Chapter Three
Robin focused intently on the large battle map that nearly covered the entire floor of the large-sized tent he was in. The center of focus was the country of Valm, with scattered red and blue wooden figures on top of the large country in various locations. Chrom had recently called for the tactician, Flavia, and their respected generals into his war room to discuss their next steps in securing a final victory against, the now-deceased, Walhart and his army.
"Most remaining groups have taken ground near Valm's port in hopes to stop us from receiving additional supplies and units." Chrom pointed at the eastern harbor stacked with red miniatures. "If we are to believe this is the last force, we must take to end this war, then I vote we take three battalions and finish them off. Mercy will be granted to those who wish to surrender."
A sounding approval echoed around the tent by all the generals, including Flavia herself. She, more than anyone, even the rebels they're assisting, now wished to see this war over since the fatal loss of her country's western khan, Basilio. Robin, as well, nodded his head in approval but advised they have a support unit stay back in case things change.
"After all, this is Walhart's army, one he has personally trained and handpicked his generals that have managed to outwit my strategies." He added. "Last thing we need is to be caught in an obvious trap."
Chrom agreed as he ordered his generals to prepare the troops, for what they could hope for, to be one final battle. The generals nodded and bowed to their Exalt before exiting the tent to carry out his orders. Just outside the flap as it stayed up from one of the stationed guards holding it open, Robin could spot Lucina patiently waiting for either him or her father.
Days had passed, since Robin's first night with her, which ended in what only could be judged as a hilarious, ironic ending. Since then, the white-haired tactician and the blue-haired princess continued to see each other more often. Coming close to the point of their secret nearly being exposed to the others, including Chrom himself.
As the final officer left, Chrom approached Robin with an exhausted smile on his face. His eyes were sunken to the point it looked as though they could get lost in the darkness.
"To think this is almost over."
"I know, it seemed only yesterday they were invading our shores, but now the roles have switched," Robin commented with a sigh. "I wasn't expecting day and night back-to-back fighting and I hope I never do again!"
Chrom laughed as he patted the tactician on the back before heading to the exit, spotting Lucina just outside the tent.
"There you are," he said. "I've been looking all over for you. You missed the meeting."
Lucina looked at him puzzled, as her father approached her.
"Did Robin not tell you about the war room meeting we were having?" Chrom questioned, concerned that Robin hadn't found her either.
"No, he told me that you wanted me to take a couple of soldiers and hunt a boar that was seen in the area nearby so we could cook it for lunch," Lucina answered looking back at Robin who had the biggest smile on his face.
Chrom then turned to look back at his tactician.
"Robin, I asked you to have her come, not hunt a boar," Chrom said slightly annoyed but not wishing to pursue something so trivial.
"Sorry Chrom," Robin could only say, trying to hide his smile. "I had another request from one of the captains and I must have accidentally assigned Lucina to hunt."
Lucina could tell it was a huge lie but could not say a word without letting slip the boot incident that was the cause of the infamous cleaning day. Even her father, one of the many observers, made a comment on Robin cleaning his tent being rare and that it is either for a girl or he knows about the list. Something Chrom admits, he is embarrassed to have voted in, but knew it was true and was surprised that Robin's tent didn't rank higher, what with the rotted food that covered nearly every corner of the shelter.
"Whatever may have happened, it's in the past now," Chrom said with a tired look. "In the meantime, Robin, could you catch Lucina up. I have some business I need to attend to with the rebels and then there's that pie incident with your mother." Robin looked at Lucina.
The crowned princess could tell her father was working himself nearly to death, trying to finish this war as soon as possible so they may focus their efforts on stopping a catastrophic event from unleashing as it had in her time.
Both Robin and Lucina agreed as Chrom walked away, leaving only them and the two guards posted outside of the tent, as Robin approached his new partner-in-crime.
"I cannot believe you missed the meeting like that." He joked only to be met with a fist to his arm.
"That's because you never told me about a meeting!" Lucina argued, trying not to laugh as well, before grabbing his arm and pulling him away from the tent. "Come now, you're going to have to explain everything you guys talked about in that meeting." She said, leaving the two posted guards slightly confused about the display that just happened in front of them.
"I see," Lucina pondered after Robin finished explaining the details of the next mission. "When do we head out?" She then asked, her eyes starting to shine a bit with enthusiasm.
The two had found themselves in a small, hidden area, in camp to discuss the plans in private and to share some alone time. However, now and then, soldiers and Shepherds would pass by, some noticing the two and making comments while others passed it off as there was probably nowhere else to sit.
"Once the battalions are packed and ready, we could be leaving as early as today," Robin replied, his mouth full of soup as he downed the last of the broth. "Whew! That's some good boar soup! Thank you so much for hunting this down!" He smiled.
Lucina rolled her eyes at him, noting he had a piece of lettuce stuck to the front of his teeth, before politely eating her soup in a manner to fit royalty.
"Since when did you start eating so…noble like?" Robin asked as he tried to get the lettuce out with his tongue.
Lucina's face turned red.
"W-Well you see…s-since the wars almost over. We'll be heading home, and it'll be the first time I'll have been home, and I wanted to practice to not embarrass myself in front of the court!" She quickly spoke.
Robin could only laugh at her misfortune.
"I don't think anyone will mind how you eat your soup. After all, if you've seen how Maribelle gets on both your father and Lissa for their table manners, it should tell you you'll be fine."
"You think so?" Lucina asked with worry.
"Of course." Robin smiled. "After all, if those two can survive noble camp with Maribelle and still not had learned a thing or two, I think you'll survive."
Lucina sighed in relief as she went to finish off her soup in the same manner Robin had. Taking her bowl and drinking the rest of it before slamming it down in a satisfied manner.
"You're right, that is good!" She exclaimed.
"Um, Lucina?"
"Yes?"
"You have some lettuce stuck to your teeth?" Robin pointed.
Lucina quickly covered her mouth.
"I do?" She asked.
Robin smiled.
"Gotcha!" He began laughing. "The score is now two-to-one!"
"Oh, so we're keeping score now?" Lucina asked as she took a scrap of boar meat, still in the bowl, and flung it off her spoon at the tactician, hitting him square in the face.
She giggled at the humiliated man, unable to do anything as several soldiers had then walked by. Some noted that not only was Robin messy, but a messy eater included.
"I believe we are now tied?" She smirked as she reached over and picked off the piece of meat before eating it. "That is good boar meat. So glad I hunted some this morning instead of sitting around in a boar-ing meeting."
"Did… did you just make a pun?" Robin asked surprised as Lucina had never once attempted humor in that way.
Lucina, pleased with herself, could only nod with enthusiasm. Just as Robin was about to retort with a pun of his own, Frederick and Cordelia passed by, eyeing the two.
"Why are you both sitting here?" Cordelia asked.
"Yes, why are you both here?" Frederick repeated. "There are plenty of seats around the mess tent to sit and eat."
"Yeah," Cordelia agreed. "The two of you sitting here almost seem like you're dating."
"Um…well you see…" Lucina, red-faced, began to stumble over her words, trying to give a reasonable and acceptable answer that would not draw suspicion.
"Chrom asked that I go over the battle plans with Lucina since she missed the war room," Robin interjected, trying to keep a straight face.
The large knight, that was Frederick, silently starred at the young tactician with skepticism. Robin could tell the man was not going to believe his statement, even though there was truth to his statement.
"And why did the princess miss these strategy meetings?" Frederick questioned. "I doubt his royal highness would be willing to accept that his daughter, the future Exalt, would be allowed to miss something like this."
"That's because she went on a hunting party to catch the delicious boar, we are all eating right now."
"And who asked you to go on this hunt?" Frederick turned his attention to Lucina who had gone silent, trying to avoid his gaze. For her, even as a child, it was difficult to lie to him, especially since he had that strong look that made every lie turn into the truth.
"It…it was my own decision." She said, coming to an answer she hoped would pass. "Right before I knew about the war meeting, I saw a boar out in the woods and took a few soldiers to hunt him down. Just ask around, they'll confirm with my story."
Frederick took his time staring at the now completely red princess as she nervously shook in her seat, sweat starting to fall down her forehead.
"Alright, I'll check in with the soldiers," He finally answered. "However, milady, I ask that you take your role as princess more seriously. We do, after all, have others who can do the hunting for you. Your position is too important to be wandering in the woods, especially with a war still happening."
"O-Of course! I'll be more careful in the future!"
Frederick grunted as he glared at Robin, one last time, before walking away from the two. Cordelia only stared before following the great knight. Once they were out of view, both Robin and Lucina let out a large sigh.
"I thought they were going to figure us out." Lucina groaned.
"Cordelia, probably not," Robin stated. "But Frederick, he hasn't been one to trust me so willingly, especially when I first joined the Shepherds. But now, that the Exalt's daughter is here and he's seeing me be around her, I'm sure he's bound to get suspicious around me again."
"I wonder how he would react if he found out about us?" Lucina began to ponder.
"I'd rather not." Robin imagined not just Frederick but Chrom and Sumia, aiming their weapons at him while he's tied to a pole.
"Well, let's go sit somewhere else before anyone else starts to question us." She suggested.
Robin nodded as the two collected their things and moved to a no location, more public.
"Alright, we're heading towards Valm Harbor. The last remaining force of Walhart's army has dug into the seaside town. It'll be a couple of days until we arrive, but remember, we are still at war. The enemy could attack at any moment so stay vigilant." Chrom addressed the soldiers and Shepherds.
Robin sat patiently on the first wagon with some supplies; Donnel controlling the reins. To the left of him, Stahl and Sully were the front guards with several cavalrymen. In the back, Chrom, Lucina, and Sumia were guarded by the rear guard consisting of Frederick, Cordelia, and Cherche. Vaike, Virion, Say'ri, Kellam, Lon'qu, Mirabelle, and Lissa were stationed in between. The remaining Shepherds were tasked with breaking down camp and heading back towards Valm Castle.
"Let's move out!" Chrom ordered as the line of wagons began to slowly start moving with four battalions following behind.
Hey all thank you so much for reading, I'm aware that this is only the third chapter within a day from posting the other but I get really excited to post when I finish a chapter. I promise I will set it up to post on a regular schedule, possibly every Saturday. Anyway, thanks for reading once again, and stay tuned!
