Greater Than the Last

A/N:All the previous drabbles have taken place somewhere between Warrior's Apprentice and CyroBurn, but this one is distinctly post-CyroBurn. As always, I don't own any of the characters, universe, etc.

Helen was always jealous of her brother. Not because he was a boy, and went to the Academy and all—that was what everyone expected, but she never thought about it. No, Helen was jealous because Aral never seemed to be affected by what she privately thought of as Vorkosigan Surpassion Syndrome.

She liked to think of VSS as genetic, though it was clearly nurture over nature. VSS was the tendency of each successive Lord Vorkosigan to do more, be greater, than the previous Count-his-father. She suspected it had started with the unknown Count Piotr, her great-grandfather. Grandda Aral certainly had it, as did Helen's own Da. But Aral her twin seemed singularly unaffected. He just went through life, doing whatever was expected of him. A year on Beta and three in the Imperial Academy, rising to Captain in his third year of service, being Da's Voice in the District from the age of fifteen...he was so damn dependable, it made Helen want to scream.

Instead, she went on with her life as if she was the same way. But when Helen spent her year on Beta with Greatgranma Lizzie, she wondered whether she should stay, become a diplomat of some sort. She could avert wars and form favorable trade agreements! But it simply wasn't very interesting, so she visited Uncle Mark and the Durona Group on Escobar. Maybe she could go into science, or maybe just economics. She could earn money! Find a real cure for old age! Helen even considered being jealous of Aral for his military achievements, and convinced her Da to let her intern with Admiral Quinn for a summer. But she soon decided that was best left to Taurie, who took the Fleet by storm at the ripe age of eleven. So Helen gave up on dreams of being a rebellious female soldier.

Eventually, she went back home to University and threw herself into classes, directing her ambition towards academics, and a professorship. In her spare time, she played the socialite, though Lizzie was always more graceful on the dance floor. Before she knew it, Helen had double-majored in Anthropology and Public Relations. A few months later, she was a T.A. at the Hassadar University, and doing freelance consulting on the side. It was a good life, mainly independent, with visits home every break.

It was her second summer home from work that Helen saw Aral at the ball. Not Dependable Alex, Cousin Aral. Prince Aral, the Emperor's Heir.

It was irritatingly like a fairy tale. Between her University work and his Service, she hadn't seen him in years. But as Helen entered the room, their eyes met. Small talk, a dance or two...perfectly normal and polite. She went home that night, admittedly late, thinking nothing of it. At least, that's what she told herself.

Prince Aral called at Vorkosigan House the next afternoon. He chatted with everyone, for everyone was home for once, but she couldn't help but notice his gaze lingering upon her face. Nor could he stop returning the glance.

He kept calling, and soon began inviting her to events. She tried to concentrate on her studies, told herself she only wanted to be a professor. She went to most of the events, and chatted amicably with what felt like every Vor Bore in Vorbarr Sultana. Once in a while, they even listened to her. Aral always listened, and argued. They wrote a couple mock speeches together, practice for her Verbal Media class. She was surprised to hear him use some of her phrases when he addressed the populace on the newest advances on Sergyar. He proposed three weeks later.

It was a fine match politically, if a bit close to home, but it didn't matter, because they were so clearly in love. Even the agonizingly extensive wedding preparations were as flawless as it was possible to be. They snuck away after the reception and flew to Vorkosigan Surleau, home of many happy childhood memories for both newlyweds.

As Princess Helen drifted to sleep in Aral's arms, contented thoughts bubbling muzzily to the surface, she couldn't help but note that surely though she had certainly succumbed to VSS, its continuation would shortly be ended. No Vorkosigan had ever been Empress before, but with her son, and his, and all her descendants, nobody could rise higher than Emperor.