Chapter 32 - 35 Summary

In Chapter Thirty-two, Terada Fumio is walking through his gardens with the expectant father Takeo. They are discussing the future and Takeo is examining the explorers' collection of exotic and foreign plants — the rose, the lilies and orchids. Fumio remarks that Takeo has never left the Three Countries and should take ship to explore the rest of the World one day, to which Takeo replies that he would like to if he ever retires or abdicates. Fumio is surprised that Takeo would ever consider such a thing, and Takeo confides in him this challenge and contest that Lord Saga the Dog Catcher has planned for them, and how it perhaps would have been better if they prepared for war rather than sued for peace. Terada agrees.

Not long after that conversation, Kaede gives birth to a boy and it seems...