In the Name of a Wife (Continued)

"So proactive? But Miss Kaguya Sumeragi, I'm not picky about food~"

The girl in front of me, dressed in a loose kimono, is of noble birth and high status. She is Kaguya Sumeragi Suzaku Kururugi's childhood betrothed, a former Kagura priestess of Kururugi Shrine, the sole heir to the old Japan imperial family, and now the de facto supporter of the Kyoto Six Houses.

However, it was less about supporting and more about using a righteous cause, much like how Cao Cao held Emperor Xian of Han of Han tightly in his grasp...

No, perhaps it was even more tragic than that; using Dong Zhuo would be a more accurate description.

Like a symbol, a remnant of old Japan, Canary kept in an exquisite cage.

It's fair to say that none of them are as good as Euphemia, who is essentially just a decorative figurehead. After all, Euphemia has Cornelia's protection. Even compared to Nunnally, she's probably slightly inferior, because Nunnally has Lelouch as her older brother.

And what about Kaguya Sumeragi?

She had nothing. The Kyoto Six Houses treated her like a child, like a mascot. If she weren't physically healthy and had normal senses, she could easily beat Nunnally.

She earned the title of the most tragic princess.

Therefore, her purpose in doing this is quite obvious.

"Lord Shadow, why are you being so distant? As your wife, you can just call me Kagura."

Kaguya Sumeragi spoke these words quite naturally, her pair of dark eyes with a hint of emerald green blinking, making her look extremely cute.

"My wife... can you tell me why I call her that?"

He looked into Kaguya Sumeragi's eyes.

He glimpsed the true purpose hidden behind that innocence and cuteness, but considering that she wasn't a bad person and was actually quite kind, Mahiro chose to continue talking to her.

"Because I believe that Lord Shadow is destined to be a great hero who saves Japan! I had this feeling from the first time I saw you on television."

Kaguya Sumeragi spoke with absolute certainty, her beautiful eyes wide open, her confidence even stronger than that of Mahiro herself.

"Oh?"

Mahiro raised his voice slightly and asked, "Why not ZERO, but me? From an external perspective, he's the hope for saving Japan, isn't he?"

That's true.

Compared to the Black Knights, the Shadow Garden is still relatively unknown. Even though the commotion they cause is earth-shattering, it is only within Britannia, and even within the sight of the royal family.

In essence, the Black Knights' reputation far surpasses that of the Shadow Garden, which lurks in the Shadow.

"As expected of Lord Shadow, he immediately asked a question that Kagura found somewhat difficult to answer."

The sole heir of the former Japan imperial family poked her chin with her finger, frowning in thought. Her tightly furrowed brows made the young woman appear even more delicate, making the man wish he could soothe her sorrow right now and never bother to investigate further.

Unfortunately, she was facing Yotsuba Mahiro.

Although he too is driven by basic human needs like food and sex, he lacks the extra compassion a man can offer.

"There are two Lord Zero and Lord Shadow, but only one Kagura. At first, I was quite troubled. At that time, I decided that whoever I met first would be my destiny with Kagura, and Kagura would marry him and become his wife."

Without Kagura knowing anything, Shadow came here to meet me. Isn't this a destined fate?

Moreover, after meeting Lord Shadow, Kagura felt that marrying him would be the greatest happiness.

Kaguya Sumeragi blinked, then clasped her hands to her chest and said sweetly.

She was being talked about as a wife and a husband by a pretty little girl.

If it were someone else, even someone with a heart as hard as a rock would probably be melted by the girl's words.

Regardless of anything else, Kaguya Sumeragi's level of cuteness is exceptionally high, and Mahiro genuinely likes her a lot.

But--

"Lying is not a good idea, Your Highness, a princess of old Japan, especially in front of me."

"Huh???"

Kaguya Sumeragi was stunned, because she received an answer that was completely unexpected.

"You're quite surprised, aren't you?"

When Mahiro asked her, Kaguya Sumeragi first nodded subconsciously, then quickly shook her head.

"Don't rush to deny it, let me finish explaining."

Mahiro smiled faintly, took off his shoes, and sat down casually on the tatami mat, looking up at the girl who was only slightly taller than him in this position.

"I think the main reason you chose Shadow instead of ZERO is because of your understanding of the relationship between the two, right?"

ZERO excels in strategy; while he can orchestrate events from afar, such a being is generally difficult to control. Shadow, on the other hand, excels in combat; although he can command an army single-handedly, he would certainly be more adept at using as a pawn than ZERO, and much easier to manipulate, right?

After all, in your eyes, Shadow is nothing more than a brainless brute, a pure muscle-bound idiot.

Mahiro is like someone talking about topics unrelated to herself, jumping to the position of a third party to state these things.

It was precisely these words that completely stunned Kaguya Sumeragi. For the first time, a look of nervousness appeared on her delicate face, and her small hands under her sleeves involuntarily clenched into fists.

She quickly shook her head in denial:

"No, Lord Shadow, I... I didn't mean that!"

"Don't get agitated. I never said you thought that way, but I'm sure someone has whispered something like that in your ear, like the Kyoto Six Houses led by Taizo Kirihara, right?"

Kaguya Sumeragi cherry lips slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but couldn't utter a single word.

Because what the other party said was absolutely correct.

Indeed, Kirihara and the others had discussed similar matters in front of her, in fact, they had discussed them in exactly the same way.

This is also the real reason why Shadow was summoned here today.

Having experienced the defeat of the Japanese Liberation Front, the Kyoto Six Houses seemed to have figured something out: if they wanted to restore their nation, they needed their own pawns.

So they set their sights on this "warrior" Shadow, whom they thought was easy to fool, and made him their first pawn.

So much so that ZERO has become an object of enticements, or more accurately, a "backup plan."

The Black Knights, on the other hand, were simply low-class souvenirs.

"However, Kaguya Sumeragi- san, even if you don't think that way, you still need my power, right?" Mahiro added.

"Haha... we've been found out..."

The girl, embarrassed by having her secret exposed, smiled awkwardly.

Indeed, she does need the power of the Shadow, because she wants to break free from the control of the Kyoto Six Houses.

Although the Kyoto Six Houses worship her as the sole surviving member of the old Japan imperial family, it is only superficial.

In reality, her life wasn't easy.

Because the six families never listened to her opinions and acted arbitrarily, treating her like Canary for ornamental purposes, always dismissing her with arrogant words like "[she's just a little girl who's only a decoration because of her family background]".

Some of them even had certain ideas at one point—

Because she had reached the age where she could have children and get married, some people had ulterior motives, hoping that she would marry into a certain family and continue their family line.

If these people genuinely wanted to liberate Japan and raise the banner of resistance, instead of outwardly complying with Britannia, perhaps she would have accepted her fate.

After all, that was the mission she was born to fulfill as Kaguya Sumeragi, and she had nothing else on her except this body and the title of Emperor's successor.

If it can revive Japan, so what if it becomes a tool for procreation?

But things didn't go as planned.

Therefore, she wanted to rebel and break away from the Kyoto Six Houses to fulfill her wish.

Therefore, she chose to attach herself to Shadow, simply because Shadow's power was undeniable.

"However, Kagura's feelings for Lord Shadow are genuine. Kagura truly admires and respects you, Lord Shadow... because you are the image of a great hero in Shadow's heart!"

"Kaguya Sumeragi eyes sparkling."

However, Mahiro was completely unmoved. He clapped his hands, as if brushing off dust, and said:

"Your Highness, don't you think it's unconvincing to say these words after I've exposed your intentions?"

"Then how can Lord Shadow gain Kagura's trust?"

Upon hearing the girl's question, Mahiro, who was Mahiro at her, suddenly laughed in a nonchalant manner, gently rubbing his chin, looking just like a villain.

"Since you said you wanted to be my wife, you should at least show some action, right?"

Mahiro said this as a matter of course.

"Yes, that's true. Fulfilling all of a husband's needs is indeed something a wife should do."

At that moment, Kaguya Sumeragi seemed to have made a decision. Her eyes hardened, and she took steps toward Mahiro, finally standing in front of him and cupping his head in her hands.

The two were only a few centimeters apart. A fragrance like orchids wafted from the girl's lips, and her unique scent lingered quietly around his nose.

"Are you sure you really want to do this? This is a huge gamble. You're gambling with your body, your future. Is this already ruined country worth it?"

The girl did not speak.

She simply smiled.

And he lowered his head and answered with a kiss.

It carries the sweet scent of a young girl, Mahiro enveloping Mahiro.

She could be said to have never cared about winning or losing, and she had no concept of high-stakes gambling, because she firmly believed that her choices were always the right ones.

If you choose to believe in someone, then believe in them without reservation.

This is the greatest respect she can show to herself, and also to the other person.

After a long while, their lips parted.

Kaguya Sumeragi's face flushed an alluring cherry blossom pink, and she exhaled soft, blushing breaths, her dreamy eyes revealing a girl's shyness.

A kiss alone wouldn't have caused this much trouble.

Is Mahiro the kind of person who can be easily satisfied with just a kiss?

Obviously not.

He slipped his hand under the hem of the kimono, enjoying the smooth, warm touch of her jade-like legs, and headed north.

Kaguya Sumeragi's cheeks gradually flushed red, and she couldn't help but let out a soft moan. Even though her body trembled, she still forced herself to stand up and accept everything about the other person.

"Tsk tsk."

Throughout this process, Mahiro calmly stared into Kaguya Sumeragi's eyes, which, apart from the girl's shyness, showed no sign of resistance.

This woman was indeed prepared to sacrifice herself...

Rumble--

Just then, a slight tremor like an earthquake and a huge roar shattered the idyllic atmosphere in the room.

"W-What's wrong?"

Kaguya Sumeragi instinctively leaned forward and grabbed Mahiro's head, giving him a flat-faced rub.

Hmm, it's a little hard.

Mahiro, having freed himself from Kaguya Sumeragi's embrace, said leisurely, "It seems we can only end here for today. The other side has already begun."

"Huh?"

Hearing his cryptic words, Kaguya Sumeragi wanted to ask him something.

But before he could speak, a low moan suddenly escaped his throat.

"Waaah..."

Mahiro, having decided to stop, glanced at the water stains clinging to his fingertips. As if by magic, he produced a tissue and wiped them clean before saying to Kaguya Sumeragi, "Since you've been so cooperative, we'll agree to this."

Since you desire the power to resist, then I will grant you the power to resist, how about it?"

Losing her footing, Kaguya Sumeragi, who had collapsed to the ground, used her delicate arms to prop herself up and gasped for breath.

Now, she was too weak to even tidy up her clothes, let alone answer Mahiro's questions.

But she clearly didn't care much about the naked body exposed to Mahiro.

However, just as she caught her breath and was about to speak, Mahiro said again:

"Well, it's time to go."

"Lord Shadow, are you leaving?"

Seeing Mahiro stand up from the tatami mat, Kaguya Sumeragi asked softly.