Have to do this right

Venom could see the hint of nervousness in his demeanor and how difficult it was for his dual toned eyes to meet her own. He took a deep breath and began to speak, but Venom couldn’t, or didn’t want to, predict the words that he said. He spoke about the princess, the princess that he had been glued to since his arrival here in Ashen. This should have been the logical progression of events. That the boy would fall in love with the girl. Venom felt immediately the uncertainty of letting her sweet girl go. Was Remus genuine or was he only seeking out the power that would come to the one who took her daughter’s heart?

Her own features remained impassive as he went on, undecided herself as he spoke. She had given two children away already, could she handle a third in such quick succession? The Empress had the power to banish him here and now, to make him leave Ashen and Kiyohime behind without a second glance. The selfish part of her seriously debated that course of action, but she knew she couldn’t. She had seen how much happier and confident Ike was with the young man at her side. She had grown considerably in that time, and he was the one to thank. There was no better happy ending than for Remus to be at her side so the both of them could continue to grow together.

He was asking her permission to marry the crown princess. Her youngest child, her baby. She had already come to accept that her children were growing up and making their own way. They were full adults and she couldn’t hold them back even if her heart wanted so badly to do so. Venom knew what she had to do. "Remus,” she started, struggling internally. "I’ve seen how much you care about my daughter, but more importantly I’ve seen who she has become with you beside her.” Despite how hard this was to say she felt how proud she was of both of them. "You have my permission, and my blessing. Whatever Shuriken’s desire is, I will support her. And you.”

"Venom"