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“After women, flowers are the most divine creations to exist.” Christian Dior.
Danielle awakens again to the third violent shake of the sennight, making her vision blurry as it flits around the burls of her wooden walls.
It might be another woodcutter again, the one whom fairies fear the most.
Fortunately, she is not to be betrothed to a greedy and fickle human like him. Though, maybe unfortunately, it’s to a kitsune.
One she’s never even met.
Under the next full moon.
Her head rings when there’s a thud following the fall of another hawthorn’s branch, she grimaces knowing that some of her poor fruits had been crushed along with it again.
Humans, at times, really aren’t gentle when it comes to foraging for the miracle cures fairies have long cultivated for. Don’t they have antiseptics and that wonder drug, penicillin now? Danielle could’ve sworn they had finally developed their own medicine the last time she visited town.
Still, she has to forgo her wings and grow meters taller to be human in her visits to the yokai she’s engaged to. At least, the latter is also clad in a deceiving mirage. It’s unconventional but she’s found some silver lining in that vulnerability, they’d be hiding themselves even with no secrets kept from each other.
“Do you now have prospects in getting married, Danielle dear?” The grandmother of the fae-realm asked during one feast night.
In that instant, all eyes were turned towards her. The movements of slicing pear and chewing collectively became slower with each second Danille took into thinking of another way out.
She pretended to consider her choices when she really hasn’t taken a liking towards any of the fellow young fairies, no matter how shiny their wings glowed during dances. Danielle has gotten more than enough of them groveling at her feet for ‘one chance’ to last her a lifetime, but she’s stubbornly held onto a gut feeling that her future doesn’t lie in creating nor maintaining her own family of fairies.
Her mind started to race at the gnawing pressure that surrounded her, and it wasn’t until she met with Hanni's gaze that she finally remembered their silly conversation on kitsunes and gumihos.
(“I’m telling you it’s better to be married to a gumiho than to a human, Dani.” “Wouldn’t the world be at least kinder to me that a kitsune takes me instead?” “I guess? But girl, imagine the allure of a machiavelli gumiho…”)
Hanni lifted an eyebrow up at her as she neared a bowl of sap to her mouth, her eyes warned her to not do it.
“Well, grandmother,” Danielle started, determined to not let her voice crack, “I’d like to marry a kitsune.” Though, it faltered to a whisper by the last word.
Spoons clinked down against their plates and rounds of horrified gasps rushed in like a chorus.
Danielle washed away the imminent regret by drinking in a sip of honey, her vision roamed around the averted gazes of every fairy.
But the grandmother wasn’t phased. At all.
“If it’s in your will, so be it.” The elder said, drawing a midline smile when she swatched a napkin on one corner of her mouth.
Danielle, bless her nature, clenched her teeth to return the widest grin ever and strained her eyefolds into crescents as she feigned excitement.
She might’ve messed up.
“Of course, I did!” Danielle panics at the mirror, feeling more and more insecure with each beat of her heart.
She paces around the room before kneeling onto the floor, skimming the text of the numerous scrolls that lay open around the pith.
Most are parts to an ancient tale of gumihos and fairies; how a codependent relationship used to commonly exist, wherein a fairy would nurture a gumiho’s prowess using their potions during arduous pillages in the lives of lustful mortals in exchange for stardust from the moon god.
Hanni gave her those ones.
There were only three scrolls that depicted a kitsune's bond with a fairy. These foxes are written to be somewhat guardians and are gentler to humans, guiding them towards their deity’s light. So, it’s really an understatement to say that Kumihos are just loyal to the God they serve, which is why they tend to become indifferent to the pantheon beliefs of the fairies that were assigned to them.
Their boredom had even caused these sly foxes to trap their fairies in a fly trap! Or worse yet from what Hanni had heard from a friend that knew this fairy that learned from another fairy that a kitsune can lure in as many fairies as possible to monopolize their time and isolate them from the world for nothing but pleasure.
(“You know, they’d even take advantage of our human forms to do those deeds with.” “Hanni, what do you mean?” “You know… how some fairies but all humans are made?” “Oh-”)
The bond between the two creatures fell through with time and changing beliefs around humans, fairies started to see these foxes as cruel and abusive while the latter dismissed the former as being complacent. In short, they didn’t need each other anymore.
Danielle had ruminated during the old moon on how to call it all out, to tell the grandmother how she had only spouted nonsense to stall the topic of marriage.
‘Who needs stardust for better sleep, anyway? I can’t marry a scheming sex-addict!’
But each time she tried to, she was only met with reassurance from the grandmother, there’s even a lilt in her voice whenever she got to update her on the arrangements.
(“Junebug, I did doubt you but I’m sure you won’t regret this.” “Wow, grandmother! I can’t wait…!”)
‘Did she manage to get a good underhanded deal from this? Good wine? Maple syrup?’ Has been a constant afterthought for Danielle.
She rolls the scrolls back into place for Hanni to take back later even though she hopes the first visit wouldn't last that long.
Danielle makes a beeline towards the door, pulling it open with both hands. The breeze harshly greets her and she waits for a short while to watch the leaves float down to prevent any obstruction mid-flight. She spots her poor haws fizzing magic out of its wound.
After a minute, her wings start to flutter, preparing for the drop and eventual flight.
The fairies she flew past sent her their warmest of wishes and best of luck—she could only feel the knots in her stomach twist even tighter because her neighbors might as well be betting on the result of her david vs goliath-like love affair.
The swishing of water enters her earshot when she finally spots the basin of rebirth, she freefalls onto the edge of where the ground kisses the water.
She acknowledges that her large outfit is draped over a fallen log, but still it glows meticulously white amidst the mossy green and woody brown palette.
Danielle crouched down to catch the deluge in the cusp of her hands, drinking from it. Illuminating dust particles swirled around her body, and even if she couldn’t feel the growing pains nor the bareness of her skin, she blinked into complete transformation.
The caterpillars metamorphosed into butterflies, a sure tell that a fairy has triggered rebirth in the forest. Three fawns peeked out from the shrubs, bowing their heads at her while a herd of bunnies hopped around her feet. Danielle’s heart grew full at the beauty around her, grateful that the forest has kept its promise in rewarding fairies the most by just showing itself.
The soles of her feet trudged along the ground underneath her, sauntering towards the log. Danielle took her time in fitting into the dress, gliding her fingers along the neckline that angles down from her shoulders to form at the center of her crevice.
It’s mostly simple, with a stitched layer that circles the endpoint of her chest and the rest flow down easily.
But her favorite part is down at the section where it meets her knees. It has an axis of an embroidering pattern of sun-shaped circles that cages small flowers inside each one.
The river nymphs sing-song in adoration, she bashfully smiles back at the beauties. Danielle makes a mental note to thank the grandmother for her impeccable taste and the confidence she had for her, despite the fact that the latter had kept the identity of her soon to be spouse a tight-lipped secret all this time.
(“Positivity is what positions a fairy into all those tales and in the wishes humans whisper before they fall into a sweet slumber, dear.” “Yes, but about the woodpecker and…” “Now, don’t bring up sacreligion here, dear.”)
Danielle borrowed a flask from one river nymph just in case it went wrong, and the beauty could only nod along in a been there, done that way.
A deer she named Jerry and Bernice the bunny, accompanied her to the meadows. The breeze here is stronger, swaying the tall grass and purple hyacinths. Danielle cradles Bernice in her arms, trying to shield its ears from the strong draft and the possibility of falling prey to the foxes rolling in the ground, cackling.
The grandmother was sure she’d not need to memorize the address because the modest house was easy to spot.
It was, but it wasn’t modest at all.
The exterior of the manor was magnificent, cladded in polished limestone which had a greenish hue from the oxidation time brought upon it. Her premonitions of a rich, monopolizing kitsune coming to terrorize her life is creeping up in her nerves as if pleading to be proven right.
Jerry rubbed his nose onto Danielle’s side, she patted his head while she tickled Bernice’s ear a little to comfort the three of them.
“A kitsune can be cruel but it’s never ugly, right?” Danielle tried to land a joke but it only earned a huff from Jerry.
Danielle imagines a broad shouldered kitsune that stands tall enough to dominate over her, taking into form the qualities she doesn’t find attractive in a partner. Maybe his eyes would only sneer at her; he’d save his breath from words to only give her disappointed sighs before his loins would –
The latch to the gate screeches open, unraveling a human whose underbags looked heavy like it hid the horrors this house kept from the world. Bernice shoved her head deeper into Danielle’s stomach and Jerry leaned closer than ever before, she could only swallow back her words.
“Hello, Ms. Marsh, you look better than we anticipated!” The woman’s face contorted into a smile, aging years back in an instant. Danielle couldn’t believe the lilt in her voice.
“Good day…? Ma’am…?” Danielle croaked, realizing she might’ve come across as disrespectful, she repeated, “Good day, ma’am! You’ve flattered me too much.”
“It’s simply the truth, miss, so you have got to start believing it!” The older woman replied with unceasing joy, “It’s rather unfortunate that the young master hasn’t chosen to hold the introductions inside the quaint living room but please don’t be sullen over this, miss.” She pushed the gates wider for her to enter.
“I assure you that the gardens are the most beautiful part of this estate, and I’m sure your friends here would love it no less.”
Danielle pouted her lips in consideration, nodding her head at that kitsune’s good taste.
‘But what if they’d done this multiple times before?’
A young man suddenly steps into view from the sides, smiling at her as he opens a parasol for her to stand underneath. He held it high as they took the detour across the cobblestone path that parted a well-trimmed lawn.
She bites back her worries of getting trapped in a hedge maze until she’s lost in there for life, yelling for Bernice and Jerry.
Moss eventually covered the remaining steps towards the garden, under an archway overgrown with ivy.
“We’ll excuse ourselves now, miss.” The maid bid her farewells along with the butler.
Danielle was left with a view of shrubs that housed pink peonies while the sweet alyssums swayed gently with the wind. The dew of the lush greens glistened underneath the sun, blessing her eyes.
Bernice hops from her arms, joining Jerry towards the yellow daffodils; there are other flowers that bloomed for her attention but she’s more drawn towards the pond that’s situated underneath a willow tree.
The water trickles as koi fishes swim around it with blobbing mouths, she’s witnessing colors she hasn’t seen back at home. Danielle cards her fingers along the cold, giggling at the water lilies she nudged back.
Suddenly, there's an unnatural rustling of leaves behind her.
She turns her head back, spotting two white and fuzzy ears peaking from a rectangular hedge. It’s been spying on her. Danielle couldn’t hold back a laugh anymore.
For God’s sake, she was going to be married to this person. Why is it being shy?
Danielle pushed herself up by her knees, “Hello?” She called out.
It raised its head, realizing it’d been caught.
Two green eyes grew wider before it ducked out of view.
“Kitty? Can I get closer?” Danielle teases, trying to find some respite before being eaten alive.
‘I thought kitsunes were more forward than this?’
Two light hops were faintly heard by Danielle, making her take careful steps away from the pond when she got bored of standing idly near it.
She didn’t want to overcross each other’s boundaries, especially when this fox seemed more reserved than she thought.
Danielle stood on her tiptoes to catch a glimpse of what’s beyond the hedge but there was nothing.
Instead, a beautiful woman surprised her by meeting her from the right side.
Danielle almost tripped when she landed her feet back, hitching her breath at the one who stood next her. Their eyes met for only a second because the latter had ducked her head down, evidently shy by the redness of her ears.
'Cute. Cute? Is this real? So, so.. cute.'
“Good,” Danielle tried to speak despite the lump in her throat, “Morning, Kitty.” Her eyes travelled down at the gray peacoat made of short-trimmed fur that had golden buttons matching the ones the soft-pink dress she was wearing underneath had.
Her tease might’ve triggered the woman to finally look up at her with an unreadable face. Her skin was unmarked from any blemish, and her pink blush complimented the sharp, cat-like eyes she’s never seen before in anyone else.
Her hair was a rich, chocolate brown that neatly parted from the side to flow down until where it met her elbows.
Danielle truly had been unfair with the image she made of her fiance, too unfair.
She couldn’t possibly be more captivated until the woman snapped her out of her daze to bring forth a sunflower she had hid behind her back. Danielle opened her mouth, closing it, before settling into a wide smile.
“I can’t express how glad I am to meet you,” She said, clearly trying her best to be brave, “I am Kang Haerin.”
Haerin trailed off and Danielle simply waited for her to continue. In the meantime, their fingers brushed when she took in the flower.
What stood before her isn’t an evil nor ugly kitsune that sought out to ravage her life. But what will linger in her future, is this shy woman, her pretty girl, whose loveliness surpasses every flower she’s ever seen.
“You…” Haerin voiced again.
“…I’m Danielle Marsh?” Danielle giggled.
“Yes, but what I meant to say was that you’re beautiful.”
Her body fuzzes with something warm—of feelings she’s never felt before.
“You know, Kang Haerin, I’m also honored to be your fairy-wife-to-be,” Danielle teased, biting her inner lip as she locked eyes with the dilated pupils of the other.
Haerin nodded, her hands fidgeting on her sides, “Do you want to have tea, now? Elize had prepared a set with biscuits there at the table…”
Danielle hummed in approval, and she couldn’t wait to get more out of her.
‘Love at first sight? Is a fairy’s heart this fickle?’ She questioned inwardly, stepping further to take her hand in hers.
Haerin smelled strongly of roses and honey with hinting notes of warm vanilla and creamy sandalwood.
The woman stiffened for a second before she intertwined their fingers together, “So, are fairies this forward?” She said, amused.
“Wedding invitations are usually sent to guests, but kitsunes only send it to their own wives,” Danielle raised her chin, “It happened to me you know?”
“Touché.”
The birds chirp along with their shared laughter as they take slow steps to their table.
Danielle started to talk about her family back at home, especially the grandmother and Hanni. Haerin listened, cooing at every detail and bashfully whining at the rumors they had of her back at the forest. The latter shared her hobbies, the walks she’s taken the past few days and the sandwich formula she developed herself.
They paused when they reached the low and circular white table, realizing that they had to let go of their joined hands because the chairs were across from each other.
Haerin opened her mouth to say something but Danielle refused this arrangement immediately. She dragged the left chair by its top, grazing the grass until it perched next to the one Haerin would sit on.
“So,” Haerin smiled, brushing a thumb over hers, “Do you really like me this much, Ms. Marsh?”
Danielle pretended to consider, tapping a finger on her chin, “I have to make sure I’m not down at the bottom in your list of concubines, Ms. Kang.”
The other knitted her brows as her smile fell through, “What? You’re my only one!” She protested like a brooding kitten, slipping into a slouch in her seat.
Danielle reached with her free hand to tuck a hair behind her ear, “Silly, I was only joking.” She then felt along her jawline, to which the other leaned into the touch.
‘Do I really get to have her all to myself?’
“Haerinnie, I hope you’re telling me the truth but I would like to know, why did you want to…”
“Marry you?” Haerin finished her sentence, sitting straight into her chair.
Danielle nodded, looking away for two times before maintaining eye contact.
“The rice deity favored my parents into enlightenment, so I kind of have all of this for myself and,” Haerin paused to gather her thoughts, “I don’t think I really get to meet with anyone else except Elize and Louise, and Minji–”
“Who’s Minji?” Danielle interjected, playfully narrowing her eyes at her.
“She’s a gumiho, who’s also not that committed to our duties? She’s the one who told me about the bonds between fairies and kitsunes, and Hyein–” Haerin shrieked when she felt a hard press into the web under her thumb, “My cousin,” She continued.
“She told me that no fairy would even take a liking to me but Minji had already sent the notice to the fairy realm. I didn’t even know about who you are, only your name. So, earlier when I saw before me was a woman whose elegance and beauty the cloudy fields in heaven couldn’t ever match… I couldn’t be more grateful? That, maybe my karma accumulated as one reward, into you.”
Danielle fell silent, her heart beating a thousand times. Haerin had practically given her a vow, one that feels impossible to be a lie.
“You know, Haerinnie, your flowers down in this garden fall short when it comes to you?” She squeezed her hands three times under the table, “Even if you're a nine-tailed mystical being or this cute kitten in front of me, all those peonies and hyacinths disappear from view.”
She leaned in to press a soft kiss onto the reddened cheeks of her lover, “No take backs, alright?”
“You have us for an eternity, Danielle.”