Chapter Three: Tea Time

Word Count:
2,522

Focused Characters/Pairings: Maribelle, Lissa, (lil' bit of Ricken) / (slight Lissa x Ricken)

Summary: Tea time is for conversation, not life changing revelations.

The clock struck two. Upon hearing the chimes Maribelle prepared her tea. These actions were only habit, not performed out of conscious decision-making. She even brewed her favorite blend, but tasted nothing. There was no guest. The only sounds came from dishware clanking against each other, the pitch amplified painfully in her head.

She sat there, befuddled and frustrated. Sitting there did nothing to fix her troubles, but at the same time she couldn't sway from habits. So she sipped her tea daintily, sat with perfect posture, and ate politely.

At least she kept up with appearances. If anything Maribelle had that.

"You're considering marriage? I hope it is not any of the court's sons... You are much too good for them."

Maribelle said while passing the honey to Lissa. The receiver generously accepted the jar and took a hearty dollop. It was treat from their lodging's pantry, a small fort. So they were allowed greater luxuries in the form of better tea, proper chairs, and tablecloths. In reality the set up was rather simple, but after weeks of camping their furniture may as well have been gilded.

However neither the food nor the furniture could compare to the conversation.

"Definitely NOT one of those stuffy guys. It's someone within our camp, a Shepard. I really like him… like 'love' like.

"And pray tell, WHO is he?"

"It's…" Lissa watched as Maribelle set her tea aside, staring directly at her with full concentration. Even if she was her friend, Maribelle's glare was still intimidating. There was no way to predict how she would react… So there was nothing left to do but actually utter the name. It was the plan anyways… At least it was before tea.

"You may be surprised… But don't get too worked up." Lissa took a sip to cleanse her throat. Yet it felt like the honey made the tea stick to her throat.

"It's Ricken."

Maribelle nearly spat out her tea. To maintain composure she patted her lips dry with her napkin.

"Were you not the one who called him a duckling? I-I could never fathom you felt that way. How long has this been a thing?" Even though the two sat face-to-face, to Maribelle they were worlds apart.

"Well, he's learning okay? At first we started training, you know to help each other improve. And I guess through that I saw a different side to him." Lissa's gaze turned from her friend to the rafters, with no particular plank in focus. "He's very brave, loyal, dedicated-"

Maribelle brought her cup down to the table forcefully. Albeit not loudly, but distinctly.

"I'm just… My mind is blank."

"Well I didn't want to just blurt this out to anyone-"

"Am I an 'anyone'?"

"No! It's just… It's the first time this stuff happened to me. I wanted to keep it to myself before I felt things were, you know, serious. I promise I haven't told anyone, not even Chrom."

"And you are certain. Ricken?" Somehow the name sounded rough to Maribelle's ears.

"I mean he rescued you right? Doesn't that mean something?"

"While I am grateful for his service-there are other matters to consider with marriage. You are not some court lady who flirts with suitors; you are our halidom's princess!"

"I'm completely serious here Maribelle! Geez, can't you see that at all?" This time Lissa brought her cup down onto the table.

"While I could simply say ignore everyone, your position forbids it. I'm being honest darling, it's what you want me to be correct?"

"Well honesty sucks. Can't you soften up just a bit?"

"He's still young, and you-only nineteen." Maribelle spoke before realizing she had uttered the words. They came out instantly and without hesitation.

"Chrom was twenty when he married Robin." Lissa countered.

"And see how much criciticm she's received because of it? How they say she's a Plegian spy? It is a platform for rebellion. And while her work in the war has proven her loyalty to most… The thread of doubt still lingers."

"I…" Lissa couldn't object. She knew there was a division with the castle's officials and advisers who disapproved of Robin. It only made Chrom's transition to rule harder. While Robin said she found the backhanded comments amusing… It had to have bother her still.

"So what will they say about Ricken? An unproven mage kid who comes from a tarnished family-"

"Maribelle."

"Let me finish, it is rude to interrupt someone's speech. They will say he was lucky to win the princess's heart. This way he restored his family's name tenfold, greater than their original influence. Did he love her? Well she loved him, that's more important. Regardless… Who would refuse the opportunity to marry into the royal family?"

"Stop."

"Does he regard you in the same light? Have you ever considered he talked to you because your Chrom's sister? It's quite a strange situation you are in, that you must wonder if he favors your brother more than you."

Maribelle took a sip of her tea. It was cold and tasted sickly sweet.

Lissa sat with her head down, hands clenched.

"You're awful."

"I'm only explaining-"

"Explaining? More like attacking. I thought my best friend would be happy for me and we could talk about silly things like what I should wear on dates or wedding stuff." Lissa stood up and slammed her teacup down again, this time nearly shattering it. Its contents spelt everywhere, staining the white tablecloth. "Forget it. It was dumb of me to think you'd care. Forget it."

Lissa left the mess and her friend, slamming the door on the way out.

It was the first time since Lissa became her friend that Maribelle truly felt alone.

"Uh Maribelle? Mind if I join you?" She looked up and saw Ricken who snapped her out of her daze.

There was a guest for tea.

"It's rude to refuse a guest. You may sit." She poured him some tea, and focused her full attention to serving him. Was it out of guilt? Or a mind block?

She eyed him as he took a sip. From his grip to his posture Ricken maintained proper manners. He was taught well.

"Would you like some sugar?"

"A lump or two sounds good. Thanks."

From looking at him Maribelle never would had guessed his family was going through hardship. Yet it had to be on his mind constantly. As a child she remembered her mother nudging her away towards Ricken, to play with the other children because he wasn't "suited for her". Yet not even her parents could restrain her.

Apparently an uncle squandered their wealth through foreign investments. That was the sugarcoated version. In reality the man was a drunkard and a gambler who tried to hit it big after losing a hefty investment. It wasn't until she was ten that Ricken confided to her the truth.

"H-Hey Maribelle… Uh you could stop now." He pulled back his cup, swirling his spoon in an effort to dissolve the five cubes Maribelle unconsciously plunked in.

"Oh, my apologies… Have you by any chance talked to Lissa today? Did she say anything?" It was half-hearted apology. She was focused on something else.

Ricken reddened at the name.

"Not really. She's been in a bad mood lately but didn't tell my why. It seemed like something she wanted to deal with on her own so I dropped it."

Maribelle smiled. Lissa was too good of a friend for someone like her.

"Actually." Ricken piped up. "I kind of wanted to speak to you about that-err her, Lissa. I mean."

"…Go on."

Ricken's eyes darkened and focused, as if he was conjuring a spell. Was it a trick of the shadows? His large hat and short height usually made him look younger, but right now he looked much older than his seventeen years of age.

I.. I came to ask you for your blessing to propose to Lissa."

Faced with such sincerity Maribelle sat dumbfounded. Not because Lissa was right (after all she was a lovely girl, who wouldn't fall for her?). Internally she knew that Ricken felt the same the very moment Lissa confessed to just chose to ignore it. What shocked her was her own idiocy.

He shifted uncomfortably in his seat as Maribelle took longer and longer to reply. Her expression was unreadable, was she upset? Horrified? Happy? He could never tell what was up with Maribelle.

Unable to wait, Ricken spoke.

"I wanted to ask her now. All this fighting's made me realize I want to protect and be with her. And if anything were to happen… I just wanted to have no regrets."

He was greeted with more silence.

"B-but if she says yes… I don't know when we'll get married."

"Why?" Ricken sighed in relief, it was one word but Maribelle spoke.

"It's because I'm selfish. I know Lissa doesn't give a damn about what others think but I can't get married without knowing I've proven myself. Everyone just sees me as a kid."

"Well then what is your plan? It's rude to keep a lady waiting." She eyed him cautiously. There was no way he could just leave Lissa waiting for ages, not if she had anything to say about it.

"I was offered enrollment into the Mage College's advanced courses before we left for Valm. Their placement tests were a breeze and Miriel's been helping me get ready. She's taken those classes and then some. It's not much, but it's a step. I can't become a royal advisor with no credentials, can I?"

"And pray tell, why are you telling me all this?"

"Well you're her best friend. She always talks about you. It only seemed right."

"I assume you spoke to Chrom already?"

"Yesterday. I've never heard him stammer like that before, but after he got over the initial shock he approved. It went better than I hoped. In my head I saw a wall of fire behind him as he pointed Flachion at me."

He continued on.

"I think Chrom didn't realize how much Lissa grew. Not to blame him for anything, being the new Exalt's a busy job and everything.

"I believe it was the same case for you as well."

"It must've been my growth spurt right? I checked this morning. This past year I've grown half an inch. I think I'm going to get my growth spurt soon."

"It's not your height dear. Honestly I haven't noticed a difference with that silly hat of yours."

"Well... Lissa's has been helping me learn the healing arts… Although it's more like I'm her supply gopher while she treats people. So I'm growing stronger."

It seemed like Ricken always found something new to say about his training. So many that the conversation swung in different directions constantly. It was fun talking about magic, training, and their comrades. These were things Maribelle couldn't bring up to the aristocrats back home.

Talking to those people was such a chore.

Creating true friendships with them were rare, most talk wasn't meaningful. At balls she saw ladies flirt with every man, eying them as prizes rather than people. Later they would create their stupid circles and gossip over the empty compliments they received. Those same people who ridiculed her for pointing out their shallowness.

The Shepards were completely different. Although... Interesting Maribelle preferred them over her upper class peers. At least whatever bonds she had with her comrades was something genuine.

How could she have said otherwise to Lissa?

"I'll approve."

"What?"

"Go and ask Lissa."

"Seriously?"

"I'm only rambling, but I don't believe she will decline."

"Wait! What do you mean-"

"You will see when you ask her, won't you? Now go so I can enjoy my cold tea."

As curious as he was Ricken took his cue to leave. At least he survived asking Maribelle-in retrospect he was just as scared now as he was yesterday. Even if Chrom was the Exalt and strongest person he knew, Maribelle with her small frame and all could still strike fear in any man's heart with words alone.

At the same time he appreciated her curt words with their honesty. And so when she gave her blessing, Ricken smiled, knowing she meant it.

"And bring her calla lilies when you do ask-yellow ones, those are her favorites."

For the tenth time that minute Maribelle looked out the window. Since her conversation with Ricken a few days ago she was dying to know what happened. Did he ask? Did she say yes? No one around the fort said anything. And despite her curiosity, Maribelle couldn't bring herself to approach Lissa. So she stayed in her quarters, preparing for tomorrow's march.

There was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

The princess stood in the entryway of Maribelle's quarters, hands behind her back. No one spoke except for a few stutters of attempted conversation.

"I'm sorry."

"I apologize."

"I know you only meant the best for telling me those things… And I knew you could've been right. I just didn't want to hear it."

"As much as I would love to leave matter to that. I spoke not out of sheer concern. Perhaps I was…"

"Jealous?" Lissa giggled.

"Well I felt a tinge of that, but no. My crudeness came from frustration. You're my best friend Lissa, and well not even realizing what you were feeling… I began to doubt our bond."

"Maribelle, we're always going to be besties don't worry. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner."

"Never mind that... Did he ask?"

"Well… Ta-daaa!" Lissa revealed her hands, waving them cheerfully. On her left ring finger she wore a new silver signet ring, emblazoned with Ricken's family's seal. "He popped the question earlier this afternoon."

"Good. He didn't dally."

"What?"

"Nothing darling. The ring's beautiful."

"Thanks. I think so too. I didn't want something flashy."

"Hey Lissa?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think I'm too blunt to others?"

"Now what's with this all of a sudden?"

"I've always spoken my mind… I've always thought it is important to do so. On the other hand... My bluntness hurt you and has offended others, have I been wrong?"

"I think it's cool, not that many people have the courage to do the same."

"The flattery is comforting, but not what I wish to hear."

"Well, if anything try consider the other person's feelings more. And if someone frustrates you… Try to consider their viewpoint. It'll broaden your horizons, that's ladylike, right?"

"I'm not worried about becoming ladylike… I'm more concerned with being a good friend."

"And you are!"

"Really?"

"You always mean for the best. Trust me Maribelle, you're the best… And my maid of honor?""

"Dear, there's no one nearly as qualified as I. Oh we need to start planning, even if the event isn't immediate."

"Maribelle?"

"Yes darling?"

"How did you he was going to ask me? And how did you know we weren't going to get married right away?" Lissa put her hands on her hips, smiling curiously.

"Why don't I tell you over a cup of tea?"

A/N: I know it's been a while since an update, and while I'm not completely happy with how this piece turned out I still wanted to churn this out. On the upside I have a better grasp of what I want to improve on so hopefully everyone will be able to see an improvement in writing in later chapters/works. The next chapter should come soon, I already know who I want to highlight this time around.

As always, thank you for reading!

P.S. I'm a silly goose who can't edit very well.