<span style="color: #336600">“Order courted me shortly before the civil war broke out. Or rather, our pairing was arranged for political reasons. And when I became Empress the war happened. I was never a mother and I don’t know what ritual to look for in my memories. Children weren’t a common thing in my time, nobody wanted to reproduce and have a weakness formed in their clan.”</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #b3b300">“I agree with you on all points, Sharindia, and I’d love the opportunity to dress her up in handmade outfits and have her model them for me. But I have no interest in losing another friend or family member.”</span>He nodded and motioned to himself.<span style="color: #b3b300"> “I was in the middle of preparing a new bottle of wine for her. Taking care of her is already a high priority of mine so you needn’t worry, she’s in good hands. Better hands than your Ras could ever offer.”</span>Ras frowned but nodded in agreement.<div class="messageTextEndMarker"> </div>