Beginning Commentary: Friends! Enemies! Friendly enemies! Whomever it may concern, I'm in a bit of a dilemma. You see, I really want to skip forth to where we get back to the actual chapters of Awakening and write from there, but I'm one of those writers that needs every step necessary before making the big leap and COLLEGE. So, should I move these excerpts to my Sidetracked fic and continue with the "canon" plot or resume on working on them here?

Excerpt Twenty-One: Separate

It's kinda funny, actually. Everything was peachy-keen, with me meditating daily with Yen'fay, bonding with Lieutenant Qiang'wei and Say'ri over training, Ten'shi and our lessons, and even Ju'mei over our home lives. Yes, things seemed to perfectly fine.

But then late July happened.

Yen'fay's birthday was on the twenty-third, and unlike my party, it seemed like all of the nobles and most of the workers celebrated it. It was quite similar to the celebration at Marlton, what with the banquet and entertainment. However, Ten'shi told me ahead of time that I had to hide my face behind a veil as well as keeping my Grima hand hidden at all times.

The hand I understood, but why not hide myself under the hood of my robe, I wondered. Ten'shi immediately responded by saying it was due to their culture. Was it because I was a blushing bride?

No.

I thought that was the case at first, but I realized that Pheros didn't have to wear the veil like I had to. Normally, I would pass it off by telling myself, Oh, it's probably because I'm the new bride. But no! I was getting dirty looks and whispers the entire evening! (The whispers weren't heard by me, but the people whispering were definitely giving me the stink eye). What made it worse that evening was the fact that the veil kept getting in the way of me eating.

I wanted to talk to Yen'fay about this, but it was "impolite" to try and talk to the one being celebrated. After it, ugh, Pheros had her present for him alright. I still shudder at the thought.

"It is probably because you are the Fellblood," Ju'mei reasoned.

"We didn't have that tradition in Plegia," I sighed. "I had to be shown to everyone."

I decided to ask Ten'shi about this once I had the chance.

"Unfortunately, when a king has more than one wife, both women are not allowed to be queen at the same time. You already know this, I am sure," Ten'shi explained. "Due to our relationship with Valm and her being the first to arrive to Chon'sin, Pheros takes priority and is seen as future queen."

"So all I am is a concubine…" I pieced together.

Ten'shi nodded with a dissatisfied look on his face.

I SHOULD'VE KNOWN. ALL THIS TIME, I'VE BEEN NOTHING BUT A SIDE WHORE!

Okay, calm down, Anne. You've established a nice relationship with him. You're his sunlight, he's your moon. Culture's just something to get over in due time.

The August festivals happened.

I was definitely astounded by the fireworks show that Anna told me about. Bright colors bursting into the night sky was definitely a sight to behold. I wanted to tour around with Yen'fay, but he was busy. Luckily, I convinced Pheros to convince him into going. Say'ri joined us, as well. Pheros kept her arm linked with Yen'fay, and he tried his best to hold my hand when I all I wanted to do was look around.

Notice how I said tried. Most of the time, Pheros hogged him for herself, casually sneaking his other arm away so that it could rest on top of her free hand. Other times, several workers and peasants swarmed around us, making it hard to wade through the crowd and stay as a part of the group. During those times, it was up to Say'ri to retrieve me.

It was when the fireworks show ended that I felt terrible. I looked over to see that when it was happening, couples gave each other a cute kiss. Being the naïve optimist that I was, I felt that Yen'fay would make up for this. I turned over to him, but of course, Pheros took priority.

After that, I got the message loud and clear: I'm only second rate compared to her.

When I was about to go to bed, Say'ri entered my room.

"I am sorry for how my brother treated you," she sighed.

"Is he sorry, though?" I asked. "Does he feel bad?"

"Surely, he must."

"Then why doesn't he prove it?"

"Anne, you must realize that he is in love with Pheros as well as he is with you."

"Oh no, I got that part perfectly. But there's a definite bias toward her and against me. And it's not even because of this!"

I held out my Grima-induced hand as emphasis.

"Does this conflict with Plegian culture?"

"Big time."

"Then you should tell Ten'shi. He tends to the cultural representation of festivals."

"He made it seem like he didn't want Chon'sin culture to be messed with."

Say'ri was silent for a moment, probably thinking of what to say. I decided to speak my thoughts, then.

"I'll admit, when I first arrived, I definitely didn't expect to be married. Hell, I don't even think I am married. But Yen'fay cared for me like an actual husband would do for his wife. And to be nothing but a concubine… It makes you feel pretty worthless, you know?"

"I understand," Say'ri sighed. "Being the sibling of the current rule is no fun, either. When I am not accused of attempted usurping, I am only to be seen as a beautiful face. I am not allowed to wield swords nor am I allowed to speak out of turn. That is precisely why I have chosen the path of the diplomat, so that I may speak whatever needs to be spoken."

I wonder if that's how Lissa feels right now with Chrom…

"And of course, we could take the low path of actually usurping the throne," I joked. "But I don't know, it seems pretty risky to be hated by an entire country."

"Aye," Say'ri laughed.

I eventually joined in on the laughter as well.

"I am actually going to go on a small excursion across the nation to make sure everything is fine. If possible, would you like to accompany me?" Say'ri offered.

"Wait, really?"

"Aye. You may be seen as a concubine by the common eye, but to me, you are like my sister. And if my brother is hurting you, I do not wish to see you suffer."

D'AWW.

"You know what? Why not?" I smiled. "My main mission of living in Valm was to explore it in the first place!"

"We shall leave by the end of the week, then. Make sure to carry only the essentials with you, as we will be traveling on horseback."

"Can I bring Ninon?"

"I believe she is an essential, yes?"

That entire week, I skipped my meditation periods with Yen'fay. Ju'mei said she wanted to come along as well, but Say'ri would only agree if she could find her own horse. Pheros luckily decided to not be a bitch to me, probably knowing that I was going to be gone for a while. Ten'shi gave me a translation book in case there were key phrases I couldn't understand yet.

"Consider it a late birthday present," he joked.

Lieutenant Qiang'wei gave me advice that the cloak he gave me would help during the cold winters along with a map marked with safe places to stay. Oddly, they mostly relied on the Eastern side…

And finally, as Say'ri and I were saying our farewells, Yen'fay appeared.

"I did not realize you were going as well," he told me, a tone of sorrow in his voice.

Oh man, now I feel terrible…How could I abandon my own husband like that?!

"You and Pheros have a different relationship than we do, I get that," I began. I wrapped my hands into his. "And our relationship isn't exactly looked upon with kindness by others. But with this, I won't be seen as 'Lord Yen'fay's other woman'. I'll be seen as myself again, and probably not as Grima, either!"

Yen'fay gasped slightly, realizing what had happened these past two months. From disappointment to cheer, his face changed. He moved his left hand to my left cheek, my hand still wrapped around it.

"Regardless, you are still my sunlight. I expect you to return to us and I will welcome you with open arms when that occurs."

There's the Yen'fay I've grown to love!

"I'll try to write when it's convenient," I smiled, nuzzling my cheek further into his palm.

We gave each other a few kisses, but definitely not to the point where it was seen as too much by Say'ri. Ninon flew down to rest on my shoulder as I mounted my horse.

With guards opening the gates, we were off.

Ending Commentary: A bit short, I know. But trust me, college takes up a lot of time and effort. (And I'm only a freshman!) Hopefully when break hits, I won't have work immediately needing to be done and I can continue writing. Until then!