Robin almost swore when the books fell from his head for the umpteenth time, one of the heavy tomes landing directly on his foot. Grumbling to himself and hobbling over to a chair, he began to massage the aching appendage as he glared down at the books in front of him. He was seriously considering tossing the books into the fire place if for nothing more than some feeling of cathartic satisfaction when he heard a chuckle from the doorway.

"I know that look. Trust me, the next ones will only feel heavier." A deep voice said.

Turning his head, Robin saw Chrom looking down at him with an amused expression. "Chrom? What are you doing here?"

"Well," Chrom said, walking over to begin picking up the books. "I heard through the grapevine that Maribelle was giving you "nobility" lessons, and was just curious as to whether it was true or not."

Robin nodded. "Yeah, the subject came up during a talk I had with her a while back. Figured it was a good idea so-"

"Oh is that it?" Chrom said with a knowing smirk.

Robin blinked in confusion. "I beg your pardon?" He asked.

He's even starting to sound like her, Chrom thought to himself. "You, with all of the work that you do, figured it a good idea to take nobility lessons of all things? You, the guy who once said he'd rather face ten thousand men by yourself rather than a room of nobles again?"

"I would have thought you would have supported me trying to better myself." Robin grumbled.

Chrom chuckled. "It is because I want to support you that I ask. Come Robin, I may be dense, but not that dense. You only agreed to taking these nobility lessons because of your feelings towards Maribelle, am I right?"

Even if Robin wanted to deny it, his face wouldn't let him as it lit up more than Olivia's, causing Chrom to chuckle. He remembered Robin asking about the golden haired noble during their first venture to Regna Ferox, the tactician probably believing himself to be subtle even as his cheeks glowed. Ever since than Chrom had kept an eye on his friend's interaction with the noble, and even he could see the obvious truth.

Robin was hopelessly in love with the noble.

"I-I don't know what you're t-talking about." Robin tried to say.

Chrom smirked. "Oh come on Robin, there's nothing to be ashamed of about it. I know Maribelle is...rough around the edges, but if she's the one you want she's the one you want. I'm just wondering if these lessons are part of your grand plan to win her affections is all."

Robin blinked before looking down and giving a sigh. Immediately Chrom sensed something was wrong, and put a comforting hand on Robin's shoulder.

"Robin, what's wrong?" Chrom asked.

"It's..."Robin sighed before looking at Chrom. "Chrom, you're correct in saying I hold affections for Lady Maribelle. But as much as I'd like to pursue these feelings, I could never seriously court her."

Chrom scrunched his eyebrows in confusion. "Huh? Why not?" he asked.

Robin shrugged. "Different stations. We both know that Maribelle needs to marry for more than just love, and that's all I can offer her."

Chrom narrowed his eyes. "That's all you should have to offer her though Robin! Trust me, I know Maribelle, and I'm sure she-"

Robin held up his hand to silence Chrom. "Believe me, I know Chrom! Gods, you think I want this!? But this is the reality of it all. No matter how much I might want to, I can't court her." Robin looked down, eyes watering. "I would only make her a laughingstock..."

"A laughingstock?" Chrom asked incredulously. "You? The man who has led Ylisse to victory? One of the smartest, kindest men in the realm?"

Robin sighed. "And the man who doesn't have any land, connections, not even a name." Chrom pursed his lips, but Robin continued before he could say anything. "Look, chrom, I'm grateful. Really. Just being able to say this stuff has really helped. But what's important here is Maribelle's happiness, and she won't be able to be happy with me. And I'm okay with that, really."

Chrom wanted to say something, but in a rare moment of cunning, he could only smile. Much as he hated to admit it, Robin was right in that the tactician would have a hard time in formally courting Maribelle. It wasn't that Maribelle would be against it, Lissa had told him that Robin had become quite a topic that the noble enjoyed discussing, but there would be various nobles against the idea of a commoner such as Robin courting such an important figure as the daughter of Duke Themis. And Robin had just admitted that he wouldn't pursue his affection for that very reason. While chrom didn't agree with his friend's decision, he also knew enough about Robin that it would take more than a pep talk to change his friend's mind.

But if he were to put Robin on the same level as Maribelle, and get Robin to become Ylisse's Grandmaster at the same time...

Chrom nodded to himself, resolute in his decision. It would take some time, but it would all be well worth it for the happiness of his friend. But for now, no reason he couldn't still try to talk some sense into his idiot tactician.

"All right, come on." Chrom said, forcing Robin to his feet.

"H-Huh? Chrom?" Robin asked.

"As Exalt, I am ordering you to come with me and drink!" Chrom said happily, draggin Robin along.

"B-But Chrom! I have work to do!" Robin tried to argue.

"So do I!" Chrom said with a laugh, putting an arm around Robin's neck and dragging him out of the room.

Chrom would get his two friends together, no matter what his idiotic best friend said. After all, that's what a friend would do.