Chapter 139. The Fine Wine "Seasoned" by Tamamo no Mae
"..."
Ian looked at Tamamo no Mae, who had naturally taken a seat beside him. His lips moved slightly as if he wanted to say something.
But in the end, he did not say those words, merely gazing silently at the fox in front of him.
Tamamo no Mae was not slow-witted—or rather, at this moment, she had no need to pretend to be.
She directly took this as tacit approval from the Grand Onmyoji.
"Shall I pour you some sake, Abe-sama?~"
Tamamo no Mae cheerfully declared her intention and then lifted the cloth covering the sake bottle.
Immediately, a pure, gentle fragrance spread throughout the room.
The fox spirit, whose beauty could overturn nations, poured the sake into a white cup. Then, holding it with both hands, she offered it to Ian.
"Abe-sama, please have a drink."
However, what Tamamo no Mae did not expect was—
Facing the cup of sake before him, Ian did not drink it immediately.
He reached out and gently pushed it toward Tamamo no Mae's lips.
"Tamamo, you've worked hard."
"This cup of wine, you should drink it first."
"Eh… this…"
Looking at the cup of sake returned to her, Tamamo no Mae's expression became somewhat awkward.
"What's wrong?"
Ian looked at the fox in front of him, his tone carrying a hint of doubt.
"Tamamo, are you unable to drink this sake?"
"Or… is there something wrong with this cup of wine?"
"M-Mikon!"
"That's not it at all!"
Tamamo no Mae hurriedly shook her head, but her throat kept swallowing nervously.
"I'll drink it right away."
Tamamo no Mae's hesitation, of course, had a reason.
This was not just ordinary wine—it was wine that had been "seasoned."
It was a "seasoning" concocted with the fox spirit's sorcery.
She was certain that once the Onmyoji in front of her drank this wine, certain uncontrollable thoughts would inevitably arise.
And the reason she did this was quite simple.
Tamamo no Mae was uneasy.
Even though she knew that everything he was doing for her was not out of affection but for his own purposes, this kind of relationship was extremely fragile to her.
What if he decided to keep the mirror and not return it?
Or what if something happened along the way that made him feel this matter was not worth continuing?
This was not the first time she had seen such a relationship fall apart.
Therefore—
To prevent things from going in a direction she did not want, she had to do something to strengthen this bond.
For example… using this "seasoned" wine.
After drinking it, she had a rough idea of what he would do.
Compared to the Tenno who had once locked her in a prison cart, Tamamo no Mae was obviously more willing to bet on this Grand Onmyoji—the one who was truly willing to take risks to find her shelter.
But—
All of that could only happen if he actually drank the wine!
Yet now, the one drinking it was her…
Gulp gulp gulp.
Under the watchful gaze of the Grand Onmyoji, Tamamo no Mae downed the entire cup of "seasoned" wine in one go.
Fortunately…
One cup should be fine.
She gently wiped the trace of wine from her pink lips and smiled at the man before her.
"Abe-sama, this wine is truly delicious."
"Let me pour you another cup~"
"Wait."
Ian stopped Tamamo no Mae's hand just as she was about to pour more sake.
"Tamamo, can you drink another cup?"
"Drink… another cup?"
Tamamo no Mae could already feel her body temperature rising. She suddenly panicked.
"Abe-sama, why?"
"Because—"
Ian gazed straight at Tamamo no Mae, whose face had already started turning red.
"Tamamo, you look beautiful when you drink. I want to watch a little longer."
"..."
One reason she could not refute.
Gulp gulp gulp.
Tamamo no Mae drank another cup.
This time, she felt her head grow heavy, as if she had just been hit by a truck.
The effects of this wine were indeed strong.
She held her forehead with one hand, forcing herself to look at Ian in front of her.
"Abe-sama, I've finished drinking."
"Now then, let me pour a drink for you."
"No."
Ian smiled and gently shook his head.
"I still want to watch Tamamo drink a little more."
"So—"
The Grand Onmyoji poured the sake himself and brought it to Tamamo no Mae's lips.
"Come on, Tamamo, drink another cup."
[You haven't taken a single sip.]
[Meanwhile, Tamamo no Mae has already had several.]
[Looking at her state, you vaguely realize something.]
This is bad.
Tamamo no Mae let out a faint breath of heat.
She had clearly intended to get him drunk, yet in the end, she was the only one drinking.
Everything before her began to blur, as if covered by a thin layer of mist.
But that wasn't the only problem—
Her hands clenched tightly on her thighs, trying to suppress the violent tremors.
Too hot.
Her mind was now filled with strange thoughts, as if swarms of insects were crawling up and down her brain.
But she couldn't let it show—
Otherwise, he would definitely realize that she had tampered with the sake.
She just had to endure a little longer.
Once the effects of the sake faded, there would be nothing to worry about.
—But Tamamo no Mae's wish did not come true.
Because Ian quickly looked at her and spoke:
"Tamamo."
"This sake… there's something wrong with it, isn't there?"
"Eh?"
Tamamo no Mae lifted her head, her golden eyes widening in surprise as she stared at the man beside her.
He had figured it out.
But she couldn't just admit it outright.
"That's not true!"
"How could the wine I prepared for Abe-sama possibly have any issues?"
"Really, Tamamo?"
"It's true." Tamamo no Mae nodded repeatedly. "This is a sake banquet between me and Abe-sama. How could I possibly serve problematic wine?"
"But—"
Ian stared intently at Tamamo no Mae's flushed face. He reached out, touching her cheek, his gaze somewhat complex.
"Your face is very hot, burning even."
"I think—"
The Onmyoji placed his hand on the fox's thigh.
"The truth might not be as you say, right?"
"..."
Tamamo no Mae looked at the hand resting on her thigh, her golden eyes widening slightly, trembling within.
"That's not true."
"I… I couldn't possibly do something like that."
"..."
Ian said nothing.
He simply gazed silently at Tamamo no Mae, whose entire body was flushed red, his expression utterly serious.
And she was already feeling guilty.
The effects of the wine made it incredibly difficult to even focus her eyes on the Grand Onmyoji before her.
[You have confirmed that there is indeed something wrong with the sake.]
[But you also know that if you question her directly, Tamamo no Mae will never admit it.]
[However, you are not concerned about this.]
[Because you have a way to make her admit it herself.]
"So then—"
Ian patted his thigh lightly.
"Tamamo, can you sit here?"
"M-Mikon?"
Tamamo no Mae looked at the Grand Onmyoji, who had spread his arms wide. Her already flushed cheeks deepened in color, a mix of surprise and embarrassment flickering across her golden eyes.
After a moment of hesitation, she nodded softly.
"I understand."
Carrying the warmth rising in her chest, Tamamo no Mae settled onto Ian's lap.
This was the moment she had been waiting for.
However—
The instant she sat down, the Grand Onmyoji's arms wrapped around her securely.
Without warning, her legs were gently lifted, bent in a way that made her see them rising nearly as high as her fox ears.
The fabric of her robe was drawn up, placed carefully into her hands, with Ian instructing her to hold it tight.
And so, the fox spirit found herself nestled in the Grand Onmyoji's embrace, caught in a posture that sent waves of heat rushing through her.
Yet, deep inside, she felt a quiet delight.
It was unfortunate that she hadn't managed to make him drink the sake she had prepared.
But—
With how things were unfolding now, perhaps the sake was no longer necessary to achieve her goal.
The only question was—
What kind of expression should she use to play along?
For the first time, Tamamo no Mae pondered over such a dilemma.
Yet once again, things did not go as she had expected.
A voice, rich with amusement, whispered beside her ear.
"Tamamo, I never imagined that your beauty extended beyond just your face."
"You remind me of morning delicacies, freshly steamed and glistening."
"Oh?"
Tamamo no Mae cast a glance at Ian's outstretched hand, the faintest trace of triumph shimmering in her golden eyes.
"If Abe-sama finds it pleasing… then that is wonderful."
"It is my greatest honor to be able to offer such a sight."
"Indeed, it is truly wonderful."
Ian picked up a cup of sake—yet not a single sip touched his lips.
"Because with this, I can uncover a few hidden falsehoods."
"...What?"
Tamamo no Mae felt a jolt of unease.
His intentions… were not as she had thought?
Sake wasn't only meant to be drunk.
It could also be used as a means of verification.
Ian dipped his fingers into the liquor, then carefully traced it across the place that had reminded him of those freshly steamed delights.
Tamamo no Mae's golden eyes widened in an instant.
This is bad.
Does it… does it work even in this way?
The sake's fragrant warmth spread evenly, seeping into her skin in a slow, deliberate motion.
Each time it brushed against her, an involuntary shiver coursed through her body.
She tried to put a stop to this.
"Abe-sama… this should be enough, shouldn't it?"
"No," Ian shook his head. "Not yet."
"There are still some unspoken falsehoods that have yet to reveal themselves."
"I need your assistance with that."
With that, the Grand Onmyoji dipped his fingers once more, continuing his patient movements.
Tamamo no Mae shut her eyes tightly, gripping the edge of her own sleeve.
She had to endure.
She must endure.
Otherwise, everything would come to light.
But perseverance was never an easy thing.
The sake, which had been meant as her safeguard, had now become the very weapon dismantling her defenses.
This isn't good.
She couldn't hold out much longer…
"MIKONNNNNN——!!"
Tamamo no Mae threw her head back, her voice spilling out as her body trembled beyond her control.
It was time.
The Grand Onmyoji gently parted two fingers, unveiling the truth hidden beneath the fox spirit's composed exterior.
And in the next moment—
Like pearls rolling across jade.
Ian collected a single droplet, lifting it to Tamamo no Mae's slightly parted lips.
Leaning close, he whispered against her ear.
"Taste it."
"This flavor… this is the taste of a lie, Tamamo no Mae."
[Tamamo no Mae was completely seen through.]
[It took her a long moment to regain her composure.]
[But your purpose was never to put her in this position.]
[You only wanted her to understand a few things.]
"I'm sorry!"
Caught in her flustered state, Tamamo no Mae suddenly knelt before Ian.
She knew now—her plan had failed completely.
"I never meant to deceive Abe-sama, it's just that…"
Tamamo no Mae couldn't continue her explanation.
Because she understood—no matter what she said at this point, it wouldn't change anything.
He had made it clear that he despised being lied to—yet she had walked straight into that forbidden territory.
What awaited her now…
She didn't even dare to think about it.
However, once again, things did not unfold as she had expected.
Instead, Ian simply asked in a calm voice:
"Tamamo, are you still afraid now?"
"Eh?"
Tamamo no Mae lifted her head, confusion flickering in her golden eyes as she looked up at Ian.
"Afraid?"
"Umu."
Ian glanced at the feast before them—the plates still full, the sake bottle more than half-empty.
"Tamamo, you fear that one day I will betray you, don't you?"
"And so, you tried to use this method to keep me by your side."
"..."
Tamamo no Mae hesitated for a moment before she finally gave a small nod.
"Abe-sama, you are not wrong."
"I… am truly terrified of that possibility. So much so that I've lost countless nights of sleep over it."
"But now, you don't have to worry anymore, do you?"
Ian gently patted Tamamo no Mae's head.
"Your little performance just now was rather amusing."
"So—"
"In order to keep enjoying moments like these, I will never betray you."
Tamamo no Mae knew Ian didn't truly mean it.
Because if he really enjoyed watching her like this, he wouldn't always be in such a hurry to leave.
But—
There was no need to point that out.
It was enough to know that he cared.
Her fox ears twitched slightly as she nodded.
"I understand."
"From now on… I will show Abe-sama even more beautiful things."
"But—"
Tamamo no Mae lifted her gaze to the Grand Onmyoji, who was still gently stroking her head.
"Abe-sama, when did you realize there was something wrong with my sake?"
"I don't recall making any mistakes."
"At first, I didn't."
Ian looked at the fox spirit before him, a soft smile playing at his lips.
"I simply thought that since Tamamo worked so hard to prepare this meal—"
"Then for the first drink, you should have been the one to take a sip first."
"I was worried about you."
"..."
Tamamo no Mae's face grew warm.
But she couldn't tell if it was the lingering effects of the sake taking hold—
Or if she was truly blushing.
One thing, however, was certain—
Her heart was racing wildly.
This man… truly was someone worthy of her devotion.
"Tamamo?"
"I'm still listening!"
"Umu… Lately, I've been thinking about your identity."
Ian gazed at Tamamo no Mae.
"If you continue hiding here, it may not be safe for much longer."
"So, what does Abe-sama intend to do…?" Tamamo no Mae asked cautiously.
"I believe Tamamo needs a new identity."
Ian answered simply.
"But before that—"
"I need to arrange a proper death for your current one."