Kaori took a deep breath, drinking some tea at the inside gardens of the castle. It was already night. Her whole face was deep red, remembering all those long hours of love making to her husband. Shuichirou kissed every part of her body, making her moan and tremble. She thought she would die! The young lady was sure it was not even allowed to share so many passionate moments in a row. Looking at her reflection on the small cup, she was not able to hold back a small, satisfied smile. They have embraced each other so many times; she had red kissing marks all over her skin.
"I wonder if we were able to make a child." She talked to herself, before drinking the warm liquid.
It was the first time she didn't have to worry about an unplanned pregnancy since the day she first gave herself to him. Shuichirou wanted to wait until the wedding night, but they were young and in love. On a stormy night he was not able to return home and her father invited him to stay over.
Kaori went to the guest room only to wish her fiancé goodnight and she ended up staying up to dawn, before anyone could see the Muramasa's lady did not spend the night on her own chambers. They were extremely embarrassed the next morning on the breakfast table and Shuichirou felt incredibly guilty when his father-in-law, once more, talked about how satisfied he was with their relationship, since the commander was a noble and respectful young man.
She talked to Lady Mariko about it and she gave the Kaori some contraceptive seeds that had worked so far. They were supposed to get married on the fall of the same year, but her father became sick, Ren was made lord and Ryoma ran away. There were so many things that happened and Kaori had postponed her own dreams and wishes for Muramasa's sake for so many times. But, no more.
Kaori looked up to the starts and her heart was filled with motherhood wishes.
"Kaori?" her thoughts were interrupted by her brother's gentle voice. "Can I talk to you?"
"Sure." the last time they talked to each other they were arguing. She felt a little awkward when her brother sat by her side. "How can I help you? Is everything all right?"
"There is something I need to give to you." He took the parchment and offered to her.
"What is this?" she opened it and started to read it. The pink eyes were wide in absolute shock and her hands began to tremble. "Ryoma... what is the meaning of this?"
"I had a meeting with Muramasa's people today. I asked them to give the state to you." He showed her a small, gentle smile. "All those signatures, all of them agree. You are now the new Muramasa's leader."
"But, the law… how?"
"I changed it." He pointed the paragraph to her. "It was not fair to you or any other competent woman that comes into the bloodline. If you and Shuichirou-san have a daughter, I want her to be the legit heir if she is apt to the job."
Her eyes were glistering with tears and she was reading all the signatures.
"If you were the rightful heir since the begging, those terrible things that happened to us and to Muramasa's people would never occur. I am just making the rightful amends."
Her brother hugged her very gentle and it was the first time Kaori realized how taller than her he had become.
"You are going to be an excellent leader, Kaori. I am sure of it. I am sure Chichiue is happy. You were the one he always wanted for the job."
"Wait!" she looked at him with some fear on her expression. "I cannot accept just yet!"
"What are you saying?" he was really confused. "You have always wanted this."
"I need to talk to Shuichirou first! I cannot just decide things on my own anymore." She put her hands over her stomach. "We were talking about having a family, we were making plans. I promised him we would not postpone things anymore."
"Kaori…" she raised her head and looked at him seriously.
"I already made him wait so much."
"I understand." Ryoma showed her a small smile. "I am glad you are thinking about your own happiness. You should always do that, Kaori. You deserve it. "
"What you said about leaving Muramasa again, did you really meant it?"
"I did. When I first left, I suffered a lot, but soon I started to appreciate being away from here. I never fit anyway, I always felt like an outsider. Now, with Sakuno, I feel like I finally belong somewhere."
"Are you and Sakuno-san returning to that house on the beach?"
"We are going there for a while, but, we are moving to another place. Toshio-san told us about a town where merpeople can leave in peace. Sakuno wants to go there, so we can raise our daughter."
"Is it far away?"
"Just two days away." He touched her hand. "You will be able to visit the baby when she is born."
Kaori smiled and hugged her brother tight.
"I need to thank Sakuno-san for all the happiness she is giving you."
"Thank you." He hugged her back.
###########
"Where were you?" Shuichirou asked, when she returned to their chambers. He had fallen asleep but woke up when tried to hug her and found her side of the futon empty.
"I was outside talking to Ryoma." She replied, sadly, sitting by his side on bed. She had the parchment on her hands.
"Hey, what happened?" Oishi touched his wife's face and noticed her sadness. "Did you two argue again?"
"Not at all." She offered the paper to him. "He just gave me this."
"What is it about?" he opened it and started to read it. He looked at his wife extremely surprised. "Is this for real?!"
"Yes." she was unable to smile. "He changed the law and gave Muramasa to me." she touched her husband's face with both hands. "But, do not worry. I already told him I am not going to accept it if you do not want me to. I am done with waiting for us to start our own plans. So, if you tell me to decline, I…"
"What are you saying, Kaori?" her husband smiled at her. "You were born to do this."
"You are not upset?"her hands fell from her surprise.
"Of course not. Look at all this people who want you as their ruler." His forehead touched hers and he whispered. "I am so proud of you."
"But, what about our plans?" she looked at him worried. "What about our child? I promised you."
"I am not going anywhere. We have time. When things settle down, we can start our family."
"Thank you, Shuichirou. Thank you so much." she hugged him very tight, her heart almost jumping from her chest.
"You will be the best ruler Muramasa ever had." He said, his words heavy with love and truth.