Duty-Bound: Chapter 96
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Today was a trying day for his wife, but he knew that she would pull through. After giving her tired form a squeeze, he gently laid her down on their bed. Though Lady Yuka no longer ruled this land, he was sure that she wouldn't mind helping her daughter for a day or two. As he pulled the cover to keep her warm, he kissed her forehead and left their chamber. As soon as he slid the door open, he was met with his sons and daughter.
"How's Hahaue?" Kisa's crimson eyes filled with worry.
His 15-year-old twins remained silent, but he knew they also wanted to ask the same thing.
"Your mother is tough. She'll be fine."
He could still see the worry in her eyes, but Kisa accepted his answer with a nod.
"All of you should rest now. Your mother will be upset should she know that you are not resting properly because of her."
"Yes, Chichiue," they replied as one. All of them bowed and left.
As he watched them return to their own chamber, he looked up at the night sky. Today's event was just something he couldn't prevent from happening. Elder Souma had finally passed on. Mikan saw the older man as her own grandfather, and not to mention he was one of the few people who cared for her when everyone else shunned her, so it was understandable that she was inconsolable at the moment.
Still, death was inescapable when one was a mortal.
Tomorrow morning, he would have to pay a visit to his mother-in-law to ask for her help. Tired, he entered their chamber again. Leaving his hakama on, he climbed to bed and pulled his wife close. His last thought before sleep claimed him was Mikan would surely be fine.