Bruce doesn’t know how you feel about all of this. This betrothal that was arranged between you and him. Even despite it being for the best, something your kingdom had put as a requirement for peace between your kingdom and his, Bruce still wanted you to at least be happy with it. In some way, at least.

Is it bad that he was happy that marrying you was a requirement, to guarantee peace between your kingdoms? He’s loved you since you first met at a royal gala your kingdom had hosted before the war had begun. Back then he’d been bored of it, expected to be surrounded by unamusing nobles who wanted to curry favor with him in hopes of being his partner. But then he’d saw you.

Yes, he gets that it sucks. You were the heir to your kingdoms throne, after all. He feels bad just how quickly you were cast aside to marry him just for the peace between your nations. But that does nothing to change how he feels for you. Bruce thinks you look more like a soldier getting ready for war planning this celebratory gala so soon after you two had been married.

“Any way I can offer my assistance?” Bruce finds himself asking, and he wants to kick himself in the foot. He wonders if you think he’s doubting your ability to handle things, and he’s already trying to figure out how to appropriately apologizing without further worsening a possible misunderstanding. He truly is a fool, he thinks. Bruce hopes you don’t think the same. He wants you to think of him as a capable king second, and a reliable, loving husband first.