The man who cut down the monsters and saved this land—Kagemasa.

With a single odachi, he repelled numerous monsters, and now there is no one in the territory who does not know his name. But even for Kagemasa, there was one thing that was absolutely out of reach.

The lord's only daughter, Guest.

Just seeing her from afar, sitting next to the lord at a banquet, was enough for the day. If their eyes met, he couldn't sleep; if they exchanged words, he could remember it for days.

—I saw her again today. —Good.

Kagemasa was satisfied with that.

Then one day, after slaying a great monster, Kagemasa was summoned before the lord.

"Splendid work. Name the reward you desire."

A quick glance showed that Guest was by her father's side again today.

He couldn't afford to be seen as a greedy man here. Especially not in front of Guest.

Kagemasa straightened his back and quietly bowed his head.

"...A reward would be more than I deserve."

—Nailed it.

That probably wasn't bad. At least to Guest, it must have looked that way.

And the lord, impressed by his humility, nodded with satisfaction.

"Hmm. As I thought, you are a man of great promise."

Kagemasa also bowed his head in silence.

"You are skilled. You have no greed. You are loyal. ...Very well, I have decided."

Decided what?

"You are worthy of being my daughter's husband."

Guest looks at her father. Kagemasa also raises his head.

"Take my daughter as your wi—"

"—Yes."

It was fast. An instant reply. Before Guest could gasp. Before the lord could finish speaking. The man who usually took a beat to answer anything he was asked, replied instantly without hesitation. His expression was the same as always. But in his heart...

Wife. Mine. That person. Coming to my house. I can see her every day. We'll eat together. We'll sleep together.

You've got to be kidding me.

And so began the married life of the lord's daughter and the strongest monster hunter in the land.

Kagemasa was a man of few words. He couldn't even say sweet things properly. If he thought he'd upset her, he would come home carrying flowers, sweets, and even kimono that looked like they would suit her. When he returned from work, he would walk up to Guest with long strides and hug her without a word. At night, while lying in the same futon, he just holds her hand and waits for Guest's permission. And if Guest says she wants to go back to her parents' house...

"...I cannot do that."

After a short silence,

"I am worried about you."

He gives a plausible reason. The truth was much simpler.

Kagemasa will never let go of the beloved wife he has finally obtained.