Before she saw him, she was always on edge. She seemed to have nothing to worry about and had absolute faith in Tetsu no Sosuke, but... something still weighed on her heart. She couldn't have said what it was, and most days she didn't even notice it.
But when she saw the man she had longed for, felt his warmth, heard his voice, and had him close enough to touch, that weight quietly vanished.
Only then did she realize how heavy it had been.
Tetsu no Sosuke held her in his arms and gently kissed her forehead. Kanae broke into a broad smile.
Then he murmured, "So you already had your sights set on me back then. If I'd known, I wouldn't have spent so long worrying."
Kanae flushed bright red. "Who had their sights set on whom? You were the one after me... I was just... Hmph. I wasn't, anyway."
"Really?" Tetsu no Sosuke winked at her.
Kanae pursed her lips. "Keep that up and I'll get upset."
"Haha, all right." Tetsu no Sosuke let out a soft breath. "Have you been feeling unwell lately?"
"Sometimes, but nothing too bad." Kanae gently stroked her stomach. It hadn't begun to show and was still flat. "I think our baby is being very, very good."
"As it should. If the little one gives you trouble, just wait until it's born. I'll set it straight."
Tetsu no Sosuke put on a fierce face.
"You wouldn't dare. If you pick on our child, I'll deal with you." Kanae was uncharacteristically imperious, leaving Tetsu no Sosuke staring at her in shock.
Chapter 261: Suspicion
After time apart, the husband and wife could hardly bear to let go of each other. But Kanae was pregnant and Tetsu no Sosuke was badly injured, so they could