Max transported directly into the front gardens of Stolas's manor, dark feathers of shadow peeling off his body as the world snapped back into place. The air here felt different from Pentagram City—cleaner, heavier, layered with ancient magic that hummed softly beneath the manicured hedges and moonlit stone paths. Tall wrought-iron gates loomed behind them, already sealing shut as if the manor itself recognized its guests.
Loona appeared at his side a heartbeat later, stumbling half a step as she brushed soot and shadow residue out of her fur."Ugh—warn me next time," she muttered, shaking out her ears. "I swear, teleporting with you feels like getting stuffed into a blender sideways."
Max smirked faintly. "Hey, improvement. You didn't throw up this time."
Before she could flip him off, a shrill scream ripped through the manor so violently that the stained-glass windows rattled in their frames.
"STOOOOOLAS! I WILL NOT BE HUMILIATED BY YOUR PERVERTED LITTLE AFFAIR WITH THAT—THAT—IMP VERMIN!"
The sound echoed across the gardens, sharp enough to make even the hedges seem to recoil.
Loona clamped her hands over her ears instantly. "Holy shit—! She's louder than Blitz when he steps on a Lego. I thought you and Octavia were exaggerating!"
Max sighed deeply, reaching into his coat. "Here. Take this."He pulled out a thin black card etched with layered muffling sigils that shimmered faintly like oil on water. "Go find Octavia and use it. It should dampen the sound in a small radius—won't shut her up completely, but it'll stop the migraine."
Loona squinted at the card. "Another card? Seriously? How many of these do you just… have?"
"Enough," Max replied dryly. "Now go. Before your ears start bleeding."
She hesitated for only a second before nodding. "Don't die," she muttered, already backing away. "Or if you do, at least wait until after the festival."
Max watched her disappear into Octavia's wing of the manor before turning toward the entrance himself.
He took exactly one step inside.
CRASH.
Something smashed into the back of his head—hard enough to explode into glittering shards that rained across the marble floor.
"For the LAST TIME, STOLAS," Stella shrieked, her voice echoing down the halls like a curse, "I AM DONE WITH YOU AND YOUR DICK-SUCKING IMP!"
Max blinked, reaching up to brush glass out of his hair. "…Rude."
Another projectile—this time a heavy porcelain vase—came flying straight for his face. He ducked smoothly, the vase obliterating itself against a marble pillar behind him.
Then Stella finally noticed him.
Her rage froze mid-stride.
Her eyes locked onto Max, pupils blazing. Heat shimmered around her form, feathers bristling, jewelry clinking as her expression twisted into pure venom.
"STOOOOOLAS!" she screamed again, pointing directly at Max. "OUR DAUGHTER'S TERRIBLE TASTE IN MEN IS HERE!"
With a dramatic scoff and a look of absolute disgust, she turned on her heel and stormed down the hall, wings flaring as she vanished in a swirl of fury and feathers—her presence lingering like smoke after a fire.
Max stood there in the wreckage, shards crunching under his boots.
"…Charming," he muttered.
He followed the trail of destruction—overturned furniture, cracked picture frames, scorch marks on the walls—until he reached Stolas's study. The door stood ajar.
Inside, the Owl Prince sat reclined on a velvet settee, legs crossed, casually popping colorful pills from a crystal bottle like they were candy. He barely looked up.
Max paused in the doorway. "You know those can't be good for your health."
Stolas sighed theatrically, swallowing one dry. "They help me deal with Stella… and you, apparently. Getting engaged to my daughter, of all things."
Max stopped mid-step."…I honestly expected you to try and murder me. Looks like I owe Loona twenty bucks."
Stolas waved a dismissive hand. "Please. Even if I wanted to kill you, I couldn't. Only angelic weaponry can permanently destroy a sinner." He leaned back. "Besides… I've accepted it."
His gaze sharpened, serious now."You make Octavia happy. That is all that matters."
Then his tone darkened.
"But if you ever hurt her," Stolas continued calmly, "I will kill you a hundred times and imprison whatever is left."
Max nodded without hesitation. "Yeah. That tracks."
Stolas took a sip of water, glancing toward the door as another distant crash echoed faintly. "So. What brings you here? Octavia's room is on the opposite wing."
"Loona's with her," Max said. "I gave them something to block out Stella's meltdown. Also to prevent you from putting your phone calls on speaker again while discussing… your nightly activities."
Stolas choked violently on his drink, feathers puffing in embarrassment."That was ONE time! And we did not go into detail!"
Max deadpanned. "Stolas. With all due respect. You traumatized your own daughter."
"…The pills may have loosened my filter," Stolas admitted weakly.
Max paced the room, tail swaying. "Anyway. I'm here because I need Satan's approval to attend the Harvest Moon Festival. You're hosting, you invited I.M.P., and since I'm… loosely associated, I figured I should make it official."
Stolas straightened immediately, posture regal once more."Oh. Well, if it's for the festival—of course. I'll speak to him. As a prince, it is only proper my guests are accounted for."
Max smirked. "Appreciate it. Because Loona will kill me if I mess this up."
Stolas sighed, rubbing his temples. "You know… I never imagined my life would include negotiating festival permissions for my daughter's Overlord fiancé while my ex-wife throws crockery."
Max chuckled. "Life's weird."
A soft knock came at the door.
Octavia peeked in cautiously, Loona just behind her, ears relaxed now thanks to the card's effect.
"Dad?" Octavia asked quietly. "Is she gone?"
"Yes, darling," Stolas said gently. "She's… screaming elsewhere."
Octavia visibly relaxed. She looked at Max, hesitant, then smiled faintly."Thanks… for the noise thing."
"Anytime," Max replied warmly.
Loona crossed her arms, smirking. "So? We good for the festival?"
Stolas nodded. "Yes. Consider it approved."
Loona pumped a fist. "Hell yeah."
Max let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding. "Perfect. Then I'll get out of your feathers."
Stolas studied him for a moment longer, expression unreadable."…You're doing better than I expected, Max."
Max shrugged. "I try."
With that, shadows coiled around his feet once more. He gave Octavia a nod, Loona a grin—
—and vanished, leaving the manor behind as the echo of Stella's distant screaming finally faded into the night.