Velvet academy grand dining hall at lunchtime. Rei had known hunger. He had starved in dungeons, nibbled on questionable rations, even once eaten an entire bag of dried lizard jerky because Drakana called it "romantic."

But never in his life had he feared lunch itself. The Grand Dining Hall, with its polished marble floors, glittering chandeliers, and rows of long oak tables, had always been chaotic. But today? It was worse than chaos. It was… politics.

Every ambassador, noble envoy, and council representative in the academy was present. Spies disguised as students lined the walls. Professors sat stiff-backed like hostages. Even the cooks peeked nervously from the kitchen.

And why? Because sitting across from Rei Velvet, calmly cutting into her grilled salmon with the poise of a queen, was Lady Lucivella Nightshade. Demon Lord. Terror of nations. World-ending nightmare in a school uniform. And also, apparently, his fiancée.

"Eat, fiancé," Lucivella said with serene command, nudging a plate toward him.

Rei's fork trembled in his hand. "I—I'm not hungry."

She tilted her head, silver hair shimmering like a banner of conquest. "Nonsense. You need strength. A weak fiancé reflects poorly on me."

Every envoy in the hall stiffened. Every yandere wife at the table sharpened their metaphorical weapons.

Lilia smiled sweetly while threading a needle. "Don't worry, Rei-sama, I already laced the potatoes with holy blessings~."

Drakana snarled, slamming a claw into the table. "I spit fire on that food first. Now it has my essence."

Seraphina folded her hands in prayer. "I prayed over the bread, so it belongs to the angels now."

Rosette's knives gleamed. "The tea has my reflection. Whoever drinks it is mine."

Emilia raised a timid hand. "I just… made sure the napkins were folded nicely."

Rei whispered to himself: "Why can't food just be food…"

[System Notification: Welcome to Lunchtime Political Theater!]

[Side Objective: Avoid being poisoned, sanctified, cursed, or otherwise bound by carbs.]

[Reward: Basic survival until dinner.]

Rei wanted to bury himself in mashed potatoes and never return. But fate, cruel and mocking, had other plans.

Lucivella leaned across the table. Her crimson eyes softened. And then, without hesitation, she pressed her lips gently against his cheek. The world ended.

Silence rippled through the dining hall like a tidal wave. A fork clattered to the floor. Somewhere in the back, a choir boy fainted into his soup.

Ambassador Kellin of the Western Alliance collapsed in a dead faint. "The prophecy… it's happening…"

Envoy Durandal from the Northern Empire dropped his wine goblet. "We must—send word to the capital at once!"

A representative from the Holy See grabbed his rosary and screamed, "HERESY ON PUBLIC DISPLAY!" before promptly passing out.

And just like that, within an hour, the academy couriers were racing out on gryphons, pigeons, and flaming imps to deliver the "news."

By dinner, three kingdoms had already issued ultimatums.

Rei sat frozen, salmon sliding off his fork, as his life imploded in real-time. "Y-you—you kissed me in public! In front of politicians!"

Lucivella smiled serenely, as though she had merely adjusted his collar. "Of course. It is important to establish precedence. They must know you are mine."

Rei's voice cracked. "Precedence? They're issuing war threats!"

Lucivella rested her chin in her hand, gazing at him with demonic amusement. "Should we hold hands next? That might destabilize a continent."

[System Alert: WARNING. International Relations collapsing.]

[World Diplomacy Meter: -200 points.]

[One cheek kiss and you just triggered World War Engagement.]

Drakana's tail set a tablecloth ablaze. "You dare flaunt him like that, demon wench?!"

Seraphina's wings flared open, light blazing. "Unacceptable! Sacred vows cannot be mocked with public displays of lechery!"

Lilia stabbed her embroidery needle into the table, smiling wider. "Ohhh, Rei-sama~ blushing so sweetly. Maybe next time we should make the wedding announcement in every capital?"

Rosette twirled her knife between her fingers, slicing a floating rejection letter in half. "We should silence every witness."

Emilia, sipping her tea, mumbled nervously: "Um… maybe we should talk this out… without burning the dining hall?"

Rei flailed both arms like a drowning man. "Can we not?! Can we have one—just one—peaceful lunch without triggering international catastrophe?!"

[Lol, no.]

Two hours later, The academy's War Council hadn't been convened in fifty years. Last time, it had been to discuss the Hamster King uprising. This time, it was because one (1) Demon Lord kissed one (1) traumatized fiancé on the cheek.

Rei slumped in his chair at the center of the circular chamber. He was surrounded by frantic professors, pale ambassadors, and his five wives glaring at Lucivella like executioners sizing up a target.

Professor Malrick slammed a stack of scrolls onto the table. "Three kingdoms are demanding clarification of your 'alliance' with the Demon Lord!"

Professor Helen wrung her hands. "The church threatens excommunication!"

An envoy wailed, "The stock market is already collapsing!"

Rei groaned into his hands. "All of this because of one kiss?!"

Lucivella, completely calm, sipped tea. "You underestimate the power of affection, fiancé."

[Side Mission: "Damage Control: Demon PDA Edition"]

[Objective: Convince at least ONE kingdom not to declare war.]

[Reward: Temporary breathing space.]

[Failure Consequence: Congratulations on becoming the cause of World War Love.]

Rei stood, wobbling. "Everyone calm down! This was all a misunderstanding!"

"Misunderstanding?" Ambassador Kellin shrieked. "I saw her lips touch your face!"

"That was—uh—just foreign etiquette!" Rei lied desperately.

Lucivella's smile deepened. "Yes. In my culture, kissing signifies eternal possession."

Rei collapsed back into his chair. "You're trying to kill me…"

Meanwhile, Outside the Chamber –The student body had already declared factions.

The "Pro-Demon Marriage Club" was passing out celebratory cupcakes with tiny horns.

The "Sacred Purity Front" marched with banners screaming "BAN THE BRIDE."

The Theater Club had staged an impromptu opera titled The Tragedy of Velvet.

And the Marriage Consultation Club? They were running a betting pool on how long Rei would survive. Back inside, the arguments reached nuclear levels.

Drakana roared, "If anyone dares claim Rei, I'll torch their capital!"

Seraphina shouted, "I will sanctify every capital instead!"

Rosette murmured, "Or we could eliminate all capitals. Quietly."

Lilia hummed, stitching "Velvet x Lilia Forever" into her handkerchief. "I'll just marry him everywhere first. Easy~."

Rei slammed the table, eyes bloodshot. "STOP TURNING MY EXISTENCE INTO AN ARMS RACE!"

[System Notification: Affection Wars Escalation Detected.]

[Global Stability: -70%]

[Probability of Worldwide Collapse: 89%.]

[On the bright side, at least you're famous now.]

By nightfall Rei stumbled outside to breathe fresh air, clutching the railing like it was his last lifeline. His cheek still burned from Lucivella's kiss, and now half the world wanted to burn him alive for it.

Lucivella appeared behind him, silent as moonlight. She draped her cloak over his shoulders, her voice smooth as honeyed poison.

"Fiancé. Do not worry about the kingdoms. They will bow or they will burn. But you…" She leaned close, lips brushing his ear. "…you will never escape me."

Rei whimpered. "I just wanted peace…"

[System Final Notification of the Day: Arc Trigger Confirmed!]

[New Arc: "Demon Marriage Diplomacy Mode"]

[Main Mission: Survive Political Love Bombing.]

[Bonus Mission: Stop Blushing When Kissed.]

[Good luck, Mr. International Incident.]

And so it began. It's not a duel of swords nor a clash of armies but the most terrifying war of all: romantic politics.

And Rei Velvet was the battlefield. The courtyard outside the War Council chamber was no calmer than inside.

Students swarmed the notice boards where hastily scribbled "Breaking News!" updates were being posted by the Journalism Club.

"Breaking! Velvet heir accepts Demon Lord's kiss!"

"Update: Kingdoms preparing sanctions on blushing."

"Breaking Again: Lilia seen sharpening embroidery needles at alarming speed."

The Economics Club had erected a makeshift booth to sell "Velvet Futures" stock, which was already crashing. Nearby, the Alchemy Club sold anti-heartbreak potions labeled Guaranteed to Cure Demon Engagement Depression!

Rei staggered past all of this with the energy of a dying mushroom. His only thought was escape—preferably to a small cave where no demon, dragon, saint, or knife-maid could find him.

But of course, destiny (and his system) refused.

[System Alert: Fiancé Visibility Status – MAXIMUM.]

[Your face is now plastered across international headlines.]

[Fun Fact: The Holy Empire's Gazette titled you "The Demon's Blushing Toy."]

[Honestly? Accurate.]

Rei facepalmed so hard he nearly concussed himself. "I'm going to die of embarrassment before I die of assassination."

From behind a pillar, Drakana's burning eyes glared. "No, mate. You'll die from me if you keep letting demons kiss you."

On the opposite balcony, Seraphina's halo gleamed ominously. "Repent now, Rei. Let us annul this profane engagement with holy matrimony instead."

Rosette's shadow slid across the floor. Rei didn't even see her move—he just felt the cold of forty knives staring into his soul.

And Lilia? She walked calmly into view holding a bridal veil. "Rei-sama, why wait for politics? I can marry you in the courtyard right now~."

Rei screamed internally, staring at the sky. God, if you're listening, strike me down again. Please. This time aim properly.

[System Notification: Request Denied.]

[Reason: Your suffering is too profitable.]

[New Mini-Quest: "Survive Until Breakfast Without Triggering a Crusade."]

[Reward: Cold toast.]

Rei sighed, shoulders slumping. Somewhere between the Demon Lord's kiss, collapsing diplomacy, and his wives preparing nuclear marriage options, he realized something terrifying:

Lunch was only day one of the engagement week. And tomorrow? Tomorrow would be worse.

To be continued…