66 My wife (1/2)

”No, I still have some questions.” Harumi intervened while the guards escorted the real Nohime away. They gave Nobunaga a questioning look who stared them down. Without saying another word they left with Nohime.

”What was that?” Harumi asked pissed while she turned to face Nobunaga.

”You have plenty of time to question her when...” He began but Harumi cut him off.

”And you!” She sneered. ”I've been missing for days and replaced by someone and you didn't even notice?”

”Calm down, please.” Nobunaga sighted. ”Your maids are here. Please eat, bathe and rest first. After that you can yell at me as much as you want.” Harumi turned around. In the door opening three maids were waiting for her, but it weren't her maids.

”Who are you?” She asked skeptically.

”We are your new maids...” The one in the front said while bowing deep.

”No, no, no!” Harumi yelled, almost starting to cry again. ”Where are Masa-kin, Lin-chan and Rike-chan? I want MY maids!” Before Harumi could yell any more the three maids excused themselves to look for Harumi's old maids. Although Harumi had the feeling she was getting insane, one mystery was soled. She spent the most hours of the day, by far, with her maids. Of course they would have noticed if someone had taken her place. The real Nohime was quite crafty. She switched places with Harumi as soon as her maids were gone and appointed new maids before her old ones were back. That also meant that the real Nohime had someone on the inside who could have told her that her maids would be gone. But that was something she would figure out later. Not long after the three maids were gone Harumi's old maids came rushing in, not caring about the proper conduct. Harumi didn't care either. Rike-chan and Lin-chan were already crying while they hugged Harumi tight while Masa-kun tried hard to keep her eyes dry. After a while they loosened their embrace and remembered they were in the presence of the lord of the castle. Almost immediately they fell to the ground and started bowing while apologizing.

”There is no need for that.” Nobunaga said. ”I know you are very dear to my wife and it is nice to see that it is the same for you. Please take Nohime to her quarters and care for her.” Nobunaga ordered.

After Harumi was clean, well fed and het slept for what felt a decade she made her way to the dungeons where the real Nohime was being held. Most of the flair from Nohime was gone. She sat on the ground with her back against a wall. The kimono she was wearing was smudged and her hair was one big mess.

”please leave us.” Harumi asked the guard who was standing watch. He gave her a bow and left the dungeons. They were finally alone. Harumi could finally find out how to get back to her own time. Why didn't she feel an overwhelming happiness when thinking about returning to her family and old life? It didn't matter. She coughed to let Nohime know she wanted to talk to her. Nohime turned her head lazily and looked at her.

”Why did you come back?” Harumi asked. She hadn't been interested in the reason the real Nohime decided to return, but her unconscious had asked the question before she could think about it.

”Why did I come back?” Nohime repeated the question. She went silent for a moment and than began to lough.

”What do you think?” Nohime asked.