Chapter One: For Better, or Worse
"I'll take an ale," she said, a hint of malice in her voice. She had all the reason to be bitter, though. She had lost the love of her life to another woman, a woman who always seemed to take her glory. She received her poison and paid the man his due. Sitting back in her seat, she pondered all that had gone wrong.
It started with the news of the marriage. "Chrom and Sumia, what a wonderful pair," Cordelia thought to herself. "Yes, who wouldn't go after her? She's cute, and she's a much better fighter than me." Cordelia sighed, dark thoughts all that flowed through her head. After the news of the marriage, she could only sulk and groan when she thought of him. Where happiness had been found in his image, only the fact that he would never be hers lied.
The ceremony was held earlier that day. They were so happy, and so were all who attended. She had never been to such a great jubilation, and she had never been so glad to leave it. Ylisseans were all cheering them on, and musicians had all gathered to play away the wonderfully wedded two. People cried tears of joy with hopes that their kingdom would reign on strong, but Cordelia's tears were only from great pain.
Here she was now, drinking herself away at a tavern. She could hear others continuing to talk about the wonders of the wedding. Some wondered when they would receive the first heir to the kingdom; others talked about the life of royalty. She knew neither of them, and she never would.
Before she could leave, a young man asked her, "Why do you look so dour, my friend? Today should be a happy day for everyone. The king has been given a wife to love and cherish dearly, and we have been given a promise of hope that we will all live in a flourishing kingdom." She continued to the door, and, right before she could open it, the man continued, "Do not form hate in your heart when there is so much to love about this world around you." She sourly responded, "I can't love anymore," and she finally made her departure.
The roads were dark and calm now. All of the celebrations were taken into the homes of the people now, and Cordelia could now breathe the crisp, cold air. She made her way to a nearby fountain and sat down next to it, listening to it calmly pour forth its waters. She sighed, and wondered if she should ever return to the barracks. She did not know if she could stand to see Chrom and Sumia. They would be together, hugging and showing each other their deep loves for one another. The idea made her sick, and the reality of it made her want to cry again. She would not allow herself to do so, though. She began calming herself, and she stood back up.
She could not allow herself to cry over their marriage, and she could not allow herself to leave her duty because of her broken heart. "This is pathetic," she scolded. "You are a Pegasus rider, and a damn good one. Stop this." She felt herself fill with a determination she knew she needed in order to continue. She began on her way to the barracks. "I may not be able to love him like she does, but I will be there for him when he falls." She vowed to become stronger. She wanted to be as best a friend to him as she could be; however, these vows were nothing but empty plans to gain whatever bit of affection from him she could, and she knew this.