Lion Head Mesa i. neb ii

she nods, knowing the truth of it. having been reared to understand it—and had been prepared to be wed for the continued wealth and prosperity of her then-queendom, not for love! his parents were fortunate indeed. the way that he spoke of them caused her to smile. I shall pray that it will, but she thought that it would, even then! his spirit, his hopes for himself in it—the wish that it might come was enough to know he believed it possible, believed himself capable of it. 
his question brought forth a broader smile! whether they tell you so or not, every girl dreams of love for themselves. my Godly father and mother—I know they wished for me to know it. their lastborn daughter, love was truly well within reach for me! so many of my stories were filled with it, she hummed, remembering her mother @Treva and her father—and the tales they regaled her with—fondly. but as Amiirad, I too learned of duty. and when there was none but for me left of my family to continue our dynasty, I understood that love was to come last—if at all! many from other kingdoms came to be considered. I did not imagine that I would marry for love then—I knew that I would marry for Akashingo, she blinked at the memory, marveling in the time that had passed… and at the place she had found herself in. the Gods looked after me. when I first lay upon eyes on the Sphinx I came to marry, it was love, and it was good fortune, that and so I married for both duty and love. how bright her voice became, to speak of him, of them—she beamed, by the end of her telling.