Beth lifts her gaze to the countess' features, measuring her with the kind of openness Rani told her not to use on their way over here. Inconsequential, she says, like knowing you're playing a crappy hand is the same as thinking about killing yourself. (Getting yourself killed, whatever. It's the same thing here, suicide by Cetagandan.) She has her life, a grey cardigan, and the vague hope that somebody on some planet somewhere around here might be able to send her back to Earth or bring her friends out here where it's safe. It's not getting called "Your Grace" and having to wonder if she's going to screw things up for a whole planet. It's the bare minimum.

"I'm not gonna pretend I'm afraid of dying when I'm not." It's ninety percent true, probably, but that's enough that you can round up. Beth's eyes are wide, defiance settling into her throat as the words come up from her chest. The countess laid out what she expects; it's only right that Beth does the same thing for her. No point letting her take on a new lady's maid if all she wants is someone she can manipulate into doing her dirty work. "But I know how to fight, and I don't wanna die. I'll do what you say, as long as it's the right thing to do."