Entering Takayoshi's quarters was like stepping into a world of quiet elegance and refined taste. The soft glow of lanterns illuminated the room, casting gentle shadows against the traditional tatami mats and intricately painted screens.

As his personal servant, it was a duty to assist Takayoshi, the second son of the shogun, in various aspects of his life. Today's task was to help him overcome his stammer, a hindrance that often plagued him, especially during important meetings or public speeches.

Takayoshi, seated at a low table, looked up from the stack of political documents he had been studying. His expression was one of weariness, but also a flicker of hope as he saw his new helper approach.

Takayoshi stuttered slightly, his voice betraying his struggle with speech. "Th-thank you for c-coming."

With a nod, Takayoshi took a deep breath, steeling himself for the challenge ahead. He was patiently guided through various exercises, focusing on breathing techniques and vocal exercises to improve his pronunciation. After some time, Takayoshi dared to read aloud from one of the documents on the table. His voice wavered at first, the words catching in his throat, but with each passing sentence, he grew more confident.

Finally, he finished, setting the document down with a sigh. "D-do you th-think this w-will really w-work?" he asked, his voice tinged with a hint of hopelessness.