[Ethlyn nods, pleased. She's glad to have given a listening ear to Marianne--it's a worry that all sensible nobles ought to have at one time or another, but without anyone to share it with, it can grow out of control.]

Of course. [She gives Marianne a friendly smile.] We can talk about it anytime you like. I had my older brother, and our friends in the children of the other great houses, so there was always someone we could talk to, or write to, or even just sit with quietly knowing that they had the same problems. If you didn't have that growing up, I'm happy to help make up for it now.