Heian Period, in the late 700's

For once in his life, Muzan has never felt so irate than before. He was annoyed most of the time, either because of his servants or when things don't go his way.

Mimi refused to talk to him at all and although she sits with him during meals, she avoided eye contact with him at all costs. He knew that her father was very important to her but he never did imagine that she was this sentimental about it.

It irked him a lot. Their relationship was prospering and if he was fond of her before, he was even more intrigued and attached now because of how their interests matched so well.

In a way, Muzan couldn't understand why he was very lenient on Mimi and why he always strive to please her. He even gave his garden to her and his reason being that he wanted to see her smile again. He would have never expected himself to be so entranced by her and her personality.

He desired her, he liked being closer to her because of how warm she feels and how she would squeeze his hand back reassuringly and look at him with a soft gaze. He liked her voice and how perfect it was even though she was not a singer or entertainer like the ones in the red light district.

Mimi always did stir something inside of him that made her want her.

There weren't many times that she was angry or annoyed at him. In fact, this was the first time she had harbored any animosity towards Muzan since she was always so patient and considerate.

Muzan did try to invite her for a walk that night but she refused him and said she wasn't feeling fine at all.

Muzan was more annoyed than ever because he was trying and he didn't like it when he was refused.

He barged inside her room and shoved the shoji door open. As his eyes roamed the room, he noticed that she was sitting and reading a book. Her eyes were wide with surprise and her lips were parted slightly. Her hand was holding a page of the book as if she was in the middle of turning it.

Her lips morphed into a frown and her eyes gazed at him with intent.

"Muzan-sama... it is very improper for a man to enter a woman's quarters unannounced.. especially at night." It wasn't the way she said it that annoyed him. No, it was how she looked so relaxed yet wary of him while giving him a disapproving look as if he had just crossed a line that he wasn't supposed to cross.

The irony...

His lips pursed.

"You are like a child. I do not care for something like that. I am the lord of this house and you are my betrothed. I will do what I want. "

Mimi stood up after hearing his words and she slowly walked towards him.

"Muzan-sama... I am your betrothed but that doesn't give you the right to be... unreasonable. "She said the last word after a short pause. Her eyes fluttered towards him to meet his gaze

"This is your house but this is my quarters and I am entitled to have my privacy. Even if I am your betrothed, this is out of the line. If you really wanted me to accompany you tonight, you need just ask but I cannot promise that I will enjoy it. I am still unwell."

Muzan's eyes narrowed and he gritted his teeth at the silent implication of how displeased she was.

"Mimi, stop this childish nonsense and just come with me." He said intensely, barely keeping his temper in check.

Mimi turned her head to the side.

"Muzan-sama, if you can't even ask me properly then there is no way that I am agreeing to this. Atleast invite me without looking like you're going to shout at me in the face. "

'Why this woman--'

Muzan turned around and inhaled deeply before exhaling. His hands shook but he managed to calm himself down.

He turned back to face her again. Mimi was staring at him expectantly and through gritted teeth, he invited her once more in a more courteous manner.

She raised a brow before stepping out of her room and extending her hand.

Muzan immediately took her hand and led her to her garden. They walked in silence and the familiar comfort they usually feel around each other was gone and replaced by an awkward atmosphere.

Mimi stared ahead without saying anything and even after arriving to their favorite meeting spot, she was quiet and demure.

Muzan's foul mood only worsened at the situation. He really couldn't understand why this one woman could make him feel like this.

If he so desired, it would have been easy to kick her out of his house and look for another bride. But he didn't. He kept her by his side and even gave her his precious garden.

What was it about her? Her smile? Her words? Her pretty face? Or the way she always looked so gentle and understanding towards him?

He clenched his fists tightly and gritted his teeth while staring at the ground. He couldn't believe that he was reduced to feeling like this for a single woman.

It was so unlike him.

His fists clenched even tighter to the point that he was seconds away from drawing blood.

Soft hands suddenly touched his shaking fists and he looked up to see that Mimi was fixing him with a stare.

She was frowning at him and he almost frowned back. She always did possess some kind of power behind her stare as if the mere act of staring was enough to convey all the things she wanted to say.

"Muzan-sama... I don't want to hear Otou-sama getting insulted again. Is that okay?" She asked in a soft manner as she gently pried his fists open and stroked his palms soothingly. There was a noticeable color of red on his palm as if the angry marks left by his nails were mocking him.

Muzan watched the woman beside him as she calmed him down slowly. Her movements were so gentle, so typical of her..

"I can't make any promises. "He said, almost sneering but she gave him a sad smile and placed a small kiss on his cheek.

"That would be fine. "

His chest ached at the look she bestowed upon him. Silently, he held her cheek and stared at her eyes that were looking at him with understanding.

"I.."

"It is alright, Muzan-sama." She cut him off. "I understand.... I know that I have been quite selfish for not meeting with you properly and for ignoring your attempts. My Otou-sama is sick and frail, and yet he is my only family and my most precious person. I do not take it well when someone insults him.... so forgive me if my words and actions were too rash. I have been vey unfair to you. I have allowed my emotions to sway my actions. I cannot help it since Otou-sama is my world and as my father who has taken care of me since I was an infant, my love for him runs deep."

It would make sense. He knows how much she cares about the old merchant.

And unfortunately, despite her explanation, Muzan is still displeased by the fact that her affections for her father outweighed her affections for him, her betrothed.

It angered him that he would have to suffer like this, having to fight for her attention and competing with a sickly old man who was on the verge of drying.

He would not endure this kind of sick humiliation. He would not allow himself to be an option. Muzan would definitely do something about this particular problem if he was going to marry Mimi.

So behind a false smile, he told her that the matter was now settled and he would try his best not to shame her father.

Mimi, of course, believed his words and smiled at him as she said how grateful she was to hear his words. She once again apologized for her actions in a genuine manner that Muzan was also tempted to apologize but his pride as a noble was holding back. And simply because there was just no way that he was capable of making a mistake.

They embraced each other silently and Muzan could only smirk at the plan that was hatching inside his head.

They would get married, he would make sure of that and he would eliminate his problems very soon.

There was a reason why he was lord of the manor and why people revered and envy his power, and would sometimes offhandedly comment how ruthless he was.

And for a good reason.

Because he never did like to share.