Perhaps it was because of Lissa's birthday, only a few weeks away, or because of what Laurent and Morgan had found, but everyone seemed to much…happier. The news was quickly shared with the other Mini Shepherds and their parents, and not one person appeared to be anything but cheerful. Even the castle staff, although mostly unaware of the circumstances save for Frederick, were delighted. It may still be winter, but in Ylisstol is was as if spring were already there—the almost-monthly birthdays led everyone to feel warmer.
It was a bit cold, but Lucina still trained outside as per her custom. Fortunately the sun and the exercise provided her with enough warmth that she could train with her sleeves pulled up, on one arm showing two faded, barely noticeable scars that she had received about seven months prior. She had sparred with Marth, overstepping when she asked for Marth to remove her mask; although they both apologized for their actions later, Marth had attacked and drew blood from the areas she had the most trouble defending. In a way, Lucina was thankful—the experience told her that she fought offensively, and since then she had gotten better at defending herself while protecting the others.
Lucina lowered her sword when she heard someone approach, then smiled when she saw who it was. "I don't often see you in the training area, Mother."
Robin smiled back, replying simply, "Your aunt is trying to determine what gifts she'll get again. I already gave her a vague answer, so she's hounding your father for a better response." She walked over to where the weapons were stored, getting out one of the swords and examining it. "He asked me to train with you in his stead. It's been a while since I last fought with you, hasn't it?"
"It has," Lucina agreed. Precious few chances were presented for the mother and daughter to spend time without anyone else; much less opportunities arose for Lucina to see her mother's swordsmanship and skills in action. Raising her own sword, she said, "You'll be pleased to know that I have improved since then. Shall we begin?" Robin took her place and nodded; they started their match shortly after. It was completely different from sparing with Chrom—against him, Lucina felt as if she were sparring with herself due to how similarly the two fought, but with Robin it was closer to fighting Morgan without any of Chrom's personal tricks that he had taught to both of his children.
They managed to go a few minutes, only stopping when Lucina's failure to move out of the way quickly enough led to a cut and trickle of blood. Robin's sword was lowered immediately. "I thought you got better at dodging?" Robin asked. Lucina could tell she was trying to hide her concern with a teasing tone, but it didn't succeed very well.
"It can be hard when you move so quickly," Lucina replied. She looked at the cut; right over the old scar, but barely bleeding in her opinion. In an attempt to prevent her mother from worrying, she added, "I can clean it up on my—"
Before Lucina could pull it back, Robin was next to her and looking at her arm. "…These scars aren't new," she noted distantly. "Thieves don't inflict such clean wounds. When were you sparring with someone willing to draw blood?"
"Father never told you?" Lucina asked, a bit taken aback. Chrom had, initially, only been told it was a wound from sparring—after Lucina knew of Marth's true identity, she told her father the whole story with the thought of him telling Robin in her stead.
"No, he didn't," Robin said, shaking her head. She turned away to get the bandages. "All that means is that there's a story to tell; go on, then. I'm listening."
"When we were at Regna Ferox after Khan Basilio came here to invite us, Marth, Kjelle, and I were sparring," Lucina explained in the best way she could. "I…misjudged Marth's boundaries, and I walked away with a few scars to prove it."
"What did you do?" Robin asked, surprised and still concerned. "Did you threaten to kill your father? Set Ylisstol ablaze with everyone still inside of it?" She got the bandages and turned back to Lucina, her expression both confused and alarmed, yet she didn't seem to be focusing entirely on her daughter. "Why would she..?"
"I asked what was behind her mask," Lucina admitted quietly. She knew Robin wouldn't take well to the news—she rarely took it well in situations like this, which is why Chrom had initially told Lucina to keep it a secret. "She had been talking about leaving, saying that she didn't want to leave as someone with good intentions. Kjelle brought up the point that without her mask, we could better determine who to give an ill report on. We sparred two on one; Kjelle and I lost, so as per an agreement we made, I didn't ask about what was behind her mask afterwards."
Robin sighed, walking back over to Lucina and beginning to clean off the cut. Lucina took the bandages from her and covered the small wound herself. "No one ever said she always made the best choices," Robin mused. "Although that can be said for you as well. At least I can tell you that, but Marth…" she didn't continue, instead looking directly at Lucina with a gaze she had missed for over half of her life—eyes that showed motherly concern, more than what she would typically extend to any other ally. Softer and kinder, Robin said, "Please tell me if this happens again, regardless of what your father tells you or how serious you think it is. Let us worry about you from time to time."
Lucina only nodded, having expected to hear something similar. She let her relief show when she noted, "You don't seem very angry."
"Everyone has a lapse in judgement," Robin said. "In your defense, she shouldn't have gone so far as to draw blood—but in her defense, it's not your place to pry. I know both of you have made…harmful decisions. It's fortunate that someone has always stepped in before either of you could act on it or see its permanent effects." Lucina nodded once again, finishing putting bandages on her arm. Robin took a step back and added, "Now go see if Morgan needs any help in the library; it's not the worst I've seen, but I won't let you train with a bandaged arm."
She knew better than to protest, so she put her sword away and bid Robin farewell until the next meal. Her mother continued to train as Lucina left, while the girl herself went to the library. Morgan, in light of his earlier discovery, was searching for any books that could help him. She was still taller than him, so whenever they met in the library she was asked to help him get some of the books that were out of his reach. They fell into a casual conversation as they worked together to get and replace books that were needed for what Morgan and so many others hoped to achieve.
