Previous Author's Notes still apply.

Some extra notes for today: While I will make reference to the events of the game and various support conversations, I will not be covering them in depth. As I mentioned in last chapter, most of this story is meant to take place in between what the game shows. If you haven't gone through every support conversation in your own play-through, you can simply look up the dialogues on the Fire Emblem Wikia. I would highly suggest going through all of Lon'qu's supports and Cordelia's, because there will be some mention of conversations they had with other characters.

Also, I try really hard to keep my grammar and spelling at peak performance, but after rereading something over and over, I will inevitably miss a few things. Please feel free to point these mistakes out in reviews. Doing so will help me improve. Like all writers, I do take some liberties here and there, but I do try to be accurate for the most part.

I think that's all for today. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Fire Emblem: Awakening or any of its characters. This story is for pure entertainment purposes only.

Chapter Two: The Path to His Heart - As the old adage goes, "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach". Men naturally want a girl who can cook, as it will be one of their principal duties in the marriage relationship. Cultivate a talent in preparing delicious and nutritious meals to showcase your potential as a wife. Show your love for him by making his favorite meal or other little treats and you'll certainly get his attention.

The second chapter featured plenty of different recipes that were supposedly guaranteed to be a hit with any man as well as a lengthy sermon on a woman's place in the kitchen. Cordelia found it distinctly sexist for the most part, but figured it couldn't hurt to be more creative and intentional when her turn came in preparing meals for the troops.

The problem wasn't so much that she couldn't cook; she was actually pretty gifted in that area, especially compared to the other women. The real issue is that she had no idea what Chrom's favorite meal was or anything really when it came to his tastes. She was too shy to just go up and ask him, and she couldn't discreetly question anyone else who might know to find out. Her only real option was to try a bunch of different recipes and watch to see how he reacted.

At least it was fortunate that whenever she was assigned to meal prep, Robin gave her full creative control over the dishes and the other helpers. It was sometimes difficult to get the others to follow her instructions precisely; they tended to be lackadaisical or opinionated. And lately, Sumia was a constant presence and a little in the way, working on some sort of pie recipe of her own invention. But as always, everything came together well, and the Shepherds were both excited and extremely complimentary as they consumed her edible masterpieces.

Cordelia smiled, genuinely pleased and happy to see almost all of her comrades perk up as she served them, and she returned each kind word with thanks. Even Chrom brightened when he entered the dining tent to find her on meal duty, and it took every ounce of control she had not to blush and faint when he expressed his gratitude. She continued to keep an eye on him after he sat down next to Robin and started eating, hoping that a look on his face or his body language would give her a clue as to what he enjoyed the most.

"Hey, look out!"

She heard the words too late as something tumbled into her, knocking her down, thankfully AWAY from the serving line. She groaned in pain as the source of her fall struggled to extricate itself from her and something warm and moist began to seep into her clothes.

"Oh gods... I'm so sorry, Cordelia!" Her fellow Pegasus Knight pushed herself to her feet and offered her a hand. When they were both righted, Sumia seized a dish towel from the table and began to wipe the remnants of some sort of crumbly confection off of them.

The elder knight sighed. "It's alright, Sumia."

"Oh... I got my pie all over you. It's completely ruined."

Cordelia raised an eyebrow. "So are my clothes," she pointed out.

The contrite klutz looked on the verge of crying. "I know. I'm so sorry. I promise I'll wash them. Oh, this is so embarrassing."

The now soiled rider pulled a small chunk of pie from her sleeve and stared at it. "What exactly is this? I've never seen anything like this before."

Sumia tried for a weak grin. "It WAS rhubarb-and-fiddlehead pie. I made it for Chrom. Ugh, and I finally got it right again too."

"For... for Chrom?" Cordelia's swallowed heavily and her eyes widened.

Her friend giggled and flushed. "Mm-hm. I was worried about how tired he seemed lately, so I baked it for him to cheer him up. It took me fifteen tries to do it. He ate the whole thing last time and he said he really enjoyed it. I was hoping to share this one with him. Oh... now I have to start over." She stopped wiping her clothes and stared at Cordelia's face. "Hey... are you okay? You're not hurt are you?"

The red head wasn't injured, not physically anyway, but it felt like an icy vice-like grip was seizing her chest and twisting mercilessly. She had always known that she wasn't the only one who harbored feelings for their commander, but she hadn't expected Sumia to be so bold in her own pursuit.

Could she in good conscious continue, knowing that her dear friend had feelings for the same person?

"Cordelia?'

She shook her head and forced a smile. "I'm fine, Sumia. I... I need to get back to work. But I expect you to hold up your promise to wash these." She tugged on her stained shirt for emphasis.

"I will. I have to go on patrol with Frederick after dinner though. Can I come find you when we're finished?"

"Of course. I'll see you later, Sumia."

The other knight nodded and skipped off, inevitably stumbling and falling once again near the exit of the meal tent.

When she was out of sight, Cordelia allowed her smile to sink and tears stung her eyes as she looked down. Now what was she supposed to do?

"Huh."

She adopted a neutral expression and turned to address the new interruption. "Is something wrong, Gaius?"

The Thief shrugged and held out a bowl for a serving of cabbage stew, which she consented to fill. "Just didn't know anyone liked this stuff so much." He wrinkled his nose at the smell and stuck out his tongue in distaste.

She carefully handed it back to him, glaring a little in puzzlement. "If you find it so repulsive, why are you taking some?"

He shook his head. "S'not for me." He pointed to the far corner of the room, where Lon'qu was sitting seiza with arms crossed, avoiding contact with any passing females. "I guess this is his favorite meal, but he's too chicken to come and ask you for a second helping. He promised to give me his share of dessert if I came and got it for him." He waved his hand in thanks as he took the bowl over to the other man and exchanged it for a fruit tart.

Cordelia watched as Lon'qu carefully ate, mindful of burning his mouth on the hot liquid. After a few soft slurps, he paused with eyes closed and smiled. His posture visibly relaxed each time he took a bite.

Her mouth fell open and she blinked rapidly, taken back at the sight of the stoic Myrmidon looking cheerful (as much as he could, anyway). "Well, I'll be..." she whispered. After the initial shock, her lips twitched upward, feeling rather pleased.

Since her conversation with Robin a little over a week ago, she had done as asked and made an effort to get to know him better. It was frustrating at times since he wasn't very forthcoming with any information about himself, nor did he give the impression that he had any interest in her either. However, he had thanked her for helping him out on the battlefield and offered a favor in exchange to "repay the debt". She wasn't very experienced with swordplay and casually mentioned wanting fencing lessons, but she wasn't about to force him to spend any more time with her than required.

He had also assured her that he could control his fear of her in combat, and he easily backed up this claim with unprecedented courage. In fact, they worked so well together that she'd actually begun to enjoy fighting by his side. Somehow, he made her feel safe amidst the gore and bloodshed, and she felt no fear as long as he was close.

Cordelia watched him finish his dinner, wash his bowl, return it to the dish crate, and exit, still outwardly satisfied and unusually calm. 'You know, he's actually very handsome when he smiles," she thought, blushing somewhat. She looked down at her cabbage stew and gave it a few slow stirs with her spoon. 'In that case, I'll have to try to make this more often..."

Thanks again! Until next time!