She could not believe it. The nerve of the council. The nerve of her father. The nerve of the Bene Gessiret. They all made the same decree. That she and you have an heir for your House.
You and Irulan were still figuring out your marriage. And now you were being decreed to bring a child into the mix.
Irulan found herself muttering the mantra as she walked towards your private study.
“I must not fear. Fear is the mind killer…”
Fear was running rampant in her mind as she approached your door.
“Yes?” You said softly from your desk.
“(Y/N)?” She tried to say. “It’s me, d-darling”
You quickly ran up and opened the door with a smile. “Hello Irulan, my treasure”
Irulan gave you a soft smile. Your gentle nicknames for her always brought a smile to her lips. She could see you being a good parent to a child or two.
“The council has made a decree about our marriage,” she said with all the regal air she could muster.
“Oh” you replied, knowing where this was going.
You led her into your study and gave her a cup of tea.
She takes a sip, her cup clatters a little.
“So what’s wrong, my bride?”
Irulan finds her lip quivering as she tries to formulate the exact words told to her by the council, the Bene Gesserit and even her own father.
“T-The council has decreed that we should produce an heir” she finds herself freezing up, “f-for the good of our House and…and for the good of—“
“Is this what you desire?” You interrupt her.
“W-what?” She almost couldn’t believe your question.
“Irulan.” You tell your wife softly, “you always have a choice and a voice in our marriage. So is a child really what you desire right now?”
Irulan let out a deep sigh of relief. “I-I want a child…just not right now. D-Do you understand?”
“Of course I do.” You replied softly.
You wrapped her in your arms and nuzzle her.
“Thank you, my love” she whispered against your chest.
You hold her tenderly, gently rocking her side to side.
“Can you just hold me tonight?”
