Chapter 22: Forgotten
"Cordelia, please, talk to me," a desperate Robin pleaded as he followed the silently fuming Cordelia around the castle halls. The redhead only huffed in response as she continued walking, not even caring to glance back at her husband. "I can't figure out what's wrong if you don't tell me why you're mad!"
As soon as those words left his mouth, Cordelia whipped around and glared at Robin, the gaze causing the shunned man to retreat a few feet backwards. "Maybe you should figure it out on your own, since you're so smart!" And with that snappy retort, Cordelia walked out to the castle stables, leaving the confused and worried tactician behind.
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"I just can't figure out what I did to make her so mad at me, Chrom. Y'know, I've been thinking on it, and I'm fairly certain I haven't said or done anything that would set her off." Robin sat behind his desk with his hands running wildly through his hair, desperately contemplating just why his wife was so angry with him.
"Well, is it her birthday? I know Sumia would be awfully mad if I forgot that," Chrom offered, leaning against a nearby doorframe as he tried to assist his friend's brainstorming. The exalt was silently thanking Naga that he wasn't in Robin's shoes at the moment.
"No, no, her birthday isn't for another month," Robin returned, now leaning back in his chair and pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Oh, so that's why mom was so peeved at the stable. You forgot, didn't you, Dad?" Robin heard from off to his side from his eldest daughter as she appeared just beyond Chrom in the doorway. Robin, unsure of what she meant, turned towards her with an inquisitive look.
"Forgot what? Please, tell me, Severa." The young woman rolled her eyes but, willing to offer assistance, walked towards her dad, leaning down to whisper in his ear. Chrom craned his neck in closer, trying to hear what she was informing his friend of. As he looked closer, he noticed that the color began draining from Robin's face, clearly indicating that it was anything but good. Within seconds, Robin bolted out of his seat and, shooting a look towards Chrom like he was told that someone had died, quietly told him, "I forgot our wedding anniversary."
Chrom's face fell, understanding the gravity of the situation, and walked over to place a reassuring hand on Robin's shoulder, wearing a sad smile as he looked at the doomed man. "You will be dearly missed, my friend. We shall honor your memory."
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"How could he forget?! He goes on and on about how much he loves me, but can't even remember how special today is for us! It's only been a year, and he's forgotten!" Cordelia roared, furiously throwing handfuls of hay into the trough for her pegasus as Sumia brushed the mane of hers nearby.
"I'm not defending him on this, but the peacetime may be getting to him, what with all the documents that he has to look over and officials, from small villages and from Ferox and Plegia alike," Sumia casually remarked, keeping her attention on the steed she brushed, still trying to placate her friend.
"I know, I know... our work is important, but I can't help but be pissed at him about it. I feel bad, somewhat, but at the same time, I really don't," Cordelia huffed as she walked to the stable entrance. "I'll be back in a bit, Sumia. I need a breather."
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The irate redhead walked the halls of the castle, hoping it would calm her down, but even after several minutes of her pacing, the anger she held towards her husband burned strongly as ever. As she neared her shared bedroom at the end of her walk, she began to notice out-of-place rose petals appearing on the carpeted floor, growing more and more in quantity the nearer she got to her quarters. As she approached the hardwood doors, seemingly coated with the crimson petals that littered the castle hall, she pushed the double doors wide to see Robin bent over a long table set up in the middle of their room, her husband organizing the various items coating the table. Cordelia coughed into a balled first, alerting the man who jumped in surprise and quickly turned about-face to meet her. "Oh, hi, love. You're back a little early than expected."
The slim woman crossed her arms at Robin, showcasing her lack of amusement, and looked down upon the table's contents. "So, you didn't forget,then?"
Robin smiled confidently. "Of course I didn't, darling! I just wanted to surprise you is all," he laughed, though nervously, as he brought his hand up to the back of his head and scratched at it.
"Robin, has anyone ever told you that you're a terrible actor? You were completely clueless this morning. I also know your tells when you're lying, like scratching the back of your head, so don't even try." Cordelia stared down her hunched-over husband, his eyes beginning to glance about wildly, anywhere but at her. Cordelia walked past him and investigated the table. The usual romantic dinner that Robin was ought to bring was set up, complete with candles and a full-course roast dinner. The rose petals from the corridor outside lead from the dinner table to the bed as the covers were pulled back invitingly, awaiting the occupants to return to its comfort.
"Are you… are you still mad?" Robin nervously asked as he dared to glance back to his wife as her eyes roved around the room.
"A little. I probably will be for a while. Would've been furious, though, if I came back and you had nothing prepared." She turned her gaze over to Robin, finally addressing the nervous man. "Got a little ambitious in how the night might go, though, didn't you?" Cordelia sneered, pointing over her shoulder to the heavily-adorned and well-prepared bed.
Robin shrugged. "Well, I just thought that a redo at bedroom seduction was long overdue. Especially after that incident… with Sumia."
Cordelia's frown finally cracked as she remembered the embarrassing moment. "Haha, that pose was ridiculous."
"Oh, so I'm guessing you don't want an encore of my romantic advances, then," Robin snidely added with a daring, cocky little smile.
Cordelia rolled her eyes as she pulled out a chair from the table "Well, let's see how dinner goes first."