This is the volume where My Happy Marriage truly becomes a series, and while a wedding is set, I’m guessing this is going to remain My Happy Engagement for a while. Because between dealing with a mother-in-law and a secret society, Miyo and Kiyoka have their hands full.
The novel continues shortly after the previous (and with the same translator as volume 2, so “Kiyoka” it is for Miyo) but almost immediately jumps right into the story. Kiyoka’s sickly father appears and invites the couple (and Hazuki) to visit the main Kudou estate. Of course, the sickly Tadakiyo admits that’s partially a ruse, as there are suspicious goings-on nearby. Thus, Kiyoka and Miyo set out. Miyo is nervous, but Kiyoka is annoyed because while he finds Tadakiyo somewhat irritating, Kiyoka downright loathes Fuyu, his mother. And readers will quickly understand his ire when Fuyu openly insults Miyo immediately.
The only reason he doesn’t become even more hostile is for Miyo’s sake. Although she has gained a lot of self-confidence and self-respect, Fuyu’s words shake Miyo. But she still decides she wants to try to understand Fuyu and win her tacit approval — and perhaps repair the relationship between her and Kiyoka as a bonus.
Condescending and haughty in-laws are hardly unique in fiction, but it’s not as common to have their child (or children, in this case) loathe their mother/father. Combined with Fuyu so brazenly finding fault with everything about Miyo and coldly dismissing her husband’s sweet nothings, there’s an undertone like Miyo has been so corrupted by her stepmother that anyone over that low bar couldn’t be that bad. True, the author shows that Miyo is the only one who notices certain things about the Kudou estate because of her past history, but the author makes Fuyu so dislikable that Miyo finding a softer side of her is destined to ring hollow. But I do applaud Kiyoka for so vehemently sticking up for Miyo in front of Fuyu (#relationshipgoals), and although he has reservations about Miyo trying to understand his mother, he still follows his fiancée’s wishes.
Relationship wise, Kiyoka and Miyo are still progressing rather slowly despite the other constantly being on their minds and wanting to be together. It’s a bit ironic since although the two have quickly realized how important they are to each other, they’re not nearly as quick on the uptake that their feelings are romantic. Of the two, Kiyoka is progressing faster, which just adds to his likability as the hero.
Meanwhile, Kiyoka investigates the mysterious sightings of a giant horned creature and whether it’s a Grotesquerie or not. While My Happy Marriage volume 2 greatly expanded on the supernatural aspects of this world, volume 3 goes even further. While I’ve felt Gifts were well explained in scope, the Grotesqueries were just some vague creations. Now, we learn more about what makes a Grotesquerie a Grotesquerie, and the threat of a shady organization fits into the setting without coming across as a vast and/or unnecessary escalation of events. This also allows the novel to connect with characters introduced in volume 2 and sets up well for a longer arc.
Well, another longer arc besides Miyo working to establish herself as Kiyoka’s wife in all aspects, including realizing how she feels about her fiancé. But still, even though their relationship is still budding, it’s still a sweeter, healthier one than so may others you can read about. Now with the supernatural aspects are providing more intrigue, the story is heating up. However, Fuyu’s insults have more of a bite to them than that of a normal judgmental in-law, and readers will be rooting for a villainess-like downfall for her rather than her and Miyo becoming family.