For a moment, the entire banquet hall fell silent.
The servants were so frightened they didn't dare make a sound. Asakura Yasuzumi sobered up instantly. After one glance at the scene, he promptly buried his head back on the table, pretending to be passed out.
Councilor Asakura, on the other hand, remained calm. He casually pulled out a handkerchief and began wiping the spilled wine from his suit.
Seasoned indeed. A veteran like him had seen far worse.
While dabbing at the wine, Councilor Asakura gave Nanjo Hiroshi a sidelong glance.
At the same time, Nanjo Masahito—who had completely abandoned any pretense of the dignity expected of a family head—immediately shifted responsibility to his father, likewise turning to look at Nanjo Hiroshi.
The old master of the Nanjo family let out a hearty laugh. "Well done! You're just like your grandmother in her youth."
Councilor Asakura rose to leave without another word.
Nanjo Hiroshi spoke unhurriedly. "Councilor Asakura, please wait."
With that, he stood up. After a brief pause, his longtime aide, Butler Suzuki, stepped forward to steady him. Supported thus, Nanjo Hiroshi slowly made his way to stand before the councilor. There, he knelt with effort, placing both hands firmly on his knees and bowing deeply.
"I sincerely apologize for what has happened today," he said solemnly. "Next Monday, I will host a formal banquet at Matsuya to offer my apologies."
Councilor Asakura quickly knelt as well. "Please, there's no need for such formality! It was my useless son who offended your granddaughter first. Yasuzumi!"
At the sharp command, Yasuzumi—who had been hoping to slip away—scrambled obediently to his father's side and knelt.
Without hesitation, Councilor Asakura delivered a resounding slap to his son's face—harder even than the one Honami had landed earlier.
Now, both sides of Yasuzumi's face were so swollen he looked like a bruised bear.
Having disciplined his son, it was now Nanjo Hiroshi's turn.
The old master glanced at his tearful granddaughter and sighed. "I didn't finish my earlier point because I was trying to smooth things over with the councilor. Your posture just now was exactly like your grandmother's. Unfortunately, you lack her cunning. Stirring up this much trouble—what choice do you have now but to go through with the engagement? Come here!"
His voice suddenly rose to a thunderous roar. Even the previously defiant Honami flinched instinctively.
Butler Suzuki stepped forward and, with two fingers, pinched the blade of the ritual sword in Honami's hands. "Be good."
Honami struggled to pull the sword back, but it was as if it had fused with Butler Suzuki's fingers—completely unmoving.
In the end, she had no choice but to release the blade, though she bit her lip stubbornly and refused to move. "I didn't do anything wrong!"
"Foolishness is a mistake," Nanjo Hiroshi said sternly. "Come here!"
His second command carried even greater authority. Honami found herself unable to resist. She walked over and knelt beside her grandfather.
Nanjo Hiroshi turned to Councilor Asakura once more. "A young girl's face shouldn't be marred. I beg your indulgence."
Councilor Asakura took a deep breath. "Of course. I wouldn't want my future daughter-in-law to be scarred either."
He emphasized daughter-in-law deliberately.
Upon hearing that, Honami couldn't hold back her tears any longer. They fell in heavy drops onto the tatami.
Meanwhile, Yasuzumi grinned gleefully—though the swelling in his face made the expression painful, forcing him to shut his mouth again.
"Then, I'll see you on Monday," Councilor Asakura said, bowing politely to Nanjo Hiroshi. He added, "Truly, Master Nanjo—you are a formidable man."
"You flatter me," Nanjo Hiroshi replied calmly. Then, with a glance, he signaled to his son.
Nanjo Masahito immediately stepped forward. "Councilor, allow me to escort you to the door."
"Much obliged."
With that, the councilor and his second son followed Masahito out of the hall.
Yasuzumi couldn't resist glancing back at Honami the entire way, making his intentions obvious.
The Nanjo servants were about to enter to clear the dishes, but Butler Suzuki stopped them with a discreet gesture.
At the same time, the Nanjo family's eldest grandson—Honami's older brother, Nanjo Mamoru—and his wife quietly slipped away.
Soon, the vast banquet hall was empty, save for Nanjo Hiroshi, Butler Suzuki, and the weeping Honami.
"Stop crying," Nanjo Hiroshi said, taking out a handkerchief. "Since you had the resolve to act as you did, you must also have the resolve to face the consequences."
"I do!" Honami lifted her tear-streaked face, teeth clenched. "But—"
"Then dry your tears, accept this outcome, and bear the consequences! You nearly created an irreconcilable political enemy for the Nanjo family! And you could have handled it far more cleverly!
"I'm scolding you not because you struck that worthless boy, or because you drew a blade—but because you were foolish!"
Honami pressed her lips together, trying desperately to wipe away her tears—but they wouldn't stop.
Nanjo Hiroshi rose and strode briskly to the doors leading out to the garden. His steps were swift and steady—nothing like a frail old man needing assistance.
"Suzuki," he said sharply, "starting today, Honami is not to leave this estate! Inform the school—oh, tomorrow's Saturday. Fine, on Monday, complete her withdrawal paperwork."
"Grandfather!" Honami cried. "You can't do this!"
"I am Nanjo Hiroshi! Of course I can! You think I would give you the chance to elope with some stray man? If you dared draw a blade in that situation, there's nothing you wouldn't dare do! SP!"
At once, the head of the Nanjo estate's security detail appeared as if out of thin air.
"Sir, your orders."
"Keep a close watch on her! Weld iron bars onto her windows—now, immediately! Post guards at the entrance twenty-four hours a day! Also, from this moment, all security operations regarding the young lady's room will function as an independent unit, reporting directly to me, not to Butler Suzuki!"
"Understood!"
As the officer turned to leave, Nanjo Hiroshi called him back. "Wait! Have your company headquarters send over ten karate experts—ideally ranked in the national top 100. I want them on rotating shifts, guarding Honami around the clock."
"Yes, sir!"
With another silent bow, the security chief withdrew—moving like a ninja despite his tailored suit.
Nanjo Hiroshi turned back to face his granddaughter.
Honami was utterly disheartened now, though her eyes still burned with spirit as she stared defiantly at her grandfather.
"That's more like it," Nanjo Hiroshi said. "That's exactly how you should be. Even in such a situation, don't give in to despair. Seeing that fire in your eyes reassures me, Honami.
"Now go to the Asakura family—and seize control of them. You can do it. You simply need to use your head more… not your blade."
Honami shot back, "How am I supposed to outmaneuver the Asakura family without even a university education?"
"I never attended university either," Nanjo Hiroshi said with a snort. "But the universities of society and life have taught me plenty! Take her away!"
Two maids entered swiftly and, one on each side, escorted Honami from the room.
She didn't resist. Even as she left, her gaze remained locked on her grandfather—unyielding to the end.
Once only he and Butler Suzuki remained, Nanjo Hiroshi said quietly, "She never once looked at you. I wonder… was that an act, or has she truly given up on you entirely? I'm old—I can't tell anymore."
"I believe it's the latter," Butler Suzuki answered gravely.
"Hmph. I won't ask you to name the young man who's changed her so dramatically. In fact… I should probably thank him. Suzuki, I have always trusted you. This time is no different. You understand my meaning?"
Butler Suzuki bowed deeply. "Of course, sir. I will not fail you."
(End of Chapter)