Chapter 35: The Wife Meets the Retainers, And the Mother

Ōigawa Castle – Isshiki Masataka

1561. Fall.

After returning to the castle, the first thing I had to do was to introduce Ohisa-sama to everyone.

I told Tokimune and Michifusa to gather everyone in the great hall. Of course, by ‘everyone’ it included Mother and her maids too.

After making sure that everyone was there, I led Ohisa-sama into the great hall, sat in my usual spot, and had her seated beside me.

A slight commotion occurred, but it died down pretty quickly.

“Sorry to call everyone here on such short notice. This is the woman who will become my wife in the future, the woman I’ve brought from Okazaki. Let me introduce you to her.”

At my words, all the retainers bowed in unison. Only Mother kept sitting straight, throwing an intense stare at Ohisa-sama. I was worried that Ohisa-sama might be intimidated by her, so I threw her a glance from the corner of my eyes, but it seemed that it was just a needless worry.

Because she noticed Mother’s gaze and stared back at her.

…Are things going to be alright with those two?

“This is Matsudaira Motoyasu-dono’s elder sister, Hisahime-sama. As you all already aware, the relationship between Imagawa and Matsudaira is a little complicated. However, Hisahime-sama will become part of the Isshiki clan from now on. This is something you always have to keep in mind. Understood?”

“Understood,” that answer echoed from all around. Imagawa’s sentiment toward Matsudaira in general wasn’t that good, but Isshiki specifically, didn’t really have much animosity toward them. After all, many of the retainers knew Motoyasu personally. In fact, Father used to dote on him.

Given the circumstances, there was no reason for them to show hostility to Ohisa-sama, so the sighs I heard among the answers were probably those of reliefs.

“Is there anything you’d like to say, Ohisa-sama?”

“If I may, there is one thing.”

“Go ahead.”

After bowing slightly to me, Ohisa-sama straightened her posture before facing forward again.

Seeing her face, the atmosphere around the retainers turned slightly tense. ‘What will this lady who hailed from the enemy’s bloodline say?’ was probably what they were thinking right now.

“Masataka-sama had introduced me earlier, but please let me introduce myself again. My name is Hisa. Due to my younger brother’s declaration of independence from the Imagawa clan, it’s only natural that everyone here has doubts about me, and I understand that. However, please let me say one thing. I first met with Masataka-sama at Iinoya, and he managed to capture my heart completely. Ever since then, I longed to make Ōigawa my home, even after I returned to Okazaki. Hence, though I am but a woman who knows not much of the world, I humbly ask for your blessing and support.”

The conviction in her voice as she said those words—a declaration that she no longer held any feelings toward Matsudaira—was clear. Words were cheap, anyone could talk when given the chance, hence it would be natural that people would come to doubt her. But from her expression and tone, anyone could tell that she was sincere.

And that was probably why.

All the retainers bowed toward her without hesitation. Their bows were so perfect that it made me jealous. I mean, they’d never even done this to me, you know?

Even Mother’s face softened quite a bit, the tension disappeared slightly from her face.

“Ohisa-sama, have your maids prepare a room. Mother will visit you in that room soon.”

“I-I’m sorry? S-she will?”

“Yes. I’ll stop by to check up on you later.”

“Then, I will see you later, Dear Husband.”

Ohisa-sama stood up after saying that. Seeing that, Mother and her maids also stood up.

Let’s think positively here. Mother won’t torment her, surely.

After that, both Ohisa-sama and Mother left the great hall, leaving only me and the retainers.

Among them, Michifusa seemed a little restless. He probably had something to say to me, but I couldn’t let him talk just yet. This was a rare occasion when everyone was gathered here. It was my time to tell them what I wanted to say.

“Always keep what Ohisa-sama said earlier in your minds. She is the woman who will become my wife. If you dare disrespect her, I will never forgive you. Understood?”

Everyone bowed again. Alright, now that was done, time to get to business.

Or not. I wanted to bring up the topic myself, but Tokimune brought it up first.

“My lord, how was Okazaki?”

“From what I saw, it was quite stable. No bandits came to attack us on the way, the castle town was bustling with activities… According to Tadatsugu, Motoyasu had been doing this and that.”

“I see. That’s good to hear.”

Everyone seemed to share Tokimune’s relief. Guess I really caused them a lot of worries, huh? Then again, it was understandable. I only brought a handful of guards with me, and I had to stay there longer than planned.

“But, there was one thing of note that happened there.”

“May I know what it is?”

Sasuke asked, leaning forward as he did. He probably guessed that the news I was about to share wasn’t particularly a good one.

“Yoshida Castle and Kaminogō Castle have not yet surrendered to Motoyasu. Because of this, tension remains high in Mikawa.”

“I believe Kira Yoshiaki-dono has taken up residence in Yoshida.”

“Yes. As for Tōjō Castle, they chose to side with Matsudaira.”

“That means Yoshida and Kaminogō are currently the strongest strongholds against Matsudaira in Mikawa.”

“Yes. In hindsight, our quick recapture of Hikuma was a good thing. That gave us a significant advantage to protect our territories in Mikawa. Moreover, with Okabe-dono as its lord, the castle lords in Tōtōmi can rest easy.”

By the way, there were two branches of the Kira clan, Tōjō Kira and Saijō Kira. Yoshiaki-dono was the head of the Tōjō Kira clan. Back during Imagawa’s attack on Anjō Castle—defended by Oda Nobuhiro at that time—Tōjō Kira chose to side with Imagawa. Saijō Kira, however, chose to side with Oda. Not long after, Saijō Kira’s head, Kira Yoshiyasu, was captured and was sent to Imagawa’s territory, leaving his castle, the Tōjō Castle, empty. The one who was entrusted to become the new lord of that castle was none other than Kira Yoshiaki-dono. Not only that, Lord Yoshimoto even gave him permission to unite the two branches of the Kira clan, something that failed to be realized due to Imagawa’s defeat on Okehazama. Yoshiyasu was then released by the Imagawa, and surprisingly enough, he went back to the Tōjō Castle.

With the support of the Saijō Kira clan’s retainers, Yoshiyasu occupied Tōjō Castle and expelled Yoshiaki-dono from the castle. Then, using the castle as a tribute, he joined Motoyasu.

Meanwhile, after being expelled, Yoshiaki-dono took refuge in Kaminogō with his family and the rest of the Tōjō Kira’s retainers. Then, when Yoshida Castle lost its lord, they appointed him to become its lord. As for why Yoshiyasu didn’t kill Yoshiaki-dono, well, they were brothers. It was only natural that the former was a little lenient toward him.

“Going forward, I want to establish a system where we can send our troops by the sea. The plan I’ve been telling you for so long has finally started to take shape. I will tell you more about it as it progresses.”

“Finally, it’s happening!”

Sasuke let out a joyful cry. His excitement must’ve been contagious since everyone cheered along with him soon after. Even Hikogorō joined in.

“That’s not all. I have another important thing to tell you all.”

My words came out sharper than I wanted it to, but it brought out the effect that I wanted. The retainers reined their excitement and straightened their postures.

Now, it was time to tell them.

About the most detestable enemy of Imagawa and Isshiki.