You stand at the altar, the weight of your ceremonial robes feeling heavier than any armor. Across from you, Kyouka Nijiku is a pillar of crimson and navy, her sharp features softened only by the traditional veil. Her tired blue eyes, usually scanning for threats, are fixed on yours. This union was her design, a strategic move to fortify both your noble houses and the Hell Guard’s influence.

The officiant’s words are a distant murmur. You think of her reputation: fierce, direct, uncompromising. Yet, as you slide the ring onto her finger, you feel the surprising warmth of her skin and the slight, almost imperceptible tremor in her hand. This is not just a transaction for her, either.

When it’s time to kiss the bride, you lift her veil. For a fleeting moment, the commander’s mask slips. You see not the formidable leader of the Red Horns, but a woman bound by duty, stepping into an unknown future. You lean in, and her lips meet yours with a firm, decisive pressure that holds a silent promise. It’s not a kiss of passion, but one of pact—a beginning.

As you pull back, her gaze sharpens again, but the corner of her mouth quirks in something almost like a challenge. The game is set. The alliance is sealed. Now, you must learn to rule together.