“Lord Liam… You are only seven. Isn’t it still too soon to be talking about marriage?”
“…”
“Even considering the average age of marriage of the Agents across the world, it’s too soon for such a proposal. I can’t see how this is a good idea, for you or my Autumn. Is this really what you want?”
“I…”
“I can tell this because I am Nadeshiko’s Guard. A child your age can’t possibly be thinking about securing a Yamatoan bride for your future and your circumstances. You may begin such strategizing one day, but not yet.”
“…”
Pity began to spread among the ones listening to the discussion.
The child’s way of speaking sounded mature, but going by his agitated reaction, he wasn’t capable of scheming. The anxiety in his expression spoke the truth.
The one who gave the order probably isn’t here.
Kyokoku most likely didn’t expect to receive this much backlash.
After all, the dinner was meant to form a bond between the nations. They wouldn’t want to cause drama.
This was a place to be courteous—which meant it was a good place to bring up the proposal.
The young Agent of Autumn would suggest it, Yamato would dodge the question, and then Liam would ask them to at least give it some thought. Kyokoku had created an atmosphere that would make outright refusal difficult.
It was the same strategy Kyokoku had used when they’d invited the Yamatoans to the country; they were on the offensive and must have assumed that Autumn was weak to such tactics, since they gave up and came here in the end.
And they’re not wrong.
The people of Yamato did not like conflict and avoided discord. But that didn’t mean they were pushovers.
“Lord Jude.”
They were just quiet.
Liam could say nothing anymore, so he looked over at his Guard again.
Kashu’s Guard of Autumn.
Rindo wished they didn’t have a table separating them; otherwise, he would have already grabbed Jude by the collar.
“Your Lord Agent is troubled. Will you not help him?”
You realize your Autumn needs help?
“This is your last chance to treat his innocent suggestion as a joke.”
He’s your Autumn. Do something already.
Rindo wanted his words to stab everyone hiding behind the curtain.
“This marriage proposal came out of nowhere in the middle of dinner. I can’t help but suspect that you cultivated a pretense of bonding to make it hard for us to turn you down. Don’t you have anything to say as his Guard? If not, I’ll have to assume I’m right and that Kyokoku has no respect for Yamato. We’ll go back to our country right away and have the Townchiefs and the Agency write an official letter. I, Guard of Autumn Rindo Azami, will speak on behalf of the Town of Autumn and express our indignation with the treatment Kyokoku Kashu has given us.”
Everyone was overwhelmed by Rindo’s nonstop censure, including his father, Kikka Azami.
Rindo usually acted more carefully. He could have retained his gentlemanly attitude and pointed out the lack of respect while taking care not to damage the relationship between the countries. Yet he did not.
He could not. Next to him was his Autumn, who was nearly in tears as she understood what was taking place.
He could not stand by and keep the peace out of fear for his job position.
“Lord Jude, if you leave your Agent to be the only one making a retraction, then I have no choice but to conclude that the title of Guard means nothing in Kashu.”
Rindo’s scowl finally made Jude stand up.
“I am very sorry. I did not expect such a strong reprimand. We were overly presumptuous, since you were so amicable. My apologies.”
The tension in the air loosened. Kyokoku had apologized. This was big.
Jude’s words were sincere, but it was hard to tell how he truly felt.
He’d seemed like a good guy when he was speaking with Ruri, but now he was intentionally hiding his emotions.
Which face is his true one? Rindo wondered. Aloud, he said, “Please apologize not only to Autumn, but to Summer and Winter as well.”
He remained stern.
“…I apologize to everyone who came here from Yamato,” said Jude. “It was inappropriate to make such a proposal at this time.”
“Finally, apologize to my Autumn. She wished to be friends with Lord Liam. Your actions crushed her feelings.”
Liam looked at Nadeshiko, his eyes teary.
He hadn’t expected her to feel that way.
The children’s gazes met before both quickly looked away.
Jude apologized again, but the lack of emotion in his words did not make Rindo feel much better.
Kikka took over the conversation, and the dinner ended shortly afterward.
As everyone prepared to leave, Nadeshiko clung fiercely to Rindo.
He picked her up. His heart was racing, as was hers.
“…”
Perhaps he should have said something to her, but no words came to him.
Nadeshiko kept her mouth closed; their embrace conveyed their feelings more than any words could. Neither of them wanted her to become someone else’s.
What an ambush.
He knew this issue would come up someday but didn’t expect it to be here, today.
If even he was that shocked, as an adult, he couldn’t even guess how shocking it was to Nadeshiko.
The first emotion that rose within him was anger.
“…Nadeshiko.”
Next, it was fear. And then confusion.
With the right preparations, she could leave my side easily.
Today had taught him as much.
Even though I said I would look after her until she marries.
Now that the topic finally came up, turmoil overtook him. He could only laugh at himself.
“Lord Azami, the Four Seasons Tower and the Agency want to apologize to Autumn…”
Sanekazura walked up to them. Rindo wished he and Nadeshiko could have had at least a few more seconds to collect themselves, but once he saw Itecho handling the diplomacy in his place, he handed Nadeshiko over to Sanekazura.
“Would you mind?” he asked her.
“Don’t worry. Lady Nadeshiko, hang in there just a little longer. We’ll be back at the hotel soon.”
“Shirahagi, please stay with Nadeshiko. I’ll fill you in later.”
“Yes, of course.”
Shirahagi walked up to them while holding up the pet carrier, and Nadeshiko hugged it.
Hanakiri happened to be looking out the window, and she looked at him with sadness.
The loyal dog whimpered.
“…”
Shirahagi was taken aback for a moment before he hesitantly reached out to pat Nadeshiko’s head.
Although he served her, he had never touched her like this.
He feared she wouldn’t like it, but her shoulders only relaxed. At the very least, she did not refuse Shirahagi’s kindness in this moment.
“You were scared, weren’t you…?” Shirahagi said, and Nadeshiko nodded.
She reached out to him and grabbed the sleeve of his suit. He patted her head even more gently.
“But Lord Azami protected you. You have nothing to worry about.”
“Yes…”
“We’re also here to protect you and your way of life.”
His awkward words of comfort calmed her down a little. Encouragement from someone who cared about you could go a long way.
Sanekazura looked at them with warmth, but her anger hadn’t been quelled.
What were they thinking?
The Yamatoans had no answer yet.
“Explain the meaning of this.”
Meanwhile, Rindo approached one member of the Yamato circle: his father.
Kikka shrugged. “I dunno. I’m just the interpreter.”
“Don’t play dumb,” Rindo replied. “You’re part of the Agency’s Liaison Department. You would’ve known.”
Itecho was watching quietly from the side, so Rindo explained to him:
“My father has frequent contact with foreign organizations like Kyokoku’s Four Seasons Tower. Part of the Liaison’s job is to gather intel, and that includes dealing with trouble and follow-up deals.”
Itecho nodded and looked at Kikka.
“I don’t mean to attack anyone here, but please, based on whatever you know, could you tell us why you think Kyokoku did that?”
“…”
Kikka looked at his team. Most of them were members of the Autumn Branch of the Security Department of the Maintenance Division of the Four Seasons Agency, but a temporary transfer to the Four Seasons Tower was present as well. He attempted to appease them.
“Do you mind?” he asked the local staff. They nodded awkwardly.
“You might get a call from Kashu’s Church of the Living Gods through the Four Seasons Tower tomorrow…,” said Kikka. “It’s very likely that they instructed Lord Liam and Lord Jude to do that.”
Rindo and Itecho frowned.
As Rindo had told Shirahagi recently, the Church was an organization that venerated the gods incarnate.
“I didn’t know they had authority in Kyokoku.” Itecho rubbed his chin. “As far as I know, other religions in Kyokoku are stronger, so the Church of the Living Gods shouldn’t be…”
Itecho was well informed, but he didn’t know as much as Rindo about matters abroad.
Kikka answered him. “You’re underestimating them a bit. According to Kyokoku’s investigations, the Church of the Living Gods ranks third in number of followers. Much of the funds for Yamato’s Agency come from various organizations, right? That’s why they have so much influence.”
“Yes, but can the Church actually give orders to the Agents?” said Itecho. “Obviously, you can’t ignore your supporters, and I hear that descendants sent from the Towns and Agency can end up in managerial roles in the Church, so they do have a strong connection. Maybe it’s just that I don’t have much of a connection there…”
Kikka nodded in agreement, but then he said, “That’s an understandable perspective, because the shrines have greater power in Yamato. The Church of the Living Gods is only a derivative of the religion. But the shrines don’t have strong roots in Kyokoku, with the Church being more common. If you aren’t already annoyed with the Church, Lord Kangetsu, it’s either because you are very gracious toward them or because the Agency has worked hard so they won’t reach you.”