"Her mother painted a kinder picture than exists." But that is what one does for children. Hope for a better future, make the world seem less cold, less cruel. Well- that is what parents do when they are not Orlesian. The rules, for them, are different. "Were she more comfortable with her magic, with being known as a mage, I would recommend that. But she is not. The moment Vivienne learns what she is..."

Adelaide has no way of knowing what might come of that. One day it will slip. One day. Fate is not kind enough to leave Kalli this shield forever.

"For her I have done all I can. A few letters dissuading interest from some of the more unsavory houses, sent before the soiree." Her connections are not what they could be, given her family name, but they are growing. For a long moment she stares at the herbs diced fine under her knife before looking back up to Anders, dead in the eye for the first time since she sent him from her tent. They cannot work like this. She cannot work like this.

"...swear to me you will do nothing foolish to protect her. Such things must be handled delicately." If she can extract that then, perhaps...if she can trust that he means it. To her, for her- she can trust nothing. For the girl? That might have weight enough.