Peony thought over what had been said - and what had not - before responding. "It is good to worry a little," she finally said. "It means you care. But Rose... I am assuming that if you have agreed to do this, and at such a time, you stand to gain from it?" Her gaze was shrewd. "You do not need to tell me details," she clarified after a moment. "I say this only because as an adult you may be faced with difficult choices. You must pick the one you feel will bring you and your loved ones the most good, or the least harm." And although Rose was still a child, in her eyes, she was also the head of her small family, and that meant she had to behave as an adult.
She took a sip of her tea before continuing. "You were hardly older than he is now before you had to fend for yourself. I think he may be more capable than you fear."