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“You summoned me, father?”
Fuyuki, peaked into his father’s study. It was rare Kenshin would call upon him in the evening, especially in his study and not his shared room with MC. He couldn’t deny the pounding in his chest as he approached Kenshin’s private study. It was silly, he has never feared going to see his father but recently, his father’s retainers had discussed his future. He had started to dread the possible talk he will have with his father of the inevitable.
“No need to be tense, Fuyu. Have a drink with me.”
Kenshin poured him, what looks to be, his favorite tea as he slipped into the room. He slowly lowered himself onto the cushion across from Kenshin. Taking the warm tea cup, blowing on it and took a small sip. He let the warmth settle in him before answering his father.
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
Kenshin, ever so patient with him, sipped on his sake and waited, watching him rub his thumb on the tea cup.
“The pressure the council has been putting on you about my…future.”
“Don’t worry about them.”
Fuyuki steeled himself, waiting for his father to tell him the real reason he wasn’t pushing him to make a choice. Kenshin has been defending him in meetings and dropping any discussions of his plans. He found it curious but also frightened of what his father knows and of his thoughts.
“Your mother has spoken to me about a few conversations and observations she has made.”
Fuyuki dropped his gaze into the clear brown liquid in his cup and breathed slowly.
“What…has she told you?”
“Nothing too revealing, just of the conflict you seemed to be having with yourself and the weight it seems to be putting on you.”
“Oh…”
Sure, he knew his parents kept no secrets but it was surprising to know his mother didn’t tell Kenshin everything. It was also reassuring and comforting his parents were aware of his boundaries enough they didn’t share his secrets with each other.
“Your mother wasn’t my first love.”
He shifted his gaze and gaped at Kenshin.
“What?”
“I have loved someone before your mother…or I thought it was love at the time.”
He didn’t know what to say. Fuyuki never questioned the love between his parents but he had never actually thought of their past.
“When I was about 14, I had procured the the land of a disgraced warrior and the Uesugi clan took his daughter as a hostage. Her name was Isehime. We had gotten close, but the clan and my retainers thought my relationship with her would hinder me and secreted her away. They forced her into becoming a nun. The day after she took her oath, Isehime took her life.”
Fuyuki simply stared at Kenshin as he continued. He watched as Kenshin fiddled with the charm MC gave him.
“It…traumatized me for over a decade even after your mother came into my life…”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Because, who you wish to be with should not be the concern of others, Fuyuki.”
Again…he found himself gaping at his father.
“I know you have been struggling with your feelings and your sense of duty to the clan. I do not wish for you to have to go through the trauma I endured and I wanted you to know that I will not impose on your choices.”
The grip on his cup loosened and he took a shaky breath.
“But…you married an Oda princess…”
“I did and I’m sure you have heard from your mother she’s not in anyway related to the Oda clan nor is she a princess. I didn’t marry your mother because of the benefits it would bring for the clan. I married her out of love. She makes me happy. I would have married her even if she was, say, a daughter of a maid.”
Fuyuki started to shake a bit at the revelation.
“How long…have you known?”
“A few years, your mother brought it to my attention how close you were with one of her friend’s daughter. The rest, I figured it out on my own and it seems you have only figured it out recently. You love her, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
“She makes you happy?”
“Yes…”
“Okay, that’s all I need to know.”
He froze, that’s it? No lecture about the importance of the clan or it’s standing? No impeding talks of Echigo’s reputation or power?
“But do give me time to prepare, Fuyuki. I know you might rush into this. Your mother and I have been preparing for the inevitable and we want to make sure you-…”
Kenshin was cut off as Fuyuki threw himself into his father’s arms and buried his face into Kenshin’s fluffy cape. The familiar feeling of security and warmth flooded Fuyuki as he squeezed his father.
“Thank you.”
Kenshin silently smiled, arms wrapped around Fuyuki, and let his eldest seek the comfort he needed to regain his composure.
“You’re so much like your mother, Fuyuki.”
“Funny you say that, mother says I’m a mini you.”
Kenshin couldn’t help but let out an amused sigh.
“I’m happy you’re my dad…”
“Umm…”
Fuyuki felt the arms around him tighten.
“You have and will always be a joy in my life, Fuyuki.