"Ugh! I just can't get it..." The red-haired knight said with a defeated voice. Across from her, the white-haired tactician gave an encouraging smile. "Cordelia...just keep trying. I think you might be on to something here." He said, gesturing to the map and small pieces meant to represent a single unit.
Inside the tactician's tent, Cordelia and Robin had gotten together to test the former's tactical skills. Who else to judge her capabilities other than the Grandmaster of the Ylissean army? Cordelia, Knight-captain of the Pegasus division, had eagerly accepted the challenge. For the genius girl who could master anything, this was surprisingly difficult.
Cordelia put her arms on the table before her, laying her head downwards. Her long hair sprawled across the oak tabletop, obscuring her face. "Just face it Robin, I'm not getting anywhere with this." She muttered into her arms.
Robin let a small smug smile grace his lips, it wasn't everyday the she was worse than the next person. He quickly relished his private victory. Seeing the knight move, Robin removed the smile from his face. He didn't want to entertain an angered Cordelia, either.
Robin put a reassuring arm on Cordelia's, patting it in a less-than-helpful way. Cordelia rolled her eyes at the tactician and brushed his hand off. Cordelia had not given a thought to her action, yet to the tactician it was akin to a solid punch in the stomach.
Robin grimaced. It had to be her. Not the cute dancer, Olivia. Not the tomboyish princess, Lissa. Hell, not even his personal stalker Tharja. It had to be the girl famous for her unrequited love that captured his feelings. Cordelia had harbored feelings for Chrom so obvious to everyone save for the prince, that it turned many of her potential suitors away.
Robin would be brought close to defeat when playing this game against Virion, yet the man sacrificed his units just to gain ground against Robin. By the end of one particular game the blue-haired archer had lost over half his army and controlled most of the board. Robin on the other hand had yet to lose a unit, strategically retreating and giving ground to keep them alive. Backed into the corner, Robin held out and used his ace-in-the-hole. By having heavy armored units in the front, Robin could block the physical attacks and use archers and mages to take out the opposing force, effectively creating a solid wall of steel. Of course, Virion had brought his mages to the line to bombard his cavalry and knights. Robin would then retreat a few paces, taking the time to heal his units, and send them back to the front. This strategy did not help gain ground, but it held the line until any reinforcements could attack. This theory was proven correct when Frederick and Kellam had held a small wooden bridge against a whole army of Risen.
Robin shook his thoughts off and began to place the small wooden pieces back on their original positions on the map, ready for another game. At that moment Chrom poked his head through the tent flap. "Robin. Cordelia." The prince greeted with a nod. "How goes the test?"
Cordelia, too wrapped up in her own little world, had not responded. Robin frowned and looked at the prince, disappointment plainly displayed on his face. Chrom must have registered that look as a sentence to the red-haired knight's tactical capabilities, not Robin's own grief over his fruitless love life. The prince frowned at nodded, needing no further words.
"Well, that is unfortunate. I had hoped we could get you an assistant and eventually get you some time off, friend." Chrom spoke in a joking manner. "Ah well, it seems you really are gifted in this regard."
Robin nodded his head, waving the prince away. "Ah well," the tactician put on a fake smile and a false tone, "You wouldn't have done any better. Now scram, someone actually does work around here." Chrom shook his head and gave his goodbyes, disappearing from the tent.
Robin turned to look at his opponent. Cordelia's blush now matched her hair, the knight letting out one of those heart-wrenching sighs. Robin exhaled slowly, eager to end this night.
Cordelia regained her composure, fixing her hair and bringing her attention to the tactician. "So-you were saying?" Cordelia asked in a polite tone. Robin rolled up the map and began to put the wooden figurines into a small box. "I think we are done, Cordelia." He said similarly to how a teacher would speak to a failing student.
Cordelia gave him a confused look. "Did you not say that we would play one more game?" She asked innocently. Robin shook his head. "As much as I hate to say it," the white-haired man spoke, "I believe I have more pressing matters to attend to."
Robin hated lying to her, but it was for the best. He did not want to spend much more time with the woman, fearful of gaining more attachment to her. "In fact." He added, "I do not believe we will be able to meet for quite some time."
A look of disappointment flashed on Cordelia's face, which was quickly replaced by determination. "I will study up on the subject of tactics, Robin." Cordelia said with a firm voice, "And next time we meet I will prove to you, and Chrom, that I can do this."
Robin paled slightly. "Really, Cordelia, I insist that you pursue other endeavors. I am swamped with paperwork and could not possibly help. Besides, you must have your own work to attend to, being the knight-captain and all."
"Nonsense!" Cordelia spoke cheerfully. "Adding another area of study couldn't hurt, and besides, this would greatly help the Pegasus Knights with their scouting missions." Robin resisted the urge to palm his face. At times, Cordelia could be overzealous.
"Let me know when you are next available, Robin." Cordelia said while quickly exiting the tent, leaving no room for argument. Robin waited until he heard her brisk footsteps dissipate before unleashing a torrent of curses that would put Sully to shame and sweeping some books and papers off the table. He violently slammed his right hand off the desk and collapsed into the chair behind him.
One question repeated through Robin's mind. Why her?
