M E R R Y

C H R I S T M A S

!!!!!!

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Heian Period, in the late 700's

"Sing for me. "Muzan told her when he was lying his head on her lap. They were on their favorite spot, her garden.

Mimi thought it would be nice to have a picnic but because of Muzan's condition, they were sitting on a small picnic blanket while quietly watching the stars. Fireflies surrounded them and although the night was cold, Mimi was warm because of her cloak.

Muzan was also the same and he even asked to lie his head on her lap. It was embarrassing at first but Mimi knows he was tired from attending a meeting this morning so she granted his request without complain.

She played with the lord's hair after asking for his permission and Muzan did not seem to mind. In fact, he felt relaxed under her touch.

"Muzan-sama.. I am not very good at singing. "Mimi softly admitted.

Muzan held her small hand and gave it a soft squeeze.

"I want to hear you sing. "He stated again.

Mimi sighed before deciding to humor him. Muzan found himself feeling a sense of peace at hearing her voice. Mimi was not a singer but she was close to one. Her voice was not angelic but it was mild and soft, like a mother singing a lullaby to her child.

He couldn't ask for more and he simply enjoyed their presence together while listening to her.

"Muzan-sama... I think I have bored you.. Forgive me for not meeting your expectations." Mimi stated as she bit her lower lip out of shame.

Muzan sat up and she stared at him, confused.

Muzan held her cheek the same way he used to hold her hand, soft and gentle as if he was trying his best not to hurt her accidentally.

Mimi involuntarily leaned closer to his hand, dazed to see his smiling face. Muzan was breathtaking and Mimi did not even question why he was very sought after by so many unmarried women.

He was handsome, rich and powerful. Muzan may seem arrogant and cruel but he knows how to be gentle and mild.

Mimi knows this because he always treats her gently and he only raises his voice when he's mad. He may seem spoiled but she knows that he's reasonable and he would often grant her requests.

Muzan just like her was also trying. He was also making an effort to get to know her which Mimi found very endearing. Not to mention they share the same fondness for flowers and herbs.

"Mimi, sing for me again."

Her eyes were wide at his request.

"But.."

Muzan squeezed her hand softly again. Although embarrassed, she weakly nodded before singing again.

Muzan doesn't berate her singing for the entire night. But instead, he listens attentively to her while holding her close.

The two of them would never admit it but they found solace in each other. It was as if two souls were parted for a millennia, only to reunite once more with a much stronger bond.

The next morning, Mimi did not meet with Muzan because she was told that he would be meeting with someone from another clan.

She was fine with it because truth be told, Mimi sometimes could not contain her growing emotions for the lord.

Her heart would beat fast when he's near and she craved for his touch. It felt like she was under his spell and at some point, she began to think if Muzan placed something on her food.

She couldn't like him this much already. It's only been a month or so that they're together. She met him two months ago but this immediate attraction to the lord was too abrupt for her since Mimi never felt anything like this for the opposite sex.

Mimi sighed. She would not dwell on this too much because the purpose of her staying with him was to get to know him and their setup was actually working.

Muzan and Mimi were growing closer but not to the point that Mimi could say they were head over heels for each other.

They were progressing and with more time, Mimi could grow to love him.

"Tell me about your father. "Muzan said when they were eating their dinner. It became a habit for the two of them to ask about each other during their meals so long as it was not out of the line.

Mimi couldn't help but smile at his question.

"My father, Otou-sama I call him. "She said with a very fond smile on her face which didn't go unnoticed by Muzan.

She looked really happy as she talked about her father.

"He means everything to me. Okaa-sama died when I was young so Otou-sama was tasked to raise me alone. He's the greatest father I could ever hope for. Busy he may be as a merchant, he always made time for me. "Mimi stated while reminiscing her childhood.

"Muzan-sama, my father is very important to me. He's a kind man and although protective, he has his reasons since I'm an only child. It's also one of the reasons why he wants me to marry soon. Otou-sama is very eager for me to settle down and its because he's afraid that I'll be left alone." She said while trying not to sound too shaky. "And yes... I suppose he's right. I'm afraid that I'll be left all alone."

'Otou-sama will leave me one day.'

The harsh truth that she was still not prepared to accept. It pained her deeply like an itch on her skin that would not go away no matter how much she scratches.

"Muzan-sama... please don't hate me. But I don't think I'll ever settle down knowing that Otou-sama is alll alone while I'm living in luxury. He is everything to me."

Mimi was not surprised to see Muzan's eyes squint towards her. Her words were like thorns that seem to hinder their growing relationship.

She fought the urge to cower away from the intensified look she was receiving.

Muzan stood up and he eyed her down. Mimi bit her lower lip as she met his gaze.

Would he hate her for choosing her father over their marriage?

Of course, he would.

All Mimi ever did was talk about her father and she knew Muzan was annoyed by her halved attention. But with the words she stated, he must've felt really pissed than usual.

Mimi waited for him to shout at her but his next words made her eyes wide with surprise.

"Bring him to me."

Mimi blinked owlishly.

"M-Muzan-sama..?"

His expression remained impassive at her questioning look.

"If you're so worried about him then bring him here. "

A beat of silence passed as Mimi released a shaky breath, fingers shaking uncontrollably.

A tear or two fell from her eyes once she was able to process his words. Mimi slowly stood up from her seat and walked towards Muzan. She wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his chest in a silent manner. She didn't say anything and neither did Muzan but she was shaking and trembling.

Her lips trembled as she embraced him, silently conveying how thankful she was. He didn't hug her back but he did placed a hand on her hair, softly stroking her head.

Tears continued to fall down her face and she closed her eyes solemnly.

What Mimi really liked about Muzan was the fact that he's always granting her small wishes. Although he's very annoyed at how much he needed to do to get her attention, Muzan was always rewarded with a gentle smile on Mimi's face.

A smile that made him feel vey fond of her. It was a simple smile but even though it was simple, it managed to make him feel lighthearted and calm.

It's as though he was being encouraged to let go of all the burden he was feeling just by seeing that smile. And he liked that a lot about her. Moreover, she was the only one who managed to be patient and considerate towards him.

They understood each other which was the key that started the spark between them.

A week or so has passed and Mimi's feelings towards Muzan grew. Her father was now living with them after Mimi came to visit him and she couldn't be any happier knowing that she would be able to take care of him now that they're together.

Her relationship with Muzan grew each day to the point that they would occasionally hold each other's hand everytime they're near each other. Oddly enough, he was much more attentive to her than usual as if he was waiting or expecting for something but Mimi simply brushed it off as nothing.

All that matters was the fact that she was happy with the man she adores and with her father whom she love so much.

Mimi knew that her father was very happy about her current relationship with Muzan, she could see it in his eyes with the way he listened to her as she told stories of her and Muzan together.

It was great progress yet eventually, all good things must come to an end.

Before she could even realize what happened, her whole world crumbled to pieces within a short amount of time. And as if to mock her, she was betrayed by the one person whom she grew to love.

Because when you love someone, you forget about their flaws and shortcomings.....

.....but fate is cruel and not everyone gets a happy ending.