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Toranaga’s wife had fallen ill weeks ago, rumor had it she didn’t have much time left. And ever since then, he has been visiting your family more and more often, watching you like a hawk the whole time, as if he was carefully studying you for future reference.
Your parents didn’t tell you anything, but you saw the meaningful looks he and your father exchanged. Everything pointed in the direction that he wanted to take you with him, probably to take his wife’s place in the event of her passing.
“You know why I am here, don’t you?” he asked you one evening over dinner.
You looked down at the floor and tried to gather your thoughts. Everything you knew was based on theories, possibilities your mind came up with to explain the past weeks’ happenings. “I believe it is related to your wife’s illness, Lord Toranaga,” you noted quietly.
His tired eyes were set on you and he let out a long sigh upon hearing your answer. “You are right, it is. She sadly passed away two days ago.” Before you could say anything, he raised a hand to stop you. “I want you to come with me.”
“Why?”
Your father warned you to behave, to keep your tongue tied unless you had something intelligent to add to the conversation. You nodded obediently even though you didn't agree with this. You felt like you had the right to know, to learn what exactly he was planning with you.
To your surprise, Toranaga smiled at you, a gesture that seemed so alien minutes after hearing him speak about his wife's death. “I believe she has the right to know,” he said eventually. “You will be my wife.”
With that he confirmed your theory, causing your heart to sink to your stomach. You didn't want that. He had been nothing but nice to you, still, it just didn't feel right. His wife was a kind woman, you would never dare to even consider replacing her.
“Don't look so sad. It is a great honor,” your mother told you quietly.
“Why don't we go for a walk? It is such a nice evening,” Toranaga offered, gesturing towards the garden.
Your father nodded, giving you a look that was more of an order to do as he wished. So you stood up and followed him outside, walking by his side in silence until he finally decided to speak up. Sometimes he glanced over at you with the same curious eyes you had seen back in the house.
After he made sure you were alone, he came to a halt and said, “I can assure you, this is more than just politics. You are a very clever young woman, you caught my eye almost two years ago. But I didn’t want you to be any less than a proper wife. I assumed you might get married and I could finally get the thought of you out of my head.”
The sincerity in his voice made you realize he was telling the truth. You looked over at him, eyes locking in the silence that was only broken by a few birds flying by. “Is it a good idea? Getting feelings involved, I mean,” you clarified.
“It is hard to put my feelings aside when it comes to you. All I know is that I couldn't stand the thought of you being someone else's wife when you could be mine.” He reached out to touch your face, his fingers moving under your chin to make you look at him. “I will give you anything you want. I promise.”