Olivia was talking to Maribelle about their trip to town when she caught Ricken out of the corner of her eye. He was in his mage armor with the flowing robes. His giant hat and clothes made him seem so much younger. If he would just wear clothes that fit him, maybe he wouldn't get teased so much. She found herself smiling and tried to hide it. It was a strange feeling thinking about someone so often. It wasn't normal things either. It was more like, Ricken would like these or Ricken would find this story hilarious. She found herself missing him when he wasn't around.
"Olivia, are you even listening to me? It is very rude to daydream while your dearest friend is telling a story."
Maribelle stomped and waved her hands in front of Olivia's eyes. She was a good friend but sometimes her stories were boring.
"Who are you even staring at?" Her posh voice was hinting at annoyance.
Maribelle followed Olivia's gaze to Ricken, who was coming towards them.
"Hey Olivia, hey Maribelle, what are you two up to."
Olivia blushed as Maribelle glared at her. "Up to? Ummm what were we talking about?"
"We were talking about the brute who hit on me, but apparently someone else was on your mind."
"Someone else?" Ricken asked questioningly.
Olivia elbowed Maribelle. "I don't know what she's talking about. Soo what brings you over here?"
Ricken fumbled with his tome before speaking. He did that when he was nervous about something.
"Chrom didn't pair me with anyone today so I was hoping to tag along with you two, if that's ok?"
Maribelle stepped forward. "Yes yes that's fine. Go get my horse ready for me. Olivia and I want some more girl time."
Ricken scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "Ok…seeya on the battlefield."
Olivia waved. "Ok, awesome."
Ricken smiled at that and walked away.
Maribelle stepped in her view. "Awesome? What is going on with you? You don't like him do you?"
Olivia blushed again. "Maybe? I don't know."
Maribelle grabbed her hand and drug her into a tent to talk.
"Tell me everything!"
"Well Chrom has paired us up a few times and we just hit it off. He loves scary stories and he takes my mind off the scary things like dying and war. He makes me laugh, Maribelle. I can be myself around him and not worry about how I'm coming off."
Even saying those things out loud made her heart thump. She couldn't even contain her smile. It all made sense in that little amount of time. She did care for Ricken very much. Maybe she even loved him?
Maribelle smirked. "I'm happy for you and I mean that." She said it very quietly.
"You think I'm nuts, don't you?"
Maribelle cleared her throat. "He is…"
"Young, yes I know. That doesn't matter to me somehow."
"Then as your friend I understand and support you."
Olivia grabbed her hands. "Thank you! That means a lot to me. I think I'm going to tell him right now. Wish me luck."
"I don't think you will need it, darling."
Maribelle smiled as Olivia ran out. It was bittersweet. Little Ricken was growing up and now over his crush on her. She always knew but pretended not to notice. He was so brave rescuing her on his own.
"Olivia, you are one lucky girl."