He didn't understand.
How was this girl such a big part of their army? He was palming a necklace that he'd bought for her some time ago.
He didn't even know why he purchased it. It was a simple amulet. A purple stone attached to a purple ribbon that would go well with her robes, aesthetically speaking.
It started when they'd entered Ylisse. They were weary from travelling, yet Robin was flitting about in excitement, almost like the bird she was named for. "So this is Ylisstol!" she marveled, as though she'd never seen such a gathering of people before. It reminded him of Chrom during his first excursions outside the palace. The same wonder of being out and about, and taking joy in the people. He remembered that Lissa managed to get into mischief and only hoped this one wouldn't do the same.
Lissa had pulled her along by the hand to go gawk at some wares. He had seen that Robin had eyed up a particular trinket, patted her empty pockets, and set it back down before moving along to the next place.
He noticed that Chrom had observed the same thing. His cheeks were a bit red as he stepping in place of where the young woman was mere moments ago. Not missing a beat, Frederick had stepped beside him. "And what do you think you're doing milord?"
"I—Uh, I'm just…getting this."
"For whom? I don't think the color would suit you, Milord." He had picked up one of the necklaces too, and was side-eyeing the prince. "No matter how taken you are with her, wouldn't it be too early to bestow it upon her?"
"Maybe you're right," Chrom sighed and put it back down. "And I'm not taken with her at all." He marches off with an air of indignation, and Frederick can't help but feel guilty.
Especially when he's tempted to buy the piece himself.
It's only for thanks, he told himself over and over again. He doesn't want to owe her anything. She saved his neck during a lapse of judgment. She performed a kindness in sharing the blanket he'd originally given up. But even so, his self-consciousness prevents him from picking up the item. Too flashy, he'd thought. So why did he regret not getting it so much?
He didn't regret it at all when she threw him a smug look when no one else was looking, when she'd finally met Emmeryn. He'd scoffed at her claiming to not know of the status of his lord and lady, but Chrom chided him greatly. She was quite the actress, he'd retorted, contorting her face into displaying seemingly genuine surprise. She was playing her cards right, and he didn't want to fall into her hands. He'd just pass her an extra piece of dessert at dinner.
A piece of cake in exchange for his head not being lopped off? Peh, he'd figure it out later. Right now he had to go dust off…something.
And yet, dusting didn't hold the same fascination and reprieve that it always afforded him.
He was thinking about their march to Ferox. Her cloak provided ample warmth, and yet she was shivering and as pink as rose. Chrom was fussing over the tactician more than his freezing sister, who's cries barely fell on Frederick's ears. He was thinking of how to separate the two. It looked like they'd developed a fast friendship. He doesn't know if it was because of their prowess in battling alongside together, or simply because their banter was an easy one, but it was his responsibility to protect him. Though the Exalt and her siblings had faith in Robin, bless their pure hearts, he was not entirely convinced.
He didn't miss the sly looks she gave him every once and a while, whenever she saw the disapproving looks he'd give her whenever she'd spend time with Chrom.
But then he remembered when he'd seen Chrom sprinting out of her tent with a look of fear on his face, and he'd decided to corner her. "What did you do to milord?" he demanded without any preamble.
"Urgh, Frederick, I didn't do anything. Maybe you could teach him to have a bit more tact—Just leave me alone, will you?"
He started at that. Was that the first time she spoke his name? Or had he simply not noticed, or cared before? Well, he wouldn't say he cared, but he did not miss the way his name came out on her tongue. How she stretched out the second syllable longer than most others. The distress in her voice was something else that stuck out to him. Had she quarreled with Chrom?
He was smiling at that, but only because well, it meant she couldn't sink into her claws into him that well if they were fighting.
"You're pleased my pride has been hurt, aren't you? Good. Laugh about it all the way back. I know you definitely wouldn't think of me as a lady. "
Lady? Pride? What was this crazy woman going on about now? Hmm…He inspected her with shrewd eyes, as he worked the meaning in his mind.
Did Chrom call her unladylike? That must be it. Ah, so then the Prince did own a pair of eyes.
"I'm sure whatever milord has said is to be correct, and if you really cared for his judgment you would aim to better yourself."
"Look at the pot calling the kettle black, being an overbearing nanny that doesn't know when to stop, when his charges are practically begging for him to mind his own damn business!"
Never had he been so affronted in his entire life! That imprudent, foul-mouthed—
"Maybe if you worked more on your manners, you'd come across more as a lady instead of a bumbling oaf like—Vaike." And with that he stalked out, narrowly missing the book thrown at him.
That memory had Frederick stare at the necklace, and throw it into his rucksack. Why then, did he have it out once again? Ah, there was another peculiar feeling eating at him.
He thought of when they were returning. Chrom had apparently made up with Robin again, but Frederick would not allow that so easily. He and most everyone in the camp knew that the Pegasus knight Sumia had quite the infatuation with Chrom. So, deeming her a suitable match, he was prodding the girl in his Lord's direction whenever the chance came up.
He had her sit next to him at mealtimes, war councils, or even during plain downtime. He even set the patrols so the two would be together. Robin was clearly getting the message, because she was quite down in the dumps. She'd been a bit off-color when she saw Sumia give Chrom one of her baked treats. Good. The tactician was finally realizing that she had no place near the prince.
And yet, something prickled at him. Was it guilt? He had nothing to be guilty for. He was simply looking out for the best interests of the Ylissean royal family. And the boy he's raised for so long. That's all there was to it.
Seeing her so crestfallen did have him feel some pity, so he graciously offered her something to distract her.
"Would you like to help me take inventory?" He supposed that putting her to work wasn't much consolation, and something more material may have done the trick, but she smiled at him nonetheless.
"Of course! Put me to work, Sir Frederick!" Sir? He almost snorted at that. So she was adding a formality now? Interesting.
"You make me sound like a schoolmaster, or something…" he muttered as they made their way to the weapons tent.
She treated him to a rare peal of laughter, meant just for him. "You are no less, you know." He was late in finding a witty reply. He was too caught up in the sound of her laughter. How her shoulders shook, and how she managed to perk up even after seeming to be so depressed. He did wonder though, if she was forcing it. That doubt always plagued him afterwards.
He looked over his shoulder to see Chrom with an almost lost look on his face, completely unaware to whatever Sumia was trying to discuss with him.
She had been quite tolerable as they worked together. She paid attention well, and didn't make any mistakes. It was interesting to work with someone that was as sharp with him. As he quickened the pace of their work, so did she. She wasn't one to be outdone and made this clear at every turn they faced.
They were exchanging their typical banter, which consisted of taking digs at the other person, when his hand had brushed over hers. She had tensed up, and withdrew when he found his fingers curl over hers.
"You seemed distressed earlier…" he was giving a weak explanation for the unnecessary contact, but she shrugged.
"It's nothing for you to worry about," she said, as she put away the last sword. "You hate me after all, don't you? That's all you feel for me." She tucked away the weapon and stood up after putting the list away in her robes. "That's all there is to it."
He felt the incredible need to escape and swiftly rose to his feet too. His voice was stuck in his throat and he briskly moved past her out the tent. "I don't hate you," he said quietly, pushing the tent flap back. When he heard no reply, he looked in to see her shoulders slumped, and tears running down her cheeks.
Oh what had he done?
He attributed whatever distress she was feeling to himself. The march back to Ylisse after their rescue of Maribelle was significantly different. Robin had been keeping to herself. Perhaps she was lonely? Lissa was flitting about, and Chrom had Sumia attending to him, even though he threw many wistful looks to the young tactician.
He felt another twinge of guilt, a feeling that was becoming all too familiar. He even lost sleep over it. The look of loneliness and sadness was what haunted him. He had put more thought into it, and realized that Chrom was one of her only friends. She had been a bit too awkward to as of yet fit in with anyone else. Perhaps he should have worked on finding someone to keep this woman occupied.
He'd eavesdropped on quite a few conversations, and could see that she'd scramble for conversation topics outside of tactics and training. She'd sighed whenever her conversation partner left, and she'd resign herself to reading once more, or doing some chore or another.
She'd gotten along swimmingly with Chrom. There was no loss for speech between them. And he'd taken that away from her. His meddling and prying left the girl all alone. But wouldn't it be better to have Robin not have ties to the army? Oh this was such a puzzle to him. He'd go insane thinking about this dumb dilemma all the time. Yes or no? Should I or not? These questions swarmed his mind more than he'd have liked.
Anyways, without intentions either good or bad, this could be for her own good. She'd learn to associate with someone new. Ah yes, that would be fine and dandy. He glances at her out of the side of his eye to see her trying to establish communication with Lon'qu. A fine target! He thought snidely. The brusque mannered man flinched away with Robin, who returned to keeping to herself once more. Why bother, her expression seemed to be saying. Really, he felt like pitying her.
Frederick sidled his way over to her to whisper in her ear. "Feeling lonely?" He was back to his normal banter with her, as though he didn't reduce her to tears just a few days ago.
She jumped from the sudden proximity, and clutched her ear. "That tickles!" she scowled at him, and he chuckled. "Here to harass me some more? Haven't you done enough?" His eyes flickered to Sumia and Chrom, and she didn't miss that one bit. "Well, whatever you're up to seems to be working anyway. I'm fine like this. A little more downtime to myself is alright if it mean's Chrom is happy." It sounded as though she were telling herself this, more than she was assuring him.
"You care for his happiness? Such a short time, and yet—"
"And yet, he's shown me a great kindness, has been a great friend, and I have no quarrel with him." Now this, she had more conviction in. She truly seemed to believe Chrom was a great man and a great friend. When she spoke with this, it made it hard to treat her with such suspicion. He only wished for the best, and if she did too...But her origins were just too gray for him to accept just yet. Hm, but maybe he could see just how much she'd change over time.
"So you don't mind being friendless?" It was a harsh statement he immediately wished that he could retract. Friendless. Naga knows how many people have accused him of being such over the years.
"I'm not friendless," she said a bit too quickly, and brushed her hair back. A nervous reflex, he noted. "I—I'm going to check on something. Excuse me." Before he knew it, he was looking at her retreating back. Just what was he trying to accomplish? It looked like all he managed to do was hurt he. He only wanted to offer her his company, and yet even that backfired. He should have known it wouldn't have worked. Just how would he ever get even with her?
So maybe a present was in order after all. He'd taken a quick little detour to the merchant, and picked up the last necklace in stock. After purchasing he noticed that there was the tiniest rip in the fabric. It would still serve as a fine gift, he thought, and tucked it away without any thought.
Now the next step was to get it to her.
That was a difficult task in itself. He'd rather go on a quest for Excalibur than this. She was avoiding him like the plague. Sending it through a messenger would send the wrong signal. After much pondering he decided on an elaborate scheme that he would carry out during dinner.
He planned to drop her utensils, and then the necklace. Then, she would pick it up and realize it was from him. He would just say it's one good turn for another and then—
His visualizing stopped when she took the seat farthest away from him. Damn it all, was he so repulsive?
Frederick found her going out to the courtyard right after dinner, and decided to corner her and give her the damned thing if he had to chuck it at her head. He opened his mouth to call out to her, when he saw the Prince was already there.
What was this? A secret rendezvous?
He hid behind a pillar to see what was going on and strained to hear bits of their conversation.
A frown graced his sharp visage, as he noticed Chrom had a familiar looking ribbon sticking out of his pocket. It looked like his lord had made the purchase after all. He fingered his own token with a sense of doubt. Well, what would he do with this now?
"I've been meaning to give this to you for a while," Chrom said, once he had Robin's attention. He saw her press the gift back into his hand and shake her head, but Chrom insisted. They speak quietly for a while, and he can't catch anything they're saying, only that she was smiling broadly and was looking at Chrom with a fond look that Frederick did not take to very well.
But wait. What was he doing? Eavesdropping like some common craven was not in his nature. Frederick sighed and left to take an early night. He stuffed the necklace into his pocket and hoped a good night's sleep would be just what he needed. He'd clear his head and focus on the real issues. Keeping the people safe, and protecting the royal family. That was the main goal. Protecting other-argh why was her face in his mind once more. He hurried towards his bed, the only thing that was guaranteed to not confuse him.
Unfortunately, sleep would not be coming for anyone that night. It was time to carry out his duties as a knight and fight whatever new threat had breached the castle. Petty worries would come again once more, when all was safe.