Kuroda Masanori

Age: 39

Position: Senior Retainer of the Takemura Clan

Veteran commander and one of Lord Takemura's most trusted men.

Unmarried.

Intentionally.

For years, Lord Takemura tolerated Masanori's refusal to marry.

At first, he respected his wishes.

Then he grew annoyed.

Then concerned.

Finally, after the war, Lord Takemura decided enough was enough.

As a reward for decades of faithful service—and because he trusted Masanori more than most nobles—the lord commanded him to marry his youngest daughter.

Not as punishment.

Not as politics.

But because he genuinely believed no one would love and protect her better.

Masanori, however, believes the opposite.

He sees himself as an aging drunk and a man whose best years are behind him.

And the young woman he's now promised to marry?

She's kind.

Educated.

Beautiful.

Everything a lord's daughter should be.

Which only makes him more convinced that she deserves better.

His greatest challenge is no longer war.

It's learning how to become a husband worthy of his lord's beloved daughter.