FATED - an adult LGBTQ fantasy romance (Excerpt)

Chapter 3

The common room of the women's quarters was twenty tatami-long and thirteen wide. Servants had pushed aside sliding wooden and rice paper panels to let in the night breeze that offered only a small amount of relief in the humid summer heat.

Date strolled to the center of the room where he sat in seiza on a square blue cushion on the floor. Only then did he face the three rows of women lined up in front of him, eyes downcast.

Wearing a three-layered purple kimono with floral patterns, Kyoko sat alone in the first row, his three concubines behind her; they dressed with less flourish, reflecting their lower rank. About ten ladies-in-waiting knelt in the back, near the wall.

Date took the scene in, and not for the first time, he savored the feeling of power flowing from Kyoko who carried the weight of her castellan duties as easily as he wore his armor.

The polar opposite of meek subservience, his wife's iron personality was unusual, even for the official wife of a powerful lord like him. It wasn't only the fact that she oversaw the private side of castle life. Many among those living in the women's quarters couldn't resist her domineering ways when they caught her attention— the strong-willed Lady Shokoin the first among them.

Not one to settle for what she had, her curiosity and ambition remained intact after all those years, and this was a relief for Date. After twenty years of living at her side, he trusted that should he die before their eldest son came of age, his domain would flourish under her fierce and admirable leadership skills.

"Okaerinasaimase goshujin sama," Kyoko welcomed him back; she prostrated herself until her forehead touched her folded hands.

All women followed suit as one. Kyoko's voice now had the high-pitched, official tone she used in formal settings.

"We all trust that you had a pleasant journey and that your stay in Edo was fruitful," she added, straightening her back.

Date offered the group a polite bow. "It was, thank you, Kyoko hime. I am glad to see everyone in good health."

"May I ask, how is Tadamune kun doing?"

Like the heirs of all regional rulers and most important lords, Kyoko's third child, Date's oldest legitimate son, had become a permanent hostage in Edo since he had turned six, eight years before.

"Our son is thriving and sends you his regards. His fighting skills have improved, and he is now ready to join the ranks."

Kyoko couldn't hide a proud smile and bowed. "I don't think we will see much of him when we go together to Edo in April," she mused aloud. "It's time we think about his marriage."

In line with the rule of alternate residency set up by the Tokugawa regime, Date had to spend every other year in Edo, at the shogun's court, and Kyoko and his concubines spent half that time with him.

"Let's discuss this next week. Tokugawa dono sama made several suggestions that we should review, and I would like your opinion on a few of them. But enough about politics. Please, ladies, take a seat wherever you wish. Let's make tonight a relaxing moment for all of us."

If not fun, at least not stressful.

Kyoko bowed again. "Thank you very much for your thoughtfulness. Would you like a cup of sake?"

"Yes, and I am in the mood for a game of Go. Mariko hime, please join me," he told the petite and plump thirty-four-year-old kneeling on the far left behind Kyoko.

An excellent player, she had beat him more often than he dared to admit over the past fifteen years and had taught all his children how to play.

His concubine bowed low, struggling to hide a smile too bright. He met her eyes as she knelt opposite him; she was as bold in bed as with Go stones, and it was always challenging to spend time with her. Her ladies-in-waiting hurried to set up the Go board near the windows, while Kyoko's took care of bringing a bottle of sake and cups for everyone.