DISCLAIMER: HELLSING IS OWNED BY KOUTA HIRANO. I DO NOT ANY OF ITS CHARACTERS.

FIRE EMBLEM IS OWNED BY NINTENDO. I DON'T OWN IT'S CHARACTERS EITHER.

ITALICS=THOUGHTS AND SOUNDS

BOLD= DATES, PLACES, ECT.

BOLD ITALICS=WRITER

(NOTE: IF YOU DON'T LIKE THIS STORY THEN DON'T READ IT.)

Walter Dornez of the Emblem


Ylisstol, Ylisse ~ Royal Palace

August 22, Age 2609 (9:22 A.M)

"Oh shit!"

Shink! Bwhoom! Ka-chunk!

Lucina shot up from her slumber and immediately lunged for her sword.

"What's going on; are we under attack!?" The midnight-haired maiden practically leapt out of bed.

"Calm down!" Walter raised his hands. "We aren't under attack, I just messed up infusing the wires into my new gloves." the butler turned Lucina's attention to his desk, which was now in pieces. Spools of wire could be seen scattered amongst the wreckage of the desk; the wires gaining a luminescent glow every couple of seconds.

"Oh, you frightened me, Walter." Lucina breathed a sigh of relief as she leaned the Falchion against the wall.

"Forgive me for waking you. It's just that I seem to have encountered a little snag infusing the wires with the gloves." Walter picked up a torn piece of white fabric that was vaguely in the shape of a glove.

"Huh, I was curious as to how you weaponized your gloves." Lucina sat down on Walter's bed. "After all, it's not exactly a traditional weapon. I was just wondering how one goes about learning how to use "wires" as a weapon."

"Well…" Walter carefully rolled the wires up. "Learning how to use the wires was like a combination of dance and martial arts. A lot of it involves learning certain movements and stances, and figuring out how much you need to move in order to get the result you desire. Through my time using them, I've memorized countless movements, each having a different effect." The butler placed the rolled up wire on his dresser for later. "Of course creating the gloves is a trial in itself. You have to stay calm throughout the entire process. If you so much as twitch, you may accidentally put energy into the wire and tear everything apart."

"Ah…" Lucina looked over to the remains of the butler's desk. "That explains the desk…"

Walter nodded, "Yes that explains the desk…" The butler began to rummage through his wardrobe and closet. He quickly tied a black tie around his neck before throwing a black waistcoat over his gray shirt. The butler than rummaged through the remains of his desk and pulled out a replacement monocle, as his original had been damaged during last night's battle.

"I'm going to need to buy a new desk." Walter grabbed a pair of white gloves, ones not infused with wires, and slipped them on. He pocketed his black fingerless gloves, just in case he had to fight. "Just another thing I need to pick up in town." As he finished gathering his belongings, an idea came to his mind.

"Lucina, care to join me for today?" Walter offered his hand to the blue-haired princess. Lucina was taken aback by the offer.

"I…" she shuffled ever so slightly under the butler's gaze. "I'd love to, but I think it's best that I get a move on." Walter raised an eyebrow at her response.

"Really?" he retracted his hand back to his side. "Are you quite certain? It's a beautiful day outside; you should really spend it on relaxation. Besides, do you actually need to be somewhere else right now?"

Lucina opened her mouth to talk, but quickly closed it. It dawned on her that she really didn't have anywhere else she needed to go.

"See, you really don't have any reason to leave just yet." Walter gestured towards the window. "Besides, wouldn't it be more wise to stay at the capital and keep an eye on the Exalt? You were worried that last night's victory was merely delaying the inevitable, so why don't you watch over her here instead of going God knows where?"

The more she thought about it, the more Walter had a point. What was she to gain from distancing herself from the capital?

"I don't think I'm properly dressed for this." Lucina laughed sheepishly.

"Nonsense, what you're wearing is fine." Walter placed his hands on his hips. "Besides, if your attire vexes you that much, I'd be more than happy to purchase some alternative clothing for you to wear." The bluenette shook her head vehemently.

"No, no, I don't wish to trouble you so! I can't let you purchase anything for me in good conscience, especially since it's coming from your own pocket!"

"It's no problem, in fact I insist that I buy you something else to wear." Walter offered his hand once. "Come, when's the last time you allowed someone else to do something for you?"

Lucina was hesitant, but when her gaze met Walter's her hesitation faded away. She didn't know what it was about the butler, but she felt oddly safe with him. It was weird, as in hindsight, the two had barely interacted at all. Still, in the span of several short encounters, she felt more safe by his side than she had in the midst of all her comrades.

"Very well." Lucina threw her boots on and took Walter's hand. "Lead the way,"


Ylisstol, Ylisse

August 22, Age 2609 (9:56 A.M)

The market square was packed, as it always was, with various pedestrians and street vendors. Booths and stands lined the streets with countless store goers crowding around them. Clothing, food, and other stores occupied all the buildings within a mile.

Lucina, for the most part, was in awe of the sight of so many people in one area. It made Walter wonder just how terrible the future she came from was that this was the most people she's seen in ages. It made his heart ache just thinking about what the poor girl had been through. Yes, he'd gone through his fair share of trials and tribulations himself, the Second World War and all the various encounters with the undead and the like, but Lucina's whole world had went to hell. So, if he was being honest with himself, this was less about repaying the girl for her help and more about giving the tortured maiden a chance to live a normal life. Even if it was only for one day, he wanted to Lucina to be able to live like a normal woman.

"Why don't we start by purchasing some new clothing for you?" Walter had his hands stuffed in his pockets as he scanned the streets for a decent clothing store. "I'm guessing that the only set of clothing you have is the combat gear you're wearing right now, correct?"

"Yes, it's really the only set clothing I've had for years, now that I think about it…" Lucina sighed as eyed the other girls her age, all wearing beautiful summer dresses and the like. "Clothing was incredibly sparse in the future. Besides, with the possibility of combat being a constant in the future I hail from, it seemed only natural that my allies and I were always in our battle gear. We couldn't waste our time trying to look "presentable" and "pretty", we had to fight for our lives." Walter gave her a sympathetic look before grabbing hold of her hand and leading her into a clothing store. Lucina was briefly flabbergasted by the gesture, but appreciated it.

"Why don't you look around and try to find something you like?" Walter shot the young lady a smile. "Doesn't matter if it's worth ten gold or one thousand, I'll pay for it nonetheless."

Lucina was stunned into silence for a few seconds. When she finally managed to wrap her head around what the butler had said, the most adorable smile formed on her face as she left to go peruse the store. As she did, Walter was approached by the store owner.

"Saw the whole thing myself, she your daughter or something? It's the only person I would think a man of your age would spend so much gold on." The man commented. Walter chuckled at the idea of Lucina being his daughter, finding it somewhat amusing.

"No, she's not my daughter." he replied simply. "I was a close friend of her father. He passed some time ago so I'm trying to give her some comfort." The butler let a out a sigh. "It's the least I could I do, seeing as I wasn't there when her father died. Thought that I might be able to make it up to him by taking care of his daughter." The store owner gave Walter a kind smile after hearing what he had said.

"That's really kind of you; this world needs more people like you." He chuckled as he watched Lucina wander through the store. "How 'bout I offer you half off any of your purchases? Least I can do for a gentlemen such as yourself." Walter was briefly taken aback by the offer.

"Are you sure? Aren't you worried about making a profit, this is your livelihood after all."

"Nah, money's not all there is in the world." The man said simply.

Taking the store owner up on the offer, Walter also began to peruse the store. The butler decided to buy a new waistcoat, seeing as his favorite plum colored one was during ruined last night's battle.

"I found a dress I like!"

Walter turned around to see Lucina holding up one of the most odd dresses he'd ever seen. It was a shade of pink that wouldn't be out of place in a retirement home. Various shapes were plastered across its surface, most prominently polka dots. Actually, looking closer the polka dots had Emmeryn's face printed in them.

"That's an…" Walter shifted his jaw ever so slightly. "...interesting choice." Lucina's brow furrowed.

"You don't think it looks good?"

"Well…" the butler cleared his throat. "I think it's not exactly well suited to you. Perhaps you ought to pick something a bit less…" he paused for a moment. "...gaudy."

Lucina, rather dejectedly, put the awful dress down and went off to find a new one. Much to Walter's chagrin, the bluenette picked out an even more ridiculous dress. This one was a bright neon green and it featured a pattern that would be at home on a Christmas sweater- an ugly one for that matter. The next one she grabbed was practically the same as the first, but replace Emmeryn's image in the polka dots with Chrom's. The one that followed made the butler cringe, as it was made entirely of strings.

"Definitely not that one." Walter stared at the string dress in disgust.

"Why not?" Lucina looked at the dress, obviously not realizing the problems with it.

"Let's just say a string dress on a windy day is a bad idea…" The butler cringed at the mental image.

"Isn't wearing any dress on a windy day a bad idea?"

"It goes double for a dress made up of string."

So the search for a dress that complemented Lucina continued. Eventually, Walter decided to step in and help the fashionless princess. As he and Lucina went from clothing rack to clothing rack, one of the dresses caught his eye. It was a light shade of blue that would complement the maiden's blue hair and eyes. It was fairly long, ending slightly below the knees and it had no sleeves.

"What about this one?" The butler gestured towards the dress. Lucina looked slightly hesitant, almost intimidated by it in fact.

"I don't know, are you sure? I'm not sure I can wear something like that, it looks too good for me." The more she looked at the dress, the more beautiful it seemed. The more beautiful it seemed, the less inclined she was to think she'd look any good in it.

"Too good for you?" Walter raised an eyebrow. "Rubbish, that is rubbish, you'd look absolutely beautiful in it."

"I mean…" Lucina muttered. "If you say I'll look good, I guess I can try it on…"

"Excellent!" Walter swiped the dress off it's hanger, grabbed a pair of flats that matched the dress, and shuffled Lucina into a dressing booth. The butler waited several minutes, eager to see how Lucina looked in the dress. When she came out of the booth, she looked absolutely beautiful. Honestly, if Walter were a younger, less controlled, man he would've probably blushed.

"How do I look?" The stunning maiden fidgeted under the butler's gaze. The dress did a great job of highlighting the distinct feminine features that her combat attire hid. The princess was not used to her skin being as exposed as it was.

"You look like true princess, milady." Walter bowed ever so slightly, earning a smile from his blue-haired companion. "Come, let's go pay for that dress and find somewhere else to peruse."

After packing up Lucina's discarded combat gear and paying for the clothing they had wanted, the two went about the town once more. Now that she was in clothing that brought her femininity, Lucina was now garnering the attention of many passersby. The attention was mostly from young men around her age, which annoyed Walter ever so slightly. There was one particular group of young hooligans that took particular interest in the bluenette. However, when they began to approach her, one glare from Walter was all it took for them to decide to keep their distance.

"Perverted dogs…" Walter muttered under his breath.

"Something wrong, Walter?" Lucina glanced at the butler, not hearing what he had just said.

"No, nothing, nothing at all."

The duo wandered through the town for a bit, staying mostly in the market area. While the trip into town was mostly for Lucina's benefit, Walter also had some business to take care of as well. They made stops at various stores that Walter had often visited since he had arrived in Ylisse. These were mostly shops that he'd peruse in order to keep the Shepherds well supplied, such as the weapons and armor shop. Of course, there were a few odd stores that Walter went to for his own personal belongings; these shops having the pattern being associated with either the occult, alchemy, or weapon smithing.

"I never took you for the type that's interested in something as far fetched as the occult." Lucina commented as she glanced at one of the books that Walter had bought; the book being titled "The History of Monsters in Ylisse".

"Is that so?" Walter chuckled, finding the statement ironic considering what he did for a living before he ended up in Ylisse. "I've been studying the occult since I was little boy, and it's something that's part of who I am. I guess you could say it's one of my lesser known hobbies." Lucina glanced over to another one of the butler's purchases, this one being a large block of silver.

"I assume that silver is for forging weapons and armor?"

"Yes it is." Walter patted the silver block. "You see, weapons smithing is one of my specialties. Many of the weapons that were utilized by the last organization I worked for were created by me." He felt a hint of nostalgia at the thought of the weapons he created for Hellsing. "I thought I ought to utilize my skill and create some weaponry for the Shepherds."

As the two exchanged banter, learning more and more about each other, the butler began to wonder what his fellow Shepherds were up to.


Ylisse, Ylisstol ~ Shepherds' Garrison (Training Room)

August 22, Age 2609 (11:45 A.M)

"Are you sure you want to try wielding an axe instead of a sword?"

"Yup, swords just aren't cutting it for me!" Lissa giggled at her awful pun. "I wanna try using axes instead."

After last night's events, Lissa had largely forgiven both Chrom and Frederick. However, being relegated to healer had continued to irk the princess, especially after seeing Walter in the state he was.

"Very well than, milady." Frederick walked over to the weapons rack and grabbed a bronze axe. "Start off with this one, it's lightweight and easy to handle." the retainer handed the hefty weapon Lissa, with slight reluctance. His reluctance faded as he watched the princess swing the weapon around with relative ease.

"Huh, kinda feels like swinging around a top heavy staff." Lissa rested the weapon over her shoulder. "I kinda like it." the golden haired royal ran up to a training dummy, lifted the axe over head, and brought it down it's incredible force. The axe easily embedded itself into the dummy's wooden face, with Lissa managing to nearly cleave all the way down to the neck of the dummy.

"Impressive, milady." Frederick examined the cut. "I dare say, that's one of the deeper cuts I've seen a novice make using an axe."

"Really?" Lissa's eyes lit up with excitement. "That's settled, I'm learning how to use an axe!" the princess gripped the axe and attempted to pull the weapon out of the dummy. Unfortunately, much to her great embarrassment, the axe was stuck.

"Um, can I ask for teensy bit of help?"

Frederick let out an uncharacteristic chuckle as he took Lissa's hand into his own and placed it on the axe. He then placed his hand on top of her hand, causing a faint blush to appear on the princess' face.

"Don't lift with your back." Frederick explained. "When the axe gets stuck, you want to focus more on footing than muscling it out." the Ylissean retainer placed his foot on the base of the dummy. "Place your foot here." Lissa followed the command, replacing his foot with her's. "Now bend your knee to get proper leverage and then push your body upwards; as if you're jumping away from the axe."

Following the instructions, Lissa bent her knee and pushed off the dummy. Unsurprisingly, the axe was dislodged from the dummy.

"Hah, thanks Frederick." Lissa wiped a bit of sweat from her brow. "I'll make sure to remember that for later."

"Anytime, milady."

The training continued for another half-an-hour; a far cry from the training sessions that Frederick put his trainees through, but just enough for a novice like Lissa. During their break, the great knight decided to confront the golden haired princess on something that had been gnawing at him.

"May I ask you a question, milady?" Lissa's brow furrowed.

"Yeah, what's on your mind? You don't usually ask questions, Frederick." she crossed her arms.

"Before, you were somewhat lazy in your bid to learn how to fight." the stalwart knight began. "I often had to seek you out, and force you to attend the lessons that you yourself asked for. However, today, you actively seeked me out to initiate the training. May I inquire as to why the sudden change in behavior?"

Lissa's expression became downtrodden. She fidgeted in place as she looked towards the ground.

"The attack last night…" she let out a deep sigh. "During the attack, I had come to the aid of Walter. Marth had come to me and told me that she had this feeling that Walter was in trouble. At first, I didn't think much of it, just thought she was being a bit paranoid. I mean, it's Walter, he's like the strongest guy in the world, right?" Lissa's eyes were filled with trauma filled pain. "Lo and behold, when we arrived, Walter was down."

"Yes, Walter mentioned the fact that the leader of the attack had been strong." Frederick interrupted. "He didn't mention that he had been momentarily beaten, nor did he mention that you had to come to his aid to heal him."

"No…" Lissa shook her head. "I didn't heal him." she sighed, her declaration taking Frederick off guard. "When Marth and I arrived, Marth immediately engaged the man that had beaten Walter. When she managed to throw him off Walter, I came in to try to heal him. Gods…" the princess shivered at the memory of the injuries that the butler had sustained. "Those burns were terrible. His arms looked like they belonged to a burnt corpse; there was barely any skin on his arms left. His face had some pretty severe burns too. When I tried to heal the wounds, I couldn't; the damage was too extensive. Honestly, I thought we were all going to die then and there." her grip on the axe tightened. "The one thing I was being counted on doing- be a healer- I couldn't do. That's why…" determination lit her eyes. "I'm determined to learn how to fight. I can't take it anymore, being the helpless one on the battlefield. Even if I don't become as strong as you, or Chrom; Naga knows I'll never be anywhere close to as powerful as Walter, but I'll at least be able to defend myself."

With the motivation behind her training laid bare, Frederick now knew just how important getting stronger was to the princess. So he'd push Lissa to her utmost limits and ensure she reached the level of strength that she yearned for.


Ylisse, Ylisstol ~ Shepherds' Garrison (Infirmary)

August 22, Age 2609 (12:01 P.M)

After the events of last night, several Shepherds found themselves spending the night in the infirmary. Of course, they were in and out of there within no time, except for one. Naturally, this one was a little less than enthused to be the last one in the hospital wing. She was even less enthused by the hospital food she was being fed.

"What the hell is this mush crap I'm being served?" Sully stared at the goopy porridge that was placed on a tray by her bedside. "Am I really expected to eat this crap? Everyone else that was in here was served actual food; meat and the like! How am I supposed to keep up my strength if I don't get my protein!?" the redhead cavalier began to let out a string of curses that would very quickly raise the rating of this fic from T to M.

"Calm yourself, such language is unbecoming for a beauty such as yourself."

Sully let up with her curses briefly to see who had just entered; though from the way he had addressed her, in addition to his foreign accent, she already knew who it was.

"Would you look at that, Ruffles survived after all." she shot him a playful smile, throwing the noble off kilter.

"Is my fair lady smiling at yours truly?" Virion's usual suaveness returned as quickly as it was interrupted. "Such a beautiful smile it is, befitting of such a paragon of beauty and grace. Truly, a smile like a that is befitting of creature of angelic beauty such as yourself." Sully's smile faded as soon as the word creature was uttered.

"Don't call me a creature, you pretentious snob!" the cavalier glared daggers at the noble. "I was actually starting to enjoying your compliments until you did!"

"Oh, so the beauty actually does enjoy being called such?" a flirtatious grin formed on Virion's face. "I dare say, I was beginning to think that you hated hearing such compliments such as: angelic beauty, paragon, and fair lady."

Sully's cheeks grew a faint red blush that would've been dismissed by any other man, but Virion was fiercely aware of the impact his words seemed to be having on Sully.

"Well…" the redhead was acting uncharacteristically bashful. "If it was coming from anyone else but you, I'd have sent the man away without his manhood. Coming from you, I actually don't mind being called- you know- all of that stuff."

Virion chuckled as he pulled up a chair and sat by the fiery woman's bedside.

"To think that I'd be the one in the hospital bed, and you'd be the one without injury." Sully scoffed. "It's hard for me to believe that the same snob that followed me into the burning forest a month ago is the same one that I've fought side-by-side with."

"Ah, yes, you clearly underestimated me." Virion let out a sigh.

"You got that right. I mean, I doubt there's any archer in the world that's as good as you are." Sully laughed.

"Was that a compliment, I heard, dearest Sully?" a satisfied grin formed on the silvery blue haired noble's face.

"Yeah, don't get used to it, Ruffles." Sully narrowed her eyes. "You gotta earn a compliment from me." Virion's grin became more flirtatious in nature.

"Do tell how I earned the compliment, so that I may do it again."

"Nah, I'll tell you some other time." the redhead cavalier said cheekily. "Maybe I'll tell you how you earned it when you've finally gotten me to fall for you."

Virion and Sully shared a laugh and continued to joke around for quite sometime after that.


Ylisse, Ylisstol ~ Shepherds' Garrison (Mess Hall)

August 22, Age 2609 (12:30 P.M)

It was uncommon for Shepherds to sit alone during lunchtime, as everyone usually partook in the many animated conversations that would occur throughout the hall. Of course, the one Shepherd that always opted to sit by their lonesome was the one Shepherd that no one could ever seem to see- Kellam. It was a depressing sight to say the least, but the giant of a man had grown accustomed to the lack of company.

So suffice to say, he was both surprised and uncomfortable when Miriel- the resident sociopath- sat across from him and stared directly at him. The mage's eyes would wander elsewhere every once and awhile, which would lead to her searching the room for his presence, only for her eyes land back on Kellam.

"Miriel? Why're you gritting your teeth and staring at me like that?" Kellam finally broke the awkward silence.

"Permit me to clarify." Miriel never seemed to break her eye contact with the knight. "The moment I avert my eyes, I lose sight of you. I've observed it for the past few days; even when you don't attempt to hide, you simply disappear into thin air. It's a most perplexing puzzle." Kellam laughed at her response.

"Yeah, it's true that I blend into the background sometimes." Miriel shook her head, her eyes still not leaving their target.

"But that makes no logical sense." she leaned across the table and knocked on the heavy armor the knight was wearing. "This suit of armor you wear reflects sunlight like a mirror. Not to mention the armor's unconventional size." Kellam shrugged.

"I think it's just that I lack a presence." he stared down at his plate of food. "Up until now, only Walter's been able to find me easily. Everyone else seems to forget I'm even in the room. Again, I think it's because I lack a presence."

"Is that so?" Miriel straightened her glasses. "Am I to assume that means you are unassertive, laconic, and a man of few words? There must be more to it than that. Science abhors an incomplete explanation." The mage continued to stare at Kellam, humming slightly as she did.

"Um, can you please stop staring at me like that? You're kinda creeping me out a little."

"But you are such a fascinating subject for observation." Miriel pulled out her signature tome and began jotting down notes without losing sight of Kellam. "Think of all that can be learned from you! If I were able to study you somehow…"

Feeling incredibly nervous at how she phrased that sentence, Kellam decided to immediately abandon his lunch and leave the mess hall. Miriel followed behind him, determined to conduct her research on the knight.


Ylisse, Ylisstol ~ Shepherds' Garrison (Training Room)

August 22, Age 2609 (2:30 P.M)

After lunch had passed for the Shepherds, and their food was well digested, they were training hard for the upcoming march. Sparring matches were common amongst the group, but no two sparred against each other more than Chrom and Vaike. Matches between the two were quite a sight to behold. The contrast of styles between the two was like watching a tiger battle a lion. Both are powerful in their own right, the paragon of their respective habitat, but the question is who is mightier?

Chrom's battle hardened form of combat emphasized the immediate defense with an immediate counter attack. Defend and force the opponent into vulnerability. Push the fight where you wish and overwhelm your opponent with your own strength. Stay mobile and light and destroy the opposition in a flurry of strikes.

Vaike used a more simplistic style of combat, one that he had fully mastered. Clumsy in the hands of a novice, there was a heavy emphasis on wild movements and raw strength. It was basic, and looked down upon as a style that only the foolish would choose to specialize in. However, those that looked down on the combat form had never seen someone who had mastered it. The wild strikes were no longer clumsy in execution, instead flowed together like a violent river. Impossible to read, as there were no rhyme or reason to the attacks. Vaike had taken the form and made it his own.

So the two masters of their combat style stood across from each other, wooden practice weapons in hand. A quiet audience anticipated the clash as they watched the two hold their ready stances in silence.

The tension was cut abruptly, the two forces clashing at the center. Vaike dashed forward, wooden axe swinging in all directions. Chrom blocked a few, but many were too strong to block so he was forced to dodge most of them. Of course, Vaike's offensive didn't last much longer, as a parry from Chrom caused the blonde to overextend his weapon. Using the created opening, the prince immediately went for his rival's side. He wasn't fast enough, and Vaike moved out of the way before another counterattack could be launched.

Chrom pursued him and began to unleash the full-might of the Ylisse's Exalted combat form. Upper slash, downward slash. Slash right than left, and carry the momentum into a downward slash. Use the momentum from the deflected downward slash and aim for his legs. Any normal foe would've been overwhelmed, but not Vaike. Through countless sparring sessions, the duo had learned the ins and outs of Chrom's style. He instinctively knew where to block and when to dodge.

The offense was ended when Vaike managed to kick the prince in the gut. Chrom recoiled, but was not about to let a simple kick be the reason he lost the duel. Jumped backwards to gain some distance and prepared to a flashier technique. He kept high into the air and began to spiraled into a spinning downward slash. Vaike couldn't dodge fast enough and was forced to block the attack. The force of the attack was enough to shatter not only Vaike's weapon, but Chrom's as well.

"Like like we broke another set of dummy weapons." Vaike laughed as he tossed the broken wooden axe aside.

"Hah, shall we call the match a tie then?" Chrom smirked.

"Oh heck no, Ol' Teach was totally winning the entire time." Vaike scoffed as they moved out of the ring.

A sense of camaraderie was common among the Shepherds, but none seemed to share as brotherly a bond as Chrom and Vaike.


Ylisstol, Ylisse ~ Royal Palace

August 22, Age 2609 (3:30 P.M)

After the attack on Themis, and the subsequent Battle at the Border Pass, Maribelle's father- the Duke of Themis- decided that Maribelle had to stay somewhere safer for the time being. As such, Maribelle was staying at the palace until Themis recovered from the attack.

Of course, Maribelle wouldn't be alive if it weren't for a certain young mage. As such, the noblewoman decided she'd repay Ricken for saving her life with calming session of afternoon tea.

"The tea is ready, Ricken." Maribelle shot him a kind smile as she carefully placed the tea on the table they were sharing. It was on one of the many balconies the palace had, this one overlooking the garden. A several silver plates featuring small sandwiches and all sorts of sweet pastries were sprawled across the small table.

Ricken carefully took one if the teacups into his hands and took a small sip from it.

"Mmm, that's some good tea." he gave the girl a grateful smile. "Thank you, Maribelle." Maribelle shook her head as she took her seat across from Ricken.

"No, 'tis I that should be thanking you." Maribelle took a sip from her teacup. "It is the least I can do after you saved me from those Plegian scoundrels, dear. Although, a thank you and afternoon tea will scarce repay the debt I owe you."

"Aw, you don't owe me at all."

"Don't be so modest." Maribelle truly wished to repay Ricken for saving her. "If it weren't for your timely arrival, I dare say I'd not be drinking tea with you. Instead, I would have tea leaking from sword holes on every side of me, or worse..." she shuddered at many sinister outcomes that could have occurred if she weren't saved. "As such, this debt must be paid, especially as we're both members of Ylisse's old high houses. Our houses may not be as close now as ages past, but we are peers nonetheless. If I can help, you need but ask."

"Tha-that's…" Ricken seemed somewhat shocked by her words.

"Whatever is the matter, dear?" Maribelle asked concernedly.

"It's just that I'm surprised to hear you say that." Ricken looked down at the the garden.

"Come now! You saved my life!" Maribelle laughed. "Surely you don't think of me the sort to forget a debt?"

"No, not that; it's the part about our houses I'm talking about." Ricken sighed. It was no secret that Ricken had originally joined the Shepherds in attempt to regain the stature of his house. Indeed, it was a powerful house that rivaled Maribelle's, but it was a shell of it's former glory.

"My house isn't like it used to be, seeing as how we're dead broke." Maribelle's brow furrowed.

"Well the recent financial struggles of your house are hardly-"

"I was just surprised to hear you call us peers, that's all." Ricken interrupted. "Besides, look at me! I'm hardly an aristocrat." He gestured to his clothing, which was that of a typical mage.

"Clothing's hardly the measure of a noble." Maribelle smiled as she turned her gaze down to the garden below. "A true noble is not one who basks in the riches of their purse, but rather one who posses the quality of character. Anyone who selfless enough to give their life for another is most certainly worthy of being called noble, regardless of the depth of their purse. Your family is every bit an equal to mine, and hang those who say different." Ricken smiled, happy to hear he was considered an equal by Maribelle.

"Thanks, Maribelle."


Ylisstol, Ylisse ~ Royal Palace

August 22, Age 2609 (5:45 P.M)

After their leisurely stroll through the market, Walter and Lucina returned to the palace with their purchases in hand. Lucina still wore the dress Walter had purchased for her earlier, and she had grown quite fond of the freedom she felt it represented. For that day, she didn't need to worry about anything. For that day, she was free to live a normal life.

"I take it you're feeling more relaxed?" Walter commented as he led Lucina into his room. The butler placed the belongings he'd brought on the bed, seeing as his desk was in pieces.

"Yes." Lucina took a seat on the bedside. "I must admit, I rather enjoyed that experience." Walter let out a soft chuckled.

"I thought you would. You seemed like the kind of person that needed some leisure time." the butler began to pick up the many pieces of desk that were scattered across the floor.

"Perhaps I should try to relax more often now that…" Lucina's voice trailed. "Now that Emmeryn has been saved, I don't know what to do." she ran her hand through her midnight locks. "That was my mission: my purpose. Now that I've fulfilled it, what do I do now?" Walter was sympathetic to her dilemma. The butler piled the pieces of his desk into a waste bin before sitting beside Lucina.

"If you want my opinion, I say that you stay here in Ylisstol." Walter gave her a smile. "I'm sure that we can find you some accommodations for you. In the meantime, you can stay in the palace. I'm sure that Exalt Emmeryn would be more than happy to allow you stay here. Staying close means that you'll also have an easier time keeping a close eye on Emmeryn."

"That is true." Lucina stared at the ground. "Again, I can't help but feel that we've only delayed her death. I'm scared that one day I'll turn my back for a second and everything will far apart."

Walter wrapped an arm around her shoulder and held her comfortingly.

"Even if we've delayed the inevitable, that's what we'll continue to do." he held her close. "I'll die before I see the world go to hell. I promised you that I'd help you, and I'm not breaking that promise." Walter's reassurance made Lucina smile. For that moment, they could enjoy some peace and quiet. Even if the tranquility was temporary, she'd never take it for granted. No matter how difficult the days ahead seemed, Lucina wouldn't give up, and neither would Walter.

They would fight for the peace and tranquility of the future…

...even if one of them had to die to achieve it.


Author's Notes

This took a bit longer than I thought it was going to. I thought I'd get this chapter out before January ended, but I got sidetracked. That's mostly because I haven't just been writing one chapter, I haven't just been writing two chapters, I haven't just been writing three chapters, I haven't just been writing four chapters; I have been writing five chapters all at once. Yup, I've been pretty busy juggling chapters.

Anyway, this was mostly a cool down chapter. After last chapter's madness, I think a bit of cool down was needed. It also gave me time to focus on other characters for a bit. Yeah, it's not all of them, but cramming all the characters into one chapter is difficult. Scary part is that the roster is only going to get bigger and bigger. Oh, how am I ever going to cope!?

Hah, I'll probably use some weird magical shenanigans to aid me in this. After all, magical shenanigans is how all FanFiction writers manage to get things out at decent pace.

Wait, they don't do that? Only I did?

Welp...

I just sold my soul to the Flying Spaghetti Monster of the Pastafarian religion for nothing...

Anyway, while I fight the Spaghetti Monster for my soul, You can go ahead and read the "Behind the Keyboard" stuff.

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Age 2609

If you haven't noticed, I have added the year to the date. It's a small little detail, but it kinda adds something to the world. The year is actually a number I got by doing research on the Fire Emblem timeline. It may or may not be accurate, but what can you do?

Also, five internet points to whoever knows why I chose to call the years "Ages" (Hint: It's from a series that is notorious for yelling)

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Kill the perverts!

In the original draft for this chapter, those perverts that Water scared off were supposed to come back and start harassing Lucina. Walter would react like any father figure and scare them off using his Angel of Deathness. I scrapped this because I thought Walter giving them the death glare was fine enough. I also wanted to move onto the other characters.

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The Ugly Dress

I think anyone familiar with Fire Emblem Awakening knows about "the dress". If you're not familiar, Lucina has the most odd fashion sense. In her support conversation with her mother, she buys her the dress that was referred to in the story. It's honestly a weird quirk of Lucina's that honestly makes her endearing. She's a princess for goodness sake, how does she have such terrible fashion sense.

I decided to throw that one in for the hell of it.

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Combat Forms

Those combat forms are from an extremely popular franchise. The descriptions for both styles that Chrom and Vaike use are practically one-to-one descriptions of their source material. If you figure out where I got them from, ten internet points to you. One hundred internet points if you figure out what specific combat form Chrom uses and which one Vaike uses. (Hint: I used the same franchise as inspiration for a fight earlier in the story.)

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It is indeed time for tea

Yes, 3:30 is when afternoon tea occurs. I actually checked several sources for the typical time that people serve afternoon tea. The answers tended to be anywhere in between 3:00 P.M and 5:00 P.M.

Can't believe I spent half an hour reading about tea time...


On a related note, if you noticed the chapters have suddenly shifted forward for no discernible reason, that's because all the I have added a table of contents for this story. Every chapter has shifted forward by one as a result.


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Next time on Walter Dornez of the Emblem!

Walter's Roster: Volume 2