ERABA RETA 1 - Beyond the Pedestal

Katarina gently placed the folder on the table in front of her husband, the morning sun casting a soft glow over the garden where Nakago sat reading through reports from their clan's representatives across the globe.

Nakago lifted his gaze from the documents, his sharp eyes meeting Katarina's. His expression betrayed nothing, but she knew him well enough to read the subtle shift in his demeanor.

"He signed it," he said, his tone flat, more a statement than a question.

"Did you perhaps hope he wouldn't?" Katarina asked softly as she took the empty chair beside him, her movements graceful and unhurried.

Nakago leaned back slightly, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest of his chair. "Haoran is a man consumed by his need for control. Signing this contract puts him at a clear disadvantage. So yes, I was hoping he wouldn't agree. If he had refused, I could at least tell myself I had tried to honor my mother's wish—to give Angel a semblance of a normal life."

Katarina reached for his hand, her touch light yet grounding. "He signed it knowing full well the disadvantage it places him in. But he did it anyway," she said, her voice calm yet resolute. "If Haoran truly is the man people say he is, I am certain he will find a way to maneuver around the contract. Control isn't something he will relinquish easily."

She lifted Nakago's hand to her lips, placing a tender kiss on his knuckles. "Don't burden yourself with guilt over what happens to the Azakura mother and child. They are no longer our concern. You did this to protect our family."

Nakago mirrored her gesture, his lips brushing against her hand in a rare display of vulnerability. His gaze softened momentarily, but the weight of his decisions remained heavy on his shoulders.

"I will deliver them personally to Haoran to ensure their safety," Katarina said, her tone steady but laced with quiet determination.

"No. I will do it," Nakago replied, his voice firm, leaving no room for argument.

"Husband—" Katarina began, but Nakago cut her off, his tone sharper now.

"She and her son will live a life of hell," he said with chilling finality. "That much is certain. And I want her to see my face. The face of the man she can curse and hate while enduring that hell."

Katarina sighed, recognizing the resolve in his eyes. She had seen this look before, the unyielding determination that defined Nakago's character. There would be no changing his mind.

"I would carry all of this for you," she said softly, her voice carrying both affection and frustration. "But sometimes, you're too righteous for your own good."

Nakago offered her a faint smile, his hand tightening ever so slightly around hers. "Righteousness isn't the word, Katarina. It's accountability. There's no use in delegating blame for actions I am responsible for."

Katarina said nothing more, letting the weight of his words settle between them. She knew he carried burdens she could never lighten, no matter how much she wanted to. And so, she did what she always did—offered him her unwavering support, even as she silently wished he would let her shoulder more of the darkness.

The car was filled with a heavy silence as it sped down the winding road toward the remote vacation house where Eula and her companions awaited. Nakago stared out the window, his expression unreadable, lost in thoughts he did not share.

Beside him in the passenger seat, Katarina held his hand gently but said nothing. She understood his need for silence, knowing words would do little to ease the burden he carried.

It was just past three in the afternoon when they arrived at the vacation house. The sprawling property sat nestled amidst lush greenery, the surrounding garden a picture of serenity. Yet, as they stepped out of the car, the sound of a child's laughter pierced the quiet, drawing their attention.

Nakago turned toward the source of the cheerful noise and began walking purposefully, his polished shoes crunching softly against the gravel path. Katarina followed a few steps behind, her eyes keenly observing him.

In the center of the wide garden, the young master of the Azakura clan, Hao, was playing catch with an older gentleman and an elderly woman. His laughter echoed across the yard as he ran to retrieve the ball. At one point, he threw it too hard, and the ball rolled across the grass, stopping near Nakago's feet.

The two adults, Alfred and Marie, noticed Nakago's presence. They paused and offered small bows but didn't move closer, their guarded expressions betraying their unease.

Meanwhile, young Hao ran toward the ball, his small legs moving with an enthusiastic determination. When he reached Nakago, he looked up with a bright, innocent smile, the kind only a child untouched by the world's harsh realities could wear.

"Hello, sir," Hao greeted politely, his voice brimming with curiosity and trust.

Nakago crouched down, his movements deliberate, so their eyes were level. His intense gaze softened ever so slightly as he studied the boy's innocent face.

"Hello, Young Master of the Azakura," Nakago greeted in return, his voice steady but not unkind.

Hao tilted his head, his curiosity piqued. "You know me?" he asked, his wide eyes searching Nakago's face.

"Yes," Nakago replied simply, handing him the ball. "Can I carry you?"

Hao hesitated for a moment, then puffed out his chest proudly. "I'm a little heavy," he said with the kind of confidence only a child could muster.

"I am strong," Nakago replied with a faint smile.

That was all it took. Hao grinned widely and raised his arms in a gesture of trust. Without hesitation, Nakago scooped him up, lifting him effortlessly as though he weighed nothing. Hao giggled, wrapping his arms around Nakago's neck in a gesture of pure, unguarded affection.

Standing a short distance away, Katarina watched the interaction quietly. Her mismatched eyes softened, though her face remained composed. 

Alfred and Marie, who had been playing with Hao moments before, exchanged a glance before silently retreating toward the house. It was clear they intended to inform Eula of Nakago's arrival.