His Heart Was Bursting With Happiness

As the moon and stars continued shining on the night sky, a man was standing in front of the closed French windows in the master bedroom. He had changed into a pair of dark gray pajamas. Both of his hands were placed inside the pockets of his pants, his face appeared to relax as he leisurely looking outside the windows.

It was already nearing the witching hour yet he still couldn't sleep.

If before he found it difficult to sleep because of the restlessness bugging his mind and heart but right now it was due to another reason altogether.

Tonight, his heart was bursting with happiness.

Kyoya twisted his body, turning to look at the petite figure sleeping comfortably on the big bed. His eyes bent as he smiled faintly. Taking a few slow steps, he walked toward the bed.

Shouko was sleeping while huddling herself under the comfy quilt. Her inky black tresses scattered on the white pillow, a part of it draped over her forehead and shoulders, obscuring her face from being seen.

Kyoya smiled warmly seeing this scene. Compared to the previous nights where he had to sneak in inside the room to look at her sleeping figure, right now he could openly look at her.

Then, a yawn suddenly bubbled up in his throat before it left his mouth. The corners of his eyes turned teary as soon as the yawn came.

It was at this moment did he realize how tired his body and mind were.

Ha... I really should go to sleep.

Kyoya quietly got on the bed. He covered himself using a different quilt. The soft mattress bent under his weight. He turned to lie on his side, facing his sleeping wife. His hand reached out for a tendril of her hair. He lightly twirled it around the tip of his finger.

The image of her blushing face crossed his mind.

Earlier, once they got upstairs, Shouko looked at him with her cheeks flushed in a shade of red. Before he could ask what was wrong, she quickly beat him to it.

"Well, from now on... you don't have to sleep on the couch anymore," Shouko kept her head low, both of her hands fiddling with the hem of her sweater. "The bed is big. It isn't like it couldn't occupy both of us so..."

Kyoya forced himself to not laugh seeing her cute expression. She looked as the same as when she invited him to use the bed in the hospital last night.

"Alright, thank you, wife."

Shouko quickly flee inside the room, leaving him smiling like a fool outside.

Then, Kyoya went inside the room next door, changing his clothes into pajamas and brushing his teeth before he returned to the master bedroom. By the time he stepped inside the room, Shouko had already been sleeping.

With the view of her sleeping next to him embedded in his mind, he slowly closed his heavy-lidded eyes. Soon, he fell asleep.

That night, he didn't encounter any nightmare.

Shouko woke up when the amber light of dawn started dyeing the sky horizon red. She rubbed her eyes, sat up on the bed and started doing a simple stretching. Her eyes landed on the sleeping figure not far from her. Her lips curved up.

Although she still felt a little awkward seeing him sleeping on the same bed with her yet she wasn't against it. In fact, she was relieved to see Kyoya sleeping peacefully.

Shouko got off of the bed. Her feet wore the bunny slippers placed on the floor beside the bed. She went to the washroom to freshen herself up. The cool water had successfully chased her remaining sleepiness away.

"Good morning, Young Madam," Mrs. Shimizu greeted Shouko once she went inside the kitchen.

Shouko smiled and returned her morning wish. "What are you cooking for breakfast?"

"I made Young Madam's favorite chicken and corn porridge as well as steaming some buns," Mrs. Shimizu answered.

She opened the lid of the pot containing porridge that was still on the stove. The sweet fragrant filled the kitchen, enticing Shouko's hungry stomach.

"Thank you! I can't wait to have a taste of it," Shouko smiled happily.

Seeing that Mrs. Shimizu had yet to be done with her cooking, she went to help her. The older lady wanted to protest but Shouko was being adamant. In the end, the two women began busying themselves in the kitchen while chatting.

"Your daughter goes to a law school?" Shouko carefully took out the buns from the steamer and placed them on a plate. She glanced at Mrs. Shimizu who was scooping some porridge into a bowl.

"Yes, she's currently in her first year," Mrs. Shimizu's face was beaming as she talked about her precious daughter. Her eyes sparkled with pride. "Aiya, I didn't think that she would grow up so fast. She would enter society soon! I hope she could withstand whatever comes her way."

Shouko laughed softly, she nodded, agreeing with her words.

"I'm sure she would be a capable lawyer in the future," Shouko put the plate of the buns on the kitchen island. The buns looked so round and fluffy. Hot steam swirled in the air, coming from the white buns. As she was arranging the plate, she softly added, "Most parents wish for the best for their children. I'm sure your daughter knows how much you and your husband pray for her success."

Mrs. Shimizu went quiet for a moment. She was confused to hear her young madam's words. What did she mean by 'most parents'? Wasn't it supposed to be 'all parents?'. While she was thinking hard, she suddenly remembered something.

It wasn't weird for her young madam to speak like that.

From what she knew, her young madam was mistreated by her maiden family. It was an unspeakable truth. Even though Mrs. Shimizu worked far from the main house, she still had contacts with the people working in Rosy Mansion.

Their young master prohibited anyone to speak about the young madam's past for fear of making her sad. All of them placed great importance on his order.

"Well, yes!" Mrs. Shimizu quickly said, trying to dismiss the uneasiness within her. "I hope my daughter would remember how much I and her father want her to succeed in her life. We want her to be happy!"

Shouko smiled warmly, feeling happy to hear the older lady's adoration whenever she talked about her daughter.

A child was always a precious gift in a family. Every one of them has to be treated with compassion as one would do to his or her own self.

But, sadly, the lots who didn't have even an ounce of guilt assaulting their own child still existed in this world.

Shouko pursed her lips, her brows wrinkled in sadness.

"Young Madam, the breakfast is ready," Mrs. Shimizu's voice pulled her out of her thoughts. The older woman had put the bowl of porridge on the table. "You should sit down first. I will go to call Young Master down."

"Ah, there's no need," Shouko quickly refused the offer. As she recalled the man's face lined with exhaustion, she thought it was better for him to sleep a little longer. "My husband seems tired. I'll wake him up later. Why don't we have breakfast together?"

"It's alright, Young Madam. I've already eaten before coming here," Mrs. Shimizu waved her hands. She was surprised to receive the invitation.

Even if her young madam was someone who was easy to get along with, she still didn't dare to sit and have a meal together with her!

"Don't you pity me? You want me to eat alone?" Shouko laughed, she deliberately teasing the older lady. "You could have some tea if you have eaten. I still want to chat with you, Mrs. Shimizu. Since you are a local here, you could introduce me to some fun things to do here."

Seeing how eager her young madam appeared, Mrs. Shimizu understood it would be rude if she kept on refusing her. With a warm smile, she nodded.

"I do know some things that you could try," Mrs. Shimizu laughed softly, feeling at ease. "I'd be glad to help you to learn them."

Shouko smiled. She gestured for Mrs. Shimizu to take a seat opposite her. The two women sat down and have a pleasant chat under the sweet fragrant of the porridge and tea.