(I went back and changed the Domain Expansion as it did feel unoriginal and out of left field. Chapters 14 and 15 were edited.)
Zeoticus knew he stood no chance, but he needed to show he was willing to change. However, to Venelana his willingness to 'change' was just too late. He should have thought of that before forgetting her for a bunch of maids.
Zeoticus' wings emerged from his back as he took to the sky. Around him, hundreds of magic circles opened showing his almost-forgotten expertise in magic. His potent Demonic Power activated the circles as he launched giant searing blasts of fire, lightning, and lava at Venelana.
She glanced up at the attacks coming at her and smiled sadly at him.
"I'm sorry."
Before he knew what hit him his entire sight was covered with an enormous orb of Power of Destruction. He watched as his magic attacks which would have ended any other High Class Devil were not even a bother to her.
He was hit by the full force of her attack and only because she held back did he not die. She held her hand out and blasted him into the back wall. She released her attack and watched as he fell limp to the ground.
Zeoticus was barely awake as his enchanted robes were nearly dust. Venelana shook her head as she walked toward him.
"I hate to see you like this. It could have been avoided if you didn't forget about me."
When she was standing over his limp form she pulled out a vial of Phoenix Tears from her spatial ring. She opened it and dropped them onto his body healing him from the damage she caused him.
Zeoticis forced himself up and looked up at his now ex-wife's eyes. They were filled with disappointment in him. He looked down at the ground and gripped it.
"I'm so sorry, Venelana. I don't know why this happened. I don't care what I must do, give me another chance. I can be better, I will undo my harem. I don't need them."
Venelana frowned and kneeled in front of him. She grabbed his face and stared into his eyes.
"This is why I am leaving you? You don't even know what you did wrong? What is the point of leaving your harem when they are all you care about? I am no longer Lady Gremory, just Venelana Bael. The children will still be Gremory, but my clan might try to pull Romonus over to them.
They do call him the Bael born of the Gremory for a reason."
She helped Zeoticus to his feet and gave him a small hug.
"I did truly love you Zeoticus, but that was centuries ago. Be happy."
Zeoticus lowered his head and hugged her back.
"Will you ever give me a chance?"
She shook her head.
"Zeoticus, this is for the best."
She released him and walked away from him.
"I hope you find happiness with Marcina as your wife."
She teleported away leaving Zeoticus to his misery.
---
The next three days were rough for Zeoticus as Venelana returned to house Bael and informed her family of her divorce. This spread to the rest of the Noble Circle along with the pregnancy of Marcina. That revealed the existence of the not yet born Asterion which started a whole set of discussions.
Since the child was male and Romonus was already the heir, it caused the Noble Circle to discuss who to engage the child with. This was considered the only worth a bastard had. Especially since he was conceived by a rather weak Lord like Zeoticus and a commoner so not much hope was placed on the child.
This caused a meeting to form among the 32 current Clan Lords because events like this were not common. In the three days leading up to the meeting, Romonus began to teach Akeno and Itsuki who were making great progress.
He needed Itsuki to get a good grasp over her power because she was going to be important to his forging. Akeno needed better use of her Holy Lightning because he fully planned to do what Azazel suggested to him.
However, he had to stop on the third day to go on his date with Latia leaving them at home.
---
At the same time, Zeoticus was seated at the massive circular table of the 32 Lords of the Pillars. Lord Bael was here, but he was not alone as his Father Demaenetus Bael was here along with Zekram Bael and Venelana as well.
She was still dressed in the hunter attire copied from Romonus as it made her look more serious and imposing. Just in case, for the past three days since her divorce, she had returned to her old training to remove the rust if she needed it.
At the same time, Grayfia, Sirzechs, Falbium, Ajuka, and Serafall were here as well as this was considered a big event that rarely happened. No one was speaking as Sirzechs had a frown on his face as his parents had split up.
It came out of left field for him and he hadn't even gotten a chance to speak to his Mother to find out why. He sighed as Zekram stood up to start the meeting. Zekram looked to be a middle-aged man with dark black hair and peaceful violet eyes.
If Sirzechs had to say so, Romonus looked much like their Ancestor. Only Romonus' eyes were dark purple rather than violet. As for Zekram, he and Romonus both liked to dress sharply with the former being dressed in an ancient nobleman attire with a dark beard covering his face.
He was also an imposing figure carrying a heavy aura for being a non-Super Devil.
"Welcome Devil Lords to a rare event in our society. A divorce among us is a rarity and along with it a new child of Zeoticus Gremory is to be born. It is quite rare for a Devil to sire so many children and three of your children came from your marriage to my descendent here.
I heard events from Venelana herself of the reason for the divorce, but let us hear events from your side. Why did your marriage end?"
Zeoticus grit his teeth but he kept his Noble appearance for now.
"It was a long series of events started by my harem. Things were handled wrong resulting in the end of my marriage. That is all I will say."
Murmurs began among the gathered Lords as that was not a true explanation. Sirzechs stood up and came to his Father's aid to keep his honor.
"Let us all give him his privacy. Relationships are complicated and stuff happens."
Zekram looked across the table to gaze at Sirzechs with a calm look on his face.
"You are right, he deserves that much respect. On another note, let us discuss why we all gathered. The child. He is to be named Asterion yes?"
Zeoticus nodded.
"Yes. My son Romonus was the one to name him."
The instant that his second-born son was named more whispers and murmurs were started. Romonus was an anomaly among their race because of his pure dedication to training. It was rare that a Noble lowered themself to training, but because of that Romounus was the strongest Devil of his generation by far.
No other Devil born around his age Noble or not could compare to him. His true power was not truly understood, but rumors were stated near the original Satans. Zekram turned to Venelana who glanced up at her Ancestor with a proud smile.
He was her source of pride and her secret lover now. No one knew that second part, but Zekram looked away before speaking.
"I have not had the pleasure, but I hear he has made great use of his birthday gift. The Demonic Sword Blood Drinker killed all its previous wielders and he has tamed the blade. You are blessed to have him as your heir. My blood runs strong in him."
Zeoticus clenched his fists as this was what he was dreading. Already clan Bael was plotting to bring Romounus over to their side. They did not consider him a Gremory, but a Bael because of his personality and appearance.
Zeoticus spoke up to move attention somewhere else.
"The traits of House Gremory and Bael do work together perfectly. It granted my son Sirzechs power and it is doing the same for my son Romonus."
When Demaenetus stood, everyone quieted down as he was the Father of Venelana and Lord Bael. His might was legendary as during the Great War he slayed 3 Cadre of Heaven and the Fallen Angel of Grigori Esphares. He even wounded Raphael severely in a duel.
Demaenetus looked to be about 80 with a long braided beard reaching his belly. He dressed just as sharply as his son Lord Bael and his Ancestor Zekram. Despite his aged appearance, his back was straight as an arrow and he was a towering figure.
6'4 and covered in dense muscles showing he was no long-range fighter.
"Zeoticus. No one is denying that House Gremory's Trait acts as an amplifier for the mighty Power of Destruction. However, Romonus would not be nearly as powerful if he was not born of House Bael and since you caused the divorce I think you should compensate my daughter.
When I engaged her to you I thought you would treasure her, but that did not happen."
Zeoticus turned to his former Father-In-Law who was in no way mad at Venelana. If anything he saw her choice as the right one.
"You are no longer my Father-In-Law, but we were family Demaenetus. In your words, how should I offer compensation?"
Demaenetus revealed his plot with a small smile.
"Since Rias was born of your union with Venelana, she should instead be the new heir. This child, Asterion can be a replacement for your and Venelana's marriage. However, as he is a bastard of commoner blood, the best we can offer is a member of the branch family.
As for Romonus, I say you should return him to his family. His true family, House Bael."
Sirzechs was about to rise to his feet, but Grayfia reached out and held his hand. Ajuka grabbed his arm as he could not act the way he wanted. Sirzechs grit his teeth and waited for his Father to speak.
"You are asking me to give up my heir. For 11 years I have mentored him to take over house Gremory and his name is Romonus Gremory because Venelana was married to me during his birth. I would have to disown him from House Gremory and that is a shame I won't place on him."
Demaenetus smiled behind his beard.
"But when he introduces himself he calls himself Romonus B. Gremory. He did not have to do this, but he chose Bael as his middle name to show his care for his family. Magdaran is the current heir, but he has no interest in the title.
As for my other grandson Sairaorg, he was born with no Demonic Power or Power of Destruction. From what I heard he is quite a formidable brawler, but neither of them are good fit for the next Lord Bael. Romonus fits all the criteria.
Instead of reigning over the Gremory Clan which is ranked Duke, he will rule House Bael as a Great King. Wouldn't that be the best future for him? Think of what is best for Romonus and Devil kind in general."
Zeoticus sent a pleading gaze at Venelana who decided to speak up.
"Father, wouldn't it be better to speak to Romonus himself? What will also happen to his engagement with Latia Astaroth?"
Demaenetus nodded as this was true. His daughter had the right to choose because of her power. He engaged her to Zeoticus because her mother persuaded him to choose a good groom for her.
"Their engagement of course will remain intact. I would not break them up, but since this was started when he is still the heir House Gremory and Astaroth shall remain binded. I won't remove a long thought-out agreement."
Serafall cleared her voice and brought attention to herself.
"I normally wouldn't be exposing my business like this, but Romonus and I are close. Intimate even as despite his young age, he is mature beyond his years. What will that mean for our relationship if he is to become the next Lord Bael if he agrees at all."
Instantly all eyes were on Serafall as they remembered that Romonus was 11. Some had never seen what he looked like and imagined him to look like a small boy. They were giving Serafall weird looks which she ignored.
Sirzechs did not really expect Romonus to actually follow through. He smiled at his little brother because he was that good.
'Guess I won't be the only married Satan now. 1 down, two to go. Who should I set up Ajuka with?'
The green-haired satan shivered as he didn't want marriage. As for Serafall and Romonus, he was more mature than she was by far. Though Roygun Belphegor, Lord of House Belphegor blushed and touched her face.
'Oh my, she also likes younger men. I wonder if I should see this Romonus.'
Demaenetus knew about her relationship already as she did nothing to hide it.
"Yes. I heard you and my grandson have been seen going on dates in the capital. If you marry him will you give up your title as Leviathan and take the name Bael?"
Serafall shook her head.
"I don't need to Demaenetus. I already gave up my name as Sitri to become Leviathan. If I marry Romonus we keep our names as they are. However, the decision is up to him and not anyone else."
Zekram placed a hand on Demaenetus' shoulder. Demaenetus nodded and sat back down. Now that he was talking again Zekram agreed with that.
"Of course, where is he at the moment? We need to hear the answer from his mouth. Zeoticus, Zurab? Any of you know?"
Zurab was the name of the current Lord Astaorth which very few would call a Lord on a first-name basis. Zekram was one of those. Zurab though knew better than to call him out as Zekram was effectively a King of their race.
"He went on a date with Latia his fiance."
Zekram hummed.
"Where?"
Zurab as he tried to remember.
"Kruger National Park in South Africa. Latia and Romonus wanted to do something special so they went over to sightsee."
Zekram felt that was a nice idea.
"I would hate to interrupt them, but this is important. I will send a servant to call them to this meeting. This is a serious matter after all."
Roygun spoke up.
"No need to send a servant, I am more than happy to go."
Zekram raised an eyebrow.
"You? Why?"
Roygun just smiled as she rested her chin on her hands.
"Since this is such an important thing, I think it best for a Lord to go, no? Get someone trusted to deliver."
Serafall frowned as she knew what Roygun was planning.
'HEY! Hands off. He is taken.'
Roygun glanced at Serafall and smiled.
'Why can you keep the boy to yourself? I hear he has a thing for women older than him and I qualify, don't I? I also like young men younger than me so we are a match right?'
'He won't be up to your tastes, he is too grown for you.'
'How grown can an 11-year-old be? He is still ripe uneaten fruit after all.'
Serafall smirked as Romonus was no little boy.
'Alright then, go see him then. I bet you will lose all interest the moment you see him.'
Roygun smirked.
'Now I want to see him more.'
Zekram cleared his voice as he could see something going on between the two Devil ladies. Women were quite a tricky thing among Devils especialy when they were strong.
"If you want to go, then be my guest. We have more to discuss after all."
Roygun stood up and teleported away to South Africa to get Romonus and Latia as well. Though she was more interested in seeing him for herself. What she was picturing was very different from the real Romonus after all.