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"Now that the sun has set, they fear the yōkai, and they worry--"

"Silly stories ofnote of her interruption "They also claim the Black Clan has been seen near here recently"

"They claim?" A dark eyebrow curved into Mariko’s forehead "Or they’ve sighted them in truth?"

"They are uard beneath his horned helh it would be unusual for the Black Clan to rob us, as they do not generally attack convoys containing wouarded by saered in consideration "I defer to your opinion, Nobutada-sao, she attearu have time to rest and take in water soon, as they appear overtired"

Nobutada scowled at her last request "If we are forced to go around Jukai forest, it will add a full day to our journey"

"Then it will add a full day to our journey" She was already beginning to lower her screen, the aard sering the emperor"

"Then it is an easy choice We ht irl" Mariko did not look away as she spoke Nor did she atteize for the sharpness of her retort

His scowl deepened Mariko s difficult Knew Nobutada wished for her to make a decision At the very least, wished for her to offer an opinion

To make a useless play at control A play Nobutada could then sht, Mariko could not help the resent beneath the surface

Control is an illusion Expectations will not rule my days

Not any with the edge of the screen "But it is simple" She softened her tone--a pitiful attempt to mollify him One that was sure to chafe, as her contrary nature so often did Her brother, Kenshin, frequently gave her grief about it Frequently told her to be lesspeculiar

To conform, at least in these small ways

Mariko dipped her head in a bow "In any case, I defer to your wise judgment, Nobutada-sama"

A shadow fell across his features "Very well, Lady Hattori We shall proceed through Jukai forest" With that, he urged his charger back toward the head of the convoy

As expected, Mariko had irritated hi since they’d left her fa And Nobutada wanted her to play at directing hi such a vaunted role

Tasks befitting the sa a royal bride

Mariko supposed she should care sheat Heian Castle late

Late to meet the emperor Late to meet his second son--

Her future husband

But Mariko did not care Ever since the afternoon her father had informed her that Ee on behalf of his son Raiden, she’d truly not cared about much

Mariko was to be the wife of Prince Raiden, the son of the ee that would elevate her father’s standing a daied like property in order to curry favor But Mariko did not

Not anyain, Mariko reached above to adjust the slender tortoiseshell bar speared through her thick coils of hair Tiny strips of silver and jade dangled fro with one another in a ceaseless war After Mariko finished sorting them into place, her hand fell to the smaller jade bar below

Her mother’s face took shape in her nation she had worn as she slid the jade ornaift But not a true source of comfort