Three days after the children of the Village of the Great Tree returned home, the Village Head arrived in Village Five. He intended to spend some time working there to make up for the trouble the children had caused.
I was deeply grateful. Moreover, I offered my sincerest thanks for the way he had so magnanimously forgiven my recent failure.
"Yes," I told him. "I shouldn't have let my role as a spy constrain me; I should have moved more freely. I won't let such a mistake happen again."
Today, I was assigned to be the Village Head’s guide. I looked forward to the task.
I informed him that Village Five’s influential figures had already gathered in the mansion’s meeting room. They were desperate to offer him a formal apology. Five of them had sent proxies in their stead, but only because they had collapsed from stress and were physically unable to move; they harbored no ill intent whatsoever.
"An epidemic?" the Village Head asked.
No, it wasn't anything of the sort. Their stomachs were simply a bit delicate. I couldn't bring myself to tell him that they had likely worked themselves into a state of terror, imagining the worst-case scenarios regarding his visit. I simply prayed for their swift recovery.
I asked the Village Head how he wished to proceed. He agreed to meet with them.
When I asked if he needed to change his clothes, he initially seemed to think it unnecessary, but he hadn't come alone. He was accompanied by Lord Galf and Lady Ruincia.
It was Lady Ruincia, the Assistant Chief of the Angel Race, who stopped him.
"Village Head," she said firmly. "It would be disrespectful to greet them in your everyday clothes. Please, change."
Heeding her advice, the Village Head went to change.
I understood Lord Galf’s presence as an escort, but I wondered why the Assistant Chief was here as well. I had met her several times back at the Village of the Great Tree, but her presence here felt deliberate. The Village Head surely had a plan.
Once he had changed, the Village Head met with the local elites, with Lady Yoko in attendance. His generous words brought a visible wave of relief to the room. Some of the proxies were even moved to tears.
It was understandable. These people were only influential because they lived in Village Five. Their status was entirely dependent on being accepted by the village and being entrusted with its land. Those who had been granted the rights to sell sake or produce miso, soy sauce, and mayonnaise were particularly terrified of losing his favor. To them, the incident with the children had been a crisis that threatened the very foundation of the village.
Of course, there were some influential figures who had nothing to do with the incident—those without young children, for instance. However, they were still present. They had come to emphasize their innocence and, if possible, get on the Village Head’s good side. Their efforts seemed wasted, however; he acknowledged them with nothing more than a brief greeting.
There was something different about the Village Head today. Usually, he was a man who preferred conversation, but today he was uncharacteristically terse. Thinking back to when I had apologized earlier, he had simply told me to "strive on."
Even now, he merely said, "My children have caused trouble."
Normally, a lengthy apology would have followed, but he stopped there. To be honest, he seemed rather kingly. It wasn't a bad thing at all; in fact, it was a welcome change.
Once the greetings were finished, the Village Head moved to the Assembly Hall, accompanied by Lady Yoko, Lady Ruincia, and Lord Galf. The influential figures followed. Given their status, many of them were not only permitted inside but were also members of the Village Council. Most of the councilors were already waiting, having been given ample notice of the visit.
The Village Head’s conduct in the hall was clearly designed to project his authority over Lady Yoko. For her part, Lady Yoko made it equally clear that she was his subordinate. Together, they were signaling that the true master of Village Five was the Village Head, and Lady Yoko was merely his magistrate. Though this was technically common knowledge, demonstrating it through their behavior was vital. There were certainly councilors and elites who believed it was enough to simply answer to Lady Yoko.
Watching the Village Head take the most prestigious seat while Lady Yoko sat in the Acting Village Head’s seat beside him surely forced many to reconsider their positions. Then, something unexpected happened.
A small child walked toward the Village Head. For a split second, I feared it was an intruder and reached for my sword, but I quickly realized it was Lady Hitoe, Lady Yoko’s daughter. She demanded to be picked up, and the Village Head wordlessly obliged. Then, while cradling her, he directed a gentle smile toward Lady Yoko.
It was a staggering display. In an official setting, touching another person’s child without permission is a serious breach of etiquette—let alone holding them. One only does such things with their own family. Although I hadn't heard anything about the Village Head and Lady Yoko getting married, anyone who didn't know the specifics would immediately assume they were a couple. It was an undeniable declaration that the two were a single unit.
I noticed Lady Ruincia standing where Lady Hitoe had started her walk. Had she orchestrated this?
The sight caused a stir among a segment of the assembly—mostly those who knew very little about the Village Head. I’ve investigated them before; I’ll have to make sure more information about the Village Head finds its way to them later. There were those who had hoped to marry into Lady Yoko’s life since she was technically single. I can only hope they’ve finally given up. Just in case, I’ll keep a close watch on them to ensure they don't do anything reckless.
The Village Head continued to move alongside Lady Yoko and Lady Hitoe for the rest of his stay. He was only in Village Five for three days, but he made his presence felt so strongly that no one would soon forget it. I was honored to serve him during that time.
The real trouble started after he left. A literal mountain of wedding gifts soon flooded Lady Yoko’s mansion, enough to fill an entire large room. These things couldn't just be accepted; we had to record exactly what was sent and by whom. It was an exhausting task.
I knew my duty, of course. I offered to help, but I had to ask.
"Lady Yoko, you aren't actually married to the Village Head, are you? Is it really alright to accept all these wedding gifts?"
She told me it was no problem at all. My mind raced—could it be?
"Hahaha," she laughed. "I have only one husband, Hitoe’s father. These items must surely be wedding gifts for my marriage to him."
I see. That made sense, in a way.
"Though," she added, "the Assistant Chief of the Angel Race did suggest that we should consider it, even if only for the sake of appearances."
Wait, Lady Yoko? What happened after that? What did you say to her?
Please, don't just try to laugh it off.