Year of the Boar. Tenth Month, Day 15. Postscript.

It would appear that this plot runs deeper than I had imagined. Seira arrived with Atsuko and Nanami's replacement in tow to 'escort' me to the evening meal. I say 'escort'... between them, they manhandled me into court silks, plastered kohl and lipstick onto my face and dragged my hair into an elaborate bun; I barely had time to open my mouth to object to their treatment of me before I found myself frog-marched to the Banquet Hall. I can barely articulate my rage at the ignominy of being forced to kneel at the table and make small talk with Izumi and some other cousins so insignificant, I cannot remember their names. After about a quarter of a stick, I decided to try and make my escape but Seira actually had the temerity to put her hand on my arm and suggest that I wait to try the new dish my chef has been working on.
Of course it was not a suggestion at all and I felt the slightest pressure from Seira's fingernails through my silks warning me to do as she said. It makes no difference what the chef has been working on; it all tastes like ash but I did not have the energy to cause yet another scene so I did as I was told and ate the fish. I am so angry that I could not even say what the fish was or how it was cooked. Seira would not let me leave until I had eaten a full bowl of rice as well as the fish and some sort of braised vegetables. As if that were not humiliating enough, she forced me to stay and listen to the musicians as they accompanied green tea and crystalised chrysanthemums. Worse yet, she has made sure that I have not been left alone since the meal so that I cannot make myself sick; even as I write this, the doors to my chamber are open and a maid kneels right in the doorway watching my every move.
It seems that my initial instinct to trust Seira was completely wrong. What I do not know is whether she has always been part of the plot against me or if she has somehow been persuaded to join Izumi more recently. Have events taken such a turn that she no longer feels the need to hide behind artificial niceties and the pretence of helping my House...? I have truly exchanged one jailer for another and even if I could find a way to make Seira leave Dying Crane, I am now completely surrounded by those who wish me harm. I have no option but to wait for fate to decide what to do with me... my only hope is that when the end comes, it is not at the hands of Shigeru...