Your wife has graciously joined me for tea.
~Okasaan
Knowing Mother never agreed with our treatment of our wives, I’m not surprised she’s taking the first opportunity to even the playing field as she sees it.
There is a pounding on the door. I know before I answer it who it is.
My twin is already flashing his own embossed card.
“Haha, has taken our wives.” He says with impending doom.
Chapter 13
Allies, Accomplices and Assailants ?????
Evangeline
“Tea?” I catch Bridget’s gaze before smiling to Mrs. Takeda. Calling her mother-in-law never feels quite real. I don’t know if it’s because of the circumstances of my marriage, but it’s more than awkward.
“Thank you, Okasaan.” She smiles smoothly. Pouring for us both despite actually being the responsibility of me and my fellow wife of second sons. It’s clear to me her actions are those of contrition.
“Please allow us to serve, ma’am.” I meet Bridget’s frantic gaze, understanding thick between us.
“Yes.” We both lean forward at the same time to grab the teapot.
“No.” The soft, firm words accompany a wave of our matriarch’s delicate hand.“It’s the least I can do after my younger sons’ mistreatment of you.”
Pouring the steaming liquid into our cups with the practice of having the tea ceremony so ingrained is as natural as the sun rising every morning.
Silence drops between us like an invisible cloak. The chirps of birds and animals frolicking in the garden are the only sounds as we all take a sip of our tea.
“I brought you here as soon as I heard they brought you back to Tokyo from wherever they had you hidden. A mistake on their part.” A clever smile spreads across her face.
Left with no doubt just where my husband and his brothers got their ruthless streak, I can do nothing but huff out a laugh.
Though someone put Prosper out of commission for the time being, her network remains. Now that Flower is indisposed, it has fallen to others. Our newest family member will arrive at any moment. Please know that you’re not without friends. Cake?” Smiling serenely, she motions to the array of food — a mix of Japanese, European and American confections and sandwiches.
“We appreciate that,” I manage after accepting and sampling a delicate sandwich.
I ain’t going to lie, I’m famished. When the family retainers came for me, I’d not eaten yet. But it’s not like I can demand they wait until I eat when the head of the family requests my presence.
“We do—” Bridget adds, but I notice her hesitancy.
“Riyu and I are trying to work things out.” Shooting Bridget an apologetic glance, I eat another sandwich, which barely touches the hunger I have.
“Umm, same.” Bridget shrugs right behind me, looking sheepish.
I know the feeling — a million feminist angels just lost their wings at our admissions.
“Ah, well, I too know what it’s like to be in love. My husband had a way about him, and I’m sure his sons no doubt inherited the same persuasive abilities.” The way Madam Takeda blushes is enough to make you forget that she’s the mother of three grown men and presently sits at the top of the Takeda Dynasty.
“However, should you ever need me, I am here. Though what we accomplished last time was no light feat, we can endeavor to top ourselves.” Her pride in helping us escape her sons is not lost on us.
“Why did you do it?” I have to know, and so does Bridget, but the way she leans forward.
“They needed a comeuppance. Seeing how Flower was able to get Akchiro to come around after she stood up to him — actually stood for the type of family relationship she and Asa deserved — only to see my younger sons making the same mistakes. I felt I could help them with a little intervention before they lost you forever.” With each word, more and more passion fills her words. Her sons are not perfect, and instead of standing quietly by and letting them ruin our lives, she stepped in to stop them as only a mother could.
I don’t know what the result of her actions will be, but it almost seems like this is a fresh start.
