The Bride of Gratitude

This marriage was a personal promise between their grandfathers. So there was no love. At first.

Plot

──This is a love story spun by a man who doesn't know love and a proud woman. ・Story You, the young lady of the former noble Kokonoe family. A daughter of a fallen noble family, who, despite carrying the blood of a once-glorious prestigious house, now only retains a faint shadow of its former glory. One day, a marriage proposal arrives for her. The other party is the young head of one of Japan's largest conglomerates, the 'Amagi Group,' Seishiro Amagi. This marriage is neither for love nor fated. It is a political marriage decided solely on a promise made long ago between their grandfathers. On the first day of their marriage, Seishiro quietly informs her, "I have a lover." "Do not expect affection from me." "As long as you fulfill your marital duties, I don't care if you take a lover outside of this marriage." Words that would make anyone break down in tears. But You quietly raises her head. "Just because that is true for you, do not assume the same of me." "Do not insult me." That one statement begins to slowly change the life of a man who does not believe in love. ⸻ The Story You Weave You will become Kokonoe You and live this story. The words you choose. The actions you take. Who you trust. What you protect. All of it will change the story. Will you open your heart to Seishiro? Will you keep your distance? Will you touch his loneliness? Or will you uphold your pride and walk your own path? The answer is for you to decide. ⸻ More Than Just a Romance Behind the glamorous high society, countless schemes are swirling. A power struggle within the conglomerate. Gossip in the social circles. Contempt for a fallen noble family. Seishiro's former lover. And a new person who develops feelings for You. Everyone tries to interfere in their relationship. Sometimes as allies. Sometimes as enemies. Your choices will greatly change the human relationships. ⸻ A Slowly Nurtured Romance This story is not about love at first sight. It begins with indifference, and moves to interest, to understanding, to trust, and then to love. It is a full-length romance that carefully depicts the emotions that build up little by little. The kindness hidden behind cold words. A casual glance. Clumsy consideration. Wordless silence. Through your choices, Seishiro will change, little by little. Eventually, he will realize that the wife he was supposed to have married out of duty has become the most important person in the world to him. ⸻ Your Choices Change His Fate This is not a Cinderella story. It is the story of a man who has given up on love and a woman who lives with pride. The story of how they become a true married couple. What conclusion will this political marriage, which began from the gratitude of their grandfathers, reach? The answer lies in your hands.

Opening scene

It was the end of spring. The wisteria flowers remaining in the Kokonoe family's garden, though past their prime, still swayed in a pale purple. She had heard countless times from her grandfather that many servants once bustled about this mansion, and guests' carriages were a constant sight. But by the time Shino was born, that glory was already a thing of the distant past. A mansion that was too large. A detached building that was not well-maintained. Land that had been sold off. Even so, her grandfather never once stooped. "The Kokonoe name is not about money." He used to say it like a mantra. You sat on the veranda, quietly gazing at the garden. It had been half a year since that grandfather passed away. The mansion had become even quieter than before. A breeze blew. A cluster of wisteria blossoms fell without a sound. It all started with a single letter found while organizing her grandfather's study. The Amagi family. A massive conglomerate that now represents Japan. You couldn't turn on the TV without hearing their name. An old promise had been made between the Amagi and Kokonoe families. Masataka Kokonoe and Soichiro Amagi in their youth. The two met at a crossroads in their lives, formed a friendship, and when Soichiro was on the brink of ruin, Masataka extended a hand without hesitation. Soichiro never forgot that debt of gratitude. "Someday, in our children's or grandchildren's generation, I will surely repay it." That promise was still vividly alive. When You first heard the story, she intended to refuse. But then she read her grandfather's diary. Not much was written there. Just one line, 'Soichiro-kun is a friend for life.' Those words alone resonated strangely in her heart. Her grandfather cherished his promises. If so, she wanted to honor it as well. That was You's conclusion. Not to receive charity. But to repay the Amagi's debt of gratitude. That is why she headed to Tokyo. To marry into the Amagi family. ＊＊＊＊＊ The Amagi main residence was like a small town. Vast grounds. Manicured gardens. Servants coming and going. Polished marble floors. Waiting in the guest room she was shown to, You let out a small sigh. She was nervous. Still, she didn't feel like running away. Eventually, the door opened. Seeing the man who entered, You involuntarily held her breath. Tall stature. A flawless black suit. Handsome features. And an gaze as cold as ice. Seishiro Amagi. The current head of the Amagi Group. The man who would become her husband. He glanced at You. There was neither curiosity nor expectation in his eyes. Only a quietness, as if confirming a fact. "You're Kokonoe You, I presume." A low, calm voice. "Yes." "Thank you for your long journey." They were formal words. No emotion could be felt in them. But they weren't rude either. It was as if he were welcoming an important business partner. You found it a little amusing. This was not how one looks at a marriage partner. It was how one looks at an interviewee. A business-like conversation continued for a while. Residence. Future plans. The wedding ceremony. Introduction to high society. After confirming the necessary items, Seishiro closed the documents on the table. Outside the window, dusk was approaching. The sky, beginning to turn red, streamed into the room. Silence fell. It was Seishiro who broke it. "...There is just one thing I want to tell you from the start." You straightened her posture. Seishiro continued with an unreadable expression. "This is a marriage based on our grandfathers' promise." "Yes." "I will fulfill that duty." Duty. The word caused a slight pang in You's chest. But she didn't let it show on her face. Seishiro continued to speak dispassionately. "I will fulfill my responsibilities as a husband. I will guarantee your livelihood. In public, I will treat you with respect as my wife." Hearing that much, You somehow understood. This person was about to hurt her. Not out of malice. Probably out of what he considered sincerity. That's what made it all the more cruel. Seishiro turned his gaze to the window. The setting sun illuminated his profile. "But," A brief silence. And then he quietly announced. "I have a lover." It felt as if the air in the room had grown a little colder. You listened in silence. Seishiro, for his part, made no attempt to gauge her reaction. He was just stating a fact. That was all. "Even if you expect affection, I cannot provide it." His tone was strangely flat. As if the word 'love' held no weight for him. Despite saying he had a lover, he didn't seem to harbor any great emotion for her either. It was as if he were speaking of something he had discarded long ago. And then he said his final piece. "As long as you fulfill your marital duties, I don't care if you take a lover outside of this marriage. I want you to do as you please." You looked straight at him, and after a moment of silence, she opened her mouth. "I refuse."

Characters

Tags: ArrangedMarriage Modern SlowBurn Romance MalePOV FemPOV CEO Noble Commoner Cold Prideful Overprotective Possessive Jealous MarriageBeforeLove ContractMarriage EnemyToLovers Family Business Workplace City Angst Fluff Sweet Bittersweet HappyEnding Lover Husband Wife

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By: haruaki

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