Chapter 26-Restoration

To a man or woman, all of the Scouts and Shepards who had just saved the Exalt clamored to post guard duty. However Chrom sternly ordered them (and me) to stand down as the Royal guards, Mages and Pegasus Knights would be extra vigilant in their patrols. We humbly bowed or curtseyed and reluctantly made our way out towards the Shepards' barracks for some well deserved rest.

I glanced up and took note of the striking taguel beastkin walking off into the garden. Panne in human form was no less intimidating than she was as a giant killer bunny. She had tan skin with tribal tattoos adorning her forehead and cheeks. Brown braided hair hung halfway down to her belly. Her rabbit-like ears were braided into her plaits and her burning brick-hued eyes seemed to regard humans with barely smothered disdain. Dark brown fur decorated her neck, wrists, waist, and tail. Silvery-violet armor guarded her shins, upper arms and torso.

Reluctantly I called out to her. "Miss Panne. Feel free to bunk with the rest of the Shepards in the barracks."

She turned to me with a pointed frown, "I said I owed your Exalt my life. I will obey your orders or Chrom's to honor that debt. I never said I would befriend anyone, man-spawn." She walked into the darkness with her head held high.

I sighed in mild exasperation. Weren't we fighting for the same cause? I suddenly felt a warm, silken smooth scaled hand take mine possessively.

"Never mind the grump, cutie. I can't wait to bunk with ya again," my devoted lamia giggled as she slithered beside me, arm in arm.

I blushed faintly, "Y-yes indeed. Lily…I have to say you were amazing in battle, and more than a little terrifying."

She tittered with a toothy smile. "I was just watching your backside, Mimi. And such a cute one it is…"

I groaned softly. "Is it always so amusing to make sport of me, Lily?"

"Ya." Her face glowed with happiness.

She was so brazen I couldn't even get cross with her. She had saved my life…so making my face burn with embarrassment was a minuscule price to pay. I grunted as I heaved open the impossible to budge door that was still rigged to pump water into the roof cistern. I would have to have a chat with that nutty Mechanist Daisuke over his ill-conceived contraption later.

Once inside my daughter in human form clung to my body as she sobbed, "Papa…mama….I'm so sorry that I couldn't help during the battle. I couldn't break through the Grimleal barrier. I couldn't have gone on if I had lost you two again…"

"There, there sweetie." Lily tenderly embraced Dia and kissed her forehead as our daughter sobbed softly. I hugged them both fiercely with my eyes misting up. Soon enough other Scouts trickled in.

I took Lydia's cheeks in my hands and made her look up at me. "Peace, Dia. I was in safe hands thanks to my arse-kicking lamia bodyguard."

Lydia broke into giggles between her tears.

Siffra beamed impishly. "You're sounding so crass now, Mimi. I think Lily is a bad influence on you."

I smirked as I reached over and poked her comely nose.

Her fiancée looked indignant, "M-Milady, please don't tease my love like that."

Siffra winked and chuckled in agreement, "Yep! Only Revy gets to touch me in an intimate manner."

Revellia squeaked and then rapidly turned crimson. She whined, "Uuuuu…you're being a meanie, honey."

Siffra kissed her fiance's pink cheek happily, "You know you love it, sweetie."

Revy's giddy sister Raquelle gave the newly engaged lovebirds a happy shoulder hug. "Wahoo! We all made it. You two look stunning in your ballgowns. Congratulations again on your engagement."

Moon the Soothsayer and a very serious looking Jacey followed in after Raq. Jace sighed and noted with a head shake, "You three are too much." Her stern expression softened slightly, "Still, for my mom's sake I'm glad you survived the night, Aunt Revy."

Revy wordlessly snuggled her niece from the Ruined Future.

"I thought I was a lucky shot with my dad's bow, but that sword toss was unreal, Jace." Raq gave a humble bow, "You saved my sister and my sanity."

"I owe you, Jacey." Siff sounded uncharacteristically serious. "Anything you need. Name it."

Jacey squeezed Siffra's shoulder and solemnly shook her head. "On the house."

Moon belatedly spotted me and humbly bowed, "Milady! I'm so elated that you evaded the terrifying ordeal of…"

"Moooon," the green-haired Raq snapped with narrowed eyes.

"Ah! I meant…erm…" He looked a bit nervously at Raquelle and then sighed. "Master Raq…do I really have to say it like you would?"

The ponytailed archer crossed her arms and flashed a smug grin. "Yep."

"C'est la vie." He turned to me with a completely serious expression. "Mimi, I'm glad ya didn't croak!"

There was a long pause, and then everyone in the room cracked up into laughter…myself included.

"Ha ha. Very funny," the grumbling Mage sighed.

Jacey looked over to her father and gave him a slight smile, "You know. For a moment you almost sounded like a human being, pop."

"Ah, even my flesh and blood from the future adores teasing…" His blue eyes widened, "Jacey. What did you call me?"

His daughter snapped, "I said pop, you idiot! You are my father after all. I hated the drunkard version of you so much growing up…but here you are as a different man. You're actually noble and kind. Finally, you're showing the traits that make you worthy to be mom's partner." She abruptly fell silent and tried to keep up a stern façade even as tear streaks stained her cheeks.

Raq wiped her own tears away even as she looked bashful at Jacey's compliments.

Revy gently squeezed her big sister's hand and lamented with an envious sigh. "You're so lucky to have such a lovely daughter, sis. Siff and I will surely adopt someday, but once again fortune smiles at you by gifting you with a child of your blood."

Lydia suddenly burst into soft giggles. "Miss Revy, you actually did have a child of your flesh with Siffra."

I blinked in confusion. Siffra wasn't a lamia the last time I checked. So how could two human women bear a child together?

Revy beamed as she patted Lydia's head, "Aww. That's sweet of you to say Lydia, but only Raq was fortunate enough to bear a future child."

Lydia shook her head with a beaming smile as one of the interior doors creaked open. "Actually you did too. She's standing right behind you."

Revellia's hazel eyes displayed shock as her mouth fell open. She turned around to witness a stranger about Lydia's age looking at Siff and Revy with a tearful grin. Her puffy hazel eyes shimmered with years of pent up grief. Her long mane of flaxen hair flowed unhindered to her hips, with green curled tips. She was slim and her outfit included a navy blue dress covered in variety of leather pouches and straps, with wide sleeves ending at the elbows, paired with black gloves and tall boots. A delicately crafted lute was casually slung over her shoulder.

Revy's eyes displayed muddled consternation. "Oh, Miss Florence! I didn't recognize you with bleached hair." She flashed an annoyed pout at Lydia. "Honestly, Miss Lydia. Why are you pulling my leg over Miss Federlicht? She's just a bard trainee and stablehand that I know."

Lydia's bright brown eyes met Revellia's fearlessly, "Why don't you ask Flo herself?"

Siffra shook her head, "Hiya squirt. Why the hair color change, Florence?"

Flo curtsied gracefully. "Mother, I have had countless cruel dreams of this reunion, just like poor Dia. I always awakened again in the Future Past Realm alone again."

Her…what? My face paled as I locked eyes with Lydia.

"She speaks the truth, papa." Dia beamed at me brightly.

Lily playfully coiled up our daughter with her crimson tail. "Hey, you had a friend from your time, Dia? Why didn't ya tell us, ya scamp?"

Flo sniffled and looked over to the shocked, green-haired Pegasus knight. "And you, sweet Sir Revellia will always be my mom."

Revellia's skin paled and she stood as still as a statue.

Raq and Revy exchanged shocked expressions. Raq spoke nervously, "Y-yeah…I don't know if I'm buying this tale guys. I feel like we're being pranked."

Moon shook his head slowly with a frown, "Two women having a child…it beggars credulity."

Lydia pulled out of Lily's tail and took Raq's sleeve with an indignant frown. "Miss Raquelle and Master Moon! You can't mean that. Flowdia is my best friend from the future. Why in Naga's name would I ever deceive you?"

Siffra laughed nervously and gently patted Flo's hair. "Man. You really got us going there, kiddo."

Flo looked up at her so-called mother in disbelief.

Revellia unsteadily latched onto Siff's arm, and looked deeply unsettled. "Miss Flo. I know you were recruited by the palace from the Queen Caeda orphanage. For the last two years you've been like the daughter I've never had…and never could have."

The Troubadour looked up at Revy with deeply despairing eyes. "But mom, I am your daughter. I'm…I'm not lying."

Jacey walked over in a huff and spun Flo around to face her. "So what? You're supposed to be some crazy kid what has two mommies for parents? Stop jerking Sir Siffra and Sir Revellia around. They are kind and decent ladies and their hearts are not playthings."

Revy gently touched Jacey's arm. "M-miss Jacey, I'm not actually mad at Flo. For just a moment she made my impossible dream a reality. She was very sweet and generous to do so."

Jacey's temper finally boiled over. "Oh grow up everyone! This orphan lost her parents, so she decided to conjure up her family from thin air. Florence, know this. Maybe you carry the pain and shame of abandonment. Maybe you feel the inconsolable longing to recapture something that you'll never own again. Maybe you're from the future. Maybe you secretly serve the Grimleal. Who knows? I'll believe anything except this…two women can never conceive a child together!" By this point she was practically screaming.

"Enough, Jacey," I commanded coldly.

"But Lady Mimika…"

My blue eyes blazed as I snapped, "Enough!"

Jacey fell into a chastised silence. The room was quiet for a minute. No one could seem to meet each other's gaze.

"You're wrong," a visibly sobbing Lydia suddenly wailed. "You insensitive oaf, Jacey! I too am the child of two women."

"Wait, but Lydia, how on earth-"

I desperately tried to take hold of my daughter's wrist but it was too late to stop her. Her beaststone enveloped the room in a blinding flash. When the glow faded, Lydia perched on her black and grey snake tail and glared at the Myrmidon with a quivering lip and infuriated luminescent blue eyes.

Jacey's arms flew to her mouth in shock. "You're…a lamia?"

Dia glided over the plank floor and glared down at her fellow traveler from the future. "I'm glad you stated the obvious. Who do you see in my face, Miss Jacey?"

The blond swordswoman broke into a sweat as she looked at both Lily and I with an expression of massive confusion. "You have Miss Lilith's features…and Lady Mimika's. That's impossible."

Lily smirked, "Believe it, missy. This is my mate Mimikins and my hatchling Dia. Lamias are built to carry anyone's kid."

I walked up to Lydia's side and took her hand to calm her down. "What you just witnessed is not to be repeated, by anyone." I saw everyone hastily nod in agreement at my order. I sighed in empathy as I had once shared Jacey's ignorance. "If lamias can breed with men or women; is it really such a huge leap of logic for their power to be used to bless a child between my faithful Cavalier and motherly Pegasus Knight?"

"B-but even if that is true, how can you trust someone who could well be a spy?"

My gaze narrowed. "If that is true, shall I dismiss Lily from my service?"

Jacey started to stumble, "Well I…"

"How about Lydia? You can't trust a lamia, can you? They are products of infernal Grimleal magic. How about I discharge Sonya and Xolette while I'm at it? Those Plegian maidens will surely stab us in the back one day."

Jacey's face turned ashen at my rebuke. She screwed up her face in anguish and wailed, "Oh gods. I-I won't darken your doorstep ever again, Lady Paraglaive." She turned to flee…only for Flo to tackle into her.

Florence pleaded, "Don't leave Jacey! Please."

Jacey sobbed, "But I said such hateful vile things to you, your parents, and our Lady. I don't deserve forgiveness."

"Yes you do. You're my blood and ally. I know your own bitter experiences from the future cloud your very soul. I share your pain and nightmares."

"Gods I'm such a fool. I grew up being suspicious of everyone and everything. I'm sorry I attacked you, Florence."

"Nah. I know you didn't mean it."

I had to admit that Flo was far more forgiving than I would have been. She truly shared Revy's endlessly forgiving heart.

Jacey collapsed to the floor, looking utterly dejected. Both Moon and Raq sat beside her and gave her comforting embraces.

Flo smiled at the emotional reunion and then gasped as she felt Siffra's hand press against her own cheek. She sniffled and smiled up at her parent, "Mother, your calloused hand is as warm as I have always remembered."

Revy grew agitated, "Miss Florence, I don't think I can stay…" The Pegasus Knight spun in a half circle and then fainted into an alarmed Siff's arms.

"Shite," Siff muttered. "Third time's the charm." She carefully lowered the passed out Knight gently on the floor with Flo's assistance.

Raq giggled tearfully, "Revy tends to pass out when she's overjoyed. She's not had much luck growing up. So it's an embarrassment of riches to snag a gorgeous girlfriend, become a fiancée, and meet her future child all in the span of a few weeks."

Flo tenderly took Revy's hand and touched it to her cheek. Tears streamed down her face as she sniffled, "Mom, your hand is so soft and you smell just as nice as the night when we were parted at the Sunstone Keep."

Siffra softly exhaled. "Pegasus plop! We're parents? I'm your mother?"

"I am a mom," Revellia softly spoke as she stirred. She looked up into her child's eyes with utter confusion "I never thought it was possible."

Raquelle whistled, "Hell yeah! The Mother hen got to be a mommy after all."

The young bard dove into Revy's pillow-soft embrace.

Lydia as emotionally spoke to the newly minted parents. "Flowdia Illunis-Meyers is your child together, Miss Siffra and Miss Revy. We grew up together basking in the affection of three extraordinary mothers…and one awesome papa in the Sunstone Keep as de facto sisters. Both of us had to flee the keep as it burned when we both nine."

Revellia sat up and broke into undignified sobbing as she threw her arms around the tormented young lady. "Ah Flowdia, my treasure. I'm so sorry that I died. I know I'm clumsy, plain and inept, but I will never abandon you again. I swear it."

"Mom. I'm sorry too. I'm sorry I lied about who I was. After Lady Tiki sent me to the past I found myself in Ylisstol. I decided on the spot to find you and cling to you like glue." She cried copious tears as she spoke, "I'm sorry I passed myself off as a random girl mucking out the Pegasus stables. I just needed to be close to you again…no matter what."

Lydia wiped at her eyes as she leaned back into Lily and me. "Hey Flowy, I pulled the same stunt on my papa."

Flo chuckled and snuggled into her mothers' embrace. I must admit there was some pesky dust getting into my eyes by that point.

Siffra joined the hug as well and beamed, "Wow! You're my brat too Flo? Wonderful."

The bard giggled as she kissed her other parent's cheek. "Thanks for accepting me. I never deserved you."

The Pegasus Knight blew her nose on a tissue supplied by Raq. She gushed, "I'll never let you go!"

I couldn't help but notice that Raquelle, Moon and Jacey wore identical slack-jawed expressions.

After Flo was released by her beaming parents a visibly unnerved Jacey spoke up. "Hey Flo, so I'm your…cousin?"

Flowdia curtsied and wiped her face with a towel. "Y-yeah. You come from the Ruined Future Realm, right? So that makes you Mister Moon and Miss Raq's daughter?"

Jacey looked more than a little freaked out by this turn in events. "Wait. We've never met before. Aunt Revy died in my past; however in yours she survived and had you?"

"She did. Unfortunately Aunt Raq never found her soulmate in my future and died defending the keep as well. So we are first cousins that shouldn't exist right?"

I chimed in gravely, "My apologies Jacey. It took me a few days to acclimate myself to this bizarre convergence of events when Lydia initially admitted her hidden connection to me. You'll just have to adapt."

Jacey looked bewildered but she rubbed her temples and sighed. "Okay, Flowdia. Cousins it is." She extended out a welcoming hand with a slight smile.

Flo gave her relative a bearhug and enthused, "I've always wanted to have another sister along with Dia!"

"H-hey wait! I didn't say I'd be your big sis," Jacey protested feebly.

Chuckles echoed around the intimate space as everyone else bathed in the feelings of the warm reunion.

…

I sighed to myself as I entered the throne room the next morning "I look like an idiot," I muttered to no one in particular. At Emmeryn's request I was attired in my full formal attire. I wore a black tunic over dark pants and glossy black knee high books. The outfit had crimson trim on the collar, cuffs, gloves and sash. A red cape was pinned over my right shoulder with a pin featuring an enameled version of the Paraglaive crest. The symbol featured a red back ground with a silver halberd facing right, and a black serpent curled around the haft with its fanged face pointed left. My ancestral sword was resting in a silver-plated scabbard. My long hair has carefully braided and I wore blush and faint eyeliner to make the best impression to other nobles.

I suddenly paled as I saw the legless Duke Rachelon glare at me with a look of utter exasperation. I could see in an instant that he hadn't let go of his eternal hatred of my father's vile deeds that had left him maimed. I curtsied and greeted him softly as my knees shook, "Good morning Your Grace."

He rasped, "You helped to save the Exalt last night, Paraglaive?"

"Y-yes Your Grace. Chrom defeated the enemy commander, so I was merely serving in a support role."

"Save it, girl." He eyed my crest with venom but then pivoted his wheeled chair away as he snapped, "Keep serving the Exalt. Jareth, take me away from this cretin."

His handsome butler bowed low and pushed his master away to the front of the assembled nobles.

I rubbed my aching forehead and regrouped. I was mildly surprised to see my friend Sir Aabis Cerulia-Agate (although he was secretly a scion of the Drachenfels family) was already standing at attention next to the royals, with his family spear clenched in his white-gloved hand. He was also dressed up in fancy attire. His outfit was entirely sky blue with brown boots, with a white belt and an ultramarine cape. Like me he had on his clan pin featuring a mountain backlit by a golden sunrise with a blue sky interspersed with clouds. I noticed he was starting to grow his chestnut brown hair out a bit, and his violet eyes met mine with suppressed joy. I also noticed that he was attempting to grow a beard and moustache. He made a small wave as I joined him on the dais.

We had a bit of time to make idle chatter as the nobles will still assembling in the Royal throne room. "Hi Aaby. Good to see you again."

"You too Mimi." He beamed, "You know I'm striving my utmost to play catch up with you now that I'm an Arrowhead Scout."

I blinked in confusion. "Aaby…who recruited you into the Scouts?"

He chuckled with an amused expression, "Lord Chrom gave me the honor. I finally have leave from my father to help our beneficent Exalt and her awesome siblings."

I exhaled in mild exasperation. "I…er…a lot has happened since we last met in Ylisstol. You should know…"

"You're wooing a potential Lady Consort, right? Miss Lilith wasn't it?" He giggled as he took in my stunned expression. "I'm beside myself with happiness that you've found a love, Mimi. From what I hear, Miss Lily is quite the firecracker."

I finally regained my bearings. "Y-you have no idea. I suppose it wasn't fated to be a secret for long."

He shook his head with a smile. "You're a famous now; like it or not. You're the head of the Arrowhead Scouts, and loyal servant of Chrom and his Shepards. Word gets around…even as far as the backwater Cerulia-Agate domain."

I smiled warmly as I realized he simply didn't care that I loved another woman. "L-lily makes me v-very happy. Anyway, is there someone you like Aaby?"

He blushed profusely and nodded. "Yeah. She's not of age yet, so I can't reveal my feelings until I can request a formal match. My mom's a bit worried that I'm intent on courting a commoner, but this maiden is definately worth the wait." His gaze flickered uncertainly. "Actually you know her quite well, Mimi."

My eyes widened in shock as realization struck me like a crossbolt. I breathed out softly, "Dia."

"Ahahaha…I'm so busted." He sighed as he leaned on his spear for support. "Two years ago I was out riding when I spied a spirited young seamstress with brown eyes and long raven hair traveling in a refugee caravan right under my father's castle. I w-was taken by her beauty at once; so I tried to hire her as a maid on the spot. However she was adamant that she was seeking service with the Paraglaive clan. I gave her caravan an escort to the gates of your Keep; before I departed I invited her to come back if you refused to take her on." He shook his head, "I knew you wouldn't say no. I guess my loss is your gain."

"Dia mentioned your kind invitation to me on multiple occasions. She speaks very highly of you; especially your consideration and nobility." I gave the matter some serious thought. I knew he would be shocked on Lydia's true kinship and species. I also intuited that that would hardly deter him. Honestly I was stunned that my daughter already had a prospect. Then again, I wasn't expecting to be involved in a relationship myself all those weeks ago. I finally made my decision. "Dia is already a Scout like you. If your feelings are still as strong two years from now as they are today, then I will consent to an arranged date."

He beamed and gave me an elated hug, "Gosh, Mimi! Thank you so much!"

Lissa cleared her throat politely and we got the hint.

With a stoic Robin at his side, Chrom spoke up sternly, "Thanks for assembling on short notice, everyone. My sister's life was imperiled last night by agents of the Grimleal…the infernal vanguard the Kingdom of Plegia. Her safety is paramount as our war with Plegia has officially commenced."

Emmeryn stood up from her throne and spoke in a firm yet gentle tone. "Thank you for being here, everyone. Before we address the war, the Exalt has decided that it is long overdue that three fallen houses of Ylisse be restored to a place of honor. A set of double doors opened as Lydia solemnly processed in with an unfurled banner House Paraglaive. She took her place behind me as she lofted my clan symbol on a wall bracket overhead. The Exalt continued, "First, I am pleased to commend Lady Mimika Marah Paraglaive in her sterling service as the herad of the Scouting division of the Shepards. She has more than earned her place in this court."

I curtseyed gracefully even as I felt Duke Rachelon's burning gaze on me.

"Next I present to the court Sir Aabis Cerulia-Agate…who in actuality is the heir to the title of the House Drachenfels. Therefore, I ask that although the territory will not be restored; I hereby confer the title of Baron Aabis Drachenfels to this young man."

Aaby bowed low as my maid Ronna came in bearing the banner featuring a hilltop with a ruined silver tower surmounted by a red dragon against an ultramarine starlit sky. The court nobles gaped as the Drachenfels banner was hoisted besides my clan logo.

"Finally, the final fallen family-"

A new voice boomed, "Your Royal Highness, please let me speak for myself!"

Emmeryn chuckled musically. "Of course my loyal friend."

The room was deathly silent. I saw a figure in a dark cloak advanced to the throne as Emmeryn beamed indulgently. He knelt before the Exalt humbly.

"Rise."

He slowly pulled back his cloak, unveiling Mitsuji in a strange garb that neither the Scouts nor I had ever seen before. He was attired in a red kendo gi, black hakama and haori jacket, and his leather cuirass and metal armor adorned his shoulders and shins. However on his haori, there were two small symbols all over his haori in white, one symbol in particular caused intense agitation of assembled nobles.

Behind him, Dark Mage Xolette lifted a banner featuring a heraldic shield divided in half vertically with a black left side with a crescent moon face facing right, and a azure right side with a golden sunburst face.

Duke Rachelon cried out in horror, "Your majesty, this is too much! If your Archivest is Count Sighart's spawn I cannot accept a Chon'sin national as an Ylissean noble. I hereby challenge his right to take the restored title."

Mitsuji spat at the bitter old Duke, "So shall it be. I accept your challenge, Your Grace."