He'd thought that would work. Barrayarans are obsessed with their horses. Why didn't that work? Okay. So - what if he just does say, I don't want to tell you? The Emperor says I won't demand it of you... But that's obviously a lie, right? Or not a lie - it's a trap. "Miles" says he doesn't want to cooperate, and that means anger. Cold command. The Emperor's demand that the impostor be held fast and clapped in chains to be drawn and quartered later at his leisure. Or worse. Barrayarans don't execute their enemies kindly - the only ones they treat worse are their own. And which one am I...?

"It just wasn't the spectacular success I wanted," he responds, which is neutral enough. How could the Emperor call him out on that? "Too many dead." Does Vorkosigan beat himself up? He must. He has to. "They're interesting reads, though, aren't they? Even with details edited out."