Surviving marriage in yandere world

Velvet Academy, War Room (formerly the library, now a panic bunker).

The room was dim, lined with candlelight and the faint crackle of magical chalk wards scrawled all over the walls. At the center sat the Council of Doom—otherwise known as Rei's yandere wives, assembled around a long table. Each wore an expression that ranged from I can murder God to I will murder God and then steal her chair for Rei.

And in Rei's lap sat a small golden envelope. The prize wish from the tournament finals.

The envelope had mocked him since morning, its wax seal a smug little smirk. He had resisted opening it, prayed maybe the system would "forget" to process the wish. Unfortunately, the system had the memory of a petty tax collector and the humor of a drunk jester.

With a sigh, Rei broke the seal.

The words shimmered in glowing script:

Wish Granted: "One Peaceful, Uninterrupted Day With Rei."

The room fell into silence then chaos detonated.

"WHAT—!" Lilia's shriek nearly shattered the barrier wards. She slapped the table so hard it left an imprint of her palm in the oak. "Uninterrupted?! By who?!"

"Peaceful?!" Drakana's crimson pupils constricted to slits. She slammed her tail against the floor, cracking the tiles. "That's war talk."

Princess Seraphina leaned forward, eyes narrowed like a blade drawn halfway from its sheath. "That is treasonous language. Against the crown. Against me."

Rosette's quiet voice cut in, deadly soft. "Define… peaceful. Does it mean… no witnesses? No guards? No… us?" Her fingers flexed around her dagger, almost itching for a throat.

And Emilia—sweet, smiling, utterly oblivious Emilia—beamed. "Yay! The system picked me! Finally, it's just me and Rei, like old times!"

The table collectively snapped their necks toward her.

Like prey under five apex predators, Emilia shrank, clutching her trophy. "…What?"

Rei pinched the bridge of his nose. "Look, It's just one day. One single, tiny day."

[System Notification: "Clarification — 24 hours, real-time. Countdown begins at sunrise."]

"Oh, thank you system," Rei muttered. "Why don't you also paint a target on my back?"

[Request acknowledged, would you prefer neon pink or dragon-blood red?]

He groaned. "Forget what I asked."

By noon, word had already escaped. The academy corridors buzzed like a beehive dunked in chili oil. Students whispered as Rei passed:

"Did you hear? He's going on a date tomorrow. Alone."

"Impossible. The duke's son? With no witnesses? That's like throwing meat to manticores."

"My roommate fainted just imagining it. They say the heavens themselves trembled."

Faculty weren't immune either.

The Headmaster (who had technically resigned three chapters ago but still wandered the halls for free cafeteria meals) muttered, "I should've quit sooner." He packed his bags and fled, leaving a note: If anyone asks, I was never here.

The Pope dispatched an urgent decree. From the skies descended an airship shaped like a giant chalice, spraying holy water across the academy grounds like divine crop dusting.

[System Notification: "Holy Affection Dampener Applied. Effectiveness: 0%. Yandere resistance too high."]

The Pope wept.

By dusk, Rei's wives had convened their second council. They called it Operation: Day of Infidelity.

Drakana unrolled a giant battle map of the academy grounds. Tiny figurines of herself, Seraphina, Lilia, Rosette, and assorted murder implements dotted the map.

"Our objective," she hissed, "is to monitor, intercept, and neutralize all attempts by Emilia to monopolize our mate."

Lilia scoffed. "Neutralize? Replace is the correct term. I already have a gown picked out for our 'peaceful' day." She pulled out a white dress embroidered with Rei's initials in blood-red thread.

Seraphina adjusted her tiara. "I propose a royal decree: all days involving Rei are public festivals. Privacy is illegal."

Rosette's voice slid through the tension like a knife through silk. "I already… planted trackers in his shoes. And in his jacket. And in his—"

"Stop." Rei buried his face in his hands. "Just… stop. Please."

Emilia puffed her cheeks. "You guys are mean! It's just one date!"

"One date," Lilia repeated, her smile sharp enough to shave steel. "One too many."

That night, Rei locked himself in his chambers, bolting the door with a desk, two chairs, and a very confused magical cat statue.

He slumped against the wall. "System. Buddy. Pal. Undo this."

[System Response: "Error. Wishes are irreversible. You may, however, purchase our premium feature: 'Refund Fate' for 9999 Yandere Points."]

"…Do I want to know how many points I have?"

[System Update: "Current Balance: -347."]

Rei choked. "Negative?!"

[System Sarcasm Protocol: "Congratulations. You are the first player in recorded history to be in emotional debt."]

He collapsed onto the floor. "…I hate you."

The next morning, the Kingdom officially entered DEFCON-1.

The royal army mobilized. Priests prayed non-stop. Merchants sold commemorative "Day of Infidelity" handkerchiefs. Street bards composed tragic ballads of "The Duke's Betrayal."

By noon, the capital square hosted a massive vigil. Thousands gathered, holding candles.

"Stay strong, Lady Seraphina!"

"Fight, Lady Drakana!"

"May the Maid's dagger strike true!"

Even foreign diplomats weighed in.

The Elven Council issued a statement: We disapprove of unilateral monopolization of mortal husbands.

The Dwarves declared: If he dies, dibs on his enchanted liquor stash.

The Demon Queen Lucivella sent flowers and a note: LOL, amateurs.

Rei stared out the window at the madness below. "All this. For a picnic date."

[System Notification: "Correction — Romantic Date Event flagged. Global Threat Level: Crimson."]

"Thanks. That makes it so much better."

Meanwhile, Emilia hummed happily in her dorm room, carefully packing a basket. Freshly baked cookies, tea, sandwiches cut into heart shapes. She even braided her hair with little daisies.

To her, it was a dream come true. To everyone else, it was an extinction-level event.

She skipped out the door, only to find four women blocking the hallway, arms crossed, a wall of jealousy incarnate.

Lilia spoke first, her tone sweetly venomous. "Going somewhere?"

Emilia gulped. "…To… um… the cafeteria?"

Rosette's eyes glimmered. "Lie detected."

Drakana's tail thumped against the wall. "Hand over the basket."

Seraphina lifted her chin. "As princess, I confiscate all contraband romance."

Emilia tightened her grip. "No! It's my prize!"

By sunset, the academy bells tolled ominously.

[System Notification: "Reminder — Date Event begins tomorrow at sunrise. All preparations complete."]

[System Note: "Rei's survival probability: 3%. Would you like to write a will?"]

Rei groaned, slamming his head against the desk. "If I write one, it'll just be used as marriage vows."

Outside, thunder rolled. Inside, the air was heavy with impending doom.

And somewhere in the distance, Emilia's cheerful singing clashed with the grinding of five daggers being sharpened.

As Rei collapsed into bed, one final notification blinked across his vision:

[System Alert: "Achievement Unlocked — The Day of Infidelity (Pre-Event)."]

[Reward: Wives' Jealousy permanently escalated to Level 999.]

He groaned. "I just wanted one nap…"

Darkness fell. The nation held its breath. Tomorrow, hell itself would break loose.

Rei's eyelids drooped, but sleep refused to come. Every time he closed his eyes, he could feel murderous gazes drilling through the walls. The magical wards on his door hummed as if being gnawed by invisible teeth.

[System Notification: "Alert — Five hostile signatures detected outside your chamber."]

[System Advice: "Feign death. It sometimes works on bears and in-laws."]

Rei whispered into his pillow. "Why are you like this?"

[System Response: "Because your suffering sustains me."]

A scratch echoed against the door. Then another. Then the soft, melodic voice of Seraphina:

"Rei… my darling… you should rest well tonight. Tomorrow is going to be very… decisive."

Lilia's singsong joined in. "Don't worry, husband. If you die on this date, I'll resurrect you. Over and over until our vows will be eternal."

"Stop scaring him," Drakana growled. "Mate, don't be afraid. I'll just barbecue Emilia before breakfast and we'll go flying. Romantic, right?"

Rosette's whisper slid through the wood like a knife through butter. "I sharpened something special for tomorrow. Don't blink, Rei. You might miss it."

And finally, Emilia's cheerful hum cut through the tension: "La-la-la, picnic time, just you and me~"

The contrast made Rei want to bash his head against the wall until unconsciousness claimed him.

Outside, the academy looked like a fortress under siege. Entire platoons of knights patrolled the perimeter, not to keep intruders out but to stop the wives from launching premature assassination attempts. The mages erected anti-teleport wards, though no one was confident they'd stop Lilia if she decided to crawl through the shadows instead.

Meanwhile, commoners were stockpiling supplies. "The Day of Infidelity" had already been immortalized on pamphlets, songs, and betting pools. Odds on Rei surviving the full twenty-four hours fluctuated wildly, with a bookie shouting in the square:

"Ten to one odds says he doesn't last until lunch!"

"Three to one on a poisoning attempt before the first sandwich!"

"Pay out double if Emilia actually makes it home alive!"

Rei buried himself under his blanket like a man digging his own grave.

[System Notification: "Final Reminder — Sunrise in six hours. Mandatory participation required."]

[System Bonus Hint: "Kissing during the event increases survival chance by 0.1%. Consider exploiting mechanic."]

"…I refuse," Rei hissed.

[Understood, death flag equipped.]

Rei groaned into his pillow. "This isn't a life. This is a hostage crisis."

And yet, no matter how much he prayed, dawn would come.

The bells rang at midnight and the world waited. Tomorrow, picnic or apocalypse—there would be no turning back.

To be continued…