We hope to be, at least. [ he's probably not at risk for another attempted coup or civil war, at least, which he takes as a good sign.

the request makes his face heat once more, though, fingers stilling, suddenly embarrassed. what should he say..? they've been betrothed for months now, and there's still so much he doesn't know about her. ]

She is Dach'osmin Csethiro Ceredin. She is very kind and very strong, and we are very pleased to say that though it is the duty of the emperor to marry, we believe that we will have friendship with our empress.

[ provided nothing terrible happens, of course, but he likes her quite a bit, and she seems to like him, and they get along well now that they understand one another better. she doesn't terrify him, at least. ]

.. Still, she would be much happier learning the sword and being one of our knights. [ a small sigh. ] If we were a ruler of thirty years instead of one, we would give her that. [ a beat, and his blush deepens, finally showing itself as a darkening in his cheekbones and ears. ] We should not have said so much. Our apologies.