First things first, Happy Birthday Cordy!

*Party poppers*

Cast: Happy Birthday!

Cordelia: *Blush* Thanks everyone. It's been a fun time so far and I hope to continue doing my best.

*Turns to 7, kiwi, Robin, Severa, and Morgan*

Cordelia: Thanks for setting all this up, I know getting everyone's schedule to match up is no easy feat.

Severa: It's no issue. What 7 says goes so it's pretty easy to schedule.

Cordelia: Then the food must have taken awhile, and you even got the place so tidy and nice for the occasion.

Morgan: You can thank Neb and Sev for the food. They directed everything.

7: Kiwi and Morgan got the decorations done while I and Robin figured out the gifts.

Kiwi: I'm afraid to say the party is a couple days belated because of me, sorry Cordy :(

Cordelia: It's ok dear, I'm so happy you even bothered.

7:For heaven's sake Cordelia it's your party! Now stop fussing and relax! We'll treat you like the duchess you are!

Let's Party!

*Celebration begins!*

Rensal

Getting into the castle was insultingly easy.

They'd marched up to the gates and shown the seal like instructed when the guards started falling over themselves to welcome them. This just served to make the Shepherds uneasy but years of dealing with brown noses helped them stay composed.

Unsurprisingly, it was Robin that was lavished with the most attention. Cordelia received little more than respectful nods and greetings.

It was almost enough to make her explode.

"Cordy." Robin whispered as they were escorted through the reception hall. "Don't worry; she's obviously trying to butter me up. Frankly, I'm surprised she's even doing this. You'd think the nobles of the land would be aware all the Shepherds but Henry are married."

That succeeded in calming her down, but her ire spiked again when they entered the next room.

This was a smaller hall with an ornate chair at the end and three chairs set up facing it. There was a screen hiding the chair's occupant from view but the maids standing to the sides and pair of heavily armored guards likely put this as Lady Rensal

'She doesn't even consider us worthy to look on her without something in the way! The arrogance!'

Donnel's hand on her shoulder kept Gungnir at bay, but Cordelia's teeth could be heard grinding.

"Welcome Duke Robin and compatriots. I hope the journey here was not too strenuous."

A sensuous voice escaped the screen and Robin had to stop himself from frowning. If she was going to take that tone for this entire meeting, then he couldn't guarantee he'd be able to survive Cordelia's need to assert herself.

He bowed though, just low enough to be appropriate yet not show subservience. "Greetings to you as well, Lady Rensal. We have come to you as instructed at the appointed time."

The sultry voice reached their ears. "Handsome and polite. You make quite a catch milord."

Robin tried to ignore the feral growl Cordelia let slip. "That's very kind of you milady, but if we may move onto business. We must leave by midnight after all."

A sigh. "If you insist milord. Though I'd much prefer your company, we do have business."

A torch lit.

Robin could feel the frown through Rensal's screen. "Do try and keep your guards under control milord. It reflects poorly on one of your great stature to consort with such low-born men."

Now Robin was gritting his teeth. "I apologize for my guard's behavior, but it is ultimately unimportant. We came to discuss your support in our cause against Walhart. Your messenger only told us you wished to meet, not what you wanted."

Rensal chuckled. "Right to the meat of the matter, eh? I do like direct men."

Robin was starting to get embarrassed. Not from her compliments but the subtext. She must have been desperate if her want to tie him down and ravish him here and now was this obvious.

He cleared his throat. "I would like to hear what you want milady, before we must leave."

Rensal sighed. "Very well. What I require from this League of yours is a promise to leave my lands be and to not aid any of the other lords in their power struggles against me. My people have been content with my rule, even if I've had to do some… unsavory things in the past to protect it, but I don't want some idiot to try and take what's mine!"

Robin glanced around, it sounded reasonable to him but there was more at stake. "I doubt that's all milady. If it was a simple desire to have your lands left be then you would not have come forward to contact us. Walhart seems to not care about your lands at all as long as you support him."

Rensal chuckled again. "An astute observation, I find myself liking you more by the minute."The shadow stood. "I do have something else I want out of this partnership, two things in fact."

Rensal's figure became more distinct on the screen. "First, I want my city of Temerle back from that serpent Excellus."

Another sultry laugh echoed in the room. "And second, I want… someone worthy of my station."

A delicate hand reached out from behind the screen, pale and flawless, and pointed at Robin.

"I want you, milord."

Robin's jaw was on the floor, Donnel's jaw was on the floor, the maid's jaw was on the floor.

"U-uh e-excuse me?"

The hand held its position for a moment before Rensal began laughing. "Oh, milord. Your reaction was just as I imagined it would be!"

The screen fell away and Rensal was finally revealed. She was tall and well-developed. Her face was pretty. Her black hair fell in wavy curls down her back and contrasted well with her red dress and gold embroidery. She was showing quite a bit of the goods, a long slit showing unblemished leg and more flesh than Robin was comfortable with. She winked at Robin.

"I wouldn't demand that you be with me just to seal an alliance milord. But, I would like to deliberate the details of our deal in… private."

She swayed toward him, putting a little extra into her hips to try and draw his eye. He resisted as best he could, already feeling the heat coming off Cordelia.

"T-that's quite a-alright milady. I-I don't t-think we'll need to g-go that far."

Rensal smirked. "Oh don't be that way milord. Alliances are built on trust and interactions, and what way is better than getting to know each other?"

She placed a sensual hand on Robin's shoulder, running her fingers down his chest. "Come along, there's nothing wrong with it after all. I'll show you a wonderful time."

Cordelia couldn't do it anymore. This, this harlot was propositioning her husband right in front of her! And she even had the gall to smirk at her! Like she was winning some kind of contest that had ended nearly seven years ago!

Gaius sighed.

"Sorry boss, she's about to blow."

The others took cover and Robin sighed.

"Damn it."

Rensal tilted her head in confusion when Cordelia punched her.

"Stop trying to bed my husband you bitch!"

Rensal went flying and crashed into her own chair, smashing it. The maids rushed to her side while the guards pulled out their weapons. They shook at Cordelia's aura of rage.

"I've had to sit here and listen to you flirt and seduce my man for the past hour! If you think I'm just going to let you have your way with what's mine for the sake of a thrice damned alliance then you can kiss your sorry ego goodbye!"

Rensal slowly stood, a vein pulsing on her forehead. "And who are you to claim as such! The Duke is unwed from every report given to me and no mere low-born whore would ever deliver what I could!"

Cordelia snorted. "This 'low born' has carried two of his children! And I am no common whore! I am Cordelia Volke, Duchess of Felds, Captain of the Pegasus Knights, and wife to Duke Robin Volke! You and your petty seductions are worthless before seven years of marriage and many more as partners in battle!"

Robin blinked at the tirade.

'Looks like I can add a few more things to the guilt-trip book. Being more or less treated as an object is sure to score a vacation where she actually relaxes.'

Cordelia and Rensal continued their metaphorical pissing match at ever higher volumes, leaving the witnesses in a state of awkward silence until Gaius began conversing with one of the maids.

"Has she been like this long? With her looks she'd get just about any guy she so wished."

The maid sighed and actually answered.

"I fear milady is a bit of a romantic. She seems obsessed with the idea of a foreign lord coming in and sweeping her off her feet."

Gaius nodded sympathetically. Maribelle, for all her stern rule following, was a rather free spirit when it came to literature. He'd even caught her reading trashy romance novels with Cordelia and Lissa on occasion.

"Well I think they'll be screaming till they're hoarse so is there anyone else we can talk to? An advisor perhaps?"

The maid sighed again. "You're looking at her. My name's Jenna sirs, I've been beside Lady Rensal for almost two decades and she considers me her top advisor."

Robin stepped forward and shook her hand. "Glad to see you're reasonable. Now is there anything you can tell me about this Temerle city? And who's Excellus?"

Jenna nodded. "Of course, take a seat and I'll explain everything."

They pulled the remaining chairs away from the fighting women and got to business.

"Temerle is a major trading center and is the original power base for Lady Rensal and her family. In fact, it's the closest city to the famous Fort Steiger and benefits greatly from the fort's proximity. The city provides most of Steiger's goods while Temerle gets the benefit of having a significant military presence nearby."

Robin could already see how that would work. "This Fort Steiger, is it the largest in the region?"

Jenna smiled. "Yes, it's actually the command center for the Valmese Central Army. It also serves as a waypoint for long distance travelers, a training spot for cavalry, and a diplomatic meeting point."

Donnel released a low whistle. "Darn, that sounds mighty important."

Robin agreed. "It seems like we'd need to take Steiger to take Temerle though and that's a risky proposition without the aid of the Central Lords. Jenna?"

She perked up. "Yes Lord Robin?"

Robin smiled. "In exchange for help taking Fort Steiger; we promise to give the city of Temerle back to Lady Rensal after it is captured and we will even offer to mediate any disputes that may arise over the city after Walhart is deposed."

Jenna blinked. "That's… very generous milord. Is there nothing else you want out of this? Not even a trade agreement?"

Robin shook his head. "We can iron out further relations after we've taken care of the Valmese. For now though, assistance both military assistance will suffice."

Jenna bit her thumb, trying to ignore Rensal's childish calls about pulling hair. "There's still an issue though. In exchange for being able to still rule their lands the lords and ladies had to swear fealty to Walhart. Breaking it is a very serious offence and unless it's a guaranteed victory then the guilty party will be removed from power and exiled before having their lands divided."

Robin smirked. "Your lady already has a reputation for closed door dealings. Even Lady Say' ri holds little trust for her. Help us and you can remove that image and paint her as a liberator, or she'll simply continue on as seen by others."

He leaned back in his chair. "It doesn't even need to be overt help either. Information and logistics is just fine and considering the Valmese run security around here Rensal's private forces are likely bored. Paint them as neutral mercenary bands that we hired and they'll never connect it to Lady Rensal until well after the fact. Sound good?"

Jenna liked this guy. "Clever sir, but there's the issue of getting enough gold together to pay for them. You've convinced me that helping you is a good idea, at least for now, but the soldiers will likely rat you out if you don't pay them at least as well as the Valmese do theirs."

Robin smirked. "I'm not surprised. You're a smart woman and likely to always have your lady's best interests in mind but be aware that if you do turn on us and we win then the consequences will be severe."

He stood up. "And don't worry about the gold. We have more than enough to pay."

Jenna stood as well. "Understood milord. I'll describe this meeting to milady and the papers will be in your hands before leaving." She turned back to face Rensal and Cordelia, "She does love efficiency after all."

Robin narrowed his eyes and waved Gaius over. "I want info on her. She strikes me as far too shrewd to agree to this so far out of hand and she has Rensal's ear and hand. Keep an eye on her."

Gaius nodded but blinked. "She never did tell us who Excellus was."

Robin's eyes were near slits.

"Indeed."

Another pair of screams ripped the air.

"Cordy stop it! It's one thing to scream at her it's another to try and make her your bitch!"

One Hour Later

"This has been a… interesting visit milady, but I fear we must depart."

After they'd finally pried Cordelia and Rensal apart; Jenna had taken another thirty minutes to catch Rensal up to speed on what Robin was offering and what he wanted from them in turn. Rensal had agreed to the terms after hearing Jenna's assurances and they were soon bound in writing.

Now they had to leave.

"Of course Lord Robin. I… apologize for my inappropriate behavior and I hope you'll forgive me."

Rensal gave a shallow bow that Robin returned. "It's nothing milady. Instead of focusing on what's been done, let us focus on present and the growth of a fruitful alliance. While I may not be able to contact you directly, we'll keep in touch."

Rensal smiled, though it appeared pained. "Very well, I wish you a safe journey Lord Robin, and the same to your retinue."

Rensal's eyes lingered on Cordelia, bitterness in them. "I suppose I'll also extend my apologies to Lady Cordelia as well. Ignorance is no real excuse for attempting to seduce another's husband."

Cordelia rolled her eyes. "Your generosity knows no bounds milady."

A flash of anger crossed Rensal's eyes, but Robin got the last word. "I bid you a goodnight as well Lady Rensal. May our alliance be a fruitful one."

He swept out of the hall with the others following him, Cordelia sneered at Rensal one more time before disappearing through the doors.

A few moments of silence passed before Rensal snarled. "What does he see in that wretch?! I'm far better mannered and far less brutish than her! And I actually have a bust to look at unlike that little skank!"

Jenna sighed. "Milady please. I understand you're upset but they've been married for seven years, Lord Robin said it himself."

Rensal scoffed. "I'm far better material for a wife than she is, I'll just need to convince him of it. But how?"

Jenna was about to scold Rensal when a haughty chuckle echoed through the room. "Oh my dear Lady! It's quite easy to win him over if you ask me!"

A flash of light blinded the occupants before it faded to reveal a fat toad of a man.

"Excellus! What in Naga's name are you doing in my castle?"

The man's large lips flopped as he laughed. "Why it's very simple! Just kill his wife!"

He smiled, a disgusting sight. "In fact, not only will this deliver you dear Robin, it will exonerate you from treason! All you need to do is follow along with their little plans until they're in Fort Steiger. Then, kill them! I'll even make sure our dear Robin is saved just for you!"

Jenna knew this was a bad deal; there was something Excellus wasn't telling them. "Milady…"

Rensal spoke. "Tell me more."

The pit in Jenna's stomach grew as Excellus smiled again.

This wasn't going to end well.

Robin

"Cordelia, when we camp I need to speak with you."

Cordelia was snapped out of her thoughts, most likely about how she could kill Rensal, and nodded slowly. Robin very rarely used her entire first name, preferring his pet name, so this must be serious.

While she tried to puzzle out what Robin wanted to talk about, he kept walking. It was simple to leave the town so he let his mind wander while they moved.

'While I can certainly use what she did as leverage to get her to actually relax I've never felt so insulted in my life. To be treated as an object, as something that has no voice and cannot intervene in the matter, to be claimed like some chair. Small wonder Sully hates chauvinists if this is what they make women feel like.'

He sighed. 'And to be treated like that by my own wife over petty jealousy. Does she truly hold such little faith in me that she has to mark me as hers? That I would run off with the first floozy that batted her eyes at me?'

They were soon out of the city and well out of range from Valmese patrols. Only then did they settle down for the night. A small fire was started and they all ate before Robin spoke again.

"Everyone, if you could please go and patrol the area for a bit? I need to talk to Cordelia in private."

They nodded and disappeared into the woods, leaving a nervous wife and quiet husband.

Cordelia did her best to try and catch Robin's eye but he stared into the flames. "Is… this about how I acted?"

Robin didn't answer so she continued. "I'm really sorry about that, she just… annoyed me so much, flirting with you and even propositioning you, I couldn't hold it back."

Robin sighed. "I'll be honest Cordelia, I am upset. I told you before we even went in that she'd try and flirt with me and you'd promised not to react. Then there's why you got jealous in the first place."

He stood up and began pacing. "You were jealous. The moment you saw her, every insecurity I thought had long since died came roaring back to you. You felt that I would leave you for her, that you were inadequate compared to her. And then you got it into your head that you had to stake your claim, prove that you owned me, just to soothe your own damn ego without one thought to what I was feeling."

He looked away. "And in the process I just had to wonder. Do you not trust me? Do you not think that I would stand by my every promise with you? That my heart and love is so fickle that you have to attack those that don't know rather than trust me to set the record straight? I just don't know."

He finally looked back to her, pain in his eyes. "I just don't know if I can trust you. If this is how you're going to act when we have hours upon hours of advance warning then what am I going to do when a girl that doesn't see my ring gives me a preset? Attack her too? What if you get jealous at me not turning away some flirty advance and try to get revenge somehow?"

Finally he slumped into his seat, head in his hands. "I married you because I knew that you were a strong, honest person that loved me in turn and would always stay by me through thick and thin but seeing you act like this is what sent those thoughts spiraling. Honestly, many of them are probably way out of proportion but that's what happens when I feel my trust is breached."

He sighed. "I doubt."

The clearing was silent for a moment before sobs reached Robin's ears.

"I-I'm so sorry Robin… I… I had no i-idea that you… ugh!"

The sobs redoubled for a moment before Cordelia spoke again. "Y-you're right. I let my jealousy get the better of me and I lost faith, in myself, but in you as well… I didn't think about how much you loved me or the years we'd spent together, I just wanted to hurt her, to make myself feel superior to her. I ignored your feelings and betrayed your trust… I…"

She continued crying but Robin did not help. She needed to realize this on her own and face her own demons if she really wanted to feel better.

"I-I've taken you for granted Robin. I've had you all to myself for so long I've grown spoiled. The moment someone tried to even suggest taking you away I attacked them, like a child. I… just couldn't trust that you'd stick by your word… I'm not fit to be a wife, not like this."

She sobbed again, but Robin finally had enough. He loved her too much to see her dig back to the depression she'd discarded.

"Cordelia, I just wanted to make sure you heard what I was thinking and that you realized you were being childish. I love you so much and it pains me to see you like this but you needed to realize what was going on before it became a problem. Now that you've realized it, I can help you get through it … like always."

He turned her around, smiling into her distraught face. "I'd never leave you Cordy, not once has the thought crossed my mind. I've trusted you with my life on more than one occasion and vice-versa so this pettiness is something we need to move past. If you need any further reassurance that I don't hate you, and don't lie that's what you were thinking, then look at our daughters, look at me. We'll always hold you above everything else and trust you unconditionally."

"All we ask is that you do the same."

Cordelia fell apart, wrapping her arms around Robin and burying her face into his torso, wailing her pain away while Robin stroked her back. The others returned at the sounds, but knew not to interfere.

They'd gone through something similar in their own lives; it was just time for them to clear the air and get back to basics.

Everyone had to at some point.

A few minutes later

"Feeling better now?"

Cordelia nodded.

"Yeah, much better."

Robin smiled. "Good, now I know it was hard listening to me say that and having to confront yourself but I believe it was well worth it. You know I love you, right?"

She smiled. "Yes."

"And you know that I would never leave you and will never fall for idle flattery or flirting right?"

She held him close. "Yes."

Robin smiled. "And you know to trust me, especially in those situations?"

She pulled his lips to hers.

"Always."

As they affirmed their feelings, Gaius was trying to steal the wine bottle from Lon' Qu.

"Come on! The moment's perfect!"

Lon' Qu glared. "This is my wife's you idiot. I'm not letting you take it."

Donnel grabbed Gaius and hog tied him. "I think you've done enough Gaius, just stay still until we're done."

Gregor gasped.

"What is it Greg?"

He hunched over. "Anniversary next week. Promised to find rock that forms in this area but forgot to do it."

Kellam reappeared next to him. "Don't worry, I found one while I was patrolling."

As Gregor thanked Kellam, Donnel sighed.

'We went from a heartfelt moment to this. Now Robin and Cordelia are getting into it again and I have to play babysitter.'

At least it would make a good bar story. Then a thought hit him.

'Lissa really wanted to go with Chrom since she couldn't go with me. I wonder how they're doing?'

Ch. End

Woof, that was something else.

Lucina: Yeah, the story was good but that party.

Severa: I never thought a hydra could get drunk, or lead a choir.

Kiwi: I told you it was true!

7: Neb is truly a lizard of many talents.

Lucina: The games were fun too. Mother even beat that Tabitha girl in an ice sculpting contest.

Severa: I'm just glad it all went to plan, mostly; it was a headache getting everything set up.

7: Agreed, but everyone enjoyed themselves and Cordelia had a great time! I think that's all the matters no?

Severa: Yeah, I guess.

Lucina: Oh! Wait, I found a replacement newt!

7: Yay! That means we can actually do the next chapter!

Chrom: Not quite

7: Hello Chrom! I think this is your first time here.

Chrom: Doesn't matter. Neb fell onto one of the prop bins when he passed out, we'll have to delay for a bit.

7: Ah, I was gonna enjoy this next part!

Chrom: Too bad, we need to wait for everyone to wake up, get over their hangovers, and then get replacements.

7: Well that's just great. I suppose I should get review responses out of the way before we get to work then.

Goodralisk: They do have some freaky sides, everyone does! Cordelia did fight her but it was just a catfight, nothing special. Yay! Glad you enjoyed!

Kpanda100: Hope you enjoyed this chapter! I liked putting in the detail about the wine but I had to go figure out how they worked. It was interesting :D

Whelp, that's everyone! I have props to replace so I'll see everyone next time!

Squad 7 DISMISSED!