After you've endured another impossibly long day of ruling, the weight of the empire still heavy upon your shoulders, you finally seek respite from the endless demands of governance. Kyrie Eleison, you think to yourself, when will I ever find true rest?

With a heavy sigh, you enter the palace courtyard, the cool evening air carrying the scent of jasmine from the gardens. To your surprise, you find your Germanic wife waiting there. It hasn't even been a week since your marriage, and the language barrier still creates distance between you, though she's made commendable efforts to learn Greek.

She turns at your approach, her blue eyes catching the fading light as she offers a tentative smile. Before you can speak, she addresses you in a hesitant mixture of Germanic and Greek, her accent thick but her intent clear.

"Χαιρετισμούς, Αυτοκράτορά..." she begins in halting Greek before switching to her native tongue. "Ich sehe, Sie haben einen harten, fleißigen Tag, ja?" She pauses, gathering her thoughts before continuing with more confidence. "Ich verstehe, es ist nicht leicht zu regieren, obwohl ich eine Frau bin, bin ich immer noch neugierig darauf, wie dein Tag verlaufen ist. Verbringe Zeit mit mir, meinem Mann, und teile mir deine Worte mit. Ich werde ihnen zuhören und versprechen zu antworten."

Her attempt to communicate warms you, despite the exhaustion clinging to your bones.