The next day after the emperor returned to Huanglong Castle, I received a report that the preparations for the audience were complete. I changed into formal attire and arrived at the grand hall where the audience was to be held.
“Kunihisa, it is a great occasion. I have indeed heard the news of the passing of the head of the Kashu-in family,” I bowed my head, sitting cross-legged towards Emperor Tendo-in Genso.
Surrounding me were the central figures of the imperial government, the retainers, and among them were three heroines of “Doki Koi” (the game I was reincarnated from) that are capture targets.
(“Tendoin Miyaharu, who will kill Yuuna in the future… and the two generals who command the imperial army’s direct troops, Shiba Motoyuki and Tsukishima Nao”)
The pink-haired girl with strong blue eyes is Miyaharu, the main heroine. The tall girl with rich black hair tied in a ponytail is Yukika, and the girl with a gentle face and light-colored hair is Nao.
These two are the older heroines that appear in the first part of “Doki Koi,” and they are the two-star generals in command of the imperial army’s direct troops. They are characters who are superior in personal strength, to the point where I, as I am now, would not be able to win even if I stood on my head.
Among the heroines that appear in the first part, only these three have a position that allows them to sit in this audience.
(But even so, these modified kimonos… Truly a harem eroge. I’m impressed by the culture that allows this kind of moe fashion to be acceptable even in official settings!)
All of the female characters in “Doki Koi” wear modified kimonos, such as miniskirt kimonos, kimonos with frills, belly-baring kimonos, kimonos paired with shorts, etc. It doesn’t really give the feeling of traditional Japanese kimonos anymore, there are more people wearing modified kimonos. The one Miyaharu is wearing right now is also a miniskirt kimono.
The older heroines like Yukika and Nao wear relatively calm-designed clothes, but even those are kimono-like designs that incorporate modern fashion. There were also standing images wearing armor for all the heroines, but their defensive power is like a bikini armor. The only ones who wear proper traditional-style clothes are probably only Yuuna and Miyako.
(But that kind of clothing also seems to suit Yuuna… I definitely want Yuuna to wear that kind of modified kimono in the future too)
Mainly in the bedroom at night… and so on.
While deciding on such things in my heart, I listened to the emperor’s words.
“Regarding the former head, I have heard news of the passing of the head of the Kashu-in family,” the emperor said as I listened.
Indeed, if the head of a family dies before the successor reaches adulthood, it is customary for the spouse or relatives of the head to take over as a proxy. In our case, that would be my father, Motohisa, but in the case where this person holds the qualification of a proxy who can work properly.
“Regarding the management of the territory, it would be best for Motohisa to manage the territory as a proxy until you reach adulthood,” the emperor said.
“However, Your Majesty, I plan to return my father, Motohisa, to the Gojo family, which is my home,” I said.
Upon hearing these words, the surrounding people started to get noisy.
“Well, I understand. Let me observe and see how you handle the management of the Kashu-in territory. If you can manage the territory well, that would be commendable,” said the emperor.
“Thank you very much. I will definitely live up to Your Majesty’s expectations,” I said, expressing my gratitude.
Alright, I got the emperor’s agreement. My father shouldn’t know about my mother’s death yet, so even if he comes to seek the position of proxy, I can turn him away without any worries.
“Now, Your Majesty. I would like to make a proposal as the next head of the Kashu-in family,” I said.
“What is it? Go ahead and tell me,” said Emperor Tendo-in Genso.
“It is an engagement with Her Highness Yukina Tendo-in,” I said.
This statement caused a commotion. It’s natural, because to these people, it’s quite a big deal to want to marry the princess who is treated as a bastard child.
Of course, I didn’t want to force a marriage that didn’t align with the person’s wishes. But we only have two years until Yuna inherits the Dragon Mark and can no longer go outside. Two years is too short to pursue a marriage with the princess through proper channels. I will apologize to Yuna later, but this is the only way for me to marry her.
“Hey, what’s the meaning of that?” said someone in the retainers.
“Quiet everyone,” Emperor Tendo-in Genso said, and the voices of the retainers criticizing my father’s actions could be heard leaking from their mouths.
Well, I understand. Even though this country allows polygamy, it’s quite eyebrow-raising for my father, who married my mother, the head of the Kashu-in family, and me, his own son and the successor of the Kashu-in family, to ignore us and live with his mistress, spending his time in our castle for more than thirteen years.
Honestly, my father is in the way of me becoming the head. I know from my knowledge of the original story that this old man is trying to make his daughter the head of the Kashu-in family, ignoring me.
Honestly, I don’t have any loyalty to the royal family, and I don’t care about maintaining a relationship with the royal family. I have only been spouting words and reasons of formality and pretext until now, but it’s really amazing how smoothly things went!
Of course, I don’t know how much they have realized about my true intentions, but I know from my knowledge of the original story that Yuna is an unwelcome existence for the emperor. It was a good bet that paid off!
“It’s a great story. It benefits both parties. I understand, let’s accept this proposal. However, we haven’t properly educated Yuna, but is that okay?” the emperor asked.
“There’s no problem. As the mistress of the Kashu-in family, she will receive the education from now on. By the way… I would like Yuna-hime to move to our territory and receive her education there,” I said.
“Very well. Please make the necessary arrangements,” said the emperor.
“Thank you. With Your Majesty’s decision, the Kashu-in family will continue to be a loyal vassal of the Tendo-in family,” I expressed my gratitude and made a deep bow.
With that, I hurriedly left the audience room.
I have overcome two major hurdles in one go. All that’s left is to continue honing my martial skills and my lower body… Before returning to my territory, I need to greet Yuna. I have to apologize to her for entering into an engagement without her knowledge.
