The silence between Yae Miko and me felt heavier than the air itself. Although the tranquil scenery of the courtyard and the gentle aroma of tea should have been comforting, all I felt was a growing anxiety. Miko watched me, her smile playing at the edges of her lips as I struggled to keep my composure.

“So then, Shogun,”
she began, her tone polite but laced with malice,

“you seem a little… different lately. The way you speak, your gestures… even your energy.”

Her eyes seemed to pierce straight through me, as if she were searching for something hidden beneath the surface. I tensed in my chair, trying to recall Ei’s teachings, but inside I felt as though every second brought me closer to the edge of an abyss.

“Careful,”
Ei warned in my mind. “Miko is far more perceptive than she appears. We’ll have to be very careful with what we say from now on.”

“More perceptive? Is there anything this woman can’t see?!”
I thought in desperation as I tried to keep my face as neutral as possible. “Help me, please!”

“Repeat exactly what I say and stay calm.”
Ei’s voice was firm, but a little gentler this time, aware of the pressure I was under.

“Thank you for your concern, Yae Miko,”
I said with as much serenity as I could muster, though I felt my voice tremble slightly.

“I’ve been busy with important matters for Inazuma, and perhaps my fatigue is showing more than it should.”

Miko raised an eyebrow, clearly unsatisfied with my answer.

“Fatigue?”
She repeated the word in a tone that suggested disbelief.

“Ei never seemed tired before. In fact, she was always known for her… stability.”
She paused, savoring each word, as if waiting for me to make a mistake.

“Damn it, she’s not making this easy at all!”
I thought, feeling that Ei shared my frustration.

“Answer confidently, but don’t give too many details,”
Ei instructed me. “We can’t allow her to suspect more than necessary.”

I took a deep breath and repeated the words Ei fed me.

“Times change, Miko. Even I must adapt to circumstances. Don’t worry—everything is under control.”

My voice came out firmer this time, without any tremor. It seemed I had managed to rein in my nerves a little better.

Miko studied me for another moment, then, to my surprise, let out a soft laugh.

“Ah, Ei… Always so serious, and always with those vague speeches.”
Though Yae Miko’s laughter might have relaxed me at any other time, now it only made me more tense. Had she noticed something? Or was she simply enjoying my unease?

“I warned you,”
Ei said seriously. “Miko isn’t someone who gives up easily. Stay firm.”

Just as I was about to speak, Miko tilted her head slightly, as if measuring every one of my reactions.

“Tell me, Shogun,”
she said in a tone that nearly made me shiver,

“when was the last time we spoke informally? I mean… before today.”

“Oh gods, she’s trying to trip me up!”
I stiffened, and before I could answer, Ei intervened quickly.

“Tell her it was months ago, in a private meeting. That should ease her suspicions… for now.”

“A few months ago, in a private meeting,”
I replied, trying to sound natural.

“It’s been a while since we had the chance to speak in a more… casual way.”

Miko watched me in silence for what felt like an eternity, but finally she nodded slowly.

“That’s true, it has been a while,”
she murmured, apparently satisfied with my answer, though that spark of distrust still lingered in her eyes.

“Very well,”
she said at last, standing up and softening her smile.

“I think I’ll let you rest for now. After all, I wouldn’t want to be the cause of any more ‘fatigue’ for our dear Shogun.”
The sarcasm was obvious, but at least it gave me an out.

I stood up slowly, feeling the weight of the tension begin to fade.

“I appreciate your decision, High Priestess,”
I said with a slight bow, following Ei’s instructions in my mind.

As Yae Miko walked away with her elegant stride, I let out a deep sigh of relief.

“That was… intense,”
I thought, and Ei replied with an equally heavy sigh.

“You handled it well, but this isn’t over. Miko isn’t someone who gives up easily, so we must always be prepared.”

Her words made me shudder, but at least—for now—it seemed we had survived yet another trial.