Chapter 23 Ylisse

Matthew didn't know how he didn't see this coming. When they returned to Ylisse the streets were literally filled to the brim with people as they waited to see their two Exalts. Many people thought it was a jape or some form of sorcery when they saw their former Exalt before them, but no one could deny when they saw the blonde's radiant smile and the brand on her forehead. The second the Shepherds arrived even half way through the city of Ylissse, the soldiers and people were cheering and running to their returning families. It was hard to see the look on people's faces who didn't get a family member back, but all the Shepherds could do was move on to their respective families and honor the ones that were lost in the war.

Many Shepherds returned to their homes to see their family for a short time, while Frederick went out in search for the final gem for the Fire Emblem. Naomi decided to travel back to the farm with Donnel and return in a couple of days, Gangrel had to literally change his entire appearance so no one in the capital would recognize him, Morgan decided to look around Ylisse with the rest of the future kids, occasionally coming back to the castle to check and see how her Father's work with Chrom has progressed, and Emmeryn and Lissa walked the streets of Ylisse almost every day; with plenty of guards, of course.

That was two weeks ago. Now, inside the castle, Matthew sighed in relief as he filled out his last paper work for Chrom. It was quite the troublesome task, actually. Such trouble that the tactician was a slave to his own room for the past two weeks; only leaving his desk to eat or take a bath. Finally finishing all of those documents was very satisfying to the tactician to say the least. So satisfying in fact that he left the comfort of his room to take a walk. How happy does one have to be to go out and actually take a walk? Even the thought of walking around filled the tactician with overwhelming joy.

The second he opened the door to the outside world, he had to adjust his eyes to the bright sun as if this was the first time his eyes had witnessed the sun's light. Had he really been in this castle for that long that he'd forgotten what being underneath the warm and soothing rays of the gallant sun's rays felt like?

The second the tactician took three steps forward he heard the sound of metal clanking against metal. Matthew removed his hands from his eyes and was now standing before a soldier who stood straight and saluted. "Good afternoon, Grandmaster Matthew. Your Grace has left me with a message to pass on to you."

Matthew raised an eyebrow. "A message? From Emm?"

The soldier nodded. "Yes, sir. She said to meet her at the playground on the east side of Ylisse when you are done with your work, but she just left not too long ago. If you hurry you might catch up to her."

"I see. Thank you very much." The tactician bowed to the knight before running pass him and out the large gate that was opened for him. Sure enough, about 300 yards ahead of him, he saw Emmeryn walking with a soldier on every side of her. Matthew quickly closed the distance between them and yelled her name, "Emm!"

Much to his joy, she turned around and her face immediately lit up with a smile at seeing her husband out of his room and in the open. "Matt!" She said while turning completely till she was facing the incoming brunette. The soldiers next to her saluted at the tactician and he happily stopped and bowed out of respect. "I'm glad you are finally out of your room."

"I'm glad I'm out too." Matthew laughed. "So, why are you heading to the park?"

"I was heading to the park to read to the children…" Emmeryn stopped and looked to the four soldiers on both her sides. "Ummm, do you gentlemen mind heading back to the castle? I want to spend some time with my husband." The four soldiers looked to each other with uncertainty, but did not argue with their former Exalt's orders. The soldiers did a quick bow to the tactician before heading back to the castle.

Meanwhile, Matthew watched in amazement at his wife using her authority. "Since when did you start giving orders, Emm?" He asked with a coy smirk that made his wife smile.

"I don't know. I don't really like it though. I hate giving orders to people, and I hate it more when I have to have soldiers follow me around everywhere I go. It's…uncomfortable."

"Haha, I guess I get what you mean. All the attention must be driving you mad, right?"

"Hehe! Mad indeed."

Matthew and Emmeryn continued to talk about different subjects as they walked the streets of Ylisse, but they never seemed to be able to finish their topic since almost everyone they walked past in the huge city called out to them; mainly Emmeryn. Of course, being the Shepherds Tactician for almost 3 years now, the people immediately recognized the brunette walking next to their former Exalt and called out to him as well. "It's the Great Grandmaster of Ylisse!" He heard people call out to him. "The Grim Reaper of the Shepherds!" He heard another say. "Look! It's Your Grace's husband, Sir Matthew!'

…That one was quite unexpected. Matthew didn't remember announcing his marriage to the people yet (then again, there was nothing keeping the soldiers that traveled with them from telling their families). It was a good thing that most people seemed to accept his relationship with Emmeryn since people were happily letting him walk the streets and giving him a friendly slap on the back (which actually was starting to make him lose feeling from the constant assaults). He even got the chance to meet some Shepherds on the way. Maribelle and Lissa were just coming out of cake store with Gaius holding a large chocolate cake in his hands, the Justice Cabal seemed to be entertaining a group of children that sat and cheered as Morgan and Cynthia prepared to slay the "Dark Lord Owain", Stahl seemed to be following Severa carrying a substantial amount of bags with a face gloomier than a raining day. They even saw Gangrel, who they almost didn't recognize due to the dark cloak and slicked back hair, walking alongside an auburn haired maid smiling…which was kind of out of character for him.

After walking for about 45 minutes, the two finally made it to their destination. At the park were dozens of kids that immediately stopped what they were doing when they saw Emmeryn walk into the facility. "Miss Emmeryn!" They all shouted and bum rushed the former Exalt. Never have Matthew seen so many children gather in only 10 seconds around one person. "Miss Emmeryn, can you show us some magic today again?" A boy from the crowd of children called out and immediately caused a roar of "pleases" from the rest of the children.

Emmeryn smiled brightly and replied, "I would love to, but I didn't bring any magic materials with me today." The children immediately let out multiple awes at the blonde's announcement. "But I brought something else for you guys today." Emmeryn said excitedly and reached into her robe to grab the book she had in it. "I brought a fun book for us to read, and," She reached back into her robe and pulled out a full brown, small sack, "Those who are able to answer questions at the end of the story will get an award!" The kid's faces instantly lit back up at the sack in the former Exalt's hand and began to cheer again.

"Candy! Candy! Candy! Candy! Candy!"

After calming down the crowd of children, Emmeryn led them over to a bench and they all sat down crisscross style in front of her. She read through the entire book and turned the pages around for the children to see the colorful pictures on them. Meanwhile, Matthew stood behind her and watched in amazement as his wife read every word in the book without stuttering or struggling between sentences. Even though it was a child's book, Matthew couldn't help but feel an overwhelming joy inside of him at his wife's progress since he first met her. If there weren't so many people present, he would have definitely picked her up and spun her around like a father would do a child.

When she finished the story, she calmly closed the book and began asking questions to her clapping audience. The questions weren't too hard, of course. It was always something like, "where did the story take place" or "who were the main characters of the story". Every time someone answered correctly they were rewarded with a sugary treat from the former Exalt's brown sack of goodies. Even the parents got involved to help their children out when they didn't know the answer. In the end, everyone ended up with at least one piece of candy, leaving Emmeryn's sack of goodies completely empty.

"Miss Emmeryn, can I marry you one day?" A bold young boy stood up and yelled to the former Exalt and completely took both her and the brunette behind her by surprise. "When I'm old enough, can I ask your hand in marriage?" The boy said asked again, but seemed to awaken something within the other boys around him.

"I-I want to marry Miss Emmeryn too!" One boy called out.

"Nuh uh! A girl can only have one husband, and that will be me!" The boy from earlier declared.

While all the boys were debating on who would marry Emmeryn or not, and the girls looking to the boys with a childish pout on her face, Emmeryn was giggling softly at the attention she had suddenly received. "Who do you choose, Miss Emmeryn!" The boy's all yelled at once at the giggling former Exalt.

Emmeryn smiled at them before shaking her head. "I'm sorry, but I can't choose any of you."

"Aaawwwww, why not?" The boy's asked the blonde and was replied by her lifting her left hand and showing the gold band on her finger.

"Because I am already married." Emmeryn revealed and stood to her feet, walking behind the bench and embracing her bewildered husband's arm. "This is my husband, Matthew." This time, while the boys all stood in total shock, the girls stood to their feet and threw a barrage of questions at the former Exalt.

…

After the barrage of questions were ended, thanks to the children's parents stepping in, the former Exalt began playing multiple games with the children. The first game was a game called "Red Rover" where there were two teams holding hands about 100 feet apart from each other. The point of the game was to take turns saying "Red Rover Red Rover" and would call out the name of the person they wanted to run over to their side. If the person was successful in breaking through the arms of the other team, then the one called over was able to bring an opposing team member to their side.

The second game was quite fun for Matthew. It was a game called dodge ball where multiple people stood in a large rectangular box, which was formed by placing four cardboard boxes on each corner, while two people stood on the short ends of the rectangle throwing multiple rubber balls at them; the throwers ending up being Matthew and Emmeryn. The rules were simple: if you get hit by a ball or step outside the rectangle, then you were out. Such simple rules, yet it was almost impossible for Matthew to hit the kids. It was either they were too afraid to be hit with the ball, which made the tactician feel too bad aiming at them, or they were just too fast and agile to hit. Emmeryn on the other hand, had no problem hitting her target every single time. If you were targeted by the former Exalt, then there was no way you were staying in the game.

The last game, hide and seek, was scary for everyone in attendance. Before the game could even start, Emmeryn began to cough uncontrollably and even threw up in a paper bag that was given to her by one of the parents. Sadly, that was Matthew's cue to take his wife home and immediately get her checked. It was sad saying goodbye to all of the children, but Emmeryn had no choice but to follower her husband's orders no matter how much she didn't want to leave.

"You alright, Emm?" The tactician asked his wife that walked next to him.

"Yes, for the tenth time Matt, I'm fine." Emmeryn laughed at her husband's constant bickering.

"Just wanted to make sure." Matthew pouted and looked away.

"…Matt, I know what I want to do when we are able to settle down."

Matthew turned back to his wife with an interested look on his face. "And what would that be?"

"If I'm given the opportunity, I would like to become a teacher for the kids." Emmeryn revealed to her husband who looked to her with a blank stare.

"Where did this come from?"

"It's just…I have so much fun when I'm around children. I love to hear them having fun, I love to see them smile, and I love when they thank me for doing something nice… They remind me of how I use to be before I met you, Matt." Emmeryn stopped walking and looked to her husband who stood next to her and had the same blank stare on his face. She smiled and said, "If it wasn't for you, then I probably wouldn't know what I want to do even 3 years from now... For that, I want to say thank you, Matt."

A smile appeared on the brunette's face as he took his wife's hand in his. "And you gave me a reason to keep living, Emm. I will stick by you no matter what you decide to do with your fu-"

"Get a room you two!" The weapons smith to their left called out to the couple who immediately broke apart from each other. The man guffawed when he saw the flustered faces of the blonde and brunette. "Scared ya good, didn't I, Grim Reaper?"

Matthew laughed and walked up to the muscular man. "I see you were the one who started that weird nickname?" The tactician accused the man as they exchanged a friendly handshake.

"Ya kiddin me, right? If it were me, you'd know it the second ya heard it!" The man laughed and gave the tactician a friendly slap on the back. " 'sides, I think "Blazer of Ylisse" or "The Black Falcon" sounds a lot cooler than the "Grim Reaper". No ma'er how I look at ya, y'just don't look like death. I would know, I've seen 'em many times on battlefield just scoopin up souls as if they were on sale."

"Haha, I can at least agree with you on the Grim Reaper part, but I don't think I like your other nicknames."

The huffed and crossed his arms. "Kids these days wouldn't know a good name if it knocked on their door." Suddenly, the man's twisted into worry as he looked back to the tactician. "By the by, I'd be careful if I were you, lad. I don't believe gossip, but some people are sayin ya took advantage of the former Exalt just ta marry yerself into da family."

Matthew's face contorted to horror, then to anger at the sudden revelation. "I would never do something like that!" Matthew lashed back.

"And I believe ya, lad, but you know how people are these days. Some just can't accept a Plegian in the Ylissean royal family, while others want ta cause conflict between Plegia and Ylisse again. If ya ask me, both are pretty childish excuses to initiate a conflict, but some people would go so far as ta hurt Miss Emmeryn and then place all the blame on you." The weapons smith looked away from the tactician and to the blonde in the distance (who was looking through the window at the magic books that laid on a shelf. "If I were you lad, I wouldn't take my eyes off 'er for even a second."

Matthew turned around to his wife, who just so happened to be walking his direction, and smiled at her. She returned the gesture by smiling back and waving. "…I'll keep that in mind."

…

The brunette thought they would never make it back to the castle. After leaving the weapons smith they made their way to the castle only to be stopped by a cheering crowd of people who watched as Priam out drank Vaike, Gregor and Chrom. After that, the couple got wrapped up in calming down a terrifying Noire as she yelled at a merchant for trying to sell her over priced goods. Even worse than that, they had to explain to terrified people who saw a violet colored dragon fleeing from a light green one. They had been through so much that the tactician almost forgot what he came to the castle for. "Alright, Emm. Time to go to the infirmary."

Matthew tried to pull his wife down the hall of the castle, but found that she would not budge from her spot. "There is no need to go to the infirmary, Matt." Emmeryn reassured her husband.

"What are you talking about, Emm? Anyone in the park could see what happened wasn't your everyday occurrence."

"I know, and it wasn't." The tactician didn't know why, but his wife seemed to smile in spite of her situation.

"If you know, then all the more reason to go to the infirmary, yes?"

"I don't need to go because I already know what's wrong with me."

Matthew looked to his wife with a confused look on his face and said. "Is it not curable?"

Emmeryn shook her head. "It's very curable… In fact, it should be cured in about 7 months." If Matthew was confused before, then he was completely lost now. Instead of trying to keep giving hints, Emmeryn grabbed both of her husband's hands and placed them on her stomach. The tactician looked down to where his hands currently rested while his wife spoke. "In here are most likely Naomi and Morgan, Matt."

Suddenly everything seemed clear to the tactician as he tried to speak, but couldn't formulate the words. "Emm…you-you're not. Y-You can't mean? A-A-Are you serious?"

Emmeryn smiled blissfully at her husband's reaction and finally revealed her condition. "Matt, I'm pregnant."

…

To say that the brunette was bewildered would be a major understatement. He was so blown away about the news that he had been staring half consciously at his wife for almost a full minute now. "A-Are you really serious?" Matthew managed to get mutter the words out of his mouth. Emmeryn giggled and nodded at her baffled husband.

"Yes, Matt. I found out 2 weeks ago when you were still working. I figured this was the right time to tell you about it." Matthew still looked shocked from her confession, but it at least made the blonde happy to see he wasn't showing a negative reaction. "Matt, we are going to be parents soon!" Those words surely broke the tactician out of his shock. He first started out with short giggles, then broke out into a full arc of joy and scooped his wife off of her feet by the waist; spinning her around numerous times.

"We're gonna be parents, Emm!" Matthew exclaimed happily to his wife that giggled in the air.

"I know, dear!" Emmeryn giggled as the man she loved continued to spin her around. "But please put me down. I don't think all this spinning will be good for me when I'm pregnant." Matthew obeyed his wife and put her back down to her feet, but quickly pulled her into a tight embrace.

"Emm, I'm happy beyond words. I want to make sure that the babies are born and raised with both of their parents. When the business with Grima is done, I want settle down with you, Emm. I want to walk the streets hand in hand, have our own house, and even help you realize your dream as a teacher. I want you to have it all!"

Emmeryn could not be happier to hear those words coming from her husband's lips. She returned the embrace and mumbled. "If you really mean it, then make it a promise. A promise that you will never leave me behind no matter what, and I will do the same."

Matthew tightened the embrace as he took in his wife's words. "I promise, Emm."

This was one promise that he swore he would never break.

I don't really have anything to say about this chapter. This was just a chapter I had in mind since it's been a while since I had a chapter with just Emmeryn and Matthew conversing. Next chapter will sadly be out next Sunday due to the amount of work I'm going to have to do this week because of Thanksgiving. If I DO post a chapter, then, of course, it would be on Thanksgiving (but don't get your hopes too high up. I'm almost certain I won't be able to). By the way, prepare yourselves for the next chapter. things get really real next chapter so look forward to it!

As always, thank you for the reviews, favs and follows and have a HAPPY THANKSGIVING!