As soon as I spotted Vivian sitting at the table, apparently ignoring a bowl of soup, I sat down opposite her, the pain in my stomach lessening as if in thanks for the respite. No one else was nearby; I needed to convince Vivian to help me right now, while I had the chance. "Listen," I said, my voice low, inaudible to all but the two of us, "My guards are not really on our side. In fact, they have already threatened to kill me. To make matters worse, 11 more of them are on the way. I... I need your help." I felt my cheeks heating as I spoke; it had been a long time since I had consciously chosen to make myself so vulnerable. 

"If I do anything unusual at all, it will seem suspicious to them," I said, "So could you please go check and see what any of them is up to? They shouldn't have any desire to hurt you. All I need to know is whether they're arguing amongst each other or anything like that. Then, I can plan accordingly. I am hoping to escape from this place soon, you see..." As my words died down, my eyes linger on the table, as if in shame; I was truly not fit to run a family. I was too weak, too reliant on others, and I doubted I could ever change that. But maybe I could limit my need to a select few...