This next chapter is going to place a lot of focus upon our Adrestian princess. Way I see it, Edelgard had a very soft and loving side to her, but it was always overshadowed by her duties as a ruler. I wanted so strip away all of that in this part: to show her as a woman without her guards and obligations. I hope I've done a good job. Seriously, I hope you enjoy it.

After all... lots of you spoke loudly and clearly. You want this story to continue. It'll be my pleasure.

Let's begin, shall we?

Innocence (Black Eagles XI)

Twice now farmers have passed by the barn, putting me on edge.

Indulgence might be a bad idea, given where we are. The world is no longer as simple as I once envisioned it.

Pained greatly by the situation we find ourselves in, I crumble. "This is all happening too fast."

I retreat from Edelgard, unsure of myself.

Seconds drag with painful slowness. My mind races where I pray for peace.

"Such is the way of Fodlan lately, Rolan," Edelgard says bluntly, closing our gap. "But you need not surrender to fear. I'm here with you."

"It's not that easy for me," I whisper; defeated. "Everything I believed true is being thrown to the damn wind. Rhea can't be trusted; the church abduct people... and there's a religious war afoot. I don't know what to believe." I hold my head in my hands, exhausted beyond compare.

"Rolan..." Edelgard grabs my biceps and shakes me. "You must regain your composure."

"You make it sound simple." Her words fail to shine through my inner-clouds. "All I know is that I want to protect you."

I'm shoved to the floor, my wrists seized roughly. Edelgard glares. "And you will, I'm sure. So long as we're together we shall make it through this."

"And what do you propose we-"

I'm slapped in the face, ripped headlong from my woes. My head swirls. Shaking myself clear, I regain my senses. I needed that.

"Look at me," Edelgard rasps. Her voice laced with allure, she leans nearer. Her eyes of ocean blue plead for release. "Trust in me; I'll ease your fears."

Held to the floor and my shirt's buttons torn wide, I shudder. Her pledge is comforting.

A princess; a woman of nobility, and she seeks my closeness of all people.

"You mean it, right? You'll watch out for me?" I ask.

"You have my word and my oath, as a noble of Adrestia," Edelgard confirms, pressing her lips to mine with heat.

Fingers sliding over the clammy curves of her hips, I deepen our kiss. I'll not refuse her offering.

It's impossible to resist a highborn's awe-inspiring radiance; not to mention her wonderfully smooth ivory skin.

Once she draws back I smile for her. "Alright. I'll take a chance on you, Princess."

I go on the offensive and slam my lips against Edelgard's: I'm rewarded with a gentle moan for my efforts. Our embrace erupts into a flashfire; becoming furious and laced with lust; a clash the likes of which I'm unwilling to loose. Aching to indulge, I meet passion with passion in return.

One kiss turns to two. Two to three. A duel the likes of which neither of us are prepared to concede.

Sweaty palms pressed to my chest, Edelgard pushes me against the creaky wooden boards. Empowered and full to the brim with regal fire; her tongue assails my mouth, knotting us as one. Her taste; her touch - everything about her is overwhelming. It's as though I'm melting; being reshaped at her will.

Second by second I feel the shackles of restraint coming loose. Parched of the sweetened honey I so desperately hunger for, my fingernails scratch down Edelgard's back until reaching her rounded backside, my palms opening and cupping her flesh by the handful.

Edelgard tears her lips from mine; her gaze cloudy with gluttonous yearnings. Her every laboured breath is hefty and thick with tension. She stares into me with want; alive with the most sinful of intentions. "Rolan..." she utters near silently, her entire body wracked by an almighty shiver, "...I've no wish to stop."

Thankfully for the two of us, neither do I.

A shaky exhale taken through my nose, I lift my back and lean nearer to the nape of Edelgard's neck. Intent on pleasing her above all else, I prepare to strike. "Seems we're of the same mind, Your Highness." Declaration of war delivered, I pinch her collarbone between my teeth.

Edelgard throws back her head of messy white hair.

I bite down harder in reply. In the deepest pits of her soul I want to leave my mark. If this moment we share is to be fleeting, I want every instant to count as though my life depends on it. Edelgard von Hresvelg is a woman worthy of respect; of admiration.

"R-Rolan..."

I'm left light-headed by the red-hot desperation to Edelgard's tone.

The last bindings of my restraint slip away, taking me past the point of no return.

Though I'm given little chance to act upon it.

My back again thumps against the wooden floor. The next thing I know I'm trapped beneath Adrestia's future ruler. Her hands clamped tightly around my wrists a second time, she's heaving; a ravenous and hungry wolf on the prowl. I'm her pray; a morsel fit to devour.

"Please..." she speaks with desperation; betraying her invigorated exterior, "Do not toy with me like this any longer." Her legs trembling, she wiggles her bottom in a manner most unladylike. "...I need relief." Freeing me from her grip, Edelgard's right hand finds its way to the belt of my trousers. Her eyes fixate upon mine: they're trembling with sincerity. "Will you help me?"

In an instant flat, my inner fires are doused. Confidence gives way to uncertainty. I'm... discontent.

She's assured - powerful. I hightly doubt she's still pure like me.

Fearful of what's to come, I avert my gaze. "I might let you down, My Lady." A weighty breath calming me, I close my eyes. "I've not gone all the way; contrary to what you might expect of me... even with Dorothea."

I feel tiny and ashamed where just moments prior I felt powerful as all hell.

Edelgard touches my cheek; gently turning my head. "Do not hide from me..."

Soothed by the motion, I find it in me to look at Edelgard.

Her eyes are calming; tinged with softness and heartfelt longing. Like the lakeside at Garreg Mach at sunrise, she draws me closer and closer. I want to lose myself; surrender all I am without hesitation. I'm under her complete control.

Where I'm wracked with worry, Edelgard doesn't appear at all shaken.

"...I want to trust you, Rolan. Like I trusted the professor; before Rhea ensnared her with lies and falsehoods." Inching nearer and nearer, Edelgard plants a short but powerful kiss to my lips. Drawing back just an inch, she keeps her focus squarely upon me. I'm lost to her ocean-like expanse; unable to resist. "I've long wished to know what it is like to join with somebody totally and completely; just this once."

The sincerity of her request is as though a hand reaching into my chest and grasping my heart. Unbarred and unguarded, I see Edelgard in a whole new way; the truth behind the empress-in-waiting. She is a woman of immense strength, but with no outlet for the stresses and fears of carrying a nation's future on her shoulders. There are hardly any she can trust, and even fewer she can depend upon.

Edelgard von Hresvelg is truly alone.

It must have taken a great deal of courage for her to place her trust in me; to lower her guard.

I can't bring myself to reject her. It would wound her in ways I don't dare imagine.

"It would be my pleasure, Edelgard..." Before I commit myself, I must be certain of something. "But what of Dorothea?"

The Adrestian girl smiles softly. "You needn't fret. What we share this day will remain a secret upon our return to Garreg Mach. It must - for the sake of my future as ruler of Adrestia, and yours... as my subordinate."

My conscience is clear if that is truly the case. Afraid no longer, I lean close and kiss Edelgard's forehead. "Alright then. I've no reason to object." Earlier vigor returning, I grant a consenting nod. "Let's enjoy the time we have."

Permission granted, Edelgard releases my belt buckle and shuffles back on her knees. Freed from confines, my manly weapon bulges against the fabric of my shorts. Lifting my hips, I lower them a fraction, revealing all I am.

Edelgard's face reddens a touch. A shy smile curving her lips, she lifts away the ragged sack-cloth garment and tosses it aside. Lowering onto all fours, the white-haired lass crawls to me - a cat on the prowl. "Close your eyes," she instructs. "I won't hurt you; you have my word."

I do as requested. With each passing second my heartbeat quickens; a drum beat within my skull. I feel Edelgard atop of me; her breaths tickle my neck. In... And out. In... And out. I'm burning red-hot; again losing control of myself - submerged in the will of another.

Edelgard's fingers slide over the tip of my manhood, causing me a stiff groan. Biting my lip, I swallow the urge to cry out in blissful delight. "Larger than I expected..." Edelgard says with allure. "But not unwelcome." A short, mischievous chuckle. Lowering herself a fraction, the tip of my spear pokes against Edelgard's slick, womanly flesh. "Y-You can open them; your eyes. Look at me..."

What I find upon obliging her request has my skin prickle with desire.

Cupping me tightly in her grasp, she appears about ready to allow me inside.

Her expression shifts, portraying an ounce of caution. "Do be kind to me... I've not done this before, either."

"Y-You haven't?" my voice cracks amidst the surprise.

"No." Edelgard shakes her head.

"But you're so confident - in control."

The future empress blushes; a gentle flower. "A noblewoman's facade," she confesses at a whisper. "I'm ill-experienced with matters of this magnitude. I've read lots of books in Enbarr's palace Library telling tales of love... and lust. Nothing more."

A cooling tidal wave, relief washes over me. I exhale gladly, "Thank goodness for that. We're both the same."

"I'm a virgin also, yes," Edelgard reveals. "But I won't object... I'd like to cherish the experience; with someone I have faith in."

Armed with knowledge of Edelgard's innocence, I feel the need to conduct myself with a little more caution.

A reality check is sorely needed before we go too far. "You're sure about this? With me?"

"I would not have it any other way," Edelgard replies straightforwardly. "You have proven yourself worthy; so you need not feel distressed, Rolan."

"I-I want to, Edelgard. I'm just nervous... that's all."

"Why hesitate? If you want something you've the means to claim, you should not shy away."

In the short time spent with this woman my expectations continue to shift.

I'm allowing myself too close to her. A truth she deserves to hear.

"Out of respect for you."

"Respect... for me?"

"Right," I nod." If we do this, there's no taking it back; and I'm not strong-willed like you." Eyeing Edelgard with all the dedication I can muster, I move one of my hands and touch her arm with tenderness. "I'm flighty as all heck; my Pop made realize it on his recent visit to Garreg Mach. You're an admirable sort, Edelgard. If we take a tumble... I worry I'll fall for you. Like I said, you've plenty of charisma. And I'm drawn to women with charisma."

Case in point, Dorothea. Petra, also. The Brigid-born royal sure isn't without her share of spirit.

"Y-You might fall in love...?" Edelgard's voice trembles at my explanation. A hand raised to her chest, she inhales and exhales deeply; her body shaking. The level-headed ruler-to-be has taken her leave: replaced by a demure and soft-spoken maiden. "Few are ever forthright toward me. I don't know what to say."

"Just being honest; something my old man said I could do to work on."

"Do you mean it?" Edelgard looks to me from the corner of her eye. "You could truly love me?"

"Wouldn't put it past myself - which is why I asked."

Edelgard's eyes quiver with feeling. "Then you've nothing to fear. I'm not opposed to you harbouring feelings toward me if they're genuine." In truth..." She leans in and kisses my lips, her chest pressed to mine in a heated embrace. Upon parting she smiles sadly. "I am somewhat jealous of many at Garreg Mach: those with lovers and people who cherish them. I've never had such a luxury."

"Because you've always been guarded," I comment. An observation. "An heiress in her ivory tower."

"Correct," Edelgard nods, a lonesome tear rolling down her cheek. "So please, do not hesitate. I want this: I want you. I beg you... do not refuse me."

Behind the rigid face of a ruler Edelgard is really quite demure and sentimental.

"It'd be my pleasure." With a thundering heart I prepare: my body trembles with anticipation. "I'm ready, Edelgard."

"As am I," she replies, her cheeks flushed pink.

Any who wish to lay a finger upon my mistress (a gentle and kind soul behind her steely persona) will have to go through me. I won't hesitate any longer. I won't repeat the same mistakes hoping to break new ground. I know now who I am and where I belong. The Church of Seiros can't be trusted. Not Western Church... and I'm uneasy about Rhea as well. Everything I knew is being reshaped around me, but I won't shy away.

An instant. An unforgettable moment; forever frozen in time. Biting her lip, Edelgard eases down upon me. There follows a sharp twinge of pain as I breach her womanly barriers - melded with an immense heat as we become one. I feel her; the princess, her every twitch squeezing my aching weapon.

Head thrown back; I groan with delight. "Oh God..." I'm being constricted in a vice-like grip of bittersweet passion.

Edelgard presses her pelvis to mine, allowing me as deeply as she's able with gentle moan. Her breasts heave with every breath she takes. Her eyes misted with lust's carmine hue, she gazes into the depths of my soul with intensity, her teeth nipping down harder upon the corner of her lip.

"R-Rolan," she sighs, beads of sweat trickling down her forehead and over her heaving chest. "Is it alright?"

"Little sore," I grunt, breathing outward to steady myself. "Tighter than I expected."

"I'm going to move now." Nails sinking into my chest to anchor herself in place, Edelgard licks a fleck of drool from the corner of her mouth. "Is that okay?"

"...Go for it." There's no turning back. My innocence conquered, I surrender to her whims. "But take it steady."

"Slowly, you mean? Of course..."

Permission granted, Edelgard jerks her hips and sends sparks raging through my mind.

Again.

And again.

And again.

The air stolen from my lungs, I paw at the glistening skin of Edelgard's back. Leaning closer, I press lips to mine in a scorching kiss; her every movement bringing me nearer to release in a manner both new and truly outstanding. From this day onward I'm an Adrestian in more ways than one.

I'm pure no longer, and I don't regret Edelgard being the one to tarnish me.

Nightfall.

I found a pair of old patched up farmers overalls after searching the barn high and low.

While far from pretty or clean, they're a damn sight better than the rags Edelgard wore when I awoke beside her. At least she'll be warm and covered up, if nothing else. To stave off the nip of the evening air we're huddled up behind a bail of hay toward the back of the barn; not too far from a disused chicken coop. My guess is the farmers use this place for storage more than anything, cuz I've not seen a single animal in here: Not a cow or pig nor chicken.

What's more, a group of villagers brought a trader's wagon in here for safekeeping until sunup. I Overheard them talking about a merchant girl staying in the village tavern until she sets off in the morning. We're going to hide among her trade goods in the back and see where she ends up.

Anywhere is better than here.

Edelgard stirs, cuddling me tightly. "...Can't sleep?"

"No," I answer in a low voice. "Too much on my mind."

"About what happened earlier?" Edelgard asks, her tone gentle and affectionate. "I hope it was as nice for you as it was me."

I open my eyes. With the sunlight gone it's pitch dark in here, through Edelgard's breaths tickle my face; a sign she's close. "No complaints," I reply.

The future empress holds onto me just that little bit more intently, planting her lips against my neck in clumsy appreciation. "I should hope not."

A fleeting moment. A secret shared between ourselves. It's almost sad. It'll all be forgotten if we safely return to Garreg Mach.

Edelgard chuckles nervously. "...Thank you, for being such a gentleman toward me."

"Of course. I wasn't going to be rough with you. It was a first for us both."

"I'm not referring to that, Rolan. Our time in captivity, I mean. You've safeguarded me; been kind. It means a lot to me."

"Just doing my duty, Princess. I swore an oath to you as a Black Eagle. I'm gonna keep it."

"Duty..." Edelgard sighs, sounding almost dejected. "Of course..."

The following morning.

Hour after hour travelling on a bumpy road has my stomach tied in knots. If we carry on like this I'm going to be sick.

Bump. The clatter of hooves. Bump. Hooves.

Over. And over. And over.

"Rolan," whispers Edelgard. "You must endure. If we're heard we'll be caught."

My head is swirling in circles like I'm a sailor at sea; my stomach clenches.

Seiros help me... I can't hold out much longer.

Much to my relief, the cart suddenly pulls to a stop.

"Easy there, girls. I think we have some excess weight." The voice of the cart driver... I remember it.

Edelgard reaches for the bloodied knife in the pocket of her overalls. A shake of my head brings her to pause.

"Don't."

"And why not?" she questions in a low tone, the cart's driver disembarking.

My stomach eases as memories surge.

"Because I know her..."

An old friend of the family, and much beloved by my sister. A relationship held in secret, and sadly cut short.

Arriving around the back of the cart, the girl and I are reunited.

A tall and curvaceous long-haired redhead with wide a face; a pale but flawless complexion, and strong brown eyes.

Eyes that widen upon meeting mine. "...Rolan!"

The merchant girl's features form a welcoming and equally puzzled smile. "...What are you doing in there?! And with a young lady, too?"

"Morning, Anna..." Shuffling around a box, I swing my legs over the edge of the cart and climb out. Edelgard follows.

"Don't 'Morning, Anna' me! Last I'd heard from Emma you were attending Garreg Mach, and now you're on the roads between Vella!" I'm pulled into an embrace. Anna squeezes me tight, almost suffocating me. A greeting I could never escape when she courted my sister. Upon drawing back and releasing me, her eyes fall upon Edelgard. She blinks. Once. Twice. Three times. Her jaw hangs loose for many a moment.

"...Is that who I think it is?" she finally speaks, astonished.

Edelgard bows. "A good morning to you, Miss Anna. Yes... My name is Edelgard von Hresvelg. I believe your company once did business with my uncle."

"Adrestia's royal highness!" Anna blurts out, shocked and awe-struck. Again she looks to me, and back to Edelgard. A cycle she repeats many times over, making herself dizzy in the process. Her legs wobbling, I reach out to grab her before she can stumble. "What is going on here?!" she demands to know.

"...It's a really long story," I reply with a nervous smirk. "Fancy giving us a lift to Garreg Mach? Gotta get the princess to safety."

A deep grumble from Anna. "It's a Three day ride westward, past the trading outpost I planned to visit." Her eyes narrow to a stare. "It'll cost you."

Alas, my plans are bested. I turn out my empty pockets. "Kinda running short."

Edelgard steps up - the stern expression of a leader present about her. "Money is no object. How does two hundred gold sound?"

"Up front?"

"Payable upon mine and Rolan's safe return to the monastery."

A thumbs up given, Anna grins. "Sold!"

I've never seen her go from annoyed to upbeat so fast in my life. The girl really is attracted to money beyond all else.

Oh well. At least we have a ways home. I'll take what I can get.

"Sit yourselves down in the back; get comfy," Anna tells us. "Our first stop's the Town of Rena, about ten miles north. We'll stay there for the night."

Doing as asked, Edelgard and I climb aboard while Anna returns up front.

With a smack of the reins the horses are off, the cart's wheels spinning.

A long road awaits. A bumpy one. But I'm not alone, at the least.

Glancing over to Edelgard, I offer her a hand.

She accepts my gesture gladly, her cheeks darkening to a gentle crimson shade. "You'll stay beside me until we return to Garreg Mach, won't you?"

I join our fingers. "Wherever you go, I'll follow, Edelgard."

"Good. I'm counting on your protection, Rolan."

To be continued...

There you have it! I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Did you like it? Would you like to see more in future? As always, feel free to leave some feedback and share your thoughts. As always, keep on supporting Fire Emblem and I'll see you again soon. Thanks again!