The next evening after talking with Kaito about the new construction works, Akihiko was relaxing in bed until he remembered the letters, and got them out of the hiding place under the tatami mat. He started reading, quickly flicking to the newest letter in the series. 

20th day of the 10th month of the 18th year of Kan’ei, 

It has been 15 long years since the deaths of Rekishi and Mirai, and with each passing year, the tension between our house and the Inohara seems to worsen. Every time we gather for the sankin kotai, the strain in our relationship becomes more apparent. This once cordial rivalry has festered into something darker, something that hangs in the air like a storm cloud over every meeting. Seven years ago, they began arriving in the capital during the winter, coinciding with my own visits. I had thought that Saito, caught in the middle of this growing enmity, might show some sign of discomfort or regret. Yet, to my surprise, he seems to revel in the atmosphere, finding joy in the subtle, venomous exchanges that have become all too common. The polite jabs, the carefully veiled insults—Saito seems to thrive on them, turning what should be formalities into a dangerous game. Saito has become a master of this new, twisted form of engagement. His words are always perfectly chosen, cutting just deep enough to draw blood but not so deep as to break the surface. His smiles no longer reach his eyes, and his laughter carries a sharpness that was never there before. The man I once considered a reluctant participant in this feud now seems to be one of its most enthusiastic players.

26th day of the 10th month of the 18th year of Kan’ei

Tonight, I came face to face with death, and it was only through the bravery of a mere human servant that I live to write these words.

The hour was late, and I had retreated to my chambers. Enji, one of the household servants, a human, was quietly tending to the room when some men in servant garb struck. For a moment, everything was chaos—the gleam of steel in the dim light, the rush of movement as they closed in.

But Enji acted without hesitation. He shouted a warning, and in that instant, drew the assassins’ attention away from me. His courage bought just enough time for my guards to respond, but at a cost. Enji was gravely wounded in the struggle. For saving my life I asked what he wanted as he was bleeding heavily, his life ebbing away with each breath.

For saving my life, I knelt beside him, desperate to offer some comfort in his final moments. His bloodied hand grasped mine, and he spoke with a voice that was weak but filled with an urgent plea. He begged me to protect his son, Kaito, to ensure that the boy would be safe under my care. His eyes, clouded with pain, bore into mine, seeking reassurance that his only child would not be left alone in this world.

There was no hesitation in my response, though even as I swore to protect Kaito, a thousand questions swirled in my mind. What would it mean to take in this human boy? How would I conceal his existence within the walls of Hone Castle, where yokai bloodlines and ancient traditions leave little room for the presence of humans? The Honorable Lady, my wife, what would she say? Our world is not kind to humans, and bringing one into the inner sanctum of our home could provoke questions, even rebellion, among my retainers. I swore to him that I would care for Kaito as if he were my own, that I would see to it that no harm befell him while he lived under my roof.

Kaito will be under my protection from this day forward. He will be given a place in our household, though I know it will not be easy to keep him hidden from those who would see him as nothing more than a tasty meal. 

The Inohara have recently been a stubborn shadow over our lives, and it would be no surprise if they were behind this attempt on my life. But what troubles me more is the thought of Kaito, a boy now orphaned, his fate resting in my hands. Perhaps he can be hidden away in the less frequented parts of the castle, or sent to one of our distant estates where the prying eyes of the court cannot reach him. But for now, he will stay close, where I can fulfill my promise to his father.

As for my wife, I know she will have questions. She is wise and perceptive, and she will sense that something is amiss. But I will find a way to explain Kaito’s presence, to make her see that this is not just a matter of duty, but of honor. Enji gave his life for mine, and I cannot ignore that debt.

Tonight has changed everything. The peace I once knew is shattered, replaced by the ever-present threat of betrayal and death. But I will not let fear rule me. I have made a vow, and I will see it through, no matter the cost.