Her time in Plegia was the most horrible time of her life, yet conversely it was also some of her best. Princess Lucina had just returned from a trip to the market with her daughter and was quietly reflecting on the events from her life as her daughter pushed her wheelchair towards her room.
Her daughter, her beautiful little girl. If the princess blocked everything out, the first few years after Morgan's birth was some of her happiest. That tower was their little world and the Plegians did in no way hurt or harass her or her child. It was as if they had forgotten that she even existed. She was provided for and free to do whatever she wanted as long as it was within the walls of her prison.
Morgan proved to be a lively girl. She would laugh, she would play, she would spend her days trying anything to get her mother's attention whatever it was by crying loudly for her mother or trying to snuggle closer to her. Whatever it was Lucina was all too happy to provide it for her baby daughter, for her little bird was her only light. The princess remembered the first time her daughter shrieked of happiness as she chassed her around their little room. Morgan had the just barely learned to walk and would try to follow her mother wherever she went.
But as her little girl grew, Lucina began to increasingly fear for her child's future. She contemplated to try to escape with her daughter but decided against it fow now. Her body out of shape and Morgan was yet too young to manage a trip through the deserts of Plegia.
Soon Morgan began to learn to talk, and another worry began to occupy the princess's mind. She would sing and tell stories of Ylisse to her daughter, hoping that she could pass on some of her Ylissean heritage to her. Later she would try to learn her daughter some basics in reading and math. Morgan was a quick learner, and the Ylissean princess soon found her teaching to be inadequate when Morgan was barely five summers old. Reluctantly she asked Cathrine if she could provide a tutor for her daughter. She would soon regret her request as this once again brought her the attention of the Plegian King.
Lucina remembered the dread she felt the day she once again appeared at her doorsteps. Fearing that he had finally come to take her daughter away or hurt her in any way.
However, the King would do nothing but silently sit in the room observing his daughter, while various educators would teach Morgan different basic subjects. His sudden interest in her daughter was a mystery for Lucina. As if reading her mind, the King had merely replied.
''I wish to see the potential of that runt you have given me.''
Mages and priest would also frequently visit their tower in addition to the tutors, performing rituals and test that Lucina had little understand of. Each day seemed to excite them more as they would often declare to their King.
''The blood is strong in this one.''
That statement filled the princess with a newfound terror. She feared the meaning of those words. Yet the princess forced herself to remain silent and began to plan how she might escape with her daughter.
Curiously, Morgan didn't seem to mind the situation. She would uncharacteristically remain silent during the lectures and the various tests. Obediently doing whatever was asked of her. It was abnormal, unnatural to see her usual bubbly daughter so quiet. Lucina remembered the look the King had towards her daughter. What he intended for her, she rather not know.
Their escape could not happen soon enough.
Regrettably, her daughter would shortly after being taken away. The princess would then spend the next few years alone. With her daughter gone, the Plegians began to regularly torture her. It was with an excuse of extracting information, but Lucina suspected that it was just simple cruelty.
She tried to escape three times throughout the years. All her attempts were failures as she tried to move around the castle to find her daughter. After the third time, the Plegians finally lost patience and broke her legs. They healed crooked and she knew she would never again be able to walk properly again.
Lucina began to cough.
Those dark years was behind her now, she was home, and her daughter was with her.
''Are you well mother?''
She turned towards Morgan. Her girl had grown into a fine woman. She had feared that the Plegians would corrupt her, but that was fortunately not the case. Her daughter had a kind and caring soul, and she had quickly adapted to her new surroundings. Apparently, that monster hadn't bothered with instilling Morgan any deep sense of loyalty to Plegia, but merely groomed her to be one of his potential successors. From what Lucina could gather from her daughter's tutors, she was very well educated yet very apolitical.
This bodes well for the future of Ylisse, and a mistake for Plegia that she was very grateful for.
''I'm fine dear, just a little cold.''
They were still in the months of summer.
Lucina decided to quickly change to a more pleasant subject.
''There sure were some fine clothes in the market today. I'm pleased that we managed to find that hat with the eagle.''
The hat in question literally had a stuffed eagle mounted atop. It feathers was coloured with various bright colours. It had remined the princess of tales of the mythical phoenix. Both her and her daughter had found the hat to be very impressive. The seamstress had looked at them strangely before pointing out that the hat was only for show, and not meant to be worn. This had not dissuaded Morgan, who insisted on purchasing it.
''Yes, it's awesome! Just look at it! How did they manage to even sew it up there? That seamstress might had said that it could not be worn, but the weight is evenly distributed around the head. Sure, it might be heavy, but…''
Lucina smiled at her daughter's continued admiration of the hat. Her girl had changed a lot in these past few months. While she most of the time could still be a bit moody and cautious. The princess enjoyed seeing that shell break from time to time. It remined her of the little laughing girl she once held in her arms from the past.
''I really enjoyed our trip today…''
Lucina noticed a change of tone in her daughter's sentence.
''Did they ever allow you go out of the castle back in Plegia?''
While Lucina loathed to revisit the memories of that desert. She was interested on how they treated her daughter from time to time.
''Not really, I was one of the royal children, so I was not allowed to leave the castle unless it was on an official business. I could however observe the marketplace from the castle and drove through it occasionally…''
There was a certain loneliness in her daughter's voice. Lucina imagined that her daughter's position was not much different than her own: Trapped in a small area.
While the Plegians did not torture her daughter, she was aware that they would often mistreat her and Severa for being Ylissean-born. Lucina felt a heavy sense of guilt growing within her.
''Morgan…How would you like to train with me later? I could teach you some sword techniques that have been passed down in the family for generations.''
Morgan paused.
''I would be happy to mother, but I must warn you. I'm not a very good sword fighter. I have been told that I lack the physical strength to wield a blade.''
Lucina giggled.
''Dear, you won't need much physical strength for this particular blade. If it finds you worthy, it would be light as a feather yet be able to cut through any armour as effectively as any armourslayer blade. You don't need to be strong in order to master it, just quick on your feet.''
Morgan stared at her with a confused expression.
Lucina went on to clarify her intention. Most people would say that it was unlikely given her daughter's mixed heritage, but something told the princess that it would not be the case.
''If nothing else, I'm curious to see if my dear daughter can wield the family sword Falchion.''
Another chapter done. This will be the last chapter from Lucina's POV. Next chapter will be from Morgan's father Robin/Grima? As always thank you for reading ^^