Chapter 647: Morning Light and a New Prologue!

(Omitted above)

Morning light in the Imperial Hotel's top-floor suite seeped stingily through gaps in the heavy velvet curtains onto a scene of disarray. Shreds of pure white lace-woven velvet fabric — several remnants from pantyhose — lay scattered on the expensive carpet, along with a few stray pearls that had slipped their threads, catching a dull gleam in the faint dawn. The air was thick with lingering expensive perfume, champagne, and a strange, unfamiliar scent.

The sight on the master bedroom's vast bed was even more shocking.

Watanabe Minami woke first, feeling as if her whole body had been taken apart and reassembled, especially her waist and thighs, sore and limp to the point of barely obeying her.

She propped herself up to sit, the smooth quilt sliding from her shoulders to reveal skin covered in red marks. The scene before her eyes instantly sobered her hangover-fogged mind, and then a fierce wave of shame and anger surged up.

Damn it!!!!!!!!!!!!

Her newlywed husband Uesugi Muneyuki lay in the very center, still asleep, his brow bearing a rare look of relaxation and fatigue.

And on either side of him, curled up no less, were Shirakawa Mai and Ikeda Erena!

Mai-senpai's nightgown was wrinkled into a ball and tossed at the foot of the bed; she wore only a close-fitting underskirt, her black silky long hair spread across Uesugi Muneyuki's shoulder, her sleeping face peaceful as a goddess — yet her tyranny last night had left Minami shaken to the core.

On the other side, Ikeda Erena was equally bold; her crimson dress was nowhere to be seen, large swathes of her healthy wheat-colored skin exposed, one long firm arm draped possessively across Muneyuki's waist, her crimson-streaked hair strands intertwining with his black bangs.

Memory fragments assaulted Minami's brain: the after-party following the wedding banquet, Mai's so-called "surprise" gift, her and Erena's humiliating defeat, Mai-senpai arranging Uesugi Muneyuki plain as day, and finally still giving her, the legitimate wife, a shred of face, leaving a portion for her and Erena — in the end all four of them shared this wedding bed together.

"U-e-su-gi, Mu-ne-yu-ki!" Minami ground the name out through gritted teeth, driving a kick into her husband's calf.

Uesugi Muneyuki gave a muffled grunt and woke; his deep eyes held bewilderment at first, then cleared instantly upon seeing the scene beside him and his wife's murderous gaze, followed by massive embarrassment and a hint of helplessness knowing he was in the wrong.

"Minami, I—"

"What 'I'!" Minami snatched the quilt to wrap herself, face flushing red with rage: "Last night—last night what on earth happened?! Th-this is utterly indecent!"

Even though she had tacitly permitted or even indulged a certain degree of intimacy and sharing, such an absurd morning, with Mai-senpai sneaking in under cover of darkness, still crossed the bottom line of her psychological expectations.

Damn it!!!!!!!!!!!!

At this moment, Shirakawa Mai also stirred awake leisurely.

Mai-senpai first stretched lazily like a cat, not the least bit concerned about exposure, then looked at the furious Minami, her face showing not a trace of guilt but rather an innocent, teasing smile: "Good morning, Minami-chan. Thanks for the hospitality last night—?"

Her voice carried a slight morning rasp, sexy and alluring: "And the one who later hugged Erena while huffily saying 'my subordinates naturally have to share' — that wasn't me, was it?"

Minami was instantly struck speechless, her cheeks blazing red.

Even wilder images surfaced unbidden, causing her momentum to falter.

【22】 Ikeda Erena woke as well; she sat up briskly, not caring in the least about her bare upper body, rubbed her messy red hair, and yawned: "Aah— head hurts like hell. Management Officer, Chief, morning."

Ikeda Erena also woke up, and she simply sat up neatly, not caring at all about her bare upper body, she rubbed her messy red hair, yawned: "Ah—my head hurts so much. Management Officer, Chief, good morning."

Her attitude was so natural it was as if she had merely stayed over at the Metropolitan Police Department after working late; she glared viciously at Shirakawa Mai, wishing she could punch her, but in the end could only say angrily: "Minami, we were tricked! But you—"

"Erena!" Minami burned with shame and anger: "If you don't speak, no one treats you as a mute!"

"Alright, alright." Uesugi Muneyuki finally found his voice, sat up, and rubbed his brow.

He was a man who had weathered countless major scenes; he quickly calmed down and tried to take control: "Last night—everyone drank too much, some games—lost all sense of proportion."

He chose a neutral phrase: "But things have come to this—"

He looked at Minami, his gaze sincere and placating: "Minami, you are my wife, that is an unchangeable fact, and the identity I cherish most. Everything else—are just interludes."

He then looked at Mai and Erena, his tone gentle but with an unquestionable boundary: "Mai-sama, Erena-shishou, thank you for attending the wedding. I was rude last night, and also thank you for your 'participation'."

This muddling-through stance of his both acknowledged Minami's status as legitimate wife and her displeasure, and tactfully saved face for Mai and Erena, attributing everything to alcohol and out-of-control "games".

Mai-senpai listened and gave him a sidelong glance that was half-smile, half-not, said nothing more, and elegantly got off the bed to start looking for her clothes.

Now you know who's the boss! Mai-senpai shot Minami a look.

Minami's teeth ground with a creak.

Erena shrugged and also efficiently began gathering her things.

She was already used to being together with Minami, and even Erena had to admit that Shirakawa Mai truly was a peerless beauty.

Minami watched her husband smoothly smooth things over, then looked at the two women's unruffled composure, and a sense of powerlessness welled up in her chest. She knew that from the moment she chose this complicated relationship path, she would have to endure the corresponding chaos.

After the anger came a deep fatigue and a resigned "just as I thought".

She glared fiercely at Muneyuki, but the killing intent in her eyes had already faded, turning into reproach and a "we'll settle accounts later" implication.

"All of you get out! I need a bath!" She could only mutter the command in the end, wrapping herself tighter in the quilt.

Half an hour later, all four had finished tidying up, at least restoring a presentable appearance on the surface.

In the suite's living room, the atmosphere remained subtly awkward. Breakfast was eaten in silence.

"Well then, I'll take my leave first." Shirakawa Mai stood up first; she had already changed into a new Chanel suit, looking radiant, as if last night's absurdity had never happened.

She walked up to Minami, gave her a light hug, and whispered in her ear, voice audible only to the two of them: "Honorable legitimate wife, congratulations on the new marriage. Last night—was only a beginning. From now on, please continue to look after me." With that, she left a meaningful smile and departed gracefully.

Ikeda Erena also bowed to Muneyuki and Minami: "Management Officer, Chief, enjoy your vacation. I'll keep an eye on things at the Ministry."

When she looked at Minami, her eyes held a few more points of tacit teasing and closeness, and she too turned to leave: "I'm off to work first."

Only the newlywed couple remained in the suite.

Minami let out a long breath, walked to the window, and gazed at Tokyo's busy streets below.

Uesugi Muneyuki embraced her gently from behind, his chin resting atop her head. "I'm sorry, Minami."

He said softly, "And thank you."

Minami's body stiffened slightly, then relaxed, leaning back into his arms.

"No next time," she muttered: "At least—can't be this—chaotic, I'm the legitimate wife! Legitimate wife, got it~ At least get my permission first, okay? How did you get tricked by that woman again?"

"My fault, I thought you and Erena—" Uesugi Muneyuki kissed her hair, very apologetic: "You also know that's Mai-sama—"

"Damn it!!! Fine, let's pack up and go too." Minami Ojou-sama rallied angrily, pulled out of his embrace, pinched his waist hard, spun 361°: "Back to Setagaya, still have to pay respects to Father and Mother."

Ouch~ Uesugi Muneyuki jumped up in pain.

Setagaya Ward, the Watanabe family mansion near Gotokuji, atmosphere completely different from the hotel suite.

Everything orderly, filled with a traditional family's solemnity and warmth.

Seeing the lingering fatigue on her daughter's face and a certain—radiant complexion? —complex air, Watanabe Michiko, as one who had been through it, flashed a look of understanding and amusement in her eyes, but asked no further, simply kindly taking her daughter and son-in-law's hands and speaking caring words.

Watanabe Eiji, on the other hand, focused more on practical matters.

In the study, he handed Muneyuki a glass of brandy, and lit a cigar for himself.

Watanabe Eiji usually hardly smokes cigarettes or cigars, but on major occasions and happy events he occasionally takes a puff.

"The wedding was a great success, feedback from all aspects was very good." Watanabe Eiji said satisfiedly: "You did a great job."

"Thank you, Father." Minami Ojou-sama and Uesugi Muneyuki said in unison.

Only Minami Ojou-sama still had some lingering anger not dissipated, while Uesugi Muneyuki had gotten the advantage and still acted cute, smiling without speaking.

"What are your plans for the coming week of marriage leave?" Watanabe Eiji asked.

Minami Ojou-sama glanced at Uesugi Muneyuki and replied: "We have discussed it, we do not want to rush off to a distant hot spring. We plan to stay within Tokyo Metropolis, find a quiet and private place to rest for a few days. Possibly go to the Fuji Five Lakes area, choose a hot spring inn where we can see Mount Fuji, just to relax and unwind."

This choice both matches her wish not to travel far (perhaps subconsciously she also does not want to leave her sphere of influence too far) and allows her to enjoy the romance of newlywed life.

"Hmm, not bad." Watanabe Eiji nodded, then immediately shifted the topic to talk about business: "Minami, regarding the upgrade of the Special Mission Unit, we now have a clearer conception."

Uesugi Minami and Uesugi Muneyuki immediately sat up straight.

"I have already discussed with the Chairman of the National Public Safety Commission Minami and Okada Finance Minister, the National Police Agency side also agreed, this side's Criminal Investigation Department is planning to make the Special Mission Unit independent from Investigation Division 1 and upgrade it to a Special Mission Division directly under the Criminal Investigation Department Chief". The jurisdiction will be expanded, not only limited to major difficult cases, but will also intervene in more cross-regional, classified and special crime types of investigation, resource allocation permission rights will also be greatly increased." Watanabe Eiji's eyes flashed with sharp light, "This will be one of the most important reforms of the Metropolitan Police Department in the next ten years.

"

"The Special Mission Division will have under it Criminal Division One, Criminal Division Two, Public Security Section One and————Prosecution Section One!"

Minami's heartbeat accelerated.

Special Mission Division Chief! Police Superintendent!

I will be the youngest division chief in the history of the Metropolitan Police Department, truly entering the ranks of senior officials!

Uesugi Minami Police Superintendent!!!

"But," Watanabe Eiji shifted the topic: "You just got married, and moreover the previous internal promotion freeze period regulations are still in effect. Being too hasty, instead of being beautiful. The current plan is to complete all preliminary preparations and personnel negotiations by the end of this year, then in March next year, at the start of the new fiscal year, during the personnel adjustment window, officially announce the establishment and appoint the division chief."

March next year.

Minami calculated the time, at that time her promotion freeze period will just have ended. Father's arrangement can be described as flawless.

"I understand, Father." Minami suppressed the excitement in her heart, answered calmly: "I will use this time to further improve the Special Mission Unit's structure and case database, to make full preparations for the upgrade."

"Very good." Watanabe Eiji looked approvingly at his daughter, then looked at his son-in-law: "Muneyuki, your professional support is crucial. The future Special Mission Division's forensic science core will rely on you."

"Yes, I will fully cooperate with Minami————and the Metropolitan Police Department's work." Uesugi Muneyuki solemnly promised.

Leaving the Watanabe residence, getting into the sedan returning to Sakata Bridge, Minami leaned on Muneyuki's shoulder, gazing at the fleeting street scenery outside the window.

Damn tooth! This way we cannot effectively sanction Uesugi?

The madness of last night and the chaos of this morning seem already far away, a new chapter full of challenges and opportunities is unfolding before our eyes.

The one-week marriage leave is her rare opportunity to take off the double armor of police superintendent and bride and catch her breath.

And at the end of the leave, there will be a broader battlefield.

"Going to Fuji Five Lakes?" Muneyuki asked softly.

"Hmm." Minami closed her eyes, said angrily: "Just us two, no one else allowed!"

"Of course, but if it's only you, can you do it?" Muneyuki said with a half-smile.

"Damn, don't underestimate me tooth!" Minami Ojou-sama waved her tiny fists angrily: "Watch me squeeze you dry, not a drop left! Just like that woman!"

"Oh, is that so, then I really look forward to it!" Muneyuki laughed.

"Hmph!" Minami, feeling a bit guilty, turned her head away, little nose snorting~

Tokyo outside the car window remains prosperous and noisy, while inside the car the two people, after experiencing an extremely splendid and chaotic wedding, finally drive toward the brief tranquility belonging only to each other.

As for the future king's way of conquest, it will all unfold slowly after this marriage leave ends.