The atmosphere in SHPRD's control room could only be described as tense. Most people could only manage to frown, and the only sounds besides the clacking of keyboards were loud sighs wrapped in anxiousness. So far, most news about the assassination attempts were kept on the down low in an attempt to not stir the public into a craze. The biggest secret of them all was the missing body of the man who tried to kidnap Robin, the man who orchestrated it all. The reports chalked the missing body as part of a botched clean up and general chaos of the entire situation. The Plegian government immediately took no responsibility on the attacks and denied ever stationing agents in Ylisse. They claimed the attacks were probably made by an ethnic Plegian Ylissean citizens' terrorist organization that wanted secession from the Ylissean government. After all, ethnic Plegians were a notoriously marginalized group in Ylisse, which were the words used by President Gangrel in his attempt to stir up some much maligned Plegian sympathy. Chrom scoffed at all the lies Gangrel told. It was times like these that he wished his sister were more aggressive and actually did something instead of making him be the one to wage war. Sometimes he felt like a pawn for his sister's political career.
Of course, Chrom also felt protective of Emmeryn. She always took to heart her position as exalt. She knew her responsibilities and always lived up to them, but Chrom suspected that she was somewhat lonely and isolated. If their family wasn't the royal family, he imagined Emmeryn would have done something philanthropic with her life, which seemed more suited for her than a life of politics. Even still, he knew she was a great exalt, and he was all too grateful she was exalt instead of him.
Back at SHPRD headquarters, Chrom and Frederick were meeting with Emmeryn on the next course of action. Normally, Robin would have been there, but Chrom let her take a breather from some of the missions. He assumed Robin would have told him off for requesting she take a break, but surprisingly, she took it. She just smiled and said, "thank you for thinking about me." It didn't stop Emmeryn from asking though.
"Where's Robin?" she asked.
"I asked Robin to take a break for a day. She's been dealing with a lot of stuff. Especially because that man who disappeared suggested that he possibly knew her. Staff tried to take a look into the man, but we didn't have anything besides a physical description. So far, nothing has shown up. We don't know if he was telling the truth or not," Chrom said.
"I see. Well, I won't be able to meet with Robin after this meeting. So give her my regards. Anyway, let us return to business. Phila has been given all updated material on the matter, and the Pegasus Knights have increased my security detail."
"And we thank them for that. Honestly, we could have done so ourselves, but SHPRD has been rather busy to say the least."
"I have to keep my baby brother employed some how."
"I appreciate it, Em. I really do. But if we want to get to business, I want to propose something to you that Fredrick and I have been thinking."
Frederick nodded and pulled up a map of Ylisse on a screen. He took out a small laser pointer and started to conduct a presentation.
"As you can see, the military has heavy reinforcements at the Plegian border and here in Ylisstol. Because of the assassination attempts, the other military branches have been suggesting we send in more troops to the border in an attempt to hold off the eventual Plegian attacks. However, we cannot part with troops here at the capitol because of precautions for your majesty. We would like to suggest that you relocate to Regna Ferox. It's far enough north that Plegians wouldn't dare go into Feroxi territory that deep, and while Plegia has instigated some border troubles for Ferox, so far, The Feroxi have done a wonderful job at driving the Plegian forces away. Plus, we are guaranteed quality security detail," Frederick said.
Emmeryn nodded along, but she looked briefly away at the presentation.
"I cannot go along with your idea. I refuse to be a ruler in exile. If anything, this wartime means that the people will need me more than ever. I can't leave them and not share the responsibility of the entire burden they'll have. I will stay in Ylisstol. It's where I belong the most," Emmeryn said.
"Em, they came once to kill you already. What makes you think that Plegia won't stop their attack until you are gone completely and they've made our home their playground? Staying in Ylisstol will be dangerous, even with the best security. They could start to carpet bomb this country at any moment. I can't risk your life," Chrom said.
"Then so be it. Our father didn't stand with this country when it needed it the most. I will."
"Excuse me for interrupting, but Commander, I believe you're forgetting something," Frederick said.
"What is it?" Chrom asked.
"Your majesty has said you refuse to leave the country, but you never said you wouldn't leave Ylisstol."
"Oh! That's right!"
"Exactly. We have many territories along with old fortresses that will suit your needs within the Ylissean Commonwealth."
"The old castle on the east coasts of Ylisse would work perfectly for you. We've already seen the analysis about the probability of Plegian forces on the east coast will be very unlikely given the southern coast forces we have. The Pegasus Knights have enough of a force that they could provide the security necessary for the castle. We also might be able to part with a couple of our agents if needs be."
"If it will make you feel better, I'll do it," Emmeryn said.
"Thanks Em," Chrom said.
"Well, thank you for this meeting. I assume I'll hear the details of my moving later. Until then, I will have a select individuals help me with some files and the like that I will be moving to the eastern castle."
Emmeryn smiled and stood up to leave. Chrom sighed and looked to Frederick while mouthing his gratitude. He took some of the files from the presentation and walked out to hand them to analytics and tactical to start the new projects. When he arrived to tactical, he saw Robin standing there in workout clothing, a tank top that showed a slight bit of her stomach and a pair of leggings. Her skin glistened a bit from the sweat on her body. Chrom felt a little warm just staring at Robin who now was drinking some water. When she finished, she went to Chrom and took the folder from his hand to start skimming the material.
"So not Regna Ferox… You're still going to need a decoy going to Regna Ferox. The Plegians probably expect us to move Emmeryn no matter what. So we should confuse them a little bit," Robin said.
"Yeah… that's a good idea," Chrom said.
"You don't like it?"
"I do. I'm just curious as to why you're here when I thought you were taking the day off."
"I was taking the day off, but I needed to workout. All the baked goods here are going to my stomach."
"Really? I can't even tell."
"Huh? What?"
"Nothing."
"Oh, okay. But to answer your question to some more detail, I'm also a little bored. I can't stay away from this job and not do something, even if I'm doing just minimal work. Besides, I hear we have a new recruit here, and I thought I would say hi. He seems awfully nice although he needs a lot of work done. I told Sully that she was going to have to do extensive training with him. He seemed overly delighted. So he might be a masochist or really naïve. Either way, I think he has potential even if his choice of headwear is strange."
"Is this the kid who fought off mutants at his farm with a rusty pitchfork wearing a pot?"
"Yeah… I made him take off the pot though."
"Thanks. But really, go back home and relax. I'm going to talk with reconnaissance about checking out the route we'll be taking for Emmeryn. I want minimum security, but they need to be effective. When you get back, I'm sure you'll have a list of people that you think will work best. Just make sure you and I are on that list."
"Gotcha. See you later."
Chrom ran to reconnaissance where Gaius lazily sat back with his feet on his desk. Within the first week that Gaius worked at SHPRD, he was already known as being the grossest person of the entire unit. Cordelia once passed out from the smell of Gaius' socks, and Maribelle coiled in disgust at the state of his clothing, all covered in stains from who knows what. Not one to let anyone outdo him on this matter, Gaius shoved a piece of pie in his mouth before wiping his face with his shirtsleeve. Chrom could only sheepishly look on.
"Hey… I have a request for some recon work for you to do. That is, if you're not exactly busy," Chrom said.
Gaius snatched Chrom's folder and looked through the rather loosely defined mission details.
"Sure thing, Blue. But can you help me with something?" Gaius asked.
"Yeah. I guess," Chrom said.
"Do you know who made this pie? I mean, I love all pies, but this pie is seriously speaking to all parts of my sugary soul."
"I think Sumia made it. She's always bringing in pies when I see her."
"She may or may not be my soul mate."
"You based that all on a pie?"
"You wouldn't understand, Blue. You look like you haven't gotten laid in years. If I'm not going to take romantic advice from anyone, it's definitely from my commander who is like the worst person ever when it comes to women."
"Wait… the worst person? You would sooner take romantic advice from a man who can't physically be by a woman over me?"
"Guy's got great game. He doesn't do anything with women, and he drives them crazy for him in like seconds. I asked Lon'Qu about how he did it, and he told me that people like what they can't have. Serious game. You, on the other hand, wouldn't be able to recognize a woman flirting with you even if she told you she was flirting with you."
"I can! Ugh. I can't believe I'm having this conversation with you. I'm leaving. I've got something to talk to Robin about. Yeah."
"Sure you do."
Chrom grabbed took a random file and started walking off. Gaius smirked and held up the file he thought Chrom was actually looking for. Chrom walked back and grabbed the other folder.
"Yo Blue, you're walking in the wrong direction. Bubbles went to the barracks," Gaius said as he folded his arms behind his head.
"I knew that…" Chrom said, walking the other way to the barracks.
"Sure…"
Chrom entered in the barracks with a blast of steam in his face.
"I really have to rethink that policy on hot water. Frederick says we'd save way more money if we added in timed showers. He might actually be right," Chrom said wandering through the barracks' locker room.
He felt disoriented walking around with all the steam fogging up the room. He just meandered through, calling out Robin's name. He turned one corner and noticed he was in the offending showers. A shower turned off, and Chrom decided he needed to confront the person. The shower curtain parted and Chrom realized all too late that he was not where he should have been as standing in front of him was Robin, naked. A better man would have never made this mistake. A smarter man would run away. Chrom, being neither, stood with his eyes staring right at Robin's chest and thinking about all the things he wanted to do badly but probably shouldn't have been thinking right before Robin screamed and wrapped herself around the shower curtains.
"GODS! What is wrong with you! Get out!" Robin said at the top of her lungs.
Chrom almost tripped out of the showers back to the lockers in embarrassment. He stayed around in hopes to apologize to Robin. He could understand if she never came back or if she really hated him.
"Hey dork, you can come out now," Robin said as she entered the locker room.
She pulled Chrom up from the bench.
"You are the king of all dorks. You do realize that? You didn't even bother to look away," Robin said.
"I'm really sorry. Like incredibly sorry."
"Oh, I know."
"Thank gods. I mean I'm just-"
Robin placed her finger on Chrom's lips and looked into his eyes.
"You're sorry. I get it. Just don't tell anyone. I'm horrified at the thought of any of this getting to Lissa's ears," she said.
"Yeah, I'm not actually worried about Lissa finding out. More like when Lissa tells Emmeryn," Chrom said.
Robin's eyes widened. She placed her fingers to her lips and frowned a bit.
"Gods, that would be terrifying," Robin said.
"Tell me about it… She'd actually be really excited about what just happened…" Chrom said.
All of a sudden Robin started to laugh. She widely grinned and blushed all over. She lightly punched Chrom in the arm before walking away from him. As she left the barracks, she laughed and turned around.
"By the way, I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that you liked what you saw," Robin said.
