The news of Kurosaki Risako's pregnancy brought elation for the Kurosaki family.
Any news of a new child brought on a light atmosphere throughout the manor home. Even more so when it came to the main branch. Nagare couldn't shoulder the responsibility of producing all the main branch offspring.
It was Iwao's turn.
Nagare didn't dare visit his brother to congratulate him. He nodded in approval to the elders who were delighted at having more children running the halls of Kurosaki manor. The implication of another boy was evident in their tone. Talk of another girl would bring awkwardness into the conversation. Hisano's survival was still a nerve for them to address in a full on conversation.
The previous generations didn't have daughters in their lines. Unless, the family tree kept them outside of reference in order to show the masters and their heirs. Daughters were not in the line of succession for them to use.
For all the family knew, the daughters were married out. Used for alliances in neighboring villages or unmarried to care for their elderly parents. Then again, the dark thought of families having killed the daughters was always present in their minds. This was a practice used back in the old days after all.
The elders voiced wanting to label Iwao's son as the spare heir, in case Hisoka was unable to carry the mantle. Nagare agreed without hesitation.
This wasn't a favor to Iwao. Not at all. Nagare didn't want to argue against the elders. He wanted to finish these talks, go back to work and his family.
Nagare couldn't fake that he was close to Iwao as a sibling or as a person. Past resentments due to Iwao's absurd need to push superiority over his younger brother soured whatever bond they had as family. Yet, they acted cordially whenever they appeared in front of other people. No outsider could hear or witness cracks in their family dynamics.
Their mother was all the happier for their forced act of civility.
She acted for decades as Master Kai's faithful wife. Her sons were due to behave in a civil matter in front of the public.
When he returned to the Master suites, Nagare closed the door behind him before he entered the living room area. Sitting on the low rise table was his wife drinking a cup of tea. He noted that their children were not in the room.
Checking the time, this was around the time Kasane placed their children down for a nap.
Nagare crouched down and kissed her forehead. "Darling,"
"Honey." Kasane turned her head and kissed his cheek. "You appear relaxed."
"Well, sort of." Nagare sat down and Kasane poured him a cup of tea. "Risako is expecting."
"Oh?" Kasane didn't sound surprised. "Finally."
In a way, Kasane felt vindicated that Risako was doing her part for the Kurosaki family.
Risako's previous arrogance of keeping her lifestyle was gone. She couldn't waste the Kurosaki family money without giving them something in return. Old families pushed for male descendants of their line to bring results of their investment.
Kasane bore snippy comments from Risako who thought herself untouchable for being the first wife. Risako's role as lady was confirmed on the surface. That was, until Nagare received the mastery, knocking Risako from what she perceived as her rightful position.
Kasane only wished for Iwao and Risako's child to thrive despite their parents.
