For some reason, the news of Keiko's pregnancy unsettled me more than I had expected. Even though she was only a concubine, it felt like an important development in my life. She was a young and delicate woman, fragile and sensitive. After the night I had spent with her in my father's room, I felt a strong sympathy toward Keiko. I suspected there was more to her, there was something unusual beneath her simple and naïve façade, that I didn't yet understand. Despite that, her wellbeing mattered to me now more than ever.
Did she keep her pregnancy a secret to hide it from me? Did she hide it from everyone?
Was she simply ashamed of the fact? Or was she trying to protect me?
Protect me from what?
Was it something to do with my father's secrets?
I sighed to myself.
A sinister wave washed over me every time I thought of the secrets and riddles from my father's old encrusted box.
If contemplating the news was not easy for me, it must've been hell for Keiko to go through such a difficult time alone, to consider what she had to do. I had to speak with her, I had to help her. As my father said, her future was in this house, and it was my responsibility to make sure she was happy, at ease, and cared for.
I felt somewhat ashamed of the way I had treated Keiko in the past, degrading her, forcing her, restricting her to anal sex, and in front of Haruko, too. I remembered what I had put her through and felt like smacking myself.
As Takumi appeared to set out some food for me, I kept on brooding.
"Could you add another set and bring Keiko-sama over?" I asked him.
Trust me, I would've enjoyed the chamberlain's surprised look if I weren't so preoccupied with my thoughts.
I had to make up for all the hurt I had caused Keiko. I had to repay her for being so loyal to my father. More loyal and loving than I ever realized.
A soft knock at the door announced Keiko's arrival.
"Enter," I said.
Keiko bowed low, unease about her movements abundantly clear. She didn't meet my eyes.
"Hello," I said gently, motioning for her to come closer. "Sit with me."
She hesitated for a moment, as if unsure of whether to obey. Slowly, she lowered herself to the mat, folding her hands in her lap. I watched her as her discomfort gradually translated into mine.
"I've noticed you've been avoiding me," I said, trying to sound calm and friendly. "What is it? What troubles you?"
Her head bowed lower, her hair falling in waves over her face, hiding her expression. She opened her mouth to speak but faltered, and a long pause followed instead.
I leaned forward slightly and said in a low voice, "I know you're keeping something from me."
Her eyes darted up for just a moment, ashamed and terrified. I couldn't bear it any longer. I reached out with my hand, gently tilting her chin, forcing her to look me in the eye. "Keiko, I'm not angry with you. I only want to help. You can tell me everything."
She swallowed hard and her lips trembled. "I… I didn't mean for it to happen. I—"
Her words broke off as she covered her face with her hands, her shoulders shaking with the sobs she could no longer contain. She looked so vulnerable, so lost…
I pulled her close to my chest so that she could cry in my arms, and she wept like a child, her hands clinging to mine.
"I'm sorry… I'm sorry…" she whispered between sobs. "I was so ashamed… I didn't know how to tell you, master..."
"Shh," I rocked her gently, rubbing her back in slow circles. "You have no reason to be ashamed, Keiko. Don't be disheartened."
She pulled away slightly, her tear-streaked face trembling. "But… what about the others? What will your wives think?"
I wiped tears off her cheeks. "Keiko, I care nothing for what others think. You are mine, and I will always stand by you."
She looked at me in disbelief, eyes wide open. "But… I thought…"
"What did you think, Keiko?"
"I thought… you'd send me away…" She faltered again, tears welling up in her eyes.
I took hold of her shoulders, turning her to face me. "I will never dismiss you, Keiko. Can you hear me? Never."
For a moment, her sobs quieted. "And you… you're not angry that I'm with child?" she muttered.
I shrugged, smiling. "Why would I be angry? I'm happy that you carry my child, Keiko. It is a blessing. For both of us."
Her face cleared, a semblance of a smile appearing on her lips. "I… I didn't know what to do," she whispered. "I was afraid to live, master…"
"I forbid you to fear," I said calmly, but firmly. "You have nothing to be afraid of, as long as I'm alive. And call me Taro."
She looked at me, completely blown away. "Call you… Taro-sama?"
"Taro-dono," I corrected her. "Or just Taro."
She leaned forward, kissing my hands. "Oh, thank heavens! It's such a relief, Taro-dono."
I raised her chin with my fingers again. "Then don't bow to me," I said, smiling as warmly as I could. "Share a meal with me instead."
She stared at me again, unable to speak. Then she looked at the two sets nearby and suddenly started sobbing again, covering her face.
"What's wrong, Keiko?" I asked, worried she misunderstood me.
She shook her head, but it was a while before she could speak through her tears. "Nothing… is wrong… You've made me the happiest person in the world… Taro-dono!"
As she smiled through her tears, I felt the weight of the sword of Futsunushi on my side.
The pattern was broken!
Keiko was the same with me now as she was before I strapped the magic sword to my kimono. There must've been something special about this girl, as I suspected. But what was it?