March 9, 1567. Late at night, Sugawa Castle――
Since the messenger from the castle lord, Endo Naotsune, rushed in through the night, this military stronghold dividing Mino and Omi was bustling with activity, as if it were daytime, even though it was late at night.
篝火BonfireThe fires burn brightly, and torches are tied to every wall of the castle.
"Lord Asai Bizen-no-kami Nagamasa, incredibly, single-handedly killed that hawk in front of the eyes of the Oda and Tokugawa families! Furthermore, it seems that the task of beheading the hawk was handed over to Lord Oda Kazusa-no-suke Nobunaga."
In the bright orange light that seemed to dispel the darkness of the night, soldiers, their families, and even servants were dancing.
Even though it's not a festival, the sounds of flutes and drums can be heard.
However, today is essentially a special day.
Above all, the head of the Asai family accomplished the great feat of slaying the hawk.
The people of Sugawa Castle were delighted by this, and above all, Princess Ichi herself had no intention of blaming them.
They, too, to varying degrees, rejoice at the safety and great military achievements of their lord, Asai Nagamasa.
As Nagamasa's wife, I couldn't possibly do anything that would spoil the mood.
"Lord Asai Bizen-no-kami Nagamasa, with his graceful movements, read the hawk's movements perfectly, and with swift precision, struck its vital spot. Then, he cut off the hawk's tail, leaped nimbly onto its back, and severed its wings and legs. His appearance was truly that of a hero reborn."古Ancient times日本武尊Yamato Takeru no Mikoto
"--Princess Ichihime"
Ichihime was listening intently to the man's voice, who was loudly praising her husband's achievements while beating a drum, when Kicho called out to her from behind, causing her to turn back towards her sister-in-law.
"Lord Bizen's achievements are truly gratifying... However, I am at a loss for words to express my sincere apologies for the great trouble we have caused the Asai family this time..."
As Ichihime watched her sister-in-law bowing and lowering her head, she touched her shoulder and said, "It's alright now."
For Ichihime, Kicho was also a teacher who taught her various customs and rules regarding marriage.
Although it was unavoidable given her position as the principal wife of both the Asai and Oda families, who were allied, it was incredibly uncomfortable to always have to be subservient to them.
(Although, that feeling probably stems from the fact that Lord Nagamasa is safe.)
As Ichihime analyzed her own mental state, she took Kicho's cold hand.
Just moments ago, they had been endlessly dousing each other with well water, praying to the gods of heaven and earth for the good fortune and safety of Nagamasa and Nobunaga in battle. It was only natural that their bodies were cold.
"We must now be grateful that our respective husbands are safe. And we must rejoice that one of the hawks has vanished from our sight..."
As Kicho began to shed tears, overwhelmed with emotion, Ichihime gently embraced her shoulders.
I completely understand why she's crying.
For Kicho, hawks were nothing but a source of trauma.
For her, the appearance of the hawk immediately became associated with the deep wounds her husband had sustained, leading to a profound image of death.
In other words, Nobunaga had once single-handedly challenged this monster to protect Kicho from a hawk that suddenly attacked Owari, only to be defeated and left on the brink of death.
Nobunaga's body bore many fresh old scars inflicted by hawks, including those on his cheeks and shoulders.
"In any case, this removes an obstacle to my brother's path to power. A major obstacle to uniting the world."
"But all of this is thanks to Lord Bizen-no-kami... I really, really don't know how to thank you enough..."
As Ichihime helped her sister-in-law up, whose perspective suddenly narrowed when it came to Nobunaga, she shook her head and said:
"Then please pray that the Asai and Oda clans will continue to work together hand in hand forever. My brother needs Lord Nagamasa, and Lord Nagamasa needs my brother."
Ichihime has absolutely no doubt about what she said.
Having married into the Asai family, and being loved by Nagamasa to the point of overwhelming happiness, she has always strived to maintain her ability to see reality clearly.
That's precisely why I understand the clear disparity in power between the Asai and Oda families as groups and organizations.
Since marrying Ichihime, Ryoto has begun to focus on domestic affairs, but the reality is that he still hasn't managed to bridge the gap in economic power, for example.
Nevertheless, the friendly relations between the two families are still maintained largely because the Asai family is a necessary force for the Oda family "in the current situation."
The Asai family is "necessary" as a bulwark against the Asakura family to the north or the Rokkaku family to the west, until these two families are defeated.
Once the need for them disappears, who knows what will become of the Asai family—given the current times, it's impossible to say how things will turn out.
However, Ichihime was the wife of Asai Nagamasa.
She was neither a woman of the Oda family nor a wife of the Asai family; she was the wife of Asai Nagamasa, an individual.
The fact that Nagamasa questioned and confirmed with her on their wedding night continues to hold considerable significance for Ichihime.
"This incident has made it clear that the Asai and Oda clans must join hands firmly. If the two families always keep each other in mind and work together... they can repel the threat of the hawk."
That's why it was absolutely essential to avoid a situation where the Asai family was used and discarded by the Oda family.
The Asai family had to be positioned as the most trustworthy force, given their connection to the Oda family through marriage.
Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to instill in the mind of Kicho, the wife of her brother, the idea that Nagamasa, her husband, is a "trustworthy person."
Nobunaga trusted her well and, from time to time, sought her opinion—a fact I, his younger sister, had witnessed firsthand.
Ichihime wrote letters to Nobunaga almost every day, all of which was to strengthen the ties between the Asai and Oda families—though there was also a strong desire to boast about her happiness.
"Yes... that's right. I'm sure that's the case."
Kicho replied, pressing her hand to her eyes.
"Lord Bizen-no-kami is a truly admirable person... For Lord Nobunaga's sake, we must definitely get along with him..."
"That's right, for the sake of the Oda family as well."
Ichihime held Kicho's hand tightly as she said this, then self-deprecatingly added, "I've changed quite a bit."
What I value most right now is not the development of the Oda family, but my husband's future.
As long as my husband lives happily, that's all that matters.
More than anything, as long as that kind-hearted person, who can't ignore those in need and is endlessly warm, is alive—that alone will make me happy, and the people around him will be happy too...
Ichihime was absolutely certain of this.
(...He's a very naughty person, though.)
Since coming to Kita-Omi, I've been taught various parts of the local dialect and have been subjected to various embarrassing situations, but even so, I am happy. I am incredibly happy.
I won't let anyone take away this happiness from me.
Eliminate as many uncertain factors as possible that could hurt the person who brings you happiness.
And creating an environment in which her husband could be happy—that was her role as Asai Nagamasa's wife.
"Hehe... Well then, sister-in-law, please go to bed now. If you were to fall ill from lack of sleep, I would feel terrible for my brother."
She clapped her hands and called over the waiting maids, Kaede and Sakura, and had them escort Kicho to her bedroom.
After watching him go, Ichihime turned to look at Tsubaki, the head lady-in-waiting who was standing beside her.
"So, what's the situation with the people in the castle?"
As I gazed at the maid's face illuminated by the hearth fire, I asked,
"I'm overjoyed. It's because of the success of the falconry hunt, but if Lord Bizen-no-kami and Lord Naotsune were here, I don't think I would have been so careless."
That was Tsubaki's response.
Ichihime had no objections to those words.
For example, if I were a man and in a position of leadership, it would be easy to seize Sugawa Castle amidst the chaos.
However, one thing I could say with certainty was that there was no man in Sugawa Castle who would harbor such delusions.
They all respect and admire Asai Nagamasa, a warrior who has survived countless battles up to this point.
No one dares to break free from that protection and walk a path of opposition.
"I thought so—but that's alright, Tsubaki. It's okay if you get 'excited' too."
"What are you saying...?"
Ichihime didn't miss the look of distress on Tsubaki's face.
Indeed, as if to condense the situation, she addressed her maidservant,
"You're getting on in years now, aren't you? I'm pretty far past my prime myself, but—well, I suppose I could arrange a good match for you from Owari..."嫁stomach
Having said that much, Ichihime looked at Tsubaki's face and smiled softly.
"Now, stop making that face. I'm sorry, I knew what I was saying. I just wanted to confirm—that you have a man you're interested in."
"...Such a person..."
"You're the one who protected you when you fled from Odani Castle, aren't you? I believe you were transferred here from Odani Castle... Ah, the Nagara Ashigaru..."
"I'm so sorry..."
Tsubaki must have realized there was no way to deny it anymore.
With a pale face and a trembling voice, he prostrated himself, pressing his forehead against the tatami mat.
In the Sengoku period, it was a major problem for a lady-in-waiting to the principal wife to have an affair or romantic relationship with a male retainer.
If the man who seduced the maid were, hypothetically, an enemy spy... all information about the head of the household would be leaked—and, more importantly, the head of the household and his wife would be exposed to direct danger, such as assassination.
Therefore, the man a lady-in-waiting marries must be someone who has been thoroughly investigated by the principal wife and deemed "acceptable."
Free love is completely out of the question, and not even worth considering.
Indeed—Tsubaki probably thought she had kept it a secret.
However, Princess Ichihime does not simply employ her ladies-in-waiting without any purpose.
If any change occurs in their behavior, we must secretly investigate with the keen attention to spot it and uncover the reason.
Then one night, after Tsubaki had finished work , Ichihime secretly watched her diligently knitting men's underwear out of linen in the sunlight—and her suspicions about Tsubaki turned into certainty.蝋燭Candle
"I beg you, Princess Ichihime, no matter what happens to me...but—but please, not him."
Tsubaki was trembling, still kneeling on the ground—yet she continued to plead desperately.
Normally, if such a situation occurs, a superior officer must immediately take action to eliminate the perpetrator.
My brother Nobunaga, who places considerable importance on and values the influence of women, would do it without hesitation.
Ichihime drew her dagger, its blade gleaming.
The swishing sound of the blade and scabbard rubbing against each other mingled with the distant sounds of the festival's hustle and bustle.
The sheath fell onto the tatami mat, and Tsubaki's body trembled in shock.
"I beg you... please spare only Heishiro-sama..."
Ichihime gazed intently at the maidservant, who spoke in a strained voice, expressing only concern for the other person.
Then, slowly, he opened his mouth.
"Have you already had a physical relationship?"
"That's not possible...!"
Tsubaki suddenly looked up, her face on the verge of tears, and said:
"I would never do something like that, like a slut! I've decided that I'll only give my body... my body... after I get married!"
Please, just believe me on that," Tsubaki pleaded in a tearful voice, pressing her forehead to the tatami mat.
I don't mind being executed for having a romantic relationship with a man.
However, Tsubaki said tearfully that she didn't want to be executed as a maid who had engaged in premarital relations.
But that wasn't to protect her own self-preservation.
The complaint stems from her concern for the man involved.
In other words, if a man had a physical relationship with the wife's lady-in-waiting, he would inevitably be executed.
However, if it was merely an emotional connection and not a physical one, there was a very high probability that the punishment would be banishment rather than execution.
"Lord Heishiro is a very kind person. He is always smiling, yet brave... I beg you, Lord Heishiro will surely be of great service to the Asai family...! Please, please..."
Tears streaming down her face, Tsubaki desperately prostrated herself on the tatami mat.
With her unsheathed dagger still in her hand, Ichihime gestured for her to raise her face, then, gazing intently at her tear-soaked face, she spoke.
"For my lady-in-waiting to have an affair with a man is simply unacceptable. What if that man was a spy and intended to harm Lord Nagamasa? More than anything, I cannot understand why she would even attempt to take such a risk—"
But, Ichihime continued, listening to the distant festival music.
"Tonight is a special day. The castle inhabitants are in high spirits. I do not wish to tarnish this joyous occasion solely for your sake, nor do I wish to welcome Lord Nagamasa back to a mansion stained with your blood. I will make my decision after consulting with you following Lord Nagamasa's return."
"Lord Bizen-no-kami...?"
With a glimmer of hope in her eyes, Tsubaki asked in a whispering voice, "Is that really true?"
"It pains me to ask Lord Nagamasa to handle something like this—but Lord Nagamasa is very sensitive when it comes to matters between men and women... And if the problem were only with you, it would be simple, but since it involves members of the Asai family as well... there's nothing I can do on my own. I have no choice but to ask for Lord Nagamasa's opinion."
After ordering the ladies-in-waiting who had returned to the room to put Tsubaki in a padded cell, Ichihime summoned the soldiers and asked them to secretly imprison Tsubaki's lover in the same place as her—and then let out a deep sigh.
If that were true, I would have wanted to question my husband at least once when he returned from falconry.
Why did he willingly throw himself into such a deadly situation? Why doesn't he consider the feelings of those he leaves behind?
And then—I asked him how he would take responsibility for the fact that I was so worried about you that I almost went mad.
(But I can't keep saying things like that anymore...)
Turning her gaze away from the circle of joy held by the inhabitants of Sugawa Castle, Ichihime looked up at the dark night illuminated by orange light and let out a sigh.
(I wonder if Lord Nagamasa is enjoying some drinks with my older brother right now... Lord Nagamasa, I can't wait to see you...)
Although it was only a one-day separation, the unexpected event of the falconry hunt, the emotionally unsettling circumstances, made it feel as if it had been a long separation of several months.
As Ichihime gazed upon the night sky, thinking of her beloved husband, she felt the loneliness and sadness of spending the night alone deeply within her very being.
(I hope you're not injured... Does Oda's food suit your taste... Are you sleeping soundly with your blanket on...?)
As I was writing in the diary I'd kept ever since I got married, burdened by these vague worries, Kaede and Sakura, the maids, returned to the room with gloomy expressions, presumably having imprisoned Tsubaki in the room's cell.
They must be incredibly worried.
They've always been together, the three of them, holding hands, and working hard in the unfamiliar Kita-Omi region.
However, the ladies-in-waiting were well aware that there are times when emotions alone cannot, and should not, act upon them.
After leaving the girls in their care, Ichihime lay down slowly on the futon and pondered.
Sleeping alone is lonely, after all.
"Lord Nagamasa..."
Calling out the name of her beloved husband, whom she longed for, Ichihime huddled alone in the dark, spacious room, anxiously awaiting the arrival of morning.
◆
"My lord—!"
"Lord Bizen-no-kami—!!"
The closer we got to Sugawa Castle, the louder the cheers of the soldiers and their families became.
Along the roadside, a large number of local farmers had gathered, and when I waved, they cheered loudly.
It seems that news of the successful falconry has spread to the area surrounding Sugawa Castle.
I feel like a hero or something.
"Wow, what a huge crowd..."
It was so embarrassing to be on top of the cart.
This would have made me seem like a horseman , but in reality, I'm just rattling along on a cart.様Summer
I gave a wry smile at the crowd's cheers, which showed no sign of stopping.
"That's only natural, considering what you've accomplished."
Haruhime said this with a smile.
The current date is March 10, 1567. The falconry expedition took place on March 9.
In just one day—yes, in just one day—I had become a hero.
I learned that the purpose of falconry is basically to drive falcons out of a territory, and there have been only a handful of recorded instances of falcons being killed or injured throughout history.
Currently, the information seems to have only reached Owari and parts of northern Omi, but it will likely spread to other regions through the intelligence channels of each faction.
He's like a hero from an epic poem.
Incidentally, there are basically only two possible fates for such a hero.
In other words, one can either marry a wife and live happily ever after, or be betrayed and die in a quagmire of misfortune.
As we stepped through the open castle gates and Princess Osamu and I disembarked from the cart, the crowd immediately began to murmur.
It was easy to imagine that the object of that astonishment was Princess Osamu.
Everyone greeted her with expressions of surprise, as she had become completely sophisticated.
The treatment for Taishakutsukimo had already been completed by me inside the cart.
I summoned Hisashi, instructed him to have Taishakutsukige recuperate in the stable, and then turned to face Naotsune.
Then, with Naotsune dismounting from his horse and leading the way, I proceeded towards the mansion accompanied by Haruhime.
Indeed, in front of the mansion stood a striking contrast of black and gold.
With their beautiful, long black and blonde hair flowing in the gentle breeze, Ichihime and Kicho await us.
"a..."
Seeing that, I involuntarily held my breath.
I didn't know what to say.
It was so beautiful, and even though only one day had passed, it felt so familiar.
A moment of silence descends upon Sugawa Castle.
As I remained silent and refused to say anything, Naotsune gave me a puzzled look, and Haruhime also looked confused.
Nothing will change unless I say something. No one will speak unless I say something.
And just then, Ichihime slowly raised her head and smiled at me.
"We are so relieved that you are safe—welcome back, Lord Nagamasa."
His voice was clear and carried well, and I'm sure the people from Sugawa Castle who had gathered behind us could hear him clearly.
Indeed, if I don't agree now, I'll surely be humiliating her.
Having fully understood that, Ichihime spoke to me, sensing my state of mind and wanting to help me.
The smile she wore was more precious than anything else, and more than anything I had wanted to see—so, prompted by her, I slowly opened my mouth.
"--I'm home, Ichi."
That's all.
That alone caused the people of Sugawa Castle to cheer, and the atmosphere began to stir once again.
The content of my words wasn't what mattered; the only important thing was that I opened my mouth and spoke.
Amidst the clash of people's passions, Kicho stepped forward, knelt down, took my hand, and said:
"Lord Bizen-no-kami, we offer our sincerest congratulations on your achievements in this battle... We hope to continue our lasting friendship with the Oda family in the future."
"It goes without saying."
I stared intently into my sister-in-law's face—
"Our ties with the Oda clan will only deepen in the future—may the future, as both families join hands, lead to an era of peace and prosperity."
—And after finishing my sentence, I looked straight at Naotsune.
"Therefore, Lady Kicho... for the sake of our friendship, it would be best for you to return to Lord Oda Kazusanosuke."
When I helped Kicho to her feet, Naotsune looked me in the eye and nodded.
"An emissary from the Oda family has already arrived. I will have Endo Naotsune, our most loyal retainer of the Asai family, guide you to the castle gate."
"I am deeply grateful for your kindness."
Kicho said this and bowed her head.
Naotsune urged her on and led the way in a gentlemanly manner.
Indeed, he glanced at me—Ichihime and Haruhime—and then parted the crowd and left for the Oda family's escort waiting outside Sugawa Castle.
Instead, Ichihime comes to my side.
His gaze wasn't directed at me, but also at Haruhime, who was wearing a very beautiful kimono bestowed upon her by Nobunaga.
But there was absolutely no trace of hostility in his gaze.
Or perhaps, they seemed to have predicted the current situation—that's the impression one might get.
That's how gentle Ichihime's eyes were.
"I'm so relieved that Princess Osamu is safe..."
"My lady..."
"I'm sorry, but would you mind leaving your seat for a moment?"
Ichihime said casually.
"picture...?"
Haruhime gazed at Ichihime's face.
I noticed that Princess Chihime's face showed an expression that suggested she was overcome with extreme anxiety.
Or perhaps, the anxiety that the secret between me and Haruhime—our physical relationship—had been discovered.
But Ichihime—
"There is something I need to discuss with Lord Nagamasa. Afterwards, we will meet with Princess Osamu. Until then, I apologize, but please wait in your room. I will call you in as soon as I have finished speaking with Lord Nagamasa."
—He told Haruhime that with the same calm expression on his face as always.