Sauce.

For.

2020.

Three more chapters to go and I can write about Nao again.😂

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Heian Period, in the late 700's

Mimi sometimes wish that her mother was alive. Her Otou-sama always tells her that she was so similar to her and they have the same personality.

Maybe if her mother was alive, she could've helped Mimi a lot when it comes to making decisions for herself. But for the long time that she was gone, Mimi got used to the fact that there was no one she could rely on but herself so she learned to be independent.

She learned to cook on her own, to trade goods and budget money. And there's also the fact that she engrossed herself in books in order to learn medicine and herbs.

She took everything in stride and always ketp her chin up. Mimi rejected all her suitors, declaring that she was not interested in a relationship because she was already invested in so much more.

There's also the reason that Mimi fears that she would be incapable. That she would simply be not good enough to be a wife to her husband.

Because underneath all her strong exterior, was an inferiority complex that she was trying her best to hide.

Her Otou-sama always did tell her that it was okay to feel incompetent because it makes people strive harder.

So Mimi took his advice well and did her best to improve hersef. She wasn't like other women who kept their hands soft and never dirtied their clothes or skin.

Mimi also did a lot of labor not because they were poor but on the contrary, her Otou-sama being a merchant made them the wealthiest family in the village excluding the nobles and other clans.

She simply did all of those to learn and see things in a different perspective but of course, making clay and pots or fishing never did deter her suitors.

It got so annoying to the point that Mimi decided to pursue education and study medicine instead because it kept her away from males. No man would want a woman who could outsmart them.

But even while she was away and was staying with Lord Muzan in his household, Mimi was still buried in her books.

"Mimi, tell me more about your stay with Lord Muzan and what the lord is like." Her Otou-sama once said when they were enjoying tea in his room.

Mimi brushed back a loose strand of her hair before closing her book and placing it beside her.

"My stay with Muzan-sama was not very pleasant at first." Mimi admitted. Her father wasn't bothered by her honesty. In fact, he remained silent and kept listening.

"I am not a doctor but I know that Muzan-sama is sick. "This information intrigued her father because he suddenly asked her a question.

Mimi blinked. "You did not know?" She asked him. Her father shook his head.

"Muzan-sama is sick. I don't know about his illness but if his pale complexion is anything to go by then I would guess that it keeps him from getting out of his house. "She remembered how Lord Muzan would often reject her offer to go outside. He was simply content on walking in the garden and it really made Mimi feel bad for him because she knows the reason for his refusal.

"But Muzan-sama is very kind and gentle to me. He does have a temper but he's very reasonable. And oh!" Mimi said, not being able to hide the blush on her cheeks as a smile erupted from her face.

"He gave me this wonderful garden filled with flowers and herbs! You have no idea how beautiful it is, Otou-sama. I wish I could take you to see it.." She trailed off. Mimi did want to show her father and she wondered if Lord Muzan would give her permission to let her father visit?

It bothered her a lot but Mimi decided that she will ask him when she returns.

"Muzan-sama, he's also very knowledgeable about flowers. We've made it a habit to visit the garden he gave me every night. We would go together after dinner because it was the time where fireflies would suddenly appear. The lights coming from them were beautiful and it has a calming effect. Muzan-sama and I, we don't talk a lot during these times but I feel closer to him whenever he holds my hand." Mimi felt her face go red at her own words but as she glanced at her father's face, she was dumbstruck to see that he was smiling.

There was a peaceful expression on his face and daresay, he looked very relieved from hearing her describe Lord Muzan.

Mimi smiled shyly. "Muzan-sama... it isn't hard to like him because he treats me very well. He can be very demanding but as long as I explain myself to him, he would forgive me."

Mimi felt a large calloused hand hold her smaller ones.

"Are you happy with him?" Her father asked her. Mimi's gaze softened and she held his hands back tightly.

"I am. "Mimi breathed out in a confident manner.

"I see." She heard him say but Mimi knows that he was also happy for her in his own way.

"I'm glad, Otou-sama. That the man I'm going to marry is Muzan-sama. But..."

Mimi stood up and sat beside her father, placing her head on his shoulder.

"I don't want to get married yet. I still want to be with Otou-sama. "

Her father placed a hand on her head and she could feel him stroking her hair.

"Mimi..." He said in a soft tone. "Muzan-sama maybe kind to you but he is not a very patient man. You of all people should know this."

Mimi closed her eyes.

"I know.. "She answered back. "But I also know that Muzan-sama would postpone our marriage as long as I explain the situation to him."

"Mimi..." She heard her father say but she simply held his hand.

"I won't last until winter. "He told her.

Mimi bit her lip as an attempt to stop herself from crying. She reminded herself that she was here to spend time with her father, not grieve for his death when it hasn't even come yet.

Five months. Could she take it? Mimi was not ready for those five months to pass. Silently and painfully, she repeatedly asked the gods why something as cruel as this was going to happen.

"Otou-sama, I think its time for us to retire. It's already late." Mimi muttered softly under her breath.

"Child.."He called out but knew that it would be futile to call her out, knowing that she was too stubborn for her own good.

A week passed and she was forced to come to terms at the fact that she would be going back to the Kibutsuji household.

She was greeted by servants upon her return. Mimi was hurriedly escorted to her room because she was going to meet with Lord Muzan. And he requested for her to wear something nice but of course, 'nice' doesn't begin to cover it.

The luxurious kimono she was currently wearing was made from the finest silk and the red spider lily design on it was very detailed and eye catching. Mimi wondered how much Muzan spent to buy this for her. As a merchant's daughter, she did not try to guess.

Mimi simply left it off as expensive and something she could not afford and even if she did, she would not buy it.

"Greetings, Muzan-sama." Mimi bowed her head as she glanced up to see her betrothed.

Muzan was the same. A pretty face with pale complexion and his dark obsidian hair was tied into a ponytail. He was also wearing something extravagant.

"Mimi, take a sit." He said to her and she immediately obeyed his request. She was about to sit infront of him when she noticed that he was shaking his head.

"Not there. "Muzan told her. Mimi stayed firm in her place before she realized that he was asking her to sit beside him.

Her face flushed at his bold suggestion but she didn't complain and slowly made her way to sit beside him.

He took his drinking cup while she poured him his wine, as dictated by tradition.

Muzan took a calm sip from his cup while she watched him quietly. Muzan was really handsome and Mimi asked herself why such a beautiful person would choose to marry someone like her.

Muzan caught her staring at him so he placed his cup down and grabbed her chin.

Mimi's eyes widened in surprise and she placed a hand on his chest out of nervousness.

"Muzan-sama.. is there something wrong?" She asked in a hesitant manner.

Muzan's face remained impassive.

"I'm deciding whether I should plan our marriage now or wait for some more time. "

Mimi suddenly felt even more nervous at his confession.

"Muzan-sama, to tell you the truth. I am still not ready for marriage. Otou-sama is very ill and will not last when winter comes. I just..." Mimi ignored his creasing brows.

"I just cannot marry yet knowing this." Mimi closed her eyes as she prepared for him to shout at her but oddly enough, Muzan said nothing.

"Muzan-sama... "Mimi began but as she looked up to stare at the lord's face, it didn't take a genius or two to know that he is very displeased.

"Mimi, I've decided to arrange our marriage before winter. I will not wait. "

Mimi froze from shock.

"But Muzan-sama--"

He scowled. "Enough! I've already allowed you to visit your father but postponing our marriage to wait for a sickly old man to die? I won't stand for it. If you're going to be my woman, then know your place."

Muzan's eyes flared from anger while Mimi's eyes were wide from shock. Shock that he could say something like that about her father.

Muzan of all people knows how much she loves her father. Mimi always talks about him during their meals and if she was daring enough to postpone their marriage for her father then Muzan should've known by now how much her father meant the world to her.

Out of anger, she pushed him away and stood up.

"Muzan-sama... I adore you and respect you but insulting Otou-sama is out of the line! He is not just a sickly old man who is dying soon. He is my father! My family!" She hissed before leaving the room in a hurry.

The fact that she was so excited to see Muzan made her feel ashamed at what happened.

Mimi could not believe that he insulted her father. She liked Muzan but disrespecting her father was crossing the line.

He could've just said no. Yet he didn't.

This was going to change their relationship a lot.