"Maribelle!" Robin's voice came from across the camp.
Maribelle stopped what she was doing and turned, smiling when she saw the white haired tactician running up to her with a smile. Quickly wiping the smile off her face before the nearby Lissa could see it, she nodded her head at the tactician who closed the distance.
"Sir Robin, may I be of assistance?" She asked.
Robin nodded, scratching the back of his neck in a nervous manner. "Actually yes...it's about our lesson later today. I hope you don't mind, but can we reschedule for tomorrow? An opportunity in town has come up, and I need to travel there take advantage."
Maribelle blinked in confusion. Robin was normally so dedicated to their aristocratic lessons, and nothing short of a battle would normally keep him from them.
"This errand must be important than. If you don't mind me asking, for what purpose do you need to travel to town? Perhaps I can assist in some way." Maribelle asked.
Robin's eyes widened in slight alarm before he waved his hands in front of him. "Nonononono. I mean...i-it's really nothing to serious. I just need to get it done by today is all. Besides, Stahl will be going with me, so I'll have all the help I need."
Maribelle only stared at Robin, confused at his erratic behavior. Noticing her confusion, Robin straightened his back and gave a nervous chuckle. The silence soon became so palpable and so awkward, even Lissa took notice from her spot only a few feet away. Looking over, the princess saw her closest friend staring down her favorite prank victim.
Seeing she wouldn't get any more out of the tactician, Maribelle gave a huff and replied. "Fine."
Robin gave a relieved smile. "Thank you Lady Maribelle, truly." With that he turned around and began to leave, only for Maribelle to loudly clear her throat.
"Forgetting something?" She said, holding up her hand.
Instantly remembering the subject of their previous lesson, Robin's cheeks flushed somewhat due to the public atmosphere. But suffering public embarrassment seemed far more preferable to suffering Maribelle's wrath, so Robin obeyed the noble, taking her hand in his and lightly kissing it as a manner of farewell before bowing and departing.
Maribelle pursed her lips as she watched the tactician depart, gently rubbing the hand Robin had kissed. For what possible reason could her favorite (only) student possibly have for needing to reschedule a lesson?
As if reading her mind, Lissa's voice soon penetrated Maribelle's thoughts. "Robin have to cancel lessons, huh?"
Maribelle turned and smiled at the sight of her precious friend. "Yes, sadly. Some important business has come up for him."
Lissa giggled, putting a hand to her chin. "yes, I do wonder what such business our tactician there has..."
Maribelle raised an eyebrow at the princess, easily picking up the gossipy tone of the princess. While normally Maribelle would never allow herself to stoop so low as to gossip, she had to admit that her interest was certainly piqued at the moment.
"You sound like you know something." Maribelle said.
Lissa giggled. "Weellll, word has it that our tactician there has his eyes on a certain lady."
Maribelle felt her chest tighten at the words. "D-Does he now?" She asked.
Lissa nodded, seemingly unaware at the effect her words were having. "Uh huh. And rumor has it that the town nearby is currently being visited by a jeweller famous for their rings. I think Robin is planning to confess soon~" She said with a smile.
Maribelle felt her heart shatter even as she gave a smile she hoped showed the happiness she didn't feel. She had secretly started experiencing feelings of romantic interest in the amnesiac tactician she had started calling friend. He was one of the few people who accepted Maribelle as she was, not judging her less than stellar social skills or mocking her dream of being a justice one day. She had even started using their lessons as excuses to engage in more intimate acticities with the tactician, such as dancing, teas, and the kiss of a hand.
She had really enjoyed that lesson, drilling it into Robin til it was "just right".
"I...I see." Maribelle said before smiling at Lissa. "I'm sorry dear, but you must excuse me. I to just remembered something important I must attend to."
Lissa blinked in surprise before nodding. "Oookay. Sure. See you later than."
Maribelle nodded. "Farewell."
Turning around, Maribelle made her way to her tent, trying to fight down tears. Really she shouldn't have been surprised. She certainly wasn't the only woman the tactician hung around. Reading books with Sumia, training with Sully and Cordelia, games with Nowi, his secret meetings with Olivia-
Maribelle had to fight a sneer. Truly she had nothing against the dancer, and in conversation had found her to be sweet and mild mannered. But she certainly couldn't deny the feelings of jealousy she had whenever she saw Robin dote on the dancer so. Ever since Olivia had joined the Shepherds, the two seemed almost chained together, and if there was one girl Maribelle could see Robin confessing to it was her.
Maribelle sighed as she entered her tent, laying down and clutching her pillow tightly as she allowed tears to fall. She had wasted far to much time, and should have swallowed her damned pride and expressed interest in Robin. He wouldn't have looked down on her for it, she knew that. But instead she had risked it so she could keep to her noble bearing, and it had cost her.
...or had it?
Sitting up, Maribelle pondered the impossible. Breaking away from her noble bearing, chasing down Robin, and telling him the truth. It was unspeakable to even think of. Her, the daughter of Duke Themis, chasing down a commoner such as Robin? And yet, it was all she could think of at the moment. Maybe, just maybe this woman Robin was going to propose to was the second choice? Maybe he wanted to propose to Maribelle, but felt their stations were to different? It was certainly plausible.
Or maybe this was all just wishful thinking.
After a moment, Maribelle nodded to herself and stood up. Perhaps it was just wishful thinking, but right now it was consuming her. She'd rather risk rejection than risk losing something that could be hers. Quickly getting up and fixing her makeup (superfluous considering the situation, but Maribelle just couldn't bring herself to leave without doing so), Maribelle quickly went out to find her horse, quickly rushing out of camp to chase after Robin.
She prayed she wouldn't be to late.
...
Oh so goodness I am exhausted. I have worked so much these past few days, so looking forward to sleeping. Also, I have several meetings tomorrow in regards to church, and may not be able to post part three of this little story (yes, part three) tomorrow, so if not tomorrow than by monday. And Divergent Fangs is also almost caught up, so give me a few more days. And sorry if Maribelle seems OOC this chapter, but for some reason this is all that came to mind, and I kind of like the idea. Anyways, I'm going to go die in my bed now.
Fave, follow, review, and have a good night.