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“Thank you, Jof Ta,” Quin said.

“It is my honor, Sire,” he repeated.

As the door closed behind them, Quin grinned at her as he grabbed up an individual dish of custard and handed it to her along with a spoon. “Already winning them all over, aren't you?”

Vivi smiled at him. “I just treat them with respect and kindness. Those that it matters to respond. Those that it doesn’t matter to don’t, and then I know who to stay away from.”

“Smart lady,” Bart said. He peered over the rim of her dish. “What is that?”

“I don’t know, but it’s heavenly.”

Bart claimed his own cup of custard and plopped down beside her.

Samuel followed suit.

Vivian looked around, noticing that Zahn and Asl were not there. “Where are Zahn and Asl?”

“Speaking with Yaghn, and Var don,” Quin said.

“How do you know that?” Vivian asked.

Quin lightly gestured toward his ear.

“See, I need one of those,” Vivian said.

“No, you do not. It’s for military purposes.”

“Do you not trust me?” Vivian demanded.

“I’d trust you to decide some injustice had been committed and you’d have the entire palace guard mustered and ready to invade some poor local’s shop to sort it out,” Quin said on a laugh.

“And the problem would be?” she asked.

Quin just shook his head, preferring not to answer.

“So, who is assigned to your quarters, other than guards?”

“No one. After the baby comes, Au’revele as nanny, but no others,” Vivian said.

“So, you have no housekeeper, or assistants of any kind?” Bart asked.

“No. I didn’t really want anyone having regular access to our home. All I need is to come through half-dressed and find some poor girl in here trying to clean up after me. I’d be mortified,” Vivian said.

“In truth, my mother has arranged for several of her staff to be assigned to our quarters. But I spoke with her this morning to make some changes after I’d noticed they’d been here after we went to bed last night.”

“Really?!” Vivian asked.

“It is their way to perform their duties without being seen, or in the way any more than necessary. I came back downstairs for a moment and found all the lights off, and the items we’d brought with us already put away down here. I asked her to let them know that a small light of some kind must be left on in every room at all times, and that we do not want anyone moving in and out of our home without our knowledge at any time. If we need them, we’ll let them know and expect them then.”

“Thanks. I don’t want to be difficult, but that’s definitely better for me.”

“She’s compromised. She has assigned her Head of Staff to our home in addition to her regular duties. She’ll be touching base with you from time to time to choose a time that allows her to come in and quickly clean and put things to rights,” Quin said. “At least until you’ve recovered from giving birth and are at your normal activity level, then you can decide if you still want help or not.”

“I don’t want anyone coming in and walking around my home after I’m already in bed, or asleep.”

“Nor do I,” Quin said. “But Mirilla is different. Her loyalty is unquestionable and she is reticent in all things,” Quin said.

“I don’t want anyone in our home taking care of our home, but me.”

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