[ And that is part of the problem. By is accustomed to a softer, older Miles, the Lord Auditor who has to worry about seemliness and how he represents his Emperor. A diplomatic Miles Vorkosigan. He's certainly not accustomed to this young monster. ]

Wouldn't you like to skip ahead to my ImpSec career, sire? That seems more...of interest to you. And the story of my break with my father is such a monstrously painful memory, it would cause me such wretched agony to relive it. Would you want to cause your loyal servant such suffering?

[ This being Byerly, of course, he delivers that line with his eyes screwed up and his mouth canted in a mocking smile. It's hard to take his plea for clemency seriously with that expression on his face. ]