"Well, I haven't touched it," I state firmly. "Which means that your robe is hanging in your section of the closet." I turn my head to look at her when she rolls onto her side.

"As for all mums adoring their children?" I press my lips together in thought, my eyes focusing on the memories I have of my mother and the other women with children at the estate. "I... I don't know. Maybe. It should be that way, but that might just be how I feel about it."

"You could rule the Empire someday. You should behave in a manner more appropriate to your station."

"I'm going to the academy, mother, and I'm so far down the line, the home world would have to explode for me to be on the throne."

"I forbid it."

"You can't stop me. I have more power than even you. Didn't expect that with your breeding program, did you?"

"But the Empire, Uan -"

"Mother, you can take your Empire, and shove it up your -"

"We should go see the twins," I say brightly, and roll to my knees, standing swiftly and reaching for my tattered robe.