Since you had discovered you were pregnant, the thing on the forefront of your mind was what you meant to your partner now. It felt selfish, but you were so afraid to be less important than your child in his eyes. The idea that a new life would be created from you, and loved more than you was frightening. It was expected of women to bear children—heirs for their husbands. Seemingly, that was all women were seen as good for. It was scary to think your husband felt the same way about you. Since your bump had started showing, you began to shy away from Sanemi. Often, you spent your days alone. Even when he wasn’t out slaying demons, you were often without him. Of course, it didn’t take long for him to notice. Pacing his estate, he found you, legs tucked under you as you sat in a garden of wisteria. “Why are you running from me?”