Chapter 22
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 22
Chapter Title: A Night Missing Him
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“You're back, Milady.”
“Mm.”
The servants bowed their heads to Yoshinari as she entered the mansion, and she casually acknowledged their greetings before heading to her room.
“Haa... I'm exhausted...”
Finally back in her own private space, she collapsed onto the floor without even taking off her armor.
It was no wonder. She'd been dragged straight from the battlefield to a banquet hall overflowing with retainers, leaving her mentally and physically drained.
“...I should wash up.”
But soon enough, Yoshinari had no choice but to get up. She couldn't sleep in her armor, and after coming from the battlefield without changing, her whole body felt sticky and grimy.
“Nngh.”
Clank—clank—.
She immediately undid the straps securing her armor at the shoulders and sides. But while those came off easily enough, the chest plate was another story.
“Ngh... mm... tch.”
The reason? Her overwhelming bust.
Nearly the size of two watermelons, it made the armor stubbornly refuse to come off. After struggling for a good five minutes, she finally peeled it away, brushing back her sweat-dampened bangs as she muttered softly.
“...Hot.”
Even so, this was pretty quick by her standards. Satisfied, Yoshinari undid her ponytail—tied like a horse's tail—slipped into simple clothes, and opened the door. A waiting servant bowed and said,
“The bath is ready, Milady.”
“Thanks.”
Late as it was, a soak after finishing the day's duties was an absolute must. Sinking into properly heated water and relaxing—pure bliss.
“Eek.”
Just then, a faint chill blew from the end of the hallway, brushing against Yoshinari.
“It's gotten cold, so I heated the water a bit hotter. Let me know if it's too much, Milady.”
“Yeah, got it.”
Yoshinari replied and hurried to the bath. Watching her go, the female servant smiled warmly, like she was looking at an adorable little sister, and murmured,
“So cute.”
**
“Haa...”
Yoshinari let out a soft breath at the faint chill greeting her as she opened the bathhouse door. Dressed in just a thin layer, her breath misted, but it was no issue.
“Ahem.”
Instead, she shrugged off her clothes, hung them on the wall, and headed for the large wooden tub in the center.
As the head of the Mori family, her bath was kept immaculate—rivaling the finest in Kyoto.
The wooden tub brimmed with perfectly tempered water, steam rising gently, petals floating on the surface and carrying a lingering fragrance—more than enough to melt away the day's fatigue.
“Huu...”
She hummed a soft tune as she eased her foot into the bath. Hot water enveloped her cold toes, sending a tingling shiver through her as tension slowly ebbed away.
“Hah...”
She slipped fully inside, letting out an indecent moan that would tempt any onlooker, water lapping at her slender jawline. Eyes closed, she murmured,
“Haa... this is heaven.”
Hot water caressed her bare skin everywhere, wrapping around her like a translucent blanket. Cheeks flushing, Yoshinari savored the sensation.
How long did she bask in the warmth?
The quiet night's silence, broken only by occasional wind and rippling water, was enough to stir her thoughts.
With this, I've solidly secured my place in Owari.
Of course, Lord Nobunaga had acknowledged her before, but fleeing Mino after the Saito clan's takeover had left her position somewhat shaky.
But now, having beheaded Nobutomo and claimed Kiyosu Castle, her loyalty to Nobunaga was unquestioned—and her family's lands had nearly doubled.
Everything's going well. If it keeps like this, someday...
She could become a key retainer of the Oda clan and exact her revenge. Her thoughts drifted to one man.
...Baek Il-yeong. Now Hirate Hikage.
What kind of man was he, really?
Word was he'd arrived in Owari just two months ago, yet he'd already become Hirate Masahide's adopted son.
And from Lord Hirate, who suspected him as a spy, no less.
That had to mean genuine acceptance. Otherwise, why would Lord Hirate take him in?
...Honestly, he's impressive.
If she'd been in his shoes, could she have acted with such drive and confidence? Yoshinari shook her head.
She'd seen countless horrors and people, but no one like him.
And he'd refused lands he could've claimed outright, even yielding them to her. Who else could do that?
Smart, skilled with a sword, kind, handsome, and incredibly virile...
“U, uwaa!”
Desperate to halt her thoughts veering into dangerous territory, Yoshinari dunked her face into the hot water. Her breath caught, gray hair floating on the surface, but it bought her a momentary distraction.
But only for a moment.
“Phaa!”
She resurfaced, and her mind wandered right back—to that night.
Drunk on sake, bathed in moonlight streaming through the window, they'd ravaged each other like beasts. That memory was the most thrilling, exhilarating moment of her life.
...Hate to admit it, but...
Even a virgin had instincts.
Il-yeong's prowess in bed was top-tier. Whether from vast experience or her virgin sensitivity amplifying it, she couldn't say.
“Ugh...”
Thump. Thump.
Her heart pounded wildly. Her lower belly and hips heated up, craving to relive that night's ecstasy.
“Hngh.”
Her hand drifted unconsciously between her legs, brushing her folds. The jolt made her hips buck slightly, breasts jiggling to ripple the water in twin circles before fading at the edges.
“...Maybe I should... touch myself.”
The words slipped out unbidden, proof of how aroused she was—verging on heat.
Slowly, she slid her hand below the surface, stroking her clenched pink slit.
Was it the hot water tingling along her fingers, or her body's fire? Either way, she was burning up.
When was the last time I even masturbated...?
She could barely remember. Always chased by the weight of her family, she'd denied herself such petty pleasures. She'd even thought she had no libido.
Procreating was just for carrying on the bloodline, nothing more.
But that night with Il-yeong shattered it all. The bodily bliss he gave melted her; his tender touches and soft voice turned her from warrior back into a woman.
So, without hesitation, she carefully eased a finger into her twitching entrance. Hot water and slick mingled as her finger was greedily swallowed, sliding along her inner walls.
“Hah...!”
As it entered her tight, scorching depths, pleasure shot up her spine, making her tremble.
Squelch. Squish.
“Hngh... haa... mm...”
Her massive breasts bounced up and down as she plunged her hand between her shamefully drawn-together thighs. Vulgar, yet lewdly beautiful.
She rutted like a beast in heat. Her thighs parted wide, face and hair slick with pleasure-sweat. But after a while, panting heavily, she murmured,
“...Not enough.”
Not enough. Far from it.
She'd thought her fingers would get her there, soaked in pleasure as she was. But she couldn't even approach climax.
A low simmer, never cresting. Slowly withdrawing her hand, she hugged her knees and bowed her head.
“I miss him...”
She missed him.
She didn't know why.
No, she did—but it was a feeling she'd never known.
Yoshinari just hung her head and whispered into the quiet.
The bathwater, now cooling, lapped futilely at her side.