"There. You clean up rather nicely now that you're out of that terrible coat." Nodding, Maribelle gave the ribbon around Robin's collared shirt a final pat before taking a step back.

Looking at his reflection in the mirror, Robin frowned and gave the bow a tug so that it wasn't choking him quite as much. Catching Maribelle's eye, he sighed. "I feel like Frederick."

Tilting her head slightly, Maribelle raised an eyebrow in question. "A knight?"

"A butler." Quirking his lips into a small grin, he caught the smile that briefly shown on Maribelle's. Brushing the nonexistent specks of dust from his pants, he got up and offered his arm out to Maribelle. "Shall we go?"

Taking his arm, Maribelle turned her head up just a fraction before answering. "Seeing as you're finally presentable I don't see why not."

"It's a Feroxi banquet, they aren't too concerned with your finery." In fact, Robin was sure that the Khan's would show up in their regular battle gear.

"Always put your best foot forward, Darling." Not at all phased, Maribelle lead them through the halls, approaching the dining hall that the Shepherds had been instructed to gather in.

From the muffled shouting that reverberated through the stone walls, it was safe to say that their party had arrived and they were well into their revelry. Following the noise, the two soon found themselves in front of large wooden doors, slightly ajar. Poking his head in, Robin saw that the spacious room was a bustling mess of people. Skipping from one small round table to the next, some guests were constantly moving, while others staked a claim at their tables.

Pushing the door aside, they entered, hardly noticed by the guests who had already convened. Leaning towards Maribelle, Robin asked, "You sure you can handle all this informality?"

Scoffing, Maribelle surveyed the room until she found the table that Lissa was currently occupying. As she guided them along, she rose her voice to be heard. "The customs of other countries don't phase me dearest."

But no sooner had they reached Lissa's table, she was whisked away to another table that insisted she join them. She was lead away laughing, and managed an apologetic wave to Maribelle before she left. Returning the waved, Maribelle took the princess' unoccupied seat, daintily crossing her legs beneath her. Taking a glass from one of the servers patrolling the room, she took a sip.

Robin joined her at, propping his chin on his hand as he took in the banquet. He turned his head to speak to Maribelle, only to see that Vaike had crossed his line of vision, not an inch from his face. "So you finally turned up! Teach is here to teach you a lesson for being late." Throwing his fist behind him, Vaike used his thumb to point out a rowdy table. Cheering onlookers roared as the two locked in an arm wrestling match battled for dominance, one finally smashing the other's knuckles into the wood, splintering the tabletop.

Mouth open, Robin felt a sharp tug at his wrist as Vaike dragged him out of his seat, towards the crowd calling for another round. Wildly looking back, he met Maribelle's eyes for a split second.

"I, help?"

Raising her glass to her lips, Maribelle smiled over the rim of the cup, giving the tactician the slightest wave. "Good luck dear."

AN: Request for stfukid, Maura and GoesWithTheWind!

Finally reached chapter 50! Requests and suggestions are always open so feel free to send in prompts! As always, thanks for reading.