Morgan made a tired sigh. She had seen this coming sooner or later, but never expected Severa to mess up this badly. Things had otherwise been going well for the last few months. After the girls had begun to settle into their new surroundings, her grandfather had seen to it that they were given a trade that they would be comfortable with.
Noire, being familiar with the art of alchemy and potion brewing, had asked to be placed somewhere where she could apply her trade. And so, she was assigned to Libra as his assistant. It was a position that she seemed happy to receive, as Libra proved to be a much more patient teacher then her mother. The fact that he did not force her to try any experimental potions was also a bonus.
As for Severa and Morgan, both had asked to be assigned work in the Ylissean military. It was only natural since it was a field both were most accustomed to. And they saw no reason change that now.
Morgan requested to continue her studies as a tactician and mage. For this she was provided with various tutors from across the land. She soon learned that most of the subjects they could teach was already something she was well versed with and slowly her tutors began to move her studies from the art of war to the art of maintaining a country. Morgan wondered the implication of this but decided to not to assume anything for now.
Despite being offered the opportunity to study in the same fields as Morgan, Severa declined that offer and opted the more practical trade of being a soldier. She was quickly accepted into the Shepherds and given wide variety of responsibilities. Among her various duties included procurement of food, which now bought them to their current predicament.
Severa had purchased two entire wagons of apples for the Shepherds. The shepherds barely numbered a hundred heads there was no way that they would be able to eat all those apples before they began to rot.
At this notion, Severa defended her irresponsible purchase.
''Well, they were on sale! Limited time only. Directly from the farms of South Town! It was an offer Anna would only make for us.''
Anna the merchant. Morgan was familiar with that Ylissean merchant. Her wares were of acceptable quality most of the time, but she was a shrewd businesswoman and would make the most outlandish claims if it would help her make a sale. Given the state of the apples she doubted they were from South Town. Unfortunately, it was a sale pinch that had worked on Severa.
''Alright…Alright I get it, but how do you propose we eat all those apples?''
Severa placed her hands on her hips and proudly stated.
''Easy, we'll make apple pies! Everyone loves pies! We'll make a small harvest festival out of it! Everyone in the castle will be invited. I'll ask the Exalt for permission. Those dorks in the Shepherds need some cheering up.''
Morgan pinched her nose. More than anything she was a bit annoyed with Severa's idea. She doubted that her grandfather would be thrilled that the redhead had just blow a hole in the Shepards budget on two wagons of apples and was planning on spending more on other supplies. Morgan then asked if Severa even consider the logistical difficulties of planning the baking of such huge number of apples in such a short order?
''Well of course I did! YOU will help me organize this. See it as practise for army logistic.''
Morgan sighted. Of course, she would be the one who had work out the details. The bluenette began to wonder what had bought out her sister's festive mood. Then it struck her.
''Say…you said this was for the dorks in the Shepherds. Did you mean dorks or THE dork?''
Severa's sudden blush was all Morgan needed to see to confirm her suspicion. It was only one person she would regularly call a dork among the Shepherds. It was a certain blond man with a taste of the theatrics. Severa would act annoyed of his antics, but Morgan knew she always did it with a smile.
The young mage's sudden sly smile prompted the redhead to quickly respond.
''D-Don't get the wrong idea! I just thought this was a good opportunity to celebrate a good harvest! Besides don't try to change the subject. Will you or will you not help me? You owe me you know.''
Calling in favours? Severa really wanted to get this festival on its feet the young tactician observed. Morgan decided to indulge in her sister's attempt to arrange this elaborate date.
''Sure, sure. Just ask the Exalt for permission first and give me a recipe of the apple pie, so that I may figure out how much eggs and flour we would need. Do it before dinner, as I would be going out to the market with my mother.''
She turned around to leave, signifying that the matter was closed. She heard her sister saying her thanks behind her as she left.
Morgan had been looking forward to spending some time with her mother. There had been few opportunities to do it as her mother had spent most of her time bedridden. However, on this day a messenger had arrived early in the morning asking her if she had time to accompany princess Lucina on a trip down to the market. Morgan was surprised by the sudden request, but it didn't take long for her to decide on her course of action. The young mage was about to prepare herself for her day out of town before she was interrupted by Severa, who wanted to show the bluenette her recent big purchase.
As the trip to the market was scheduled to be some time after dinner. Morgan decided to grab herself something to eat from the mess hall (hopefully anything that didn't include apples). The royal family would surprisingly rarely eat together. Most of the time they would have lunch by themselves, their respective duties made it impractical to dine together on a regular basis. All for the better, as Morgan still didn't feel comfortable with most of her Ylissean family. Her grandmother being the most notable case. For while she was polite with Morgan and her sisters, the young mage couldn't shake the feeling that she somehow resented her presence in particular. Unlike the rest of the royal family the queen would never try to initiate a conversation with her granddaughter, and when forced she would keep it as short as possible. She rarely kept eye contact and always formally referred her as Lady Morgan.
It wasn't hard for Morgan to guess the reason for the Queen's cold treatment. Given the circumstances it would be unreasonable to expect being accepted by everyone in Ylisse. Strangely however the Queen appeared to have a soft spot for Severa. She would subtly talk to the red head in a softer tone, and Morgan had on various occasions even overheard her making inquiries of Severa's wellbeing. The young mage had once asked her sister about this, but Severa had merely shrugged at this and told her that she had not noticed any favouritism from the Queen.
Although the red head did note that Frederick seemed to have a particular dislike for her as he would notably put her on the harshest of task and training regiments whenever he was able. Hearing about the older knight's training program made Morgan grateful that she was not under his tutelage. She was not as physically fit as her half-sister.
Morgan arrived late in the mess hall as dinner apparently had been served some time ago. It was nearly empty, and the servants was in the process of cleaning up. The mess hall was a huge room with eight long tables neatly arranged in two columns with 4 tables each. At the end of the room were a large table where food would be placed from the kitchen. Luckily the bluenette managed to secure herself some leftover bread with a slice of meat and cheese. As she looked around for place to sit and eat, Morgan found Noire sitting alone in a corner reading a book. A simple incense burner was placed at her table emitting some white smoke. The air around the brownette seemed heavy, it made Morgan dizzy and she began to cough, but she decided to approach her sister anyways. It has been a few days since she had a proper conversation with Noire.
''(cough, cough) Noire! Fancy seeing you here.''
Looking up from her book, Noire replied calmly.
''Mmmh? Hello, Morgan. It's good to see you. Please join me, dear sister.''
Morgan paused, Noire did not usually appear this relaxed. She would normally stutter whenever she talked or change to her more violent personality if she was suddenly startled.
''You seemed awfully relaxed today. Did something good happen?''
Morgan sat down in the opposite direction of Noire and began to take a bite from her bread. Noire tilted her head at Morgan's question.
''Good? As in anything unusual? Not really. The days have been very quiet, but then again that may also be a good thing.''
Noire leaned back a bit and continued. A subtle smile could be seen on her mouth.
''No, Morgan. I'm just at ease at the moment. It's good to be able to just sit back and relax without worrying about any…unpleasant and sudden request popping up. But it might also be thanks to this.''
The archer nodded towards her incense burner at the table.
''It's Libra's idea that I bring it along wherever I go and burn some incense whenever I feel a bit anxious. It works very well.''
To make a point, Noire found something from her pouch. They appeared to be different sorts of dried leaves that had been mashed into tiny pellets. The brownette lifted a lid from her burner and threw the pellets in, small sparkling sounds were heard before a denser white smoke emerged from the burner.
Morgan examined Noire carefully. Indeed, her entire stance were relaxed, her shoulders didn't seem as tense as they usually do, and her eyes had this sleepy appearance. It was weird to behold this new Noire, who was not the human version of a scared bunny or the equivalence of an enraged bear.
''Noire…(cough) This incense…Are they making you high?''
The archer began to laugh.
''Dear Gods no, the incense don't have any euphoric properties. It's does have a soothing scent and is mostly used during religious ceremonies in order ward off evil spirits. Libra also frequently used it during the war to good effect whenever he had to care for the wounded.''
Morgan began involuntary to cough more at this. Her body clearly did not agree with her sister's statement.
Noire smiled at this.
''You'll get used to it.''
The young mage decided to simply nod as a reply. As she finished the last of her meal, the archer changed the subject.
''So how does it go for you Morgan?''
Morgan wolfed down the last of her food before replying.
''Can't complain. Although it would be nice if I were given more responsibility instead of just being tutored.''
Noire stared at her sister for a few seconds before offering her own thoughts on the matter.
''If I'm not mistaken, you're being thought subjects of statehood, correct? If nothing else, it seems that the Exalt is grooming you to be his heir.''
The though had occurred to Morgan a few times, but that would put her in an awkward position against her cousin Owain, who no doubt had been in line to inherit after the demise of his cousin Cynthia. Her own mother was another candidate of course, but her poor health made it unlikely that she would be able to handle the burden of leadership.
Still if her grandfather really intended to make her his heir, he would surely announce it at some point in the future. Until then the young mage would assume nothing. She gently dismissed Noire's speculations and excused herself, citing her planned trip towards the market as an excuse. Noire's thoughts was a dangerous subject. She had learned her lesson with Validar: Best not to acknowledge any unwanted rumours and make political enemies.
''You know Morgan, I'm glad that we ended here.''
Surprised Morgan turned towards her sister questionably as she prepared to leave.
Smiling, Noire elaborated her statement.
''Everyone seems so happy now. Severa has even begun to take greater care of the wellbeing of others. And you seem more cheerful and at ease these days. It's nice to see. It suits you Morgan to smile more.''
Morgan was now fairly sure that it was the smoke that was talking. Noire was clearly high off her mind speaking like that, but then again it was good to see her sister so calm and peaceful.
''Well, we're spared of looking at Validar's face of a goat or suffer unpleasantries from our other dear siblings. That alone feels like someone has removed a couple of arrows from one's back. It's quite liberating really.''
Bidding Noire goodbye, Morgan began making her way towards the courtyard.
Her mother was already waiting on her when she arrived. The princess still needed her wheelchair to move around. Usually, it would be a servant that assisted her on that matter, but surprisingly they were absent. In fact, there were barely anyone save for the coachman and his assistant for the carriage.
When asked her mother explained.
''I sent them away. I prefer to spend this day with my dear daughter alone. I have been surrounded by guards for long enough.''
Morgan began to protest. Her mother simply laughed.
''It's fine dear. Ylisstol is safe. There are town guards in the marked and we do have one knight that can be quite discreet.''
Knight Kellam no doubt, Morgan guessed. If so, then he was most likely already there with them. Morgan had long ago given up on making any effort of finding him. There was once a time were the young mage tried to find him by calling out his name as she went about around the castle. She would only later notice him in the library as he helped her with reaching a book that was placed in the higher selves. He claimed that he had followed her the entire day, she had simply not noticed him despite his best effort of making his presence known. It was quite random whenever Morgan would notice her invisible guardian.
As they prepared to leave, Severa came running with the requested recipe of the apple pie.
''There you are! Here's what we would need to make one pie. I have also spoken with the Exalt. He was quite happy with the idea and have given us permission.''
''Really? He was happy about it even?''
At this Severa faltered a bit.
''Well…It did take some persuasion from Queen Sumia and Lady Lissa, but yes, we have the go ahead for it. Lady Lissa has even volunteered to recruit some of the servants to help us.''
''I see that is good.''
Of course, it would be Lady Lissa who would be most positive of the idea. She was always happy to arrange such events. Morgan was grateful, it meant less work for her.
She proceeded to look at the recipe and made her calculations. Some of ingredients may already be abundant in the castle kitchen, but Morgan rather not risk empty the larder of the castle. Still, it also meant that she saves a bit when she went out to the market.
''Have you informed the kitchen staff about it?''
Severa made a haughty stance and replied.
''Of course! Everything is nearly prepared. Now we only need to…''
There was a soft laughter behind them. Apparently, her mother had found their entire exchange amusing.
''Forgive me, it's just me who was reminiscences something.''
Her mother stared intently at Severa before continuing.
''You're so much like your mother, Lady Severa. She too was very diligent with any given task.''
Severa stance became guarded at this. Morgan had noticed that her sister became shy whenever her mother was mentioned. Last time the red head had showed little interest of learning anything about her mother when the Exalt hinted that he might know of her, but Morgan suspected that her sister's reluctance might be because there were a lot of people in the hall. Severa could at times be a very private person.
''You knew her?''
The princess cheerful expression quickly disappeared at the question. She had quickly caught on why Severa had referred her mother in a past tense, it implied that she already knew that her mother was gone.
''Yes, I was even there when she gave birth to you. She…was very happy when she had you. Named you immediately. She would have been proud if she could see you now.''
Severa stared at the princess with an unreadable expression. She did not reply to the princess's remark, but it was clear that she was reading her. It was as if the red head tried to discern some unsaid words from the older bluenette. Morgan knew Severa was very apt in reading body language.
It was also clear that her mother started to feel uncomfortable at the red head's gaze, and so tried to continue the conversation.
''If you have time Lady Severa, feel free to accompany me and Morgan on our trip to the market. I'll be happy tell you more about you mother in the carriage.''
Severa merely bowed at this.
''Thank you for the offer your highness, but I'm afraid I must decline. I have matters that need to be attended and I only needed to speak with Morgan about that small matter. If you would now excuse me.''
Severa turned around and left.
Her sister being suddenly formal did not bode well. Morgan knew that her mother's words had somehow upset her sister, but in what ways she was not sure. Again, she had declined an opportunity to learn anything about her own mother. Nevertheless, it was best to leave Severa to her own devices whenever she was in that mood. Morgan decided to speak to her later when she had calmed down.
Morgan then turned around and joined her mother in their carriage. She sighted again; the day had otherwise begun so well.
Heya!
Sorry for the delay. Summer came in the way ^^
Next chapter will be moving back to Lucina's POV, after that I was planning on either Chrom or Grima before coming back to little Morgan.
Also, in the process of rewriting all the previous chapters. Not major when it comes to the plot, just expansions and downsizing of some part in the story that I found unsatisfactory. So, no need to reread everything to follow up on the story.
Again thank you all for reading and seya next time ^^