The Shadowed Cliffs fortress buzzed with its usual energy—soldiers training, messengers coming and going, and the faint hum of magic that seemed to linger in every corner. Raizer Phoenix sat in his study, his golden eyes scanning the mountain of reports on his desk.
Trade agreements, military updates, diplomatic overtures—it was all part of the empire he was building. But today, the routine hum was interrupted by a sharp knock on his door.
"Come in," Raizer called, setting aside a scroll he'd been reading.
Yubelluna entered, her usual composed expression tinged with something unreadable. She carried a sealed letter bearing the unmistakable insignia of the Devil Council.
"Lord Raizer," she began, placing the letter on his desk, "this just arrived. It's from the council."
Raizer raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. The Devil Council rarely involved itself in his affairs unless absolutely necessary. Breaking the seal, he unfolded the letter and began to read.
It didn't take long for the message to sink in.
The Council's Decision
The letter was concise, as council missives always were.
"By unanimous decision of the Devil Council, an alliance through marriage has been decreed between Lord Raizer Phoenix and Lady Rias Gremory, to strengthen ties between the Gremory, Beal, and Phoenix clans. The marriage shall proceed at the earliest convenience, pending confirmation of the parties involved."
Raizer read the letter twice, then leaned back in his chair, his golden eyes unreadable.
"Well," he said calmly, "that's… unexpected."
Yubelluna frowned, clearly expecting more of a reaction. "You don't seem surprised."
Raizer shrugged, folding the letter neatly. "It's not surprising, really. The council's been keeping an eye on us for a while now. They see the power we're gathering, and they want to control it."
Yubelluna's eyes narrowed. "And this is their way of doing it?"
"Of course," Raizer said, his tone casual. "Marriage is one of the oldest tools in the devil playbook. Bind me to the Gremory family, and they think they can temper my ambitions."
"Will you fight it?" Yubelluna asked cautiously.
Raizer shook his head. "What's the point? Defying the council openly would create more problems than it solves. Besides…"
He leaned forward, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "If they think this will slow me down, they clearly don't know me at all."
Breaking the News to the Peerage
Later that day, Raizer gathered his peerage in the grand hall, a space large enough to accommodate even Whitebeard's imposing presence. The room was abuzz with chatter as the group speculated about why they'd been summoned.
"Think he's announcing another expedition?" Roger asked, grinning as he leaned on his sword.
"Probably some new trade deal," Shiki said, lounging on a floating rock. "You know how much the kid loves his paperwork."
"Maybe he's finally getting rid of that awful chair," Garp added with a booming laugh, gesturing to the ornate throne at the end of the room.
Mihawk sighed, clearly annoyed by the noise. "Quiet down. If you all keep yapping, we'll never find out."
Raizer entered the hall, his calm demeanor instantly silencing the group. His golden eyes swept across his peerage as he took his place at the head of the room.
"Thank you all for coming," he began. "I've received an interesting message from the Devil Council today. It concerns me, but it will inevitably affect all of you as well."
That caught everyone's attention. The peerage members exchanged curious glances, their focus entirely on Raizer.
"The council," Raizer continued, "has decided that I should marry Rias Gremory, the younger sister of Sirzechs Lucifer."
The Peerage Reacts
For a moment, there was silence. Then the room exploded.
"BAHAHAHA!" Garp's laugh was the loudest, echoing off the walls. "You? Getting married? That's rich!"
Roger grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "I didn't know you were the romantic type, kid. What's next? Poetry?"
Shiki floated closer, a sly smirk on his face. "So, when's the bachelor party? I've got a few ideas involving flying islands and a lot of rum."
Whitebeard chuckled, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "A marriage like this isn't just personal—it's political. The council's playing a long game, Raizer."
Mihawk, ever the pragmatist, simply raised an eyebrow. "And what's your stance on this?"
Raizer smirked, leaning against the armrest of his throne. "Calm down, everyone. It's not the end of the world. This is clearly a move by the council to tie us down, but I have no intention of letting that happen."
Yubelluna, standing quietly to the side, finally spoke. "It's a dangerous game, Lord Raizer. Refusing the council outright would create unnecessary conflict, but accepting this marriage without a plan could undermine everything we've built."
"Exactly," Raizer said, nodding. "That's why we won't play by their rules. They think they're using me, but I'll make sure it's the other way around."
Individual Reactions
As the discussion continued, each member of the peerage voiced their thoughts on the situation.
Garp slapped Raizer on the back hard enough to make the room shake. "BAHAHAHA! Don't overthink it, kid. Just roll with it. If anyone gives you trouble, we'll punch our way out of it!"
Roger leaned in, grinning. "Do we get to meet her? I bet she's a firecracker, being Sirzechs's sister and all. Bet you two will make quite the pair."
Shiki smirked. "You know, if this whole marriage thing gets too stuffy, just let me know. I can 'accidentally' drop a mountain on the council. Problem solved."
Mihawk crossed his arms, his expression unreadable. "Political marriages are nothing new, but they rarely end well if one party feels trapped. Make sure you're the one holding the leash, Raizer."
Whitebeard nodded sagely. "This alliance could bring significant benefits, but it's not without risks. The council doesn't make moves like this lightly."
Fujitora added calmly, "Your resolve will be tested. Be sure you know what you're fighting for before you step into this."
Even Beckman, usually one of the quieter members of the group, offered his perspective. "They're trying to tame you, Raizer. But something tells me you've already thought of a way to turn this in your favor."
The Calm Before the Storm
As the peerage dispersed, Raizer remained seated on his throne, deep in thought. Yubelluna lingered behind, her expression unreadable.
"Do you think the council underestimated you?" she asked finally.
"They always do," Raizer replied, a faint smile playing on his lips. "They think I'm just a young devil with too much ambition. They don't realize I've been planning for moves like this since the beginning."
"And Rias?" Yubelluna pressed. "What do you think of her?"
Raizer's golden eyes glinted. "I've never met her, but her reputation precedes her. She's strong, independent, and highly regarded. This isn't about whether I like her—it's about whether we can work together."
Yubelluna nodded slowly. "And if she doesn't agree with your goals?"
"Then I'll convince her," Raizer said simply. "The council may have set the pieces on the board, but I'll decide how the game is played."
As the moon rose over the Shadowed Cliffs, Raizer leaned back in his chair, his mind racing with possibilities. The marriage decree was a challenge, but it was also an opportunity.
And Raizer Phoenix never let an opportunity go to waste.
This chapter captures Raizer's calm reaction to the marriage decree, the lively reactions of his peerage, and his strategic approach to the situation. Let me know if there's anything you'd like to expand or adjust!