Heian Period, in the late 700's

"Otou-sama, why?" Mimi cried out, her eyes full of questions.

"Why would you let me marry someone that easily? I don't want to leave you alone."

Her father's eyes hardened. "Child, you are no longer a girl. You are a woman and you need to settle down. Forget about me. Be happy, have your own family and rear children. It would be better that way."

"But I'm not happy at all!" Mimi said, unconsciously raising her voice.

Her father frowned and his eyes looked away from her. She went to embrace him as she cried on his shoulders.

"Please.. Let me stay with you some more. Then I promise I'll get married, Otou-sama. I'll marry, Muzan-sama. Create a family with him and have children just like what you wanted so please... Otou-sama.. before all of that. Let me take care of you. You're the only family I have left."

"Will this make you happy?" He asked her. Mimi frantically nodded.

"I see. "She heard him whisper yet deep inside, she knows that it was his own way of saying he was also happy.

"You really are like Yori. "

Mimi just held on his father and for a few days, she stayed with him.

That was until she received a letter of summon from Muzan.

"Muzan-sama wants you to stay with him in his household. We have discussed this before. This is so the two of you can get to know each other before he decides to marry you. He has already chosen you, child."

Mimi pursed her lips. "Otou-sama, I will go... but I will ask Muzan-sama to let me visit you. "

"Mimi--"

She cut him off. "Otou-sama, please.." She outright begged him as she held his hands.

"Please.."

Her father kept quiet for a long time before he nodded. His child's devotion to him was boundless and he regretted ever being a burden to her.

"Otou-sama, I'll be back. I promise you. So please don't forget to take your medicine. Eat your meals properly and sanitize your hands. If something happens, I will immediately head over so please don't forget to write a letter. "Those were her last words to her father before she was escorted back to the Kibutsuji household by Muzan's servants.

Muzan's household was ever the luxurious one. His paintings and decorations were no doubt expensive and as a daughter of a merchant, Mimi knows when something is worth as heavy as gold or as heavy as air.

She bit her lip as she stared at all the expensive stuff. She was escorted to her room while the servants carefully dolled her up before meeting their master.

"Kimiko-sama, Lord Muzan has requested that you join him for dinner. "Mimi could only nod before sighing.

The servants once again guided her to Muzan. She bowed her head before entering the room.

"Greetings, Muzan-sama. I am here as requested. "

Muzan's placid voice spoke and even the simple tone of his voice was enough to make her feel uncomfortable.

"Welcome. Take a sit and join me. I've told my servants to prepare the best dishes for you. I can guarantee that you will enjoy them. "

Mimi sat infront of Muzan and smiled. "Muzan-sama is too kind. I am grateful. "

He blinked at her and the way his eyes stared at her with intensity made her uncomfortable once again.

"Muzan-sama..?"

He took a sip on his cup before speaking.

"This is the second time I've seen your smile. Mimi, you look more beautiful that way. "

Mimi nervously took the chopsticks and started poking at her food.

"A-Ah.. Thank you for the compliment, Muzan-sama. "

He smirked at her and took another sip on his cup.

"I see that you're still uncomfortable. You don't need not worry. I won't touch you without your consent. You will be my wife soon afterall. "

The chopsticks on her hand fell with a clatter. Her cheeks flushed red as she hastily recovered them.

"It seems you're still not used to the idea. "Muzan said impassively as he poked at his food.

"I just don't understand, Muzan-sama. We barely know each other and I've only met you three times. Why would you marry someone like me?" Mimi asked. She was nervous to hear his answer. Muzan was an unpredictable man and the way he always stared at her made her uneasy.

"I have my reasons. And you're not like the rest of the women I've encountered. "He said in an amiable manner. "There's also your father who was very good at convincing me. However, I chose you not because of your father but because of other reasons. You enchant me."

Mimi could not fathom how he could say that so nonchalantly. His words were touching and she was glad that he didn't agree to this marriage just because her father offered him to.

Mimi felt like a burden was lifted from her chest.

Muzan then gestured at the servants to clean their dishes. They hastily did what he ordered without interrupting them.

"Come. "Muzan said as he outstretched his hand towards her. Mimi's eyes stared at his open palm before placing her hand on his.

He softly squeezed her hand and Mimi felt like he was silently reassuring her.

"Join me for a walk in my garden." He said with a smile.

Mimi bowed her head at his direction, a few strands of her hair falling to her face."Of course, Muzan-sama. "

Mimi was still nervous but Muzan treated her gently while they strolled his garden in a silent manner. They didn't speak to each other but their presence together made them comfortable.

Muzan then stopped and gestured for her. Mimi blinked in surprise before she hesitantly slipped her hand away and approached the flowers.

Her eyes slowly widen in surprise as she stared at the plants.

"So pretty..." She whispered under her breath when she saw fireflies coming over.

"They are, aren't they?" Muzan asked and she couldn't help but nod her head, entranced by the glowing bugs that she was seeing.

Her lips parted in awe and unconsciously, Mimi stood behind Muzan, holding onto his hand once more as she basked in the sight.

"Muzan-sama, this is beautiful." She said with glee. Muzan squeezed their hands together softly.

"As my gift to you, this garden is now yours. "

Mimi gasped and she looked at the young lord with surprise in her face.

He lifted his chin and eyed her. "You're the only person who has ever appreciated this place other than me. It is only right that I give this garden to you."

"Thank you, Muzan-sama.." Mimi muttered in shock but she quickly composed herself.

"But I d-don't have a gift for you..."

Muzan smiled at her before placing a delicate hand on her cheek.

"Let me see... A smile would suffice." He told her in a charming tone. To her surprise, his request was so simple that gracing him with a sweet smile was too effortless on her part.

Mimi softly squeezed their intertwined hands as she gazed at him. Her lips twitched slightly before she finally graced him with a smile that told him how grateful she was for his hospitality.

Muzan's penetrating gaze at her response was enough to make her feel somewhat embarrassed.

"Don't look away." Muzan said in a firm tone. "Your smile... it's refreshing just like these flowers."

"Muzan-sama..."

Muzan leaned closer to her and he placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. Mimi fluttered her eyes closed as he held her in a silent embrace.

He was warm and filled with comfort, a different kind of warmth that could ease any person's burden. And frankly, Mimi was selfish enough to embrace him back, relishing in this feeling that would probably disappear soon.

But if Muzan was actually this warm, then Mimi would have no problem marrying him even if things were happening faster than normal. She has never felt so safe in her life whole before.