[She allows herself a wry smile.] People become parents, and perhaps then they seem infallible to their children. Or immortal, in some cases. With war heroes such as Lord and Lady Vorkosigan, I suppose you might think they are something more than just people. And I can hardly imagine everything they have done since I've been gone from home.

[Kareen looks down at her lap, the thumb and index fingers of one hand playing idly with the edge of her long sleeves.] But understand, no one is perfect even those of us who are expected to pose as such. Mistakes are made. People die. None of us are gods, especially those of us born Vor. All we are, and all we can ever be, are just people.