"It's not all that matters." He says that more glumly than harshly; Byerly is not an angry drunk, is in fact nearly incapable of being angry while drunk. He's a harsh self-critic, though. That's for certain. "If I'd handled it better, my cover might still be intact. I might still be there, doing my part for Barrayar. Now I'm just useless and spent."

A beat, and a swig. He reaches up to stroke the hand that's on his arm. "It mattered, saving you. Of course it did. But - you understand, I'm sure. My duties shouldn't be over yet. I should still be able to serve. But I cocked it up." He blows out a breath. "So - perhaps I'm apologizing to House Vorbarra, rather than to Sonia."