Let's keep things rolling with another chapter. You might not think it, but I really appreciate all the feedback I've had for this story so far. It's a small side project, which makes it all the more awesome that so many of you are enjoying reading it.

Let's begin shall we?

Belief

The letters atop the desk in my bedroom can wait another day. There are far more important things to do.

Strike. Parry. Reverse. Remember the techniques Professor Byleth showed us in class. Deep breaths, Rolan. Stay calm. You can do this. There are only a couple of weeks left until my Myrmidon Certification Exam. If I pass you're no longer an average commoner. I'll be somebody with rank and importance; a man recognized by the monastery for his talents. All I need to do is focus on the goal ahead I must do this - no matter what it takes. I've come too far to back out now.

The morning bell signals an end to my training session. I'd better get ready for classes.

Hilda watches me from the side-lines with interest. The last thing I expected was for her to join me this morning. Heck, I was beyond surprised to see her awake and ready to go at dawn. Usually I'm the one to wake her for classes with a quick knock at the bedroom door. Not this morning; she was already waiting for me - with a cheery grin no less.

Sliding my sword away, I exhale sharply to steady my frantic heartbeat. I'd say my work at the training grounds is good enough for today.

"I've gotta say," begins Hilda; she stands at my side. "You take your training so seriously. I feel a little tired just watching you swing that sword around." She smiles, ruffling my hair as she so often does these days. "Not that I mind or anything... It's part of the reason I like keeping you company. You're determined."

I'm not quite sure how to respond to such a colorful compliment. Is she being serious or sarcastic?

"What do you mean, Hilda?" I'll press the point a little bit further. Goddess knows I'm curious. "It was quite the shock when you stopped by my room this morning. You're usually still lounging in bed this early."

"What I'm saying is," The pigtailed lass continues with a wink. "Something about the way you act makes me happy; hopeful, even. I look at you and it's like... Well, maybe I could take things a bit more seriously - just a little..."

Hilda and the word serious are two things I never expected to go hand-in-hand. Whenever I used to visit her family estate with my parents she'd always act so laid-back. Father once joked with me; he said if "Miss Goneril were any more relaxed she'd fall asleep." I remember his jape all too well.

It would be good if Hilda started living her life with a hint of urgency. "How did I help you figure all this out?" I ask, brandishing the proudest smirk I can muster. "I thought it was too much hassle putting in effort."

"Maybe I'll tell you later," she answers. Snagging my hand, red-faced as she goes, Hilda pulls me in the direction of the door. She's surprisingly strong; must have something to do with her lugging around an axe in training. "Let's get out of here, Rolan. Professor might get mad if I'm late for another class..."

Together, we depart for our morning lessons. It's Tuesday, which means we have Tactical Theory first. No roll of the eyes is big enough. I'm absolutely terrible when it comes to Tactical Theory. Why can't we have Single Combat on a Tuesday instead?

I've been listening to Professor as best I can, but this class is far from my favorite. I've spent most of the morning passing notes with Hilda; our exchange started with her asking if I'd shuffle down the bench. I've tried ignoring her and concentrating on the lecture, but she keeps on passing more and more scraps of paper my way. She's taken to making subtle gestures; patting the empty space beside her. Well, the whole bench is empty aside from the two of us - but that's beside the point.

I bite back a grumble. If I don't sit with Hilda she's going to keep poking at me until class ends. Being extra careful not to draw attention my way, I gather up my papers and quill, shuffling across the bench to meet her. She smirks victoriously, having won my attention.

"Hey, Rolan," she whispers, prodding me in the arm, "Shall we head into town after this? I need to go shopping..."

"More like you need someone to carry your bags, you mean."

Hilda feigns a gloomy frown, "I'm hurt; to think you'd see me in such a mean light."

"I'm only teasing," I counter with a tiny chuckle. "Don't worry... We'll go as soon as classes finish."

"Thanks... I don't need to visit too many places. We'll be back in a heartbeat."

Given Miss Goneril's track record with buying clothes and trinkets, I can only dare imagine how long it will take.

I turn my attention back to the chalkboard; I don't stay focused for long.

Hilda rests her hand atop of mine. Locking our fingers together, she artfully hides our embrace under the table, out of sight from nosy classmates. She strokes my fingers softly; her face reddens.

Now that I think about it... she's very pretty. My heart's aflutter; if she keeps on gazing into me so deeply, I think I'll faint. Her full, pillowy lips entice me. I dunno what's coming over me. T-This is Hilda I'm thinking about; Hilda. I clean her room and fold her socks. She can't desire the attention of a commoner like me. She's highborn; a lady of status. Girls of her standing enjoy the finer things life has to offer. Her father; Lord Goneril, is wealthy and powerful. She must have suitors fawning over her.

I should retreat; I'll be wise to save myself the trouble her affections will bring. Nobles always look upon relationships with the common folk disdainfully.

And yet, I'm intoxicated by the sweet, flowery scent of her perfume.

No, this is foolish. I must back off. Though it makes me sad, I pull my hand away.

Hilda steals it right back, giving my digits a sharp squeeze. Her eyes of pink narrow playfully, knowingly. She's not letting go. "You'll be my bodyguard someday soon," the pigtailed lass utters sweetly. "We should get used to being like this."

The bells of Garreg Mach chime; the end of class is here. Hilda steals her hand away as the other students rise from their seats.

Before everyone leaves, Professor Byleth commands our attention with a loud clap of the hands. "Remember everyone, next Sunday we're heading back to Zanado. Another group of bandits have taken up arms there; they've been robbing traders. It falls to us to deal with them."

I'll keep Professor's words close to heart for when next week comes.

I've never had to carry so many items of clothing in my whole life. My arms are stacked full with folded garments and more. Socks; leggings, shoes, trinkets - Hilda bought everything she could get her hands on. Her coin purse must've left her pocket at least twenty times. She's spent more money in one day than I have in my whole first semester.

"This way," Hilda hurries on ahead. I do my best to waddle along with all of the items I'm carrying. She skids to a stop by the water fountain in the town square; a beautiful depiction of Lady Seiros - pristine and perfect with a serene, angelic expression.

"Let's take a break," says Hilda. She sits against the ring-like wall surrounding the fountain, stretching her legs with a heavy sigh. "We've done so much walking... Sorry Rolan. I didn't expect it would take so long. I bought stuff from half the folks in town..."

"Just let me catch my breath and I'll be okay." I expected this from the very start. Exhaling my tension, I neatly set down Hilda's clothes on the cobblestones, sitting beside her. If anybody needs a break before they fall over, it's me. A few large breaths help steady my heavily thumping heart. I'm tired; so tired my head aches. "Though I imagine you've made the traders very happy today."

Hilda wears a guilty expression, "I'm really sorry," she continues. "Look at you; you're exhausted. I didn't mean to overwork you."

"It's fine," I answer insistently. "My morning training's harder than this. You've seen it yourself."

The last thing I want is for Hilda to feel upset. I offered to help her; this is my responsibility.

She doesn't say a word more on the matter, either. She simply shuffles closer, resting her hand atop of mine. Together, we admire the township of Garreg Mach. The sky is dyed orange by the setting sun. Small children play games of tag in the bustling streets. Stall owners busy themselves with packing away their wares for the day. The air is so clean and fresh; the smell of freshly baked bread wafts from the chimney of the town's quaint bakery. So many people; each with a different story - each one of them protected by the Knights of Seiros. It's all so very different to the quiet (rural) townships of Goneril lands.

"Thanks for coming with me today," says Hilda kindly, caressing my fingers. She lays her head upon my shoulder, sighing contentedly. My heart jumps. "You must think I'm nasty, asking you to help me so much..."

Running after a noblewoman wears me out, yes. But there are far worse things I could do with my time. Gods, I could be home in Goneril helping with the household chores again, stoking fires and lugging bags of flour from the mill.

Hilda's lips fall into a frown, "I meant it when I said sorry. A few of the other students accuse me of using people. But I don't want you feeling that way, Rolan. With you it's... different." She slides our fingers together; two become one. "Being honest... I always kinda missed you. It was nice, having you visit when we were little."

"But all I did was tidy up after you, Hilda."

"That's not the point. You didn't act all strange around me because I'm noble. You didn't help because you had to; you did nice things because you wanted to - because we were friends. How old were we both when we met? About seven?"

Thinking back, we were very young indeed. "Yeah, around that age if I remember rightly."

Hilda links her arm with mine. I close my eyes and enjoy the moment, "Never thought I'd see you again," she confesses, "The little boy from the bakers shop. When you turned up in our homeroom that morning, I couldn't stop smiling. I guess what I'm saying is... I'm grateful."

Her confession feels bittersweet. As I've grown older I've seen the truth. There are barriers between nobles and commoners - boundaries, the likes of which are often too strong to shatter. Lorenz from our class is proof enough of that. The nobility live very different lives.

I'm slightly afraid, now that I see things for what they are. I viewed Hilda as a mere acquaintance when we were young - whereas she saw me as something more. The lines are becoming blurred. I don't know what to think anymore.

Maybe Dorothea is right. Hilda might be using me. But, if such is the case... I don't want to walk away. This lovely pink-haired lass has so much potential; she'd be a shining star in the night sky if only she used it. "I'm happy we're friends again too - which is why you should try harder, Hilda."

"But what if I let everyone down?"

I open my eyes to the sunset, "I believe in you." There's not a doubt in my mind. "Why do you think I agreed to serve you?"

Hilda gasps, "You believe in me... Are you serious? Say it again... Means a lot coming from you."

"Miss Hilda Valentine Goneril, I believe in you. I think you could make plenty of people proud. All you need to do is believe in yourself."

"O-Okay, I'll try," she answers nervously, "B-But only a little bit."

Hilda turns and faces me. She's close; her tiny breaths tickle against my cheek. Again I'm lost in the depth and serenity of her eyes. I can hardly breathe; I'm robbed of my senses. She leans nearer and nearer; I bring my arm around her waist... I'm hypnotized; drawn further in by her soft ivory skin and the fullness of her lips.

A twinge of urgency stops me from closing the gap at the last second, "L-Let's not. If we're caught like this we might get into-"

I'm silenced by Hilda's finger against my lips. "Nope... Not gonna happen."

She withdraws her finger, pressing her lips to mine with a heartfelt whimper. We share a kiss. A second. Even a third. She tastes sugary sweet. I'm losing myself; my heart beats together with hers. I don't care if I'm being used. Hilda is far too precious.

As the final rays of sunlight fade, we part. Hilda flashes me a tender smile. "We should head back to the monastery soon..."

"Agreed."

Against my better judgement, a second lovely women captivates me. I feel guilty, but it's as Mother often said when I was small.

You cannot help for whom your heart yearns.

To be continued...

There you have it. Another chapter comes to a close. Did you enjoy it? Would you like to see more in future? Feel free to leave some feedback and share your thoughts. As always, keep on supporting Fire Emblem and I'll see you in the next chapter. Thanks again!