Just feeling the sun felt great. Robin didn't even mind the brightness woke her up. She stretched her arms and exposed herself to the sun, welcoming the warmth. When she grasped at the empty air behind her in a stretch, Robin realized she was alone. She pulled off the covers on half of the bed, only to find wrinkled bedding. Chrom must've let her sleep in, as always. It brought her back to their time on march where'd she always be late to breakfast where he'd always save her a portion to eat. And when she was pregnant? He was that close to bringing the entire court to their bedroom for sessions if it meant saving her a trip downstairs. Despite the consideration, Robin got up to wash-up, letting the covers fall from her body. How could she sleep in? It was all she did for the past year.
In the bathroom Robin caught her eye on some familiar cream-colored clothing and purple cape hanging on a chair. The fabric on her skin felt stiff and smelled like lavender, from the feel of it these were definitely new. Chrom had prepared all of this for her because he just knew she'd be here. His confidence left her smiling and she practically broke into a grin when she saw the matching boots by the door.
She managed to get her shoes on properly by the time she got to the lobby. No one was at the makeshift large table. It was completely clear with all the chairs pushed in. The room still smelt like bread though, and it was making her stomach growl.
"My Queen!" What was just a bit of blonde hair poking out from the counter turned out to be a young woman with glasses in hand. She practically ran around to courtesy, "You're up!"
"Please, Robin is fine." Even if she had a few years' experience with her title, it still left her feeling odd. Master tactician? Grandmaster? Mother? She could answer to any of those easily. But queen? It made her pause before answering, as if she wanted to make sure they really meant her.
The woman set the glasses down and rushed to Robin, blue eyes sparkling, "Really? You said it right? That means my parents can't get upset I they hear me call you that right? Well, Robin, Lord Chrom and the others left after breakfast earlier. They should be back later for lunch. We're preparing duck, our inn's specialty. Oh and I'm Amelia by the way. It just didn't seem fair that I knew your name but you don't know mine. Well I guess you'd be used to that as queen… But still."
Amelia was practically bouncing in place with enough energy to put a smile on Robin's face. She was probably about Lucina's age, maybe a bit younger.
"Well friends should know each other's names, right?"
"Friends? Really? I didn't want to say anything to that extreme because I didn't want to be overbearing, you know? But if you say that's okay, it's okay right? Wow, I'm so glad I stayed to help during break! Wait, what am I doing? You're hungry aren't you? Sit, please! Like I said, dad's cooking the duck but we saved you some breakfast."
"Oh don't worry about that Amelia, I've got it." Robin turned around, recognizing the familiar voice. There was Stahl entering with a wonderful tray with pancakes and fruit. It looked like he was the one who made it too with the flour on his cheek and the grin on his face. Along with the bedhead (which he always swore he brushed everyday), he looked the same as he did a year ago… minus the slight limp. It was good to see him without crutches, but still. Cordelia certainly wasn't going to be happy when they returned, "We just put the bread in the oven and your father's starting on the dressing."
"I should go help him, he always puts too much vinegar. Just call me if you need anything Robin! You too Stahl." Amelia gave them a smile and headed to the back.
"You're probably wondering about the flour… and apron. Well since I got kicked off active duty Chrom told me to watch over you. Well not that you need protection or anything-it's just he figured you'd have more questions once you were up. And well you were sleeping and I felt bad watching Amelia and her parents do so much for us while I was doing nothing… I figured I could help around."
"Helping out? I'm not surprised to hear that."
"How could I not? This apron fits me so well! Besides I'm really good at cooking, just taste the pancakes!"
The proof was in the pancakes and they were delicious. By the time she finished her stack Stahl already brought all the information they had on the recent attacks. Names and places changed but there was a general pattern to them: quick attacks with a focus on damage. Fields and houses burnt, deaths, injuries… Robin grimaced at the numbers. After breakfast she spread out a map on the table with documented attacks. Most of them were along the western border, which was to be expected… However there was one outlier that left both of them puzzled.
"Everything almost makes sense… It's just this most recent attack that's throwing me off."
"You mean the one here in Southtown right?" Stahl traced over the map, covering days of travel with a swipe of a finger. "You're right, it's a good distance from Plegian border."
Robin covered up Southtown, "Without this everything makes sense. They fight close to their own territory for an easy retreat. They know they can't fight against an organized army and frankly I'm surprised they've even garnered this much support. If that was the case sticking to the border was smart. So why Southtown? Why would they risk going so deep into enemy territory?" There had to be a reason why, especially in war. And if there wasn't, then somebody needed to be fired.
"Do you think the Plegians were looking for you too?" Stahl suggested innocently enough as he took another look through the other reports.
"Why do you think that Stahl?" Robin curiously asked. His words were enough to make her stop looking at the map and focus her attention on him.
"Well…" He wasn't expecting the attention, honestly it was something he half-blurted out because he didn't like the silence, "You read Frederick's report right?"
Robin nodded, "Chrom came here to oversee the end of the restoration and the Shepards came for protection. During this there was a Plegia attack. No casualties, no structural damage or injuries, well, minus your ankle it was a flawless victory."
Stahl scratched the back of his head and looked up at the ceiling, "Well that's just half of it. Chrom and all of us, we weren't just here for the restoration. We were looking for you. That's what 's on the report but Chrom and Frederick agreed they didn't want to draw unnecessary attention to this. Especially since it involved you."
Robin nodded approval. Considering the circumstances she would've done the same thing. She certainly wasn't the in most liked person in the capital before and definitely not now, "Go on."
"On the day of the attack I was searching the woods when I saw a bush rustle. I thought it was a squirrel; I offered it food. Imagine how shocked I was when a hand grabbed it! He just stared at me in shock and then ran deeper into the woods. I figured chasing him wouldn't be smart so I rushed back to town to report. By the time I got back ther was already an enemy sighting near town."
"Wait." Robin said, jerking up, "You said the bandit was surprised? You're sure?"
"Yes. I saw his face. Maybe he never had sourdough before?"
"If he was surprised… It means that he wasn't expecting you, or any guards for that matter." Robin sounded, her eyes focused onto the woods located a few miles out from town. It wasn't near any major roads and it was big enough to get lost in.
"Uh… Yeah? I'm not quite sure where you're going with this Robin. I was surprised too."
"That's true…" Robin muttered, but she wasn't ready to give up on her theory yet. She cleared her throat and spoke, "If you were halfway into enemy borders… You'd be sure as hell not to get caught by the enemy. Yet they got caught and even attacked the town? That's practically suicide."
"So why'd they attack?"
The rest started to come easily to her now, "To cover up why they were really here. It could've been to find me like you said… I think that's part of it."
"But?
"There's something more. If they're already this deep in Ylissean territory; I bet there are more hiding. Further east even. And if they haven't been seen till now… I'm thinking they must've had a little help."
"Well." Hearing his voice made Robin snap toward the entrance. Chrom stood leaning against the doorframe. He looked tired but still wore a smile. It was like an automatic response when he saw Robin. His eyebrow even arched in interest, excited for what she concocted this time. "So, I see you're up."
"So you think these Plegian attacks are getting help from within?" Chrom asked between bites. The rest of the Shepards sat around the table enjoying the duck. They all traded information, what the villagers saw, the town watch's latest reports, but everyone was eager to hear what Robin had to say.
"It's all I can think of so far." Robin said honestly, "There's not much to back it up, but the more I think about it-the more sense it makes."
"And you came up with all that since breakfast? Sheez Robin, you haven't lost your touch." Sully managed to get out with the duck in her mouth. Frederick sighed and continued to cut the meat into respectable pieces.
"I bet it's that beady old coot who argues with Chrom all the time." Lissa muttered quietly yet loudly enough for the entire table to hear at the same time.
"Teach' agrees!" Vaike muffled through his mouth full of duck.
"M'lady… Vaike" Frederick gripped his silverware tightly, "As… Observant as you two are about Councilor Eran, treason is a heavy accusation."
"Oh come on, you paused because you're thinking it too!" Lissa sassed back.
"He is definitely beady… Sorry Frederick." Robin said, "Although I think we should discuss more about these potential candidates after lunch. Gaius too. And Chrom of course."
"I'll be sure to spill the past year's capital gossip to you Bubbles, you won't believe who wore the same gown to the latest ball… Along with some other interesting tidbits I've picked up." Gaius was at the end of the table done with lunch. He was already digging into the sweet cakes with extra icing.
A lump of worry got caught in Robin's throat and suddenly the duck didn't taste that good, "I'm sure you've already taken care of this… But I have to ask with all this talk of spies at the capital: is little Lucina alright?"
"Of course!" Chrom practically shouted in response. It was something he was so sure of he had make sure Robin knew, "Morgan's with her, Owain's there too… And Cordelia with the rest of the Pegasus Knights."
"I've seen Cordelia training the new knights, they're really good. Don't worry Robin." Sumia added.
"I may be biased…"
"She's your wife, Stahl." Robin stated.
"Still! I know Cordelia wouldn't let anything happen."
"I understand." Hearing her friends so confident made Robin feel a little better, but the lump still remained. "So what about big Lucina?"
Just one name and suddenly the table quieted down. Even Amelia who was holding the water pitcher at the counter read the mood and found her way to the kitchen. Everyone's eyes were on Chrom. They didn't look sad, maybe pity?
"She's alright, right? Everyone's kind of freaking me out."
"Y-yes! Perfectly fine, completely! You can read her reports-"
"Reports? Not letters… Where is she Chrom?" Chrom gulped. The aristocrats and councilors at the capital could try, but they could never make him as uneasy as Robin could.
"… Remember I told you about the ambassadors I sent to Plegia?" Chrom started. Now everyone at the table found their food very interesting.
"Tharja, Henry, their spouses… Oh gods, Chrom really?" Robin threaded a hand through her hair.
"Hey, you think Tharja's hard to say no to? Try our daughter."