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This is the part where you realize Chrom's new favorite word is 'c'mon'. D:
Chapter 4: Ophelia
The door to Chrom's study loomed before me. It had never quite looked as dark and forbidding as it did today. It was mid-afternoon. I was not even sure if I would find Chrom inside, but still my heart was racing. Chrom had that amazing quality that he could make my heart rate jump; be it from excitement or apprehension or any other emotion he was somehow able to conjure in me. I held my knuckles just above the wood, every muscle posed to knock, but I could not bring myself to do it. The door opened slowly. Chrom stood behind it. He looked tired, but grinned slightly at seeing me.
"I heard you walk up five minutes ago. Have you been out here thinking about what you wanted to yell about first?" Chrom said. I realized his smile was now only masking his own residual anger.
"Can I come in?" I asked, resisting the urge to parry Chrom's comment with my own. Chrom nodded and showed me in. Chrom's study was bright, and did not look as foreboding as Chrom's expression. Chrom sat down at his desk, his back to me. I huddled by the door. I had lost all resolve to face the Exalt.
"It's impolite to hang by the door when you have been invited in." Chrom said without turning. My neck flushed; Chrom was so angry he was quoting Maribelle.
"Contrary to popular belief, I didn't come here to yell or to scoff at normal social cues." I said. I played with the ends of my sleeves and peeked over at him through my eyelashes. Chrom glanced over his shoulder.
"Is that so?" Chrom replied. I hesitantly approached his desk and faced him. Chrom busied himself with some papers on his desk, and did not look up at me. I could tell he was only shuffling and reshuffling the papers. He was trying hard not to speak or to acknowledge me.
"I want to apologize. Er, I mean, I apologize." I said with some difficulty. I bit my lip and my brows knitted together. I dared a hesitant look at the Exalt. He slowly looked up from his papers and met my eyes. Surprisingly, he smiled a small smile.
"Thank the gods. I thought you were still angry with me." Chrom sighed. His face lost the dark and foreboding expression.
"What?! You're not angry with me?" I asked, completely gobsmacked.
"I was for a moment. But, I know you're stressed. I figured it was my fault." Chrom rubbed the back of his head, his cheeks a little red. I leaned onto the table in complete defeat.
"Have I ever told you how much I loved you?" I said looking intently at Chrom's desk. Chrom leaned forward and kissed my cheek.
"Not in a while." He laughed softly.
"I'm an awful fiancée," I mumbled.
"C'mon now, it's fine." Chrom soothed. He placed his strong hand on top of mine.
"I've got to make this up to you." I said. I hurried around the desk and pulled Chrom up out of his chair.
"Huh? You will?" Chrom's face turned bright red.
"Yeah! By getting back to work! What's first, Exalt?" I sat down at the desk and looked eager. Chrom stared at me in disbelief for a moment, before coming to his senses.
"Oh yeah, that's one way to do it…" Chrom replied. I cocked my head.
"What did you have in mind?" I asked, feeling confused. Chrom blushed and avoided my eyes for a moment. He glanced back at me, almost pleading for me not to expect a reply. I blinked rapidly and felt my own face grow cherry red. I laughed nervously and turned back to the desk. I moved the papers quickly about, throwing a few onto the floor. Chrom helped me pick them up, both of us blushing.
"Why do we both get like this…?" Chrom asked. He leaned on the desk with one arm, his other hand over his face.
"Because we're both adorably awkward?" I giggled impulsively. After a moment I softly added, "Or maybe because you're the Exalt now."
"I'm still just me," Chrom replied. He met my eyes from under his blue hair.
"But you weren't there when Maribelle explained the rules and regulations of being engaged to royalty. Instead of congratulating our engagement, she threatened me with infinite pain and suffering if I stepped one toe out of line." I shuddered at the thought.
"Maribelle does have a certain, frightening quality." Chrom offered, with a smile.
"Yet, she can say it in such an elegant and educated way." I added. Chrom let out a snicker, I smiled goofily. I refocused on the papers on the desk. I picked up an elegant paper invitation.
"Hey Chrom? What's this?" I held out the invitation to him. Chrom looked surprised to see me holding it, as if it suddenly jogged a memory in his mind.
"That's an invitation for a party we're holding. I wanted you to have a look before I sent it out." Chrom replied. He handed the paper back to me. I studied the hand-written calligraphy.
"An engagement party? And we're holding it?" I asked.
"It's sort of what royalty does, unfortunately. It's a little late due to the war, but it's one of those fancy rules and regulations." Chrom explained.
"But I'm not royalty yet!" I stammered, "I don't think I'm the elegant party person like you or Lissa!" Chrom laughed.
"Me? A party person? I was never good at that sort of thing. The only thing that got me through it was Emm's help." Chrom said, "Emm was able to fix all of my blunders and she somehow made Lissa act like an adult just when she needed to." I must have looked unconvinced because Chrom continued:
"Don't worry; you'll look beautiful. Lissa and I will help you, and I'm sure Maribelle will have a few insights." Chrom took my hands encouragingly. His smile was genuine and bright. I tried to seem enthusiastic.
"Um, what exactly happens at a ball?" I asked.
"Well, there's food and some dancing. At the engagement ball there will be a special presentation of the two of us to the crowd." Chrom explained.
"I feel sick just thinking about it." I muttered.
"C'mon now, you've talked in front a whole army. At the ball you just smile and wave." Chrom took my hand and showed me the simplicity of the movement.
"An army is different! I was one of them. I'm as far from royalty as it gets, I'm afraid."
"Stop worrying." Chrom commanded gently. He laid a kiss on my forehead.
"Well, if this ball is important, I'll try my best." I said. I tried to smile to convince him. I usually quite good at fooling Chrom with my forced expression, and today was no exception.
"Great!" Chrom cheered.
"Just, how many people will be coming..?" I asked hesitantly. Chrom rolled his eyes and, smiling, he ignored my question.
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I do not own Fire Emblem.