Nine Summers of Divine Punishment

Most servants married young. Back when Wakako was still at the Saionji household, she had seen many servants arrange marriages as early as sixteen or seventeen, with the wedding ceremony taking place as soon as their secondary gender had manifested.

Some were in such a hurry that they began looking for potential matches at just fourteen or fifteen.

She had never given it much thought, but as she grew older, the gazes of others began to linger on her.

In their eyes, although Wakako was an orphan, she had served as the Saint’s guard since childhood. It was said that the Saint doted on her, even bestowing gold upon her without hesitation. Among the servants, she was considered quite well-off.

Besides, Wakako was pleasant to look at, skilled in martial arts, strong, and always wore a pleasant smile. She was also known for being good at taking care of others.  Any Omega who married her would undoubtedly lead a comfortable life. Many families with eligible children were quite fond of her.

One day, while in the residence gardens, she encountered Kyouka-mama, the head steward, who suddenly stopped her. “Are you busy today?”

“No, I’m not. Do you need help with something?”

“Not really.” Kyouka-mama hesitated. “Do you remember the Natsu family?”

“Yes, I do.”

“You’ve met their son, haven’t you? His name is Natsu Rui.”

The Natsu family she spoke of were farmers who lived outside the estate. They raised chickens and occasionally supplied chicken and eggs to the Saionji kitchen. The servants who handled the transactions had interacted with them, so Wakako had seen them a few times.

The family had an Omega son, around the same age as Wakako, who also helped with the deliveries.

Kyouka-mama asked with anticipation, “What do you think of him?”

Wakako didn’t have a strong impression of the young man, so she answered honestly, “Their chickens are quite delicious.”

“That’s not what I meant.” Her words made Kyouka-mama laugh. “I’m asking what you think of him as a person. He’s met you a few times and has taken a liking to you. He asked me to pass on a message.”

“A… message?”

“Yes. If you also think he’s a good match, find some time to meet and get to know each other better.”

Wakako still wasn’t quite sure what this all meant.

Kyouka-mama sighed and said earnestly, “Wakako, you’re at the age where you can get married. Others have their parents to help them find a suitable partner, carefully selecting from many options, but you’re all alone… I worry about you. If you have any intention of marrying, don’t delay it.”

“Think about it carefully when you go back.” Like a mother, she affectionately patted Wakako’s head. “Even if it’s not Natsu Rui, if there’s another Omega you’re interested in, tell me, and I’ll inquire for you.”

Wakako actually had no concept of marriage, but she knew Kyouka-mama was genuinely concerned for her, so she obediently replied, “Okay, thank you, Mama.”

That night, while keeping watch over Miki, she found herself thinking about it.

What would life be like after marriage? Who… who would her Omega be? What would they look like? What would their personality be like?

She was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn’t even notice Miki had opened her eyes and was asking for water.

“What are you thinking about?”

Only when the Saint softly questioned her did she snap back to reality. She hurriedly brought the water over and answered honestly, “I was thinking about what kind of person I might marry.”

Miki was clearly thirsty, but after drinking half the water, she suddenly stopped and just stared at her.

Wakako wasn’t the type to dwell in matters of love. Something must have happened to make her think this way.

“What happened?” she asked.

Wakako then recounted the entire conversation with Kyouka-mama. Finally, she added, “There have been others who have approached me, asking me to meet their children…”

Before she could finish, she was interrupted.

“You’re not allowed.”

“Why?”

“Not allowed means not allowed.”

Wakako was a little depressed, but didn’t think much of it, just responded an “Oh” and conceding, “Alright.”

Initially, she had intended to meet those Omegas. After all, if they weren’t compatible, it would be better to say it to their faces, saving the trouble of back-and-forth messages and potential future complications.

However, she didn’t understand how this matter had upset the Saint.

Miki, on the other hand, misunderstood, suddenly lowering her gaze with a faint shadow of gloom. “So, you’re already thinking about your future wife?”

“Not really, but it wouldn’t hurt to meet them…” Wakako replied.

“I said no.”

“Oh… but I also said yes,” Wakako mumbled, feeling increasingly confused and somewhat hurt. “If the Saint forbids it, then I won’t go.”

Even after she said that, Miki’s expression didn’t improve. Wakako had no idea what she had done wrong.

Wakako continued to stand guard while Miki tossed and turned, unable to sleep for a long time.

Wakako began to worry. It was late, and they had things to do in the morning. If Miki didn’t get some rest, she’d likely be exhausted and unwell. She asked, “Are you hungry?”

Miki simply shook her head, “No.”

“Thirsty? Would you like some more water?”

Again, the answer was no.

Wakako then suspected it might be the scent in the room. Just as she was about to change to a milder incense, Miki suddenly called out to her, “Come to bed.”

“Hmm?”

Miki sat up, leaning against the headboard.

“My feet are cold,” she said. “No matter how thick the blankets are, it’s no use. Come and sleep here, warm them for me.”

As a servant of God, the Saint was forbidden from wearing shoes and had to remain barefoot at all times. Therefore, Miki had never worn shoes since birth.

However, as the saying goes, “Cold enters from the feet.” Miki’s body was naturally frail, and constantly being barefoot was detrimental to her health.  During colder days, she was prone to falling ill, sometimes for as long as ten days or more.

Wakako reached into the blankets and gently touched Miki’s ankle.

It was cold.

The Saint’s residence was of the same standard as the royal palace, equipped with underground brick chambers for heating.  Therefore, both the bed and the floor were warm.

Despite this, the warmth didn’t seem to reach Miki. Her body remained icy cold.

“Alright,” Wakako agreed, then blew out the lamp.

She removed her outer maroon robe and slipped under the covers from the foot of the bed.

Miki slept in a long white undergarment, the hem of which trailed far beyond her feet.

Wakako carefully tucked the garment around her and then, through the fabric, wrapped her arms around Miki’s legs, trying to pass her body warmth to her.

Wakako’s body was always warm, no matter the season. People often joked that she was like a small furnace.

In this embrace, even the most stubborn ice seemed to melt a little.

Standing guard was exhausting work, and the bed was incredibly comfortable. Wakako couldn’t help but close her eyes, drifting off into a light sleep.

The only thing missing was a pillow at the foot of the bed to support her neck. If only there were something to prop it up, it would be perfect.

Wakako had grown up in hardship and wasn’t particularly delicate. Even without a pillow or comfort, she could still fall into a deep sleep with ease, which she soon did.

However, Miki remained awake.

In the darkness, her eyes stayed open, feeling the warmth gradually return to her legs.  With it came an accelerated heartbeat that echoed loudly in her ears.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

Rapid and restless.

Miki didn’t understand why this was happening. After a long while, she realized that her right leg had started to go numb.

Her loyal servant remained dutifully holding her legs, not loosening her grip even in sleep.

But there was something more—Wakako’s round head was nestled tightly against Miki’s right thigh.

Wakako was using her slender leg as a pillow.

Miki couldn’t comprehend how someone’s body could be so warm. Even her cheeks felt hot, and despite the layer of undergarment, it was almost as if a fire had been lit on her thigh.

But Miki, who had lived her entire life with a body cold as ice, relished this sensation of warmth spreading through her.

However, the small area being used as a pillow was numb, almost completely devoid of feeling.

Based on her understanding of her own body, Miki knew that if this continued throughout the night, she would wake up feeling terribly uncomfortable.

Should she wake her up? Miki wondered.

She should wake her up, right?

Right now, they were both still young, neither having gone through their presentation, which was why Wakako could stay by her side day and night, even sharing her bed to serve her.

But the Saionji clan physician had already confirmed that Wakako’s presentation into an Alpha was a certainty.

There was no need for a diagnosis—her strength alone made it obvious. She and Miki were complete opposites.

For now, they could eat and sleep together, as close as could be. But in the future, there would be a need for distance, for propriety.

And one day, Wakako would have to take a wife…

Miki couldn’t control her racing thoughts, two conflicting voices battling for dominance.

—As long as I don’t agree, she won’t be allowed to marry, right?

—Whether she marries or not is her business. What does it have to do with me? Why should I care? What right do I have to forbid it?

—But she’s mine.

—So what?

As these thoughts swirled in her head, Miki slowly slid deeper under the covers until she found herself nestled into Wakako’s embrace.

Her servant, knowing her obsession for cleanliness, always bathed before keeping watch, leaving a faint, pleasant fragrance lingering on her skin.

Miki buried her face in Wakako’s neck, inhaling deeply, feeling as if she could never get enough of the scent. In that warm embrace, all her fatigue vanished.

Would Wakako’s future wife also lean against her shoulder like this, resting in her arms as they slept together…

Just imagining the scene made Miki feel as if someone was choking her, making it difficult to breathe. In that instant, a clear yet absurd answer emerged in her heart.

This warmth she now held belonged to her alone. This intimacy, this scent—no one else could have it.

Because she was the Saint, she always received the best. No one was allowed to take it from her.

…

In the end, Wakako never met the Omega named Natsu Rui. The other party sent two more letters, but receiving no reply, they eventually gave up.

There were others who initially considered proposing matches for Wakako, but for some inexplicable reason, those attempts quietly stopped.  Wakako didn’t think much of it.

The only thing she found strange was that after waking up at the foot of the Saint’s bed that day, there was a red mark near her collarbone—a mark that seemed to hover at the boundary between affection and desire, restrained just before it could spill over into something more.

At the time, Wakako didn’t understand what it was. She simply assumed she had accidentally bruised herself during training and resolved to be more careful in the future.

It wasn’t until many years later that she understood.

Miki had wanted, from the very beginning, to leave her mark on Wakako’s body.

That way, anyone who came near Wakako would know exactly who she belonged to.