Watashi no Shiawase na Kekkon - Volume 1 - Chapter 14

Chapter 14 - A gift for Danna-sama

In the morning, after Miyo sent Kiyoka off as per normal, she stopped Yurie to discuss something with her.

"What's the matter, Miyo-sama?"

"Erhm, there's something I'd like to consult you on."

"Oh my my."

What could it possibly be about? Yurie gave her a smile like she was delighted by the fact that Miyo had something to discuss with her.

Then, they sat face-to-face and Miyo cut straight to the point.

"Actually... I was thinking of giving something to Danna-sama."

"Oh my!"

That's right, Miyo was currently feeling very troubled.

She had been agonising over this ever since she received an expensive comb after returning from their outing.

And... it's not just the comb. On the day Kiyoka invited her out, she had received so many things from him. Simply helping out around the house was not enough, it was important to express feelings of gratitude in words. Other than that, Miyo wanted to give those feelings a form.

However, she hadn't got any idea of what to give him. In the first place, given her situation, it's not like she could give him anything too costly, but would that end up troubling him?

She couldn't come up with an answer no matter how much she racked her brains over it, so she decided to seek Yurie's advice.

"What kind of present do you think would make Danna-sama happy?"

She generally didn't have much of a budget.

While she did have some money that her father gave her when she left the Saimori house, it wasn't a lot and she had planned on keeping it for emergencies. But...

"The budget is really small... It's not really sufficient to purchase anything too costly for Danna-sama..."

"Ah yes, I see. Well, I think you could take this chance to give him something he can use normally."

"Yes."

"Then, Miyo-sama could make him a handmade gift."

Something handmade.

Miyo had considered that as well, that if she couldn't get anything, she would have to make it. However...

For someone like Kiyoka who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, she feared his eyes would have been spoilt by the luxuries around him and whatever she made might be seen as trash.

Though there was nothing she could do if he really thought that way. But she couldn't help but hope that he would like her gift.

After all, she's received nothing but joy ever since she came here.

When she expressed those thoughts, Yurie's smile deepened.

"You really are so kind and caring, Miyo-sama... It's alright, Bocchan would never think that way. I'm sure he would be pleased to receive anything made by you."

"Is that really so?"

"Un, that's right."

Receiving such strong affirmation from Yurie, it somehow made Miyo think that it would really be okay. It must be so, for someone who virtually raised Kiyoka to state it with such confidence.

"But what can I make..."

"Oh, that's it!"

Yurie hurriedly went off somewhere before returning with a book in her hands.

"How about choosing something from here?"

It was a book with tutorials for beginners on how to make small items.

(It might work if it's this...)

All the items in the book could be made with spare materials and don't seem to take a long to put together.

Considering that she had to get this ready before the truth comes out, she felt that the level of difficulty was reasonable.

"Please tell Yurie once you've made your choice. I will do my best to assist you."

"I understand, thank you."

She should put the book away first for the time being.

Once Miyo was done with the morning chores with Yurie, she went back to her room and started deliberating over the gift.

"Amazing... It's so pretty..."

The book was filled with beautiful hand-drawn illustrations that made the steps easy to understand. Just looking at them made Miyo get all kinds of excited.

"Pouches are convenient. Ah, a handkerchief might be good too."

As she flipped through the pages, she was dazzled by the vast variety of options. Then, her hand stopped on a page.

"This..."

It was a hair tie.

It's multiple colourful threads woven together. The vibrant, detailed drawings almost resembled a blooming flower34. Even in print, it was absolutely stunning and eye-catching. She was certain that such delicate designs would surely look good on Kiyoka.

If it's this, she should have sufficient budget for it and it's also practical.

(This is it.)

Although Miyo didn't know if she would be able to recreate this gorgeous item in real life, she didn't have other options in mind to fall back on.

When Miyo informed Yurie of her decision, she nodded her head in agreement.

It's just that, now it means she has to go out shopping.

Miyo tried asking him about it when Kiyoka returned home from work.

"Danna-sama, may I go out one of these days?"

"...What happened? Are you short of something?"

Perhaps it was just her imagination, but Kiyoka seemed worried. He probably remembered how unaccustomed she was to the life here just a few days back.

"Yes, there's something I'd like to purchase...Is it not okay?"

"No, not at all. It’s fine but will you be going alone?"

"No, Yurie-san will be accompanying me."

She had already asked Yurie who gladly agreed.

"Won't it be dangerous?"

"I think... it should be alright."

"...Can't I accompany you?"

Kiyoka knitted his brows together. As grateful as she was for his concern, he just appeared a tad bit overprotective.

-—Though of course, Miyo had no way of knowing that Kiyoka was being wary of thee unusual movements by some ability users.

"N-No, it’s really okay."

She'd feel bashful if he were to find out what she was planning and she couldn't possibly take up any time from his busy schedule. Although she could definitely see him saying that it's no trouble and accompanying her.

"Is that so?"

Kiyoka sighed, looking a bit disappointed. Surely, this must also have been her imagination.

"Be careful and don't leave with strangers"

"...I know that. You're exaggerating, Danna-sama"

Such was common sense. After all, Miyo was not a child. Besides, she was only going to get some inexpensive thread with Yurie. It shouldn't take them too long. Plus, since she had Yurie around, they shouldn't meet with any danger.

And with that, Miyo started looking forward to the day of shopping.

She was also looking forward to picking out threads for the first time. Once she purchased it, she'll immediately return home and start braiding the threads. She had decided to give Kiyoka a hair tie. This should be a suitable gift for Kiyoka who had long hair.

Ah, she couldn't help but feel the excitement well up in her chest.

On the morning of her little outing with Yurie, Kiyoka handed her a small pouch the size of her palm with a stern expression on his face.

"This is..."

"An amulet. Bring it along with you when you leave."

"T-Thank you very much."

No matter how much she scrutinised over it, it looked just like any other amulet one could obtain from a shrine.

But since it was something given by the best of the best amongst ability users, perhaps there may actually have some effects to it.

Though, wasn't he being a little overdramatic? She was only going to be out for two, at most, three hours.

"Make sure you don't leave it behind and keep it on your person at all times."

"Yes."

Miyo, who had her head tilted to the side, confused by Kiyoka's actions, was blissfully oblivious to the unpleasant reunion awaiting her in the city later that day.

★ ★ ★

"Okaa-sa~n, there's a letter for yo~u"

"Yes, ye~s."

Meanwhile, in a village where the nearest station was a 30 minutes train ride from the Imperial City, a mother received a letter from her six-year-old daughter.

"Who is it from?"

Flipping to the back of the envelope, the sender's name was clearly written:

—Kudou Kiyoka.

"Kudou... sama?T-That Kudou-sama?"

That's the name of one of the most prestigious families in the country. Even a common farmer has heard of that name. Yet, why would a commoner like her receive a letter from someone this important?

She looked at the envelope skeptically and checked that it was indeed her name written in the front.

"Just what on earth is going on..."

It seemed like an urgent letter. She opened the letter to confirm the contents of the letter written on high-quality paper in elegant handwriting.

"Ojou-sama, please wait for me. I'll be by your side soon."

The woman said anxiously and in a few days time, she hurriedly set out on her journey to the Imperial City.