In the rare moments Olivia considers life after the invasion, she's certain that the distinction between the two will never occur to Piotr. If they had before she'd met him, then the war surely has ruined any chance of that in the future. Getting his full attention is not a novel experience, but one Olivia appreciates all the same.

"I've been speaking with the outsiders. Some, at least -- Sonia has no doubt spent more time with them, and met more." Because that is who Sonia is, and Olivia does not begrudge her a moment of levity or new faces. Not much, at least. "Two of which made an impression, and it concerns them. One is a native Barrayaran -- a prole by the name of Miles Illyan."

She promised him an audience with Piotr, nothing more. That much would be difficult enough to secure, but Olivia is a woman of her word.