Laslow was sure that he looked like the nobles who had damn near fainted when he'd been appointed Prince—no, King— Xander's retainer.
"These two are my loyal retainers, Peri and Laslow."
The look that Xander gave Laslow now confirmed the latter's suspicions. The newly crowned king of Nohr fixed a pointed stare on the pale faced dancer. It was one that promised an unpleasant meeting should he attempt to use his "charms" on the king's guest. Not that it would've been necessary, as Laslow had frozen up like the statues adorning the grand halls of the Castle Krakenberg. Peri, on the other hand, bounced up to their guest with almost childlike glee.
"Hello there! My name's Peri," she said. "You smell amazing! I like you!"
The guest quirked an eyebrow but laughed, their melodic laughter echoing in the near empty throne room. Laslow swallowed nervously. Gods, it was too much. He didn't want to remember; he didn't want to meet so soon. He wasn't ready for this.
"Thank you, Peri," they smiled. "I quite like you as well."
Laslow prayed that he'd be able to make it through his introduction without embarrassing himself too thoroughly. Maybe he'd even be able to slip away right after giving his name. Laslow's shoulders straightened and he lifted his chin. Yes, he could do that. Then, the guest turned to him with a smile, and he couldn't bring himself to turn away.
"Laslow, was it? It's a pleasure to meet you," they said.
"My name is Laslow, royal retainer to King Xander of Nohr," he said, dropping to one knee as a show of respect. "Pleased to make your acquaintance."
Xander couldn't help but stare as his womanizing yet infuriatingly competent retainer introduced himself without any flirty remarks. But there was something else off about his response. There was something different about the way he held himself—something more detached. Laslow wasn't one to be indifferent; if anything, he loved life more than anyone in his service. At the very least, he loved life more than his partner. To see Peri chatting away with excitement but Laslow smiling politely but demurely was…wrong.
However, what surprised Xander more was how violently his guest jumped upon the sight of his retainer's smile.
"You…have we met before?"
Laslow's heart nearly stopped. Panic rose within him, but he couldn't, not yet. With the same polite smile, he got on his feet.
"I don't believe so, Milady," he replied. "It'd be difficult to forget such a pretty face."
The glare he received from Xander almost made him step back, but the guest only stepped closer to him. She was shorter than him, as expected, and she peered up into his face, eyes searching his face for something, anything. The raw emotion in her eyes caught Laslow off guard, and he found himself staring back into hers. His chest clenched, and his jaw tightened. It took everything he had to stop himself from reaching out to her right then. Finally, finally, he was able to tear his eyes away from her breathtaking ones.
"…Milady?" he asked quietly. "Can I help you?"
As if a spell were broken, she quickly moved back from Laslow, and he almost found himself missing the proximity. Almost.
"I-I'm sorry," she began, a rosy hue on her cheeks. "I don't know what came over me. You have a strong resemblance to a person I know."
"It's quite all right," he assured her. "Pay it no mind, I'm not bothered."
"Thank you, Laslow," she smiled gratefully. "I'll take you up on that offer."
Xander cleared his throat, redirecting to conversation back to business. This behavior was something he would talk to Laslow about later. That and a punishment from daring to flirt with his liege's guest.
"Allow me to introduce the crown princess of the Ylisse, Princess Lucina."
"It's a pleasure to meet the both of you," Lucina greeted them. "I hope we can work together in the future."
"The pleasure is ours. We hope to be of assistance, Princess Lucina," Laslow replied, both Peri and he dropping to one knee. A wry smile adorned his lips. He couldn't remember the last time he called her by her title.
"Lucina is fine, Laslow," the princess laughed. "I've never been too fond of formalities."
Despite his predicament, Laslow found himself holding back laughter. Even after all these years, she was still the same old Lucina. She was still the same woman he'd fought beside in their doomed timeline, and she was still the same women who he'd followed into the past to save their world.
"As you wish, Lucina," Laslow said, steeling his nerves. No matter what he said or did now, Lucina was here to stay.
"Princess Lucina will be aiding in the reconstruction effort. She will be acting under my authority," Xander explained. "As my retainers, I expect you two to be available and ready to assist her as needed."
"Yes, your Majesty!"
"You got it, Xander!"
Xander hummed his approval and nodded. Laslow, though still acting strangely, seemed to have reached a conclusion (he was still going to have a chat with him about his flirting regardless). Peri…well, he was sure the dignified princess before him would find a way to utilize his bloodthirsty retainer spectacularly.
When the two retainers were finally dismissed, Laslow almost couldn't contain his sigh of relief. Once they were past the doors and out of earshot, Peri turned to Laslow with an inquisitive stare.
"What was that all about?"
"Oh…you know," he began weakly. "Just nervous."
"You? Nervous?" Peri guffawed. "Yeah, right! She was gorgeous! I'm surprised you weren't all over her."
"I'm not that bad…" Laslow grumbled, cheeks reddening.
"You keep telling yourself that, buddy," Peri snorted.
"Hey!"
Peri marched on ahead, saying something about feeding the next noble who told her she wasn't good enough to be Xander's retainer to her horse. Laslow walked slowly, thinking about how age had done wonders for Lucina's beauty. Her distinct blue hair had grown longer, reaching all the way down her back. He suspected she'd be cutting it soon or putting it up in one of her mother's favorite hairstyles. Her deep blue eyes were just as beautiful as he remembered, down to the awe inspiring Brand of the Exalt in her left eye.
Yes, Lucina was still the same, headstrong woman he'd fallen in love with.