Eyes narrowing slightly, Olivia mentally retreats away from sympathy to a fellow Barrayaran towards wary skepticism. "That is correct, although doubtless they wish to change that as soon as possible." It had been a constant worry -- while Yuri was in charge of the ground forces and her father any off planet support they could muster, the Emperor-her-grandfather was Emperor. His capture or death would deal a spiritual blow that Olivia isn't certain Barrayar could recover from. Even his natural death would throw them all into chaos, however ready Yuri was for the role.

Eyeing him again, Olivia frowns. "It must have been some party, if you had forgotten the year." She'll forgive him for losing track of the date. Easy to do, for some Vor.