A/n Goodness it has been a hot minute. Unlike Page and her Knight, I've made some headway with this story ( 20+ more chapters anyone?)And like Page, this would have been a story that I wanted to cut into 2 but I'll leave it one long story. I want to thank all my lovely and very patient reviewers who still stick around. I'm not the most consistent when it comes to updating. The time gets away from me more and more haha. Well, my goal is to do better with updates now that I've gotten ahead.
One to the story!

Chapter 29

Having her back tattooed gave Kaoru a couple of days where she and Kenshin were excused from the royal meals. For which Kaoru was thankful. She still flushed with embarrassment at the thought of facing the King and Queen again after the chili incident. They were not secluded though and Kenshin's friend Mishal would visit for a few hours both days. The two men seemed great friends despite the years between them and Kaoru found herself smiling at the way they talked and laughed with each other, much like how Kenshin and Sano were.

She still didn't like that he spoke to her in simple sentences and ignored her for the most part except to smile at her whenever she spoke. She was fine with it though, he was not her friend. She stuck to speaking with Sano while he was there. At the moment the two of them had their heads together looking over the map of the Keep and the surrounding forest. A second map showing the terrain elevation of the area lay just next to them. Kaoru was never taught to read such a map and therefore had no idea what the web of lines could mean.

"Perhaps my Lady Wife would like to take a stroll in the gardens. I'm sure you're tired of being cooped up in here. Kenshin said after an hour of their muttering and planning. Kaoru was tired of looking at the world behind the glass windows. Her back had healed enough that she could wear her clothes properly now and was deemed fit to be out in public.

"Yes, My Lord, that sounds lovely." She smiled sweetly as Mishal turned to look at her.

"Sanosuke, if you would?"

Sano shot up and bowed. "Certainly. I can tell you all about the strange things growing in these gardens, My Lady." Sano rattled on as he opened the door for her.

"Thank you Sanosuke." Kaoru paused in the doorway and shot the men inside a look over her shoulder. They had been planning for the last few days, but Kaoru couldn't make out half of what they muttered. Often, they fell into their mother tongue which annoyed Kaoru. What were they planning?

… . . . ….

"Your wife is suspicious of you." Mishal said in their guttural language once the door was shut.

"She's right to be." Kenshin returned as he looked down at the map. It was impossible to hide it much longer. The King wanted plans on adding numbers to the Keep. But the terrain proved difficult. There wasn't enough resources near by to support those numbers. "We are talking so she can't understand, that we are. My wife is not stupid."

Behind the short beard, the man gave Kenshin a slight frown. "You worry too much about her feelings. Is she prone to hysterics?"

"Kaoru? No." Kenshin almost laughed. "The very opposite in fact. She's quite calm and in control of herself." Kenshin tipped his head from side to side. "She's had her moments, but they were all justified."

"I would guess being that you had her back marked with a Lifeline. Most women would faint at the first stick of the needles."

Kenshin's lips pulled into a flat line. "You seem to underestimate females and their superior pain tolerance. Most women are not coddled from birth and can handle pain that would make men wail."

Mishal smirked. "I see you've lost none of your strangeness when it comes to females. You tell me your high-born water wife didn't shriek at the first piercing?"

"No, she didn't. She twitched, but that was all."

Mishal leaned in and leered at Kenshin. "The tattoo wasn't the first piercing I was talking about."

Kenshin stiffened.

"I know you're a man well enough endowed so perhaps your wife was simply used to it?"

A low growl issued from Kenshin's throat, and he took his hands off the map lest the paper ignite into flames. Instead, he grabbed Mishal with his burning hands and pulled him around the table. The man was older than Kenshin and only slightly taller, but the pair seemed matched as Mishal reached out and grab Kenshin's shirt in the same fashion.

"You speak too plainly about my wife." Kenshin snapped his jaws. His voice more a growl that anything.

This seemed to amuse Mishal, "And you took offense too easily. Is it a sore spot with you?"

"Kaoru was pure!" Kenshin barked before falling silent. "None of that is your business anyway." he growled.

"True, true." Mishal remarked.

Then, suddenly, the pair laughed and gave each other a shake before letting go. Kenshin was glad Kaoru was gone. She wouldn't have understood the conversation, but the display of anger would have frightened the poor girl.

Things were very different in the Fire Lands.

…. . . ….

Kaoru had a nice time with Sanosuke in the gardens but all too soon she had to return to get ready for dinner with the royals. Her newly made dresses had arrived and Kenshin seemed eager to get her into one. Kaoru knew it was simply to show her off at court and that it was petty and childish but she couldn't help the warm pleasant feeling she felt knowing Kenshin was showing her off proudly.

Red, however, seemed to be an odd color for her. Thankfully the silk wasn't as fiery as her husband's hair, but a more muted, berry red. And it was only the underskirts that were red. Her overdress was an amber yellow and her bodice nearly the same color. Kaoru fingered the thin white stripes that cut the yellow as Odeta worked on her hair. Large lemon yellow gems were attached to her ears and around her throat. Kaoru gasped, her hand resting on the cool gems as they sat on her skin and turned to her husband. He was getting dressed as well. A yellow shirt with an orange jerkin. His red hair completed the trifecta of fire. The gold stitching on his jerkin glittered in the light, and the puffed sleeves gave him slightly wider shoulders.

He caught her looking at him and noted the way her fingertips rested on the necklace. "Do you like it?"

Kaoru blinked. "Like it? Kenshin it's lovely." She turned back to the looking glass. The movement made her handmaiden click her tongue at her.

"I thought it would looked good with this dress." He said as he ambled up beside her.

She flushed slightly. "It must be expensive. I wish you wouldn't spoil me so." Kaoru muttered.

Kenshin lifted a brow. "This bauble is spoiling you?" his grin turned shark-like. "I guess I'll return the others if you think I'm spoiling you, then."

Kaoru gasped. "The others?"

Kenshin was walking away now. "Oh yes." He called over his shoulder. "A set for each color of the rainbow to match any dress you happen to wear."

Kaoru made a strangled sound.

Kenshin took pity on her and turned back around as he strapped on his sword belt. "Do not worry dear Wife. We have countless mines in these lands and these gems are trinkets. They did not cost me as much as you might imagine, that they did not."

Kaoru was torn between wanting to thrash the man or make love to him. Her sputtering must have convinced him of her feelings just fine for he looked down to hide his smile.

Odeta finished with her hair, a hair comb of amber set between two lemon blossoms, their silk petals delicate and life-like sat at the base of her up-do. Her hair was pulled up so that her curls could tumble down her shoulders. The inky darkness was a stark contrast to the yellow and white.

She was not used to the heels on her shoes and was glad to cling to Kenshin's arm as they made their way into the dining hall. She was used to the soft slippers or trail boots. These shoes were tight, yet delicate and had heels. She wasn't sure how she should walk in them. Although Kaoru felt she had the hang of it by the time she made it to the table. She dipped into a curtsy, praying she didn't topple over and send the hoops of her skirts up over her head. Kenshin bowed and the two of them stood up straight.

The queen looked pleasantly surprised. "Why my dear, such a lovely dress." The woman walked around the table to admire it.

Kaoru bobbed again. "Thank you, your Grace. My Lord Husband had it made for me when we arrived. I fear I know little about the fashion here."

"Well, he sure has a trained eye, this is wonderful." She gave Kaoru a bright smile before returning to her chair. She shot Kenshin a glance and smiled at him as he pulled out her chair and she settled into it. Kenshin sat between her and King Huojin once again. Mishal sat at her right and other than a handful of other people, the table was mostly empty. Kaoru glanced down the long table to see the King's eldest children sitting silently already eating. How lonely it must be down there. She wondered why the King didn't allow his eldest son to sit with them at least, but she kept her tongue in her mouth.

Soon great platters were set upon the table. Roasted vegetables in butter and herbs, stewed fruits in claret, Meat pies and the grand center piece, a cow head, roasted and served whole. Kaoru pressed herself into the back of her chair as they set the giant platter before the King so he could carve it up.

"Still like the ears?" Houjin asked Kenshin as he lopped off a crispy ear.

"My favorite part." Kenshin confirmed, holding his plate out to receive it. "Thank you, your Grace." The King went to dig out a foggy white eyeball.

Kaoru forced her eyes away and down at her ivory white plate. Mishal must have noticed the white-knuckle way she was gripping her chair because he set a hand over hers.

"Not to your liking?" He asked softly.

She caught sight of Kenshin turning to her out of the corner of her eye, but she kept her gaze down at the table. "Not quite, Sir." She ground out. Yes, she had seen many a cooked creature but did they have to put the massive thing on the table? Her heart ached as she listened to the King slice away at it. It was humiliating to the animal.

"Such displays are not common where I'm from." Kaoru kicked herself as soon as the words were out of her mouth. It sounded extremely pretentious, at least to her ears. She tipped her head and shifted her eyes to catch Mishal's expression. But instead of being put off he looked her in the eyes and smiled. He patted her hand and then went back to his plate

"Interesting, why not?"

Because it was disgraceful and insulting to the animal to serve its face. She wanted to snap. Kaoru took a breath, getting a nose full of scents from the food. She knew pregnancy often caused women to change their attitude, but Kaoru thought perhaps she had escaped that possibility. But no, her temper was halved every time Mishal opened his mouth. Kaoru was more disciplined than that. Years of training now would be the worst time to forget it. She refused to embarrass Kenshin by insulting his friend. Quickly she scrambled for a more suitable answer.

"In the Keep animal's bones are picked clean in order to stretch it enough to feed all the men. You can feed more that way."

"Kaoru runs the Keep like a general runs his army, that she does." Kenshin leaned over to say as he took up her plate.

"I'll say." Mishal looked fascinated.

Kaoru's plate was returned to her, fully loaded down. Thankfully there were no bits of face she could identify, just some slices of meat as well as the vegetables and cooked fruit. Soon everyone was served and they all fell into conversation. Kenshin was in conversation with the King and the cow head was so large it blocked her view of the Queen. So the Water female was stuck talking with Mishal.

"You look rather stunning tonight, Mrs. Himura. If I may be so bold to say."

Kaoru swallowed her tiny bite of a stewed prune. "Thank you, Sir. I confess I feel much better now that I've the proper clothes for this region."

"Ah yes." Mishal sighed, sitting back to attack his plate. "The costume of the time, the height of fashion. I'd say you'd be the envy of the Kingdom at the moment." he said softly, indicating with his eyes to the other ladies sitting at the table. They saw fit to ignore Kaoru so Kaoru had ignored them back. Looking at them now, she noted their sidelong glances at both her and her husband.

"Can't keep their eyes off the two of you, the hussies."

His tone told her it was a lighthearted jab at their snobbishness but Kaoru still felt shock at his words. Was it also taboo to openly admire someone? Were the females to pretend to be sexless creatures with all the right parts but no drive? "Sir you are too harsh on them." Kaoru muttered, going for her wine glass. "Perhaps they are only curious, as you are curious about me?" She shot him a look from the side of her eyes as she took a sip from her glass.

"Ha!" Mishal barked loudly and then fell into muffled laughter. "You caught me. Why you are a smart clever little thing. How does Kenshin keep you in line?"

Immediately Kaoru recited an old Water saying. "The harder you hold, the worse the struggle." Her father had said it often enough while she was young before he had to clamp down on her after her marriage.

The Fire-man arched a golden brow as he lifted his wine glass to his lips. "Perhaps the struggle is the goal." he said into the glass so only Kaoru could hear him. Her brow arched, wasn't this kind of talk considered flirting? And wasn't that frowned on? Perhaps she was confused on what a Fire would consider flirting.

This small bantering went back and forth for quite a while. Before long Kaoru was done with her meal and her plate was swept away. The savory dishes were soon taken up as well and replaced with tarts and towers of jiggling gelatin in red, green, and white. Beside her and Misahl was a plate of fruit encased in a mound of clear gelatin.

"Allow me." Mishal took up a desert plate and cut into the concoction and served her a slice.

"Thank you, sir." She murmured and took up a spoon, quite curious about what it would taste like. She had never seen anything like it before. She scooped up a raspberry and ate it. She immediately became aware that Mishal as well as Kenshin watched her closely as she tried to chew the cold, slippery gelatin. "Quite good." She breathed when she swallowed. "Very good." She smiled over at Mishal and Kenshin. "Please tell me what that flavor is?"

"It's champagne, my Dear." Mishal answered, beaming at the wonder in her face.

"It's divine." Kaoru could still taste the tart raspberry. She went for another bite. Mishal seemed content to sit back and watch her eat two helpings.

With the meal done, it seemed everyone was settled in to have conversations. Thankfully with the head gone, Kaoru was now able to talk to the Queen. But before she could open her mouth, She heard the King talking to Kenshin.

"I would send eleven hundred men to watch over an area of that size."

"But, your Grace, the Keep can not sustain that many men."

Kaoru whipped her head around. Eleven hundred more men!? "I beg your pardon, but what do you mean?" But she went ignored.

"Surely there is enough land." The King countered.

"Forest land, hills and valleys. And if we stripped it to bare fields, we would only exasperate the problem. We would need to house these men, they would live there for years, they will want to take their families, that they will. There could be a migration of over three thousand fire people, most likely many more."

Kaoru felt her heart race up into her throat. They couldn't support that many people. "Where would that many people go?"

Kenshin reached back and set a hand on her arm but didn't turn away from the King. Huojin glanced over at her but then returned his glowing eyes to Kenshin. "House them in barracks." He said simply.

"Uncle there are no barracks in Aiga Keep. They will have to be built."

"And you can't put families in barracks." Kaoru added.

The King was starting to go red in the face. "Then give them land to build villages. I don't care what it is you do, you need men."

Kaoru couldn't take it. She shot up out of her seat, causing the chair to screech against the floor. Mishal reached out and grabbed her hand and yanked her to sit back down but Kaoru shook him off. "Your Grace. I understand the importance of this. But the Keep is delicate and first of all a place of healing. Where would we find the money to build barracks or villages or feed that many? We are stretched as it is."

Kenshin slowly sat back, his spine ram-rod straight and his eyes darted from his wife to his King.

Seeing he would be forced to talk to her, Huojin huffed. "The Keep is a place of wonder. How is it you are stretched for money, My lady?"

Kenshin reached out and touched Kaoru again and interrupted any answer she had. "Your Grace the service of the Keep is provided free of charge. The sick may pay if they like but they are not required to. More often than not they pay in services rather than money."

The King went wide eyes. "Well then start charging for gold. Easy as that."

Kaoru gasped, it rang out in the silent dining room, everyone having turned their attention to the scene at the front of the table, even the children at the other end. "Are you telling me that you would charge money to save someone's life? To heal their children, do deliver their babies, to see their elderly into painless death?!" her voice rose high and higher with every word. "What would those who can not pay do?"

The King's head tipped to the side as he regarded her with yellow eyes. "They don't pay, then they don't get the service, why is that so hard to you to understand?"

Again Kaoru gasped. "What sort of evil, vile, godless monster would even think of doing such a thing?"

At this the King surged to his feet. Kenshin was faster and got to his feet and put himself between his King and his wife, his sword already popped from its sheath, but he had yet to draw it. His ki flared up in a wall around him.

Kaoru was not afraid and her temper was well and truly on fire. She leaned around Kenshin. "The day I charge for the sick to be healed and turn the poor away, will be the day I die!" She screeched even as Sano advanced on the scene and started to tug her out of the room. She pulled out of Sano's grip. "Understand me! When my body is cold and in the ground!" Sano clamped his hands on Kaoru's arms and wrenched her away from the table and out of the room. When words vile enough wouldn't come, Kaoru could only scream at the King just as the Fighter yanked her through the doors.

… . . . …

Kenshin stood still as a statue. The room was silent save for the echo of his wife's voice as she continued to rant down the hall. Everyone was frozen, even the servants at the side were locked in horror. Kenshin didn't move and soon the only sound was that of their breathing.

Mishal broke it.

"I thought the Water fae were gentle, soft-spoken creatures?" He said, as if the entire thing had never happened. He continued eating, his cutlery scraping against his plate as he cut into his desert. Everyone immediately followed suit. And soon the murmur of conversation and the clink of dishes defused the situation. Only Kenshin and the King stood staring each other down. The Queen watched them, her hands pressed onto the table. As if she would bolt upward if they made a move at each other.

Slowly Kenshin forced his voice to work. "They are. Normally." He blinked at his uncle. "But not when provoked."

Houjin arched a brow, one by one his muscles relaxed. "Seems a trivial thing to be provoked by, perhaps the Fire fighting spirit is taking root in her blood."

Of this Kenshin had no doubt. No one was immune to the urge to violence and conflict when in these lands. "I trust I will not have to defend my wife from you." He pushed. Not one hair on his body relaxed until he heard the words.

"No, No." The King sat back down. "She hardly did anything to earn my irk." He looked up at his nephew, impressed. "She's a spitfire, that one. No wonder you like her." He glanced at his wife. "Still. You best nip that in the bud, wouldn't want her to think she get away with such actions."

Kenshin's sword returned with a click, and he too sat down. He didn't believe a word that came out of his mouth. He knew his uncle better than that. "I don't trim as closely as you may think I should. I don't want to kill the spitfire."

Houjin regarded Kenshin for a moment. "No I wouldn't think so."

"I assure you I'll have my wife apologize to you in the morning before my pilgrimage to the Volcano." He prayed that would be enough for him.

The King blinked and then sat up straight. "That's right. I forgot you were going to go do that. Please don't burn any of the city this time."

Kenshin flushed. "That was an accident. It was my first time as a dragon."

Just then a strange look settled over the King, a smile stretched across his face. "We will perform the Dragon Bonding Ritual, that should help calm that fire in your wife.."

Kenshin froze. He wouldn't...He would dare force Kenshin into that ritual. His uncle knew how he felt about it. His face flushed hot for a moment and then cold dread washed from his head down to his feet.

"Yes I think that would be good for the both of you." The King continued.

"No" Kenshin hissed, his eyes darting down the table. He knew it was impossible to argue once it had been declared. It was one of their oldest customs. To refuse it could damn his marriage. The warlord looked down the table, praying no one had heard the declaration.

Mercifully, the King lowered his voice. "Yes, It will be done. It's high time you started acting like a Fire and that girl needs to learn her place."

… . . …

"Are you touched, girl!?" Sano all but roared as he shook Kaoru until her teeth rattled.

"Enough, Enough!" Kaoru snapped, putting her hands up to push his arms away. "I fine now, I'm fine." But she was far from fine. The Water paced the small space of their rooms. Up along the great windows and back down again. She muttered loudly about cruel-hearted Kings and being made of gold and over running her Keep with Fires.

Sano had a vein throbbing along his forehead as he collapsed in a chair and held his head with both hands. "Missy, you're in trouble."

"Fine!" Kaoru seethed, the delicate silk of her skirts were crushed in her fists as she hoisted the dress up so she could better march along the room. "I'd rather be in trouble than to go along with such horrible, blasphemous plans!"

Sanosuke suddenly wish there was something stronger than wine in the room. He needed a drink. "Kenshin never would have agreed to such a thing anyway, all you had to do was talk to him about it after the meal."

"I can do my own damn talking!" She turned and roared at Sanosuke. "It's my home and I know it better than anyone!"

"Yes, but you're a girl-"

"So? So what!?" She rushed over to Sano, surprising the man and forcing him to sit back in his chair with a thump. "This place is so backwater that they don't think women are mental capable of the same things they are." Her voice had dropped low and deadly. "I can't even believe Kenshin was even born here, much less that he's one of them."

"You know when you get angry your eyes flash like lightning?" Sano squeaked out.

Her twisted face smoothed and she stood up straight. "What?"

"Hey I'm gonna say anything to keep you from ripping my throat out." he rubbed at his throat, as though trying to protect it from her fangs. He glanced up at her and watched that snarling she-wolf slowly ebb away back to the little Missy he knew.

"Oh, I'm sorry Sano." She rushed at him which caused him to flinch as she reached out to cradle his head into her chest, her hand petting his mop of crazy walnut colored hair. "I didn't mean to get mad at you. That wasn't fair of me."

It was at that moment that Kenshin burst in through the doors and paused at the sight of them. "This wasn't what I was expecting, that it wasn't." The red-head stated in a deadpan voice.

Sano sighed dramatically, and lifted his hands in a helpless gesture as his head was still pressed into her bosom by her arms. "Man, this girl, she wanted to rip my head off and now this." He sighed and dropped his arms. "Her moods are swingin' man."

"Are you alright?" Kenshin walked up to them, his worried eyes on his wife. She looked equal parts upset and angry. Between wanting to cry and wanting to murder. Her blue eyes nearly shimmered with the fight struggling to break free. The passion of the Fire lands were starting to take root and Kenshin found he was excited to see the outcome.

"Alright?" She snapped. Her petting fingers now gripped Sano's hair. The giant fighter froze, hardly daring to breath. But Kaoru smoothed his hair down before stepping away from her bodyguard and advancing on him. Kenshin back peddled as she marched forward. His moves graceful while she was jerky and emotional. "How can I be alright after what that, that, Goon, said?"

Even with the seriousness of the matter Kenshin fought to keep his face straight. His dear wife was struggling to curse a King. "Goon?"

"A jerk, a bastard, piece of useless dirt picked out of a horse's hoof." she reiterated. Her voice growing higher and higher with every word, her face went red. "I know he's your family and a King but I can't believe he told me to-"

Kenshin held up a hand and the Water snapped her mouth shut. "About that."

"It's not going to happen, Kenshin, you understand me? Not happening!" She rattled quickly before closing her mouth again.

He turned his hand around and cupped Kaoru under the chin. "No, dear Lady it's not going to happen."

All at once those flashing, blue-white eyes turned as dark as a stormy sea and tears made them shimmer. "You swear?" She blinked and the tears escaped. Kenshin took her face in both hands and wiped the tears away.

"I swear it on my mother's grave, I swear it in front of the great god living in that volcano, that we will never turn away anyone who needs help, ever." He wrapped his arms around her as she pressed into him. He held her tightly, not caring if he crushed the fabric of her dress. She hid her face in the crook of his neck and wept for a few long moments. Then she pulled herself way and attempted to wipe the tears from her face.

"Thank you." She said in the softest of whispers. She glanced around as she took a few steps back, forcing Kenshin to drop his embrace. Sano was nowhere to be found. The large Earth man slipped away as silent as the breeze.

Kenshin sighed. "You are expected to come to the King and beg his forgiveness." He informed.

Kaoru winced.

"The sooner the better." He added in a softer voice. "Get some sleep. Tomorrow is an eventful day."

… . . …

Even though summer was nearly there, the earliest of the morning still held a chill enough that Yahiko reached out from under his warm blanket to grab a stick of wood and toss it in the fireplace even though he had more than enough light to work with. Yahiko snuggled his arm back under the blanket as he took up the needle and went back to his work on the baby blanket. The predawn light was coming in from the window over his bed and the soft light cast a cool glow about his work. Rain pattered against the glass and thunder echoed gently in the distance. It was going to be a lazy day as the storm would reach them by mid morning.

Suma, gave a huff. A slight whine before her whole body jolted away and she shot up from her pillow.

The Earth boy could feel the energy in the house shift to their room, Mama and Papa were aware of her distress. Yahiko watched as his sister gazed about the room in a daze and then she plopped back down on her pillow and tugged the covered up over her head so that only her face could be seen.

"Nightmares?" Yahiko said softly, his eyes going back down to his stitchery.

"Mmm-hmm" the girl nodded.

"Me too." Yahiko admitted. "Thought I would get some more work down on my part of the blanket before goin' out to do chores. What didja dream about?"

Her little face turned to the small fireplace and the merry little flame that danced there. "Of fire, and monsters."

Yahiko paused and set his work in his lap. "What kinda monsters?" His little sister had night terrors before, but mostly about disasters, or giant spiders.

"I dunno. They were dark shadows, and there was lots of fire around." Her soft voice said from under the blanket.

"Well stay there." Yahiko said firmly. "You're safest here, with me." He assured. "I won't let any monsters get you. Just stay under the covers."

His little sister snuggled deeper under her blanket. "What did you dream bout, Yahiko?"

The boy paused as he felt his parents energy shift about the room. They were getting up for the day. "Runnin'" he said simply, he dark eyes watching his stitching.

"But you are the best runner in the village." Suma informed him. "Even the older boys are slower than you, what's so scary bout runnin'?"

The boy shrugged one shoulder. "I was running from somethin'." and even though he was the fastest in the whole village, he could hardly pick up any speed. He wasn't sure if something was chasing him or he was the one chasing.

"Runnin' from monsters." Suma mused.

"Maybe."

"You think Mama will have a girl or a boy?" His sister switched the subject so smoothly that even Yahiko was impressed. Was she already learning to pick up on tone of voice?

"Only the Goddess knows for sure." Yahiko responded. His hands paused in his work again and he looked up as his sister was already looking drowsy. He hoped and prayed that his mother would have a boy. A boy to look after his Mama and sister. Yahiko would soon be moved out of the room he shared with his sister and soon after that he would be taken from his mother to learn from the men.

He didn't want to leave his Mama and Suma unprotected.

A/n oof, Kaoru you messed up girl. This King is not the forgiving type.