Quoted By:
"Most members of those clans were encouraged to settle in other countries and start businesses. The idea was to expand Oceanippon's cultural influence and increase sympathy for the us. Otherwise there isn't much of a connection, as it would be impossible for the Imperial government to keep tract of all the people that decided to make their homes outside of Oceanippon. This is especially the case for Mitsubishi and Yasuda, as many even in Oceanippon don't particularly care about what happens to our lesser 'Merchant Nobility' like my immediate family." Ayane said, her lips twitching into a frown. You'd almost forgotten that Ayane was technically a noble. "Unlike in the Continent, my homeland doesn't allow much flexibility for merchants."
"Their loss." You gave her a deep kiss. "They don't know they're missing out on a wonderful woman like you."
"Goodness~" She turned red. "You have a way with words~"
"Hey, can't blame me for loving such a sexy fox lady." You let your hand gently trace her curves.
"You're such a flirt, darling~" She giggled, gaining some confidence from how you openly desired her.
Other things were soon addressed, with your in-laws becoming the main subject. Ayane spoke about her parents, and her frustration with Sumiko. Said mother in-law, however, did write to Ayane about some interesting stories of her past in an attempt to reconcile.
"So your mom ran away from home?" You asked.
"Apparently so." Her ears folded back in annoyance. "And to think she got angry at me whenever I did something she didn't like..."
"Why'd she do it?" You asked. "Was she escaping an arranged marriage or something?"
"Something to that effect." Ayane said. "After her parents were killed by bandits she was promised to a nobleman."
"Let me guess; he was a fat old bastard."
"She said as much."
"I'm also gonna guess that she fell in love with Hisa- with dad, right?"
"Indeed. It was love at first sight with her. She fled from her arranged marriage after meeting the Master she was promised to." She scoffed. "She claimed that her promised Master was unreasonably cruel, cowardly, and hated kitsune... which I believe makes him more suitable for her than my father." A classic love story, then.
"Hey, you should try to be nicer to her. She sounds like she's trying to make amends."
"Master, I don't believe you realize how difficult and unreasonable she was." Your vixen frowned. "My father was the only one that cared about me and Ai. He always kept Sumiko in check."
"At least she'd actually think about you. And she didn't disown you, did she?" You said with a tone that dripped with a surprising amount of bitterness.
"No, she didn't. And for a while she was indeed very proud of me..." Ayane's eyes were filled with concern upon seeing your expression. "Master? Are you alright?"
"So they then decided to elope to Centria?" You quickly changed the conversation.