Watashi no Shiawase na Kekkon - Volume 1 - Chapter 17

Chapter 17 - The Saimoris

Kiyoka was visiting Miyo’s maiden home—the Saimori residence.

Although he was worried when he heard that Miyo wanted to go out, he decided to leave her with Yurie while he took a break from work himself to visit the Saimoris.

The Saimori family lived in a large mansion near the edge of the Imperial City in a rather populated residential area.

Compared to the Kudou family home which was a western-style mansion, built by the previous generation, the Saimori residence was a pure traditional Japanese house. This property had probably been around since before the Emperor moved from the former capital to the current Imperial City. It was a fine piece of classical Japanese architecture.

-—Although, unlike its appearance on the outside, the inside was unsightly and rotten beyond belief.

Servants were already at the gate ready to receive him when Kiyoka arrived and he was invited in with a strangely respectful attitude.

"We've been expecting you, Kudou-dono."

The head of the Saimori family, Saimori Shinichi, came to the entrance to welcome Kiyoka personally. Although he wasn’t being overly obvious in trying to cozy up to Kiyoka in his expression or attitude, it was clear that he was trying to please the latter.

(...What a warm welcome.)

They should be more than aware that his fiance was the daughter they had been abusing and oppressing for years. If they are thinking of leaving a good impression on him now, there'd be nothing stranger than that. Since a long time ago, the impression Kiyoka had for this family based on the way they conducted themselves had fallen so low that nothing they did could help redeem themselves in his eyes.

Well, from their perspective, Miyo's existence was lower than dirt, she didn't matter to anyone, including Kiyoka.

No, they've probably forgotten the fact that they kicked her out of the house.

Either way, Kiyoka felt disgusted.
"...I apologise and thank you for the welcome despite my sudden visit."

Kiyoka somehow managed to suppress all the negative emotions welling up in him that might explode if he let up even a little but his expression still hardened. As he thought, he couldn't make himself appear friendlier.

"I should be the one thanking you, we're greatly honoured by your visit. Please, come inside, Kudou-dono."

After being prompted, Kiyoka followed behind Shinichi down the corridor.

On the way, he happened to pass by Shinichi's wife, and her figure reflected in his line of sight.

He couldn't tell much just from her silently standing figure. However, just the thought of all the terrible things this woman wearing the mask of a seemingly virtuous wife had been doing to Miyo, he felt incredibly irked.

Once they arrived at the living, they sat facing one another and Shinichi was the first to speak.

"And so, Kudou-dono, may I know the reason for your visit?"

"...It's regarding your daughter, Miyo."

When Kiyoka informed Shinichi while looking straight into the latter's eyes, Shinichi's shoulders tense up and furrowed his brows.

"Did that girl do something?"

(What?)

What kind of stupid question was that?

And that expression like they could never dream of being criticised for their actions.

But perhaps, that was just how parents were.

Kiyoka's mother might never be able to guess that she was partly to blame for his failure at finding a marriage partner.

Although that may be the case, their actions were still unforgivable.

"I wish to be formally engaged to her with the intent of marriage in the future."

"......Is that so?"

Though he was rather puzzled, Shinichi still nodded his head.

On the other hand, Kanoko, who was seated in a corner of the room, held her breath as her eyes rounded in shock.

"Yes. Hence, I think it's better for us to clarify the relationship between our families."

"Hmm... what do you mean by relationship?"

"Technically, for families like ours, marriages are established on the basis of similar interests. However, I am rather reluctant to give you any form of benefit in this union."

Kiyoka expressed it in a roundabout way, but that was the most he could say at the moment.

He couldn't say it clearly, after all, how could he give them the satisfaction of knowing that after what they've done.

"W-What do you mean by that?"

"You still don't understand?"

Kiyoka's eyes gradually pulled into a piercing glare, causing Shinichi to break off eye contact.

"...You mean to say that the Kudou family won't be giving our family anything? But—"

Kiyoka raised a hand to stop Shinichi who was trying to argue with him.

Originally he had planned on cutting the ties Miyo had with the Saimori family without telling her. To the outside, he could just say that she's a member of the Kudou family. As for the pledge, he'll be the one to write it.

However, in that case, even if he saved her heart, he won't be able to get back at them for all the pain they've put her through.

And Miyo might be trapped in those horrible memories forever unable to break free, so..

"I have conditions."

".."

"If you sincerely apologise to Miyo in person, I can consider preparing some betrothal money."

Shinichi clenched his fists while Kanoko's expression turned grim as she gritted her teeth.

As a family of a line of ability users, the Saimori family had been going on a downhill.

This is because the birth rate of ability users had been decreasing, making it increasingly difficult for them to carry out their duties as given by the Emperor. —In fact, as compared to the Kudou family, the strength of their abilities was much lower.

It seems like they've managed to maintain their status and living standards with the savings they have accumulated in the past. But given the way that things were, they were only going to continue going on a decline.

Considering the future state of things, Shinichi probably had the mentality of getting money and anything else he can lay his hands on.

"Something like an apology..."

"Of course, I can't force you if you're unwilling, but you'll have to cut off all ties with Miyo. Do keep in mind that I know basically everything thing you've done to her."

Kanoko's eyes were glued onto Shinichi as she muttered "Danna..."

(You reap what you sow.)

Even if they are parent and child in name, it's impossible for him to give her a proper apology. For a family like that, even if they apologised to Miyo, building a good relationship with her was already out of the question. Therefore, it was inevitable that they would be unable to apologise to her, welcoming this result.

At this point, they can struggle all they'd like but it would be to no avail.

"Please give me some time to mull over it."

That was the answer Shinichi gave.

"Alright, but don't make me wait too long."

"...Yes."

Kiyoka got up onto his feet without hiding his displeasure.

Perhaps it was because he was on tenterhooks due to Kiyoka's words, Shinichi's shoulder trembled slightly. And in contrast to the welcome he gave when Kiyoka arrived, he didn't get up to send the latter off.

★ ★ ★

When Saimori Kaya returned home, she could sense that the air was a little different from usual.

"Is there a guest?"

Ten to one there was a guest in the house, but honestly, this timing was a little annoying.

Currently, Kaya was feeling a little peeved.

She had suddenly bumped into her half-sister while out on the streets. To be honest, she didn't detest the idea of meeting Miyo, after all, she did get to ridicule her half-sister which put her in a good mood. However, Kaya's fiance, Kouji, tried to protect that half-sister of hers, in addition to the fact that she still hasn't been thrown out by the Kudou family. This all ticked her off.

Although that half-sister still hadn't been kicked out yet, based on her appearance, they likely didn't give a hoot about her and simply left her to care for her own.

Those were the thoughts Kaya kept telling herself to calm herself down but she still couldn't stop the irritation welling up inside her.

In Kaya's world, there was no way a Hower-classj person like Miyo who's been at the bottom her whole life could ever compare to herself, an rupper-classj person.

"Kaya, calm down a little—-"

"What? Aren’t you on Onee-sama's side anyway, Kouji-san? It's ok, you don't have to pretend to speak to me in a gentle voice."

Kaya was being disagreeable as Kouji, who had been walking by her side this whole time, didn't even notice that she was being upset.

"..."

(Why are you staying silent! Isn't this the time where you should deny it and say "There's no suchthing" !)

Plus, if he patted her on her head and spoiled her a little, she would've forgiven him.

As she thought, it might be better for her to rethink this marriage with someone as dense as Kouji.

As she reproached him inside her head with her head turned away from him, her fiance suddenly exclaimed "Ah!"

"What... Aiya? Is that the guest?"

Just as Kaya and Kouji passed through the main gate, they saw a tall man walking out from the entrance.

He looked pretty young and was dressed in military uniform. Perhaps he's from the military?

Out of common courtesy, that man bowed his head slightly at them.

As they passed by one another, the man suddenly lifted his head and met eyes with her.

(What a beautiful person...)

His narrowed eyes shone with a piercing and icy glint. The look he gave made one feel like they had been shot and wanted to curl up into a ball in a corner. However, the most stunning thing about him was his beautiful good looks.

Although his figure was slender yet elegant, one couldn't help but find him reliable. Every step he took was oozing with sophistication, drawing everyone's eyes onto him.

Kaya stood in a daze, watching as the man with the flowy long hair left.