Keqing began to feel uncomfortable as the Raiden Shogun glared at her in silence. She was unsure of what to say or do. All she could do was look back at her in silence whilst feeling the immense power and energy coming from the Electro Archon.
After a few tense moments the Shogun finally spoke up, "It seems that Zhongli never taught you any manners..."
Keqing let out a sigh and responded, "I don't often greet people that stare at me with an intimidating glare. Especially if I have no clothes on."
Ei didn't seem to react and actually showed a lot more patience to Keqing as opposed to her own son, "Your power is far beyond that of even second years that place high in their class. Zhongli told me a lot about you and let me say, he has quite the respect for you as well."
Despite previously fighting Bennet and being engulfed by flames, Keqing started to feel cold and continued to walk past the Archon with a nod of acknowledgement, "I appreciate the compliment."
Ei remained silent as Keqing continued down the hallway. She didn't follow her nor did she turn around. All she did was continue standing there in silence. After a few moments, Keqing felt a huge spike in energy from behind and stopped in her tracks.
Another few seconds of silence passed and all that could be heard was the echoes of the wind coming through the dark hallway. Ei opened her mouth to say something just before Keqing continued walking again and what she heard made her freeze in shock. For the first time in a long time, Keqing felt fear and her body started to tremble, not from the cold, but from the Shogun's intimidating aura and words.
"You were there weren't you..."
Ei's words locked Keqing in place and she slowly turned around approaching her from behind, "Don't think I didn't notice you. Even though you are quite skillful at concealing your energy... I am still an Archon."
Keqing felt the Shogun slowly come closer with every step and she realised that her fists were clenched tightly this whole time. Before answering she opened her hands and took a moment to relax, but as she thought of how to respond, she suddenly felt anger build up and her fists clenched tightly again as she turned her neck to look at Ei from the side, "How could you..."
Ei stopped in her tracks, but her face was still cold and emotionless. Keqing clenched her jaw, anger building up by the second, "How could you treat your own child like that."
It was not common for anyone to speak that way to the Shogun, let alone a 15 year old girl, but instead of lashing out she remained calm and responded, "Isn't it obvious? He is a burden... He thinks he is destined for greatness and capable of taking my position as the next Electro Archon."
Ei started walking again and stopped just a few feet away from Keqing, but before Keqing could respond, she was interrupted, "Reality is cruel. Raiden still insists that he can rule Inazuma and is so arrogant in his ability to become the strongest. Yet he couldn't even beat a girl in his class that came from humble beginnings. His lust for power truly blinds him and being incapable of replacing me as the next Archon, he is nothing but a burden that I am forced to endure until he becomes independent and realises that harsh reality. In all hone-"
"AND WHOSE FAULT IS THAT!?"
The Shogun didn't manage to hide her initial shock at Keqing's sudden snap and actually remained silent as Keqing spoke up again, "YES, I WAS THERE THAT DAY AND ONLY SAW A GLIMPSE OF WHAT HE HAD TO GO THROUGH!"
Without giving Ei a chance to continue, she turned around to fully unleash her frustrations, "THE SAD REALITY IS THAT RAIDEN COULD NEVER BECOME THE NEXT ARCHON OF INAZUMA, BUT DOES THAT REALLY JUSTIFY THE WAY YOU TREAT HIM? IS FINDING THE PERFECT HEIR REALLY MORE IMPORTANT THAN CARING FOR YOUR OWN SON!?"
