Nannies did the hard work, of course. Seraphi was a businesswoman and the demands of Abrasax Industries would brook no interference from a red-headed freckly toddler who reminded her all too much of his worthless father. She should have had Balem's genes more sharply manipulated, really she should, but then, she hadn't known his wastrel sire was going to prove himself so utterly unworthy of her time.

She tried to see him often, but who knew children grew so fast? She would barely have a Harvest safely overseen, a Seeding competently underway, when he would be brought to her, six inches taller and with another hundred ways to baffle and intrigue her.

It was in his sixteenth year that she realised his utility. She hadn't seen him for (mere moments-) at least two years, and when her attendant ushered in a tall creature with his father's hair and every bit of the Abrasax self-assurance she was astonished and gratified. Her son!

"My mother," Balem said tersely "Will be with you when she is quite ready".

The visitor smiled graciously but Balem knew he'd made him uncomfortable. He didn't care. Not in the least. Balem refused even to remember his name; some scion of a lesser house, with a few properties here and there; manufacturing an inferior product. Contemptible. Not fit to speak to the Lady Abrasax, let alone –

He kicked his long legs out in front of him and continued to stare moodily past the sheave he was pretending to read. He knew this was quite beneath his dignity, but he didn't care about that either.

Seraphi drifted into the room, smelling heavenly, looking radiant and smiling like an angel. "Ready darling?" she said, and Balem's already sour expression twisted still further, his back to her radiating ice and the sheave trembling slightly, hardly noticeable. But she noticed. She would always notice every tremor in his delicate fingers, every nuance of his stance and every meaning in his gaze. There would be an argument later, shouting, overturning of furniture, a thorough exercising of the Abrasax family temper. Frankly Balem looked forward to it.