Building a new home (Aka Kitsune - Vega)

[Vega]

She couldn't decide if she was nervous or scared. Alice was on her way to her second husband. A few days ago had a very noble man come by her father's farm and offered him money for her. Her father who only loved the bottle at this point was more than happy to send her away. After all, she was a useless girl, not even being able to carry a child for her husband before he died. Alice wouldn't complain.
Despite her father's rude behaviour so was nothing that her husband had done toward her. They had met during a festival and he had been so very charming. He had bought her sweet gifts and Alice fell quickly in love with him. Her father had loved the man as well. One that came with wealth and a nice house, horses and most important power. Her father gave him his blessing without a second thought. And yes, everything had been nice and sweet. At least the first few months. It all began with tiny things. After a few remarks about what she did wrong, then he started to come home later, reeking alcohol and then the beatings started.

Alice soon had more days with bruises than not. She became very good at hiding them, but she knew that the ladies in town talked about her. Not because of the bruises. No, they would never ask about something like that. Instead, they spread rumours that she wouldn't give her husband a child. It was not true. Alice had carried them, but never the whole way. Then did a doctor warn her. She might not survive another pregnancy. Alice knew that it would make her husband very furious and she dreed the hour when she would need to tell him.
However, her husband never came back home that night. Apparently, had he been stabbed during a bar fight and died on his way home. Alice was not sure she was even sad about it. Her father on the other hand was angry. When she was forced to move back home did he blame everything on her.



Alice was once again in a dark place. So when the noble came to the farm she knew there was nothing good that could come out of it. They wanted to give her away as a wife. Alice had just turned twenty-five and most scars she had would few people see. That she had already been married before was something they didn't mind so now she was sitting in the carriage on her way to her new home.

She owned very few things. Alice had got dressed in the only nice dress she owned. A pale green long dress with a brown ribbon around her waist with a knot in the back. Alice didn't own a hat. She wished she did that. Her father had become very angry last night, so her pale blond hair had been cut roughly. Now did it barely reach her shoulders and Alice had done her best to put it up in a nice knot. She wanted to make a good impression. The bruised cheek had she covered up with powder and she had begged for a higher power that there wouldn't be a wedding night.

The noble who had come and get her had not wanted to share the carriage. Maybe she smelled bad? Alice didn't mind. She prefered to be alone after all. The noble had apparently changed his mind as they got closed to her new home. He began to tell her stories about her new husband and Alice barely dared to believe him.
A demon?
Holy mother above, I am not going to last for long. Bless my time here on earth, Alice sends a prey to a higher power and then she saw the house.


Had they really got to the right place? Was this her new home? Alice looked up at the building. Well, it needed some work.
The carriage stopped in front of an entrance and that was when she saw him. Leaning against one of the pillars stood a very handsome man. The noble stepped out first and then almost dragged her out of the carriage. She stumbles a bit and then stood tall.

Here she was. A young woman dressed in green with blond hair and scared blue eye looked at the man she was now going to share her life with. Alice saw that he clearly was at least a head taller than her. Was it hard to breathe? She stood frozen against the ground. The noble snapped a finger in front of her face and Alice realises she had been staring at the man.
"I… I'm Alice."

 

[Aka Kitsune]

Two-toned eyes paced the horizon, searching for the carriage that would hold his future wife. The word wife sounded odd to his ears. What was it like to have a wife? To take care of someone, to be kind everyday, it seemed incredibly daunting, if he was being honest; though, he supposed that thought was a result of his kind: a demon—and a very rare one, as well.

A Demon Knight, as he was referred to throughout the ages, was quite the title. It was not because the title was prestigious, it was because there were so few and so badly exploited.
Of course, exploitation was expected, he was considered hired help. It was unfortunate, however, that Kaien had stumbled upon the humans that he did. They were the worst kind and hellbent on either making him miserable or getting him killed—thankfully, misery was the ultimate outcome.

While Kaien’s contract had ended with these atrocious humans, the demon knight was anything but happy. He was promised many things by his employers, and all were met…sort of.
The estate he was promised: provided, but as dumpy as they came and as run down as one might imagine a castle would be in a small tribe.
Riches: provided, but was only in installments at the giver’s discretion.
A bride: well, that remained to be seen. He wouldn’t put it passed those simple pieces of garbage to send him an empty carriage. This was how he was treated for his services.

The demon knight suspected that the contents of the carriage in the distance now would be revealed soon enough. He only had the energy to hope that there was an actual physical being inside—ugly, beautiful, funny, dull…he didn’t care. Company…conversations…love maybe? Regardless, Kaien would accept what he’d been given, for that was all he could do.

Once the carriage arrived, Kaien pushed off of the pillar in front of his estate and moved his sky blue and red eyes toward the carriage door. Would a woman or clown reveal themselves?
The demon knight pushed his raven black hair from his sharp features and pursed his lips. One hip of his lean body cocked to the side and he placed his fingers that wore long nails against his waist.

Was his heart racing? Surely not, demons rarely had hearts.


The carriage door flung open and a man exited first. The demon immediately groaned, having thought he was brought this…buffoon.
However, it was after his groan that the woman stumbled from the carriage—the stumble being a result of this noble’s rudeness.

Kaien studied the woman who stood before him for a moment, his head tilted now. She was staring directly at him.

What a…beautiful woman…

The noble snapped in front of her and it seemed her daze ceased. It was possible that he was in a daze, as well.

Alice was her name.

“Kaien…you can call me Kai,” the demon returned, beginning to step toward Alice. “Welcome to your new home,” he added and gave a shallow bow to his future wife. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Alice,” he said in an unexpected soft manner.
​

 

[Vega]

What Alice noticed first was his beautiful eyes, what she then saw was his other appearance and she recalled that it was actually a demon before her. Despite the rumours the noble had shared did the demon introduce himself and welcomed her in a rather unexpected manner. Alice gave him a nervous smile.
"Tha..."
"Well then. We will be back here tomorrow with a priest to sign the marriage and complete our deal." The driver had by then unloaded her bags and was more than ready to leave again.
Alice went to pick her smaller bag up, she hoped that nothing had got broken during the trip. She had not brought much, but those few things she had taken with her were something she value highly. Alice saw the noble climb in the carriage but not before he had warned the demon that he would only get one wife from them. Alice felt a shiver go through her. It was a rather unnecessary comment. She already felt frighted about her future husband. The noble's talk on the way here had not made anything better. She stood still until the carriage had gone down on the road.
"I'm no noble," Alice told the demon. Maybe if he knew she would be useful so wouldn't he kill her right away? "Just a farmgirl. I'm not afraid to get a little dirty." She looked up toward the house.

The estate was large, but it was far, far from its glory days. There seemed to be much to do to make it whole and well again.
"I..." She went to pick up her other bag. "Perhaps a tour would be good?"

 

[Aka Kitsune]

Kaien hardly payed any sort of attention to the noble who remained near the carriage. Any man who would treat a woman in such a way did not deserve to be acknowledged—at least not in a positive manner. It was in the man’s best interest to be ignored anyway.

The demon knight was relieved that the man only spent such little time on his property; otherwise, Kaien would have escorted the noble away himself. To the nobles’ good fortune, Kaien happened to be on the kinder side, for a demon anyway; however, the dislike toward them was so strong that had the nobles not given him what small amount they did, Kaien was certain that he would have slaughtered them all.

With Kaien and Alice alone now, the demon allowed an amused smile to creep over his features. “Just a farm girl, hmm,” he asked and lifted a brow. “Luckily I don’t eat many farm girls,” he teased her, already having an idea of why her first statement was so trivial. “They are much more helpful,” he added with lifted, dark brows.

“Since I was not given my own staff, a butler has not been hired to give you a grand tour of this dump, but, luckily, I am just as capable as any other hired help,” he said in a somewhat bitter manner despite continuing to smirk.

“Of course, excuse the mess. You see, I do not claim to be an expert in decoration nor do I care to be,” Kaien told her with a shrug and chuckle. “I hear that simple farm girls who are afraid to be eaten by their husbands have exquisite taste in decor. Am I wrong in my expectation,” he asked as he held an arm out for her to take. “Shall we, Alice? I’m sure you are quite anxious to see your new home, yes? Oh, and your baggage will be taken to your room shortly. By me, of course…because of the No butler issue,” he said with a melodramatic, exasperated sigh.​

 

[Vega]

Her husband-to-be was either more terrifying than she believed him to be or he had a very strange sense of humour. Alice hoped it was the last. His smile seemed genuine, but then again she had thought her previous husband was the love of her life. He had been kind and sweet toward her in the beginning, but it slowly had changed over the years. After he had died and Alice moved back to her father so was she a disgrace. A widow. Alice knew that this... man before her was a real demon, but could he be worse than her father and her dead husband?
Would she be able to even survive another harsh relationship?
Alice gave him a nervous smile back. Underneath the powder of her cheeks and long sleeves were bruises hiding. She would continue to hide them until they had healed as she felt shame for even giving them in the first time. Alice saw him reach out his arm to escort her around the new house. She realised that he had talked with her this whole time, but her mind had been elsewhere and she had hardly paid any attention at all. Alice took her hand around his arm.
"Oh, it is okay. I can carry my bags if you can show me where I will be staying." She looked at him as he spoke about staff and butlers.

Alice had hardly been close to any Lord or lady before.
"Do you expect to have a staff here?" She asked him and looked around as they enter the house. This place would need a lot of love before it would be able to be anything else except an empty shell from a long-lost lordship.
"Have... have you been living here for a long time?"

 

[Aka Kitsune]

Kaien blinked his two toned eyes quickly for a moment, perplexed at her reservation to him taking her bags. Isn’t that what ladies expected? Had he been mistaken? It wasn’t as if he had much experience in these aspects of life. Love was foreign to him, so making mistakes was expected—at least in his mind.
“They are very heavy and there are multiples. I insist,” the demon spoke again with a nod and lifted brows. “Ladies should spend their time doing something that does not involve heavy lifting,” he said just before he began to walk, leading the woman toward the entrance of her new home.

As the two continued and the questions began to roll in, Kaien simply kept his eyes forward. He had the answers but found them to be a bit embarrassing, especially to the woman who would be his wife. “I do plan to hire staff; however, before staff can properly be appointed, we must assess our current needs as the lord and lady of this estate,” Kaien explained. “For example, will you require another woman to help with your daily tasks? If so, what are those tasks and how many women would it take to accomplish those tasks in the quickest and easiest manner? Once we have those sorts of details, we will have the help we need,” he said and finally glanced down at the woman.

Upon Alice’s last inquiry, Kaien chuckled with squinted eyes. “I’ve been here a month,” he answered before stopping at the door. “I’m afraid that, despite the month I’ve been here, nothing has been done,” he told her and pushed the large, wooden doors open. There was an abhorrent creaking noise as they swung backward, and dust flew up from the floors.

The place was an absolute mess. “Welcome home…to the shithole, as I like to call it. It’s a mess of dust, broken glass, rotting wood, and…I happened to have found a couple of dead rats lying around,” he spoke in a sarcastic manner. “The noble fucks really know how to reward their…” Kaien took a breath and shook his head. “The place needs work. Obviously.”

 

[Vega]

"I... Oh, alright. If you insist." She nodded and gave him a small smile before they began the tour.
The estate needed a lot of fixing shortly. It was dusty, and the smell inside didn't set right with her. However, it was not an impossible task to do this. He explained that he had been here for a month, which wasn't much time, to be honest. Her husband would later on hire staff and even ask her about it as well.
"Another woman?" Alice gave it some thought. "I don't think so. I can do everything by myself."
There had never been anyone to help her run her husband's household before so she didn't see the reason to begin now. She could clean, cook, wash cloths, and tend to animals and the garden.
"I won't lie..." She told him and looked around. "It needs some work indeed. I hope you know how to work with stones, woods and bolts. Of course, I will help out where I can."
Alice walked into what seemed to be the kitchen with its large fireplace, pots and counter space. She looked around. Here everything seems to be intact. Alice went over to the window and dragged her hand over the surface to have a better view of the backyard. There seemed to be a vegetable patch, a well and some dying flowers now in the late summer.
"I will start in here, so you will get some supper for tonight..." Alice wanted so desperately to show him how good she was. She wanted to make sure to give him every reason to like her. Despite being forced into this union so did the short meeting of him giving her a tiny spark. Maybe there was a chance to create a good life here...

 

[Aka Kitsune]

“I assumed that most ladies would prefer ladies to assist in dressing…socialization…thing that women do; however, I suppose my assumptions were incorrect. If you do feel that you need some support aside from mine, I will be sure to give you what you require to make you life easier,” he told her before she began to speak of her new home.

His future wife’s comments were exactly as he predicted:

It needs some work, indeed.

“Mm. It does need work, and, fortunately for for us, I am well-versed in building—just lazy and bitter about having to do it myself,” the demon admitted with a sniff. “Does that make me spoiled? Or should I expect treatment that displays the favors I’ve done for these noble humans,” Kaien asked Alice as they surveyed the kitchen.

“I will make dinner for us, of course,” the demon told her with lifted brows after the woman spoke. “You’ve travelled a long distance, I couldn’t expect you to do all of the work, can I,” Kaien asked with a warm smile. “I do appreciate the selfless offer, but…from now on, it is you and I,” he added with a nod. “Now, sweet, future wife, let’s get started, shall we? Together.”

 

[Vega]

The first impression of the demon was so far from any rumours she had ever heard. It was like day and night from what the noble man had told her during her travel here. He seemed gentle... Alice wouldn't dare to let down her guard just yet. All this could just be an act. She knew how men could be... how could she expect a demon to be better? He had agreed that their new home needed some love, something Alice expected them to fix by themselves. While he told her he knew how to do things so was he bitter that the Lord had given him this. Did that also include her? Of course, he had not expected to get a ruined woman like herself... What was she thinking?!

Alice saw his surprised expression when she asked about supper for tonight. He gave her such a warm smile that Alice couldn't help but give a small one in return. Her future husband wanted them to share life. He refused to accept that she would do everything by herself and Alice had never heard such strange things before. Lost of words she only blinked slowly. It was just to accept... she was no longer a farmer's wife.

She wasn't sure what to do with herself either. The situation was starting to feel overwhelming as things began to settle in. She was no longer a simple farmer's wife. There was way more expected of her now. Alice felt ill. The world seemed unsteady before her and had it suddenly got very hot in here?

 

[Aka Kitsune]

Kaien kept his bright eyes on Alice for a moment. They simply lingered to study her surprised features. Why was she so surprised by such normal sentiments? They were normal in Kaien’s mind anyway.
“What is your favorite food, Alice? Anything dislikes? I do suppose that as a former farmer’s wife, you wouldn’t be too terribly accustomed to the royal side of cuisine,” he stated then cleared his throat afterward. “Of course, my assumptions have proven me quite wrong since we met, haven’t they?”

Upon his pause, the demon side-stepped and glanced up at the cabinets. Some of the doors were hanging on my a single hinge and others had no doors at all. Dust covered the front crevices of the wood gain and spiders made their homes within the inside corners of the wall. Needless to say, the area was a dirty mess…but, one that could be fixed.

Despite the mess, there were some pieces of old china, which would be surprising. What was even more surprising was that they were actually in tact.
“Ah, how nice. Look, at all of this,” the demon said and pulled a few of the plates from the top shelf. “A wedding gift from our old, dusty home,” he said, chuckling to himself as he moved his eyes from the dish to Alice. “Here,” he said and extended his arm out toward the woman so that she could see the overly nice china, as well.

 

[Vega]

While Alice was trying her best to keep her nerves calm did he explore the cabinets. He seemed just as surprised as her to find something in them. Alice assumed whoever robbed this place while it was empty did not care for simple things such as a set of china. She took the plate from him and leaned against the counter behind her. It was good it was there as her legs were feeling a bit trembling. Perhaps this all was a bit too much. She put the plate down.
"It is a very nice plate, but I think I would need to lay down for a while." She dragged her hand over her face as nausea went through her again. "I usually ride carriage without the roof. I don't know how people can handle it. My stomach didn't like it at all. Just a small nap would make it better."


A half-hour later was she shown to a room and this looked better than the kitchen. She let out a deep sigh. When the noble had spoken of the mansion is in bad condition so had she not thought it would be this bad. She laid down and knew that days would be filled with a different kind of work than back on the farm. It didn't matter. At least her father wasn't around to traumatic her anymore. Alice fell asleep for an hour and felt much better. She washed her face before she went to seek the demon out. Maybe she was just as wrong about him as he had been about her. He had been nothing but nice toward her. Alice looked around the mansion. If they worked well so would it be possible to get enough space for them to stay during the colder months without trouble? Alice smiled. This place could be wonderful again.

She went back to the kitchen. It was empty, but who knew where her future husband could be? Instead of searching for him, she began to clean up the kitchen. There was no way she would make dinner in this mess.

 

[Aka Kitsune]

While Alice slept, Kaien took the time to tie up a few loose ends. There were letters to the nobles that needed to be written and important documents to be put away—these documents were to be stowed away by only him and no other eyes.
There were still things from Kaien’s life that he had intended on hiding from his future wife. They were things that would probably only cause more fear. She seemed as timid as a newborn puppet. There was a lot of pressure on him to make sure that timid nature of hers could be remedied in some way. He would have to be patient, he realized that fact.

Once the demon emerged from the study that was located only a door away from the kitchen, he paused at the entrance, allowing an amused smile to spread across his face. “How was you nap? Feeling a bit better now,” he asked while her back was still toward him. “You know, I told you that I would help…and here you are without me. Am I so bad,” he asked her, now leaning against the cracked door frame. “I realize demons are…not ideal husbands,” he said as he moved one of his hands to scratch the back of his neck.

 

[Vega]

Alice had heard his steps in the hallway and looked over her shoulder at him. She thought about it since the day the noble informed her father of her future marriage. There was no way around it and no lie would do her good. Alice had seen her reflection in the mirror when she had washed away sleep. She knew had thought about waiting until their union was complete, but when she woke up she knew it would be pointless. He could blame her for trying to fool him. Who knew what he would do then? A knight nor a demon surely wouldn't react that much different, she was sure of it. Alice dried her hands on a towel before she turned around to completely face him.

"It has very little to do with you, Kaien." There was still an ugly bruise on her chin. "I won't trick you into some pretty lies as the Nobel wished me to tell you. I have nothing to lose and very few things to gain." She let out a trembling sign. "I'm no pretty duchess, all I know is how to work on a farm and how to provide for one's family. I am no innocent woman anymore, but a widow. I have plenty of scars to tell a story for that and bruises to show from what kind of family I come from." Alice looked at him for a while. "I... I am just trying to..."

Alice wasn't sure what she was about to do. Please him? Make him happy? Keeping him in a good mood? Most likely all of them. She felt the shame rise within her. He had told her that he would help out plenty of times and she had ignored him.
"I'm sorry. Of course, you are welcome to help."

 

[Aka Kitsune]

“Mm. Does it not,” Kaien asked with furrowed brows. “If you can’t receive kindness, what would you rather me give you,” he asked her just before she began to speak again—it was then that he noticed the bruise on her face. He was not a fan of injuring woman, and any man who would didn’t deserve the respect of other men.
Of course, Kaien understood that their new life together would be difficult at first, but if there wasn’t effort on the other side of the aisle, it would never change.

“I don’t expect you to lie. I’d rather know my wife for who she truly is,” he told her, narrowing his two-toned eyes to stare sharply at the woman. “You may have nothing to lose, but you have plenty to gain from this arrangement,” Kaien told her and stepped closer.

Do I seem like the type of only want powerful women?

“A duchess? Why would I want a duchess,” the demon asked her and finally reached his hand out to rub his thumb against the bruise in her chin. “I don’t care about any of those things, Alice. They have nothing to do with our marriage, okay?”

Kaien paused for a moment and sighed. “One day, future wife, I will make you feel as important as you truly are,” he told her and took another step forward, and gently pressed his lips against her forehead for a moment.
“You don’t have to explain yourself or apologize, Alice. Let’s just…start dinner, okay,” he said before stepping away and toward the counter.

 

[Vega]

He seemed to be genuine and kind. Alice sincerely wished to believe him. Every word he told her sounded too good to be true, but she seemed to have no reason to fear him. She had not wished to flinch away when he reached out. It just happened, and things like that were bound to continue later. Alice blushed red from the soft kiss against her forehead.
"Oh, okay... This corner is almost finished cleaning up. Perhaps you could prepare something to eat while I continue?"


Alice smiled when they had finished their meal. There had not been much, but enough to throw things together for the night at least. Alice looked around in the kitchen. It was not completely done, but much better than earlier. "I saw some kind of garden through the window before. Have you been to it? Is there anything we can use for the season?"

 

[Aka Kitsune]

“Mm. I don’t mind starting dinner,” Kaien told her, allowing his eyes to linger on her for a moment. She was already so incredibly broken. He couldn’t wrap his head around why anyone would have treated her in such a manner. “Hopefully my cooking isn’t absolutely terrible,” the demon said and began to chuckle to himself. “I’ve only ever cooked for myself,” he admitted as he began their dinner. Thankfully it didn’t take too long—it was clear that they were both starving after a long day of meeting and cleaning.

Though the two had finished their dinner, Kaien and Alice remained at the table. The demon wanted to have further conversation with her, evidently wanting to get to know her more—as any man should want.
“Oh? A garden? I actually hadn’t noticed,” Kaien said and scratched the back of his head. “I’m sure if there is a garden there, we can make it work,” he told her with a shrug. “I’m not a farmer, of course, but I wouldn’t mind trying my hand at it if it means delicious food…well…free food,” he said and began to laugh. “Can you imagine a scary looking demon guy with a funny looking hat and a hoe?”

 

[Vega]

Alice couldn't help but chuckle with him.
"I... No, you are right. It is hard to imagine." She smiled and drank some water. "Thank you for dinner. It wasn't... what did you say... absolutely terrible."

She got stuck chatting briefly with Kaien for another hour. Alice talked about her daily life from before. What she was used to doing, meant a lot of heavy work. A farm didn't take care of itself. She told him that the winters used be harsh here so they should lay focus on gathering wood to use as fuel during the colder months. It would be good if it was good inside so it could get dry enough until they used it. She wanted to see what else there was on the estate that could be used for the winters.



A few days did Alice found herself in a new routine for life. She would wake up early, as usual, prepare breakfast for them both and then spend most days outside. It was to her joy when she found winter apples on the grounds surrounding the estate. Then there were still rowan-berries to make jams to and even more happy did she become when she found potatoes, onions and raspberries. Alice filled basket after basket in the kitchen. She went to call for Kaien to show him what she had found today. Alice stood and ate some of the raspberries when the demon appeared in the doorway. She was still not completely used to him, but she had stopped flinching whenever he was close and honestly... he wasn't that bad to talk with.
"I think the winter will be alright after all... Do you know if there are any jars around here?"