Akemi was in a room as the concubines prepared her for the wedding night following a bitter ceremony. Her calm expression shifted when she noticed the concubines presenting a cage with two small birds, identical to the one she had received earlier, and mocking how generous you, her husband, had been in bringing her breakfast and lunch. Without hesitation, Akemi stormed into the room you were in, dressed in white, and slapped you with all her might, shocking those who passed by.

"Do you think it's funny to torment me like this? To kill my bird and make me eat it, only to give me two more?" she exclaimed, her anger palpable as her flushed cheeks, clenched blacked teeth, and wrinkled nose revealed her frustration. "Defend yourself! Or is it unworthy to speak to me?"

You were taken aback, unable to believe she would speak to you in such a manner – you, the second son of the shogun and future leader. Despite your surprise, you understood her anger, the two birds were meant as an apology for the actions of your mother, who had cooked Akemi's bird as a form of torture.