Chapter 7: Amidst Peace Rifts

"Madam," I shifted in bed. I felt my body ache in pain and I groaned. No part of me, head nor body wanted to partake in reality, instead I wanted to be left alone in deep slumber for weeks. My body terribly beseeched me not to move with its aches, but the voice that began as a soft and timid whisper rose to a harsh and discordant command until it was nothing but nagging. Left no choice I arose.

"What is it?" I mumbled without showing much interest. I suppose this only served to irk the maid even more after having done a feat in having me up I was barely conscious and much less attentive or for that matter caring.

"Dinner."

"Oh," I turned to her excitedly. She stared at me firmly, but part of her look seemed to understand now that it was only when something interested me that I paid attention.

"But first," and the next part she seemed to enjoy herself and do it in vengeance. "You must bathe and be dressed appropriately," she added.

"Appropriately?"

She ignored my last word and I sighed softly. I've angered the first person I personally have met in this household, already not off to a great start. But before I could go on with my misfortunes she walked towards the door and spoke gravely, "Your bath is ready. Please don't waste any more time as Lord Chrom and the other guests are already ready and waiting."

She slammed the door behind her and I was left with many questions revolving around my head. lord? Other guests? Does she mean the others? Where is the bath? Not left with any other choice I stumbled out of bed and dealing best with my sore body wandered out my room and after trying three other rooms, thankfully empty, I finally found the bathing room.

I had already left my robe in my bed so I quickly stripped out of my garments and after testing if that bath was warm, which indeed it was, almost too hot, I slipped in. though at first it felt really warm it afterwards felt soothing and the blisters I had acquired at my soles seemed to numb and before I knew it my previously aching body un-tense.

The bathing room was very nice in its simplicity yet the small bottles located near the bath seemed to be luxurious as I curiously explored them some created beautiful perfumed soapy water. I must admit I spent more time than I should splashing around in the large tub and playing around with the steam rather than actually bathing. It really wasn't until a knock rasped against my door that I snapped out of my idleness.

Before I could say come in someone entered. It was Chrom. I felt a yell creep up, but instead I shakily spoke, "Ch-Chrom? I don't think you should be in here…you know…"

"Why?" he chuckled. Was he daft? "It's not like you're particularly showing anything. Are you trying to cover this whole room in bubbles?"

I pouted. Good point he made. "But still…"

"What?" he laughed. He seemed in awful good spirits. I was still a bit slow after my long nap. "Or do you fear I might take advantage of your current state?"

"Whhhaaaaaa?!" I couldn't even word my shock by his- his audacity!

He broke into laughter, but only him because his humor was more shocking than…than something! I don't know what.

"It was a joke, Jenny!" Chrom tried to explain after noticing I hadn't laughed and remained flushed.

"It wasn't funny!" I shouted back.

"Fine, fine. Let's change the subject.

"Yeah, whatever," I rolled my eyes. This man seriously! His humor really needed to be checked.

"Besides it wouldn't be the first time-"

Chrom might get away with a couple things being prince and all, but now wasn't the time or place and he had just crossed the line. After a bottle and maybe a soap dish thrown we settled back down.

"The lady lied. You're not even ready for dinner."

"What?" This caught Chrom's attention.

"She said you were ready and the others."

"Oh, yeah I am."

"What?" My eyes widened, but his sincerity shown through.

"Yeah, we're all waiting for you so that's why I came to check on you."

"Why didn't you tell me!?" My irritation began rising again and the embarrassment at the mere thought that I'd have to make a late entrance and an apology for making everyone wait.

"I was getting to it."

"Getting to it, my-" I paused. "Forget it," I reached for my towel on a chair nearby and almost forgetting he was there I was about to get out and walk out of the shower, but remembering I turned and stared at him.

"What?"

The nerve! "What do you mean what?! Get out! I need to get out and dress."

"Oh," and with that he stood up (he had been sitting at the edge of the bath very comfortably) and turned around. "Okay, I'm not looking."

"Are you kidding? No!" I shifted to the other side of the tub and I made to reach out and push him when I suppose my weight was too much and having awkwardly sat (not to mention the very soapy water) my leg slipped and thus I hit my head terribly on the edge of the tub.

The sound immediately sent Chrom to the rescue. "Jenny!" he shouted and with his hands pulled me up just above the water. "What happened? Are you alright?"

"Oww, owww, no, hold on." I couldn't even scream or cry, the blow was pretty bad and I just felt dizzy. I held my forehead tightly and tried to wait for the pain to subside, but it only seemed to get worse.

"Jenny! You're bleeding!" Chrom's panicked voice rang in my ears but my brain was like in slow motion.

"Blood?" I brought my hand down and among white foam there was a bright red in contrast. "Oh."

"We gotta get you out of here," Chrom made to lift me up, but with what little strength I had I whined and tried to push him away saying I was still nude when the door audibly opened and closed.

A slight cough and quiet sent the both of our attention to the intruder and if things couldn't get worse or more awkward it was the lady from before. "Sir?" was all she could manage.

I suppose it was quite a shock, coming in expecting a girl bathing, but instead finding a man trying to forcefully pull her up with a gash on her head.

…

I rolled over in laughter. "It's not funny." Ha! I thought. And he thought it was funny to tease me before? "What must she think of me now?" he sighed disappointedly.

I burst into giggles again. "That you're a creep."

"You're not helping!" He snapped. "You should try and explain to her what really happened- she won't even make eye contact with me!"

"Why should I? You were giving ME a hard time before!" I looked up at him as I lay on my bed, waiting for the poor lady who must be having a very difficult time discerning what went on in the bath room to come back with bandages. "Besides, wouldn't it be funny to see the rumors that spread? New exalt a depraved man?" I burst into laughter again.

"I think that blow has gotten to your head." He dejectedly announced as he took a seat on the bed beside me.

"Ow," I rolled to my side. "I think it has."

"Does it hurt that bad?" I was quite surprised to see his tone change.

"Yeah, but it's okay."

"Let me see."

"No," I mumbled as I held onto my head with my hands. It really did hurt.

"Let me see." Before I knew it he had rolled me back to my back and pulled way my arms to get a look. In shock I only stared back at him. "It looks bad," he admitted as he took a closer look, only being inches away from my face. Heat began to rise to my cheeks and my heart was sent a-pounding.

It wasn't long before he noticed our close proximity too and he stared back awkwardly. "Whaat?" I managed to say.

"You're-"

"Beautiful? Yeah, I know. Tell me something I don't know," I joked around, but it was really just a failed attempt to relieve the awkwardness. I gulped. It really wasn't working.

"Ha, really?" he smirked. And by chance, once again, the knob shifted and we both snapped, quickly sitting up. By the time the lady opened the door and came in with bandages we were still tense from the shock and sitting stiffly, but nonetheless up and out of yet another unnecessary scene. Had Chrom been any slower I really would of hit him on the head but how fast I moved.

As the lady set the bandages and began working on my head I was glad that we weren't caught, even if it really wasn't what it seemed.

It wasn't too long before my cut was sanitized and bandaged, but in the meanwhile I had begged Chrom to tell the others not to wait any longer and to apologize for the delay. He soon came back with a smile on his face and when I asked what had happened, scared they'd might resent me, he told me of how they had started long ago.

*Author's Notes:*

Thank you all so much for your wonderful reviews/favorites/follows and etc! Your support gives me wings! haha xD

So I actually planned this chapter to be much different, but after a while I felt it'd be too dull and so I added some nonsense. I hope you all enjoyed it and I made it as lengthy as possible being that I won't be updating until possibly the 5th! *_*

Anyways! Please review and continue to show your love and support! Thank you all and have a nice day! :)