「Nice to meet you, I am Saimori Miyo.」

She tried her best to prostrate as beautifully as she could on the tatami.

...It was obvious that she was unwelcomed, there was no need to confirm that. However, at the very least she didn't want to appear impolite. 

「...」

The man who might become her husband kept his eyes on the books on his desk. As if he didn't notice her presence. 

Miyo kept her head lowered, without moving a single muscle until she hears a sound. 

Unfortunately, she was used to being treated this way. Neglected and ignored. Besides, she felt that it was more appropriate for her to act this way, rather than behaving as she wished on a first meeting.

「How long are you going to stay like that?」

After a while, those were the words that came from above her head. Then, she raised her head and met his eyes for the first time before bowing her head once more.

「My deepest apologies.」

「...I didn't ask you to apologise.」

The beautiful fiancé sighed and asked her to raise her head.

Once again, Miyo laid her eyes on her fiancé, Kudou Kiyoka, a man with beauty beyond imagination. He had porcelain-like fair skin, faint tecoloured long hair and a pair of pale blue eyes. His overall look was already light-coloured, coupled with those delicate features, it gave off the illusion that he was not a man. 

Yet, there were rumours that he was ruthless and cold-hearted—— anyone he didn't like would be disposed of. 

However, one can't judge a book by its cover, Miyo thought. 

Though it was indeed a fact that there were a few women who gave up on marrying him within three days. Miyo had no other choice. She had no home to return to, nor did she have a safe haven to hide in. And thus, no matter how much suffering awaited her in the future, she could only stay in this place.

＊＊＊ 

「What's this!」

Shaa, a hot liquid fell on her face and chest. 

Miyo stuck her head onto the floor without groaning in pain or making any reaction.

「This is too bitter! I can't drink tea like this!」

「My deepest apologies!」

「Remake it immediately!」

The tea should have tasted the same as usual. However, she immediately understood that it was just her stepsister being unreasonable as she rushed to the kitchen like a servant.

「Geez, you can't even brew tea properly. Aren't you ashamed of yourself?」

「Really, what an ugly sight!」

(lilies: excuse you have you looked in the mirror??!!!??)

She could hear her stepmother and stepsister ridiculing her from behind, but pretended not to hear anything. Meanwhile, her father continued with his meal without a care. It's been like that for many years now and Miyo had long since stopped expecting anything of him. 

The Saimori family was a well-known family with a long history and Miyo was the first-born in that family. 

The union between her parents was a political one. Since the Saimori family was a line of ability users, this marriage was arranged under the intention of maintaining that special bloodline. Her father had a lover at that time, but regardless of how hard he fought and struggled, he couldn't defy the family's decision in the end. And reluctantly agreed to marry her mother. 

And so, Miyo was born from a loveless marriage. 

At the start, Miyo was certainly loved... probably... Although that memory was murky, she heard that her father was very gentle and her mother loved her dearly. However, when her mother died young due to her illness and her father remarried to his former lover. Everything changed. 

The stepmother hated Miyo, the daughter of the woman who tore her apart from her lover. Meanwhile, Miyo's father felt apologetic for agreeing to the arranged marriage, so he wouldn't say anything against her stepmother. And perhaps, the daughter, the love of his life bore for him was lovelier. Following the birth and growth of her stepsister, he gradually stopped caring for Miyo.

Kaya, the stepsister, was far more beautiful than Miyo and well-educated. In addition, she had Paranormal Vision1, that Miyo did not inherit. It didn't take long for her to start looking down on Miyo together with her stepmother.

Miyo would turn nineteen this year. If she were a lady from another good family, it would've been expected for her to be married already. However, for Miyo who was treated like a servant, her marriage was as good as non-existent. Since she doesn't get paid for the work that she does, she couldn't leave the house even if she wanted to. 

(lilies: she's treated even worse than a servant wtheck)

「Sorry to keep you waiting.」

She placed the re-brewed tea on Kaya's table. Her stepsister didn't say anything but humphed instead. 

Miyo was sure she would live the rest of her life quietly as a servant. So she had half given up on everything. 

Once the father, stepmother and stepsister were done with their breakfast, Miyo would clean up with the other servants and sweep the area at the main gate. 

She seldom did ch.o.r.es inside the house. The reason was that - should she inadvertently meet the stepmother or Kaya, they would order her around and things would get troublesome. The other servants were aware of that as well. Perhaps it was out of concern for her, Miyo would definitely be a.s.signed to wash clothes or clean up outside. 

「h.e.l.lo.」

Miyo was quietly cleaning outside when a visitor came in the middle of the day when the sun was the brightest. 

「Ah... h.e.l.lo, Kouji-san.」

Miyo bowed to the young man with droopy brows and a faint smile on his face. 

Kouji was the second son of the Tatsuis.h.i.+ family. Like the Saimori family, the Tatsuis.h.i.+ family had a long bloodline that inherited special abilities. He was also childhood friends with Miyo and Kaya. 

Most importantly, he treated Miyo like the daughter of the Saimori family. He was a kind man that was worth baring one's heart to. 

「The weather is nice and warm today.」

「Yes, it's a really great help as laundry would be able to dry quickly.」

He was the only person who she could have such small talks with now. He's tried to protect Miyo multiple times since her family began treating her like a servant. The result of that was the head of the Tatsuis.h.i.+ family reprimanding him 「Don't make comments about other people's families.」 Despite so, Miyo still saw him as her friend.

「Ah, this is just a little something from me. Please take it if you'd like.」

「...Sweets?」

Kouji handed me a beautifully coloured box.

「That's right. I'm sorry, it's the western sweets that are currently in trend. I heard they spoil easily.」

「Please don't apologise. Thank you very much. I will share it with the other servants.」

「Un, please do that.」

At this point, Miyo suddenly noticed that something was up. 

「Is something happening today?」

Kouji's appearance today seemed more well-put-together than usual. It was rare for him to come in a western suit. In response to Miyo's question, Kouji's expression turned dark as he awkwardly looked away. 

「Ah, um, well... I have some important b-business with your father.」

His att.i.tude was unusual as well. While he had a rather quiet personality, he was someone that spoke clearly. As Miyo lightly tilted her head in confusion, Kouji hurriedly rushed into the mansion saying 「I'll see you later.」

She immediately wondered what on earth was going on. But swiftly went back to cleaning, thinking that it had nothing to do with her. 

Miyo was the eldest daughter of the Saimori family. However, her pedigree was all there was to her. Other than that, she was not well-educated, had no talent nor good looks, she was no different from the daughters of poor families. The world she lived in couldn't be more different than Kouji's.

After a while, a servant came out of the mansion to call Miyo.

「Miyo-san, Dannsama is calling for you.」

(lilies: Danna = master)

「Eh?」

「He said to go to the living room immediately.」

「I-I understand.」

For some reason, she had a bad premonition and the feeling of dread instantly filled her mind. 

Miyo who was normally treated like a servant or less would basically never be called to meet with guests. She could only feel horror for the situation that was out of the norm. 

She was angry at her legs for trembling uncontrollably, but steeled herself and somehow managed her way to the living room. 

「Please pardon me, it's Miyo.」

Her father responded with 「Come in」, through the sliding door. His voice was sounded curt and harsh, it made her fingertips on the sliding door grow cold from the anxiety. 

In the living room, her father and Kouji, her stepmother and Kaya sat together. 

As expected, she felt that something bad was about to happen to her. But she hid her fear under her expressionless mask and sat a distance away from her stepmother and stepsister who were furrowing their brows in displeasure. Then her father opened his mouth sternly.

「This 'talk', is not about anything else, but about marriage and the future of this house. ...Miyo, I think it's better for you to hear it now.」

Marriage.

Miyo was taken aback by that word. 

Fear and anxiety surfaced in her heart, and perhaps a little hope. Maybe, just maybe, she could leave this house and find a place for herself somewhere out there——she promptly cut that train of thought. There was no way something like that could possibly happen. A convenient miracle like that.

In the silent living room, her father's voice resounded clearly.

「The Saimori family has decided to adopt2 Kouji as our son-in-law. ...And it is Kaya who will be supporting this house as his wife. As for you」

——Ah, as expected.

Even though she should've been prepared for this. But it was just like a black hole had appeared underfoot. Fear and despair plagued her heart. As Miyo's heart darkened, she was so out of it, she didn't even notice the proud face of victory Kaya had. 

Miyo had long noticed her father's intention of taking Kouji, the second son of the Tatsuis.h.i.+ family, as his son-in-law. And perhaps because of that, unbeknownst to herself, a faint hope actually sprouted in her. 

Maybe she would be able to marry generous and open-minded Kouji.

Maybe she could be allowed to exist as the Mistress of the Saimori family.

May Kaya would be married off somewhere else, so Miyo didn't have to live the rest of her life being compared to Kaya. 

Perhaps, one day, she would be able to speak with her father the way they did before. 

...How stupid of her. None of these would ever be possible.

「Miyo, you'll be married out of the family. ...The family you'll be marrying into is the Kudou family. To the head of the family, Kudou Kiyokdono.」

It was beginning to feel hard for her to even lift her head. She bowed her head deeply to the ground and answered 「Yes.」

「Oh my! Isn't that great? You'll be married to that Kudo family.」

Kaya pretended to celebrate on purpose.

The Kudou family was indeed of a higher status than both the Saimori and Tatsuis.h.i.+ family. The Kudou family was one that boasts impressive amounts of a.s.sets and influence. However, the head of the family, Kudou Kiyoka, was known to be a ruthless and merciless person. As for his marriage, it was rumoured that many women from good families ran away within three days of being with him. 

Yet her father told her to marry such a man. Once Miyo left the house, they would probably not let her set foot on Saimori grounds ever again. 

Miyo knew full well that there was no way her engagement to the head of the Kudou family would go well. Since she didn't even attend girl's school.

「It's too much of a waste for someone useless like you, but it'd be impolite to refuse.」

Her stepmother seemed pretty happy. Miyo knew very clearly how much of an eyesore she was to her stepmother. 

「Ah, of course, I won't allow you to refuse... Go pack your bags immediately. Once you're done packing, you'll head for the Kudou residence.」

She couldn't voice any objections.

Miyo had thought that maybe things will get easier for her once she left the Saimori house. However, with the family that she'll be marrying into being that Kudou family, it was best to not have any expectations.

She'll probably either be kicked out or killed by that marriage partner who's rumoured to be ruthless. It might actually be better if she were to still be treated as a servant. 

Either way, the future in Miyo's mind was dark. 

「Miyo.」

After excusing herself from the living room, Miyo was called from behind by Kouji who chased after her. 

「Kouji-san?」

When she turned around, Kouji looked more awkward than he's ever been as his face distorted in pain.

「I'm sorry, for being so... useless. I couldn't do anything in the end... even now, what should I say...」

「You have nothing to apologise for, Kouji-san. I was simply unlucky, that's all.」

Miyo tried to rea.s.sure him with a smile, but she couldn't do so for her cheek muscles had stiffened. 

Come to think of it, when was the last time she smiled?

「It's not... about luck.」

「It doesn't matter... I'm not particularly concerned about this, since I might happier at my fiancé's place.」

Words that didn't even cross her mind slipped through her lips unintentionally. Almost like it was for others to hear.

「...Do you not resent me?」

Kouji said with an expression like he was on the brink of tears. 

For some reason, he hoped that Miyo would criticise him, ask him why he didn't save her.

(lilies: sounds to toxic zzzz) 

However, Miyo couldn't afford to be concerned for him in the current moment.

「I don't resent you. I've long forgotten feelings like resentment.」

「...I'm sorry. I really am. I wanted to help you and laugh with you like normal, as we did before. I... you—」

「Kouji-san」

It was Kaya who came from behind who called his name. 

「What are you talking about?」

「...ah」

Kouji bit on his lips as he swallowed his words. Kaya's smile was beautiful, yet it felt like it was laced with terrifying poison. 

「N-Nothing.」

As someone from a prestigious family, he was both capable and good-looking. And this was probably his only weakness.

Kouji was timid. Because he's too kind.

If he were to voice his opinions in this situation, he would definitely hurt either Kaya or Miyo. It's precisely because he understood that, that he chose to keep silent.

Miyo didn't know what he was about to say. She didn't want to know anyway.

For someone as gentle as him, even though he's never tackled the root cause, he's saved her many times. 

「...Kouji-san.」

「Miyo...?」

「Thank you for all that you've done for me until now.」

That was all Miyo could say right now. 

There was no turning back anymore.

Miyo couldn't seem to fall asleep that night. 

Her room was already quite empty. After packing what little belongings she had, there was really nothing left.

All the kimonos left behind by her mother had been thrown away or taken away by her stepmother or stepsister. All the other valuable accessories as well...

All she had to her name was her body and servant clothes as well as casual clothes her colleagues gave to her. She also had a fine set of kimono given to her by her father. Apparently, if she went to the Kudou house inappropriately dressed, it would damage the Saimori family's reputation. 

It was at this point that she was finally convinced. Her father had known that she didn't have any decent clothes, yet he chose to turn a blind eye to it.

When she couldn't fall asleep in the thin futon she had gotten used to. Somehow, her memories would flash across her eyes like running lights. 

Happy memories were out of her reach. All she had left were memories of pain. She didn't hope that tomorrow would be a better day, that happiness would come starting tomorrow. Miyo just went to sleep, hoping her life would end soon. That's all. 

(lilies: lol the feeling of wis.h.i.+ng I could just fall asleep and never wake up is well haha)

It was like she was going to her death.

She wanted to sneer3 at her own thoughts, but she couldn't even do that.

1. Written as '見鬼の才'

2. Since the Saimoris don't have a son, so their son-in-law will marry into the family and take over as the family head in the future. After reading a little more, apparently, in j.a.panese law, the adopted son-in-law is treated as a son of the family. While the daughter is considered as a daughter-in-law rather than the daughter of the family. I hope this isn't too confusing...

3. She wants to smile mockingly at herself, but she can't smile.

I WANT TO BOIL HER FATHER, STEPMOTHER AND SISTER AND FEED THEM TO WILD DOGS AND THAT KOUJI GAH

Sorry, this is not a good way to start the TL note of a new book. But please bear with me

(╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻

This story does get better, it is in the t.i.tle after all. 'My happy marriage' so... Also, I'm trying a different formatting(?) so the chapters might look kinda long but hopefully, it'll be easier to read. And it's only the first chapter that's this long, the subsequent chapters are a little shorter. 

Please feedback to me in the comments below if you find any typos or terrible grammar, etc that you think I should change. Or maybe you think my interpretation is completely off lol Help me help you have a better reading experience ahahah what a tongue twister XD

Thank yous!! (˶‾᷄ ⁻̫ ‾᷅˵)

I hope you enjoyed this chapter and have a great day!!

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peace lilies~