"Well, it certainly explains your uncouth behavior last night," Maribelle huffed after Robin finished explaining the situation, "Really, not so much as a ring for a princess. Have you no decorum?"

"Yes, yes," Robin rubbed the bridge of his nose, "I'll remedy that later today, but I didn't exactly have a lot of time to make preparations."

"Yes," The noble's expression softened, "I suppose given the noble intentions, I can look past the poor execution. This time."

Robin sighed realizing that was about as good as he was going to get, "So can you help or not-ow!" Robin recoiled from the parasol swatted at his head.

"Manners," Maribelle then proceeded clear her throat and adjust her dress, "I am afraid that there is little I can do without knowing the exact terms of the contract."

"So…you need the contract?"

"Yes, though a copy would suffice."

"Easier said than done. Chrom having the Exalt's personal archives searched, but I doubt it's just lying there."

"Then it would seem the only known copy is in the hands of that troglodyte."

"Well, a mutual acquaintance of ours may be able to help with that."

The noble scoffed, "Please, do not remind me. I do not wish to know any more details. If you are successful, I will help you, but do not tell me how you came by it."

"Fair enough. I'd rather not go there myself."

"I will do what I can, but this is far from an ideal situation."

"I know," Robin sighed and looked out the window, "Excuse me, but I have to go pick up the ring."

"Do make sure it is not cheap."

Robin grumbled as he left the noble.


Ylisstol was bustling with activity as people bought and sold. Among the throngs of people strolled a lone figure in a plain, unmarked brown cloak. He was currently headed for the richer part of the market in search of a very particular item, and he would rather he not cause a ruckus, hence the cloak.

He made it halfway there when a figure strolled up next to him. The man was casually walking next to him with a sucker in his mouth as was the norm, "Hello Gaius."

"Bubbles," he adjusted the stick in his mouth, "I heard you wanted to see me."

"Indeed," they stopped for a carriage to pass before moving on, "I want to know what you know about Edward O'Malley."

"O'Malley, huh?" he turned the sucker over in his mouth, "Nothing good, I assure you. The man's nigh untouchable. His family is rumored to play dirty, but none of it will lead you to them. Trust me, I've tried."

"You have?"

"Yeah," Gaius watched as a pigeon took off from the road to avoid being trampled, "Rumor had it that they had something to do with blackmailing me once. I wanted payback," He paused for a moment, "Maybe a little justice, but don't tell anyone. I have a reputation to uphold after all."

"How close did you get?"

"Hard to say with them. As for this Edward, I would say that he is the weak link. He has a terrible history with women. His family protects him though. They sweep things under the rug whether through bribes, blackmail, or even more…direct methods. They are not to be trifled with. What's with the sudden interest in our resident dirty nobles anyway?"

"I want you to keep an eye on him."

The former thief raised his brow, "Why?"

"He's got something: a contract. For now, we've seemingly tied his hands, but we're playing at a disadvantage since we don't know exactly what it says. I want to know if he's planning on making any moves."

Robin handed her an envelope, "Of course, you'll be compensated."

"Wow," Gaius took the envelope, "Do I want to know what this contract is about?"

"It would have forced Lucina into marrying him."

"No wonder," Gaius commented offhand, "Wait, so how did you stop him?"

"I-uh…may have…proposed to her."

"You what?" Gaius looked at the tactician in shock, "And Blue didn't kill you on the spot?"

"No, he played it well, but I could tell that he was not happy. After I explained the situation he was more understanding. As it stands we are to keep up appearances until we find a way to nullify Edward's contract."

"That may take a while."

"I'm well aware."

Gaius smiled, "I guess that explains why you're in such a ritzy part of town. You know, I'm pretty good at spotting a good gem if you need some assistance; free of charge!"

The offer was tempting as he had little idea what he was doing, "I suppose a little help wouldn't hurt."

"Remind me never to let you in a jewelry store again," Robin muttered as he and the thief walked home.

"What? You got a good rock didn't you?"

"Yes, after the fifth store. It's almost dark," Robin referenced the now setting sun.

"They were overcharging!"

"Maybe, but did you really have to try and steal that necklace?"

"I was demonstrating the flaws in his security. Leaving that out in the open like that is just asking to get robbed."

"Sure," Robin rolled his eyes.

"I'm serious, I've been on the up and up. Besides, you should be more than happy to search far and wide for the perfect ring for your fiancée."

"You're not going to let me live this down, are you?"

"Nope," He stuck another sugary treat into his mouth.

Robin sighed knowing that this was just the tip of the iceberg. Once the other Shepherds learned of this... "Whatever, I need to get back."

"Yeah, don't want the missus to think you're stepping out on her," Gaius smirked as he parted ways with the exasperated tactician.

"And it's just getting started," Robin groaned to himself as he made his way to the castle gates.


Robin finished munching on his cold dinner roll as he walked throughout the castle. Turns out that he had missed dinner as well, and his raid on the kitchen only yielded meager results. Robin was ready to get this day over with, but he still had one more task to finish.

To that end, he had been asking the maids if they had seen a particular princess. He noticed that he had received varying responses. Some of the maids giggled as they directed him while others seemed almost…resentful when he asked about Lucina which he found odd considering that they had never acted that way before; in fact, several of them were quite nice to him, but he decided that that was a matter for another time.

He finally caught her just as she was about to retire to her room for the night.

"Lucina!" he ran up to her eager to stop her before she entered her room; he was not eager for that kind of scandal.

"Robin," she breathed. Her apparent lack of breath made Robin give her a once over. She was wearing a plain and simple training outfit-her war clothes had not been seen since he had returned home and he had no idea what she had done with them or Falchion-and she looked exhausted with her hair weighed down with sweat; no doubt from training of some sort.

So that was where she had been all day. They had not spoken since the night before, and Robin was more than willing to give her some space. To say that things were awkward might have been an understatement which made what he was about to do all the harder.

"Uh, I got you this," the tactician pulled out a simple golden ring with a singular-although, expensive-diamond. Chrom had offered to pay for it given the circumstances, but Robin declined the offer, "Since we have to look the part and whatnot," Robin quickly tacked on.

"It's lovely," Lucina tried a smile, but it was obvious that they were both uncomfortable.

"Lucina, I understand if you feel awkward, but I-I don't want us to be so distant. You're my friend, and I don't want that to change just because we're in an awkward situation. I value your friendship far too much for that."

"As do I, and I'm sorry if I've seemed cold. It's just so much to take in."

"I know, and there's no need to apologize. I understand that I've put you in an uncomfortable position, but I just hope that our friendship will survive this."

"It will," Lucina smiled, "I too value it far too much to let this destroy it."

"That means a lot," He smiled back before remembering why he had come, "Oh! The ring! Here," he handed the ring to her, "Try it on."

It was a little loose, but it still fit, "It is beautiful."

"Well, feel free to keep it once this is all over. Think of it as an apology."

"You shouldn't apologize," she glanced at the ring again, "And you should keep it. Give it to the woman you truly love."

Robin smiled, "I don't think it's proper to give a used engagement ring. No, it's yours. A gift from me."

"…Thank you."

Another awkward silence ensued before Robin excused himself and let her get ready for bed. He was glad that they seemed to have settled some of their issues. He would have hated if this situation cost him their friendship. It meant a lot to him; more than any of his other relationships-quite possibly all of them combined-if he were completely honest with himself.

He thought back to how she said that he should give the ring to the woman he truly loved, and he thought of that night on the hill when he gave her those flowers. How that he almost told her that night, but he did not. He had not brought her flowers since.