chapter 6

Chapter 6

Nori followed the servants quietly as they led him away from the hall, his steps light against the polished wooden floors. His father had left with a bow, his expression unreadable, though Nori could sense the tension in his shoulders.

Yet, he didn't feel anger toward him.

How could he?

He understood, even if his heart ached. Their family wasn't drowning in wealth, and his father had responsibilities that extended beyond just him. At least now, he could do something—this much—for his family.

Still…

As he was taken back to his temporary quarters, a strange emptiness settled inside him. It was done. His fate was decided, his future bound to a man who felt more like a predator than a groom.

When they reached his room, the maids immediately set to work.

"Please allow us to prepare you, young master."

He said nothing as they stripped away the fine silk robes he had been dressed in that morning, their hands gentle yet firm. He was made to step into the warm bath, the fragrant water laced with delicate herbs meant to soothe the body.

But Nori could not relax.

As the maids worked, washing his hair with careful hands, his thoughts spiraled.

Would the General be cruel to him? Would he be kind?

No… That was foolish.

Men like Ryusoke did not need to be cruel outright—they didn't need to force anything. They simply took.

His fingers clenched in the bathwater.

After his bath, the maids dried him carefully, dressing him in a softer silk robe. He was seated on the floor, and a tray of food was placed before him—delicate portions of rice, simmered fish, and sweet fruits.

"Please eat, young master," one of the maids urged, bowing politely.

Nori swallowed, hesitating for a moment before picking up the chopsticks. He took small bites, though everything tasted like nothing.

After he ate, the maids guided him toward the bed, fluffing the pillows, smoothing the blankets.

"You should rest," they told him, voices gentle, almost pitying.

He lay down, letting the silk sheets cover him, but rest never came.

Instead, he twisted and turned, his thoughts chasing him into the dark.

The marriage was real. The deal was sealed.

Soon, he would belong to General Ryusoke.

And there was nothing he could do to stop it.

Nori had barely begun to drift into a restless half-sleep when the door to his chambers slid open.

His eyes fluttered open, his breath catching as a tall shadow entered the dimly lit room.

General Ryusoke.

The air changed immediately. The faint scent of sandalwood and steel followed him, an unmistakable presence in the quiet space. Nori stiffened beneath the silk covers, his body going rigid as he watched the man approach with slow, deliberate steps.

The General said nothing at first. He merely observed, his dark eyes roaming over Nori's delicate frame—his loose silk robes, his exposed collarbone, the way his hair fanned over the pillow.

Then, to Nori's utter shock, Ryusoke moved to lay down beside him.

Panic flared in Nori's chest.

The bed dipped under the weight of the much larger man, and the warmth of his body was suddenly too close, too overwhelming.

But before Ryusoke could settle completely, another voice cut through the silence.

"My Lord," the butler at his side interjected, his tone composed but firm.

Ryusoke halted, his sharp gaze flicking toward the older servant, who remained bowed respectfully near the doorway.

"It would be improper for young master Nori's reputation if you were to share his bed before the wedding night." The butler spoke carefully, aware of the fine line he was walking. "Even the slightest rumor could tarnish his honor."

For a moment, there was only silence.

Nori's pulse thundered in his ears. He knew the General had all the power in this situation—if he chose to ignore propriety, no one could stop him.

But then, Ryusoke exhaled through his nose, a soft huff of amusement.

His eyes lingered on Nori a moment longer—long enough for Nori to feel truly trapped beneath that gaze.

Then, just as smoothly as he had entered, Ryusoke rose from the bed, adjusting the folds of his robe with casual ease.

"Very well," he said simply, as if this had merely been a test.

He turned toward the door, pausing only briefly to glance back.

"Sleep well, my little bride."

And with that, he was gone—leaving behind a shaken Nori and a bed that still felt too warm.

The morning light was soft and golden as it filtered through the paper screens, casting delicate patterns on the floor. Yet, despite the peaceful atmosphere, Nori's stomach was in knots.

He had barely managed to sleep after last night's encounter with General Ryusoke. Every time he closed his eyes, he could still feel the weight of the man's gaze, the heat of his presence beside him—even though nothing had happened.

It was only when the maids entered that he was pulled from his restless thoughts.

They bathed him again, their hands gentle as they worked fragrant oils into his skin, ensuring he was pristine. Afterward, he was dressed in another fine silk robe, his long hair brushed until it gleamed.

The meal placed before him was elaborate, but his appetite was nonexistent. He nibbled at his food, forcing himself to eat only because he knew he had to.

Then, just as he finished, the doors slid open once more.

A woman stepped inside, her presence commanding yet elegant. She was older, her beauty timeless, her kimono rich and embroidered with delicate patterns of chrysanthemums. Her every movement was precise, her expression unreadable.

Nori blinked in confusion.

She was not a servant.

Before he could ask, the butler who had accompanied her bowed slightly.

"Young master, this is Lady Asami," he introduced. "She is a mistress of pleasure and etiquette, highly skilled in the arts of serving one's husband."

Nori's breath hitched.

The meaning of those words settled over him like a boulder.

His fingers curled around the fabric of his robe. "I—"

"From this day until your wedding night," the butler continued, unbothered by his shock, "she will instruct you in what is expected of you as a male wife."

A sharp chill ran down Nori's spine.

Lady Asami smiled softly—too softly. She moved closer, her gaze sweeping over him with the keen eyes of a teacher assessing a new pupil.

"You are very delicate," she mused. "Beautiful, as a male wife should be."

Nori swallowed hard, feeling trapped.

This was happening.

There was no escaping it.

From today onward, he was to be taught how to please his husband.

A Lesson in Submission

Nori sat stiffly, his hands clenched in his lap as Lady Asami spoke in a calm, measured voice.

"The role of a male wife is to please his husband, to submit gracefully and without resistance," she explained, her gaze piercing despite her gentle tone. "You must learn to be obedient in both speech and body, to welcome his touch without hesitation."

Nori's face burned with shame.

The way she spoke—as if this was the most natural thing in the world—made his stomach churn. She detailed every expectation, every responsibility, sparing him no modesty.

And he had to sit there and listen.

How to hold himself.

How to undress gracefully.

How to prepare himself before his husband took him.

Each word felt like a needle piercing his pride.

Then, as if the lesson wasn't humiliating enough, Lady Asami set down her tea and gestured toward him.

"Stand," she commanded softly.

Nori hesitated, his breath shallow. But the butler, still present in the room, gave him a sharp look.

With a trembling exhale, he obeyed.

"Remove your robe," Lady Asami instructed.

His fingers tightened around the silk fabric. Was she serious?

"You must not hesitate," she chided, reading his reluctance instantly. "Your husband will not wait. If you resist, you will only make things harder for yourself."

Nori felt utterly exposed as he loosened the robe and let it slide off his shoulders, pooling at his feet.

Lady Asami circled him, inspecting his form the way one might examine a fine piece of porcelain.

"Good. You are untouched, and your body is lovely."

His ears burned.

Then, she motioned toward a nearby cushion. "Now, kneel and bend forward."

Panic flared in his chest.

"What?" His voice came out weak.

"Your wedding night is soon approaching," she reminded him coolly. "We must ensure your body is properly trained. It would be unbecoming if you could not handle your husband's touch."

Nori felt sick.

But refusing was not an option.

Hands trembling, he lowered himself onto the cushion, pressing his forehead to the floor in a deep bow. His face burned with shame, every nerve in his body screaming in protest as Lady Asami approached.

"Spread your knees."

His breath shuddered, but he did as she asked.

There was a rustling sound, and then—pressure.

Nori gasped sharply as something round and smooth was pressed against the most private part of him. He instinctively tried to flinch away, but Lady Asami held him firmly in place.

"This is to help you," she said as if she were doing him a favor. "It will make the night less tiring for your husband. A wife should always be prepared to serve, after all."

Not even for me… only for him.

A sharp wave of humiliation crashed over him, tears pricking at the corners of his eyes.

Lady Asami continued, unbothered by his reaction.

"You must get used to the feeling," she said. "In time, your body will learn to accept without resistance. That is what is expected of you."

Nori wanted to disappear.

He had known marriage to the General would be suffocating. He had known his life would no longer belong to him.

But this…

This was worse than he had ever imagined.