I wish we had gotten a few interactions between Varian and Hope.

Varian, 9 years old

Hope stops in the hall outside the throne room. A boy sat against the wall playing with a small device. Her shy nature and basic curiosity fought as whether or not to speak to him. She decided to come closer and watch him work without disturbing him. After a minute he noticed her and blinks in confusion.

"how long have you been standing there?"

she backs off, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to interrupt."

he smiles, "it's okay. I'm making a miniature spring lock mechanism."

she looks down in shame, "I don't know what that means. I'm sorry."

"it's a latch that locks itself . I'm putting it on an animal trap so they can't escape."

"why?"

"dad doesn't like them getting in the garden but I don't like seeing them hurt. It's a compromise."

"oh. All the animals I've seen are cooked or scary." she says. She sits after he pats the ground.

"what animals do you think are scary?" he asks without looking at her.

"mice, and spiders."

he looks at her confused, "mice aren't scary. Spider, yes. But mice are cute fuzzy little things that you can use to test chemicals. Plus, the males are quite ballsy."

she looks at him in shock while he laughs. "don't laugh, that's a bad joke! You'll get in trouble."

"sorry... please don't tell anyone I said that." he says as he bites back a smile.

"okay. So, why are you out here?" she asks.

"Nigel doesn't like me. I don't know why."

"he doesn't like anybody." she says.

"that makes sense. You don't have a pet, I take it."

"no."

"I do. He's a raccoon named Ruddiger. I'm not allowed to bring him to the castle." he whispers the last part in her ear.

"I see. What's a raccoon?"

"it's... Hi dad."

she turns around to see a giant of a man standing behind her. She yips and hides behind Varian.

"who is this?" the man asks.

Varian blinks in confusion, "um..."

"Hope." she squeaks.

"very nice to meet you Hope." the man says. "this is Varian." he pats the boy on the head. "time to go, son. You can talk to her again on our next trip, okay?"

"okay. Can I bring Ruddiger?"

"no, but you can bring a drawing of him and one of your toys. Would you like that?" he asks, looking down at her.

She nods.

He scoops up Varian and walks away. Hope watched before being called to her duties by her mother.

I think they could've been friends. (she's clearly not his type romantically)