Disclaimer: I Don't own Fire Emblem.

Enjoy!

Chapter 4

(Friday afternoon:)

Joshua strolled along the halls of the castle when he saw a familiar figure.

"King Joshua." The figure addressed

"Cormag? Cormag of Grado?" Joshua grinned. He was happy to see the blonde wyvern rider.

"At your service, your highness." He said as he bowed slightly.

"Cormag! What are you doing here? And please, just call me Joshua." Joshua reached his hand out to shake Cormag's hand.

"Okay King-er, Joshua. It looks like I'm working for you now."

Joshua was confused. He didn't remember recruiting any men from Grado. Then Cormag took out a folded piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Joshua.

It was a recruit contract for Jehanna's services, and at the bottom was Cormag's signature.

"Oh… I must've sent papers there by mistake." He knew of Grado's state. Without a King, it must have been chaotic there. The country needed all the help it could get.

Cormag chuckled. "That's not very 'King-ly' of you, Joshua."

Joshua rolled his eyes and let out a soft laughter. "So how is that place now?"

"It's stable. General Dussel, Knoll and I were working hard at rebuilding villages, the castle, and recruiting the Grado army… It's been pretty hectic these last few weeks." Cormag brushed his hand through his hair. Joshua felt his troublesome. He could only imagine what Grado was like now that the war had ended.

"Have you guys decided who's going to take on the role of King?"

"No. Majority of the people wants General Dussel to take the throne, but he refuses."

"You know, I could just rip up that contract, and you can go back."

"No, no it's okay. It's better for me to be away. Oh, Lady Marisa." Joshua turned around to see Marisa walking towards them.

"Cormag?" Joshua was surprised that she knew him. Even though they fought in the same army, he believed Marisa ignored everyone.

"Did you know Princess Tana was looking for you?" She said. Again, Joshua was surprised that she knew another comrade. Maybe she did interact with the army more than he had thought.

"Wait, what do you mean she's looking for him?" Joshua was confused.

"After the war, you disappeared. Princess Tana wanted you to work under Frelia."

Oh? Joshua was intrigued. He thought he knew all the gossips and the rumors that went on within the army during the war, but this, he did not know about.

Cormag sighed, and Joshua turned around to face him. "So it's true, huh? She kept her word."

"Are you running from her?" Joshua asked.

"Not really…" Joshua knew he was hiding something and gave him a stern look. Cormag saw the look on his face and spilled everything out.

"Ever since the war, I felt like a traitor to my country. Even though the war has ended, I don't feel like I belong there. During the war, Tana and I talked a lot and well… I guess you can say I really care about her. And Tana offered me a position under Frelia's army. I would've taken it if it weren't for this stupid guilt feeling. What if I betrayed her and Frelia? I don't think I could live with that. No… I'm not ready to face her. And when that contract arrived in Grado, I immediately took it, so I can hide out here for a while. Surely you can understand?"

Ahh, he's caught in between love and guilt.

"Sure I do! You take all the time you need." Joshua said.

"No, you have to go see Tana." Joshua turned around, surprised at Marisa's disagreement. She walked forward, now standing beside Joshua.

"If you really did care for her, you would go see her." Marisa continued.

"How do you know what she wants?" Cormag asked as he crossed his arms.

"She's my friend."

Did I just hear correctly? Marisa has friends?

Joshua could feel the tension between the two in the hallway as the silence grew.

"Uh, well if you want, tomorrow is the wedding of Prince Ephraim and L'Arachel. I'm sure Tana will be there. Maybe you can see her there?"

Cormag took his stare off of Marisa and looked at Joshua. "I'll think about it. But in the meantime, is there anything you'd like me to do at the moment? I'm not just here to hide, I promise you my full service."

"Oh. Well, there's not much to do, but hey, why don't I give you a tour of the castle and show you where you will be staying?"

The whole afternoon was spent with Cormag, as Joshua showed him the vast castle and the room where he would be staying at, which was on the second floor.

Joshua hadn't realize how long the tour had taken, and it was already dark out.

"Ahh… I still have to announce to the guards what's happening tomorrow… And I still don't have a mode of transportation to get there!" Joshua scratched the side of his head.

"I could escort you and Marisa if you like."

"Really? You don't mind? Oh, does that mean you'll see Tana?"

"Er, no. I'll take you guys there and back. I won't hang around too long."

"Hm, okay then. Thanks Cormag."

"We'll have to leave… at 9 sharp if you have to arrive there by noon."

"Yeah… Man, do I miss the days where I could sleep the whole day." Joshua sighed.

"Well, good night Cormag, see ya at 9."

Oh crap, I forgot about Marisa.

Joshua quickly walked towards the garden. He had hoped to see her still waiting for him, but there was nobody but the two guards at the entrance.

"Was Marisa here?" Joshua asked the guards.

"Yes, King Joshua. She stayed briefly then left, your majesty."

"Oh dear." Joshua mumbled to himself. She had seemed angry at Cormag earlier, and now that he stood her up at their spar, she must be fuming.

"Oh by the way, tomorrow, me and Marisa will be attending the wedding of Prince Ephraim and Princess L'Arachel the whole day. Spread word to the other guards that they can take it easy."

"Um, are you sure, King Joshua?"

"Well, don't take it too easy. As long as the castle isn't burnt down when I arrive back, you should be fine."

"Yes, your majesty!"

Phew. That's one problem outta the way, now I have to see Marisa.

Joshua knew he handled the guard situation messily. If he had remembered to, he would've held a meeting in the ballroom and announce to the guards of his absence.

As he ran up the spiral stairs, he remembered the invitation had said to dress formally. Aside from his usual black outfit that he always wore, he remembered he had a tuxedo hanging somewhere.

I guess I could wear that…

He remember wearing one as a child, and he never liked it. It was tight and itchy.

But what was Marisa going to wear?

By the time he got to Marisa's room, he was tired from climbing the stairs. He knocked on her door, and seconds later, a night gowned Marisa showed up to the door.

"Erm." Joshua should have expected to her already dressed for bed, but was in her usual fighting attaire.

"What do you want?" She asked sharply.

"So sorry I didn't show up in the garden today, that tour with Cormag took longer than I thought."

"Okay." She began to close the door.

"Wait! For tomorrow, what are you going to wear?"

"I'm going to wear this." She said as she held the door in place.

"But the invitation said formal dressing, like a dress?"

"I don't wear dresses." And she began to close her door once more.

Joshua held the door opened with his hand as he leaned in.

"Come on, what do you mean, you don't wear dresses? Most girls do!"

"I'm not like most girls."

The two were now staring into each other's eyes. Joshua felt frustrated and let out a sigh.

"I already got you to come to the wedding, and I promised you that we'll have a good time, why don't-"

"What will you do? Demand me to wear a dress?" Marisa crossed her arms above her chest as she glared at him.

She's a sharp one…

"NO," Joshua said quickly, although he was about to. "I, uh, well. Do you have any dresses to wear?" He said nervously.

"I told you, I don't wear dresses."

Joshua felt a smirk coming onto his face.

"So why don't I go buy you a dress? We'll make a bet on it. I bring you back a dress, and you decide whether you like it or not"

Joshua saw she raised an eyebrow. "Really? Just one dress?"

"Yeah! Just one dress. If you don't like it, you don't have to wear it."

"All right then." He saw her lips turn up into a smirk.

Joshua smiled triumphantly, he was able to get her to agree to the bet, even though the hard part had just begun.

"But I don't know where you're going to buy a dress now that its nighttime."

"Don't worry!" he said as he walked away, smiling. "I'll find something, and you'll like it."

Joshua ran down the stairs, to the second floor. He knocked on Cormag's room and out he came, still fully dressed in his armor attire.

"Cormag, could you do me a favor and fly me into town?"

Cormag looked confused but agreed to it.

Moments later, the two were on Cormag's wyvern, soaring through the black sky.

"So why do you have to do the urgent the shopping? Cormag shouted.

It was hard to hear with the wind howling into his ears, but with experience from flying on a few wyverns, Joshua could make out what he said.

"It's for Marisa. I have to get her a dress for tomorrow." He shouted back as he held onto his hat to prevent it from flying off. One hand on the hat, the other, around Cormag's waist.

He felt Cormag's body shake in laughter as he hung onto his waist.

"What's so funny?"

"Why are you shopping for her? Most girls shop for themselves."

"Well, she's not like most girls." He quoted Marisa. "And it's kinda part of a bet."

"Ah, you haven't changed at all." Cormag commented.

They landed in the middle of the town, where the shopping district was. Joshua saw that most of the shops closed from the dark appearance.

"Okay I have to get her a dress…Oh and probably shoes… And jewelry…Argh! Why is it so difficult?" Joshua looked just about ready to pull out his hair.

"Calm down, your highness." Chuckled Cormag as he tied the reins of his wyvern to a stand. "I can look for shoes, while you look for the dress. And jewelry, I suppose."

"Really?" Joshua remembered back on the tensed conversation the two had earlier. Would he do that for her after how she behaved to him?

"Yeah, remember I promised I'll lend you my service?" He smiled at him.

"Ahh, thanks Cormag." Joshua smiled back.

After their departure, Joshua ran down the dark street, looking for any that might've been open. To his luck there was one store with a faint light. He ran to the door and pounded on it.

"We're closed!" Shouted a deep voice, yet he continued to knock.

"I said we're closed!" The door opened and out appeared and short chubby bald man.

"Oh! K-King Joshua!"

"Surely, you can make an exception?" Joshua tried to smile nicely so the man would let him in.

"Of course, you highness!" The man opened the door wide for Joshua. He strolled in as the short man lit candles everywhere so he could see.

There were rows and rows of dresses of all kinds of different colors, lengths, and style, all hung on hangers.

He picked up one dress, a red one that was the same shade as his eyes and hair.

Hmm…Will she like this? It looks like blood... And she likes fighting…

He put the dress down.

"Are you shopping for anyone in particular, your highness?" Joshua had forgotten the chubby man was there.

"Yes, a friend. A very stubborn friend…"

"If you don't mind, I could help pick a dress for this friend. Er, your highness."

Joshua turned to look at the man, and smiled. "I would like that. And sorry for barging into your store like that."

"No worries, your majesty!"

"And please call me Joshua."

"Erm, okay…Joshua."

"Now this friend, she has lavender hair, and a milky complexion-"

"Oh! Is it Lady Marisa?"

Joshua raised an eyebrow. "How did you know?"

"Uh, I've heard some talk about her from other people… I also heard she's quite the beauty!"

"Um, yeah she is. Would you know anything that could go well with her features?"

"I may have one in mind. Even though I've never seen her, I can picture it…" The man went to the last row on dresses and fumbled through the dresses. After a moment, the man pulled out a dress. He couldn't see the dress until it was shown in front of him.

It was a simple light pink colored dress, with laced straps to go on the shoulders. It had a v-neck line where the chest is meant to be shown. The length of the dress probably went down the ankles, where it fluffed slightly outwards.

"Hmm… Yes." Joshua tried to picture Marisa in the dress. "I think I may see her in this dress…" Joshua put his right hand on his chin and gently stroked it.

I have to get one dress and if she doesn't like this one, I lose the bet.

Joshua didn't want to wear out the man's patience, and then decided to purchase the dress. But before he did, he took out the very coin that had won Marisa to go to the wedding.

"Your call." Joshua said. The man looked confused.

"Uh… Heads?" He said, still with the confused look on his face. Joshua flipped the coin into the air. He caught it then placed it on the back of his left hand, his right hand covering it. He exhaled deeply before revealing the face of the coin.

"Heads… I guess that means this is the dress." He looked up to smile at the man.

Joshua purchased the dress and for helping Joshua, he left the man a hearty tip.

Now where to buy jewelry?

Joshua scanned the dark streets then saw a figure approach him. It was Cormag.

"Joshua! I got some shoes!" he said as he held up a bag with boxes.

"Some? How much did you get?"

"I wasn't sure what color would match her, so I bought shoes of different size and colors." Cormag said nervously.

"Did you get a pink one? I just bought a pink dress." He said as he held up the bag that contained the dress.

"Oh yes! Yes I did!" He rummaged through the bag to find it.

Joshua held up one hand, "ah, let's wait until we get back, my friend. We still have to find some jewelry!"

"I'm afraid all the stores that sell those are closed."

"What? Are you sure?" Joshua nearly dropped his bag.

"I was lucky that the shoe store was still open for one more minute."

"Ah… I guess we should head back. It's getting late."

Joshua was disappointed on the way back. Even though he told her he was going to buy a dress, he wanted matching accessories to go along with it. He wanted her to look more beautiful than she usually was.

"You want me to come along with you?" Cormag asked as the two walked up the spiral stairs.

"No, you should get some rest, we got an early start tomorrow."

He saw Cormag frown. Joshua guessed Cormag wanted to see how the 'Marisa ordeal' would turn out.

Joshua hauled the heavy bag of shoes and the bag containing the dress up the stairs. He knocked on Marisa's bedroom door and seconds later, she appeared.

"You're still up?"

"I was waiting."

Joshua smiled weakly, he was tired from the trip. He placed the bag onto the ground in the middle of the room then handed her the bag with dress.

"So I got ya a dress, Cormag got you some shoes…"

"Cormag?" She asked. "I hope you didn't have too much trouble with this, 'cause I probably won't like it." She said.

"No, no troubles at all! And you'll like, trust me." He gave a small wink to her. Joshua rummaged through the bag, looking for the pink shoes Cormag said he bought. He found them and took them out to examine them.

They were a shade darker than the dress, with rounded heels. They looked like little slippers.

"Uh, sorry if they're not your size, we could have the maids hem the dress, and for the shoes, well, there's over a dozen in here. He handed the pair of shoes to Marisa. "Go try it on! And show me when you're ready."

Marisa took the items and headed to the bathroom. After she went in, Joshua laid himself onto her bed.

So this is her room…

He never been inside her room, but like the other guests rooms he saw, it was the same. On the bed dresser laid her sword, and in the clothes dresser probably laid her clothes. He saw that Marisa didn't have much with her. The surface the desk and dressers were empty.

He felt himself getting sleepy as he waited and decided to close his eyes. He opened them moments later when he heard the bathroom door open. He sat up and turned around to face Marisa.

He couldn't believe what he saw.

She looked magnificent. The pinkness of the dress clashed perfectly with her lavender hair and the dress hugged nicely along her waist, exposing the curves of her hips. The v-neck didn't go too far down her chest, but it exposed her cleavage and part of the scar that was on the left of her chest. The dress went down to her ankles, exposing the roundness front of the shoes.

"How do I look?" She asked.

"Oh, I-You're… Uh." Joshua couldn't find the right words to say describe her. He realized how much he was stammering.

"You look breathtaking, Marisa." He finally managed to say.

She walked over to the mirror and stared at herself.

"How do you like it?" He asked as he walked up behind her. She didn't say anything and continued to stare.

Please, please let her like it!

"It's… Missing something." She said. Joshua looked at her reflection, with one hand on his chin.

What was missing? …Oh right, I forgot to get some jewelry.

Then it hit him. He remembered he had a necklace in his room somewhere. It had belonged to his mother.

"Wait right here." Joshua ran out of the room and into his. He rummaged through his desk to find the small black box of his. It wasn't at his desk so he went into the bed dresser, hoping it would be there. But it wasn't.

Where is it?

He put his hands on hips and he scanned his room. Then he looked underneath his bed. He took out a large brown trunk, and opened it. Among the other things that belonged to his mother, he found what he was looking for.

"Aha." He took the black box then dashed next door.

Marisa was still staring at herself in the mirror, her gaze turned to him as he entered the room.

"Got it." He went up behind Marisa then pulled her hair upwards.

"Er, is it okay if I touch you?" Joshua asked. He felt his cheeks become hot from asking the strange question.

She nodded her head as he looked at her in her reflection and realized she was slightly pink.

"Okay…" He softly said to himself. He rolled her hair softly into a bun then looked into the mirror. "You could wear your hair like this." He smiled. The hairdo exposed her perfect oval face; the sharpness of her chin, her slender nose, and her pretty purple eyes.

"If you could hold this for me…" Marisa raised both her hands up to hold the bun in place.

Joshua opened to the black box, it revealed a small violet gem, the size of an eye. It dangled from a gold chain.

Joshua reached his arm around Marisa as he hooked the necklace from behind her.

"There." He said, then took a step backwards to look at Marisa.

He loved it. The necklace completed the outfit. It went well with the color of her eyes.

He couldn't help but smile at what he saw.

"I look… Beautiful." She said as she let her hair fall down so she could touch the necklace. "Where did you get this?" She played with the purple gemstone with her fingers.

"It belonged to my mother." He said.

She turned around to face him. "I can't wear this." She said, immediately taking her fingers off of it.

"Yes you can! She's gone so… You might as well wear it. It goes perfectly with your eyes and it completes the outfit."

"But. It's your mother's."

"It's okay Marisa." He said softly as he reached out to touch the gemstone. He used his thumb to rub gently against it. He remembered his mother would wear the necklace on special occasion. He wanted her to wear it all the time because it looked beautiful on her.

"…Are you okay?" Marisa broke his daze as he looked back up at Marisa.

"Oh yeah. Ahem, you said it was missing something, so here it is." He smiled at her. He let the gemstone fall gently on her skin as he put his hands in his pockets.

"So… I take it you like it? Everything fits right?" He looked her up and down once more.

"…Yes." She turned around to look at herself in the mirror. "I never thought I'd look beautiful."

Joshua met her eyes in the mirror. "What are you talking about? You're always beautiful, Marisa." He said softly. She looked down.

"Why do you think I approached you on the battlefield?" He chuckled.

"Thank you, Joshua." He saw her lips curl slightly upwards, as if she was smiling.

The day I see Marisa smile…What are my chances of that?

"You're very welcome Marisa. And I'm glad you're going to the wedding." He smiled at her.

"Now, it's getting late and we have to get leave at 9 so… Oh, and if you want, I can have a couple of maids come in to help you."

"Sure."

He was quite surprised she didn't protest. Perhaps she was tired.

"Alright then. Good night Marisa." Then he walked off to his bedroom.

He couldn't wait for tomorrow.

A/N: It's Cormag! Yeahhhh! He's pretty cool.
Sorry if the story's so fast-paced. Just trying to keep it goin'.

Also, I'm making the men wear tuxedoes and suits at the wedding. I believe they wore some sort of tradition robe, but instead of having me attempt to describe it and end up butchering it, let's just assume they wear tuxes, okay? Okay Dokes.

Gosh, I'm lazy.