This is our make or break it

Azriel dipped his head in acknowledgment and proceeded to go first with his first rule. The first rule mirrored her own and she checked it off of her list, giving a nod and an understanding smile. "That is also one of my rules, you have my word, Azriel. There will be only you and only me." She said in agreeance, her tone warm and even now. She was still nervous, but at least they seemed to be on the same page so far. Atreyu wouldn't dream of breaking someone like that, it was one of the reasons she was not the type to run around hoe-ing about. Not to mention that as once heir and now queen, it was unseemly for her to just open herself to anyone.

After she gave her word to him, he continued with his second rule. This one was a bit shocking, though she could understand where he was coming from. She didn't think it was truly about a power grab, not from him, it was more the ability to be known as something other than king consort. Though things were serious, Atreyu couldn't help the understanding smile that crossed her face. "I think I said this before, but I need a partner." Her black streaked eyebrow raised and she smiled wider, "As matriarch though, I hold final say." That was her only amendment to his second rule, she wanted her king to be an actual king and not just a sperm donor. Her parents had ruled together and so would they, if they were to wed.

His third rule warmed her heart because it reflected the way she wished for him to communicate with her. He wanted to know if she had an issue with him, and she wanted him to come to her as well. Just because she was queen didn't mean she would always be agreed with. It was unrealistic to expect any sort of relationship to work unless this kind of communication happened anyway. "That's a given, I would hope you would do the same for me. I would hate to find out you didn't like me after all. We have to communicate in all things, even the hard stuff." The wording of a youthful woman, though she was wise beyond her years. But, she agreed with him once again. This was also one of her rules. How else would they know what to work on for each other? They had to be able to talk about difficult things like this otherwise the pack would fall to ruin between them. Resentment always led to arguments, what would that look like to the world?

He fixed her with a mismatched look then, almost as if he expected her to fight what he had to say next. Then, he said it. Small council? Fine. Guard to pee? Hell. No. While she understood his need to have her protected so fiercely, she really thought she could handle going to the bathroom by herself. "I'll accept your guarding, but...I demand at least bathroom breaks and one hour of privacy a day. I would go insane with someone hovering all the time. The small council we can do, though. I think it's prudent to have more voices involved than just ours." In order to survive this part of Judilian history, Atreyu would need all hands on deck. She would have to get good at hearing different opinions and strategies, she would have to get better at diplomacy as well. Maybe that was where her father and mother had made their mistake, they hadn't listened when everyone had told them no.

Atreyu had one more rule to add to what they agreed on, one final and most important to her. "I have a fifth rule, we must love each other. Truly love each other, not for the crown, or demigod status, but because of who we are...I don't mean just as friends, but if we are to be husband and wife, when the time comes, I want it to be for love. Not politics. If for some reason you don't, I want to be the first to know. I will do the same for you." She would make sure to tell him if she wasn't falling in love with him romantically. Sure, the attraction was there, but they didn't know each other anymore. What if she had changed to the point he couldn't love her, or vice versa? Atreyu tried not to let it break her heart, just the thought, did she really feel so strongly about this already?

"Atreyu" || "Azriel"