She's afraid of this new world of hers too; she was never supposed to sit on the throne, to wear this heavy gold around her neck. Théodred had not taken a wife yet, it is true, but there was still time for him to find a bride and sire a son. He was still young enough to leave behind a legacy, and he was certainly healthy enough to take over from his father. To lose her cousin first meant more than just a personal tragedy for her, it put her directly in line for the throne.

And now, here she is. Trapped in a position she never wanted, knowing that she has no choice but to step up and don the mantle of Queen, to keep her family and her people as safe as she can.

Eskel is one small holdover from her life before, a man outside of her sphere of influence, who teases her about her title but does not view her any differently because of it. Is it a surprise she wishes he would stay in her orbit a little bit longer?

"Merwenna might rap your knuckles with a wooden spoon should you misbehave, but anyone who makes me happy is welcome in Meduseld for as long as they wish to remain," she replies, resting her cheek on his shoulder and tracing absent patterns across his chest with her fingertips. "I can write a royal decree saying just that, if you like."