Duran was in a foul mood. At first, he had locked himself and his fiancee in his room, refusing any and all servants unless they were bringing food, drink, or whatever the smaller girl wanted. There was talk that he planned to stay that way for months on end, servants expressing great confusion. However, after a handful of days, he kicked the door down and growled his way to the front gate with his wifey in his arms.

He hugged her tightly - almost too tightly, he soon discovered - and the younger girl tapped him quickly to let him know. He gave a quick glance of worry before nuzzling her in apology. It wasn't easy to control his strength, especially for someone so much more fragile than he was. Still, he was better than he was the first time he tried to hug her. She had to be looked at by a physician after that.

"Don't you dare go outside the house," he growled, narrowing his eyes, "Stay inside, stay out of trouble."

Translation: Stay nice and safe for me, okay? I won't be able to focus if you're in danger, so wait for me.

"Of course. I'll be good. I promise."

"Remember what I always tell you. If my wife takes interest in a man weaker than me, I will kill him."

Translation: Don't go looking for someone else while I'm away. It won't end well.

Blushing, the (h/c) haired girl debated over something or other, leading her fiance to grimace. He must have believed that she was interested in another since she didn't respond to him. As she made up her mind, tugging on his shirt, he leaned down to hear what she had to say. The male then jumped as she kissed him, taking advantage of his proximity to her. Pleased, he pecked her once more on the forehead before joining his warriors on the frontlines in the southeast. It was clear he was far from happy about leaving her so soon.

As he went out of her sight, (Y/n) gave a sigh, feeling lonely once more. If only they could have had a few more days together. She did realize how necessary he was, his skill being highly desired both within the country and out. Still, he was someone that gave her unconditional love; something she wanted more than anything else. As such, she had to find some other way to occupy her time.

For the first few days, she had wandered around outside, checking on the plants that grew there. However, it got boring really quickly, so she moved on to baking - an avid hobby of hers. Sugar might have been a bit of a rarity, but because the warrior family was compensated well, there was no shortage of it in the estate. In fact, she was all but encouraged to use as much as she could. Everyone knew how much Duran liked eating her sweets, and a happy Duran was a non-murderous Duran. Still, without him in the area, she felt quite lonely. He usually was never long, always finishing his business in a timely manner. She hoped he would return sooner than that though.

One day, she found herself gawking at all the things she had made. Obviously, she couldn't eat everything herself, and though she had spent the whole day trying to give them away, it was harder than it ought to have been. Sighing, she suddenly fell out of her chair when a soldier had come up to her. With a serious expression, he pressed his fist to his chest to greet her before elaborating on his presence.

"The master has called for you. Make your way to his office as soon as possible."

"Yes? Yes!"

Panicking, the (h/c) haired girl stood up quickly and straightened out her dress. As she followed close behind the soldier, her thoughts began to run a million miles an hour. In truth, though she was practically inseparable from Duran, his father was another matter altogether. He was fairly elusive, especially since he liked the battlefield even more than his son. In the year she had been there, she had perhaps seen him about three times, all of them in passing. So, obviously, her nerves were set ablaze.

As the door to the man's office opened, she straightened her back in order to appear better disciplined and waited for instructions. He murmured a faint "come in", ordering her to sit on the couch. She tried not to look at him too much, not knowing what kind of person he was, but, in the end, she gazed over at him in glimpses. Papers were spread across his desk, the brown-haired man scribbling quickly to sign his name on a page. They were probably propositions about other places that wanted their help. She pouted. Hopefully, Duran wouldn't have to leave again so soon.

Before long, the man seated himself across from her. Once more, she straightened her posture, giving a small smile - albeit a slightly terrified one. He gazed at her from top to bottom, inspecting her carefully. Giving a bit of a sneer with some form of disappointment for how she had shown up, she flinched. The man was not happy. Biting the bottom of her lip, she hung her head down in shame. She just hoped he wouldn't kick her out of the house. If he did that, she couldn't see Duran anymore.

In truth, in his opinion, the circumstances in his only son's marriage were far from ideal. After so much exchanging of money and favors, they had shipped them a sickly, underfed, weak girl who couldn't even take care of herself. Her country was clearly looking down on them, something he wasn't just going to sit there and take. Narrowing his eyes, he began to speak, his voice visibly making the girl tense in fear.

"I heard you spent the last few days in the kitchen. Couldn't you have used that time to learn something useful?"

"I-I'm sorry, sir. I'm not very talented at anything else."

The man furrowed his brows, crossing one leg over the other. Again, his expression was full of discontentment. He disliked her weak nature. As such, he clapped his hands together, a chest brought to him by a soldier of his. The individual presented it not to his master, but to the younger girl, encouraging her to open it. Fearful of what kind of punishment her future father-in-law would place on her, she raised its top slowly. Petrified at the sight of a gun placed in the velvet interior, she shook, gazing up at the man with a quivering lip.

"Stand up. Walk over there and look straight ahead."

The (h/c) haired girl's legs almost gave out from underneath her. As she followed his instructions, she felt herself inching closer to death with each step. Nonetheless, she did exactly as she was told, taking the gun from the chest as the soldier motioned to do. The individual then stepped back before turning her attention to a target a few feet across from her. Her hands quaked violently as Duran's father spoke again.

"Shoot it," he demanded.

Fearing what may happen if she were to miss, she tried to steady herself first. It was a given that he was testing her. She knew he hated her family and especially despised her country for reasons that were obvious. They liked to scam them out of their wages, using them as a free band of troops for their expeditions. It was for a similar reason that she was sent to be wed to his son despite his protests.

"If this was war, you would be dead by now!" he suddenly shouted, making the girl tense further, "Do not hesitate! You gain nothing from it!"

"Ye...Yes, sir."

Trying to line the gun up with the target, she slowly inched her finger on the trigger. It was anyone's guess if she would make it, and the confidence she had in herself was no more than a droplet. Still, it was better than doing nothing. So, she clicked the trigger as quickly as she could, closing her eyes. As the bullet lodged itself in the wall, nowhere near the target, she fell to her knees. Duran's father immediately stood up, prompting her to shut her eyes. If she had to die, she would rather not have seen it coming.

"Your aim was terrible and your reaction to missing, even worse. To think I have been given a daughter-in-law as horribly trained as this. Those bastards...Well, it's no matter. I will fix this...situation."

Squeezing her eyelid down tighter, she grabbed at her dress. She wasn't sure he would make it painless, but, at the very least, it would only be temporary. Sooner or later, the pain would go away. As she prepared herself for death more and more, she suddenly heard a shrill pitch, making her yelp in fear. And when she felt something on her head, her trembling only increased ten-fold.

That was when she felt something soft in her hand. Opening her eyes in surprise, she found a yellow bird nuzzled in the palm of her hand. Confused, she darted her eyes up to her future father-in-law before seeing a peculiar expression on his face. He looked...embarrassed. With his head turned away, he pressed a fist to his lips, murmuring something under his breath. Regardless, no sign of malice resided in his features. The warrior gazed at her as if encouraging her to say something.

"Is this...a bird?"

"Obviously!"

That was when she realized something.

"I felt it was my responsibility to keep your spirits up despite your terrible aim. Keep shooting."

Translation: It's important to learn how to defend yourself, so keep up the good work and more gifts will be yours.

She gazed up in awe at the man. When she had come to the country in the first place, the man was terribly intimidating to her, a small defenseless thing. Even when she and Duran had become lovely-dovey, she was very much scared of him. She had believed him to dislike her for forcing his son into a marriage he never agreed to. However, in fact, he was just like his son, both of them possessing the same aura of a devil but possessing the heart of an angel.

The girl's bottom lip trembled and she began to cry. As she did so, the man visibly panicked. Though he did his best to hide it, holding a rigid look on his face, she could see tears welling up in his eyes as well. (Y/n) then smiled brightly, thanking the man humbly. She had misjudged him, and she was regretful of it. The next time she saw him, she would not run away and would not cower in fear.

"Quit acting like a child, suck it up, and go eat something sweet."

Translation: Return to the elegant lady you usually are and go eat your favorite food to cheer up. I don't want to see you crying.

"Yes, father!"

The girl promptly bowed and exited the room with her newly gifted pet cupped in her hands. It left the man with a heart attack. As soon as she was out of sight and the doors closed, he collapsed to the floor, hand gripping on his chest. His servants rushed to his side in worry, but he shrugged them off with a teary look in his eyes. He shone radiantly as if he had just been blessed by a little fairy.

"F-Father," he repeated, that word echoing in his head the entire week.

The (h/c) haired girl had been cheerful the entire week as well, taking special care of the bird her father-in-law had given her. She fed it herself and had a gorgeous cage made for it, ending up naming him "Kiwi". Word got around about her doting on the pet, and while the man should have been happy about his gift being so well appreciated, he only sulked as the days passed. Soon enough, however, she sought to return the favor, a knock sounding on the doors to his study.

The brunette panicked as his assistant told him who it was. He began redoing his hair, straightening his tie and broach, and even making sure that his desk wasn't too messy. When he was finally "ready", he gave a shaky nod and pretended not to notice as his daughter-in-law entered. She was carrying with her a tray, covered with a silk cloth, fascinating the male greatly. He wondered what she prepared for him.

"Coming in unannounced is just like Aleron bastards. Do not do this again."

Translation: You must give me more time to get ready. I almost fainted from stress.

"I apologize, father," A flinch. "I just baked some sweets, so I wanted to get them to you as soon as possible. They taste better right out of the oven."

Taking off the cover, the (h/c) haired girl presented her hard work, showing the small cakes, cookies, and tea she had made for him. For a moment, his face lit with excitement, but to mask it, he turned his head away and coughed, placing his hand over his mouth. He also attempted to stifle the joy he saw when the bird he gifted her bounced along the table. With a shy and yet somehow gruff disposition, the man extended part of a cookie to the small thing after blowing on it, glowing as it pecked happily at it.

"You should try some, too, father!" the girl beamed, doing the same to the man.

He stared at it for a while with an agape mouth, pondering her actions. She seemed to want to feed him, a sweet thought that would never have come to a Khotyx resident. In fact, it would have been considered an arrogant action. That being said, the man loved the girl like his own, so he was willing to do anything to make her happy. Glaring at the servants and guards, he dared them to watch as he accepted the forkful of cake from her. He munched on it slowly, savoring the flavor and the love baked into it.

"How is it?" she chirped, the small yellow bird tapping its feet around the table for more treats, "I didn't know your preferences, so I tried to make it less sweet than usual. Is it still too sugary for your liking?"

"I am not a weakling to cringe at sweetness. You may dump a whole barrel into one cookie for all I care."

Translation: I love sweet things. Please bake more things for me.

"I'm glad! Then...I also wanted to thank you for Kiwi'.She has been a constant source of companionship for me in Duran's absence."

"If a mere bird can occupy your thoughts, surely you are in need of a companion with a head on their shoulders. Out of pity, I shall provide you access to my office at any time."

Translation: I can be just as good as my son, if not better. Come and visit me whenever you'd like. It would make me happy.

The (h/c) haired girl smiled wider, the man's heart skipping a bit. He had never had a daughter and though he loved his wife, she was more aggressive than anything. Having such a sweet little fairy as a daughter-in-law was a constant boon to him. As such, he was finally able to do the things he'd only heard about. The man began inviting all kinds of crafters over to the territory, coming as a large shock to the unsuspecting girl.

He would sit in the corner and sip some of her tea while making her pick out jewels, dresses, and other gifts. Kiwi would often sit with him, somehow at ease when he would nuzzle her feathers with his finger. Though (Y/n) was shy in receiving the gifts, in the end, the man always bought as much as possible to spoil her. At some point, he had decided that inviting people to the mansion was not nearly as fun as going out with her to the surrounding cities and walking around the market with her.

The man would even hold an umbrella over her to protect her from the desert sun, something she always shyly appreciated. The two would spend the day going around to different shops, including a bakery that they idolized. Though the man would always believe her treats were the most delicious because they were made with love, spending time with her was just as incredible as eating her sweets. He would even be willing to enter a lady's shop if it meant he could accompany her.

For the next three weeks, the man was in paradise, spending time and money on his precious daughter-in-law. And though his words never softened, the meaning behind them was always about his love for her. At times, he wished she was born his daughter instead of being given his son. Then again, he supposed it was better it was the way it was. Otherwise, she may have been sent away when she found someone she loved and wanted to get married. However, because she was married to Duran, she would be with him until the day he died. He planned to spend those years doting on her all the way.

When Duran finally returned, he did so with haste, even sprinting into the mansion before the girl was able to come out to welcome him. In fact, she was in the middle of her daily snack time with his father and Kiwi, the three of them at peace. When the brunette heard the news that his wife was with his father, he panicked, knowing of the man's massive distaste for her country and its people. Bursting into the study, he screamed out the girl's name before tackling her. In doing so, the cup of tea she was holding was spilled all over her, the girl flinching at the lukewarm feeling.

Within an instant, the male's father unsheathed his sword and pointed it at his son's neck. The brunette narrowed his eyes as he hugged his wife tightly, thinking he was protecting her. That was when he heard a loud chirp, resting his eyes on a yellow bird aggressively "shouting" at him. He didn't recall ever having purchased her a pet, and she wouldn't have purchased one herself because she was worried about the rules of the house. Confused, he tilted his head, his father pulling him off of the girl.

"Let go of me! How dare you force such a weak, defenseless girl to sit alone while you intimidate her!"

Translation: Leave my wifey alone! Only a bastard would make someone as precious as her cower under your strength!

"Your accusations are as baseless as your common sense."

Translation: N/a

"I thought you despised Alerons!

Translation: N/a

"I loathe those bastards! Just look at the wife they pushed onto you! She is weak and pathetic, prone to collapsing should the wind blow on her! They have mocked us with her poor state of being, and in doing so, insulted us greatly! There is no reason I should like them! And yet you tackle her like a savage animal!"

Translation: I do! They have failed to give this fairy the strength she needs to survive. Look at her body! She could get sick at any moment because of the torture they inflicted on her. I despise them for weakening her so and not even teaching her how to defend herself! But still, you push her over without care for the tea in her hands which could have scalded and scarred her!

Duran blushed, looking away as he gritted his teeth. His father was right about his carelessness. Turning to the (h/c) haired girl, he quickly threw his arms around her, holding her tightly. Even if she was weak in the standards of Khotyx, she was entirely too precious to him. He hoped to earn her forgiveness, beginning to peck her on the forehead with kisses. It was a rare display of affection in front of others from him. Her face turned completely red, the girl interlocking her fingers with his.

"Welcome home," she chuckled, sitting him down next to her and leaning on his shoulder, "Would you like to join us?"

"What kinds of bribes have my father promised you for you to present your bombs of sugar? How dare you betray me."

Translation: Don't let my father take your affection for me away with gifts. I should be the only one that gets your delicious treats!

"I love you, too Duran," the girl mumbled, kissing the male on his cheek to his absolute delight, "but your father is my father now, so I must love him as well! We get along so well!"

The brunette froze in place at the sound of that word. He placed his hand on her head for an awkward amount of time before shoving her out of the room and demanding she get more treats. The male then closed the door shut before turning to his father with a serious expression. The man nuzzled the yellow bird before sighing and taking out a letter with a look of hatred. He handed it to his son, letting him read over it. Though it took him a while, the male trying to translate the foreign language's strange writing system, when he understood the contents, he ripped it to shreds.

"Keep your composure. You're like a child, and not in a pleasant way."

Translation: I'm infuriated, too, but calm down. You're not as cute as my daughter when you throw a tantrum.

"She is mine. Every single part of her."

Translation: N/a

"You may challenge me at any point in time. Should you win, I will relinquish my title and leave your wife alone. However, we both know I would rip you to shreds, so stay humble."

Translation: N/a

"How dare this bastard! He treated a tiny thing like dirt under his feet, but now, he suddenly wants to see her?! Does he plan on pushing her to slaughter like a breeding sow?!"

Translation: I despise wifey's father. He probably plans on coming here and forcing her to have a child with me. I won't let it happen.

The girl's father was never a kind man. He was greedy and ambitious, pushing his only child off to be sold to another country. Even if it ended up stopping the war between them, he didn't do it for such noble reasons, only volunteering his daughter as a sacrifice to raise his own status in their king's eyes. Of course, it was his demand to her as she left that she must have Duran's child within the year. He promised her he would show her undying affection if she could, something she had always yearned for, but the brunette refused to give him the pleasure.

And yet, now, the man had sent word that he would be visiting to see his daughter. He was clearly planning on torturing her mind into mindlessly mating with the brunette. And though they could deny him, the (h/c) haired girl would have been infuriated with them, and neither of them were willing to receive the silent treatment for upwards of a month. Silently gazing at one another, they clenched their fists, coming to an unspoken agreement. They would do all they could to punish this man for harming their precious little fairy.