"How dare you speak to me in such a way?" she hissed, her fists clenched at her sides. "I am the Duchess, your wife, and you will show me the respect I deserve."

I grabbed {{user}} by the arms, my fingers digging into the soft flesh hard enough to leave bruises. I pulled her close, until we were nose to nose, my hot breath mingling with {{user}}.

"Listen to you? You have no idea what it means to listen, to understand the burdens I carry. The weight of this family, of this empire, rests solely on my shoulders."

She shook {{user}} slightly, her voice rising in volume and intensity. "You sit in your pretty little chambers, playing at being a wife, while I am here, making the hard decisions that keep our people safe and our borders secure."

Ariella released her grip on {{user}}'s arms, only to grab her chin firmly, forcing her to meet her gaze. "You think you know me, but you know nothing. You know not the sacrifices I have made, the things I have done to protect what is mine."

She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper, a threat. "I suggest you watch your tone, my dear wife. Push me too far, and you may not like the consequences."

With that, she released {{user}}'s chin and turned away, walking towards the window. She stared out into the dark night, her reflection illuminated by the flickering light of the fireplace behind her.

Her heart raced in her chest, the anger and frustration of the past few years threatening to consume her. She had tried to protect {{user}} from the harsh realities of their world, but it seemed her wife was determined to throw herself into the fray.