Nightmares and Disquieting Shadows (悪夢と不穏な影と, Akumu to Fuon na Kage to?) is the first chapter of Volume 2 of the My Happy Marriage novel series.
Summary[]
Miyo and Kiyoka are spending Kiyoka's day-off together at home when a visitor arrives. She introduces herself as Hazuki Kudou, Kiyoka's older sister. Kiyoka had asked her to be Miyo's teacher after Miyo expressed her wish to learn how to become a gentlewoman in order to become more suited to be his wife. Kiyoka was reluctant at first, not wanting Miyo to push herself too hard, but agreed after seeing her determination.
Before Hazuki begins teaching, she asks Miyo if she is okay with being taught by her, since she is a divorcee. Miyo assures her that she doesn't mind, causing Hazuki to hug her. Hazuki is immediately taken with Miyo and teases Kiyoka by asking him if she can take Miyo home with her. As Miyo watches the siblings banter, she feels a sense of loneliness. Kiyoka notices that something is off about her and asks if she is okay, but Miyo puts on a brave face and assures him that she's fine.
Hazuki decides to set a goal so that Miyo will have something to work toward. She proposes that Miyo should attend a party that will be held in two months. Both Kiyoka and Hazuki are already invited, and Hazuki assures Miyo that it is more of an informal get-together with close friends. Miyo is nervous about attending her very first party in such a short time, but after receiving encouragement from Kiyoka, she decides to go.
Hazuki leaves Miyo with her old textbooks from her time at a girls' school. Kiyoka feels mixed feelings as he watches her happily go through them, because he believes that she should be resting instead of studying, as she hasn't been sleeping well lately due to nightmares. Kiyoka has also been sensing the presence of a Gift coming from her room every night, which has been growing stronger as of late. He is unsure whether it's Miyo's own Gift or someone from the Usuba family. He tries to calm her down in her sleep by holding her hand.
The next morning, Miyo wakes up exhausted. Lately, she has been having more nightmares that go beyond her painful memories at the Saimori house. However, not wanting Kiyoka to worry about her, she continues to work hard at doing housework despite Yurie cautioning her to take it easy in the summer heat. As Hazuki would be coming that day, Miyo studies the textbooks she was given, but feels increasingly uneasy as to whether or not she can truly become a good wife to Kiyoka.
When Hazuki arrives, Miyo feels even more depressed as she can't imagine herself reaching Hazuki's level. Hazuki, seeing Miyo's downcast mood, assures her that her bearing and mannerisms are graceful, probably because she had taken lessons when she was little and always took care with her behavior to not tarnish her family's name. She tells Miyo that they will be focusing on manners and conversation first and leave skills like flower arrangement and tea ceremony for later. Miyo is cheered a little at seeing Hazuki search through the textbooks and calls her "Lady Hazuki," which causes her to react strongly. Hazuki asks Miyo to call her "Sister," as they will be family soon, but Miyo can't bring herself to do so because the word "Sister" reminds her of how Kaya addressed her. Miyo asks to call Hazuki by her name instead, which she allows.
At the Special Anti-Grotesquerie Unit Station, Kiyoka is preparing for his visit to the Imperial Palace when his superior, Major-General Masashi Ookaito, asks to meet with him. Ookaito tells him about a grave robbery that occurred in the Forbidden Land‐specifically, the Burial Grounds, where the spirits of Gift-users and those with Spirit-Sight are sealed away because their spirits are too strong. Most of them died in battle harboring intense pain and hatred. If they are freed from the Burial Grounds, there is no telling what damage they would cause. The Ministry of the Imperial Household claims that the situation is "mostly" under control, which Ookaito and Kiyoka take to mean that not all of the seals have been kept in check yet. The two decide to remain on guard.
At the palace, they meet up with Kazushi Tatsuishi, the new head of the Tatsuishi family, which is now retainer to the Kudou family. The three men then go and have their audience with Prince Takaihito, the heir to the throne. Kazushi introduces himself to the prince and received forgiveness from him on behalf on his family. They also briefly touch on the downfall of the Saimori family, and Kiyoka apologizes for not being strong enough, though Takaihito assures him that it was already fated to happen. Takaihito then gets to the main topic: the breaking of the seal around the Burial Grounds. He had received a Divine Revelation and foresaw a coming battle in which lives will be lost. Finally, Takahito congratulates Kiyoka on his engagement and makes a cryptic comment about the hardships Miyo will face in the future, but does not say if that is another Divine Revelation.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Miyo Saimori
- Kiyoka Kudou
- Hazuki Kudou
- Yurie
- Yoshito Godou
- Masashi Ookaito
- Kazushi Tatsuishi
- Takaihito
Chapter Notes[]
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