It was troublesome. [ But protecting Oak, holding power — that had been reward enough for the sleepless nights and constant threats of danger. Is eventual marriage also a reward?? Yet to be determined. A pause, and then she corrects, ] At the time. Politics usually are.

[ And though politics will always be maddening, a competition of scheming and strategy, she sounds less perturbed than she should about that fact. It's the life she had pursued for herself, after all — the destiny she had forged for herself and for Elfhame. ]

My High King wasn't ready to rule. [ It steals her breath to reflect on how much she has changed since, how far they have both come. How far Cardan has come, above all. Pride suffuses her chest, warm enough that she feels compelled to glance away from Six. ] What could be more troublesome than that?

[ A lot, actually. So much more, but she's conveniently not delving into that mess. ]