"A good wife? Well we aren't exactly mated or married. So I can't judge you as a wife.
I guess if I tried then your good qualities would include that you are attentive to me, you want me to be the best I can, even if we disagree on what that means. You are protective of me and courageous about it. You are never lazy. You are faithful...although I do wonder if you are having dreams about Sergeant Clevis. If only I was tall, violently foolhardy and over 40 then maybe you'd be hot for me too."
He grinned to let her know he was teasing.
"You are never wanton or slutty...hell's teeth, you say I'm your man and I can't even get a real kiss.
So you do have good qualities. But Mizu, before I would ever be your husband I need to be your boyfriend. I need to hear that you want me like I want you, that you love me like I love you.
I can't really even walk for a week, and I already forgave you for that, especially if that seems I get huggy back rides.
But know this, I expect the assassin's will try again before too long. So a week from now I will likely be dead. If not, the contract will be done. You will own everything and unless you want to have me...as a real boyfriend, whom you depend upon to run this place and who you want to make love to then I will have failed, and you will have failed as a prospective wife and you WILL lose me, because I won't be controlled. I will then leave here whether alive or dead."
He was absolutely serious. He would not trade one he'll for another.
" Now you'd better call Cadbury to bring me my work. Running an estate means hours of boring paperwork each day. Unless you want to do it. I hate it, but people need me to do it or it all falls apart. So you decide if that counts as brave and determined."