22: A Flamboyant Confession

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"Now, have we finally calmed down some?" The silver haired man asked after an hour of silence.

Despite still being a bit peeved, you were feeling a tad bit better, now that you'd calm down. But it still didn't mean that you've forgiven him for leading you on.

"I have," you spoke curtly─crossing your arms and glaring daggers at him. "Why didn't you tell me sooner that you were married?" You asked.

"Okay, but before I answer that; allow me to fill you in on a little bit about myself, first?" He says.

You say nothing only continued to glare at him, all the while waiting for him to explain himself.

"I was born into a family that practices in polygyny-relationships, which is why I have three wives."

Your eyes immediately widen at this.

Polygamy? As an where one man is married to several women? You've heard about those types of relationships, but never assumed Tengen to actually indulge in such affairs.

Now realizing the situation, you sort of felt bad for thinking that he was a conniving cheater.

"W-why didn't you tell me that earlier?" You asked.

"I didn't tell you because I thought it wasn't necessary to tell you just yet." he answered as if this were an everyday occurrence.

"Wait! Y-you mean, you were actually going to tell me, anyways?" You question, trying to understand the bizarre man in front of you.

Tengen nods, "yes, but I figured I'd wait for the right moment to tell you. Have I had told you back in the ruins; no doubt, you never would've even spoken to me." He chuckles sheepishly─scratching his cheek.

Well, he wasn't wrong in that aspect.

Damn right, you would've ignored him, considering how many girls here in Yoshiwara had fallen prey to such men and have committed infidelity, and you surely didn't want to be one of them.

"O-oh." Is all you said, feeling somewhat calm.

"I do apologize for leading you on. I just didn't want scare you away before actually having the chance to talk to you." Tengen adds, before reaching for your hand.

You allowed him to take it as you gasped─finding yourself being pulled forwards until you're pressed against his tall, solid body. Tengen slowly wrapped his arms around you, with one hand on your back and whilst the other caressed through your long hair.

You blushed at the affectionate gesture, feeling his warm breath fan over your head and hearing his strong heart beat against your ear. The sweet aroma of his vanilla and lavender cologne filled your senses as you felt yourself instantly relax against him─allowing him to freely do as he pleased.

The familiar feeling of blunt and well-trimmed nails massaging your scalp was enough to make you croon and completely submit to him as you found yourself mindlessly wrapping your arms around him.

"I'm awfully sorry, (Name)-chan. I'd initially intended to be truthful with you from the beginning, before we proceeded any further." He admits softly, before placing a kiss on top of your head.

His actions had your heart dancing in your ribcage. Perhaps, you'd underestimated him? You obviously couldn't stay mad at him, now that you knew the staggering truth.

How the hell could this man be both beautiful and sweet at the same time?

"I-It's okay. I forgive you, Tengen-sama. Thank you for being honest." You say, nuzzling your face in his neck.

Married or not, you're completely enthralled with him!

Your words pleased Tengen greatly.

"I want to court you." His lips spoke before his mind did, and the impact of his words registered quickly when he saw you immediately glanced up at him─(e/c) irises widen in surprise and fondness.

"Huh?"

At this point, there was no use in denying it anymore. You both were in far too deep to not feel the love blossoming between you.

"I want to court you. It's the real reason I wanted to see you again, in the first place." He says.

Yes, he was sure this would be the first step into making you his fourth wife! If the fluttering butterflies in the pit of his stomach were any indication right now.

"Honestly, I had no intention of being with another woman. Three brides are more than enough for me and I care for my wives dearly." He explains.

"But, I'll be damned if I let you slip away, because I didn't expect you to come along and sweep me off my feet."

You saw his cheeks redden, seemingly embarrassed to say such a thing.

"Me? I swept you off your feet?" you asked, feeling your mood lighten completely.

"Hell yeah, you did!" He chortle, "at first, I was put off by your hair covering your face, since I was half expecting to see something unpleasant?" He jokes.

You wanted to feel offended, but choose not to─because you understood and simply couldn't blame him for founding your Kejoro-like appearance a little unsettling.

Hell, you'd once even inadvertently scared yourself when passing by your bedroom mirror.

"But upon seeing your beautiful face, it'd took my breath away! So much so, that I couldn't stop thinking about you. Which is why I want you to be my fourth wife!"

Your (e/c) eyes widened at the words "fourth wife," that you immediately remembered him saying something about you being worthy of becoming his fourth. Now you completely understood what he'd meant!

And whether he intended to or not, Tengen made his intentions very clear and that alone had you feeling giddy.

"I’m so sorry this is a lot to take in, but I'm smitten by you, (Name)-chan," he confessed.

A shudder ran through you and Tengen cupped your face, making you glance back at him as you mindlessly leaned into his touch.

"Do y-your wives know about this?" you couldn't help but ask, biting into your lower lip nervously.

At this, the Sound Hashira grins before replying with, "they do. I've already told them all about you and of our previous encounters."

You felt your cheeks heat up at that. It would've seemed you were the only one out of the loop.

"Do they...hate me?" You asked.

You have seen how women would fight and kill their husband/boyfriend's mistress. You really didn't want to be the one to come in-between Tengen and his wives' marriage.

You didn't want to be a homewreaker and have three angry women coming after you with pitchforks and torches, asking for your head on a stake.

"Hehe, no they don't hate you. Quite the opposite actually!" He explains.

You instantly perked at this, "What?"

"They seemed to think highly of you since you managed to bestow my heart." He played with a strand of your hair while he explained.

"Though, I can't really confirm their opinion, not until they meet you. But I'm 100% certain they'll love and accept you just as I have." He says, smiling lovingly at you.

That statement made you feel all the more eager of actually wanting to meet the three women. You found yourself anticipating his wives approval.

"Do they even know about each other?" You asked, beginning to sound a lot like a child asking their parents where do babies come from?

"Of course, they're very much well-aware of each other. We all live together under the same roof, after all!" Tengen tells you.

"Suma is my first wife; she's very sweet and playful, but is a bit of a crybaby, yet that only makes her even more adorable. Makio can be quite the tsudere, on the outside she's a firecracker─always quick to anger, but once you get to know her, she's a real sweetheart. And then there's Hinatsuru; she's very motherly and is the wise one out of the three. She's beautiful as well as strong as steel. So, if you ever need anything, she's always there to aid you."

Tengen laughs softly to himself as he thought of his three wives, that it was enough to put a genuine smile on your own face.

"I really want you to meet them. I think you'll fit in perfectly. Since you have a lot of guts to kick me in the nuts, I just know you'll get along well with Makio." He tells you.

"You're also cool-headed like Hina and shy, which also means you'll also get along great with Suma."

You felt your heart race, "Y-you really think so, Tengen-sama? I'm not so sure," you blushed.

"There is nothing to worry about, (Name)-chan." He reassures you.

"I won't force you, so you don't have to meet them till you're ready." He says looking at you, "you would like to meet them, don't you?"

You hesitanted for a moment, before nodding, "I would love to meet your wives. But I.. I'm not available for marriage." You say disheartened.

"But, I wish to have you as a wife. I will buy out your whole contract tonight if I have to." He says.

Your eyes widened as he reached into his yukata─pulling out heavily stuffed coin purse filled with money.

"T-Tengen-sama, wait! Please don't waste your money on me. I....please..I just.. I need some time to think about this! This is all so sudden." You shuddered.

"Fine, take as long as you need to, my angel. We'll discuss this when the time comes." He sighs, putting his money bag away.

"In the meantime, I'll continue to court you." He adds, before using his thumb and forefinger to tilt your head up to look at him.

"You will be my wife."

With that, Tengen captures your lips in a compassionate kiss.


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