The next morning was quiet in the Castle. As people walked through its corridors, they tried not to take even the smallest glance at the empty throne that once belonged to a certain Exalt.
In the normally very loud mess hall, the conversations were only very brief. This all was very unusual, but expected.
How does a nation recover after it witnessed their Exalt intentionally fell to her death?
It was all too unreal. It has been said that "time heals all wounds," but the Shepherds didn't have much time to mourn Emmeryn's death. They had to win this war, for the peace of both nations.
"Shepherds," Chrom announced. "Cry no more tears."
Everyone stared at him with their interest. Everyone would have thought that he would have the hardest time dealing with this.
"I know that this is a lot to take in, but my sister's sacrifice will not be forgotten. We should no longer be very somber. Emmeryn always wanted us to be happy. That's why..." He pounded his fist on the table. "I'm going to take the role of the Exalt."
Most of the Shepherds didn't think that Chrom would take his role of the Exalt so suddenly, but the more important thing was: was he ready?
In terms of leadership and ideals, Chrom always compared his actions with Emmeryn's. His tone usually indicated that he felt he was unworthy of being the one to succeed his older sister.
He had plenty of time to think of it, but I guess he decided it was his time to step up to the plate.
"Milord, are you certain?" Frederick asked.
"Yes, Frederick. I have to continue the path that my sister has laid out for us. Emmeryn saw that all people desired peace, no matter the side they stood on. I will be the one to finish what she started."
"Then why the hell are we all here slumping about this? We should go kick Gangrel's ass!" Sully chuckled.
"That is, if everyone is in favour." Chrom said.
Everyone agreed. Here, the Shepherds were like family. They supported each other and helped out when things were rough. Now it was their turn to help Chrom once again, but with him as the Exalt.
Everyone cheered and rose for the soon-to-be-Exalt.
It didn't take long to track down Gangrel's whereabouts. He was still in Plegia, a field not too far from their last fight.
"Oh, the fools they are," Gangrel muttered. "Come back for more already? I'll have them dead before the sun sets."
"Gangrel! You will die here, at my blade!" Chrom shouted.
"Oh hello, prince. Did you have sweet dreams of your squished sister?"
Those words precisely sent everyone on edge. "Gangrel, today it is about you and me only. I will guide both our nations to the light they sought for. That was what my sister knew, and yet I was so blind to not see it."
Gangrel laughed and crossed his arms. "Pah! You know nothing about bringing nations to peace. Prince, you are no better than the savages that all men are. We hunger for power, and when power is challenged, we bring terror and destruction!" He raised his fist into the air. "That is the true human nature!"
The trickster raised his Levin sword and cast a beam of thunder at Chrom. The electricity so strong, that you could hear all the trickling power surging from within.
"Arcfire!" Robin shouted, as the pillar of flames collided with the electricity, nullifying the attack. It caused an explosion, sending everyone back a metre or two. The embers of the Arcfire still burned as the dust cleared.
Members of Gangrel's army mobilized. Their loyalty to their king was obvious as they wore menacing glares while they readied their weapons.
Robin gave orders to the rest of the Shepherds, as Gangrel's men drew closer.
Stahl was with Sully, because the two cavaliers worked well together, Panne was with Kellam since Panne's speed with Kellam's stealthy was a good combination. Ricken and Cordelia was an odd, but surprisingly fine pair. He would take care of armoured and flying units with his magic, and Cordelia provided mobility and strength that Ricken lacked. As for the next pair…
"Er…Excuse me, Robin?"
Olivia's quiet voice interrupted Robin's thoughts. The pink haired dancer had just joined the Shepherds, with Basilio insisting that Olivia was a key member for this mission. The Khan had described Olivia as the best dancer in the realm, something that the dancer herself was embarrassed by. Chrom was happy with Olivia's inclusion, saying that no one is unsuitable for the Shepherds, and Olivia could easily become a vital member.
"W-where should I go?" Olivia asked.
"I suggest that you stay on those borders, but still in our view so we can see your marvelous dancing."
"Oh, my dancing is hardly anything, but if you insist…"
That girl really needed more confidence in herself.
Soon, Gangrel's men were on their knees. It was over for Gangrel. The last mercenary was cut down, and the rest were begging for the Ylisseans' mercy.
"It's over, Gangrel." Chrom stated as he unsheathed his rapier, a slender blade that had a technique only to be wielded by Lords.
"Your life will be over faster than your sister's!" Gangrel snarled, as he cast a bolt of lightning from his Levin Sword. Gangrel's fury came fast, but Chrom dodged them. He practically danced on the field, avoiding the Mad King's attacks.
Chrom was panting as he lost his breath.
Chrom needed more motivation to defeat Gangrel, but he was exhausted.
"Olivia, now!" Robin called. "Basilio said your dancing invigorates soldiers, right?"
"Now?...Er, alright…"
There was a sight no other than Olivia's dancing. The way she moved, every delicate sway of movement and grace that was shown was breathtaking.
Chrom couldn't take his eyes off her, and Gangrel couldn't either, surprisingly.
With Gangrel either confused or entranced, Robin took this opportunity to take her Arcfire tome to heat things up. She shot a pillar of flames towards the trickster's feet, knocking him down as his Levin sword fell out of his hand. Chrom leapt with his hand gripped firmly on his rapier's hilt and stabbed Gangrel in the gut.
"F-fool…comrades do not exist…betrayal will come…" were his last words.
He shouldn't be able to move after that.
Robin picked up Gangrel's Levin Sword and put it in her pocket. "This would be really helpful."
Robin was congratulated and praised by many of the shepherds after this victory.
Gangrel was dead, and the war against Plegia was no more. But she couldn't help but feel like something was missing.
Where was Chrom? The prince basically vanished after their chat with Basilio and Flavia. Was he not satisfied with today because he still felt the void that Emmeryn had left behind? Had he taken Gangrel's words to heart?
She looked around for the prince, scouring the field and asking everyone.
Lissa said she saw him near the border, so she followed.
Chrom was talking to Olivia, the dancer.
"Olivia, thank you. Your dancing really inspired me. I never got the chance to really see how beautiful you are…" He said. "…inside and out. Listen, I know we've only known each other for a very short time, but…"
Robin had never imagined hearing words that the prince spoke.
"Olivia, will you marry me?"
And so the war between Ylisse and Plegia was ended. Prince Chrom and Robin worked tirelessly to restore Ylisse's splendor. This would be no easy task, for the war had taken a heavy toll on the halidom. But with Feroxi muscle and Plegian gold, they brought peace back to the people. All the while, the prince forswore the title of exalt, out of respect to his late sister. Even so, his subjects grew eager for their new ruler to take a wife. And in his heart, Chrom had always known who that woman would be. The royal wedding was a joyous occasion, attended by thousands from near and far. Finally, it seemed that the last lingering wounds of Ylisse's history had healed.
Is what the townspeople will be saying.
Today was Chrom and Olivia's wedding.
An odd couple, but Robin was sure that he was going to pick Sumia. Oh well, at least Chrom hadn't asked her, his tactician to marry him. She would have been flattered, but she already had her eyes on someone.
The couple's vows were a bit rushed, but still convincing. Lissa and Frederick even teared up (and Cordelia, but no one wanted to mention it).
"I now pronounce you husband and wife," Libra announced. "you may now kiss the bride."
As the couple kissed, Robin could feel the tension and the internal anger from the Chrom fangirls. Mainly the village women who wished to marry one of the Royal Family.
"Hey," Lissa whispered. "isn't that sweet? Do you think you'll have a romance like theirs?"
"A romance where I would propose to a woman I barely know?" Robin asked. "No, I think I'll pass."
Lissa hit Robin lightly on the shoulder. "You know what I mean. A sweet, short encounter, but you two still love each other eternally…" Lissa was basically in her whole fantasies, envisioning the perfect man.
"Um, sure? I guess that sounds good." Robin replied. "…I don't really know much about romance, so I guess anything is good for me at this point."
"You'll learn someday." Lissa told her as she left her seat to go chat with Sumia.
Robin walked around the wedding chapel. Other than the shepherds, it was full of people she didn't know. She tried to make conversation, but most of the conversations were about how no one saw Chrom and Olivia happening in a billion years. She had to admit, it was shocking.
If she remembered correctly, most of Ylisse was invited to this wedding, as long as they weren't enemies. Security was surprisingly loose for a Royal Wedding.
She needed to get out of this room full of people. She knew it was bad not to be chatting with others, but she felt a little antisocial today, and besides, the Wedding cake didn't look that delicious enough for her to stay and stepped out on to the balcony, next to another woman.
"Oh, h-hello, Robin." The woman greeted.
At first she didn't realize who the woman was until it dawned on her. The long blue hair, the tiara, and that sword.
"Marth, how do you do?" Robin asked. "I didn't think you would come to Chrom's wedding."
"Why wouldn't I? It is a very historic event for Ylisse. The day Chrom marries Olivia is a very special day." Marth explained. "This is a day I hold very close to my heart."
"Why, if you don't mind explaining?" Robin knew Marth looked up to Chrom in admiration, but holding his wedding day close to her heart was a bit, weird.
"The Exalt and his queen set an example that love can stay strong, regardless of their history." Marth said. "They are a wonderful couple."
"I see." Robin muttered. "…do you have someone you love, Marth?"
Oh my gosh, why did I ask that? I didn't mean to say anything!
After a brief silence, Marth spoke. "Indeed I do. I used to love someone who I never saw again." Her tone dropped after she said the last words. "However, fate has given me a chance to see that person again." A blush deepened on the swordswoman's face.
Robin's heart dropped. No way could it be her. They have only known each other for a few months. Robin could tell by the look on her face that Marth's love was someone she had a deep connection with.
"It sounds like you've loved this person for a very long time." Robin said. "I hope you two get together." She touched Marth's hand. "…you deserve it."
Marth squeezed Robin's hand gently. "Thank you, Robin."
The two stayed there for a while until Robin awkwardly pulled her hand away.
"Robin!" Lissa shouted. "I've been looking all over for you!" She pulled Robin away, towards the altar. "Olivia's about to toss the bouquet!"
"What's that?"
"It's where the women who have yet to be married try to catch the bride's bouquet to see who gets married next!"
"Ugh, do I have to?" Robin groaned, as Lissa practically dragged the tactician on the floor.
Robin and Lissa joined to crowd of women surrounding Olivia. Cordelia and Sumia looked like they were going to tackle everyone to get that bouquet.
"Okay ladies…1…2…3!"
The bouquet flew in the air, the women scrambled for it, while Robin stayed put. She knew for sure she wasn't the next in line to get married.
After some catfights on the floor, a victor emerged. A small hand clutching the bouquet rose from the crowd.
It was Lissa!
All the other women groaned in defeat.
"Guess I'm meeting Mr. Perfect soon!"
"And meanwhile, I'm still here fighting a unrequited love with Ms. Perfect…." Robin mumbled.
"What was that?"
"Nothing!"
Chrom's wife is finally revealed! ...and it's not Sumia. Ok, first of all, I do not hate Sumia, nor do I hate Chromia. I teased Sumia and Chrom a little bit because of how Awakening kept shoving in Sumia as Chrom's canon wife. I prefer Olivia, and I needed Inigo to be Lucina's brother for this story.
Hopefully I didn't upset anyone, and thank you for reading!