After a brief moment of distraction, Tsunade finally could not help asking.
"What did you just say...?"
"The weather is cold. Before Hokage-sama takes his nap, someone needs to warm up his bed. That is your job now."
Tsunade unconsciously tightened her grip on the broom. Her first instinct was to refuse. Being asked to climb into the Hokage's bed—even if it was not for that sort of thing—was still something she could not accept.
But the words of refusal reached her lips, only for her to swallow them back down.
Today was the last day. It would be far too unworthy if more trouble arose because of this.
Warming his bed...
Wasn't that something only maids in wealthy noble households did?
What the hell did this bastard take her for?!
Yet after the anger came helplessness. She felt unable to refuse, no matter how disgusting or excessive the request was.
She feared that refusing would bring about more needless trouble. Had she not endured enough disgusting things these past few days already?
He had even made her kneel as a footstool while he rested.
Hadn't her dignity disappeared long ago, when she knelt before him in dogesa?
It was only warming his bed. She merely had to lie in it and use her body heat to warm the blankets, then get up when he came to sleep. Today was the last day. If she endured it, everything would be over.
Tsunade kept trying to persuade herself. Taking a deep breath, she replied softly, "I understand."
With that, she lowered her head and continued cleaning.
A little after ten in the morning, Shin arrived.
Samui had already organized the documents he needed to handle. She had always been excellent at her work as a secretary.
Shin began his day's work