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She nodded. “Thank you, Samuel.”

“Not at all. Thank you.”

“Have a good day, Samuel.”

“And you. Oh, do you think that we could go visit with Vivian now? Is it too early?”

“I’m sure it’s not too early. And if she’s resting and unavailable, our Sire and the Sovereign and Sovereigna are all there as well, I have no doubt.”

Samuel smiled at her knowingly. “And now you’ve actually spoken of and helped us with determining when to best visit with them and not be in the way.”

Mirilla flashed a quick smile before exiting the same way she got in, through Au'revele’s quarters.

Bart stood near his bed with his hands on his hips, wearing nothing but his briefs, waiting for whatever it was his father would no doubt say.

“I like her,” Samuel said, then turned and started for the living room.

“That’s it?” Bart asked.

“I think you should marry her and take her back to Earth with you.”

“I am living on the Consortium’s Space Station, and she’d never leave the responsibilities she has here. I don’t think Irealized just how committed she is to her position here, until this morning.”

“Oh, I think she might. If she had the guarantee of another life to embrace. This is all she’s got right now. She’s got to give it her utmost attention and devotion, just like she would anything in her life that meant that much to her.”

“She’s ashamed of me.”

“I don’t believe for a second that she’s ashamed of you. I’m pretty sure you’ll see that, too, once you set your pride aside.”

Bart glared at his father and consciously chose a different subject rather than getting into any kind of discussion about his personal life. “Do you want to go see Vivian?” Bart asked.

“I do. I’d have gone last night if I’d known.”

“When I was told it was clear that they preferred to experience the birth alone, so to speak.”

“What do you mean, so to speak?”

“Guards are always present, but otherwise, I’m sure it was better for us to wait until this morning. They’ve not contacted us anyway. Au'revele said they’d contact us when they were ready for visitors. It might be better if we wait until we receive word that they’re ready for visitors.”

“You’re probably right. But I’m going to see them now. Are you coming?” Samuel called over his shoulder without stopping for Bart to catch up with him.

~~~

Mirilla rushed to her room in the servants’ quarters and quickly changed to fresh clothes, brushed and styled her hair in a fresh twist, put on a different pair of work shoes, then literally ran from her room to the main dining room, which is where she usually met with the staff early in the morning before their shifts started.

Just before she reached the doorway, a large male stepped out in front of her, the scowl on his face leaving no doubt that he knew exactly why she was late.

“You shame our family name,” Mir’ Ahn said, scowling down at her.

“I don’t have time for this right now, Mir’ Ahn,” she said, trying to step around him.

“Of course not. You’ve spent the entire morning sleeping, leaving all those who depend on you without guidance.”

“I did not. I saw to most of my responsibilities this morning while everyone else slept. I’m seeking out any who might have had questions this morning when I was not available.”

“You should have been available. Your lack of protocol shines unfavorably on me.”

“I was with Chairman Bartholomew and his father in the East wing, easing their nerves as they waited for word of the arrival of our Sire and Sirena’s youngling.”

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