Sophie Seehausen

“Mercy, High Ones. Not justice, please, not justice. We would all be fools to pray for justice.”
― Lois McMaster Bujold, The Curse of Chalion

“What, everyone knows of Royesse Iselle’s clever secretary, the man who keeps his own counsel—and hers—the Bastion of Gotorget—utterly indifferent to wealth—” “No, I’m not,” Cazaril assured him earnestly. “I just dress badly. I quite like wealth.”
― Lois McMaster Bujold, The Curse of Chalion

“Adulthood isn’t an award they’ll give you for being a good child. You can waste . . . years, trying to get someone to give that respect to you, as though it were a sort of promotion or raise in pay. If only you do enough, if only you are good enough. No. You have to just . . . take it. Give it to yourself, I suppose. Say, I’m sorry you feel like that, and walk away. But that’s hard.”
― Lois McMaster Bujold, A Civil Campaign

“Remarkable ploy of the Barrayarans," Mehta expounded thoughtfully. "Concealing an espionage ring under the cover of a love affair. I might even have bought it, if the principals had been more likely."

"Yes," Cordelia agreed cordially, writhing within. "One doesn't expect a thirty-four-year-old to fall in love like an adolescent. Quite an unexpected - gift, at my age. Even more unexpected at forty-four, I gather."

"Exactly," said Mehta, pleased by Cordelia's ready understanding. "A middle-aged career officer is hardly the stuff of romance.”
― Lois McMaster Bujold, Shards of Honour