Irulan Corrino always knew she'd marry for political reasons, not for affection.
She didn't know she'd fall in love with Paul Atreides, but she did, and perhaps she's doomed to suffer a lifetime of watching the man she loves -her husband- love and...
"Mama," the little girl said as Irulan fed Leto the baby food he'd only just started on. He was doing quite well for six months, as she understood it.
"Yes?"
"Why does Daddy live so far away?"
Irulan winced briefly before turning to face her. "Well," she said patiently, "he is very busy being the emperor, love. You know that."
Ghanima's eyebrows scrunched together. "But why don't we live with him?"
Irulan didn't have an answer for that.
She missed Paul, too, though she'd never say it aloud.
"Because we live here," she told the little girl simply, pulling her into her lap to distract her from any questions.
It worked, but only for awhile.
The questions continued.
It was becoming increasingly clear that she missed her father.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
It was the evening of one of Paul's visits, and she was updating him on all that had happened since his last one, as she always did.
They'd returned to a friendship of sorts, it seemed, though he did look at her strangely sometimes. Her walls were back up, and she never let them crack.
"Yes, Ghanima always talks that much," Irulan confirmed with a laugh. "Not just when you're here. I'm afraid you can't take credit for that."
He laughed too, sitting down next to her on the seat she was in. "I never took credit for it."
"You were thinking it," she told him. "And your son absolutely refuses to eat anything that isn't sweet. No vegetables. He won't do it. Turns his nose up at them." She threw her hands in the air in mock frustration. "He eats nothing but fruit."
"That's all you," Paul said with a light chuckle. "Your royal palate is far dantier than mine."
Irulan rolled her eyes. "You're doing a wonderful job raising them," he told her softly after a few moments of silence.
"Thank you," she told him, flushing slightly.
"I wish I could see everything you tell me for myself," he said, his voice soft.
"I'm sorry." Her own voice was equally quiet, and she found herself wanting to move closer to him, but fought the urge.
He shrugged a shoulder, and she looked at him for a long moment before giving voice to something she'd been considering for awhile.
"If you'd prefer it," she began awkwardly, "I suppose I could return to the palace with them." His eyes widened in shock at her suggestion, so she hastily added, "the children miss you terribly when you're not here."
