o.0.o.0.o

Chapter Thirty-Six

Cordelia couldn't help but hover over Stahl, waiting for him to wake up.

It was a dawn of a new morning, and Stahl was still unconscious from the blow he had taken in the manor. She knew she shouldn't be complaining, an entire wall crumbled upon him, and they were lucky they managed to get him out of that. There was a chance that he could have suffocated or broke his neck… The amount of injuries that could have happened were endless.

But his great knight armor did a fantastic job of protecting his body for the most part, his arms covering his head just in time. Clerics explained to them that it was a well placed blow to an unguarded part at the base of his skull that knocked him out cold. How long he would be out, they couldn't be sure. They said knockouts like this could last from minutes to hours to days. The longest they've seen was a week… but supposedly, after about a month without food, his body would start to shut down to due malnourishment.

And all Cordelia could think about was that it was all her fault, that she should have been better.

She could have thought of a thousand excuses as to her flaw. It was dark, the Risen were semi-intelligent… of course those were the reasons she didn't see that archer. Even as a small oversight on her part, Stahl had spotted it. Stahl, the baseline 'average man' in the army, had noticed the archer taking aim and had shouted for her to look out. The moment she looked over, he had dispatched the archer.

It all happened so fast. The archer disappeared in a poof of smoke, leaving the corpse behind, another Risen jumped him and then, Stahl was thrown from his horse. Before anything could be done, she watched that wall crumble onto him.

At that moment, she knew the most earsplitting scream tore from her throat. Another life, lost because she was careless. Because she was not good enough. And Phila thought she was to be the next captain of the squadron! Her! She who did not have enough insight to even take care of herself, let alone her comrades.

Like an animal that had no will over her own body, she practically threw herself at the ruble, tearing at it as battles raged around her, praying he hadn't died because of her own carelessness.

And here she sat today, unable to do anything for him because she was incompetent as a healer… Incompetent as a falcon knight. Falcon knights were known to be healers as well as riders, and they always led the pegasus knights as a staple of grace and power. And here she stood, the so-called 'heir' of such a position, unable to heal, unable to lead… unable to even care for herself in battle.

And just adjacent to her was Stahl, the average man, the man who was never extraordinary in anything but his appetite… but able to always watch her back. Why, she had no clue. He was just an ordinary man who always seemed to be looking out for her… And on the inside, it was tearing her apart.

Bowing her head, she took his hand like she was in prayer and spoke.

"Naga, please let him live. Call me selfish if you will, but should another life be lost because of or in spite of me, I won't be able to handle it…!"

She was surprised when she choked on her own words, the sudden images of all her knight-sisters flashing in her mind. Their looks of anxiety as they were overwhelmed, the brief hope as they sent her off, the blood that flashed and then the screams of agony as their lives were torn away.

How? How was she supposed to live with herself if she watched someone else die because-

There was a small pressure around her hand.

Startled, Cordelia's own thoughts were cut off as she dropped Stahl's hand. Then, she watched as his fingers continued to twitch slightly. Snapping her gaze up, she intently watched his face, his lips twitching slightly. Then he slowly opened his eyes, his green gaze slowly drifting around until it finally settled on her face.

"Stahl?" she asked quietly, as if she were afraid id she spoke any louder, she would send him back into unconsciousness. He cracked a good natured smile.

"Hey." his voice had a slight rasp to it. He cleared his throat, then spoke again. "Good morning?"

"It's past lunchtime, Stahl." Cordelia answered with a relieved laugh, rubbing slightly at her eyes with hopes to hide the tears.

"Goodness, are you crying over me?" Stahl slowly sat up, bringing a hand to his head.

"Don't!" Cordelia immediately placed her hands on his shoulders. "You've been out for a day and a half! You had a wall collapse on you!"

"No, I'm fine, just hungry." Stahl insisted, though he laid back under her insistence. "But a day and a half?"

"Yes, I was worried sick." Cordelia sighed, closing her eyes and bowing her head. "I'm sorry. You got hurt because I was distracted. You've always seemed to have my back like that Stahl, but it almost cost you your life."

"What? No way!" Stahl shook his head. "That manor was insane. Risen were jumping in and out of no where and walls were falling everywhere. It's not your fault I got hurt."

"It is." Cordelia insisted. "If you hadn't taken care of that archer that I didn't see, then you wouldn't have been in that direct line of that falling wall."

"Yeah, but that's the problem. You didn't see it, so how could you have done anything? If I hadn't have done anything, then you would have been seriously hurt…"

"Yes, but you got hurt because of it! If I had been more keen, more careful…"

"Sometimes battle is unpredictable. No matter the planning, something like magically collapsing walls isn't something you can predict. You can't blame yourself. It's not fair to blame you for something that could have been avoided. And besides, I'd be really upset if you ended up getting killed because some sniper got you unaware." Stahl averted his gaze for a moment, closing his eyes. "Hypothetically, anyone could get hurt in battle. You can't beat yourself up over what you could or couldn't have done. If there's anyone to blame, it's the Risen that startled my horse into bucking me off."

"No, you don't understand-"

"It's not anyone's fault." Stahl opened his eyes. "Not mine, not yours. Not any-"

"It has to be someone's fault!" she found herself screaming sharply. "My irresponsibility is getting people hurt or killed so it HAS to be my fault!"

That earned her a sharp look from a cleric and Stahl looked startled. Cordelia lowered her gaze for a second, trying to regain her bearings.

"I'm sorry. You probably aren't feeling well since you've been unconscious for a day…" Cordelia sighed, rubbing her temple.

"So," Stahl sat up again despite her earlier protests. "Have you been tickling the old strings lately?"

"Tickling…? Oh, do you mean the harp?"

"Bingo." he grinned. "To tell you the truth, I bought one at the market a while back with some sheet music."

"Heh," Cordelia couldn't help but chuckle, thankful for his change of subject. "It sounds like someone's itching to play a duet!"

"Well, at some point, sure." Stahl grinned. "But right now I can barely make a noise on the thing. Once I can, though, I plan on practicing until my fingers are bloody and raw."

"It's, uh… good to have a goal." Cordelia lightly praised with a slightly strained smile.

"I'm just trying to be as dedicated as you are, Cordelia." Stahl chuckled, then lowered his gaze slightly in embarrassment. "So I've kinda been watching you practice."

"You've been watching?" Cordelia echoed. Stahl nodded enthusiastically.

"You had my undivided attention. I swear, I didn't blink for some time."

"Won't your eyes dry out if you do that…?" Cordelia quickly caught that she said that aloud, then shook her head. "Er, never mind."

"You played all the notes so beautifully…" Stahl continued to reminisce. "The tone was lovely, and it'd honestly be a dream come true to be able to play alongside you."

"Okay." Cordelia agreed, standing. "Just give me some time, Stahl, and I'll prepare some lesson plans, okay? It'd hardly do for me to start teaching you unless my methods are sound."

"Wait, you're serious?" Stahl seemed to be in disbelief as he tried to sit up again.

"Of course." she smiled, walking past his bed. "I owe you quite a bit since you always seem to be watching out for me."

"That's great!" Stahl said after he gaped for a moment. "Maybe one day we can play that duet…?"

"Only if I prove to be a good teacher." Cordelia answered. "To be honest, I don't have much faith in myself in order to do this… But that's what lesson plans are for. I'll come up with the best ones I can manage and then we'll see where that takes us."

As she walked away, she called for a cleric to check on him and make sure he was okay. With that, she left the room, thanking Naga above that another life was not lost.

o.0.o.0.o

"Y'all are going to be the most beautiful bride this village ever did see Ella! I can promise ya that one! Your old Ma worked day and night to make this beauty and that cat of a husband better appreciate it!"

Donnel listened half-heartedly to the conversation his mother and sister were having. His Ma was going utterly bonkers over this wedding, absolutely enthralled to be able to have a say in it. While she took charge of all the finer things, like the dress and the food and what-not, Donnel took it upon himself to make sure the invitations got out to everyone, including the huge bundle he sent to the Shepherds. Since he didn't know where most of the Shepherds actually lived, he just knotted all twenty-four of them up and addressed them to Lissa. Hopefully, she'll be able to deliver the rest individually to the Shepherds…

The thought of Lissa made his heart clench in both heartache and conflict. On the table, he fiddled endlessly with a small, simple ring. He knew that he wanted to ask, he wanted to bring up the courage to… But he was so… so what? Nervous? Scared? Nah. He was ready to march right on up to Lissa and get down on one knee. He was as Demyan said; totally normal. He was ready for her rejection, no matter how hurtful it is.

So why was he so… conflicted?

"I'ma tellin' ya Donny, I thought I'd never see the day that I'd be watchin' my girl become a bride."

Hearing his mother's boisterous voice, he swiped the ring into his palm snapping his gaze up. His mother was already dabbing her eyes with her apron.

"Don't start crying now, Ma." he said with a chuckle. "They ain't even getting married for another two weeks. If you're gonna start crying now, you won't have any tears left for the vows."

"My dear boy, you just don't understand." his mother shook her head with a sigh. She spoke not in a disapproving manner, but rather, a teasing one. "Ella… That girl has gone through to much and I always wanted her to be happy. And as long as there was always the possibility of her husband findin' out…"

She trailed off worriedly. Donnel nodded respectfully, coming to a slight understanding over the course of his time with the Shepherds. How his home, the Farfort, became a refugee sight for runaway Plegians. How his own sister, the girl who appeared in his life so suddenly when he was about ten years old, was one of them.

He remembered being right mad because he thought Ella was, simply, a rude individual. He'd talk to her and she'd blink at him, as if unsure what to do. When he complained, briefly, to his parents, his Ma right struck his head and told him he should be thankful for a voice to speak those foul words. Later, his Pa had tried to tell him why his Ma had gotten so angry at his little complaint.

He sat him down and right said that Ella wasn't like the other village girls running around. She was from far away, and that she couldn't speak, so it wasn't necessarily her fault for not answering. The reason his Ma has lost her cool was because she was stressed. Today, Donnel realized that not only was Ella risking her life by being here, but everyone in the Farfort was risking their life by accepting them. Even if the Exalt had done their best to protect them, there were always bandits, and even violent Anti-Plegian groups here in Ylisse. Not to mention nuts like Iole running rampant…

It was very stress inducing, those next few months. Ella simply did her best to stay out of the way of everyone, being almost anti-social in a way while his Ma and Pa did their best to warm up to her… To keep all of them safe. She only really began to open up when their Pa came home from a long trip to a country across the ocean, a place called Valm. She was enraptured by the stories and the items he brought back. She would hang on his arm as a way to beg for another story, even if it had to be retold.

Soon, they began to acclimate her to speak in her own way, and that was when Donnel learned how to read and write as a neccessity. Nothing to fancy-he still didn't understand half the fancy stuff Maribelle often said- but enough that he could understand his sister.

"I dunno if I could ever trust her with anyone but the prince himself!"

His thoughts were snapped back to reality as his mother bellowed that line with a laugh. That made Donnel cringe. She said it like a joke, when he himself was planning on proposing to a princess himself…

"Say, Ma…" Donnel lifted his gaze. "Hypothetically… What would you say if a little farmboy wanted to propose to a princess?"

She burst out laughing.

"I'd say that farmboy had to be the village fool!"

Donnel clenched the ring in his hand.

"You don't have an hope for the fella?" He asked quietly.

"Probably not," she shook her head. "There's some lines you can't really cross, my-" she suddenly cut herself off, staring intently at him. Then, as if the pieces fell into place, she asked her next question. "Donnel Tinhead, you ain't talkin' about yerself… are ya?"

He remained silent. His mother sighed, then reached across the table and gripped his hands tightly.

"My sweet boy, I love you with all my heart, I most certainly do." she said earnestly. "And I don't mean to hurt yer feelin's. But just because some lass is sweet to ya, 'specially durin' wartimes… It don't mean she's taken a shine to ya."

"But Ma, this is different!" Donnel immediately argued. "We've had each other's backs durin' the war and I most certainly will provide for her as best I can!"

"I'm sure you will, my boy. But the princess?" she closed her eyes, as if it was hurting her to say this. "My boy… It ain't just the differences in status's. I think ya deserve a princess… But I also don't want ya to become the whipping post for a bunch o' nobles. Plus, there's a stark rise in responsibilities…"

Donnel ended up lowering his gaze.

"But I love her, Ma."

"Oh child…" he heard her say. "I'm sure ya do. But ya gotta understand… There's a reason why princesses and farmboys don't get hitched like they do in the tales."

Those words stung, not because his Ma meant them to hurt… Mostly because they were true. This wasn't some fairytale, not in the slightest…

His mother left with a sigh when he didn't lift his gaze. He most certainly loved his Ma with all his heart, but he hated it so when she seemed to be right in confirming his deepest fears.

After his Ma left, he saw Ella take the seat she previously occupied. The air was tense and heavy until it was finally broken by Ella drumming her fingers on the table, waiting for him to look up. His gaze drifted to her ring finger and he felt his stomach lurch. His big sis was getting married, and here he was thinking about proposing to a princess. It made sense with her and Demyan, they were both outsiders… They fit together. That simple little band looked right on her hand, looked right when they bought them. But he knew the little ring he held in his hand would look right dumb next to the jewels on Lissa's hand…

His thoughts of self doubt were cut off when she swiped his pot off his head and set it to the side.

"Ella…"

Instead of waiting for him to speak, she shoved her journal in his face.

"What happened to the confidence our little hometown hero?"

"Could you be confident if you were propsin' to Exalt Chrom?" he answered wryly.

"I couldn't tell you. I'm engaged and it's certainly not to the prince."

"Then what help are you to me right now?" he looked down dejectedly. He heard her scrawling out, and glanced up at her response.

"Stop seeking the validation that you are deserving of having Lissa as your wife. Because no matter what, people are not going to give you that validation. They will only see status and laugh to your face. Only one person in this whole wide world can give you what you seek, and she's going to be here in two weeks time."

"Ella, it sounds like you're trying to encourage me." Donnel shook his head. He heard the tearing of a piece of paper, and something was slid into his line of sight.

"Who could say? You, of course, have two weeks to think about it, Donny. Just don't blunder the proposal."

Next to the note was a small, encouraging little smiley face. Resting his chin on his hand, he stared at the note and pondered those words.

"Don't blunder the proposal." he found himself chuckling, hoping she wasn't referring to his soon-to-be brother-in-laws sudden proposal.

o.0.o.0.o

"Heya, Miriel!" Vaike grinned, slamming a book down across from her. Miriel brought her gaze up from the book she was reading, already used to his loud entrances and exits of Vaike. No matter how hard she tried to convince him otherwise, he simply did not seem to understand that he had to remain quiet in the library. "So. Guess who has two thumbs and finished reading his first novel. Ever."

To make a point, he jutted both his thumbs towards himself with a big, proud grin. Miriel slowly pushed her glasses up her nose then spoke.

"Considering how you just entered with that delighted look on your face, followed by the vociferous exclamation of my name, followed by an equally clamorous slamming of that novel upon the table, then concluding with you yourself personating the sentence you just uttered…" Miriel exhaled after the brief speech. "Would I be mistaken in assuming that you were the one who finished his first novel?"

"That's right!" Vaike grinned proudly, sitting down across from her.

"Did you enjoy it?"

"I dunno." Vaike shrugged, picking up the book and flipping through it. Inside, Miriel noticed pieces of parchment in an almost childish scrawl. "There were some words I didn't understand and a lot of questions I had, but I think I got the gist of the story."

"Then that is all that you need." Miriel nodded, also proud of him, not only in his newfound literacy but also the fact that, at least with her, he gaze up his pride and chose to seek more help when it came to this endeavor. "Ponder this, my friend. Some time ago, you were illiterate. You knew not how to read nor write. Typically, it is shown that most children still haven't mastered reading and manuscript even after many years of proper schooling. And even more for comprehension. So the very idea that you, a man who has been unable to read or write for a majority of his life, was able to almost master such difficult endeavors is an impressive feat in and of itself."

"Well, thanks, I guess." Vaike grinned happily as she herself began to flip through the book, glancing over his script.

Some of his letters were backwards, and he still seemed to confuse his lowercase d's and b's as well as his q's and p's. He had also carefully copied words that he did not know and stuck them directly under the sentence they were in. It was strangely courteous of him, the same man who would accidentally tear pages out of books when he flipped the pages. Some of the words he was having trouble recognizing, Miriel further concluded, could easily be defined if he looked closer at the sentence.

She's have to go into context clues with him next, so then he would be able to identify the meanings of words within the script.

"But…" his awkward tone caught her attention, and she looked up. "You do realize that you don't have to call me 'friend' all the time, right? Just take it as it's a given. The best thing about being friends is bein' comfortable around each other."

"Ah, I see," she dropped her gaze, face heating up. "I must confess, informality does not come…" she trailed off searching her extensive vocabulary for the correct words. "Naturally to me."

"Aw, Miriel," Vaike reached out and pinched her cheek teasingly. "Is that a blush? Don't tell me you're gettin' shy on me now!"

"Shy?" she echoed, slightly jerking her head from his grasp. She felt warm, much to warm, like she was hit with a sudden fever. "Of course not. I have never- That is to say I…" she snapped her mouth shut as she suddenly began to stammer. What oddity is this? She was never one to become nervous when she spoke… She very clearly were always able to separate her emotions from her mind, so why…? "Perhaps. Only a little."

"Heh, you sure you're feelin' all right?" Vaike continued to tease. "I've never seen ya be tongue-tied before."

She was never tongue-tied either, so she couldn't properly explain it. It just was that, shortly after the war had ended, Vaike began to show her about town. Taking her to alehouses, restaurants, and shops… The experiences were both exhilarating and seemed to become less about her doing research about friendship, and more about her having an enjoyable time wherever they went. Soon enough, her journals went from her writing epics about what she had learned, to simple, short paragraphs about how she enjoyed herself so. In other words, her research journal became more of a… a diary of sorts.

"N-No, it's just…" she trailed off for a moment, bringing her gaze back down to his notes but not really reading what he had wrote. "Vaike, ever since the war had ended and we began to go on those outings, such as to the alehouses and to the shops, I haven't eaten well. I assumed the fault lied in the pub food, as I am unaccustomed to such cuisine… But I find that this feeling has persisted even when I have not been eating such things. When I think of you, I feel a… tightness. Here," she placed a hand over her heart to show him, knowing Vaike responded well to a visual aide when she went on one of her lessons. "In my chest. Is this friendship?"

"Um…" Vaike trailed off, looking a little embarrassed as he looked anywhere but her. Finally, he coughed into his fist, then opened his mouth to speak. "To be honest, Miriel, what you're feelin' is a lot more serious than friendship."

"Blast!" Miriel stood abruptly in a fit of panic, an old habit she was sure she had grown out of suddenly coming up. Pacing around the room, she shakily gripped the brim of her hat. "Oh, of all the…! I knew it! Is it fatal? Is there a cure? Oh, I must be afflicted if I'm asking you of all people for advice…"

"That probably could have been worded a little better." Vaike winced, visibly winced. Miriel abruptly stepped back, hands dropping to her side as she regained a little focus.

"Perhaps it is contagious. I shall go see a doctor immediately." she turned abruptly on her heel, when suddenly, Vaike gripped her wrist. "Vaike!" she chastised. "I do believe it is contagious so direct contact may cause you to become infected!"

"Never mind any of that, you're not sick." Vaike said simply. "I think what you're feelin'… is love! You've fallen in love with me!"

"What?!" Miriel blurted. This was mostly because of what Vaike had just said, and also because all the cogs and inner workings of her brain completely came to a halt.

"Er, look, Miriel." Vaike said slowly. "If I'm being honest here, I have feelings for you too. Real feelings… Like, I know I'm dumber than a sack of bricks, but I'm not a fool in this aspect. It's why I wanted to help with all that research. And to finally be able to read and write. To impress ya. Then we started watching each other's backs in battle and I dunno… Just… Just basically… This has gotta be the first time I've ever rated someone ELSE first! If this isn't love, then the Vaike is stunned."

"Gracious… How…" she stumbled about, trying to place a word to what she was feeling. "Fascinating."

Normally, she had a thought for everything, a plan to prove every hypothesis… But never once had she thought that the reason behind her situation was because of her own emotions! Logic and emotions, her mother had always taught her, were never something to go hand in hand. When in doubt, never turn to emotion. Always use logic to strike down any possible explanation first, then turn to emotion. But she had been so certain she had fallen ill, that the idea of love never even…

"I'd only intended to research friendship… But I suppose now I can observe love in it's natural state!" suddenly overcome with excitement, she brought her gaze back to Vaike. "What rapture! To have an astute significant other with whom to scrutinize this world's illimitable mysteries! You will help me in my research, yes?"

"Sure." Vaike laughed, as if he was somehow expecting that reaction. "But with all this chatter about Ella and Demyan… You know what? Let's go further! I wanna make you my wife! Let's get hitched!"

"Do you mean a connubial relationship?" Miriel asked. "The blessed sacrament? Marriage?"

"Of course! Isn't that what getting hitched means?"

"Well, yes." Miriel nodded. "I suppose that would be an enthralling, zesty experience."

"You know what?" Vaike said after a brief pause, then laughed out loud again. "I'm just gonna assume that means yes! So what do ya say? When morning comes, let's blow this place and go find a ring!"

"Ah, the ring." Miriel echoed curiously. "Is it a talisman that evokes the bonds of love? Or merely a symbol of the husbands right to his wife's person and property?"

Again, Vaike gave her the same confused look he seemed to always give her when he felt unsure of something. The one where he quirked his left eyebrow. With nothing else to do, he shook his head and spoke.

"It's just a bloomin' ring! It means I promise to be your husband and honor you and all that. It just…" he ran a hand through his hair in exasperation. "It just makes it all official-like."

"Wouldn't a sealed and witnessed contract be more appropriate?" she immediately responded. Vaike seemed amused as he let out another laugh.

"It's just what you do, all right?" putting an arm around her shoulders, he began walking, basically dragging her along. "If ya get married, you gotta have a ring!"

Miriel blinked in slight astonishment, then smiled a small, soft smile. If nothing else, this was probably the most risky endevor she ever entered into, that on top of all the battles she had faced and all the research she had tried so desperately to prove. But nonetheless… All of this was so utterly...

"...Fascinating."

o.0.o.0.o

"This is so nostalgic!" Lissa announced as she pranced into Maribelle's tent. "Just think! Some time ago we were marching through here picking off Risen, then we ended up saving the Farfort and added two new members to our party."

Maribelle smiled in response to Lissa uninvited entrance. She had tried, time and again to get Lissa to announce herself at least once before barging in, but Lissa honestly never learned. After nearly a decade of trying to change her friends ways, Maribelle simply settled on letting the princess do as she will, then lecturing her should she barge in at an… awful moment.

"And now we're back here, and Ella is getting married!" Lissa bounced over to her cot, sitting down right next to Maribelle. "Oh, this is all so exciting!"

"Darling, I do believe you're just excited to see Donnel again."

"Got that right!" Lissa winked playfully. "Letters are nice and all, but I miss him, you know?"

Oh, how Maribelle knew. Lissa spent a majority of their teatime speaking animatedly about Donnel's letters. At this point, she began to question Lissa's true feelings for the farmboy, wondering if she had perhaps developed something more than feelings of friendship for him. Most likely, as she knew Lissa perhaps better than anyone.

This, of course, led to thoughts about her own love troubles. Her father had been rather annoyed of late, wanting to hurry along the royal wedding and get her and Chrom wed as quickly as possible. But with Ylissetol just recently being rebuilt and the country now getting back on its feet. Of course, the council had more important things to discuss, such as getting crops back on track and making sure the canals were cleared. Chrom, much like his sister before him, was doing his best to put his people first.

But this led her father to become increasingly stressed. He was a good man, but he was also always hungry for power. Hungry for the protection of his dukedom, what with it being right on the border of Plegia. Articulate and intelligent, he knew how to go about getting power by creating border contracts and marriage contracts. Her elder brother, Elias, had married into another dukedom by contract thanks to their father. The dukedom of Schuler, home to Duke Sirus and his two daughters, Ravette and Darcia, was considered a rather military based dukedom. Her father, knowing that Themis needed protection and Schuler needed provisions, manipulated the situation. If your daughter and my son marry, then you will have provisions for your people and I shall have protection for mine.

Considering how scarce the food had been that year, Sirus had to comply. Thus, Elias and Ravette were wed.

But now, she was fearing her father was overstepping his bounds. It was one thing to organize a marriage between a fellow duke, but another all together to try to arrange a marriage with the prince, now Exalt, of the country. All her life, Maribelle had prepared herself to be married off to another for the benefit of her people. That is what her mind had told her, what her father had told her repeatedly. She needed to do what was best for her people, and that meant gaining ultimate political power as Queen of Ylisse.

But her heart, on the other hand, was now arguing that ideology.

Her time spent with Gaius was actually pleasant and benefitting. He would talk about his hometown and memories of his family, always having a rather exciting story about the pranks he and his siblings would pull in order to get away with thievery. When their conversations turned to law, he actually had similar views of the law. He pointed out that it wasn't fair that commoners, especially of the lower class, were guilty until proven innocent. It should be innocent until proven guilty. It wasn't fair that nobles could have multiple get out of jail free cards because they could pay off the judge. It should be a crime to bribe a judge, and then a crime on the judges behalf for accepting bribes.

But they also had their fair share of debates as well. When the death penalty came up, Gaius outright said it should not exist. They had a rather heated debate on whether or not murderers should be executed. Gaius claimed that higher ups have no right to decide the fate of others, even if they killed. She claimed that those who murdered out of pure selfishness should not be allowed to live, especially if they are predators.

Always, there conversations were held over tea and sweets, her being in charge of the tea and he the sweets. About three of these meeting in, she began to make an attempt to coordinate her tea with his sweets. Suddenly, it was a daily thing where she would wake up, seek him out, ask what they would be having for teatime, and she would prepare the tea. She recalled even giving him funds so that he could go out and purchase whatever he needed. To think, not to long ago she thought of him as a deplorable scum that she wouldn't trust as far as she could throw him.

At this point, she had been arguing her mind against her heart. She was… perhaps feeling something slightly deeper for the thief, but how on earth could she ever admit that to her father and brother without shame?

"Lissa, darling," she spoke without realizing. "May I ask for some advice?"

"Really?!" Lissa bounced on the bed. "This is rare, usually I'm asking you for advice! Sure, I'll help, what is it?"

"I am betrothed, Lissa, but I believe I… may have feelings for someone else." her words came out in a quiet whisper, as if she was afraid of committing some sort of treason. "What do you think I should do?"

"You're betrothed?" Lissa echoed in surprise. "When did that happen?"

"Around when you and Chrom found Rosalie." Maribelle said quietly. "I always intended to tell you, but everything was becoming increasingly more perilous with the war that this betrothal never came up until now."

"Goodness…" Lissa took her chin in her hand. "If you want my honest advice, I say go with the man you're in love with. That is, if I wasn't a princess and didn't understand the ins and outs of what a betrothal is. It depends on who you're betrothed to, honestly. That, and who you think you have feelings for. If the man you have feelings for is higher than the man you're betrothed to, then he might be able to, hm…"

She trailed off, as if trying to figure out what to say next.

"Well, he would probably be able to, no offense, buy out your betrothed. And if that doesn't work, then he could duel your husband to be for your hand, like they did way back when."

"There are problems with that, though." Maribeel said quietly, shutting her eyes. "No one will ever be able to financially conquer my betrothed nor beat him in a duel."

"You say that with such confidence… Maribelle, who is it? Maybe I could pull some strings and get you out of this…"

"Not even you could help, darling." Maribelle opened her eyes, staring at her folded hands. "As my betrothed is none other than your brother."

She waited for that to sink in. Then…

"WHAT?!"

Maribelle quickly shushed her.

"Silence, Lissa! This is supposed to remain secret!"

"I can't believe this." Lissa said in a much quieter tone. "You're supposed to marry my brother? Chrom?!"

"Yes, Chrom." Maribelle insisted. "I thought this would make you happy. We would legally be sisters, then."

"I know, but I could never imagine you being with my dork of a brother." Lissa shook her head. "You're so refined and beautiful and my brother is just, well… Just a dork!"

"It was set up by my father when Emmeryn was still alive." Maribelle explained briefly. "I do not hate your brother Lissa, but I am against this arranged marriage. I would like to make my own path to power and success… not be used as a pawn in my fathers. But on the other hand, I also want the best for my people, and if nothing else, becoming the Queen of Ylisse would surely benefit them. I know no one would ever be able to financially overcome the Exalt, and anyone who dares to challenge him to a duel could be marked for treason."

"My brother is not the type to get that angry over a duel." Lissa said simply. "He'd welcome it, I'd bet."

"And the council members would as well?" Maribelle sighed, rubbing her temple. Lissa pursed her lips.

"Good point." Lissa let out a long huff. Suddenly, she perked up slightly. "I know Emm mentioned that Chrom was once betrothed to Sumia and she to your brother, Maribelle. But those fell apart when our father, who set up the marriage contracts, died. So, since… since…"

She closed her mouth, shutting her eyes. Maribelle squeezed her shoulder reassuringly.

"Do not speak of it. There was another part of the contract that Emmeryn insisted on. She wanted her brothers happiness first, so she convinced my father to give Chrom a year to find another bride. If not, I were to be wed to him instantly. Of course, it's been well past a year, so I'm not so sure that it would still hold…"

Lissa was quiet, then reassuringly squeezed her hand.

"Then you have nothing to worry about." Lissa whispered quietly. "I know my brother, and I know his relationships… So if the loophole still stands, I don't think you need to worry about this anymore."

Maribelle smiled softly as Lissa reassured her. Jostling her elbow against her shoulder, Lissa beamed.

"So, tell me all about it! Who's the man who managed to catch your attention? It would have to be someone in the field of the justice system, riiiiiight?"

"No, honestly." Maribelle tucked some blond curls behind her ear. "In the beginning, he was a thief whom I despised with every fiber of my being. But even so, he continued to attempt conversation, even as I cruelly rejected him at each turn."

"You got that viper tongue of yours going, huh?"

"Ten fold, darling." Maribelle chuckled. "I was quite vile towards him. But nonetheless, he continued to protect me in battle and tried to plead his case. Soon, I actually found myself asking for his story. I wanted to know why he was so keen on getting a word in edgewise with me. I wanted to know why he was so focused on me, so insistent… And I suppose that changed my entire view on him."

"You pitied him?"

"You could say that." Maribelle pursed her lips. "I was both pitying him but also extremely indebted. Do you recall that trial against my father, Lissa? The one accusing him of being the leader of a crime syndicate?"

"Of course I do." Lissa shook her head. "I heard from Chrom that Excellus of Orlem is somehow involved in that."

"Yes, because Orlem bribed him into testifying against my father. All because they threatened to kill me."

"Aw!" Lissa gasped. "So he saved your life before you even met him!"

"Something like that." Maribelle smiled. "I despised him from then on, enraged he accused my father of being so desperate, so diabolical. My father may want power, but the power always benefitted his people, and he always went about obtaining such fairly." sighing, she continued. "Anyways, recently, we've been having tea together and discussing all sorts of topics. We've debated law and he's given me brilliant insight on how the law effects commoners."

"He's a commoner?" Lissa asked, sounding shocked.

"Why so surprised?" Maribelle responded in a teasing tone.

"Because you've never quite passed "being tolerant" when it came to commoners." Lissa answered honestly.

"True." Maribelle agreed. "But I found myself increasingly looking forward to our meetings. I'm not even sure myself when my feelings had changed from tolerance to infatuation, but recently, my thoughts began to drift to the idea of him suddenly dying. Due to the involvement with Orlem and his profession, he is constantly under threat, so it wouldn't be to far of a stretch to say that he may be here one day, then the next, dead. When I thought about it, I realized that a part of my heart would have died alongside him. But… Oh, how should I explain this?"

Sighing, Maribelle continued.

"It's almost as if… If he had died, the world would be bitter and distasteful. Like the world had lost all flavor… All sweetness."

"Aw, Maribelle!" Lissa suddenly hugged her, bouncing happily. "You were right! You're in love!"

"Love…?" she trailed off. She had thought of that. Of course she thought of that. But was she moving this along to quickly? Was she becoming infatuated much to fast? What if she got over it? What if he didn't feel the same? What if this was all some stubborn, desperate move her mind was making in order to finally escape being a pawn to her father?

"You're worried about falling in love to fast." Lissa smiled, pulling back. "Buuuuut… think about Sully and Virion. Those two are total opposites and they ended up eloping!"

"Indeed…" she murmured, a blush lighting up her cheeks. Lissa continued to bounce excitedly.

"Oh, maybe you should elope with him too! It would be just like in the fairy tales, a true love story!"

"Do not get ahead of yourself, darling." Maribelle couldn't help but laugh, getting caught up in her excitement. "He's not even aware of this development in my feelings."

"What?!" Lissa exclaimed causing Maribelle, for the second time, to shush her. "No way, you've gotta tell him!"

"I will not!" Maribelle shot back. "The last thing I want is to scare him off. I may be to forthcoming, not to mention all of this involvement in my betrothal to the Exalt."

"But you'll never get anywhere if you hide it from him!" Lissa insisted. A teasing, cat-like grin crawled onto her face. "Or do you want to marry my dorky brother?"

"I hardly think you can talk, darling." Maribelle shot back in a stern manner. "Or shall I bring up Donnel?"

"That's completely different." Lissa said simply, though Maribelle didn't miss the blush that colored her cheeks.

"Oh, no it's not. Don't think I'm not aware of your feelings, Lissa. You don't even try to hide it anymore." Maribelle insisted. Lissa shot up and crossed her arms.

"Fine! I'll tell Donny about how I feel… but only if you tell this mystery thief how you feel."

"I can subject to that." Maribelle nodded. Lissa beamed, then made her pinky-swear as they often did when they were small children.

With that, Lissa bounced out of the tent. Maribelle herself sighed, laying back on her cot and resting an arm over her face. Confessing to Gaius… the very idea seemed preposterous, almost lunatic in her mind. Her mind was telling her not to with every fiber of her being, but her heart raced with excitement just thinking of their next meeting.

"Heya, Twinkles." Popping up, she glanced at the tent flap. "You decent and all?"

"I-I'm fine." she almost stopped right there. Had she just stuttered? It wasn't a question, but a confirmation. She had seriously, seriously just stuttered. And her heart was absolutely hammering… "You may enter."

"Dunno if you still want to talk like we usually do," Gaius shrugged, opening the tent flap and taking a hesitant step inside, though Maribelle couldn't help but note how he kept the flap open with one arm, his shoulders tense as he looked over his shoulder. "Lissa seemed to have rushed out of here, giddy with excitement."

"She's just excited to see Donnel again." Maribelle waved it off quickly. Gaius did not take another step.

"Do you wanna take this outside or anything?" he offered. "I don't want people getting the wrong idea, and I think someone's brewing some tea out there…"

So that was what his hesitancy was about. Of course, it made sense in her mind. Surely it wouldn't look all that good for a thief such as himself to be alone in a tent with her, a noblewoman. It probably didn't look good in the eyes of some for him to even being having tea with her.

"Of course," Maribelle stood. Gauis seemed a little relieved at that.

"I'll meet you out there." Gaius smiled, turning to leave the tent. As she stood, Lissa's own words echoed in her mind, and her own distaste towards being in this betrothal set up by her father emerged. With the two emotions swirling together, she called out without meaning too.

"Gaius, hold." she said as she stood. Gaius paused, glancing over his shoulder.

"Yeah?"

Maribelle's mind quickly caught up with her impulsivity the moment his green eyes fell on her, and she clamped her mouth shut. Her mind was scrambled for a moment before she finally thought up of a liable reason that she stopped him.

"Do you have any preference on tea? Anything that would match whatever sweets you plan to have?"

Gaius chuckled slightly, as if that was exactly what he was expecting from her.

"I haven't got much to really be creative with when it comes to sweets." he said offhandedly. "We're to far from any sort of town to pick anything up, plus it's hard to really bake sweets over a fire, especially so with Nowi running about. The minute she catches whiff of my sweets she comes in demanding a hand out. It doesn't help Ricken and that new one, Nah or something, seems to have a sweet tooth as well. So I'm pulling out of my own secret stash. Probably just candies and chocolates."

Maribelle shut her eyes, keeping a straight face despite her wanting to internally wince at her impulsive actions.

"I'll keep that in mind." she said, her tone coming out curt despite trying to hide that within herself. "Maybe I'll find something with a sweeter taste for you?"

"Thanks," Gaius smiled with what seemed like relief. "Lemme tell you something. Nowi and Ricken may be horrible at being sneaky, but I think Nah's got some sort of method down."

"How on earth would you know whether or not that child took sweets from you?" Maribelle couldn't help but chuckle.

"'Cause my nose doesn't lie when it comes to sweets, and back in the garrison, my super secret stash has been rifled through! I saw her burning some of my wrappers!" Gaius insisted, though his air held that of a teasing tone, which made it hard for her to distinguish if he was serious or if he was over exaggerating.

"Do go sit down and put such silly conspiracies out of your head." Maribelle shook her head with a laugh. "I shall bring some tea and we will pick up where we left off last time."

"Aye-aye, Captain Twinkles." Gaius gave her a mock salute and left her tent, finally giving Maribelle a chance to breath. Exhaling, she shook her head.

She had never been one to mince her words or feel conflicted over anything. But something just then and there made her completely loose any confidence she had. It was like her fathers meticulous planning had slithered into her mind, chastising her for going against the plan.

Reaching under her cot, she pulled out her traveling satchel and began to pick out the few teabags she had prepared beforehand. Perhaps unintentionally, she thought with a smile, most all of the flavors were naturally sweet.

o.0.o.0.o

Support Status

ChromxAvatar(Rosalie)- S
FrederickxSumia-A
LissaxDonnel- A
SullyxVirion- S
StahlxCordelia- B
VaikexMiriel- S
Lon'quxPanne- C
LibraxTharja-B
RickenxNowi-C
MaribellexGaius- A
OliviaxHenry- N/A
GregorxCherche- N/A
DemyanxElla- S
AnnaxKellam- A

o.0.o.0.o

Sorry for the long wait. I just felt kinda, I dunno, uninspired, I guess. I guess you could say that I got a reason to write this because I got a pretty motivating review from WolfieRed23. You never really realize how inspiring your writing is until a reviewer decides to buy the game, re-reads your story once completing the game, and then reviews a second time just to express this. So, thanks to WolfieRed23!

Like I said, trying to make Cordelia likable for me is difficult. So I figured the best way to make her less "perfect" was to give her mental doubts she can't outwardly show. For instance, people think she's perfect, but Cordelia is saddling the weight of the deaths of all her sister knights with really no ally to talk to about it. After all, her closest friend, Sumia, is suffering her own traumas. So she has to appear perfect, even if she keeps falling short of being the knightly perfection that was Phila. She wants to be the perfection that everyone expects her to be, but due to being inable to heal and not being able to do everything on her own, she feels she is failing utterly. Sort of like a downwards spiral since the death of her sister knights.

Also, on another note. A lot of people claim Naga and Grima aren't gods, but in the Awakening universe, they are SEEN as Gods. So having characters within this story refer to them as gods would technically be correct, even if they aren't.

I want to discuss more about this chapter, but I'm really tired right now. I pulled another 2 AMer to finish this… And I'm about ready to collapse into bed.

Hope you enjoyed!

Amy47101 signing off! ^.^