You subconsciously let out a cheer, punching the air triumphantly the moment you heard that voice.
Humanity restored! Fuck yes!
"Oh?" you finally turned towards the hurried footsteps coming from the corridor. In came "Yoriichi" panting with his tears-soaked features. He immediately knelt down before you.
"That is my younger brother, Yoriichi! Please don't take him away!" the older twin pleaded.
"That is Michikatsu, my lord, apologies for the trouble," Tadamune interjected, his already pale face was bleached further.
"I don't recall you having two sons?" you instigated, your frown deepened.
Akeno approached you before kneeling next to the other two: "My lord, I have two sons, they are twins,"
"You-
You let out a chuckle: "I never expect to personally witness the story of a civets being replaced as the crown prince on our soil here,"
"How are you going to explain yourself, Tsugikuni Tadamune?" the man failed to respond, you continued: "You promised me your only son, Michikatsu, to be placed under my care, and now I am hearing conflicting accounts on your offspring,"
"Your lordship, it is as promised, you are to take Michikatsu under your wing-
"Yet there are two," you emphasised: "Dishonesty to your lord is a concerning crime, don't you think?"
Silence took over the room despite the number of people present, the atmospheres was frozen yet eyes were focused between you and the Tsugikuni head. There was no response as you waited, you did not blink your eyes are they remained on him. You had all day to wait and see what kind of responses would he provide out of that mouth of his.
Tadamune took a deep bow: "I- am willing to take responsibility and accept what ever punishment you have in stored for me alone, your lordship,"
Wow, that was easier than expected.
You were actually taken aback by the man's action, albeit they were not of any merit; he willingly accepted his consequence, after all these mind games. At least he didn't completely run away from his responsibilities like Hantengu, that's for sure.
You could feel Yoriichi's gaze burrowing into your skull, it was no wonder Michikatsu was unnerved by his actions. The boy seemed to study your expression, your demeanour and possibly your subconsciousness.
Dang, now you understood how Michikatsu felt.
"The delayed reinforcement was one score I have yet to settle, and now this," you paused, you noticed Akeno, in her hitched sobs, subtly reached her hand for Tadamune's thigh, but was silently reciprocated.
Double dang, now you felt even worse. But then again, you were not going to excuse his piece of shit behaviour.
You let out a deep sigh: "Dishonesty indicates the sign of potential lack of loyalty, if you are aware," the couple lowered their heads, then continued: "However, taking in consideration of your years of servitude under the Sanada has proven your loyalty; the compensation is, that both of your sons will be taken under my care," you could clearly see the panic in their posture, so you immediately continued: "They will not take after the Sanada title, the two will be granted the freedom to visitation once every moon,"
The trio's head shot up, your eyes remained fixated on the man's face: "On the other hand, you will be given twenty strokes on the back, as the minimum for your punishment on the battlefield that night,"
A wave of relief could be seen in the couple's expression. The two immediately bowed before you as they thanked you.
"Come to the citadel when dawn breaks to accept your wooden strokes, your sons will be sent off once you recovered," you instructed, before squatting down as you released your grip from Yoriichi. You casted him a small smile as you gently pat on his head and left.
"There's no need to send me off," you added as your entourage followed suit.
Your headache persisted once again. you rested your head on your hand while the other pinched against the bridge of your nose. The adrenaline that once took over your body finally wore off, in came the ache that you dreaded. you muttered out curses of whatever languages you remembered under the sun as the pain increased.
You were fairly certain that Iso would be having another hard time in getting the doctor and the old man was definitely unimpressed with his multiple visits.
But at least this fiasco was now solved.
At the cost of you being labelled as Michael Jack-
Arghhhhhhh! For fuck's sake!
Kill me now.