10/7/2026, 4:33 PM
The subtle drop in her shoulders told him everything. Oh, it was coming, as surely as the dawn; not warm and welcoming, but terrible and cold. He steeled himself for the inevitable, jaw set in a firm line as he met her gaze with all the resolution he could muster. Queen's Rest had been the only place he had ever known as home for as long as he could remember - where, then, would he go? The world was vast, he knew, but so empty.
So empty without her.
"Oh gods... Osamu..."
It only pained him further to see Izumi so twisted up in agony regarding his blatant betrayal, his utter lack of respect.
But why the snort?
He frowned. Was something funny?
Was this - funny?
Before the samurai could open his mouth to protest, she'd already fully committed to her own mirth, soft giggles echoing around him as if he were an awkward child fumbling his lines in a well-rehearsed Kabuki play. Had he missed something?
... You do not?Osamu asked incredulously, silver eyes wide with shock over the last thing he'd ever expected to hear from her.
Truly?
(He hoped she was sincere. Her plaintive cries were very convincing at the time, but no man could ever truly know whether or not a woman was exaggerating certain intimate moments.)
Never would I think you weak,he interjected.
It is not fragility that deters me! It is your honor, your reputation. I have overstepped my position, and you are still Empress - albeit over my heart as much as my body.
But Osamu quieted, seeing something else still troubled her.
Izumi's final words sent a cold chill down his spine. It wasn't quite elation, it wasn't quite dread; only a spike of pure adrenaline, and then it felt as if his entire being went numb all at once.
... Do you mean...?
What had he done?
Osamu stepped forward. Something inside of him wanted to weep, to laugh at the absurdity of the situation, the overwhelming joy and absolute terror he felt all at once, but he waited for her confirmation before he allowed his features to shift. He had to know.
![[Image: ZvwmV36.png]](https://i.imgur.com/ZvwmV36.png)
