Disclaimer: Fire Emblem belongs to Nintendo and Intelligent Systems.
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It was only several days after the War of the Stones ended, and the Demon King had been defeated. Renais was one of the most damaged nations in Magvel, so Prince Ephraim, Princess Eirika, and their loyal knights were quite busy with its reconstruction. The royal siblings had even requested aid from Frelia's prince and princess, Innes and Tana, who brought their Pegasus knights, Vanessa and Syrene.
Eirika and Tana were planting wildflower seeds to rebuild the land. It was a beautiful day, with the mostly clear blue sky, save a few clouds hovering over the land. Tana was humming cheerfully, while Eirika seemed to be lost in another world. She merely dropped the seeds into the ground, not really paying any attention.
"Cheer up, Eirika," Tana said.
Eirika looked up. "Huh? Oh, Tana..."
"The war is over. We can all live in peace again."
"Yes, but...I just wish this whole thing had never happened."
"Hmm...the war was terrible, that's true. But I can see many good things that have happened along with the bad."
"Like what?"
"Well, we know that this can never happen again, knowing that we've defeated the Demon King permanently," Tana said. "Plus we met a lot of new and interesting friends during our journey. Annnnnd..." Tana stretched the word out, making sure she had Eirika's attention. "Ephraim and I got engaged!"
Eirika was shocked. "What!?"
"That's right!" Tana said, overjoyed. "Ephraim is going to be my handsome husband! Did he not tell you?"
"No, he's never mentioned it to me. He and I share everything, and yet he never...Ephraim!" Eirika jumped to her feet and ran towards the castle.
"Eirika!" Tana got up and gave chase.
Eirika ran to the castle, where Ephraim was working at the top of a partially completed wall. Suddenly, Eirika tripped over her own feet, crying out as she hit the ground.
"Eirika!" Tana quickly caught up to her. "Are you all right?"
Meanwhile, Ephraim caught sight of his sister tripping and falling.
"Eirika!" He started to climb down from the wall, only to lose his grip and fall to the ground himself. Despite that, he got up quickly and rushed to Eirika's aid. As he got there, Eirika had already gotten up with Tana's help.
"Eirika, are you all right?" he asked.
"I'm fine, brother," Eirika said. "Ephraim...is it true that you and Tana are engaged?"
"Oh yes. We've developed feelings for each other during the war."
"But...why didn't you tell me?"
"I didn't tell you? Oh Eirika, I'm sorry. I thought I had told you. Please forgive me."
Innes joined the group to see what was happening. "What's going on?"
"Have you heard the news?" Tana asked. "Ephraim and I are engaged!"
Innes shot a glance at her. "You're engaged to whom?"
Tana gave him a similar look. "To Ephraim."
Innes continued to stare at her for a moment, then turned his gaze to Ephraim, who only smiled.
"It's the truth, Innes," Ephraim said.
Innes turned back to Tana. "Tana, why didn't you tell me?"
"Well...because I already knew what you were going to say," Tana replied.
"And what was I going to say?"
"You were going to say, 'Have you lost your mind? I will not allow my sister to wed such an infuriating man!'"
"Ha ha ha. You took the words right out of my mouth, Tana."
"All right..." Ephraim started walking back towards the castle. "Everyone, it's time for a lunch break!"
Forde looked up. "Lunch break? I've been waiting to hear that all morning!"
Kyle rolled his eyes. "Forde..."
The dining hall was still in disarray due to the war, but the troops were able to create a satisfying meal. They sat at the large table and began eating. Eirika found that she didn't have much of an appetite.
"What's wrong, Eirika?" Tana asked.
"Yes, pray tell," Ephraim said. "You've been awfully clumsy since we started this reconstruction project. It's not like you at all. So tell us, what's the problem?"
Eirika sighed. "It's just that...ever since the war ended, I've been hearing about so many engagements."
"Well, I can't blame them," Forde said. "Things like this make us realize how precious life is, and they remind us to enjoy the finer things in life. Like marriage, for instance."
"Am I the only one who didn't get engaged during the war?" Eirika asked. "I mean, Colm and Neimi are engaged, Artur and Lute are engaged...I even heard that Joshua is wedding Natasha when he takes over the Jehanna throne."
"Wow..." Forde said. "That is a lot of engagements. I thought Vanessa and I were the only ones."
Kyle shot him a look. "You and Vanessa??"
Forde returned the look. "What? Are you surprised that a lazy bum like me could be engaged?"
"No, I'm surprised that Vanessa actually accepted your proposal. You know how she is, all serious about her duties."
"Yeah, but what can I say? I'm irresistible."
"It also surprised me because I got engaged to Syrene myself."
"Really? Vanessa and Syrene are sisters, aren't they? In that case, we're about to become brothers-in-law!" Forde held up his drinking glass. "Let's drink to life, brother!"
"You see!?" Eirika nearly screamed. "Everyone is engaged but me!"
"That's not true, Eirika!" Tana said. "Innes is still an eligible bachelor."
"Actually, I've been engaged to Princess L'Arachel of Rausten," Innes said.
"Innes??" Eirika asked. "Unbelievable!"
"Innes, how could you?" Tana jumped in.
"How could I what?" Innes asked.
"Well, well, Innes; what am I to make of this?" Ephraim said. "You got angry at Tana for keeping our engagement a secret. Now what are we supposed to say since you've had a secret engagement of your own?"
"Fine, I see your point already!" Innes said.
"Princess Eirika," Seth joined the conversation. "This is nothing you need concern yourself with. You'll find your suitor in due time."
Eirika sighed as she collected herself. "You're right, Seth. Actually, I did meet someone, but..."
"That's right!" Tana said. "I was telling Eirika about all the new friends we met during the journey. Like that sage from Caer Pelyn...he was really something else, wasn't he?"
Eirika gasped softly. How funny that Tana would mention the one man she had on her mind ever since the war ended. Saleh...just the sound of his name sent shivers up Eirika's spine.
Tana recognized Eirika's reaction. "Oh, so you did find someone! I'm so happy for you, Eirika!"
"But...Saleh and I aren't...we're not..." Eirika felt a burst of emotion rise up within her. No longer able to tolerate it in front of her friends, she got up and ran from the room.
"Eirika!" Tana called. She started to get up as well.
"Princess Tana," Seth said. "I think we should let Princess Eirika be alone for a while."
"But she's my friend. I just want to see if I can cheer her up."
Tana followed Eirika into the kitchen. Eirika only stood with her back turned.
"Come on, Eirika!" Tana said. "Pay no mind to what the others think. I think it's great that you're in love with Saleh."
"It's...it's not that," Eirika told her. "It's true that we do have feelings for each other, but...Saleh and I can never marry."
"Why not?"
"Because...he's from Caer Pelyn."
"So?"
"His culture is so different from ours. They probably don't follow the tradition of marriage in Caer Pelyn."
"Hmm...that is a good point," Tana admitted. "But it couldn't hurt to ask. Even if they don't believe in marriage, it won't change you feelings for each other, will it?"
"No...you're right, Tana," Eirika said. "The next time I visit Caer Pelyn, I'll be sure to ask about it."
"That's the spirit! Now come on, your lunch is getting cold."
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That night turned out to be a restless night for Eirika. She lay in her bed, staring up at the ceiling. The room was illuminated only by two torches on either side of the wall. Within the silence, Eirika could hear Saleh's voice.
"But now you are here, with your strength, courage, and dignity. If you achieve victory, the legend will become reality. You will become the Nada Kuya of this age."
These were the words that gave Eirika the courage to fight on and win the war. If not for his words, she would not have had the strength to win. For that, she would be forever grateful.
"Saleh..." Eirika muttered the sage's name under her breath as she closed her eyes and finally drifted off to sleep.
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Kyle woke up at the first sign of sunlight. He stretched his arms a bit and then looked at the empty bed beside him. That didn't seem right to Kyle.
That bed should not have been empty.
"Unbelievable," Kyle thought. "Forde actually beat me out of bed. But that's impossible!"
He stood up and moved to the other side of the bed. Sure enough, Forde was on the floor still fast asleep, with his blanket wrapped chaotically around him.
"Forde! Forde, wake up!" Kyle shook his companion vigorously. However, the knight did not budge.
"Forde!!" Kyle shook him again. When that still didn't work. Kyle stood up and gave Forde a hard kick to the ribs. Forde jolted awake from the blow.
"Ow! Kyle, what'd you do that for!?" he exclaimed.
"To wake you up, you idiot!" Kyle said. "We still have a lot of work ahead of us."
"All the more reason why we need our beauty rest!" Forde closed his eyes and attempted to sleep again.
"Forde!" Kyle kicked him in the ribs again.
"Ow! Fine, fine..." Forde picked himself up from the floor and followed Kyle out of the room.
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The cavaliers emerged into the hallway at the same time as Eirika.
"Good morning, Princess Eirika!" Forde said cheerfully.
"Hello, Forde," Eirika said, her voice gloomy.
Forde stopped in the hallway, stopping Kyle as well. "Did you hear that?"
"I sure did," Kyle said. "She didn't look well either. We must speak with Prince Ephraim."
"Yeah, let's do that."
As they ran to catch up, the found Eirika in the dining room already speaking with Ephraim and Seth.
"Eirika, are you all right?" Ephraim asked. "You look rather frail."
"Oh Ephraim...I didn't get much sleep last night," Eirika admitted.
"Your Highness, perhaps you should take the day off," Seth suggested.
"What? But...our kingdom...we still have a lot of work to do."
"No, I agree with Seth completely," Ephraim said. "I appreciate your concern for our kingdom, but it's not worth endangering your own health. Besides, it's not like we're going to finish today. When you've fully recovered, you're more than welcome to help rebuild Renais."
"Oh...I guess you're right. I'll try to get some more rest..." Eirika turned and started walking back to her bedroom.
"Prince Ephraim..." Forde said. "Can I take the day off too? I don't feel good..."
"What's wrong, Forde?" Ephraim asked.
"Kyle kicked me."
Ephraim stared blankly at him, keeping a laugh in. "Forde."
"Yes?"
"Get to work."
"Y-Yes, Your Highness..."
