[ His lips twist in a mixture of misery and amusement. ]
So our ability to deal with betrayal is tied to our goodness, now? I thought those were two different dimensions.
[ The smile fades; he looks away. ]
But yes. I'm quite sure she'll forgive me. Hatred is not something, I think, that she can carry for long. But nor will she trust me again. Our relationship might not turn acrimonious, but it won't ever be the same. It will turn colder, I think. Warier. Because she will be aware of what I am willing to do for Barrayar, what I am willing to do to her for Barrayar - and how can trust exist under such circumstances? Why, it shall be like a girlfriend finding out that her lover had a wife all along.
These final days are the final days of our relationship as it is. Even if I survive, even if I come back and Vorkosigan stands in front of the camp and says, Well done, Vorrutyer, this man was serving us all along, even then...
no subject
[ His lips twist in a mixture of misery and amusement. ]
So our ability to deal with betrayal is tied to our goodness, now? I thought those were two different dimensions.
[ The smile fades; he looks away. ]
But yes. I'm quite sure she'll forgive me. Hatred is not something, I think, that she can carry for long. But nor will she trust me again. Our relationship might not turn acrimonious, but it won't ever be the same. It will turn colder, I think. Warier. Because she will be aware of what I am willing to do for Barrayar, what I am willing to do to her for Barrayar - and how can trust exist under such circumstances? Why, it shall be like a girlfriend finding out that her lover had a wife all along.
These final days are the final days of our relationship as it is. Even if I survive, even if I come back and Vorkosigan stands in front of the camp and says, Well done, Vorrutyer, this man was serving us all along, even then...
[ He spreads his hands. ]
You cannot unshatter a glass.