Olivia presumes that the eagerness with which Beth agrees to it has more to do with how little she knows of the system that she'll become a part of than her desire to hold a weapon. "It is a balance," she explains, gesturing with one hand. "You'll carry a knife, but you'll be in my service. Follow my orders, protect me. In turn, I protect you -- as will Rani. If either of us fail, then it all fails.

"Are you willing to agree to such a thing so readily? It is not a light undertaking, however simple it seems. And I will not force you into it."

Not here, and not now. It is the least she can do for the people who haven't had a choice when it comes to ending up on Barrayar.