Hero: This chapter is perhaps my first one where I can see hate coming in. It involves Chrom, and we know how well loved he is, so yeah, get used to me going into popular character's and showing that they are capable of flaws too. Anyway, I'll go into detail after you finish this chapter.(Yeah, I'm really expecting lots of hate for this.) But another note, get used to a few shorter chapters for now because I will be building up to another long chapter like the Validar fight. I hope you're ready for that when it comes. Anyway, here's Chapter 7 of "Resolve of a Family" Please enjoy and try to keep an open-mind, Royal family fans.

Chapter 7

The group had to march on for a bit before setting up camp. They were tired from that fight, seeking rest. Well-deserved rest. But starting from the next day onward, they would move quickly the capital of Regna Ferox to mobilize their army for to take on Gangrel. Cordelia had calmed herself down mostly by then, but she had to settle in with the Shepherds quickly. Adaptability was necessary right now. But she wanted to ask Orpheus something to clear any suspicions and thank him for his care for her best friend if there was no malice in him. As she headed towards his tent, she spotted him going away from the camp; but for what, she didn't know. She decided to catch up since it might have been better if no one was around. It was then that she saw a familiar sight. Chrom, someone she has been infatuated with for as long as she could remember. She didn't however, like how he looked. He had this infuriated expression on him. She chose to hide herself and eavesdropped on Orpheus and Chrom's conversation.

"Orpheus, why did you break the plan? Some of us nearly died because of that decision of yours."

"Why, you ask? I wanted Cordelia to live, as she proved, Ylisstol was in danger. She had information with her and furthermore, I am a Tactician; isn't saving as many lives as possible while defeating the enemy the job you put me up for?"

"Yet you endangered us all the same!" Chrom retorted.

"Chrom, you may be used to little fights with brigands; barbarians with little combat experience who are used to having things their way, but I've got news for you. This is a war! This is nothing compared to what you're used to. No matter what, you are always in danger of losing your life. Even the best tactics are not guaranteed to keep you alive on the battlefield; all you have to lean on is your advisor's support and your own skill." Orpheus' grew furiously disappointed in his friend. "I'm shocked you prioritized yourself over a fellow comrade."

"But I'm more concerned for my own Shepherds, you fool!"

"Yet you would prioritize them over everyone else in the nation? My point still stands. You really have let Emmeryn take lead for too long." Chrom's mind snapped after hearing her name as he then gave a punch to Orpheus right through the face. Cordelia hid back behind the tree to regroup her thoughts. To see her lord so out of composure like that. And it seemed she got her answer; he didn't really care for her as much as she had hoped. As soon as her emotions started to build, a light laughter could be heard. She turned her head to peek out of the tree to see it was Orpheus laughing the punch off. "Hahahaha, wow Chrom. You really do miss your sister that bad already, huh?"

"Don't you speak her name like that, Orpheus! You saved her life and she saved yours; and this is how you repay her!?"

"Oh, no, I'm not disrespecting her. In fact, I've respected her even more after today." Orpheus laughed again as he rubbed his cheek, checking to feel if it were to become swollen later. "I can tell you are worried for her Chrom, but you have to respect her decisions. She's the leader here. The moment she took that role of Exalt, she was aware of what she had to do. She had to put complete strangers' needs above her own."

"But her family matters just as much!"

"It does. It's as you said; 'just as much.'"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean your words and wishes are on an equal playing field with everyone else's." Orpheus explained with a bored tone; as if pointing out the obvious. "To her, everyone is her family and you need to understand that. If not, how will you make a great leader?"

"Just what are you implying with those words?"

"Nothing much, really. You are the prince, after all. You're her hand that helps extend that care to everyone else. But you clearly have a long way to go if you're fine with Miss Cordelia dying so easily for your own childish desires. Don't be selfish, Chrom-"

"You are in no position to say that, you hypocrite!"

"Ha, and I was just about say that. Are you by chance, a Psychic?" Orpheus chuckled to himself as the mockery continued to rain. "But yes, don't be like me. You should learn through my mistakes after all." Orpheus laughed to himself one last time. "Now go, you have leadership skills to practice on."

"...Fine. Next time I see you, I hope you loosen up that attitude." Chrom said as he turned around.

"Is that an order?" Orpheus asked as he leaned against the tree.

"No, more so a request. I can't force you to change, but I can at least try to ask you to change willingly."

"I see… well, just be careful where you're walking. Don't want you to get hurt." Orpheus grinned as Chrom walked off. Orpheus then took a big sigh as he was done with Chrom's emotions. As he glanced around, he spotted a sight of red sticking out of the tree, and then noticed it was Cordelia.

"Oh no… you heard all that didn't you?" Orpheus face looked blank as she saw her nod her face. "This is very bad. Hey, I was just defending you…" She saw as she began to take a step back. "Don't… don't do it." But she began to run back to camp going as fast as her legs could carry her. "Oh gods, damn it all!" Orpheus slammed his fist against the tree he was leaning on. What a way to make a first impression.

He tread his steps painfully back to camp, where he was spotted by Sumia.

"Orpheus, there you are!" She waved to him as she then approached the Tactician.

"Oh, Sumia. Did you need me for something?" Orpheus replied.

"Yes, it's about Chrom- Orpheus, what happened to you? Your face looks so red on one side!" Sumia cut herself off as she noticed the spot where Chrom had punched him.

"Oh this? It's nothing, I just hurt myself a bit; but continue with what you were saying."

"Oh, okay… Well, Chrom looked like he was in a bad mood, so I was wondering if you knew what was wrong..." Sumia said with a worried tone.

"I assume it's about Emmeryn. You know he cares for his sisters a lot."

"I guess so."

"...Oh, I think I know what you can do if he's still feeling down."

"Oh?"

"Have you ever slapped someone?"

"No, but… Oh! I remember Captain Phila said it was good to get someone back into reality!"

"Yeah, you know of it! I'll show you." Orpheus gritted his teeth as he approached the young Pegasus Knight, with a scheme in the works. "You see, you get your hand like this…" Orpheus then grabbed her hand and shaped it into a fist and moved her arm back. "Alright now picture Chrom in front of you, all bothered still."

"Okay, I can see him now." Sumia visualized as she took a deep breath.

"Alright now swing it across his face with everything you got!" Orpheus ordered.

"Alright!" Sumia then took a swing at the air in front of her. "How was that?"

"Perfect! Now be sure to do that in front of him; the harder you hit him, the better his chances are at feeling better."

"Alright! Thanks Orpheus!"

"No problem, I can tell you care for him a lot."

"Y-you do?" Sumia blushed as she then caught on to what he was implying.

"Yeah, though whether it's platonic or romantic, that's up to you to find out. Don't worry, I won't say anything." Orpheus teased slightly, moving his arms up like always to indicate his humorous intent.

"Quit teasing me!" Sumia's embarrassment grew even more.

"I'm not hearing bit of denial in that statement." Orpheus snickered.

"You're terrible!" Sumia shouted.

"I know." Orpheus' expression returned to normal. "By the way, have you seen Cordelia?"

"No, but, I may know where she is. Try checking the convoy area."

"Alright. Well, I'll be on my way. I'll see you later, Sumia."

"Okay. Bye Orpheus." Sumia smiled as he left, though still a little off her composure due to Orpheus' teasing.

He spent some time searching where the convoy was, but there was no luck. According to some people they say her in different places, but he after more time, he gave up and hoped for the next day to help him. However, near his tent, he spotted a familiar sight.

"Well this is a surprise." Orpheus gazed at the red sight. "Here you are, Cordelia."

"I was looking for you as well… after I gathered myself."

"Why did you run away? I mean, Chrom was pretty harsh yeah, but I don't know what made you run like that. Did he break your heart or something?"

"...Actually, yes he did." Cordelia forced out of her mouth after a moment's hesitation.

"Whoa! I was saying that as a joke, I didn't think I'd be right."

"No, no, it's fine. I needed to face reality anyway."

"I see…" Orpheus was astonished. He used the awkward silence trying to quickly change the subject, feeling he may be going into territory he cannot handle just yet. "So, um… what did you wish to speak to me about?"

"Oh, right." Cordelia's mind snapped back into place, realizing the very reason she was here. "Before the attack, I was told from a letter sent by Captain Phila that you learned something from Sumia. About her times as a Pegasus Knight."

"Yes, I do know of those times. She told me herself." Orpheus said as his composure forced itself to normal to fit the subject.

"I see. Well, I wanted to know how you learned of it. Did she willingly tell you or…"

"Or?"

"Did you force it out of her?"

"She told me by her own choice." Orpheus explained the story to the best of his recollection of that night as he bumped into Cordelia, ironically, which led into the events Cordelia wished to know.

"...Ah, yes, I recall now. I did see you that night."

"Yep. I hope that answers your question." Orpheus nodded.

"Yes, it does. Thank you." Cordelia gave a small bow to express gratitude.

"Why that question though? Were you worried about her?"

"Yes. I'm one of her only friends and I can worry about her sometimes. I didn't mean any offense, I don't know much about you and I don't wish for rumors to lead to false accusations, I just wanted to be sure is all."

"Oh, you're in no trouble. You have every right to be concerned for a friend who's been through a lot."

"Yes…" Cordelia began losing her train of thought.

"Though, I think you should try and take care of yourself too. Especially after what's happened to you."

"But, it's not something I can just… move on from within a moment." Cordelia's mind began to recall those events. Almost a bit too quickly.

"I know that. Just please rest your mind if you have the chance... Now is the perfect time actually."

"Ah, yes… it is getting quite late."

"Yeah, and I'm sorry if my helping made you recall those events. I just have to do what I can for my fellow comrades."

"I understand. I should go get some rest. But please, I would like to talk to you again if that's okay." A smile grew on Cordelia as she said that, wiping away tears for the fallen.

"Sure, I'm fine with that too. Anyway, good night Miss Cordelia."

"Good night. And please, just Cordelia is fine."

"All right, I'll try and stick with that." Orpheus laughed as he escaped into the solitude of his tent. He heard footsteps fade away from the vicinity. He could only hope he can help her pull through. It would be exactly what Emmeryn and Phila would want.

Hero: So yeah, Chrom being selfish was a thing that came to my mind when I played through the game. I won't lie, going through Awakening again, I realized he has many flaws. That's not to say the other lords before him don't, but people seem to really think he's Mr. Pefect.(And I don't mean just visually.) But yeah, if you disagree with how I'm going to portray him, then I'm sorry. I want him to get character development too. And if you really like Chrom, then you shouldn't mind that too much then. I'm going to keep putting him arguments with Orpheus, but don't worry, they're still going to be friends.(Though Stahl will be Orpheus' closest guy friend by far.) I feel a good leader must always be questioned by their peers from time to time, or else they will not grow to become even better leaders? I think we can all agree that we want our leaders(Be it work, group, or even your nation) to be great for all of us, so Chrom should be put in the same boat since he will be leader of Ylisse later on. I've never sounded this serious, but I think I need to in order to prevent people from throwing pitchforks at me. Plus, if you think this is bad, you're going to just love who else is going to be put through the character development wringer.

So with that off my chest for now, it's time for Orpheus' latest trivia! This time, I'm just going to update his bonds with everyone if they were ranked via supports. Sumia and Stahl are A Rank with him. Cordelia is B(though I want to say C) with him, Chrom is rank C, Frederick is Rank C, and Lon'qu is rank B. I'll be updating this every few chapters or so, probably another update after we get past the big chapter coming in the near future.

So I think despite saying that, I may as well anticipate someone to get mad at me for making Chrom look bad. Oh well, you can't please everyone. I would have had this chapter up a day or so earlier, but I was just really unsure if I should even upload it at all. Anyway, please share your thoughts on everything in this chapter. I'll be busy getting ready for a job interview and I'll still probably not get it. Oh well. College starts on the 25th, so I'll try to get another chapter done by then. Take care, stay golden, and remember; try to keep an open mind when reading this. This shall have some differences from the actual game.