The Ayakashi Hunter's Tainted Bride

Young, cheerful Nanao can’t wait to marry her betrothed, Reito, the young lord of the Byakurenji family. But that changes one night when she is attacked by a vengeful yokai spirit—an ayakashi—leaving her scarred with the mark of a demonic curse. Her cousin Akemi seizes the chance to steal away her fiance, but it doesn’t matter. Reito now finds her repulsive, and Nanao is forced to wear a monkey mask to hide her scar and live the life of an outcast. Years later, she meets Yako, the willful young scion of another noble family. When Nanao’s mask shatters after an accident, Yako sees her face and is drawn to her beauty and great spiritual power. But there’s more to the handsome young lord than meets the eye, and when Yako offers Nanao a way out of her torturous life, the new life that awaits her is filled with more mystery and intrigue that she could ever imagine…

After years of living as a mistreated outcast after being scarred by a vengeful ayakashi, Nanao is rescued by the mysterious Yako of the Benitsubaki family. Yako, enchanted by Nanao’s beauty and the mysterious power that lies within her, takes Nanao in as his wife, and Nanao leaves her torturous life behind her as she moves to live with Yako in the imperial capital. But Nanao soon learns that Yako has scars of his own—Known as the “Tsubaki Demon”, Yako is marked with a curse that requires him to suck blood, and Nanao is the perfect vessel for him to feed upon. Even still, Nanao doesn’t mind. Grateful for the new life that Yako has given her, life at the Benitsubaki estate—where ayakashi work alongside humans without discrimination or judgement—feels like a dream. Nanao soon finds herself right at home and at ease from the tortures of her past…that is, until she runs into her former master, Reito… Will Nanao ever be able to escape her past, and what will it mean for her future with Yako?

The reason why Nanao has not disposed of the hairpin from her former fiance, Reito, is revealed to Yako. Already knowing Nanao’s feelings, Yako asks for her to choose him. Once again, the two reaffirm their mutual feelings for each other and strengthen their bond. Sleeping by each other’s side, a taste of chocolate…all these first times are fleeting. Unfortunately for Akemi, Reito wants to end his marriage with her as his eyes turn back toward Nanao.