Chapter 280: In the Name of a Wife
The space behind the curtain followed the layout of a standard ancient Japanese building. Nearly everything—from furniture to utensils—was made of wood, creating an illusion of time travel that felt completely out of place in the modern developed world.
In the center of the room, a young girl knelt on the tatami mats.
She wore an elegant kimono resembling the twelve-layered jūnihitoe. As he had noted earlier, she was not very old—just at the age where her youthful beauty was beginning to blossom.
Her jet-black hair cascaded softly down her back, styled in a neat hime cut. Combined with her delicate features, she looked as adorable as a doll.
Yet both her eyes and expression were filled with astonishment.
"Who are you?"
Sumeragi Kaguya was initially flustered by the sudden appearance of a stranger, but she quickly composed herself with a calmness beyond her years.
Her bright eyes swiftly scanned the intruder who had barged into the mansion.
Then, as if she had realized something, the surprise in her eyes vanished, replaced by sheer excitement.
"...Could you be Lord Shadow?!"
The black tailcoat, the flowing silver hair, the crimson pupils—all these distinctive features pointed unmistakably to that conclusion!
Kaguya quickly rose from the tatami and ran over on her tabi-clad feet, throwing herself into Mahiro's arms with a familiarity that seemed almost innate. She compared their heights and said:
"Ah, just like in the videos, Lord Shadow is so tall! If that's the case, maybe it wouldn't be suitable for me to become your wife. I wonder if you like someone like me?"
As if she had no idea what "wife" truly meant, Kaguya spoke with the innocence of a young girl, uttering words one might say upon meeting their idol.
Mahiro looked at her, at the girl in his arms, and gave her a once-over—especially her flat chest and petite figure. The corners of his lips curled into a faint, ambiguous smile.
"So forward? But Miss Kaguya, I'm not picky, you know~"
The girl before him, clad in a lavish kimono—this girl of noble status and high position, Sumeragi Kaguya—was Suzaku Kururugi's childhood fiancée, the former miko of the Kururugi Shrine, the sole heir of the old Japanese imperial family, and the symbolic figurehead supported by the Kyoto Six.
Though "supported" was a generous term; it was more like a title of legitimacy, much like how Emperor Xian of Han was held tightly in Cao Cao's grasp...
No, perhaps it was even more pitiful. Dong Zhuo might be a more accurate comparison.
She was a symbol—a mark of the old Japan's survival—a canary kept in a gilded cage.
One could even say she was worse off than Euphemia, who at least had Cornelia's protection. Even compared to Nunnally, she might fall short, since Nunnally had an elder brother like Lelouch.
And what about Sumeragi Kaguya?
She had nothing. The Kyoto Six treated her like a child, a mascot. If she weren't physically healthy and sound, she might have even surpassed Nunnally in misery.
Earning the title of "Most Tragic Princess."
Thus, her motives for acting this way were clear—
"Lord Shadow, why are you being so distant? As your wife, you should just call me Kaguya."
Kaguya spoke these words naturally, her dark eyes flecked with emerald green blinking charmingly.
"My wife, huh... Could you tell me why you're calling yourself that?"
He met Kaguya's gaze.
He could see the true intentions hidden behind her innocence and cuteness, but since her nature wasn't bad and she was quite kind, Mahiro chose to continue humoring her.
"Because I believe Lord Shadow is the great hero who will save Japan! The moment I saw you in that video on TV, I had that feeling."
Kaguya spoke with conviction, her beautiful eyes wide open, her confidence in him even greater than his own.
"Oh?"
Mahiro raised his tone slightly. "Why me and not ZERO? To the public, he's the one who represents hope for Japan's salvation, right?"
That was true.
Compared to the Black Knights, the Shadow Garden remained largely unknown. Even though their actions had caused major disturbances, those were only within Britannia—and even then, only within the royal family's awareness.
In essence, the Black Knights' fame far surpassed that of the Shadow Garden, which lurked in the shadows.
"As expected of Lord Shadow, asking such a difficult question right away."
The sole heir of the old Japanese imperial family poked her chin with her finger, frowning in thought. The furrowed brows gave her a fragile appearance that made men want to soothe her sorrows and stop pressing for answers.
Unfortunately, she was facing Mahiro.
A man who, while appreciating beauty, lacked excess pity.
"There are two great figures—Lord ZERO and Lord Shadow—but only one Kaguya. At first, I was quite troubled. Then I decided: whoever I met first would be my destined partner, and Kaguya would marry him and become his wife.
Without me knowing anything, Lord Shadow came here to meet me. Isn't that fate?
Moreover, after meeting Lord Shadow, I feel that marrying you would be my greatest happiness."
Kaguya blinked, clasping her hands over her chest and speaking in a sweet, coquettish tone.
Being called "wife" and "married" repeatedly by a pretty lolita girl...
If it were anyone else, even a heart of stone might melt under her words.
Regardless of anything else, Kaguya was highly skilled at acting cute, and Mahiro did enjoy it.
But—
"Lying isn't a good idea, Princess of the old Japan. Especially not in front of me."
"Eh???"
Kaguya froze, completely taken aback by his unexpected response.
"Surprised?"
Under Mahiro's questioning, Kaguya first nodded subconsciously, then quickly shook her head.
"No need to deny it. Let me finish."
Mahiro smiled faintly, took off his shoes, and boldly sat down on the tatami, looking up at the girl who was now only slightly taller than him.
"You chose Shadow over ZERO primarily because of how you perceive them, right?
ZERO excels in strategy. Though he can plan campaigns a thousand miles away, such a person is usually hard to control. Meanwhile, Shadow specializes in combat. Even if he can single-handedly form an army, he'd be much easier to handle as a pawn—and much simpler to manipulate, correct?
After all, in your eyes, Shadow is just a brainless warrior, a pure muscle-headed fool~"
Mahiro spoke as if discussing someone else, stepping into a third-person perspective to lay out these points.
And precisely these words left Kaguya utterly stunned. For the first time, nervousness appeared on her delicate face, and her small hands beneath her furisode sleeves clenched into fists.
She hurriedly shook her head in denial.
"That's not true, Lord Shadow! I... I never thought that!"
"Don't get worked up. I didn't say you thought that, but surely someone has whispered such things in your ear—like Kirihara Taizō and the rest of the Kyoto Six, am I right?"
Kaguya's cherry lips parted slightly, but no words came out.
Because what he said was completely accurate.
Indeed, Lord Kirihara and the others had discussed such matters in front of her—almost word for word.
That was also the real reason for inviting Shadow here today.
After the failure of the Japan Liberation Front, the Kyoto Six seemed to have realized something: to restore the nation, they needed their own pawns.
Thus, they set their sights on this "warrior" Shadow, whom they believed would be easy to fool, as their first chess piece.
Even ZERO had become a secondary target for recruitment—or, more accurately, a "backup option."
As for the Black Knights, they were nothing more than an insignificant bargaining chip.
"But as for you, Miss Kaguya, even if you didn't think that way, you still need my power, right?" Mahiro added.
"Ahaha... You caught me..."
The girl, her true intentions exposed, laughed awkwardly in embarrassment.
Indeed, she did need Shadow's power because she wanted to break free from the Kyoto Six's control.
Although the Kyoto Six revered her as the sole surviving heir of the old imperial family, it was only on the surface.
In reality, her life was far from easy.
The six families never listened to her opinions, acting unilaterally as if she were a canary for display. They constantly dismissed her with arrogant remarks like, "She's just a decorative little girl relying on her family name."
Some had even begun to entertain certain ideas—
Since she had reached the age for marriage and childbearing, some were scheming to have her marry into one of the families to continue the imperial bloodline.
If these people were genuinely dedicated to restoring Japan and raising the banner of rebellion—rather than paying lip service to ideals while secretly pursuing business interests under Britannia—she might have accepted such a fate.
After all, that was the mission she was born to fulfill as Sumeragi Kaguya. She had nothing else to offer but her body and the title of imperial heir.
If it could bring Japan back to life, what did it matter if she became a tool for bearing children?
But things didn't go as hoped.
So, she wanted to resist. She wanted to break away from the Kyoto Six and fulfill her wishes.
Thus, she chose to attach herself to Shadow, simply because his power was undeniable.
"But Kaguya's feelings for Lord Shadow are real! Kaguya truly admires and adores you... Because, Lord Shadow, you are the image of the great hero in Kaguya's heart!"
Kaguya's eyes sparkled as she spoke.
Yet Mahiro remained completely unmoved. He clapped his hands as if dusting them off and said:
"Princess, don't you think it lacks persuasiveness to say such things after I've exposed your motives?"
"Then what must Kaguya do to make Lord Shadow believe her?"
Hearing her retort, Mahiro, who was still looking into her eyes, suddenly broke into a roguish grin, lightly stroking his chin like a villain.
"Since you claim you want to be my wife, shouldn't you show some action to prove it?"
Mahiro stated this as if it were only natural.
"Y-Yes, you're right. Satisfying her husband's every desire is indeed a wife's duty."
At that moment, Kaguya seemed to make a decision. Her eyes grew resolute as she stepped toward Mahiro, stopping right in front of him and reaching out to cradle his head.
"Mm?"
Their faces were mere centimeters apart. A delicate, orchid-like fragrance emanated from the girl's lips, and her unique, subtle scent lingered at the tip of his nose.
"Are you sure you really want to do this? This is a high-stakes gamble. You're betting your body, your future. Is this ruined country worth such a sacrifice?"
The girl didn't speak.
She merely smiled enchantingly.
And leaned down, answering with a kiss.
Carrying the sweet essence of the girl, it enveloped Mahiro completely.
One could say she never cared about winning or losing; to her, there was no such thing as a gamble. She firmly believed her choice was right.
If she chose to believe in someone, she would believe wholeheartedly, without reservation.
That was the greatest respect she could offer—both to herself and to the other person.
After a long while, their lips parted.
Kaguya's small face flushed with an alluring cherry pink. Her breath, tinged with color, escaped between her lips, and her dazed eyes were filled with a maiden's shyness.
A simple kiss shouldn't have caused such a reaction.
But was Mahiro the kind of man to be satisfied with just a kiss?
Obviously not.
Sliding his hand beneath the hem of her kimono, he enjoyed the smooth, warm skin of her thigh, moving steadily northward.
Kaguya's cheeks gradually flushed red. She couldn't suppress a soft moan, but even as her body trembled, she stubbornly held herself together, accepting everything from him.
"Tsk, tsk."
Throughout this, Mahiro calmly watched Kaguya's eyes. Aside from a maiden's shyness, there was not a trace of resistance.
This woman was truly prepared to offer herself...
Rumble—
Just then, a slight tremor like an earthquake, along with a tremendous roar, shattered the intimate atmosphere in the room.
"Wh-What's happening?"
Kaguya instinctively leaned forward, wrapping her arms around Mahiro's head and giving him a flat-faced "facial wash."
Hmm, a bit on the firm side.
Extricating himself from Kaguya's embrace, Mahiro said leisurely, "Seems we'll have to stop here for today. The other side has already begun."
"Eh?"
Hearing his cryptic words, Kaguya wanted to ask for clarification.
But before she could speak, a low moan escaped her throat.
"Ah..."
Choosing to withdraw, Mahiro glanced at the moisture clinging to his fingertips. Like a magician, he produced a tissue, wiped it clean, and said to Sumeragi Kaguya, "Since you've been so cooperative, let's make a deal.
If you want the power to resist, I'll grant you that power. How about it?"
Having lost her support, Kaguya collapsed weakly onto the floor. Using her delicate arms to prop herself up, she panted heavily.
In her current state, she couldn't even answer Mahiro's question, let alone muster the strength to adjust her disheveled clothing, leaving it strewn about.
Yet she didn't seem to mind her exposed, naked body being seen by Mahiro.
However, just as she caught her breath and was about to speak, Mahiro added:
"Well, it's time to go."
"Lord Shadow, are you leaving?"
Watching Mahiro rise from the tatami, Kaguya asked softly.
"Of course. I've had my fun, and now it's time to take care of business and wrap things up."
Again, he spoke those incomprehensible words.
But hearing "had my fun," Kaguya couldn't help but lower her head in shyness. Clutching the hem of her clothes with her small hands, she put on a coy, reluctant-yet-willing act that stirred the imagination.
But as Mahiro strode out of the room and back into the garden, Kaguya couldn't help but sigh. Her eyes held a mix of relief and complexity. Adjusting her slightly messy clothes, she staggered to her feet and knelt once more on the tatami.
Just as she had been before Mahiro arrived.
After all, she still had to face Kirihara and the rest of the Kyoto Six. She couldn't possibly meet them in such a disgraceful, indecent state.
The only issue was the damp stain left on the tatami, which she couldn't clean up. But she only needed to shift slightly and cover it with her sleeve.
Yet when she thought of her choice, though she had no regrets and even felt fortunate and happy, as a young girl, she couldn't help but feel a bit lost.
"There's no other way. This is the only thing I have now."
Gently stroking her own body, Kaguya whispered softly.
Sometimes, she wished she could live carefree like other girls her age. But being born into this family, as the last heir of the Japanese imperial family, such an ordinary life was far too luxurious.
After straightening her clothes, she bowed her head slowly in the direction Mahiro had departed.
"Please forgive Kaguya for not rising to see you off, Lord Shadow. I look forward to meeting you again."
And so, the matter should have ended there...
That's how it should have been.
But the next moment, the voice that should have left returned, drifting back into the room from outside.
"What nonsense are you talking? Don't you want to see the downfall of the Kyoto Six's old men with your own eyes, my dear Princess?"