Minerva knew from the way young Gerome oiled her skin, that they would soon be flying to Ylisstol…
She could feel his excitement at spending time with the future Exalt, Lucina.
From her viewing place on the castle parapets she watched as Gerome and Lucina would play together.
The princess's taste in fashion was always a bit peculiar but the wyvern didn't care.
Sometimes they would spar or just spend some time away from their parents.
Lucina would bring something out in him. He would always gain a boost of confidence.
In their games he would become the stalwart knight protecting his princess.
Rescuing her, if need be, from the monsters her younger brother Morgan would summon from one of his secret tomes.
The monsters wouldn't actually hurt his sister, but they were realistic enough to pose an actual challenge. The wyvern noticed over time that
Renaian romance of Princess Eirika and Seth the Silver knight.
Or other times, she would show off a new sword technique her father Chrom had taught her.
On the rare occasion Gerome would teach her how to ride a wyvern.
… Lucina and Morgan were waiting near Minerva's favorite landing spot in the courtyard. They nodded politely as Cherche and her husband
Virion greeted them after dismounting. Morgan, sensing his sister's excitement at seeing her special someone, ushered the two adults into
Castle Ylisse.
Gerome dismounted Minerva, a small package was hidden in his pockets, and sent the wyvern off to sun herself on the parapets.
"Gerome!" Lucina cried running up to him. He took her into his arms, spun her around and was about to kiss her when she placed a finger
to his lips. "As much as I want to, no one really knows about us." She whispered in his ear. "I don't want them to see."
"The only one here, aside from the two of us, is Minerva and she knows." Gerome replied, motioning up to where the sleeping wyvern lay
curled up in the sun. The wyvern lifted her head as if answering a summons. She tilted her head slightly as if nodding at her rider's comment,
and then lowered her head and went to back to sleep.
"Besides," he murmured, "I have something for you." He reached into his pockets and pulled out a small package.
"Here," he said, placing it into her hands. She opened the long navy box and gazed upon a butterfly shaped mask.
"It's beautiful." she replied tracing the outer wings with her fingertips. "But why would you give me a gift like this?" she asked.
"It suits you." he replied, "far better than those bear hats you love to collect." he added with a smirk.
She set the mask to the side and glared at him.
"Those bear hats are fine and each are from a different part of the realm!" she huffed reaching for the hilt of her sword.
He raised his hands in mock surrender. "Luci, I kid, I kid, please put away your sword!" he begged. The falchion remained in its sheath,
as she bust up laughing.
"I wasn't going to hurt you, and you know that." she chuckled. "But in all seriousness, why would you give me this?"
"Because there maybe a time where you will have to hide your identity. Either at a masquerade ball or something much more serious."
He replied.
She placed the mask on her face and it was a perfect fit. "There is a masquerade at the end of this month.
I was hoping to reveal our relationship then." she stated.
Gerome nodded, "Then I shall wear this at the ball too." he added placing a black mask over his eyes.
The two shared a passionate kiss, in the back of their minds they heard a wyvern shriek.
Minerva knows…
And she approves.
