Beth's words sting like she'd been hit. Who? Who asked this... this songbird, who laughed at the idea of getting married and wanted a knife more than anything, to kill for them? It curls belly low in utter revulsion for the thought. What kind of coward? If it was someone in the camp then... she would having words with either the Count or Countess about their men. At least she has the practise in being impassive that her mouth stays a fixed line.
Because maybe to someone else, that might have been a ridiculous thing to say. But not in this company, not in a war. She nods briefly the once in belated motion to being mention, yes, yes she would be teaching her. Even if this came to nothing, she would do what she could. She always would, without fault or hesitation.
Idiotic behaviour for a Queen, really.
Rather, she cuts in there, as politely as she can, a clear of her throat and perhaps to give the Countess time for her own words because she is sure enough of her own in this moment. Reassurance perhaps, but no, more than that, to cut across something that curls like revulsion. Someone had asked this girl to do that, had they? Whoever it is, deserves worse than her ill thoughts on them. "If someone deserves to die, then I will do it myself, not ask anyone else to do my work." It's grit as politely and as evenly toned as she could. "But I asked you here not as an assassin. I asked you here because you are brave enough as you are, and experienced enough to not be a fool about it. No matter how men, or others, may treat you." She glances up once, back to Olivia, nodding to her slowly - this girl has her full assurance. She cannot think of anything better than for a guard that held to their own consciousness rather than fear. They were less likely to be bought off.
A sigh, if stiffly to herself, she realises. She means it, fully, means that yes, yes idiotic, again, to drag people to her, to keep them near where she can keep a watch over them both. But it's an easy plan as it goes: Beth can keep Olivia safe from one kind of evil, and Olivia could, in turn, keep Beth safe from another type of wickedness. Means, she's already too busy getting ready to die for a planet that is not her own. Means, she does not think the Countess would let it happen either - though she cannot claim to know the woman well enough to be sure.
But she knows she has to believe it.
What sort of coward asked a barely grown full woman to kill for them?
no subject
Because maybe to someone else, that might have been a ridiculous thing to say. But not in this company, not in a war. She nods briefly the once in belated motion to being mention, yes, yes she would be teaching her. Even if this came to nothing, she would do what she could. She always would, without fault or hesitation.
Idiotic behaviour for a Queen, really.
Rather, she cuts in there, as politely as she can, a clear of her throat and perhaps to give the Countess time for her own words because she is sure enough of her own in this moment. Reassurance perhaps, but no, more than that, to cut across something that curls like revulsion. Someone had asked this girl to do that, had they? Whoever it is, deserves worse than her ill thoughts on them. "If someone deserves to die, then I will do it myself, not ask anyone else to do my work." It's grit as politely and as evenly toned as she could. "But I asked you here not as an assassin. I asked you here because you are brave enough as you are, and experienced enough to not be a fool about it. No matter how men, or others, may treat you." She glances up once, back to Olivia, nodding to her slowly - this girl has her full assurance. She cannot think of anything better than for a guard that held to their own consciousness rather than fear. They were less likely to be bought off.
A sigh, if stiffly to herself, she realises. She means it, fully, means that yes, yes idiotic, again, to drag people to her, to keep them near where she can keep a watch over them both. But it's an easy plan as it goes: Beth can keep Olivia safe from one kind of evil, and Olivia could, in turn, keep Beth safe from another type of wickedness. Means, she's already too busy getting ready to die for a planet that is not her own. Means, she does not think the Countess would let it happen either - though she cannot claim to know the woman well enough to be sure.
But she knows she has to believe it.
What sort of coward asked a barely grown full woman to kill for them?