1
00:00:18,518 --> 00:00:21,146
Yes, sir... Sutezo is my given name.

2
00:00:21,229 --> 00:00:22,772
I am both humbled and honored

3
00:00:22,856 --> 00:00:25,442
to have been given the opportunity
to make your acquaintances.

4
00:00:25,525 --> 00:00:26,776
Huh?

5
00:00:26,860 --> 00:00:30,447
Arikoto-dono, are you sure
this man isn't a long-lost twin?

6
00:00:30,530 --> 00:00:32,157
I cannot believe it.

7
00:00:32,240 --> 00:00:34,367
Were it not for the different hairstyles,

8
00:00:34,451 --> 00:00:36,828
telling the two apart
would be quite difficult.

9
00:00:36,911 --> 00:00:39,956
Yeah, sir...
well, this is just who I am.

10
00:00:40,039 --> 00:00:43,209
I heard that the nobleman
there has seeds that won't take root.

11
00:00:44,252 --> 00:00:47,338
So they thought they could
get someone who looks just like him

12
00:00:47,422 --> 00:00:49,215
to climb into bed with the female shogun.

13
00:00:49,299 --> 00:00:51,509
That's basically what this is about.

14
00:00:53,052 --> 00:00:54,220
Uh, hah...

15
00:00:54,804 --> 00:00:58,016
I should say that's a bull's-eye.
You are correct.

16
00:00:58,600 --> 00:01:02,228
I offer my apologies.
My incompetence led you here.

17
00:01:02,312 --> 00:01:04,772
No! No, no, no! Being here is no problem!

18
00:01:04,856 --> 00:01:07,108
It-- it's really no trouble at all.

19
00:01:07,192 --> 00:01:10,236
I get to eat as much white rice
as I want to every day,

20
00:01:10,320 --> 00:01:12,447
and can even send money back to my family.

21
00:01:12,530 --> 00:01:15,408
- I am truly grateful to be here, sir.

22
00:01:15,492 --> 00:01:17,619
This kid is clueless...

23
00:01:17,702 --> 00:01:21,581
I should think you are
a bit younger than I, from your looks.

24
00:01:21,664 --> 00:01:23,500
Could you tell me how old you are?

25
00:01:23,583 --> 00:01:26,503
Yes, sir. I turned 18 just this year.

26
00:01:27,170 --> 00:01:29,714
Ah. I was also 18

27
00:01:29,797 --> 00:01:33,009
when I was brought Into
the halls of the Ōoku to begin my duties.

28
00:01:34,219 --> 00:01:38,389
You have just arrived, and do not know,
but the days will grow long here.

29
00:01:40,058 --> 00:01:43,895
No doubt that fate has had a hand
in giving us similar faces.

30
00:01:44,854 --> 00:01:47,774
You can come to me if
you have any questions,

31
00:01:47,857 --> 00:01:50,401
seeing that you and I share the same fate.

32
00:01:51,527 --> 00:01:55,907
Both of us will be residents of the Ōoku
for the rest of our lives.

33
00:01:55,990 --> 00:01:59,577
Huh? Oh! Yes, sir. I am truly grateful.

34
00:02:00,495 --> 00:02:03,665
I am grateful for any and all guidance
you would share with me.

35
00:02:03,748 --> 00:02:07,168
Well, it's been a pleasure to meet you.
Good day.

36
00:02:23,059 --> 00:02:24,644
Wow!

37
00:02:25,228 --> 00:02:27,313
- That's one good-looking man.
- Huh?

38
00:02:27,397 --> 00:02:30,233
And I'm not talking about
his face or anything like that.

39
00:02:30,316 --> 00:02:33,987
We don't have one,
but that koshita on his formal attire?

40
00:02:34,070 --> 00:02:37,657
Mmm. We would all definitely look
much better with a koshita on our waists.

41
00:02:37,740 --> 00:02:41,661
What is with this guy?
That's what he was busy looking at?

42
00:02:41,744 --> 00:02:43,955
Whoa!

43
00:02:50,461 --> 00:02:51,421
Sutezo!

44
00:02:51,504 --> 00:02:52,922
Yes! Milady.

45
00:02:53,006 --> 00:02:55,466
Straighten up your spine and sit properly!

46
00:02:56,175 --> 00:02:59,387
You will do well to remember
that our liege hates talkative men.

47
00:03:00,013 --> 00:03:03,182
You should take care not to prattle on
during your nightly duty.

48
00:03:03,683 --> 00:03:04,934
You understand?

49
00:03:05,018 --> 00:03:06,185
Milady.

50
00:03:06,269 --> 00:03:10,773
Why is it that you have so many loose
strands littered all around your face?

51
00:03:10,857 --> 00:03:12,650
Uh-- It was--

52
00:03:12,734 --> 00:03:15,945
Well, I messed up my hair a little
to make me look s**ier.

53
00:03:16,571 --> 00:03:17,697
Hmph.

54
00:03:24,454 --> 00:03:25,455
Master Arikoto.

55
00:03:25,538 --> 00:03:29,459
Good morning, Master.
I have arrived with your breakfast tray.

56
00:03:31,419 --> 00:03:32,670
Master Arikoto?

57
00:03:34,046 --> 00:03:35,923
Master!

58
00:03:36,007 --> 00:03:37,425
Are you okay?

59
00:03:41,679 --> 00:03:44,932
I'm sorry to say this after
you've brought it all this way...

60
00:03:45,016 --> 00:03:46,184
but, Gyokuei...

61
00:03:46,267 --> 00:03:48,686
I have no desire to eat this morning.

62
00:03:49,687 --> 00:03:52,106
I... I'm sorry. I wasn't thinking.

63
00:03:52,190 --> 00:03:54,025
It was inconsiderate of me.

64
00:03:56,694 --> 00:03:58,070
See how proud I am?

65
00:03:58,154 --> 00:04:01,699
I couldn't bring myself to slash the door,
for fear the damage would be seen.

66
00:04:04,452 --> 00:04:06,996
From that day on,
Arikoto was banned

67
00:04:07,079 --> 00:04:09,457
from entering Iemitsu's bedchambers.

68
00:04:12,585 --> 00:04:15,588
The only thing
keeping Arikoto's mind intact

69
00:04:15,671 --> 00:04:19,675
was dreaming of the day
he and Iemitsu would finally die together.

70
00:04:21,344 --> 00:04:24,263
Two months later, the situation changed.

71
00:04:24,347 --> 00:04:26,516
Iemitsu was with child.

72
00:04:32,021 --> 00:04:34,232
ŌTHE INNER CHAMBERS

73
00:04:35,525 --> 00:04:40,613
On the third day of the eighth month,
Iemitsu gave birth to a baby girl.

74
00:04:42,323 --> 00:04:46,244
- Check if you have it right.
- I hope preparations are going smoothly?

75
00:04:46,327 --> 00:04:48,746
- Oh!
- Yes, all is well, sir.

76
00:04:49,497 --> 00:04:53,000
By the way, we prepared ten
of the celebratory meals for our liege,

77
00:04:53,084 --> 00:04:53,918
just as ordered.

78
00:04:54,001 --> 00:04:56,003
But what should we do
the remainder of them?

79
00:04:56,587 --> 00:04:59,924
One is for Wada-dono. He will
taste it to check for any poison.

80
00:05:06,889 --> 00:05:10,101
Mmm! This steamed salted
red snapper is really...

81
00:05:10,685 --> 00:05:13,271
I mean to say, this food is acceptable.

82
00:05:14,689 --> 00:05:15,606
Mmm.

83
00:05:18,317 --> 00:05:21,529
It is safe to consume
everything that is on this tray.

84
00:05:21,612 --> 00:05:23,990
Please go ahead and
serve the meals to everyone.

85
00:05:24,073 --> 00:05:26,033
- Sir.
- Arikoto-dono.

86
00:05:26,117 --> 00:05:29,036
I'm curious. If only one meal
is to be checked for poison,

87
00:05:29,120 --> 00:05:30,371
and one is for our liege,

88
00:05:30,454 --> 00:05:34,041
would that not mean that there are
still eight meals unaccounted for?

89
00:05:34,125 --> 00:05:36,043
They are for the seven housekeepers

90
00:05:36,127 --> 00:05:38,879
who skillfully prepare
and deliver our meals daily,

91
00:05:38,963 --> 00:05:41,549
- as well as Katsuta-dono, to enjoy.
- Huh?

92
00:05:41,632 --> 00:05:44,677
Even on a day of such a joyous occasion
as this,

93
00:05:44,760 --> 00:05:48,556
it is not allowed for most of the men
in the Ōoku to see our liege's face.

94
00:05:49,140 --> 00:05:50,891
And while they cannot be in person,

95
00:05:50,975 --> 00:05:54,312
I wished that, through a meal,
they might share in our liege's joy.

96
00:05:54,395 --> 00:05:57,565
What a kind gesture!
I'm sure they'll appreciate it.

97
00:05:58,190 --> 00:05:59,734
Oh, there was one more thing.

98
00:05:59,817 --> 00:06:03,529
Everyone here in the Ōoku will be served
mochi and sake later on,

99
00:06:03,612 --> 00:06:04,739
courtesy of our liege.

100
00:06:04,822 --> 00:06:06,574
- Our liege is so thoughtful!

101
00:06:10,536 --> 00:06:14,582
I would put money on the fact that
all that was Master Arikoto's doing.

102
00:06:14,665 --> 00:06:17,501
When the Honored Kasuga was
running the Ōoku on her own,

103
00:06:17,585 --> 00:06:21,589
we never received any gifts
or thanks for special occasions.

104
00:06:21,672 --> 00:06:23,632
Even if we didn't get anything, though,

105
00:06:23,716 --> 00:06:27,762
the thought of having a princess instead
of a prince is gift enough, right?

106
00:06:27,845 --> 00:06:30,598
Red-face smallpox is
no danger to a little girl.

107
00:06:30,681 --> 00:06:34,894
Hmm! I heard that the people
delivering goods to the Ōoku nowadays are...

108
00:06:34,977 --> 00:06:38,105
Well, they're either women,
or weak old men barely hanging on.

109
00:06:38,189 --> 00:06:40,066
If we're talking about rumors,

110
00:06:40,149 --> 00:06:42,651
I heard that even though
the princess has been born,

111
00:06:42,735 --> 00:06:46,405
our liege is still completely
enamored with Master Arikoto.

112
00:06:46,489 --> 00:06:49,867
Well, that's no issue, so long
as she's having children. Right?

113
00:06:50,576 --> 00:06:53,621
The Honored Kasuga's mind
should be at peace for now.

114
00:06:56,707 --> 00:07:00,085
This Privy Council wishes you
a sincere congratulations

115
00:07:00,169 --> 00:07:02,129
on the birth of our princess.

116
00:07:02,213 --> 00:07:04,632
It is an occasion of the purest joy,
my liege.

117
00:07:04,715 --> 00:07:08,135
Yes.
You all worked very hard for this day.

118
00:07:08,886 --> 00:07:10,638
- Nobutsuna.

119
00:07:10,721 --> 00:07:14,600
I hear there is yet to be a sign of
the red-face smallpox epidemic settling.

120
00:07:14,683 --> 00:07:16,644
Sadly, it has not, my Liege.

121
00:07:16,727 --> 00:07:18,604
I can only assume that the peasants,

122
00:07:18,687 --> 00:07:21,357
without any men to help them,
cannot pay their taxes,

123
00:07:21,440 --> 00:07:24,401
and have thus made a run
for the hills so they can avoid us.

124
00:07:24,485 --> 00:07:27,488
At the moment,
there aren't many who have tried to leave.

125
00:07:27,571 --> 00:07:30,407
Although that was likely due
to a rich harvest this year.

126
00:07:30,491 --> 00:07:33,619
However, I plan to release
an official notice to the peasants

127
00:07:33,702 --> 00:07:38,123
forbidding them from living extravagantly
during this time to maintain a status quo.

128
00:07:38,207 --> 00:07:40,918
Mmm.
Masakatsu mentioned that, too.

129
00:07:42,253 --> 00:07:46,257
Another method could be prohibiting the
buying and selling of peasant farmland.

130
00:07:46,340 --> 00:07:49,426
That way we could prevent them from
trying to sell their land and run...

131
00:07:49,510 --> 00:07:51,428
- Mmm--

132
00:07:51,512 --> 00:07:54,890
Sorry, what an impertinent thing
for me to say.

133
00:07:54,974 --> 00:07:57,643
My duties are to keep
quiet and bear children.

134
00:07:58,143 --> 00:07:59,353
My apologies.

135
00:07:59,436 --> 00:08:04,233
As a mother, it's hard not to question,
wondering what the world will be like.

136
00:08:04,316 --> 00:08:06,569
The one your child will grow to inherit.

137
00:08:06,652 --> 00:08:08,237
Oh... of course.

138
00:08:09,154 --> 00:08:10,948
That was interesting.

139
00:08:11,031 --> 00:08:13,951
She still has the sarcastic side to her,

140
00:08:14,034 --> 00:08:15,619
but our liege has...

141
00:08:16,412 --> 00:08:18,747
There has been a great shift in our liege

142
00:08:18,831 --> 00:08:21,834
for her to apologize, and
praise the efforts of her subjects.

143
00:08:21,917 --> 00:08:23,627
I have never heard our liege speak

144
00:08:23,711 --> 00:08:26,589
in such a kind and gentle tone
with the lot of us.

145
00:08:26,672 --> 00:08:30,551
I would also mention that our liege
appears to be not only highly intelligent,

146
00:08:30,634 --> 00:08:32,886
but a person of immeasurably high caliber.

147
00:08:32,970 --> 00:08:34,805
It's in her blood, after all.

148
00:08:34,888 --> 00:08:38,225
Even though the birth only
yielded a princess this time around,

149
00:08:38,309 --> 00:08:41,020
It is a relief to know
that our liege's body is fertile

150
00:08:41,103 --> 00:08:43,856
and capable enough
to bear children without issue.

151
00:08:43,939 --> 00:08:48,402
Although, only having one young lord
is hardly enough to give us assurance.

152
00:08:48,485 --> 00:08:51,196
We still have to consider
the red-face smallpox.

153
00:08:51,280 --> 00:08:54,867
Just the other day, I lost my third son
to that horrid epidemic.

154
00:08:54,950 --> 00:08:57,911
Every family is
dealing with the same issue.

155
00:08:57,995 --> 00:09:00,914
I have a ten-year-old boy
and a seven-year-old boy,

156
00:09:00,998 --> 00:09:05,044
but I worry that this illness may not
diminish by the time they grow up.

157
00:09:05,127 --> 00:09:06,962
If this situation continues,

158
00:09:07,046 --> 00:09:10,132
there will likely be more lords
who lose their bloodlines.

159
00:09:10,215 --> 00:09:13,344
It's not as though we could appoint
our daughters as our successors

160
00:09:13,427 --> 00:09:16,138
like the tradesmen do
so readily these days.

161
00:09:19,600 --> 00:09:20,684
Huh?

162
00:09:20,768 --> 00:09:22,353
- Nobutsuna-dono.

163
00:09:22,436 --> 00:09:24,438
- Nobutsuna-dono!
- Oh.

164
00:09:24,521 --> 00:09:26,357
Is something troubling you?

165
00:09:26,440 --> 00:09:28,442
No, truly, it is nothing.

166
00:09:32,112 --> 00:09:33,113
I want to say--

167
00:09:33,197 --> 00:09:34,364
- My liege.
- Huh?

168
00:09:34,448 --> 00:09:35,699
- Oh?
- It is I, Arikoto.

169
00:09:35,783 --> 00:09:36,784
Arikoto!

170
00:09:36,867 --> 00:09:39,828
Oh! Uh, I appreciate your time.
I'll be going.

171
00:09:39,912 --> 00:09:40,788
Right.

172
00:09:42,247 --> 00:09:44,416
Please, excuse me, my liege!

173
00:09:44,500 --> 00:09:45,793
Ah, Sutezo-dono.

174
00:09:45,876 --> 00:09:48,170
Feel free to take
all the time that you need.

175
00:09:48,253 --> 00:09:50,798
Please, there is no need
for you to rush out on my account.

176
00:09:50,881 --> 00:09:52,549
No, really, it's fine.

177
00:09:52,633 --> 00:09:54,718
I was just about to leave anyway.

178
00:09:58,180 --> 00:09:59,681
Oh, but, Master Arikoto,

179
00:10:00,557 --> 00:10:03,393
from this day forward, my name is O-Raku.

180
00:10:03,477 --> 00:10:07,189
I was immensely grateful to have been
given that name by our liege herself.

181
00:10:07,272 --> 00:10:08,315
Huh?

182
00:10:13,529 --> 00:10:15,739
-
- Have a look, Arikoto.

183
00:10:15,823 --> 00:10:17,449
- Ahh!
- Just look at her!

184
00:10:17,533 --> 00:10:20,160
She's gotten so chubby
in the blink of an eye.

185
00:10:20,244 --> 00:10:24,289
Yes, seeing how adorable and
strong she is already is a delight.

186
00:10:24,373 --> 00:10:27,251
Yajima, you can stand down for a while.

187
00:10:27,334 --> 00:10:28,168
Milady.

188
00:10:35,968 --> 00:10:38,887
You are the only man in my heart, Arikoto.

189
00:10:39,596 --> 00:10:41,056
Yes, my liege...

190
00:10:42,850 --> 00:10:43,851
Yes, my liege.

191
00:10:46,687 --> 00:10:50,232
I'm the father to a princess
of the Tokugawa shogunate! Hah!

192
00:10:50,315 --> 00:10:53,861
One of these days, I'm going to be
the top ranking official of the Ōoku.

193
00:10:54,570 --> 00:10:55,863
Banzai!

194
00:11:01,910 --> 00:11:03,036
That fool.

195
00:11:03,704 --> 00:11:06,874
Tell me, how is Sutezo doing?
What condition is he in now?

196
00:11:06,957 --> 00:11:10,544
Well... the doctor said that
he's partially paralyzed.

197
00:11:10,627 --> 00:11:12,379
It's affecting his lower body,

198
00:11:12,462 --> 00:11:15,632
so he may not be able to perform
his manly duties in the future.

199
00:11:24,474 --> 00:11:27,394
Hey, everyone, hope you're hungry!
Your lunch has arrived!

200
00:11:27,477 --> 00:11:29,062
It's time for a break.

201
00:11:31,982 --> 00:11:34,401
This kind of work takes forever

202
00:11:34,484 --> 00:11:36,820
when there's hardly any men
to help us out.

203
00:11:36,903 --> 00:11:37,904
- Don't worry.
- Hmm?

204
00:11:37,988 --> 00:11:39,573
I can handle cutting what remains,

205
00:11:39,656 --> 00:11:42,159
and will harvest it to make
sure we meet our quota.

206
00:11:43,410 --> 00:11:45,370
Oh, yeah. Hey, Lady Tadzu.

207
00:11:45,454 --> 00:11:49,166
Shokichi's son, Kichiji, wasn't able
to make it through the night last night.

208
00:11:49,833 --> 00:11:51,418
They found him this morning.

209
00:11:51,918 --> 00:11:54,087
Shokichi is getting on in age,

210
00:11:54,171 --> 00:11:57,215
so this will probably be the end
of any men in that family.

211
00:11:58,759 --> 00:12:01,970
Also, I've heard that many peasants
in the neighboring Iinuma village

212
00:12:02,054 --> 00:12:04,681
are going broke or running away
in the dead of night.

213
00:12:05,265 --> 00:12:08,185
If a peasant goes broke
because they can't pay taxes,

214
00:12:08,268 --> 00:12:11,688
the rest of the village is expected
to cover for them somehow.

215
00:12:12,272 --> 00:12:15,192
We were already short on help
from the men to begin with,

216
00:12:15,275 --> 00:12:17,652
but if we have to pay even more taxes...

217
00:12:18,779 --> 00:12:20,989
So, Mother I've an idea.

218
00:12:21,073 --> 00:12:24,326
What if we were to gather the children
at our home during the day,

219
00:12:24,409 --> 00:12:26,745
so that all the women could come and work?

220
00:12:26,828 --> 00:12:27,704
Sato...

221
00:12:27,788 --> 00:12:30,207
We could have people who aren't able
to work,

222
00:12:30,290 --> 00:12:34,211
like the elderly and physically frail,
look after the children for us.

223
00:12:34,294 --> 00:12:38,840
That way, the more vivacious women
aren't forced to stay at home all day.

224
00:12:38,924 --> 00:12:41,218
Then they could come work in the fields!

225
00:12:41,843 --> 00:12:43,553
What do you think, Mother?

226
00:12:43,637 --> 00:12:44,888
I shouldn’t be saying this,

227
00:12:44,971 --> 00:12:48,475
but since our nagging grandmother
has already passed over to the afterlife,

228
00:12:48,558 --> 00:12:50,227
there's nobody left to complain!

229
00:12:50,811 --> 00:12:51,812
Sato...

230
00:12:51,895 --> 00:12:53,980
- Lady Sato!

231
00:12:54,564 --> 00:12:56,733
- Sanpeita!

232
00:12:57,359 --> 00:13:00,737
I'm here! Please allow me
to help you with your work!

233
00:13:00,821 --> 00:13:02,781
Are you really sure it's no trouble?

234
00:13:02,864 --> 00:13:07,244
Of course not. I've already completed all
the harvesting of my family's crops today.

235
00:13:07,327 --> 00:13:10,747
- Say, Lady Tadzu. Look at those two...

236
00:13:15,127 --> 00:13:17,337
O-Raku-dono,
how are you feeling?

237
00:13:17,838 --> 00:13:21,508
I brought you sweets as I heard
you liked them. Please, enjoy.

238
00:13:21,591 --> 00:13:24,010
Ah... Yes, I-- I do.

239
00:13:24,094 --> 00:13:26,388
I will-- I will happily eat them.

240
00:13:26,471 --> 00:13:28,265
Thank you.

241
00:13:28,348 --> 00:13:30,350
Oh--

242
00:13:34,354 --> 00:13:38,567
- Mmm.
- Could I visit you again tomorrow, O-Raku?

243
00:13:38,650 --> 00:13:41,278
Uh... yeah. Please, of course.

244
00:13:42,028 --> 00:13:44,239
I would truly appreciate that.

245
00:13:46,074 --> 00:13:47,033
Masasuke.

246
00:13:47,117 --> 00:13:50,829
Could you increase the number of
servants for O-Raku-dono to two?

247
00:13:50,912 --> 00:13:52,330
Judging from his situation,

248
00:13:52,414 --> 00:13:55,542
I believe he's going to need
around-the-clock assistance from now on.

249
00:13:55,625 --> 00:13:57,711
Yes, my lord. It will be done.

250
00:13:58,211 --> 00:14:00,046
The faster the better.

251
00:14:00,881 --> 00:14:03,008
You show him
such thoughtful kindness, sir.

252
00:14:03,091 --> 00:14:06,553
I have no doubt it will be a great comfort
to that fellow's poor soul.

253
00:14:06,636 --> 00:14:09,514
Nothing I do could comfort him.

254
00:14:09,598 --> 00:14:14,311
Even with his body in this shape,
he has no hope of returning to his family.

255
00:14:15,020 --> 00:14:18,106
That is the fate
of the men living in the Ōoku,

256
00:14:18,189 --> 00:14:20,066
as you well know, Master Arikoto.

257
00:14:20,650 --> 00:14:22,569
I would have no home to return to.

258
00:14:22,652 --> 00:14:23,653
Ah...

259
00:14:24,863 --> 00:14:26,323
My apologies.

260
00:14:26,907 --> 00:14:28,408
You're right, Masasuke.

261
00:14:28,909 --> 00:14:33,413
I remember that you left your sick wife
at home, so you could work in the Ōoku.

262
00:14:33,496 --> 00:14:35,123
I desperately needed money.

263
00:14:35,206 --> 00:14:38,460
My wife was begging me not to go,
with tears in her eyes.

264
00:14:38,543 --> 00:14:40,837
She said that she was fine
with being poor.

265
00:14:41,463 --> 00:14:46,343
Come to think of it, my wife
might not even be in this world anymore.

266
00:14:46,426 --> 00:14:49,054
It's something
the Honored Kasuga is capable of.

267
00:14:50,263 --> 00:14:53,016
Regardless, I do not
regret the decision I made.

268
00:14:53,099 --> 00:14:57,103
The feudal lord that I had served for
many long years has since been deposed.

269
00:14:57,687 --> 00:14:59,064
If I were left masterless,

270
00:14:59,147 --> 00:15:02,609
I'm sure my wife would have died
from her illness just the same.

271
00:15:03,610 --> 00:15:07,864
But, whatever her fate, I no longer
have any possibility of discovering it.

272
00:15:11,076 --> 00:15:12,160
Coward.

273
00:15:14,579 --> 00:15:18,708
My heart feels a little lighter. This
couldn't have worked out any better!

274
00:15:18,792 --> 00:15:21,044
- Huh?
- None of this was my fault!

275
00:15:21,127 --> 00:15:22,629
I promise I didn't plan any of this.

276
00:15:22,712 --> 00:15:24,381
- Nor did I try to trip Sutezo.
- Mmm.

277
00:15:24,964 --> 00:15:28,385
Of course, I don't exactly
feel great about his situation.

278
00:15:28,468 --> 00:15:30,470
But knowing that the Honored Kasuga

279
00:15:30,553 --> 00:15:33,682
is probably gritting her teeth in
frustration with how things turned out,

280
00:15:33,765 --> 00:15:36,393
I can't help but feel
she deserved a little discomfort.

281
00:15:36,976 --> 00:15:38,144
That old hag.

282
00:15:38,228 --> 00:15:41,147
Hopefully, this will keep her quiet
for a while.

283
00:15:41,231 --> 00:15:45,068
All this just goes to show you
that the best possible match for our liege

284
00:15:45,151 --> 00:15:47,153
will always be you, Master Arikoto.

285
00:15:49,030 --> 00:15:50,490
We will know in time.

286
00:15:56,413 --> 00:15:58,206
Mizoguchi Sakyo.

287
00:15:58,289 --> 00:16:02,085
Unlike Sutezo,
he is a proper heir to a samurai family.

288
00:16:02,168 --> 00:16:05,088
And from the distinguished Mizoguchis,
no less!

289
00:16:09,759 --> 00:16:11,052
I understand.

290
00:16:11,678 --> 00:16:13,471
I will go inform our liege.

291
00:16:13,972 --> 00:16:17,100
I am delighted to see
you make a wise choice.

292
00:16:30,238 --> 00:16:31,364
Very well, then.

293
00:16:31,447 --> 00:16:33,575
If they wish me
to bear a child with that man,

294
00:16:33,658 --> 00:16:35,618
then I will bear a child with him.

295
00:16:37,453 --> 00:16:39,080
When I think about it,

296
00:16:39,164 --> 00:16:43,001
the situation would be the same
even if I were raised as a princess.

297
00:16:43,084 --> 00:16:46,254
My grandmother,
Lady O-Eyo, had to marry three men.

298
00:16:46,337 --> 00:16:48,798
During the Sengoku period,
she had no choice

299
00:16:48,882 --> 00:16:51,384
but to give birth
to one baby after another.

300
00:16:52,302 --> 00:16:54,929
That has been the lot in life
for many women.

301
00:16:55,471 --> 00:16:58,141
There is no reason why
only I couldn't endure.

302
00:16:59,517 --> 00:17:02,687
After everything I went through,
I thought I could never bear it,

303
00:17:02,770 --> 00:17:06,399
seeing that I had already met the love
of my life, which is you, of course.

304
00:17:07,734 --> 00:17:11,654
I didn't think I'd be able to stand it,
sleeping with another man.

305
00:17:12,530 --> 00:17:14,782
But a child is
such a darling little thing.

306
00:17:15,533 --> 00:17:19,370
Those feelings of loathing,
I no longer have them for her father.

307
00:17:22,749 --> 00:17:28,046
It was around then that I also realized
I had endured every obstacle and lived.

308
00:17:28,129 --> 00:17:30,214
Even after I had given birth to her,

309
00:17:30,298 --> 00:17:33,217
having a child with another man
didn't change anything.

310
00:17:33,301 --> 00:17:35,511
It didn't change my feelings at all.

311
00:17:41,559 --> 00:17:44,562
No matter how many men
Kasuga attempts to bring here,

312
00:17:44,646 --> 00:17:48,691
there is only one man with whom I share
a deep and true bond, and that is you.

313
00:17:49,567 --> 00:17:52,445
No matter how many men
I will have to bear children with,

314
00:17:52,528 --> 00:17:55,406
my heart will ever and always
only belong to you.

315
00:17:55,490 --> 00:17:56,866
Just you, Arikoto.

316
00:17:57,784 --> 00:17:58,785
Oh...

317
00:17:59,994 --> 00:18:01,788
Her eyes are so calm.

318
00:18:02,872 --> 00:18:06,584
You say nothing changed.
That it is still as it was.

319
00:18:07,418 --> 00:18:09,420
But you have indeed changed.

320
00:18:10,129 --> 00:18:11,297
You're stronger.

321
00:18:12,048 --> 00:18:13,758
And even more beautiful.

322
00:18:14,801 --> 00:18:17,637
That is because you have become a mother.

323
00:18:19,847 --> 00:18:20,932
I couldn't...

324
00:18:21,516 --> 00:18:24,394
Motherhood was something
that I couldn't give to you.

325
00:18:25,353 --> 00:18:26,771
What did you say?

326
00:18:27,397 --> 00:18:30,817
Surely you didn't mean
what you just said, right, Master?

327
00:18:33,403 --> 00:18:35,863
I have asked
that you would lie with our liege.

328
00:18:35,947 --> 00:18:38,449
I want you to make a child
between the two of you.

329
00:18:42,829 --> 00:18:45,998
Please.
There is no one else that I would ask.

330
00:18:46,708 --> 00:18:48,251
You need to take my place.

331
00:18:48,334 --> 00:18:50,920
I ask that you give a successor
to our liege.

332
00:18:59,595 --> 00:19:01,597
THE CHRONICLES OF THE DYING DAY