Vivienne had never noticed the ways in which Sordis differed from other personal guards, beyond the impracticality of his contemporaries. She’d met a few, accompanying the various suitors her mother paraded through Whitespire. They’d often been in cumbersome regalia and following their charges in an almost dogged way. Vivi had figured this was something along the lines of her mother’s sensibilities. Posturing was most important of all. She presumed Sordis’ quieter manner was her father’s selection.<br/><br/>The Earl of Whitespire was a military man at heart; a knight with a fancier title, like most men in the Whitespire family had been. Good, honest men without much tolerance for pomp and circumstance. They bore the burden of the estate because it was a matter of duty. Perched on the border, they saw it as a stronghold. Of course, Father would pick somebody like Sordis to watch over Vivi. It made the most sense. Sordis was better at fixing problems that pretty much and other personal guard was. He didn’t need ridiculous outfits and heraldry. She had no proof of that, but she was certain.<br/><br/>“Well, I mean…” Vivi started, frowning at him as he came out of the shadows. Always lurking around, ever-faithful man. Vivienne had probably developed a bit too much confidence in that security. It was a compliment, in ways, but had likely complicated his job over the years too. “I’m not completely daft.” Vivi said. “I know I’m being bothersome.” She pushed her long braid over her shoulder and shook the stray strands from her face. “It’s not like I enjoy upsetting her, really. I just—“she gestured vaguely around. “Why does all of this have to fall to some man that’s never lived here?” Vivienne shook her head. It wasn’t a new conversation.<br/><br/>“Anyway, the Marquess had the most ridiculously tiny feet. Did you notice?” She laughed. Vivi was not the type to obsess over unpleasant things. Her mother liked to say it was a lack of responsibility and inability to accept reality. Her father was a bit kinder about it. He often told her she was resilient. She was already marching off down the hall in the opposite way her mother had disappeared, inevitably headed for the stables. It seemed she’d forgotten she was supposed to be reflecting on her behavior in her chambers.