"I am sorry," Sanaki tells Tibarn later, in the most regally sincere tone, "that it took me so long to extend apologies to the people of Serenes ; it… shames me to admit that as a child I was quite ignorant."

Tibarn raises an eyebrow; he finds himself liking her, for all that she’s the empress of Begnion and too formal to boot, and if he didn’t he wouldn’t bother replying, more mildly than the tension between their countries warrants, "oh ? aren’t you still a child ?"

"I am a ruler," the Apostle replies.