[Kareen was quiet at first, allowing him to talk, to apologize, do whatever he needed to make things less awkward. She, on the other hand, could handle such situations without allowing anything to visibly ruffle her though perhaps her front had become moot after her frenzied search for the embassy moments before. Where was the cool, calm Princess then?

When she did speak again it was in a soft tone, contemplative.] ... I was aware there were possible complications. And... I can understand a mother's desire to want to keep her son safe and living, no matter the circumstances.

[Society in Barrayar was cruel sometimes. Kareen knew if Gregor had shown any complications before or after his birth there would have been no saving him, no matter what Kareen's own wishes would have been. She would have just been expected to have another child to make up for the 'mistake.' Just imagining it now made her shiver.]