Lois’s answer to “We find out from the book “Gentleman Jole” that Aral had been carrying on an affair with Oliver Jol…” > Likes and Comments
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I can imagine a scenario where an opponent does find out about the relationship. If they weren't completely stupid, the best possible use of that information would be to use it to put a wedge between Aral and Cordelia (who was very much his political, as well as matrimonial, partner). Plus, public disclosure would have practically zero impact of it doesn't drive a wedge between Aral and Cordelia (because Aral is very experienced with scandal and anything less will twist to his benefit). So I can totally imagine that such an adversary might approach Cordelia to reveal it to her in as damaging a light as possible. He may have built up her reaction in his head if he were blinded by cultural expectation, but if he's smart enough to wonder how her Betan heritage would respond, he's at least going to want to see how she reacts before committing too much to the scheme. Because Cordelia's response is the only thing that really matters, politically as well as personally speaking. And we all know how she would have responded given events in "Gentleman Jole"...
I.e., "On Beta we have *earrings* for that!" :)
In "Barrayar", before the soltoxin attack, there was one such conversation, the intended result being to scare off Aral's new bride and somewhat destabilize him. I don't have the text infront of me, but what transpired from that conversation was that Cordelia has not gone into that marriage knowing nothing about Aral. Also, given Ges Vorutyer, it is all but public knowledge on Barrayar that Aral is bisexual. So... yes.
Not to mention the fate of the person who told her he’s bisexual.
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Jacob
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Jun 28, 2019 09:18AM
I can imagine a scenario where an opponent does find out about the relationship. If they weren't completely stupid, the best possible use of that information would be to use it to put a wedge between Aral and Cordelia (who was very much his political, as well as matrimonial, partner). Plus, public disclosure would have practically zero impact of it doesn't drive a wedge between Aral and Cordelia (because Aral is very experienced with scandal and anything less will twist to his benefit). So I can totally imagine that such an adversary might approach Cordelia to reveal it to her in as damaging a light as possible. He may have built up her reaction in his head if he were blinded by cultural expectation, but if he's smart enough to wonder how her Betan heritage would respond, he's at least going to want to see how she reacts before committing too much to the scheme. Because Cordelia's response is the only thing that really matters, politically as well as personally speaking. And we all know how she would have responded given events in "Gentleman Jole"...
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I.e., "On Beta we have *earrings* for that!" :)
In "Barrayar", before the soltoxin attack, there was one such conversation, the intended result being to scare off Aral's new bride and somewhat destabilize him. I don't have the text infront of me, but what transpired from that conversation was that Cordelia has not gone into that marriage knowing nothing about Aral. Also, given Ges Vorutyer, it is all but public knowledge on Barrayar that Aral is bisexual. So... yes.
Not to mention the fate of the person who told her he’s bisexual.
