Have to do this right

Venom was old enough that she had learned to watch body language first and foremost, and the change as she spoke to Remus was palpable. He had been nervous and austere, but as she gave him her permission and blessing he changed to excited and joyful. An emotion that she treasured to see on the faces of her packmates, and more than that, her future son-in-law. It was enough the Empress found herself grinning in mutual joy. With so much bad news all the time, having some good like this filled her heart. There was a difference in this scenario, and the one that Ikigai chose. What should have been a happy moment would always be clouded knowing Iki was being joined by duty and not by this love she saw radiating from Remus. What had she denied her eldest daughter, had it been the right decision?

The Empress hid the doubts that had nothing to do with Remus and his happy moment. His grin widened as the energy within grew to the point he couldn’t sit still any longer. Venom was a bit more reserved, but she smiled with him as he spoke again. Remus thanked her deeply, from the bottom of his heart he was grateful for her blessing, for welcoming him into Ashen to begin with, and most importantly he thanked her for being allowed to join her family.

"I’ll be honored to have you join our family, officially.” She returned with a little wink. She would be giving Ike away as much as she gave Iki, but it stung less knowing her youngest daughter’s future would be to remain in Ashen. "I’ll be trusting you to help take care of her,” Venom warned him gently, this was a huge responsibility to undertake. "It’s a hard world out there, she’s going to need a strong partner. You’ll have to be a rock. Not only for her, but everyone who will be counting on her.”

"Venom"