Being Exalt is never easy.
Chrom currently found himself wandering the halls of the castle, reflecting on the years that had now come and gone. The good decisions and the bad. It was a habit that he found himself doing more in his spare time as time had passed. It seemed that age has begun to catch up to him. He could feel that he was no longer the same young man that once dreamed of establishing an era of peace and prosperity to all. That man was long gone, and all that was left was this weary old man that had been fighting for the better part of his life.
As he walked, he passed numerous portraits of his predecessors. Most of them he passed without much of a thought, but he always made a point of stopping at one portrait whenever he had time.
The portrait of his dear departed sister Emmeryn. The Exalt that was meant to be and the sister he had failed to protect all those years ago.
Being Exalt was a heavy burden that Chrom had secretly wished that he would never inherit. He knew he was something of a blockhead when it came to matters of ruling and political etiquette, he was never as political savvy and coolheaded as Emmeryn. If he had been, maybe he could have prevented all the wars that followed her demise.
But he was not, he was first and foremost a warrior. A man that knew his way around a fight and would have been quite content to just remain a personal guard for his older sister.
A guard…It was a simple role that he could not even handle properly. He never forgave himself for failing in this one task. One night of inattention that was all it took for the assassins to make their move. He still caried the scars and still had trouble with one of his legs from time to time.
He turned his gaze towards the portrait next to his sister. It was his own portrait, but he was not alone on it. His family was depicted in it as well. His dear wife Sumia who had a smile that was sadly too uncommon today, and then it was his two beloved daughters: Lucina and Cynthia.
Cynthia that was too soon taken away from this world. Chrom felt tears forming around his eyes. What he would give for experiencing just one more of her antics, no matter how outlandish it may be. She was another of his failures to protect his family.
And then it was Lucina. While it bought him a small amount of comfort that he still had her, she too had suffered greatly because of his incompetence. Captured in a battle that he himself should have been present instead of her. Then forced to suffer unspeakable atrocities for years before being sent back home a cripple and with a child that was conceived out of wedlock.
Chrom chuckled. It was a chuckle that was devoid of any joy.
He was a failure as a brother, a failure of an Exalt and a failure as a father.
While his wife never said it out loud, he was certain that she blamed him for what had befallen their children. He did not mind it.
It was only fitting after all.
Yet he had wished that Sumia would at least accept their illegitimate granddaughter, Morgan. His wife had refused to have anything to do with the girl and only tolerated her presence because Lucina had begged her to not send the girl away.
He had on numerous occasions asked his wife for her reasons whenever they were alone. Many explanations were given, but they all boiled down to one common point that was just told in various forms:
The girl terrified his wife.
Already from their first meeting, his wife had developed a certain unease with her own grandchild. Claiming that the girl emitted an unpleasant presence and at times growing almost hysterical with fear, noting frequently how Morgan had her father's eyes.
That last point had given the Exalt a revelation about his wife perception of their grandchild; that it was not the girl herself that his wife disliked and feared, but rather her father and anything that was related to him. While Morgan in appearance greatly resembled her mother, her mannerism was not unlike a certain tactician before he returned to his homeland.
In addition, he had been told that the girl was very gifted by her tutors. He had even read some of the writings that they had assigned her. He would struggle to comprehend them at times, but he did note that the way she described her solutions to various hypothetical problems was eerier like her father's own writings during his time in Ylisse.
She was almost a second coming of Ylisse's once beloved grand tactician.
Chrom had tried to reason with his wife, but it was clear that while Sumia would tolerate the girl, she would never truly accept her.
Ironic, given how his wife had a similar experience with Frederick concerning Severa.
He never meant to learn about, but he couldn't help himself from eavesdropping that one time his wife confronted Frederick about his treatment of the redhead.
It's been years now, but he could still remember the conversation clearly.
''I know you cared for her Frederick, but I would ask that cease to treat her daughter so harshly. It's not fair and Cordelia would never have wanted it. Look, I'm not asking you to like her, just accept her as another recruit to the Shepherds.''
Chrom could not see them, as he stood behind a closed door back then, but he knew his old friend enough to imagine that he had a stiff feature when Sumia placed her request.
''Is that an order my Queen?''
Sumia made an audible sigh.
''No Frederick, it's a request from one friend to another. I cared for her too you know, and I know that she would only want the best for her daughter.''
''I…I'll consider it my Qu…Sumia…now if you would excuse me...''
Chrom would like to think that it was around this time his wife began to be more cordial with Morgan as well. As for Frederick, he would eventually stop to single the redhead out during training and began to take a more active role as her mentor.
The girl proved to be her mother's daughter and was now set to take over Frederick's place as captain of the Guard as he himself grew older.
Old. They were all growing old.
It's been a few years since he agreed to the peace with Plegia in return for his daughter and granddaughter, as well of other financial concessions.
Morgan had grown into a fine young lady of around twenty summers. She had let her hair grown, no doubt an attempt to imitate her own mother, whom she adored like no other as the years went.
Chrom only wished that Morgan had not inherit her mother's terrible sense of fashion. It was a minor complaint from Chrom's side (one he still secretly adored her for), but he was glad that the girl had enough sense to let the servants pick her clothing during official events. He also noticed that she would catch the eyes of quite a few young nobles during these events. He might need to play matchmaker soon for his granddaughter at some point in the future, although the girl had shown little interest on the opposite sex.
The years had not been too kind to Chrom though, he would struggle to wear his armour that once felt like a second layer of skin. And despite his efforts his sword-arm had also grown weaker, he now had to be much more economical with his strikes during duels less he grow fatigued too quickly.
Chrom looked out of a nearby window. It was about time that the meeting with the council would begin. As he made his way towards the meeting room, he decided to take a quick detour around the training grounds, hoping to catch a glimpse of his daughter and granddaughter on the way.
He was in luck for both mother and daughter was present in the grounds. The Exalt was tempted to make his presence known, but knew he had to hurry to the meeting. He could at most only spare a few seconds watching his girls training.
Or more correctly Morgan's training. Lucina never came over her ordeal in Plegia and remained bound to her wheelchair even after all those years. Instead, she had taken the role to be Morgan's instructor.
Unsurprisingly, Morgan had for that reason adopted her mother's more nimble and agile way of the sword. She showed great promise, but it was clear that it was not her forte. Like her father, she was always more inclined to the way of the book then the martial arts.
Even so, early on her mother had requested that Morgan be allowed to use the family sword Falchion for training.
A request Chrom quickly granted.
Like many members of the royal family, Morgan proved able to lift and use the sword, but unlike him and Lucina the blade was a clumsy weapon in the young bluenette's hands. The young mage described it as heavy and awkward to use.
It seemed that the blade had not yet accepted her fully. Yet Chrom considered it a victory all the same, it made it easier to discuss a certain issue with the council. And if nothing else the blade's heavy weight did help Morgan develop the necessary muscle for battle.
Chrom made his way towards the meeting room.
If it was something Chrom disliked when it came to the duties of the Exalts, it would be the political duties. However, this meeting was of great importance. As it concerned the matters of his succession, a topic that has been going on for years now and Chrom intended it to end today.
The meeting room was occupied by dozens of nobles from the Halidom. They sat in a semicircle with Chrom sitting at the top the circle on a heighten seat giving him a clear view of everyone present.
While Chrom knew the names and titles of everyone present. He could not claim that he had a close relationship with many of them anymore. Most of the old Lords and Ladies had by now been replaced by their children or appointed heirs. Another reminder of his growing age.
The meeting had now been going on for a few hours.
''Preposterous! Outrageous! I will not have it! No spawn of Plegia should ever sit on the Exalted throne of Ylisse! I will not have it! She would sell out our country the moment she sat on the throne!''
Chrom repressed an annoyed scowl.
It was always the same problem with this same noble. A particular fellow who hailed from the outskirts of Ylisse near the border.
''Need I remind you Lord Jerome that you're speaking about a member of the Royal family. As for your concern if my granddaughter should ever take an action that this council deems to be of harm to Ylisse. It is well within your rights to vote against said actions.''
Another noble spoke out, an intimidating looking man named Brady. He was the son of Duchess Maribelle, an old friend of Chrom.
''While Lord Jerome could put it out more nicely if it's a source of worry about Lady Morgan. Why can't we once again consider Owain for the position of Exalt?''
Chrom was not surprised that Brady had once again suggested his nephew Owain. Both were known friends since boyhood. Yet Chrom could not help but suspect that Brady would not try to take advantage of his close relationship with Owain. His mother Maribelle was known to have a very keen mind when it came to political matters. While he liked the Duchess and her family well enough, Chrom would prefer that his successor was as independent of though as possible.
It did not help that there were doubts of Owain's abilities in matters of state. Luckily Chrom didn't have to voice his worries about his own nephew. As Lady Miriel head of the royal academy spoke on his behalf.
''Out of the question. While Lord Owain is no doubt a man of…noble qualities and posture. He has shown an inadequate interest in the teachings of statehood. He would make an unsatisfactory Exalt by my judgement.''
Miriel adjusted her glasses before she continued.
''Lady Morgan would make a much better choice, she is gifted and learned. The people of Ylisse would be better served with an Exalt as learned as her.''
Another Lord voiced this opinion. A noble from the western part of the capitol; Lord Tally or something Chrom was not sure.
''How is it that we're so quick to disregard Princess Lucina and her claim? She is alive is she not? And pardon my bluntness, but is she still not at an age where she could deliver another heir? I say that we marry her to someone of a more noble lineage, so that she may give the Halidom an heir of pure Ylissean blood.''
While Chrom disliked the way Lord Tally referred his daughter as a mere commodity to be used as the situation demanded, the haughty noble had a point.
Again, Chrom would not need to reject this proposal himself, as other in the assembly where quick to shot it down. First amongst them was Lady Nah of the southern borders of Ylisse. She was a curious member of this gathering of nobles. Her father had been a mere peasant who joined the Shepherds during the war against Valm. He distinguished himself greatly during the conflict and was rewarded noble status (and a generous plot of land) after the war. As if taken from a fairy tale, Nah's father had met her mother during the war. Her mother however was no mere human, but a member of the near mythical species called Manakates. A race that was renowned for their ability to transform into dragons as well as their near immortal lifespans.
This however was for the common folk just gossip and rumours, and Chrom intended to keep it that way. There was a reason for Manakates to be near extinct in these times, and Chrom vowed to protect them the best he could. In fact, one of the reasons, he gave a such a huge plot of land to Nah's father, was so that his wife would have room to transform without causing much trouble.
However, he would have appreciated that Nah and her mother would be more discrete with their heritage. While Nah had the appearance of a mere child, she was in fact nearing forty summers this year. You only get so far with the excuse of being ''well-preserved''. Her pointy ears did not help on the matter either.
Not that it mattered now. At this point it could be said that Lady Nah's heritage was an open secret for members of the assembly that its members choose to ignore at the Exalt's behest (and demand).
''Pure Ylissean blood? And what did you mean by that Lord Tally? Surely you don't intent to suggest…say…your own son? Or is it some other noble that you just happen to be familiar with.''
Before Lord Tally could answer the accusation, high priest Libra interrupted with his own words.
''Lord Tally suggestion, while having its…merits…would not work. I know that Princess Lucina is now infertile and won't be able to sire another heir. Nor am I confident that she would be able to rule. Her health has deteriorated much in the last few years.''
The room went quiet. Various nobles began to mumble to their respective neighbours and Chrom knew that it was his time to decide.
It was not much of a decision. The choice was obvious, but he needed to placate the faction that had doubts about Morgan's Plegian roots.
''My Lords and Ladies, I thank you for your council and I have made my choice: Lady Morgan will be my heir. But I won't casually disregard your doubts about her parentage, so I will offer you this: Let her take the Rite of Awakening, if the Voice of Naga should find her wanting. I would defer to your wishes and name Owain my heir. But if she is accepted by the Voice, I would demand that you all offer your fealty to her as the rightful Exalt. And may none ever bring doubt about her heritage thereafter.''
None in the room spoke or made a notion of refute. It had been accepted and the meeting was concluded shortly after.
At least for the others. Chrom on the other hand had one more meeting he needed to attend today.
It was a meeting with dignitaries from the outside. A meeting with representatives from Ferox and the various independent nations of Valm.
Aaaannnnd another chapter done! ^^ This was a long one and hope that you found it enjoyable to read. Think I might have overdone it at some points, but those parts were the parts I enjoyed the most to write.
In another note I have rewritten chapter 1, 2 and 3.
I think would do this gradually as it has proven to be too exhausting to do in one go.
Also, to answer a question I have gotten.
One is why Grima didn't go after Tiki if he is so egocentric about ruining anything related to Naga. I think I would say that it's because it won't serve him much purpose other then giving him some bragging rights. And it would cost him resources that he can't afford to spend at the moment. Despite his remarks or what other characters thinks, he actually does have a plan with his cruel actions. A plan I hope to put into writing soon ^^
Until next time