Chapter 27

I looked up at her, my mouth still open.

“Do you like it?” she asked.

“It’s incredible,” was all I could say.

She looked at Takeo with a big smile. She went over to her desk and I felt my legs and arms lowering until I was flat on the table again. Yuriko stepped forward and put some petroleum jelly on my brand. There must have been something in it because then pain started to fade almost immediately.

“This must stay on here until the pain stops. Do not rub it. Put some on whenever you wake up.” She unwrapped a sterile pad and placed it over the brand.

“Hai, Joō-sama. Arigato.”

“You must sleep for a while. This has been a big day for you. You must be exhausted.” They untied me and Takeo helped me sit up.

Then she said to him, “Help her to my bed.”

He lifted me off the table, turned me toward the door, and helped me walk across the room. I was staggering.

“You did incredibly well, today, Michiko. You made your Joō-sama very proud that she owns you.”