Chapter 1-Exile

The stifling morning heat started to radiate through the arched windows even before the first rays broke over the desert summits. I was now wide awake in my stone bedchamber on the top story of the massive keep astride the Ylissian-Plegian border that I had reluctantly called home for the last decade and a half. I looked around at the whitewashed walls and I sighed deeply as I sat up and took a hand mirror off the nightstand. The girl with blue eyes and long raven hair reflected back at me apparently shared my discontent. I flopped back down on the mattress in disgust.

"Meow!" I turned over and instantly felt my nose getting licked by a sandpaper rough feline tongue. I sighed a bit and stared into a pair of golden slitted eyes of my housecat. I reached over and flicked my beloved pet's whiskers as she purred audibly and insistently rubbed her cheeks against my fingers with a blissful expression. The friendly pure black feline had been a stray kitten that had hitched a ride on a Plegian caravan into my keep a year ago and decided to 'claim' both me and my fortress then and there as soon as I had given her some milk.

I managed a faint smile as she flopped on her back with her paws in the air batting playfully at my other hand. I spoke with soft regret, "Good morning dear Aurum. I wish I was without a care in the world, like you."

"Morning sunshine!" I looked up at my perky blond-haired retainer standing at the foot of my bed. She was dressed in a black tunic and pants underneath her gleaming ebony colored armor trimmed with light amber accents. Honestly, why did she like getting up at the crack of dawn anyway? What was the point anyway? There was never anything to see except the stout fortress with its dreary brown walls surrounded by nothing but miles of mountains and forests for miles in every direction. It was an eternal remainder of the exile that I had to endure due to the machinations of my far from lamented craven of a father. Most agreed that his untimely murder when I was but four was regarded by his retainers and subjects with near universal relief. My annoyance rose as I could see amusement in her bright green eyes as she giggled, "Don't envy Aurie, milady! You're just as cool as your kitty!"

I grunted and threw one of my down pillows at her, and muttered under my breath, "I'm still the same ugly loser I was yesterday." Aurum took the hint, athletically leapt off the bed and dashed out the door to explore 'her' castle. My retainer gleefully parried the missile with her round shield strapped to her forearm. She strode forward and helped me to change into my dark pants and boots followed by my black robe with crimson at the collar, and sleeves. The sullied Paraglaive family crest with the symbol of a red serpent entwined around a white spear decorated my breast. Siffra smirked as she fluffed the pillow and placed it back on the bed. She then stood behind me and dexterously combed out the knots in my hair, and braided it so it was off my shoulders.

I decided to answer her unspoken question about my sour mood before she asked. "I had a dream about the royal gardens in Ylisstol again, Siff."

I felt her arms stiffen reflexively, and then she gave me a friendly hug, "Awww, its okay Mimi! You'll see the lush gardens someday soon. I promise! Everything I've heard about Exalt Emmeryn is that she would instantly forgive your family's sins. You're a sweet and kind girl, and I'm honored to have you as my liege no matter your family name!"

I felt a slight heat in my cheeks. Cavalier Siffra was a loyal if cheeky subordinate and I knew I would have locked myself away in my room and gone stir crazy long ago if not for her and the young novice priest that I counted as my only true friends. Both had ended up at the Sunstone keep as war orphans due to the last Exalt's disastrous crusade against Plegia that had nearly brought Ylisse to its knees. Siff was logically the daughter of some hapless Ylissean farmer family that had gotten steamrolled by bands of vengeful Plegian bandits. However, I was eternally puzzled how my keep priest Bhavin's family had strayed so far afield of their subtropical homeland far across the Southern seas. I shook my head fatalistically, "No point in getting my hopes up. As far as the rest of the nobles are concerned I am my dastard father's daughter and will always be."

She gave a knowing wink, "Vanny said that a reply from Duke Rachelon on behalf of the Exalt came in late last night. I wonder if it's what I think it is?"

What? Even if they're my loyal friends from childhood, how dare they go behind my back! I stood up and stared at my best friend with a wounded and betrayed expression. I then angrily strode past her in search of a troublesome priest.

It didn't take long, as Siffra and Bhavin had bedrooms flanking mine. I used a wind spell to push the door open hard enough to make it thunder against the wall. In the middle of the tiny room, a young man with flowing black hair, kindly brown eyes and honey brown skin had just tumbled from his meditation pose and was in a heap on the ground in tussled white robes with lilac trim. He started to breathe again as he stood up and bowed deeply. "My apologies milady Mimika. May Naga's blessing-"

I crossed my arms and icily cut him off, "Bhavin! Where's the letter?"

He sharply inhaled at the ultimatum, then nodded with a fatalistic and resigned expression, "It's on the desk in your private study, milady." He prostrated himself, "Please punish me as you see fit! It was my idea to appeal to the Exalt to rescind your exile from the capital!"

"Pig's plop, Vanny," Siffra butted in, "It was our idea, and we're both equally to blame! It's not right for those hoity-toity nobles to carry a grudge against you until the end of time!"

I clenched my fists and painfully berated both of these misguided fools, "It wasn't your right to interfere! I am forever tainted by my family's blood!"

I turned on my heel leaving my stunned underlings behind and threw the deadbolts closed once I was in my room. After catching my breath, I crossed over to the adjacent study and ripped open the seal, and read over the flowery cursive script. Having been raised since birth to decode noble doubletalk I felt a sinking knot in my guts, as a realized that a thousand words on the parchment basically amounted to a one word answer.

No.

I put my head down on the desk and sobbed. Why after all this time was I letting those dastards pierce my heart so easily? I would be damned if anyone would see my tears outside of my inner sanctum!

…

Hours later a knock roused me from my reading. "Lady Mimi? May I enter?"

I sighed and closed the heavy tome I had been absorbed in, and undid the latches, and silently let in my Feroxian maidservant. She was a pretty, tan skinned lady a few years older than me with her black hair tied up under her white cap. She wore a grey dress and laced-trimmed white apron for her cleaning duties. Ronna smiled warmly and handed me a wooden bowl containing one of Bhavin's exotic curry dishes.

I sighed heavily and sat on my bed and started to eat the delicious food that I knew had been left at my door as a peace offering. As my maid began to industriously clean every nook and cranny of my room I groused unhappily, "I owe them an apology, don't I?"

"Hmm?" Her dark orange eyes looked at me without any malice or judgment.

"I know they talked to you." Ronna had borne many hardships in her life and many in the castle instinctively turned to her for her hard won wisdom, including me. I finished off the meal quickly, only belatedly realizing how hungry I had been. I felt deep shame welling up from inside, "Vanny and Siff only wrote the letter to restore my family's name. I know they were only trying to help their liege."

She calmly dusted my armoire, "Please give them more credit, milday. I feel they were trying to help one they regard as not only their mistress, but also their friend."

My face fell. I knew it was their duty to protect me, but why would they consider someone as tainted and gloomy as me as their friend? I hopped off the bed and decided to find my servants. "T-thanks."

She giggled as I left, "Think nothing of it Lady Mimi."

I went down a helical stair to the main hall and found it was bustling with two dozen women in reflective light amour standing in neat rows as the senior Pegasus knight drilled them with a stern voice, "I don't want to see any of you slacking off! The new plebes that are coming momentarily must be taught the way of the battle in the skies. There is no room for sentiment or kindness at Sunstone keep! A weak Pegasus knight is useless to be of service to the Exalt. I don't want them to be sent back by Supreme Knight Philia for retraining, as it makes all of us look bad!" The middle aged woman with graying hair glared at her charges with her intimidating grey eyes, "Am I being clear?"

"Yes ma'am", the soldiers chorused as one.

"Dismissed. We will assemble outside in five!"

As the knights filled out to the stables with their imposing polearms I approached Matillia, and nodded respectfully. I admired her dedication as she was still trim and fit for a lady well in her fifties. Despite being a commoner, the Chief Knight had taken over for raising me after my parents died when I was four years old. She had not only run the garrison with admirable efficiency, but had strictly but fairly seen to my education and discipline. I had nothing but the utmost respect for her. She had rebuffed many offers from her superiors to return to the capital and oversee trainees there, and I knew it was at least partly for my sake as I was effectively a prisoner in my own castle and estate. She looked over to me, and gave a hint of a smile, "Good afternoon my child. I will review your lessons with you after the recruits are dealt with."

"As you wish, Aunt Mattie."

She nodded with satisfaction. "My aerial scouts indicated there were some Shepards escorting the two new knights. Cavalier Siffra and Priest Bhavin have been hard at work preparing the reception."

Shepards? I gaped in shock and fought down the urge to squeal with delight. That was Prince Chrom's personal posse of do-gooders who patrolled the countryside to protect the innocent and the weak! Truth be told I had adored them ever since I was a young kid, and had been devastated to have been rejected from joining them due to my family disgrace. I flashed a rare smile as I replied, "Well, we can hardly expect royalty to accompany two lowly Pegasus knight plebes, especially here. Be that as it may, see that the Shepards are to be treated as the heroes that they are."

"So certain are you, Mimika? And you fancy yourself a Tactician." She gave me a brief smirk, "I am pleased Tiffany made sure you looked your best. See you outside." She bowed stiffly, and walked outside.

Siff dashed in, looking winded, her eyes wide, "M-Mimi! We have to be outside, now!"

I spoke with shame in my voice, "Siffra, please accept my-"

"Lady Mimi, later! C'mon!" She took my hand and dragged behind me through the vestibule and out the gatehouse into the blazing midafternoon sun. I was ready to protest when I stopped dead, and my mouth hung open from astonishment. All the Pegasus knights sat astride their mounts in a neat row in front of the gatehouse. Standing in front of the two new Pegasus knight plebes stood a rather motley assembly of heroes. However, I didn't even focus on the other Shepards as I gawked at a strapping hunk of a man dressed in dark armor with his right arm exposed as he strode up to me. His tousled navy blue hair and white cape stirred in the swirling breeze, and his thoughtful blue eyes registered me with interest. He broke into an awkward smile, "Greetings Lady Mimika. I have long looked forward to meeting the mistress of Sunstone keep. I'm-"

I had to make the most of this irreplaceable moment, so of course I ended up making an ass of myself! "P-P-Prince C-C-chrom! I…uuhhhh." My eyes rolled up and I fainted dead away!

…

I groaned and looked up from a small cot in a small room off the main hall. A concerned tan face hovered over me. I looked up at Bhavin and flushed with shame and embarrassment, "Gods! Vanny, did I just blow the one chance in my life of impressing the Prince of Ylisse?"

He broke into a sweet smile, and rewetted the towel he was using to cool my forehead, "Lady Mimika, please don't be hard on yourself!"

Siffra's relieved face came into view as well and she winked, "Don't sweat it! You made an impression no one will ever forget!"

I wanted to sink into the stone floor and die! I wailed, "Prince Chrom must hate me now!"

A commanding baritone nearby chimed in, "Actually, he doesn't. Are you okay Lady Mimika?"

I stood up and stupidly gawked at Prince Chrom who was casually leaning against a nearby wall. I blurted out reflexively, "Y-y-your m-m-majesty!"

He managed a sympathetic smile, "I know exactly how you feel. I'm usually the fool who puts my boot in my mouth."

I fell into silence and I made a deep curtsy, sighing under my breath.

He straitened up, and looked serious, "How goes the border skirmish with Plegia? Is there anything the Shepards can do to help?"

I flushed deeply, "The incursions are more frequent now. However, P-Pegasus knight Matillia has the situation well in hand, my lord. I try t-to help out a little b-bit with my strategic advice, but I mostly stay out the way."

Siffra piped in brightly, "She's completely underselling herself, Prince Chrom! She's an awesome liege and tactician!"

Bhavin nodded in happy agreement, "She is a most kind and just mistress, your majesty."

The noble prince sat down on a nearby stool, and I shakily sat back on the cot, completely star struck in front of my idol. "I'm glad the border is secured thanks to your combined efforts. Emm will be pleased with my report." He scratched at his chin, "I'm puzzled now that I think of it. I'm positive that I invited you to my coming of age celebration in Ylisstol a few years back. I never even got the response scroll back."

I looked down at my family crest then back up in stunned disbelief as this was the first time I had heard of this faux pas! The high ranking nobles like Duke Rachelon must have 'lost' the invitation! However, I had no intention of triggering court infighting and undermining Exalt Emmeryn. I quickly came up with a white lie to smooth things over, "Wha-? How could you even invite me, y-your majesty? I am a Paraglaive! I live here in confinement because of my father's treasonous acts against your sister the Exalt!"

His face quickly turned a few shades redder. "My sister had no choice but to exile your parents, but you were never included in the edict! Who told you that you're still unwelcome in the capital?"

I flushed as I couldn't meet his gaze, as my white knuckles clenched behind my back, "It was D-du…uhh…it was people."

He crossed his arms in annoyance, "Although I would argue otherwise, I can see it you don't wish the court members that have done this injustice to you to be punished! I swear on my sword Falchion that I will take this issue up with the Exalt as soon as I return to the capital!"

I shook my head sadly, "Your highness, I'm not worth the risk. I know I do not belong in your sister's court. I have this treacherous bloodline running through my veins."

He snapped, "Enough!" He looked cross and I shrunk back. "Anything can change! I won't let my own late father's bloodthirsty ways dictate my own destiny! I only need to know one thing. Do you support my sister's cause for peace and prosperity?"

"O-of course I do!"

"Good. With your leave, I will always think of you as Mimika and not as Lady Paraglaive!"

I flushed pink and bowed, feeling truly humbled, "T-thank you, your majesty."

He stood up smiling, "Good. I'll see you at supper. I'll train with my head knight Frederick until then." He calmly left the room and my knees buckled as soon as the door closed.

I looked up at my two friends with wide-eyed shock, "Did he just promise to petition her royal highness to end my exile?"

The handsome priest beamed and nodded, gently squeezing my shoulder.

Siff jumped up in the air, her armor clanking noisily with each bounce, "Whooooohoooo! Prince Chrom is amazing!"