@oakthcrn sent : " Your highness? " Lark asked as she peeked into Jena's private chamber. She offered a freckled smile. " I have some questions if you're not too busy..." she entered her room. " As I am in my eighteenth summer, I was wondering...what am I to expect in a marriage? You have to arrange one, is that right? "
" hmmm? " the princess sat upright in her chair, giving bright smile in return upon seeing who it was. " i am not busy whatsoever, merely resting my eyes. come, come, what questions? " despite tiredness clinging to her still, it mattered not when approached by her children.
gods, her eighteenth summer. it ought not be such a surprise and yet time was a thief, for surely it were only yesterday when young lark ran through the hallways and corridors of dragonstone as small child — pestering her husband to allow her to attend sword lessons just like valarr. playing with the boys in the gardens and such. yes, time was a thief, and yet how lovely the child had grown. " that is right, dearest. your uncle and i have talked about it before. " quite a bit, and as with all their children, there was a reluctance to simply make the most favourable arrangement and be done with it. it felt too cruel to do so when their own marriage was a love match.
" why do you ask? have you a boy you wish us to consider? because we do wish you to have as much freedom as possible in regards to the choice of a future partner. " of course jena could not allow her precious girl to marry just any man, could not possibly leave her in the hands of a lacking and unworthy man. no, if marriage must happen then it would be done right. with a good man who would treat her kindly and well and hopefully with love.