Chapter 1

It was a nice day in Kuoh; Rias Gremory was talking to her father, Zeoticus. He told her of a way to get out of her engagement with Riser. "There is a way out," he said. She looked at him.

"There is?" She asked.

"But, you'll have to marry another person. Now, before you start to complain, meet him first." She sighed.

"Who is it?" He said nothing but showed her a picture. Her eyes widened. "Are You Serious? Him?"

"What? He's a nice guy," he said.

"No, You Don't Know How Much Of A Crush I Had On Him! You want me to meet him? Uh, Yes!" Zeoticus grinned.

"Alright, I'll call him up." With that, he left.

He made the phone call. [Hello?]

"Jauney-boy," he said.

[Uncle 'Z', how are you?]

"I'm good, my boy; Rias agreed to see you."

[Really, it'll be good to see her. When?]

"Couple of weeks."

[I'm there, also, could you make it so I can talk to Sirzeches?]

"I'll see what I can do; I can't make any promises."

[Fair enough.]

Rias practically vibrated with nervous energy. A crush? That was putting it mildly. Jaune Arc, the legendary Strategist of the Great War, the Hero of Argus, the man whispered about in hushed tones for his unmatched tactical brilliance and unwavering moral compass, was the one her father was proposing? It felt surreal, like a dream she was afraid to wake from.

Days turned into weeks, each tick of the clock amplifying her anxiety. Rias spent hours dissecting every memory she had of Jaune, every story she'd heard. He was rumored to have a quiet strength, a deep well of kindness that contrasted starkly with his formidable reputation on the battlefield. He was also said to be incredibly humble, almost self-deprecating, a trait that only made him more endearing in Rias's eyes.

She confided in Akeno, her queen, about the situation. Akeno, ever the pragmatist, reminded Rias of the political implications. Marrying Jaune Arc would not only dissolve the unwanted engagement with Riser, but it would also elevate House Gremory's standing considerably. Jaune was a war hero, practically royalty in the eyes of many, and his allegiance would be invaluable.

"But," Akeno had added with a mischievous smirk, "political gain aside, I think you're genuinely excited about this, aren't you, Rias?"

Rias blushed furiously, unable to meet Akeno's knowing gaze. "He… he's always been someone I admired. His strength, his intelligence, his… his heart."

Akeno chuckled. "Then there's nothing to worry about. Just be yourself, President. He's bound to see what everyone else does in you—a powerful leader, a compassionate friend, and a woman of exceptional beauty."

The day of Jaune's arrival finally dawned, and Rias found herself pacing in her bedroom, fiddling with the hem of her dress. She had chosen a simple, elegant crimson dress, hoping to strike a balance between formality and approachability.

Downstairs, Zeoticus greeted Jaune with a hearty laugh and a warm embrace. Jaune, taller than Rias remembered, with a surprisingly youthful face despite the lines that hinted at past battles, returned the greeting with genuine affection. He wore a simple, well-tailored suit, and his blonde hair, slightly longer than she expected, was neatly styled.

"It's good to see you again, Uncle Z," Jaune said, his voice a pleasant baritone. "And thank you for arranging this. I've been looking forward to seeing Rias."

Zeoticus clapped him on the shoulder. "She's been looking forward to seeing you too, Jaune. Don't worry, she won't bite... much." He winked, earning a playful nudge from Jaune.

Taking a deep breath, Rias descended the stairs. She saw Jaune turn, his blue eyes widening slightly as they met hers. A warm smile spread across his face.

"Rias," he said, his voice laced with a genuine warmth that sent a shiver down her spine. "It's been too long."

Rias swallowed, her carefully rehearsed greeting momentarily forgotten. "Jaune," she managed, her voice a little shaky. "It's…good to see you."

For a moment, they simply stood there, gazing at each other, the years melting away as if they had only parted yesterday. The weight of expectations, the political maneuvering, the forced engagement—all of it faded into the background, leaving only two people reconnecting after a long absence.

Zeoticus cleared his throat, breaking the spell. "Alright, you two, enough with the starry-eyed gazing. Let's have some tea and catch up."

As they settled into the living room, Rias found herself relaxing, the nervous tension slowly easing. Jaune was easy to talk to, his questions genuine and his responses thoughtful. He inquired about her peerage, her responsibilities as a devil, and the challenges she faced. He listened intently, offering insightful observations and words of encouragement.

Later, after Zeoticus excused himself to handle some "urgent business" (Rias suspected he was just giving them some space), Jaune turned to her, his expression turning serious.

"Rias, your father has explained the… situation to me. I understand the implications, both political and personal." He paused, choosing his words carefully. "I admit, I was surprised. But I'm not opposed to the idea. In fact… I've always held you in high regard."

Rias's heart pounded in her chest. Was he saying what she thought he was saying?

"But," Jaune continued, his voice softening, "I want to be honest. I'm not the man I once was. The war took its toll. I carry scars, both visible and invisible. I'm not sure I can offer you the kind of… conventional happiness you might be looking for."

Rias reached out, her hand gently covering his. "Jaune, I know about the war. I know what you've sacrificed. And it doesn't change anything. I'm not looking for 'conventional happiness.' I'm looking for someone I can trust, someone I can respect, someone I can stand beside as we face whatever the future holds."

She looked into his eyes, her own filled with sincerity. "And honestly, Jaune," she added with a shy smile, "I've had a crush on you for a long, long time."

Jaune stared at her, his expression a mixture of surprise and something akin to hope. "Rias… I don't know what to say."

"Just… consider it," Rias said, squeezing his hand. "Consider the possibility. And if you decide it's something you want… then I'll be waiting."

As Jaune left that evening, Rias couldn't help but feel a sense of cautious optimism. The road ahead was uncertain, filled with its own set of challenges. But for the first time in a long time, she felt hopeful. She had a chance to escape the suffocating engagement, yes, but more importantly, she had a chance to build a life with someone she genuinely admired, someone she truly cared for. And that, she realized, was worth fighting for.

The next day, Zeoticus approached her, a knowing smile on his face. "He wants to speak with Sirzechs," he said. "Seems our Jauney-boy has some plans of his own." He chuckled. "This is going to be interesting."