It was still summer, but you could sense that the season was waning. The sunshine remained bright, but something in the smells of nature and in the mellowness of the bushes and flowers announced the approaching end of the season of fire. There was a growing crispness to the air, a hint of the change that was to come soon enough.
Evenings felt longer, stretching out daily, and the lengthier shadows of the trees sliced across my window each afternoon, slowly crawling to the left, as if time itself was turning.
With the passing days, things were changing in the household. While Yukiko blissfully awaited the first visible signs of pregnancy to show on her stomach, I learned that Hana had also conceived.
I felt she was too young to have a child, but then there were much younger mothers in the villages and towns around, and she seemed absolutely ecstatic about motherhood.
"My heart feels full with the very thought of bearing your child," she told me, her eyes sparkling. "It is a gift to be able to bring life into this world, especially if it's for you, Taro. It's the least I can do to repay you for all the kindness you showed me, saving me from my dull destiny."
I knew that she felt my hesitation. "I understand that you're worried about the weight of my responsibility," she said. "Trust me, Taro, I will be strong. I'm ready to walk this path. And I know that our child will be blessed because he has such a special father: kind, loving, and handsome."
And so, both of my wives were expecting at the same time.
I suppose people expected me to be proud—I constantly heard various nonsense from Takumi, Matsuo, the visiting doctors, and all the family members about the lineage, the continuation of the bloodline, and suchlike drivel. Having children was all about upholding the family's reputation and traditions to them.
Probably to everyone except me.
I thought about how strange it would be to have children of my own around. I never thought this moment would come so soon. And now it seemed that not only had it arrived earlier than I anticipated, but also as a double blessing. Two kids, two pairs of feet running through the house, filling the air with laughter and noise.
What would it be like? How would Hana and Yukiko feel about raising their children side by side? Would it become a challenge, or worse, another competition?
To be honest, the future felt so overwhelming that I preferred not to dwell on it.
In many ways, I was as happy about having an escape of spending nights with Kazuko and the concubines as I was about my future fatherhood.
Did that make me a bad person?
If you were in my shoes, I'm sure you'd understand. And others aren't in the position to judge me.
In any case, life went on, and one day Matsuo reminded me about an upcoming obligation.
"Do you recall our discussion about a bride from the village of Kuroyama-mura?" he said, holding a few of his dreaded scrolls.
"Vaguely."
"I'm happy to tell you, master, that I was able to successfully conclude negotiations with the villagers about them entering your vassalage." He looked very proud of his accomplishment.
Well, a good master is supposed to commend his manager who makes him a good amount of money each year.
"Kudos, Matsuo," I said. "You've done an excellent job. Any samurai would be grateful to have such an outstanding manager."
He bowed, glowing in self-satisfaction. "You are too kind, master." He unrolled one of the papers. "Here is the amount of tax you expect to receive from Kuroyama-mura going forward."
"Very good," I nodded, without really reading his paper.
"And here," he unrolled another one. "is the dowry agreement for the bride in question."
"Sounds good."
"She will be presenting herself to you tomorrow night after the wedding ceremony at the village."
I sighed. "Tomorrow?"
"Yes," Matsuo bowed. "It will be seen as a great honor by her father, the village elder."
I nodded again, resignedly.
Another virgin…
Matsuo kept on talking. "Let me mention some of the ritual considerations…"
At sunset, Takumi announced that a married couple from Kuroyama-mura arrived at the house.
"Do I have your permission to bring the bride in?" he asked.
I waved. "Go ahead."
He laid a ceremonial kimono for me.
"Very well," he bowed. "I will take her to the baths for the purification ritual, and then bring her here."
I dressed, absentmindedly.
Tsubasa brought in candles and lit them one by one, placing them on the inside of two large screens around my mat. Once done, he set up tea on a small side table and left me alone.
A soft tap on the door indicated the arrival of the bride.
"Come in," I said.
Takumi slid the door open and let in the young woman in a richly colored wedding kimono. Her flushed cheeks contrasted well with the silk of her kimono. Her skin was pale and smooth, and her eyes were fixed on the floor before her.
She stood for a moment as Takumi closed the door behind her, then slowly moved toward me, head bowed, stealing only a couple of glances from beneath her brows.
"Have a seat," I said, gesturing for the pillow near the tea table.
She knelt without a word, hands on her lap.
I poured us tea and took a cup in my hands. "To your marriage," I said. "May your union bring you prosperity and harmony."
The girl picked up her cup and muttered, "Thank you, master."
We took a few sips each.
"Is your family satisfied with the dowry?" I asked.
She bowed. "Your lordship is too generous. Increasing the amount was a gesture of the most noble samurai."
Increased? Must've been Matsuo's machinations to get the elder to accept the vassalage.
I shrugged. "Think nothing of it."
She shot a quick glance at me. I had an impression that she didn't find me revolting. "My gratitude to you is beyond all limits," she murmured, bowing low.
She straightened up and slowly untied her wide belt. "Please accept my gratitude now," she said, allowing her kimono to slide off her shoulders.