[any way she hears it will be worse. she's made Alistair almost everything, the two of them against the world. then the two of them shaking the pillars of Ferelden's power structure down to their foundations and emerging triumphant. king and queen of Ferelden. in her heart of hearts, she'd never imagined such a thing would be possible. but it was.

it was their triumph against all odds. woe betide any who tried to wrench it away from them. and may they beg for mercy for Mariane would grant them none.

best be sure there are no bladed weapons within Mariane's reach when she does find out]

...indeed? But such a thing is thirty years in the future. Alistair and I are young, that grants us plenty of time to find a way to have an heir. [and a slightly bitter smile] And it seems as though the initiation is the worst kept secret in Thedas.