Poor Marth! I feel like I've made him very sad lately. That should be subject to change soon.

I only own the story.

14. Gussy (v)- to dress in one's best clothes

The war was over, and the eighteen year old prince couldn't have been happier. However, he knew that such a feat would result in a continuation of his diplomatic duties.

He was currently at a table in his room. It was late the evening, and the soft glow of a candle was the only thing illuminating the otherwise peaceful room. A faint scratching filled the room from his feather pen before he dipped it back in the ink to sign his name.

In his neatest handwriting, with a dash of flare, he signed, watching the black ink dry against the pale yellow paper.

He sighed, sitting back in his chair slightly before someone knocked on his door. He stiffened before he heard a faint voice. "Marth, it's me, Merric. Are you still awake?"

"Yes, come in."

He watched the green haired mage peek his head through the door with a smile. "I wasn't expecting you to be up this late."

"I could say the same to you. What are you doing up so late?"

"I actually was about to retire myself, but Cain begged me to come and check on you. He told me that you wouldn't let him in."

Marth chuckled. "He's not wrong. He's been telling me that I work too hard for a few days now."

"...You have been keeping yourself tucked away in your room lately. Are you alright? This wouldn't happen to be about the ball, would it?"

"I can't fool you, can I?"

"I'll admit that that's one part of nobility that I don't miss."

"You don't talk about being a noble very often."

Merric sat on the edge of Marth's bed with a shrug. "I am technically your brother-in-law…" He chuckled to himself. "Even if it's a bit odd to think about."

Marth laughed alongside Merric before he remembered why he initially came. "I don't think that I'm ready to go to the ball."

"Marth, are you serious? Even around Altea, I've heard men and women alike flocking about becoming betrothed to the soon-to-be King of Archanea. You'll have nobles from across Archanea, as well as some from other continents wanting to be yours." There was a brief pause before Merric sighed. "Are you still caught up with Caeda?"

"How can I not be?! She was set to be my wife." He thumbed the wedding band that still sat on his finger. "I promised her that we would wed once the war was over. But then she had to take that axe for me-"

"You were already injured, Marth! We couldn't risk you getting captured or killed!...Caeda knew that the best of all of us. Besides, she wouldn't want you to mope too much. She would have wanted you to move on."

"...I suppose you're right. Thank you, Merric."

"It's always a pleasure to help a dear friend. Now, you should get some sleep."

"But-"

"But nothing, Marth. Merric is right." Both males, surprised by the new addition to the conversation, looked towards the door to see Elice in her nightgown. "I've walked by your room at times and have seen candlelight at all times of the night. You're eighteen, Marth. You shouldn't be working this hard."

"But I have a document that I need to get to Jeigan-"

"You wouldn't mind Merric, would you?"

"Of course not, my dear." He looked at the document once before he rolled it up, tying it off with a string. He then took the document, walking out of the room. "Goodnight, Marth."

He looked around his bedroom, preferably for another excuse, but he sighed once he felt a hand on his back. "Alright Elice. I'll go to bed."

"Not until I see it with my own eyes, Marth. I'll tuck you in like I used to do when we were younger."

"I'm not a child anymore. I'm eighteen, and about to be crowned king. I don't need you to tuck me in." Despite his words, he got into his beds, allowing his sister to pull the sheets up to his neck. "...I'm glad that I didn't lose you and Caeda."

"Marth…" He brushed back his bangs, planting a kiss on his forehead. "I guess we took for granted how great it is to have someone like Merric in our lives. If it weren't for him, I probably wouldn't be here." She sat next to Marth's stomach, stroking his hair gently.

"Elice, I don't think that I'm ready to give up Caeda yet. I know I need to find someone since I can't be king by myself but…I still can't get over Caeda. She was so perfect."

"Oh, Marth…I'm sorry. Both you and Talys are taking this hard. I can't say that I know how you feel, but I'll be there with you every step of the way."

"Thank you, Elice." With another kiss on his forehead, the blue haired princess blew out the candle on Marth's desk before she closed the door.

The eighteen year old tossed and turned for awhile, but once he stopped, he slept the best he had in the past three days.

A few weeks had passed, and it was finally time for Marth's ball. Currently, he and Merric were in his room. The green haired mage watched his best friend gussy up in his finest tunic and cape. He looked down at his own outfit, which was nothing like his mage robes. Though he wouldn't admit it, he felt rather uncomfortable. "You wear things like this all the time?"

"Not as often as you'd think. Not this ornate at least." The prince let out a sigh, and Merric followed suit.

"You're still not ready for the ball, are you?"

"I don't think I'll ever be. But I guess that I have to put on a smile for this one."

"You'll do fine. No one is saying that you have to get married as soon as you meet someone."

"...I guess you're right." He stood, placing his tiara on his head. "I'm ready. Let's go find Elice."

The two walked out of the prince's room, spotting the princess in the hallway. "There you are! The ball has already started. Everyone has been looking for you, Marth. You're lucky that I came instead of Jeigan."

Marth shuddered at the thought, but gave a small smile. "How many people are waiting on me?"

"There's quite a few men and women down there, Marth." She grabbed his hand. "Don't worry though. Myself, Merric and your knights will be there if something goes wrong."

"Alright…I can't hold out forever." With a sigh, Merric took Elice's hand and the two walked into the hall.

The prince didn't know how long he was forced to smile, but his cheeks started to hurt as he dance with another woman. He counted down the seconds until the song ended, and he ceremoniously bowed to the maiden before he left, massaging his cheeks.

"It's starts to hurt after a while, doesn't it Prince Marth?"

Marth jumped at the voice, turning to see a boy with fiery red hair, swirling what looked to be lemon water in a glass. He had bright blue eyes, much like Marth's own, and a gentle smile sat on his face.

He turned to face the prince. "I understand how you feel. I've never been one for balls myself. Would you like a seat?" He scooted over on the bench, allowing the prince to sit next to him with a reasonable gap between them.

"Thank you very much…"

"Elroy. But everyone calls me Roy."

"It's very nice to meet you Roy. I'm Prince Marth, but I'm sure you already knew that." Roy gave a smile and Marth could've sworn that his heart melted. However, he quickly composed himself. "Where are you from, Roy?"

"I hail from a small territory called Pherae in which my father is the marquess and I am the duke. It's within the federation of Lycia."

"I don't recognize those names. I take it as you're not from Archanea?"

"No, I live on a different continent. Elibe, if you've heard of it by chance."

"I have. You've traveled quite some way. Are you by yourself?"

"My father thought I was much too young to travel by myself. I'm with one of my knights."

"How old are you? If you don't mind me asking…"

"Seventeen.

Marth couldn't help but stare. "You're so young!"

Roy blushed. "I get that a lot. My country went to war when I was fifteen. My father was sick, so I had no choice but to fight."

"...You're not much different than I am," Marth mused, staring into the crowd of people.

"How so?"

Marth let out a forced chuckle. "My people want a new king and I'm only eighteen. My father would tell me that I'm much too young to be king however. And like you, I went to war when I was sixteen and again when I was eighteen."

"Sometimes there's just no rest when you're a noble."

"It appears so." Marth stood with a sigh. "I must be on my way. It's was nice talking to you, Roy. I hope to see you again sometime. Perhaps I should come and visit your castle."

The duke smiled. "Perhaps." He extended his hand to Marth for them to shake, but Marth grabbed his hand and kissed the back of it instead. Roy flushed and Marth laughed.

"Farewell, my dear duke."

Happy Groundhogs Day everyone!

Know that I have a Valentine's story in the future (that gives me 12 days...I can do this). Anyways, favorite, review and tell your friends!

See you guys l8tr!