Alys Vorpatril

Lady Alys Vorpatril is an important side character in Lois McMaster Bujold's sci-fi series, the Vorkosigan Saga.

Lady Alys is the mother of Ivan Vorpatril, the cousin of the series's main character, Miles Vorkosigan. Her slain husband was Padma Vorpatril, a descendant of Xav Vorbarra, along with Aral Vorkosigan. She is considered High Vor though it is unclear how she has this distinction. (There is a possible consistency flaw in the series in this regard.) During the later novels, she serves as basically Emperor Gregor's Chief of Social Affairs the same way the Chief of ImpSec is in charge of Security affairs. In this capacity, she spearheads the organization of the Emperor's wedding to Laisa Toscane.

Later it is learned that not only is she dating former ImpSec Chief Simon Illyan, but she is also a blind drop for an ImpSec covert operative responsible for aristocratic affairs.