"What news does the new day bring?" I asked Takumi, emerging from underneath my cozy comforter.
After last night's shenanigans, I felt refreshed and ready to be a better man again.
"The day promises to be fine, with a mix of sun and clouds," Takumi replied matter-of-factly. "Also, I have to inform you that your wife expressed a desire to speak with you today."
I raised an eyebrow. "Is it about conception again?"
"That is likely to be mentioned, master," Takumi nodded. "But I believe your wife's main concern right now is your upcoming nuptials."
"She has found out, hasn't she?" I asked with a sigh.
"It appears so, your lordship. All in all, it's best for your wife to learn about it well in advance to allow her ample time to come to terms with it and adjust to the new arrangement."
That sounded pretty textbook. "Was that you who told her?"
"No, master," he bowed respectfully. "But I didn't make a secret of my travel preparations when I went to negotiate, so many of the servants could've informed her."
It made sense. As much as I wasn't looking forward to discussing my marriage to Hana with Yukiko, it wasn't something I could avoid. You can't bring a second wife into the house and just pretend that nothing happened. Wives require much more maintenance than concubines. I could've avoided many complications if I limited myself to the latter. Oh well…
"Very well, Takumi," I said, trying to remain calm. "What time do you recommend I receive her?"
"In the late afternoon, I'd imagine, your lordship," replied my unflappable chamberlain.
And so, as arranged, my wife came into my room when the sun was dancing just above the tops of the trees lining the fields outside my window.
"Such a delight to see you, Yukiko-dono," I said, pre-empting the unpleasant conversation.
"Greetings," she replied, rather coldly.
"Please, have a seat," I invited her, lowering myself with my knees bent near a chabudai, the floor table.
She did the same and raised her gaze at me, intense, if not angry.
"You look worried," I said, giving her an opening.
"I am worried," she replied, still curt.
"Please tell me what's bothering you."
Her eyes narrowed slightly. "It bothers me, husband, that you are contemplating taking another wife without ever mentioning it to me," she said bitterly, emphasizing the word 'husband'.
I nodded. "I apologize for the delay," I tried to sound both authoritative and empathetic. "We haven't spoken since I made the decision."
Her eyes flashed. "You made the decision? Does that mean I don't have a say?"
"You are my wife, Yukiko-dono," I said with as much warmth as I could assemble under her frosty glare. "Your opinion has been and always will be important to me."
I could see that she was trying hard to control her anger. "If so, you would've discussed your intention with me before starting the negotiations."
I nodded again, showing how benevolent I was. "It would've been better that way, I agree."
My words didn't seem to pacify her. She frowned. "So it is decided, then?"
"I don't have a choice."
"What do you mean?" she asked emphatically. "You don't have to take another wife."
I sighed. "It's more than that. She's in difficult circumstances. I had to do it to free her from those."
She glared at me with renewed anger. "And what about me? Does it matter that it puts me in a more difficult position? I'd even say, in a humiliating position."
I reached for her hand, which she didn't withdraw, but she ignored my gesture, remaining static, as if I didn't touch her.
"Your position wouldn't change," I said.
"You think there wouldn't be a change when there's another woman in the house? When she takes your time, your attention? When she stands beside me at every family ceremony?"
I moved closer. "Yukiko-dono, I had to do it. But it changes nothing between us. I love you." I leaned over to kiss her on the lips. Her lips were cold and dry.
"Will you kiss her the same way?" she said, looking like she was about to break down.
"I will not," I whispered. I was a man on a mission. I had to convince Yukiko, appease her, make her accept it. I was no longer thinking whether I was telling the truth. I just had to get it done. I slipped my hand beneath her kimono. "You are my wife. You are in my heart." My fingers slowly circled, aiming between her legs.
She looked at me, tears welling in her eyes.
"How could you, husband?" she muttered and started sobbing.
I hugged her tight, kissing her. Her mouth now opened, and she responded to my kisses through her sobs.
"Please, don't cry, my beautiful wife," I whispered, feverishly kissing her face and neck. "I promise to keep you as happy as you've been."
"Oh, husband, you hurt me so," she sobbed, returning my kisses, her body fluttering in response to my caresses.
"I'll always love you," I kept saying. "I'll always make love to you."
My hands were already on her body, her belt undone and her kimono opened. I kissed and sucked on her breasts, while my hands pressed and fondled her pussy.
Yukiko's eyes slowly closed, and her breath became quicker, gradually suppressing the sobs.
I kissed her body all the way down to her belly button. I spread her legs and for the first time ever reached for her pussy lips with my tongue. She suddenly attempted to cover her pussy with her hands, raising her head from the mat.
"No, Taro-dono, what are you doing?" she whispered loudly.
"Everything that my wife deserves," I replied, pushing her hands away. I licked her pussy lips in a swirling motion, spreading the wetness that began to emanate from inside.
Yukiko smelled very nice, and I wondered why I hadn't given her oral sex before. Her clit was extremely sensitive, so I only circled around it and gently sucked the entire area into my mouth before letting go again.
"Please, husband, stop teasing me," she wailed. "I want you inside me."
I didn't want to contradict her after such a stormy conversation. I threw away my kimono and slid my cock into her pussy, overflowing with desire.
"Oh yes," she moaned. "You may be rough with me, husband. Just be inside me."
I thrust as hard as I could, relieving both my desire and my frustration with Yukiko. She jerked and moaned and begged me for more, until I exploded with streams of cum flooding her womb, my hands squeezing her breasts with fury.
"Heavens!" she moaned.
I panted, trying to catch my breath.
"Your punishment is so sweet, Taro-dono," she exhaled.
"I'm the one who should be punished," I replied and kissed her face and neck again and again.