[His eyes sweep down to her, considering the child. Hubert had deliberately tried to avoid the question, but not out of discomfort. It was a complicated one, and quite frankly, just something that did not concern others, even if he had nothing to hide for it.]

[After a contemplative moment, Hubert speaks, the quality of his voice subtly changed. Softer wasn't the right word for it, but it was close; his words were tinged with something halfway between thoughtful and proud, but not quite those, either.]

Necessity. Duty. Legacy. House Vestra has served House Hresvelg since the dawn of the Empire, as the Imperial Family's right hand and guardians in the shadows. But beyond that, I serve something greater than a mere legacy—I, as an individual, serve something greater than myself. It is a hope, a grander future, an ideal Her Majesty marches along a path to create.

I will not pretend I do not do cruel things. It's to protect Adrestia and her Emperor, and that greater future Her Majesty is on the cusp of realizing that I employ spies, bribes, and assassins—so that the corruption that has rotted and abused our society be purged with extreme prejudice.

I wage the war that the Emperor cannot acknowledge, and stain my hands so that hers might remain unsullied—so that she may soar above the conflict as every true leader should, as a virtuous ideal the people can believe in.

I shall protect these things I hold dear by any means necessary, irregardless of what history or others perceive of me. Such a cause is above the worth of any one man.