Minerva had very few moments to herself. She was always busy somewhere, whether it was giving out orders to the Whitewings, discussing tactics with the other higher-ups, training, or being asked to keep her brother in check. Now she had the opportunity to relax, out of that clunky armor and exerting little to no energy laying under a tree outside the castle. It was refreshing, to say the least. Zenith was a strangely peaceful war despite the war between Askr and Emblia. How she wished her own kingdom could say the same.

"Princess Minerva?"

The wyvern lord glanced sideways to see the Crown Prince of Renais peering over her. Unlike Minerva, he was fully dressed in some light armor, a training lance in his right hand.

She stayed silent, waiting for him to continue.

"I did not expect to see you here. Taking a brief respite, I presume?"

She nodded. "I don't get many opportunities to relax. I can see you are the same."

Ephraim offered a slight smile. "You're right. I had just finished training. I was hoping to rest under this tree for a moment, but it seems you've beaten me to it."

"This tree belongs to no one. There is plenty of room under this shade."

Ephraim put a hand up to his chin, as though contemplating what was not really an offer, but an observation. "I understand."

The younger man walked out of her sight and took a seat on the opposite side of the elm. The blazing sun overhead had caused some recent complaints among the Order of Heroes. This tree covered a very wide area that could protect many who chose to stand underneath it from the overpowering rays.

The young prince removed his armor and set it aside. His linen shirt was drenched in sweat, but he was in the presence of a princess, and fortunately for him, only he knew what had happened the last time he exposed his skin in front of a lady.

Though Princess Minerva is very different from the one previously mentioned. Still, Ephraim decided to stay decent in case she decided to walk around. After all, he never knew how she would react.

"How are you, Prince Ephraim?" He heard her say from behind him.

Ephraim hadn't expected this. Princess Minerva usually opted to remain silent, even when spoken to on professional terms. She didn't seem to be one to initiate or indulge in idle chatter.

"I'm well, thank you. The squad I was last assigned to was a strange one, but we pulled through."

"Is that so? Would you mind telling me who you were with?"

Ephraim hesitated for a moment. "It was… Setsuna, Larcei, and… Michalis."

Minerva raised an eyebrow at this. "My brother was with you?"

Ephraim nodded to himself. "Yes. He's… a bit rash. I've noticed he does not take kindly to being ordered around."

"I see. I apologize."

The prince looks up, confused. "What are you apologizing for? His actions are not yours."

Minerva sighed. "As his sister, I feel obliged to take responsibility for his behavior."

"Please don't. When I find myself guilty of any wrongdoing, I would not want Eirika to apologize on my behalf."

"Ah, yes. Eirikia is your twin sister, correct?"

"That's right. The two of us, we're rather close."

Minerva smiled. Ephraim seemed to have sensed this from her silence. "Don't get the wrong idea." He added.

She let out a short laugh this time. "That wasn't what I was thinking. I'm just… envious of you two is all. Sometimes I wish my brother and I would find common ground every once in awhile. Ever since he killed our father in cold blood, we've become terribly disconnected. I wish there was a way for the two of us to reconcile. It would be the only way to properly apologize to Maria for everything she's been through."

Ephraim didn't say anything for a moment. Minerva rather liked it that way. She didn't speak to others often about the strained relationship she had with her brother. She didn't want to get into any specifics, but letting out the general problem to an ally was good enough for her.

"I believe there is one place where the two of you could find common ground."

Minerva closed her eyes. "And what would you know?"

Ephraim breathed in. "I didn't mean to be rude. I was just suggesting that I can think of somebody the two of you should talk to."

The princess waited. "Go on."

"Well, I know Michalis has only just recently arrived, but I've seen his interactions with Maria. She seems to be the only one to be able to hold a proper conversation with the man, and the only one never to be rudely dismissed. Forgive me, but I can say something similar about you. Maria brings out a... different side of you two. The three of you are siblings. Have you not thought of speaking to one another about this? It's the only way anything will ever get done."

Minerva thought about this for a moment. Michalis once willingly held Maria hostage in order to keep Minerva on a leash. Even now, Minerva had not and likely will never forgive him for this. And the young girl still loved the two of them as much as she ever had. If what Ephraim was saying was true, maybe Michalis' soul was still intact after all.

"I… will see if I can talk to the two of them about it. Michalis will take some convincing, but I think Maria will be enough to make him agree."

"Maria will certainly be very happy about this," Ephraim says. "I have never had issues with my family, but I can't imagine there ever being a falling out between Eirika and I. Maria must be torn to see the two of you fighting.

Minerva blinks, a new surge of resolve overcoming her. She stands up. The sun had lowered a bit, and the shade was beginning to leave her side and cover more of Ephraim's. "You're right. I will go and do that right now. Thank you, Ephraim. I didn't expect somebody from another world to convince me to take the initiative."

"I'd hate to do nothing while I watch a family get torn apart. At the very least, do this for Maria. She really is a sweet young girl."

Minerva puts a hand on her hip. "One day, you should tell me about yourself, Ephraim. I think the two of us can get along."

With that, Ephraim heard the sound of the crunching of grass, and the increasing quiet as she became farther and farther. Sighing, Ephraim looked around to make sure he was alone. Then, he removed his drenched shirt and set it on top of his armor.

"C-cad! How uncouth!" Ephraim froze and looked aside without moving his head towards the sound of the voice. L'Arachel had been hiding behind a bush. It seemed like she had observed their conversation.

Before he could say anything, the glass orb of an oddly accurately thrown Mend staff landed square on his head.

"Oh! Oh, oh dear. I didn't mean to do that. Ephraim, Ephraim! Eph-" Was all he could hear before his consciousness left him.

Probably should have mentioned that I don't take hard requests because I'm not entirely on a set schedule, and my updates are usually very sporadic. Suggestions are actually very helpful in some cases.

Should probably write a bit about Judgral soon.