"I'll work things out."

Eirika kissed her brother on the cheek and ran back to the dining hall. Upon arrival she met with Forde, who was on his way to take a short nap.
"Forde have you seen-"
"Seth? Yeah, he headed to his room after he finished dinner."
"Thank you!" She said excitedly, kissing the sleepy cavalier on the cheek and frolicking off. Ephraim strode up and stood beside his friend.
"It all work out?" Forde asked,
"Yep."
"What's gotten into her?" Franz asked, appearing beside his brother.
"You'll understand when you're older." the older boys smiled and headed off, one to find Innes and the other for a nap. Franz smiled broadly,
"Seth finally did it I guess."


"Seth!" Eirika said excitedly, opening his door slightly. Seth was sitting cross-legged on the floor with a rag and some armor polish. The shirtless paladin looked up at her from his armor and smiled gently.
"People are going to start guessing at things if you keep doing things like that." He said, half-joking. With a sly smile, the princess shut the door behind her and walked over to where her lover was shining his breast-plate. She knelt down on the floor beside him, one slender arm supporting her weight as she lowered his breast-plate. Seth, rather confused, let the plate fall to the ground with a clang. The scratches on his freshly polished armor were promptly ignored as Erika pressed her soft lips to his. She pulled away in a gentle taunt, and Seth smiled, again resisting the urge to call her a tease. Instead, he moved both hands around her, the left hand held the back of her head as he kissed her, the right hand pulled her into his lap from the small of her back. Erika felt her heart flutter as she sat on him, feeling his warm skin close against her, the taste of his lips, the smell of his sweat mixed with the fragrance of her hair and the gentle smell of the armor polish. The kiss ended, Erika curled up, her head in the crook of Seth's neck as the paladin stood up, holding her in a bridal carry and set her gently on the bed.

"Now then," He said, sitting beside her, "What were you yelling about when you came in?"
"I wanted to tell you, Ephraim's going to help us. He's going to talk to Innes!"
"What?" Seth said, "You're serious? That's wonderful." The paladin could hardly contain his joy. A knock at the door made them both jump. Seth threw on a tunic hurriedly and Erika fixed her hair before they answered the door. It was Joshua. Seth smiled at the young king and gave a bow.
"Majesty."
"Seth, Eirika, come quick. Ephraim needs you." responded the Jehennian royal, never much for fancy titles. The lovers exchanged glances and followed the red-haired man to the throne room. Joshua stopped outside the doors and turned around, smiling.
"Right, this is where I leave you."
"What why?" Eirika asked, Joshua shrugged,
"Hey, this is Renais-Frelia business." He said and winked, "Besides, I have something else to take care of." He smiled at Natasha who was walking towards their room and followed her.


Seth smiled, shook his head and offered Eirika his arm. She took it, leaning against him as she had the day before. This time though, she didn't "imagine" being his lover, she didn't long to know his embrace. They were as much of each other as two people could possibly be. Seth felt his heart flutter as he entered the throne room. Part of him felt like a traitor to his country, but a much larger part of him felt righteous. It felt...right...to have Eirika there, to have her with him, leaning on him, to show everyone how much he loved her.
"General Seth!" the voice of King Innes filled the room. He was seated on Ephraim's right, Tana and Cormag stood close at hand. Vanessa was standing by, Seth noticed the Falcon-Knight looked a little distant, a little sad.
"Majesty." Seth gave a low bow,
"Princess Erika of Renais." Eirika curtsied, her arm still holding Seth's. She was scared, worried. For the first time, she realized that Seth had just technically committed treason.
"King Innes."
"It has reached my ears that you two are...attached."
"Yes Sir." Seth's voice found strength in Eirika's touch, having her there lent him all he needed. He was no traitor, he was in love.
"Is this true Eirika?"
"Yes."
"Then..." He paused, looked over at Ephraim and...for once in a great rare while, smiled. "You both have my blessing." Erika's eyes shot open, she looked unbelieving from Ephraim to Innes to Seth and back again. Seth stood, stoic as ever save for a smile on his lips.

"Thank you Your Majesty." Seth said, giving a bow. He then stood a little straighter and left Erika where she was, walking to kneel before Ephraim's chair.
"Your Majesty."
"Yes General?"
"I would ask a boon."
"And what would it be?"
"I ask..." Seth swallowed, although he knew Ephraim would agree...the idea of asking still made him anxious, "I ask permission to woo and marry your sister, Princess Eirika."
"Granted." Ephraim shrugged, "Woo away, General." Eirika was weeping with joy and nodded happily. Seth stood, bowed and walked over to Eirika. He knelt before her, taking her lily white hand in his and pulling the necklace from his tunic.

"Princess...no...Eirika. Will you marry me?" Eirika smiled and pulled the necklace from her breast.
"There is my answer. Yes. Eternally, eagerly, and completely, Yes!" Seth stood, pulled her close and kissed her.
"If I may have a moment." Innes said, his voice commanding attention from the whole room. Everyone stopped and looked at him. "Vanessa, come here." The green haired woman blinked rapidly and walked to the king. She bowed and knelt before the throne.
"Vanessa...I...I have been silent too long."
"Majesty?"
"Rise, Lady." Vanessa stood, unsure of what was happening.
"Seth and Erika's confession has lead me to follow my own desire. I have kept my silence too long out of a sense of duty that was mislead." At this he dropped to one knee, Vanessa's eyes grew wide with surprise. Innes reached into his robe and took out a small, finely crafted ring. It was silver, inlaid with emerald in the shape of a horse head.
"Vanessa," he took her hand, "What I ask I ask as a man. Not as a king, not as a noble, but as a simple man. Will you marry me?" Vanessa brought one hand to her mouth, eyes closed as tears ran down her cheeks. She dropped to her knees so she was at Inne's level and kiss him.
"Yes..."

In the corner there was a start, Forde woke up suddenly, discovering much to his horror that other people had entered the room.
"Shit." He said, rather loudly than he meant, falling out of his chair. Ephraim laughed, everyone laughed, Forde grinned, laughed and exited the room.