Chapter 8: Eighteen Year Gap

Years as passed and Ylisse became peaceful as ever. Lucina and Cynthia grew up to be the same teenage girls I met 18 years ago. I was blessed to have them both.

"Father, do I have to pick a husband in this party?" Lucina said, looking uneasy.

"I know it is weird but it is tradition." Chrom said. She reminds me so much of her mother. Always worry too much. "I didn't follow the tradition because we were in the middle of the war but I danced with your mother once or twice before we got married and I fell in love."

"But what happens if I don't find someone?" She asked. "What happens if I picked the wrong person?" He cupped his daughter's face and smiled.

"My dear, you will do fine. All you need to do is follow your heart." Chrom said.

"Thanks dad." Lucina said, hugging him. "I will find my prince for sure."

"Lucina, you better hurry now. You are going to be late." Sumia said, walking in with an elegant pink dress. Her hair was decorated with flowers. "Please go get ready. Our guest will be here any minute."

"Yes mom, I am going now." She said, walking away from them.

"Sumia, you are beautiful just like our wedding day." Chrom said, walking towards her. He then kissed her.

"You are looking for to this." Sumia said, giggling. "I bet it is Ashley…"

"I haven't seen her in 18 years and I don't know if Henry found her." Chrom said, smiling. "I promised her that I will make a royal ball for Lucina 18th birthday and invited everyone."

"She is a tactician after all. She probably knows what she is doing." Sumia said.

My wife was right, Ashley planned this all along. I hope I get to see her. It has been so long and I missed talking to my best friend. As the ball started, everyone entered the ballroom with beautiful gowns and handsome suits. This is the night I have been waiting for.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I am happy that you can all make it to my daughter's 18th birthday party." Chrom said. Sumia was hugging his arm as he speaks to his guests. "As you all know, tonight is the night that would determine her partner. Not just her partner of love but her partner for ruling the kingdom in the future." Everyone was clapping at the announcement. "I will gladly present Princess Lucina." Lucina started to walk down the stairs in a midnight blue dress. All the boys envy her beauty and fell hopelessly in love.

Don't trip… Please don't freak out… Don't freak out Lucina. Lucina thought, walking down the stairs slowly. She let out a smile as she walked down. Please don't mess up. She was at her last step until she tripped. She was caught by a teenage boy with spiky white hair. He was wearing a white long sleeve collar shirt with a black vest and slacks. Lucina blushed as she stared into his ruby eyes. Who is this? I haven't seen him before. He is so…

"Milady, you look beautiful tonight." He said, giving her a rose and pulling her up. Then elegant music started to fill the room. He bowed and offered his hand to her. "Shall I have this dance milady?"

"Yes…" She said, blushing as she followed him to the dance floor. He is so cute. I can't stop staring at him. This must be him, the person I am supposed to marry. "Thank you for saving me from embarrassment."

"It is fine. I couldn't see you fall." He said, smiling. All the boys glared at him evilly as they danced. It has been awhile that I danced with a woman. Somehow, she seems to be the perfect partner. "However, it is seems I am not worthy to dance with you. I am just a commoner. And there are many nobles who dislike me."

"Please stay with me… I mean… I don't care if I dance with a commoner. I don't see them like that anyway. I see them as people." Lucina mumbled. She was so red and she couldn't stop blushing. "Besides, I rather dance with you than those spoiled noblemen."

"Then I am blessed to serve such a wonderful princess." He said, leading her slowly in a dance. I feel the same way.

"Darling, is that…" Sumia said, pointing out to the boy. "It has to be…"

"Yes, it is…" Chrom said, smiling. She is here…

"May I ask for your name?" Lucina asked. "I am afraid that you know more about me and I don't know anything about you."

"Robin, my name is Robin…" He said. "I am just a commoner who was lucky enough to be here." Then they stopped because of the end of the music and he bowed in front of her. "It was a pleasure to dance with you milady."

"The pleasure was all mines." Lucina said. He kissed her hand lightly. Then their attention was allured by a beautiful teenage girl who was standing on stage. She had long white hair that reached her feet and she was in a beautiful black dress. "Who is that?"

"Oh, she is my twin sister. Your mother hired her to sing at the ball." Robin explained. "Her name is Morgan." The music started to play. Morgan closed her eyes and started to sing. Her voice was so soft yet elegant.

"Wow, she is good." Lucina said. "Her voice is so beautiful." She then turned to him. "May we dance some more Robin?"

"Sure, I love to." He said, dancing again. "But I don't want to hog your company, milady. There are many men here to dance with you."

"But somehow, I want to dance with you more Robin." Lucina said, smiling.

"Then I will dance with you the whole night." Robin said, pulling her closer to him.

"Hey Yarne, do you want to dance with me?" Cynthia asked, standing beside him. She was wearing a baby blue dress and her hair hung down perfectly.

"I don't know. I might bore you." He replied, wearing a suit. Why is this suit so uncomfortable? I can hardly breathe with this thing. She offered her hand to him. "Hmmm…"

"You have never bore me Yarne." Cynthia said, blushing. He is so cute with his bunny ears. He grabbed her hand and started to dance. "See, you are doing well."

"Thanks Cynthia. I feel like I can do anything when I am with you." Yarne said, smiling. I can't wait until you turn 18 Cynthia because I am going to make you my girl.

Indigo walked over to Severa which was ignoring him. "Severa, just the woman I want to see." Indigo said, smiling. Sevara was wearing a golden gown. "Do you want to dance?"

"Not with you flirt…" Severa said. "I rather die than dance with you."

"Look, I know I tend to flirt a lot but you are the only girl that I want to dance with." Indigo said, kneeing in front of her. "Please…."

"Is this another line that you used to woe other women?" She said, blushing.

"Please, I am begging you." Indigo said.

"Alright… I will just this once."

Kjelle and Brady danced while Noire danced with Owain. Laurent was dancing with Nah. Gerome at the other hand was staring at Morgan. Who is she? He thought, staring at her. He blushed as she looked towards him and smiled. Why does she make me feel this way? It is like I… No, this can't be… The song was over and everyone clapped for her. "Wait, that can't be her…"

"Morgan, you can take a break." A woman said. She had long red hair. "Aaron and I got it covered."

"Thanks Aunt Lola, I will be right back." Morgan said, walking down stage. I am so thirsty, all the singing made my throat sore.

"Now, my husband and I will sing a song and it is dedicated to all the lovebirds out there." Lola said. Aaron appeared on stage. The piano started to play. "Picture perfect memories…Scattered all around the floor…Reaching for the phone 'cause…I can't fight it anymore." She sang.

"And I wonder if I ever cross your mind." They both sang. Aaron walked towards her slowly.

"For me it happens all the time..." She sang, smiling.

"It's a quarter after one. I'm all alone. And I need you now. Said I wouldn't call. But I've lost all control. And I need you now." They both sang. Lola moved to the grand piano and leaned on it. "And I don't know how. I can do without. I just need you now."

"Another shot of whiskey. Can't stop looking at the door…Wishing you'd come sweeping. In the way you did before." Aaron sang, trapping her and leaning towards her.

"And I wonder if I ever cross your mind." The both sang. She cupped his face.

"For me it happens all the time..." He sang.

"It's a quarter after one. I'm all alone. And I need you now. Said I wouldn't call. But I've lost all control. And I need you now." They both sang. "And I don't know how. I can do without. I just need you now." Aaron lifted her in the air and spun around. Morgan was getting some punch and Gerome was behind her.

"Hello…" He said. She turned and let out a smile. "It has been awhile Morgan."

"Oh Gerome, you are here too. That is great. I was hoping that you will be here." Morgan said, blushing in front of him. "I hope you are here to ask me to dance."

"Yeah, I am…" He said, offering his hand to her. She grabbed it and walked to the dance floor. "So Morgan, how are you? I have heard rumors that we are engaged."

"You have but I am clearly not." Morgan said. "Why will I be engaged?" Why is he asking me this? Unless… "Why are you curious about this?"

"Well, for no reason. I am just amazed that's all. You are clearly not like other woman." Gerome said, blushing. "You were always crazy and wild." She let out a giggle.

"Yes, I am that crazy girl that put Minerva to sleep with a flute. You thought I poisoned her and tried to kill me." Morgan said, swaying her body to the music. "That was very amusing."

"You gave me a heart attack." Gerome said. "I thought you killed her."

"But I didn't. She follows me around after hearing me sing. I wish to see Minerva once more." Morgan said. "But Gerome, I am not engaged and I think I will never be engaged."

"Why is that?" He asked. "You are a very beautiful woman and I think all the men here will instantly fall in love with you."

"Well, I am waiting for the only man I love to propose." She replied. "I don't know if he feels the same about me but I will still wait."

"Morgan…" Gerome said. Am I too late?

"I am waiting for him to realize that I love him so much." Morgan said. "But I think his mask is stopping me from seeing his emotions."

"Mask? Wait, you love me?" Gerome said, blushing. She was in love with me the whole time. I am such an idiot, why didn't I confess to her sooner. I have been in love with her when I first heard her voice.

"Yes so will you take off that mask?" She said, blushing in front of him. "I can't see your emotion with that thing." He took it off. "Wow, you are very handsome after all."

"And you were always beautiful to me…" Gerome said, cupping her face. "Morgan, I love you and I don't have a ring on me but will you marry me."

"Oh Gerome, what took you so long?" She said, kissing him as they danced.

"Whoa, whoa…" Aaron sang.

"Guess I'd rather hurt. Than feel nothing at all…" They both sang. He put her down and moved away.

"It's a quarter after one. I'm all alone. And I need you now." Lola sang. She was about to let go of his hand but he gripped it tightly.

"And I said I wouldn't call. But I'm a little drunk. And I need you now." He sang, pulling her back.

"And I don't know how. I can do without. I just need you now. I just need you now." They both sang, staring at each other.

"Oh baby, I need you now." She sang, hugging him. When they were done, the crowd cheered. Lola found her niece in love and smiled. "I guess we have to sing again."

"I guess we do." Aaron said. "Where is my sister?"

"She is probably somewhere. You shouldn't worry too much. She is a grown woman after all." Lola said. "Also, she loves to make an entrance." She giggled as Aaron pulled her into a hug.

I watched as all my friends were happily dancing and having fun. But where was Ashley? I looked everywhere and still no sign from her.

"Sumia, do you want to dance with me?" Chrom asked.

"I will be happy to." Sumia said. Chrom took her to the dance floor and they started dancing. "My love, you seem troubled."

"It has seems that she is not going to make it." Chrom said, letting out a sigh. "I was looking forward to see her. I guess something important came up that she has to miss this night."

"She will come after all, she was right. You will end up calling her sister with ease." Sumia said, pointing at Lucina. Lucina was dancing happily with Robin. You can see the love in their eyes as they danced. "Well, I guess sister-in-law."

"Sumia, I guess you are right." Chrom said. I think I finally figure out what Ashley was talking about. You are too clever. Then people stopped dancing and watch the entrance doors open wide. "Hmmm…"

"INTRODUCING! THE KING AND QUEEN OF PLEGIA!" Frederick announced. Lord Chrom is going to be shock when he sees this.

"What is going on?" Chrom said. "I didn't invite them." A woman with long violet hair entered the room with a beautiful white gown. Her hair was decorated with lilies and a gold tiara. You got to be kidding. "Is that… that can't be her." All the men followed her with fascination, trying to get her attention. Women began to gossip as she walked to the dance floor. "Ashley?"

"She looks so lovely." Sumia said, smiling. "I am happy she is here." She then stopped in front of a man with spiky pure white hair. He was wearing a long black sleeve collar shirt with a violet vest. He kneed her in front. "That's Henry…" Is it me or Henry have gotten cuter?

"You look as lovely as always honey." Henry said, kissing her hand lightly. "May I have the privilege to dance with you my Queen?"

"Of course, I will be most delighted my King." Ashley replied, dancing with him. Everyone in the room was eyeing them as they danced. "I must look very silly, everyone is staring at me."

"I can put a hex on them." He said. "They shouldn't be giving you such a longing look. I am the only man that should be looking at you."

"You are too protective." She teased.

"And you are too beautiful…" Henry said, smiling. Then Sumia and Chrom walked their way. They stopped and bowed in front of them. "Lady Sumia… Lord Chrom… It has been a long time."

"Oh Ashley, we were worried about you." Sumia said, hugging her so tightly. "I missed you so much."

"Oh Sumia, I missed you as well. You have no idea how much I wanted to see you all." Ashley said, hugging back.

"I knew you will find her." Chrom said, offering his hand to Henry. "Also, what is with the Plegia thing?"

"Have you heard? We are the King and Queen of Plegia. We took the place after I found Ashley." Henry said, smiling. He grabbed Chrom's hand and shook it firmly. "Since Ashley is the princess…"

"She is the rightful ruler of Plegia." Chrom said. Sumia giggled as she watched her husband expression. "Sumia, you knew about this."

"Of course, Ashley got a hold of me yesterday morning and told me everything." Sumia said. "She wanted me to keep it a surprise."

"So I think I should be calling you Queen Ashley for now on." Chrom teased. "After all, you own a kingdom now and you are not the same helpless girl that I found in the open field."

"No, plain Ashley is good enough." Ashley said. "It is good to see you again my dear friend. I have heard so much about…" Chrom interrupted her as she was pulled into a hug. "Oh Chrom…"

"I missed you." He said.

"I missed you too." Ashley said. "My best friend…"

On that very night, many things changed. King Henry and I began to make a treaty to unite the kingdoms. It was also sealed by the marriage of my loving daughter Lucina and Robin. Without knowing, Robin's charm can make Lucina blush forever yet his loyalty to her is true. He will never let anyone be with her especially men just like his father. Aaron and Lola settled down in Plegia, helping their little sister of restoring the kingdom to its' former glory. Aaron became a teacher and taught children that couldn't afford education while Lola became a doctor and treated the wounded. You can sometimes find her singing to them. Morgan soon after married Gerome and moved to Wyvern Valley which her music captivated all of the wyvern's hearts. She made it a point to sing for them every night also to her husband. Cynthia married Yarne and well, she was always his favorite hero. Ashley became a very good queen. All her subjects love her endlessly. Her love for her husband was still in flame. They act around each other as if they just got married. As for me, my life that I planned didn't happen but the life that I have now is far better.