Nine Summers of Divine Punishment

After that day, whenever Wakako closed her eyes, she would see that bloody scene, especially the sight of Young Master Kiyoshi’s bulging eyes in death, which would often haunt her dreams.

It wasn’t the first time she’d seen death, but it was the first time she’d hurt someone uncontrollably.

More than fear, she felt lost.

Her fellow trainees called themselves “human weapons,” but was she truly just a weapon?

Given Wakako’s status at the time, killing a nobleman’s son should have been a death sentence. Yet, she never heard of the Kiyoshi clan seeking retribution. It was the Saint who had settled everything.

Miki had said to her, “He only gave him a few superficial wounds… He scared himself to death.” Her hand rested gently on Wakako’s back. “Don’t think about it anymore, alright?”

The doctor had also confirmed that Young Master Kiyoshi’s cause of death was indeed a heart attack from fright.

But Wakako knew that her attack wouldn’t have just caused superficial injuries.

It took her a year or two to finally manage to temporarily forget about the incident, burying it deep within her heart. But she never dared to attend those so-called noble banquets again.

Whenever she saw people laughing and chatting around the purplewood tables exclusive to nobles, uncontrollable visions of them lying in pools of blood would surface in her mind, blurring everything else.

She would even feel an urge to take action herself, to paint everything in red.

That year’s incident was considered a secret among the nobility. Apart from those present at the time, along with the Saint and the Queen, no one knew exactly what had happened. Even to her teammates, Wakako only vaguely mentioned that she had experienced something unpleasant in the past and didn’t enjoy banquets.

Miki didn’t know, which was why she had invited Wakako to accompany her. But Wakako couldn’t bring herself to reveal the whole truth.

Wakako had never been to the Huo clan’s estate, but noble banquets were generally similar. She feared triggering those unpleasant memories, which was why she had hesitated to accept the invitation.

Nobles attending banquets would wear elaborate attire befitting their status. Miki wore a vibrant red dress that complemented her beauty perfectly. Wakako, on the other hand, still wore black, albeit adorned with gold threads, shimmering like obsidian.

Through the veil hanging from her hat, Miki gazed at her gently, a hint of concern in her eyes. “Are you alright, Senior? You’re sweating.”

Wakako only then realized that she was sweating from nervousness. She wiped it away with a clean handkerchief, but her heart still pounded in her chest.

She spoke evasively, “I had some unpleasant experiences at banquets before, so I don’t really enjoy these occasions.”

“I see,” Miki said understandingly, without probing further. “Don’t worry, if you feel uncomfortable later, just find an excuse to leave early. You’re a mercenary after all, they wouldn’t dare to make things difficult for you.”

That’s right.

Wakako clenched her fists. She used to be a servant, but now she had status. No one would dare to mistreat her again. Even if they did, she could confront them directly, no longer needing to endure in silence.

The young lady of the Huo clan celebrating her birthday today was an Omega, still quite young. As per etiquette, Wakako wouldn’t get too close to her, at most offering a toast from afar.

And so it was. The banquet was held in the Huo clan’s garden, during the season when spring flowers were budding—a perfect time to enjoy the scenery and revelry.

The gift was prepared by the Jin clan, so Wakako didn’t need to worry. She handed the box to a Huo clan servant and walked with Miki to their assigned seats.

Before taking a step, Miki extended her hand towards Wakako.

When noble couples attended events, the Omega often held the Alpha’s hand.

Having just recovered from a serious illness, Miki was dressed warmly. Even her hands were covered with silk-embroidered gloves, wrapped with delicate ribbons, revealing only a hint of fair fingertips, waiting for her fiancée to gently support her.

The nobles who had arrived earlier were already chatting and laughing, but their gazes never strayed from the scene. All eyes were on it, watching closely—especially for Wakako’s reaction.

She finally opened her palm, allowing Miki’s fingertips to rest upon it, but a shiver ran through her from the coldness. She thought only Miki’s hands were this cold.

They walked side by side, hand in hand. Wakako had never been this close to an Omega other than Miki. In the past, even when the Second Daughter got slightly close, she would push her away without mercy.

But now, Miki’s veil almost brushed against Wakako’s shoulder, the fabric tickling her through her clothes. The touch of their fingertips made her heart flutter inexplicably.

Had she never noticed before that Miki’s pheromones were also such a sweet, fruity fragrance? Only the lingering aftertaste seemed to carry a hint of almond-like bitterness.

Following that scent, Wakako was momentarily lost in thought, her fingers unconsciously tightening around Miki’s. Even after they sat down, she still hadn’t let go.

It was Miki who softly reminded her from her right, “Senior, you can let go now.”

Through the veil, Wakako could only vaguely see Miki’s profile. The curve of her eyebrows and lips resembled Miki’s so much that she mistook her for someone else in her daze.

She withdrew her hand as if awakening from a dream.

Miki looked shy and whispered, “Why were you holding my hand so tightly, Senior?”

Wakako couldn’t answer. Perhaps Miki’s words at the Kitagawa estate that day had planted a seed in her heart. Now, looking at Miki wearing the veil, she was truly seeing another person through her.

Miki seemed to have misunderstood, thinking that Wakako was uneasy because of the banquet. Her slender fingers once again touched the back of Wakako’s hand.

Her nails were neatly trimmed and clean.

In a gentle voice, she comforted, “Don’t be nervous, Senior. Everything will be fine.”

Don’t be nervous, Waka. Everything will be fine.

That’s what Miki had said the first time she slipped her fingers inside her.

Miki continued thoughtfully, “I’m here with you, Senior. If you feel uncomfortable, I’ll accompany you to rest in one of the guest rooms.”

Wakako shook her head vigorously, finally shaking off the illusion, “There’s no need for now.”

Mercenaries held a unique status and rarely interacted with nobles. Some arrogant nobles deliberately avoided speaking to them, while others, from lower-ranking families, approached them to offer toasts and flatter them.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lady Kitagawa. You’re truly impressive, no wonder you’re so highly regarded by the Queen.”

“You and Miki are such a perfect match.”

Such words swirled around them as the nobles sat around the purplewood tables, exchanging hollow compliments.

The fake smiles on their faces were like masks. Wakako, caught in the midst of it all, had to put on a similar expression, forcing the corners of her lips into an awkward smile.

Miki hadn’t fully recovered, so Wakako drank all the wine offered to them. Cup after cup went down, and soon, a blush crept onto her cheeks.

The nobles continued to smile, “Tell us about how you two met, Lady Kitagawa.”

“Can you still drink more?”

One of them tried to offer Wakako another toast but accidentally bumped into a servant who was hurrying by with food. The porcelain dishes on the wooden tray crashed to the ground, shattering into pieces, and the pastries inside were ruined.

The young servant was filled with panic, “This… this was specially requested by that lord…”

“It’s just a plate of pastries. Can’t you just make another one?” The culprit seemed unconcerned. “Don’t ruin our fun.”

Tears welled up in the servant’s eyes. She murmured softly, “These pastries… they’re very difficult to make. It… it takes a long time to steam them…”

The noble glanced at her sideways, smirking, “What else can you do? It’s your fault for not holding them properly. If you’ve got no other option, go ahead and pick up what’s on the ground.”

But it clearly wasn’t entirely the servant’s fault.

She didn’t dare talk back to the noble. Instead, she crouched down, tears streaming down her face as she gathered the pastry crumbs, fearful of offending the other guests.

It’s happening again.

Wakako’s grip tightened until the empty wine glass in her hand shattered into dozens of tiny shards. Her calloused fingers were cut, and blood dripped down her black clothes, blending seamlessly.

Miki stood up abruptly, stepping in to shield Wakako’s frighteningly vacant gaze from the others. “Did you hurt your hand?” she asked softly. “Come, I’ll go with you to get it bandaged.”

She then turned to the others, who couldn’t hide their curious glances. Offering them a flawless bow, she said, “Please don’t worry; we’ll be right back.”

With that, Miki gently took Wakako’s wrist, signaling her to follow. They walked closely together, putting on a display of intimacy.

The familiar fragrance wafted over her again. After taking a few deep breaths, Wakako felt the red in her vision recede. Just now, she had a genuine urge to kill that noble without hesitation. Her heart was restless and agitated, but now, the Omega’s pheromones calmed her completely.

She never imagined that one day, she would quietly accept the scent of someone other than Miki enveloping her completely.

Miki asked a servant to lead them to a small courtyard prepared for guests by the Huo clan, smiling as she indicated that the servant didn’t need to follow them inside.

Only the two of them remained in the bedroom.

“Are you alright, Senior?” Miki unhesitatingly wiped the sweat from Wakako’s forehead with her sleeve. “Lie down for a while.”

Wakako slowly sat on the edge of the bed and asked softly, “Those nobles…”

“The way we acted today is enough to warn them not to spread rumors.” Miki gazed at her tenderly, still not removing her veil. “You’ve worked hard, Senior. Get some rest.”

Her eyes were sparkling and captivating.

“But in your heart, Senior, was it really just an act?”

“…What do you mean?”

Without waiting for Wakako’s answer, Miki, dressed in red, leaned closer. The veil became the last barrier between them.

They were so close that Wakako could almost see Miki’s eyelashes.

Miki raised her hand, “Otherwise, why haven’t you let go of me until now?”

Wakako only then realized that she was tightly holding onto Miki, gripping her soft hand so hard it had turned red… Wait, Miki was a mercenary; how could her hands be so delicate?

Was it because she had lost too much weight due to her illness?

Or was Wakako already drunk to this extent?

“You’re thinking about those painful memories again, Senior. Don’t you want to comfort yourself?” Miki said softly. “No one else will know about what happened today.”

Wakako stared straight at her, “No…”

Miki pretended not to hear.

“I know everything, Senior. Even though you’re an Alpha, you like being… dominated. I’ll give you what you want.”

Miki slowly, slowly coaxed her.

“I’m wearing a veil. I won’t take it off. Don’t look at my face. Just pretend I’m the Saint, okay?”

“Even if someone hears us, no one will know you’re calling out ‘Miki’.”

“Is that okay? Answer me, Senior Wakako.”

“Or do you prefer me to call you… Little-Wa-ka?”