought he understood. If he ever learned that I wasn't a demon at all—that I belonged to a royal bloodline of an entirely different race—the consequences would be... well, "complicated" was putting it mildly.

If my true identity came to light, the Demon King himself would hunt me down, just as he had hunted down others of my kind in the past. And Zeldris? He'd likely be at the front lines of that pursuit.

Of course, Meliodas would be another story altogether. A fond smile tugged at my lips. Meliodas was different, unique in so many ways. He had seen past my tricks, my transformations, and somehow, despite everything, had accepted me for who I was. He was the only one in the demon realm who knew the truth, and he guarded that secret fiercely. To him, it wasn't about race or title; it was about trust. And somehow, against all odds, we had built that trust between us.

Ciel, ever observant, added her own assessment. {{The probability of Zeldris discovering your identity is low, given Meliodas's involvement. He would interfere if Zeldris began to suspect anything.}}

"True," I mused. "Meliodas wouldn't let his brother dig too deep. He's fiercely protective, especially when it comes to his own secrets."

And secrets were something Meliodas and I had in spades. The quiet moments we shared, hidden from the prying eyes of the Demon King's court, felt like a sanctuary. As my secret boyfriend, he knew my true form, my true nature, and still accepted me for it. That level of acceptance was rare, especially in the demon realm, where trust was almost nonexistent, and loyalties shifted like sand in a storm.

Yet, for all his loyalty to me, I couldn't help but laugh when I thought of how much trouble I caused for his brother, Zeldris. Zeldris, with his unshakable pride, had no idea that I found him more amusing than intimidating. He was a skilled warrior, no doubt, but he was also... well, let's just say he had certain blind spots.

Ciel seemed to sense my thoughts, her tone lightly amused. {{Zeldris is an easy target for misdirection. His temper and pride leave him vulnerable to manipulation, particularly when he believes he is upholding his duty. You use this well.}}

A small chuckle escaped me. "And I'll continue to use it as long as it works. Honestly, he makes it so easy. It's like watching a child try to solve a puzzle that he doesn't realize has missing pieces."

I closed my eyes, letting myself relax a little. The whole encounter had gone smoothly, much to my relief. For all his strengths, Zeldris had a blind spot when it came to me. Maybe it was his loyalty to the Demon King, his determination to see everything in black and white, or maybe it was just that Meliodas kept him in line, quietly guiding his brother away from suspicions that could prove dangerous. Either way, Zeldris was none the wiser, and I planned to keep it that way.