"Wrong." Sonia's finger waves in little circles, but remains firmly outstretched. "You do me great service just by being at my side, Byerly. Yes, you're an excellent liar, you make a decent spy, and you can hold your liquor quite admirably. You're also very funny and charming when you want to be, know loads of positively awful jokes, and a master in the art of verbal fencing. You don't just navigate Vor society in your Vorbarr Sultana, you bring it with you. You bring it to me."

Sonia beams at him still, this time a touch more smugly, and she lifts her chin. "A proper Vor princess needs a taste of proper Vor society every so often, doesn't she? It makes her happy. It keeps her sane." An unchecked giggle escapes her. "You make a better handmaiden than Carolina."