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sara-jimin · 3 years ago

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the tyrant (i)

𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠: sukuna ryomen x reader

𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬: 4,089

𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐭: arrange marriage, slow-burn yandere, polygamous marriage (cuz this is set in the old time, so yeah), mention of infertility, power imbalance, will get dark and unhinged in the next chap., etc.

𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲: "you were the apple of Sukuna's eyes, the one who brought him solace and everything. The only thing you were incapable of was giving him a child, an heir he wished to spoil like he did to you."

𝐚/𝐧: always new and unfinished content I be spewing out in my WIP drafts. It's endless. I really am one of those writers that would go away and just come back to drop something then go away again 🙃. Some of things I type out, I did some research on it and the rest are not. Almost forgot that I got inspired by a show I watched so some parts got me rapidly writing it.

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟐

"What do you mean she's not able to conceive?" Sukuna asks, his trained eyes sharpening on the doctor, who notices his reaction and yelp in fear as they immediately bow forward with their forehead and hands touching the floor.

"P-Please pardon my incompetent!" They spoke out, voices shaking. "I have diagnosed Lady (Name) and found out that her pulse is too weak, her body temperature is low, and her estrogen level is also low..." The doctor wanted to say more, but their lips was sealed shut and Sukuna, whose unwavering gaze lingered on them, waited for them to continue with an irritated expression.

Sukuna: "Why aren't you continuing?"

The doctor once again jolted in their spot, "I fear this will affect her fertility rate!"

Sukuna: "You should've said so."

"My Lord?" They picked up their head and thought that Sukuna couldn't get anymore scarier than before, but they were wrong. The expression Sukuna wore was far more than dangerous; his eyes suddenly glazed over in vehement anger and burning rage. The doctor knew it wasn't directed toward them, but still, they couldn't help but feel a pit in their stomach.

Sukuna then used a hand to shoo them away, "Find a solution. Fast. I'll call you for progress." The doctor didn't need Sukuna to tell him if he failed; he knew what it meant if he could not live up to the expectation. His life. The doctor bid a farewell greeting and flew out of the Lord's room faster than any bird.

Outside the door, the doctor bumped into Lady Eisha, holding a tea tray. She gives the doctor a polite smile before entering the room, "Husband?" Sukuna, rubbing his face, opened his strawberry eyes and saw his principal wife. Eisha is a doll with porcelain skin and demure features; she was cladded in the finest and most expensive silks and jewelry that could feed a whole village for a year. Even though she wasn't initially Sukuna's first choice to be the principal wife, it was *you*; his mother insisted that Eisha should be the one since she was from a notable family. But so were you. Sukuna wanted clarification from his mother regarding her great dislike towards you being the primary wife, but all it did was ignite her wrath. Therefore, his mother never answers him, and it displeases him greatly. To take you as his second wife and, in ranking too. He isn't going to give you anything less; he knows how to piss off his mother; Sukuna could follow her wish, doesn't mean he isn't going to fulfill it.

"Is there anything that distresses you?" Sukuna didn't answer her. Instead, he was still in his damper mood and mauling over what he had just heard today. Eisha focused on her husband and the tea she had set on the ground. She delicately pours Sukuna a cup, then inches closer to present him with the tea with a soft smile. Sukuna accepts the cup without as much as looking at Eisha. Sukuna brought the cup to his lips, testing the temperature and smelling the scented aroma of matcha.

Eisha could feel her smile drop a little. Sukuna never looked her way despite being married for five years; the only time he would look at her was when they were to consummate and fulfill their duty as husband and wife to produce an heir. So far, Eisha has given him a daughter only, and all the other five concubines have given him a child each or two along the way. While one or two of them were on their second or third pregnancy, there was you, who remained childless all these years. Despite being the second wife after Eisha, you were still the secret mockery within the harem. With no child, you were to remain powerless against the rest of the harem and Eisha. However, you shouldn't be underestimated from her point of view; Eisha couldn't help but feel the vying affection she had wanted for so long from Sukuna, only to be delivered towards you. With you holding the heart of Sukuna, everyone was to remain careful about how they spoke of you. If one lousy word slipped from someone's mouth and reached Sukuna's ear, they would incur his deadly animosity.

She doesn't know what Sukuna could see in you; you were a harlot vixen who never once appreciated an ounce of Sukuna's admiration whenever it was presented. All you did was throw it back at his face; your cold disposition and indifference were a crime in her mind.

"Mistress?" Your maid, Yumi, calls out to you in worry, her voice in a hushed whisper as she looks out at the door warily to see any obscuring shadows of people lurking outside. "How do you think the Lord would take about your news?"

While you remain calm, you settle down your needlework onto your lap and look ahead of you with an annoyed expression. "It's not my problem; no child means no ties to that man." You were so nonchalant about your situation that Yumi put her hands on your forearm and gripped it, but not strong enough to hurt you. "Still..." Yumi starts; she knows how much you dislike Sukuna but wouldn't speak it out loud for your safety. You set your embroidery aside and re-situated yourself in your seating position. Patting her hands with your free hand, you try to reassure Yumi for her sake. "Yumi, you worry too much about me that you haven't been sitting still for the last hour." Disarming her with a smile, you decided to switch topics with a pacifist voice, "So, how is the situation with Lord Itadori?"

At the mention of Yuji, you see how her expression change from worry to realization. Yumi's hands fly off your forearm immediately, and she plucks out a letter from her inner attire and hands it to you with two hands. You take the letter from her and unfold the content, eyes reading the words.

Yuji was Sukuna's younger half-brother, who was fifteen years old, compared to Sukuna, who was twenty-seven. When you put them together or side by side, there wasn't much of a difference in their appearances; if you could point out, Yuji would be the replica of Sukuna, but he is someone who has softer features and heart, unlike his sharper and cold-hearted older brother. You would have referred to Yuji's last name as Sukuna, but before the former Lord passed away, Yuji wished to keep his mother's maiden name since she was the only family member left of hers. He is such a filial son; if only he were the same age as his older brother, you would've married him instead in a heartbeat. But in the end, it didn't matter, you treated the young boy as a little brother and sent him a bi-weekly care package, and Yuji treated you as an older sister he never had despite having so many.

"What does the letter say, Mistress?" Yumi asked, peering at the letters that looked like nothing but indescribable chicken scratches.

"What do you think it says?" You retort the question right back at her, and she sheepishly smiles at you while scratching the back of her head. "I've taught you how to read and write, and the alphabet never stuck to you, did it?" To confirm your suspicion, Yumi made it more evident by messing with the hem of her attire. You want to eye roll at your adorable servant but hold it off with a sigh before giving her a brief explanation. "Yuji said he's doing well at the Gojo's compound; he's also having a nice time and has made friends with the Fushiguro's son and Nobara's daughter. While learning has been difficult for him since I'm not around to help him, Gojo-sensi was nice enough to dumb it down for him." You click your tongue and eye Yumi, "What's with you and Yuji not retaining anything?" Continuing to summarize the letter, you can't help but huff out a little laugh at what you read; Yuji tried to spell something but couldn't as it was retried and crossed out multiple times then he said something different. "He missed eating with me and mentioned that his Sensi wanted to meet me since it's rare for a (Surname) clan girl to be married off. The rest is him rambling about a pretty girl, and that's it."

"I also missed the young master's presence; if he were here, Lord Sukuna wouldn't be hounding you every chance he gets." Yumi mention, and you chuckle. Sukuna hates Yuji, and how you prefer his younger brother. Sukuna had made it known to make off and backhanded comments at Yuji in your being, even with Yuji's naivety to a certain extent; he was sensible enough to understand that his older half-brother didn't like him much. This made you defend the young boy, and in defense, you use the same manner Sukuna did to Yuji in calculated and halcyon quips. You miss the satisfaction of making the man bite his lips in frustration, a part of you wants to relive it again.

If you were someone else, he would've had your head skewered at the front of the gate of the Sukuna's estate as a warning for everyone to watch what they say to him.

Folding the letter and putting it back inside the envelope, you check the sun's position, and you see it is nearly noon. "Yumi, prepare my tea for me."

"Is that so?" An older woman raises a brow; she listens intently to what is being told in front of her ears. Eisha, sitting in front of her, telling her the dreading news of you not being able to conceive children from where she overheard the doctor from Sukuna's quarter in the hallway. Sukuna's mother, Hanami, plays it off, "Even if she failed to fulfill her duty as one of his wives, there are still the other concubines here that are avail." Hanami tried to pass it off as it was the will of fate you weren't granted, children.

"Mother, you're right, although I can't help but worry that this might affect his Lordship's health." Eisha expresses, and Hanami hum at her to go on, "He has been waiting for so long to sire a child with her and is filled with news that she couldn't. Thus I wonder if you could help?"

Hanami paused, giving her a look, "Help? Do you want me to help her? Even if I can, I'm unsure how effective I could be." Hanami worded herself to be a saint and fair in front of Eisha, but when it comes to you, she refuses to be in any part of your life. Anything else, it's disgust and hatred she had for you. If you were born from a different clan and not the one associated with your Aunt Iori Setsuko, formally known as (Surname) Setsuko, she would've helped you.

Eisha, who asked the question, wasn't sure what answer she was given, but she still felt a sense of elation; the fact that you were disregarded as useless stroked her ego. Even if she doesn't have Sukuna's affection yet, she has her mother-in-law, her backer, and support.

"By the way, how are you and my son faring? Another child from you would hold the line stable." Hanami didn't notice how Eisha's face turned wry for a second, and within a blink, it disappeared as she presented her mother-in-law with a smile. Eisha didn't need a reminder from Hanami that she needed a boy to hold the line of succession going.

"Ryomen and I are trying for another, but it's not easy as it seems as it was during the first time," Eisha told Hanami, who gasped as a hand flew to her lips worriedly.

Hanami reached across and held Eisha's hands and squeezed them, "We cannot have that; I have some remedies that could help you." Hanami went over to her drawer and pulled out a few bottles. She hands them over to Eisha, who pretends to look astonished, "This is Unkei-to; take a pill daily to help with your blood flow and circulation." Hanami then sat across from Eisha again, "It's to help regulate your body heat and menstruation cycle, also increasing your ovulation too."

After going on a tangent of talking, Eisha excuses herself and lets out a triumphant grin.

Hanami drops the facade of a loving and caring mother; she puts two fingers against her temple and rubs it in pain; she could feel a headache forming. Knowing the news that you weren't able to bear children does strike her heart cords in happiness, but your presence was still a little reminder of why you're here. For as long as Hanami has known Setsuko, your Aunt was a thorn in her side at the starting days of their youth as young teenagers. Hanami was hailed as the fair maiden of Japan until your Aunt Setsuko appeared and took her title and everything. Every woman from the (Surname) Clan was always regarded as having a prestigious and noble birth, a goddess. Rarely were they ever seen or shown to the public; anyone who was to be wedded or engage with the women was married to their family instead of the husband, per upon agreement. The same goes with the men; the (Surname) is very picky on who they union their children with.

The reason why their feud has ensued for so long was because of Sukuna Tsugahara, Hanami's now-late husband. At first, Hanami and Tsugahara were lovers, and until he met Setsuko that he was smitten and was willing to break off the engagement with her. Blinded by anger and resentment every day for it, Setsuko and Tsugahara got closer and closer until it was then they were set to be engaged that Hanami had pulled the rug beneath their feet. Both parties were stunned since Hanami was willing to pull every dirty stunt in her book until she got Tsugahara back into her arms, and she successfully did. She called him back because a night of trysts pretending to be Setsuko and Sukuna Ryomen resulted from it.

To say Setsuko was betrayed, Hanami wished for Setsuko to feel everything she felt.

Hanami had to give that woman a round of applause, though she knew that Setsuko's bitterness would never end and it would burn forever; sending you was uncalled for and a friendly reminder of 'you robbed me, I will do it right back.'

You were almost an uncanny image of your Aunt that Hanami thought she had seen the devil for a second. Even Tsugahara thought you were Setsuko, and he mistakenly called you her name. You have to correct him. More alarming was her only son, Sukuna Ryomen, whose pupils were blown wide from your beauty and disposition that she thought she was reliving her horrible days again. First, it was her husband who was smitten by Setsuko, now her son towards you.

Even if she successfully dissuades her son from taking you as the head wife, it doesn't stop you from being pampered day and night by both men. Tsugahara cherished you as if you were his daughter since he couldn't be with the one he loves, and Sukuna wouldn't leave you alone to breathe; even speaking ill of you is forbidden, which is an unwritten rule anyone should and have to know.

Hanami was disturbed by their behavior relating to you; you were their favorite. Everything you do is perfect in their eyes, and you would be excused and given leniency. She won't know if she should be thankful that you didn't take advantage of her husband and son's adoration, but she's, nevertheless, pissed that you have them wrapped around your fingers!

You seem to adore your father-in-law Tsugahara more than your husband.

"Now, what should I do?" Hanami asks no one in particular but herself. She didn't want to indulge in the past anymore; she didn't care about Eisha; Hanami needed Eisha to give birth to a legitimate son to secure and solidify her position as the wife. After all, she didn't give her those pills for anything; she needs you out of the picture, even if it'll take time.

You thought peace was always an option without Sukuna hovering over you for the last few days, but not today. The feeling of disdain shoots you; the doctor and Sukuna are in your chamber. Yumi was nervously seated behind you, observing the scene, trying not to be as alarmed as possible. She fears Sukuna, but her caring and worried nature for you outweighs what she feels for your husband. Meanwhile, Sukuna was puffing a tobacco pipe by the window, his face resting against his knuckles. He was side-eying the situation. Your bodily functions matter to him that he took mere time off to hear what the doctor had to say.

The doctor diagnosing you took the thin cloth from your wrist after retaking your pulse. Sukuna had insisted that you were not to be touched by anyone but himself since he's your husband, and you were not to be grouped with common filth either. His other women in the harem.

"Well?" Sukuna lingers his gaze on the male, who clears his throat in apprehension.

The doctor shifted a bit in his spot; he had found a new habit since being under the scrutiny eyes of Sukuna. "As the results from before, Lady (Name) has low body heat and chances of conceiving a child. I had brought back a drug that will help improve her vitality over time to help her chance of conceiving." The male went to his medical box and searched for the miracle medicine. After a few seconds, he pulls out a small purple sash. The doctor unties the strings before carefully dumping a small ball of leaves onto their palm the size of a mini rosebud. You could smell the scent of ginger in it, along with many others. "This was specially made for Lady (Name); it's infused and compressed with..." They went on a tangent confabulation in which herbs were gathered from the mountains, and while what was brought from abroad, together, he went with the effects of it.

"Instead of telling me, get started." Sukuna cuts them off with impatient, and the doctor changes course and requests a pot of boiled water. You instructed Yumi to go to the kitchen with a slight nod. You will play along with whatever plan Sukuna has for you.

Yumi returns a quarter later, tray in both hands. She sat and kneeled on the ground, pouring a bowl of hot water into the ceramic. The doctor then proceeded to drop the ball of leaves into the cup as it unraveled openly. The water slowly changes its color until a dark golden hue is presented.

"It's ready," the doctor announces, plucking the leaves out and gesturing for you to pick up the bowl. You took the cup with the slow motion of a lady and brought it up to your nose. Sukuna watches your action; he sees how you peer into the bowl before taking a small sip, there was a slight twitch you showed, and he guessed it was probably bitter. You down the medicine in one go as you tilt it upwards until nothing was left beside a few residues of leaf particles. There was a strong bitterness in your mouth when you set the bowl back on the small table.

Sukuna dumps the rest of the tobacco out the window by tapping it before setting the pipe aside. He gives the doctor and Yumi a look, indicating that they should leave the room. The doctor didn't need to be told twice before he left the room in a rush, and Yumi hastily picks the bowl and put it on the tray before walking out of the room, not before casting you a glance of anxiety.

"Now," Sukuna rose from his seat, and you do the same, trying to cut him off from meeting you halfway. You blatantly wish to be anywhere else but here with him. It was because of orders from Sukuna to have you confined for a few days to find out what happened to you that it disrupted your daily activities to go out in public to help out the misfortunes and events you voluntarily volunteered yourself to escape his clutches. "Are you that eager to get away, love?" You didn't get very far, as it took a few strides to catch up. Sukuna uses a hand to grasp your wrist and pull you to his hard chest while one arm loops itself to your waist, his fingers lovingly playing with the outline of your hip, drumming and tapping. The man lays his chin on your shoulder while the smell of tobacco clings onto him, drafting towards your nose; Sukuna softly inhales your scent, lulling his mind into tranquility as he closes his eyes blissfully.

This made you turn your head subtly to the side to avoid him, but this made Sukuna think this was an invitation to dig his nose more profoundly into the crevice of your neck. A soft rumble could be heard from his throat. "I may confine you to stay within the castle, but that doesn't mean you have to stay in here." Here. What Sukuna had meant what that being on 'house arrest' doesn't mean you make it a habit to stay in your room.

"You didn't specify where to be confined, so I ought to stay somewhere, and here isn't bad at all." Retort with calmness but a subtle jab, Sukuna's hold tightens a bit more, not much to your liking. But it loosens as it comes to, "Your presence is greatly missed in the mess hall." You wanted to snark back that it's highly doubted; with you gone from the dining table, everyone would tell tales full of travesty of you in high and low, not in front of him, but when he's not around. The only person who would miss you was Sukuna himself.

Grabbing Sukuna's wrist, you untangle yourself from his grasp and put space between you. It's getting unbearable; you could only tolerate being in so much of his existence and him touching you. "Lift my temporary ban; then I'll join." You negotiate, and even with your back still turning against him, Sukuna can't help but grant you your wish. "That I can do, and I'm happy to see your face once more among the common ones." Sukuna moves in front of you; he grabs a lock of your hair and kisses it. He drops it before brushing his thick fingers against your tresses and trying to slide them behind your ear. You smack Sukuna's palm away with a tap, not enough to offend him, but enough to turn him away.

Your action amuses him; Sukuna wasn't sure how long you would resist him. Despite being his favorite for five years when he first laid eyes on you during the selection, even if you don't want him now, he will make sure you'll be him for the rest of eternity. He's a very patient man with many crafts underneath his sleeve. "Make sure to be there on time."

"How can I forget you're a punctual man," maintaining the underlying impasse, Sukuna chuckles when you look up to meet his eyes.

Sukuna turned around and exited your chamber; it wasn't until he was out of sight and mind that you inhaled deeply before exhaling that Yumi cane back into the room like a blur. She fretted over you like a mother hen that your social energy was draining fast already. Putting up with Sukuna always makes you mentally tired; keeping the farce up day and night from all angles isn't what you want.

You were only here per request and out of respect to your Aunt Setsuko, who had raised you because of the early passing of your parents. Marrying into the Sukuna family does have its benefits, although it's not what you had initially had in mind. You held back your thoughts when agreeing to be shipped off into an arranged marriage with Sukuna, the only son your Aunt Setsuko was deadset on having you marry before you were even born.

Maybe you should've asked for the reason before agreeing; now it's an endless headache you're dealing with.

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