This girl is a gun, before you know it, it's done
And you'll be wishing that you crossed your fingers

arceline is pleased to hear of Lucifer's prefence for a monarchy. She has long desired to establish such a government under her name, and their shared agreement will make that a far easier task to achieve. The true difficulty will lie in bringing the other leaders to heel; Nyimara, in the years that Marceline has known her, has never been one to acquiesce easily. And the Badlands queen - Marceline thinks she recognizes her, but has not been close enough to truly lay eyes upon her to confirm - may pose a problem as well. The quest to unite Salem will not be without hardship nor bloodshed, but Marceline is unafraid to embark on it, especially with Lucifer at her side now.

"A monarchy would be the best option. I have a strong suspicion Nyimara will not be keen to share power," she replies, "and even if she agreed, there's no guarantee she wouldn't take the crown by force once we have grown complacent." Marceline's gaze shifts westward, into the distance where the border of the Badlands lies. "The Badlands queen, too, may be problematic if she seeks to take the crown for herself."

The pinched expression upon Lucifer's face halts her before she speaks again, her brow arching. Perhaps one too many battles have finally taken their toll on him. She understands what it is like to carry those reminders - the ache of her leg still haunts her sometimes, drawing forth the phantoms of her past that seem to linger, ever present, in the periphery of her mind.

Lucifer's suggestion that his own child be named heir to the throne rankles at Marceline's pride. She had fully intended to name one of her own children her heir - Oberon, perhaps, or even Antoinette, once she rescued her daughter from Nyimara's clutches. A king or queen borne of her own blood to carry the legacy she intended to create on Salem.

But it is Lucifer's insistence that Tefnut never be called upon that truly piques Marceline's annoyance.

"Never call for her aid? If she is to become queen, she will have to come to the aid of all her subjects should they require it. How am I to trust that she will be up to the task if she is sheltered away in the Dunes?" There was no point keeping her ignorant of the duties that would be required of her should she take the throne.

It is evident, by Lucifer's insistence that this Tefnut girl not be called upon, that he cares about her wellbeing. Perhaps she is the chink in Lucifer's armor, the soft underbelly of the beast. A vulnerable spot that could be targeted, should Lucifer ever prove himself untrustworthy in the weeks and months to come. For now, she quietly tucks that tidbit of information away.

Shifting her weight, Marceline inclines her head so she may catch Lucifer's crimson gaze. "I will, at the very least, consider it. I would like to meet this Tefnut for myself, see if she is capable of carrying the crown and of ruling fairly. She will need to prove herself, as any heir would." And if she was found lacking? Well, that was a bridge that could be crossed when - if - they came to it.

Another heir could always be made, after all.