She forced herself on her knees and bowed deeply, even though her ragged breathing betrayed her anger. “I’m sorry, Father, but you must know Ryuichi is innocent and that you unfairly punished him. Toshi lied to you. He was the one who insulted Ryuichi and Kato. They were standing up for their honor. Toshi’s the one who should be punished, not them.”

Sometimes Takara forgot how absolutely terrifying he could be. Her father was like a fearsome statue, the kind that stood guard at the temples, that could stare straight into the very soul.

How lucky she was that he’d never turned that ferocity on her. And that succeeded in calming her temper.

His gaze narrowed on her as he took in her carefully constructed composure. “I appreciate your restraint, Daughter. You do me honor.”

She bristled a bit at his subtle reminder that, in the past, she would have spoken up in front of the others and embarrassed them both with her misbehavior. To question her lord, never mind her father, in front of his retainers and others was the highest offense.

As a young girl, she’d been quick to forget that.

Now that she was a bit older, she appreciated what it took for her father to remain in control of his castle and clan. How much he sacrificed to be a leader so respected and trusted. The last thing she’d ever want to do was undermine his authority or dishonor him.

Or herself.

As she watched the light in her father’s eyes, she dreaded his words, because she already knew what he was about to say. “Takara . . . you’re a good daughter, and one of my most capable warriors. You understand our code even better than most of my retainers.”

She ground her teeth as her anger flared again over this injustice.

“I’ve handed down my judgment, and it can’t be undone.”

To do so would make him look weak before the entire school. Ineffectual.

“But, Father⁠—”

“There are no buts!” he growled, cutting off her protests. “Ryuichi has been sent to Night Patrol. My word is final.”

Tears pricked at her eyes, but she knew better than to let them show. “They’ll kill him.”

Night Patrol was the equivalent of a death sentence. Seriously. Students fighting demons under the supervision of a crazy drunk was highly irresponsible.

She’d never understood why her father had set up such a branch, or why he continued it when no student ever returned from there.

While it was one thing to repay whatever debt of honor her father owed to Koichi-sensei, it was quite another to just hand over their students to die.

“Father, please . . .”

“Not another word, Takara.”

She winced. Ryuichi was a fast learner, but he was woefully unprepared for the horrors of what was out there. “I just don’t understand.”