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And before we knew it, night had fallen.
After Shuko arrived, I immediately headed to the stable where Taishakutsukige was supposed to be, but...
Even though it was broad daylight, she was in the midst of exploiting her harem of stallions.
Ultimately, Taishakutsukimo, or rather Yoriko, is a demon, and her values are completely different from ours.
For her, sexual intercourse is not for reproduction, but an act of accumulating power for transformation—as is evident from the way she relentlessly drains the stallions.
I was now just staring at the horse lying on the stable floor, twitching and convulsing, with a lewd expression on its face...
There was nothing I could do but let out a deep sigh.
I felt like I made eye contact with Taishakutsukige, but it might have been a hallucination brought on by the pungent, strong, and intense sexual odor that permeated the stable.
Upon returning to the mansion, Haruhime, who had just gotten out of bed, was preparing dinner with Ichihime.
Ichihime tried to dissuade her, saying, "Please don't overexert yourself and get some rest," but Osamuhime refused to listen, saying, "I can't let the mistress do all the work."
"Osamu-sama! It's cut!"
"Yes, thank you very much."
"Leave it to me!"
And then there's the presence of Naosuke, a scene that's different from before.
Ichihime and Haruhime are cooking, and a girl with the appearance of a middle school student is helping them.
Perhaps, to Haruhime, she was like a younger sister despite the age difference.
He keeps the young girl, who is overflowing with youthful energy, firmly in control, such as making sure Ichihime gives a proper greeting.
(Well, it's less like sisters and more like...mother and daughter.)
The fact that Haruhime's appearance is somewhat that of a married woman probably reinforces that impression.
Ever since Princess Osamu became unable to move from her bed, a somewhat somber atmosphere had hung over our mansion.
The lively atmosphere completely dispelled the gloomy mood, and Ichihime looked very happy.
In the end...
"Kaede! Sakura! You two come too!"
Ichihime even went so far as to summon her own ladies-in-waiting.
When they first entered the room, they were quite apologetic, but when Ichihime entrusted them with removing the intestines from the fish they were going to eat that night, smiles naturally appeared on their faces, as if they had been swept up in the atmosphere.
"Well then, let's eat."
As Princess Ichi said this, the ladies-in-waiting poured porridge into everyone's bowls, and slices of fish and mushrooms, which had been heated in an iron pot with miso and herbs, were served.
The congee had plum pulp cooked in it, giving it a lovely aroma, and the herb-roasted fish was served with ginger, which whetted the appetite.
"Hmm... Delicious."
When I said that, the atmosphere at the dinner table became even brighter.
Incidentally, not only Naoko, but also the ladies-in-waiting are having a meal with her today.
The reason Ichihime is allowing it is probably because today is a "celebratory day" because Haruhime's condition has improved.
A warm meal opens the human heart.
The conversations among those gathered around the dinner table become lively and delightful to the ears.
"Well, a lot of people from the Oda family pass through Lord Osamu's territory right now!"
"Why is that?"
"They were carrying a lot of lumber! So I think they must be trying to build something!"
As I listened to the energetic story of Shuko, one thought crossed my mind.
Sekigahara, being part of Takenaka's territory, is indeed an extremely important strategic point.
In the world I came from, it's a place whose name is almost never heard in history except for the Battle of Sekigahara...
However, since it serves as a transit point connecting Omi and Mino, if it is properly developed, it may be possible to make it a thriving commercial hub.
"Oh... Is it time for you to get sleepy, Shuko-san?"
Around the time everyone was about to finish their meal, Ichihime said something like that.
Following her words, I looked towards Shuko and saw the girl rowing her boat back and forth.
He appears to be completely overcome by sleepiness.
"No... I'm not sleepy yet..."
"...Osamu"
"Yes, sir/madam."
Responding to my call with a wry smile, Haruhime stood up, took Naruhito's hand, and went outside the mansion.
It seems they intend to put the baby to sleep in the separate room.
"...She's like a mother."
I couldn't help but mutter that to myself.
If he were to have a child with Haruhime, I'm sure he would take care of the child in a similar way.
"Mother... Oh, that's right. Now that you mention it, Kaede, Sakura."
"Yes, Princess Ichihime."
"What is it, Princess Ichihime?"
"Yes, have you heard anything about Tsubaki?"
Perhaps my mumbling gave her an idea, because Ichihime asked about the woman who used to be her head lady-in-waiting.
As expected, they were both ladies-in-waiting.
They probably keep in touch quite a bit.
Kaede, the maid, who didn't have a particularly large bust but had a beautiful figure from her hips and waist down to her ankles, said with a graceful posture.
"Yes. I met Ms. Tsubaki again today, and she was hanging out her laundry in the tenement house."
"Laundry..."
"yes"
Kaede responded in a quiet but clear voice.
"He was hanging men's underwear on bamboo poles like this. Underwear with 'Heishiro' embroidered in large letters on the back, like a flag."
Maintaining her perfect kneeling posture, Kaede made a gesture of raising the flag.
"However, Ms. Tsubaki hasn't always done that."
"Well, I suppose so."
Ichihime giggled, as if she found it incredibly amusing.
Incidentally, Tsubaki's husband, Yamada Heishiro, apparently fought valiantly in the previous battle and has earned the respect of many of the spear-wielding foot soldiers.
"Lately, Ms. Tsubaki seems to be really full of life..."
Sakura is the one who says that.
She had the largest breasts among the three former ladies-in-waiting...
That might sound like I'm only looking at that, but she really does have a great bust. So big I want to bury my face in it.
"Is that what a woman with a loving husband looks like...? It somehow reminds me of Princess Ichihime... No, of course I know that's an inappropriate comparison."
As Sakura said this, a hint of envy was visible in her eyes.
My wife is very observant. She must have sensed the maid's demeanor without hesitation.
Ichihime took a deep breath and then addressed her ladies-in-waiting.
"...Kaede, Sakura. Is there a gentleman you two are interested in?"
"not here"
Yes, it was Kaede who answered immediately.
Sakura, on the other hand, remained silent.
But Ichihime did not scold him for it, and instead, with a wry smile on her face, she said:
"If there is a gentleman you are interested in... you can introduce him to me anytime."
"Huh...?"
Kaede and Sakura looked surprised.
But Ichihime continued with a look that suggested it was perfectly natural.
"Kaede, how old are you now?"
"I turned 17."
"Sakura, how old are you now?"
"I'm 18, Princess Ichihime."
Then—Ichihime paused for a moment, and then, letting out a quiet sigh, she said.
"You're all getting on in years. You should find a husband soon, or you'll be left behind... Come on, it's getting late. Let's go to bed early so you can work hard tomorrow."嫁stomach
After saying all of that in one breath, Ichihime tried to chase Kaede and Sakura out.
Unable to defy their master's will, the ladies-in-waiting bowed repeatedly and left.
But seeing Ichihime like that made me uneasy.
There was such a fuss about Tsubaki before.
Considering that, telling the ladies-in-waiting to "bring me any men you like" must be quite a big deal for them.
"Hey, Ichi... about what happened earlier."
"Yes, that's right..."
After letting out a big sigh, Ichihime said with a wry smile:
"Ichi learned a valuable lesson: as a human being, he could never escape romantic entanglements—after the recent incident with Tsubaki."
"Ah... that's right."
"Yes. Once romantic entanglements begin, things will just have to unfold as they will. And there's no way to forcibly suppress them."
Because I am the one who knows the wonderful feeling of loving and being loved.
Ichihime looks at me and says shyly, like a young girl. Oh, she's incredibly cute.
"My lord, my wife, it is Osamu."
I faced Ichihime, who was blushing and looking embarrassed.
A voice rings out that clearly conveys a deep sense of regret for disrupting that structure.
The sliding door slowly opened, and Princess Chihime bowed her head and returned to the room.
"Oh, Princess Haruhime. Is something the matter?"
Ichihime asks in a soft, gentle voice.
Then, Chihime swiftly moved to the place where she had been eating just moments before—
"I forgot about this..."
—She held up a beautiful sachet and showed it to me.
Made from red and white fabric, it features the Takenaka family crest.
"Well then, I'll be going now."
As she said that and started to leave the room—
"Wait for me."
Without thinking, I grabbed Haruhime's wrist and pulled her closer.
"Huh? Um, excuse me? You...?"
Haruhime is in my arms, with a confused expression on her face.
That's not surprising.
Today was supposed to be the day I spend the night with Ichihime.
"Will you stay here tonight?"
"But, but you..."
"Let's sleep together, Ichi."
Then, I saw Ichihime's face suddenly turn red, and she quickly pulled her kimono closer to her chest.
"No! That's not it!"
I called out to Ichihime, who was clearly wary of me, while tightening my grip on Osahime.
"It's not like I want to have sex with you guys ... I just genuinely wanted to sleep with Ichi and Osamu... that's all. Of course, I know that today is the day I'm spending with you, Ichi. But today is also the day Osamu's body has recovered... so..."侍Habe
I said, as if spilling all the filth from my heart.
"Please, I beg you, sleep with me, your husband... I'm begging you, just reassure me. Let me know that I've been able to come back to you..."
"Your Majesty..."
Haruhime cried out in a worried voice from within my arms.
She probably sensed the conflict within me—the fundamental guilt stemming from having slept with Yoriko—quickly.
And Ichihime, because she knew me so well, was very sensitive to the emotional turmoil I, her husband, showed.
"If it's to sleep next to me...that's fine, Lord Nagamasa."
"city..."
"J-just sleeping next to each other...! If you promise me you won't do anything naughty to Ichi, or to Princess Osamu...!"
Ichihime glanced at me occasionally and said in a barely audible voice:
"...Okay."
"thank you"
"Absolutely nothing naughty... is forbidden... Princess Haruhime, is that alright?"
"Y-yes!"
If it were just me and Ichihime, I would almost never lay a hand on her...
However, if Haruhime were to join in and begin having sex with me, there was a possibility that I would lose control, as usual.
An era before the modern convenience of condoms existed.
For pregnant women, vaginal intercourse significantly increases the risk of miscarriage.
What Ichihime fears most is precisely the risk of bearing that risk herself.
All she wants is to bring into this world a child born as a result of our mutual love and desire for each other.
It's perfectly natural for a woman to want to eliminate any danger that threatens that.
But from Ichihime's perspective—since I, her beloved husband, made a proper promise, believing in it is also an important thing.
A married couple should trust each other...
Ichihime holds onto what I told her on our wedding night as if it were sacred.
"Okay... then, let's go to sleep."
I said that, spread my arms wide, and lay down.
My wives were watching it in stunned silence.
But Ichihime and Haruhime looked at each other, smiled, and then quickly approached me and rested their heads on my arms.
The comforting weight on my arm, and the gentle sighs of my wives.
Upon realizing this, my heart, a mixture of guilt and happiness, suddenly regained its tranquility—and slowly, I began to sink into a blissful darkness.