Zuko felt his throat tighten, and he licked his dry lips. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke up.
"I... I have a question I'd like to ask you," he said, his voice faltering.
"Mm-hmm, go ahead and ask," Lina replied.
"Lina, are you... happy in this home?" Zuko asked, his expression filled with uncertainty.
Lina was taken aback. She sensed that something was off about Zuko today, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. His eyes seemed more mysterious, and he sometimes appeared hesitant to meet her gaze.
Could it be that there were more secrets to his identity?
"What do you mean by that, Zuko?" she inquired, her tone cautious.
Zuko gently held her shoulders and pleaded, "Please answer my question honestly."
"Why would you need to ask that? Of course I'm happy!" Lina replied, her eyes searching his face for any signs of concern.
"But how would you feel if you had to leave them one day?" Zuko pressed on, his gaze intense.
Lina's eyes widened with alertness. "What are you trying to do? Are you suggesting that if I marry you, I won't be allowed to come home? Are there so many rules in your wealthy family? I won't marry you then!"
"No, no, that's not it," Zuko hurriedly reassured her, reaching out to hold her arm and then embracing her tightly from behind, afraid she might run away.
It would be a disaster if he failed to confirm her identity and lost her as his wife.
Lina patted his arm and turned around to face him. "Tell me exactly what you're trying to ask."
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