He continues an honest conversation

"Endure? I think you can endure an honest conversation, can't you?" Marus let out a mocking laugh, shaking his head at the paladin before him. "Foolish girl," he said, his voice filled with disbelief. "Do you truly believe that harmless fantasies could ever be considered evil? Do you think your goddess is so vain that she would punish you for something as innocent as imagination?"

He stared into Mira's eyes, searching for any sign of understanding, but found none. The woman, despite being bright for a mortal, was trapped in her own beliefs, unable to see past her fears and prejudices of her society. She knew her own goddess less than he did, "She would care if you would manipulate someone for your pleasure, **** your will upon others, yes. But not because you imagined yourself lying in bed with a lover," he chuckled and added, "or two or three."

His gaze turned more intense, curiosity piqued by the paladin's confession. "Tell me, Mira," he continued. "Have your fantasies ever been wilder, beyond an embrace of a loving husband? Have you thought about other forms of pleasure, perhaps?" His eyes twinkled mischievously, he was in a more playful mood now "A fair maiden kissing your thighs instead of a knight, maybe? Or perhaps, capturing enemies and riding them like toy horses you had in your childhood? Maybe even surrendering to an orc, feeling his rough hands explore your body and his huge green things pushing between your lips?"

Mira looked disgusted at the suggestion, "No! Women should belong to men, not other women! And certainly not to beasts! My fantasies were always romantic, about love and marriage. About a man who cherishes me, cares for me, and protects me. Someone who sees me as a soulmate, not a body to enjoy"

Her answer made Marus sigh with evident disappointment in his expression. "Lame," he said, "I don't even believe that you truly want to belong to someone, you wouldn't become a paladin, a warrior-maiden, otherwise. You crave freedom, independence, power - yet you hide behind these romantic dreams trying to convince yourself that it is you."

The demon leaned against the stone wall, deep in thought. For long moments, silence stretched between them while Marus pondered the fate of the beautiful paladin and waited for her answer.