".. it has been a while" She thought seeing the port, under normal circumstances she would just fly over the place, but at that point, rumors spread like wildfire, the folk around the border were anxious for the incoming battle, what made her worrysick to depart from the Mila Tree so late, three weeks after receiving his letter and she was late, she cursed that she couldn't fly across the sea, that se had to wait for an available route.
As she quietly left the boat, she hid her face under her hood, paying some extra coin to the captain to write down her name as 'Morgana' when they docked.
"That´s a name no one has used in a long time, young gal" the captain murmured when they sailed a few days ago "….but I won't deny my service to the voice herself, just be careful in your way to Ylisstol"
It wasn't strange that he assumed that, but her business was in Plegia, with a certain purplenette.
The captain murmured some words when she was aboard "As long you´re here, you´re safe, but if you want to venture beyond the longfort, I suggest some trusty sellswords near the coliseum" he pointed to one of the big buildings in the city "The capital its four days away using a wagon, otherwise, it might take two weeks on foot."
"I appreciate your concern, but I am needed with the Exalt" Tiki whispered, a sour expression appeared in his face.
"Your immaculate one, you´ll need more information, do you know where to go?"
Tiki nodded as Shyalla followed her, both Manaketes walking through the cold streets of the port city.
Her companion couldn't believe what she saw, in the last days she showed a new face of her, the divine voice who everyone praised and followed, she knew that there was a mask under that pristine image, at least she thought she knew everything about her, in the last ten years she always struggled to wake her up in the mornings, how she always complained about the fresh weather in the morning that made her sneeze, how carefree was she in her private bedroom, how she nonchalantly spoke to her, but now this facet.
A stern and worried face, in the last days she never complained, she never questioned the captain orders, all what she did was eat, sleep, and meditate, there were times when she took an apple and "offered" it to Naga, all offerings disappeared with small bites, leaving the heart intact, with closed eyes she whispered words she couldn't understand, but always ended in her worries disappearing for a brief moment.
This was the exact image of the Divine Voice everyone expected from her! someone serious, always prepared and ready to respond to the patron goddess she was supposed to represent, but she acted like that just for a mere man? As a retainer, she couldn't understand the mixed feelings inside her, in one hand, she was happy to see Tiki could be serious, in the other, she was jealous of that commoner who pushed the voice in that state.
It was unfair.
Unfair that someone she never met or even stayed at Tiki´s side could make her react like this.
Her thoughts were interrupted when they arrived to one of the Inns near the barracks, it was strange that Tiki instead of using the main door, she took one of the alleys, whispering some kind of password when they approached to the back entrance of the Inn.
Another hooded figure opened and welcomed them, guiding the duo to one of the rooms in the cellar.
Ale and wine stunk the place, but the divine voice didn't even flinch with the stench.
They arrived at the backroom of the cellar, surprised to see three robbed figures waiting for them.
"You…. You´re not Morgana….." one of the figures approached, Tiki remained silent "…but…. You…. Smell like her offspring? No…." The robed figures looked each other confused, the smallest one approached, revealing her face.
A small taguel with a muzzle on her face, bunny ears and fluff on her shoulders, the way she moved her face was curious, she started sniffing Tiki.
"….No… Wild…. This scent was one around him every time, who are you?"
"My name is Tiki, and im looking for Wild" she presented herself, revealing her face, but they stayed indifferent.
"You don't seem startled by her highness presence" Shyalla commented.
"We know who is the divine voice of Naga, but that doesn't mean it changes anything, you have been using a old and loved name by all the taguel tribes in this continent, those men-spawn who dared to use that name in vain usually met the end of our claws" one of the figures pulled off his hood, this time it was a old looking eagle person "We are willing to speak with you not because you´re the divine voice, but because you were close to Morgana and her offspring"
"What? H-" Shyalla was about to protest, but Tiki stopped her.
"Can you assist us? I need to find Wild as soon as possible" she bowed "Please" Shyalla eye twitched seeing how she requested their help, they looked each other.
"….The feroxian border is closed, right now the Mad King is plotting something" The small girl talked "We cant leave our position, but if you can help Morgana offspring, then we can provide at least supplies and make it easier to cross the border"
"Thank you very much" Tiki again bowed "I´ll never forget this."
"I don't need your gratitude or sympathy, the only reason why I help you its because of her, and for the welfare of Morgana offspring, all scents around him, he holds yours as close as he can" she returned to the group, looking at the other hooded figure "Is this enough?"
"Yes, its enough" laughed the other hooded figure, revealing her face, Tiki certainly recognized that trademark face, the red hair, ponytail, and that cheeky smile.
"Anna?"
"Not any Anna, you know me your highness" she laughed "It seems my little girl and boy have been making a ruckus around the continent, but I never expected the new arrived so soon to your nest" she spoke as the taguels bowed one last time to the secret seller and left the room. "Aren't you way too far, far away of your domain?"
"There are…. Special circumstances" Tiki showed the letter "And…. I need to make that he…."
"Ahh… so you know what happened?" the manakete nodded "I see…. Any insights of our patron deity?"
"Naga herself assures that his hand has been forced, but he´s not what the late king of Ylistool feared, the awakening of the old dragon is still far from us, not even close to your lifespan, at least we can be sure he´s not corrupted"
"Wait, what? What are you talking about?" Shyalla inquired "Is there something I don't know?"
"I think this war meeting reunion has to wait Tiki" Anna sighed "You never told any of your subjects?"
"It was not necessary, but I think it´s time to share some information" she sighed "Lets talk about the last decades Shyalla, until we arrive to Plegia.
Two weeks and half ago.
"Say… you don't look differently today?"
"Nope, nothing, absolutely nothing! Just the old me today"
"…." She stared for quite a while, but she didn't flinch "….. I could swear that you would be upset for what happened two days ago…."
"Ummm well…. I am! Ok? I mean, im reading his stuff and unpacking every book he hid from me, he´ll be mad for days!"
"…. Oh dear, don't tell me that Tharja hexed your precious head" Anna sighed, leaning on her knee.
It´s been two days since Tharja found them, and in all that time the whole march knew about their little adventures of that night.
Not that she minded the gossip, after all, she enjoyed teasing her little brother as much as she could, even if that meant having sour hangovers for the rest of her life, but it worth it for the welfare of the purplennette.
Where he was? The dark mage took every hex he used on himself, having high resistance to poisons, hexes and physical exhaustion didn't mean he was immune, and now seeing how his sleeping face revealed how much control Tharja had over him made her shiver.
Well, as long she didn't want to make a show of them it was all good, almost all good? Until he woke up, she had to smack some common sense in her.
Wild in the other hand, well, maybe Lissa could help her? his common sense was lacking if he had to make sure everyone was in good shape, that hex Tharja lifted was something extreme, normally it was a hex that could put everyone else in disarray, a curse that forbid anyone to sleep, turning it in torture for days, he just modify it to help him skip some nights, but as Tharja said, the backlash was this.
A totally defenseless tactician unable to react to Lissa or Tharja advances.
Right now they were back in the wagon, Wild was wrapped in some thick winter sheets, just like you would wrap a toddler, Frederick was nice enough to put him in the wagon as everyone looked at her brother snoring and drooling, the 'lax tactician' was one of the nicknames she heard from the group, but Sully preferred to say that it was some kind of advance tactic they couldn't understand, Virion jested that he planned everything in advance that he could predict how many enemies they could face, making him relaxed for his preparations.
Well, it has been two whole days and he hasn't wake up, Tharja said it was normal, the moment she dispelled the hex she could swear that it was used for at least three or four days, anytime now he would wake up and feel hungry, not to mention other necessities.
Lissa poked again his cheeks, making the tactician groan.
In the last hours she has being doing that, although she looked adorable to her, certainly there was something she was hiding from her, maybe another prank? She didn't seem to desperate to pull the tactician leg again.
They heard how someone knocked.
"Go away Tharja" Lissa groaned.
"Umm… its not her, its me, Stahl"
"Oh, great, go away Stahl, this is a private wagon" Anna tried to stifle a laugh.
"What's wrong? Is miss sympathy doing her job?" The merchant inquired.
"Ah, right now we´re just waiting for the reply of the outpost, we should arrive to the coliseum in a few hours now, but the city it´s in high alert, so it's taking longer than expected."
"So, we´re not moving any time soon?"
"Just to the outpost stables, after they allow us to pass, we can resume our march, but there´s a issue… Frederick won't carry Wild again"
"Wh-What?! But he will freeze out here!" Lissa complained.
"He said that either you go to the outpost by yourself or he will come for you, that Wild has enough sheets to be sheltered from the snow, and that Anna can always be at his side"
"Th-That wont do!" Lissa groaned, she looked at the book she took from his vault, seeing the light-green scales in the front page, she knew more about him, and leaving him like that left a bad taste in her mouth, not to mention that she wanted to be there when he woke up "….F-Fine, lets go for Sully or Kellam, im sure they can help us" she returned the book to its place and carefully jumped off the wagon.
"In the meantime, i´ll try to approach the outpost, at least i´ll make it easier to carry him" Anna giggled, as she prepared the reigns.
Lissa looked around, under the wagon and over the horses "…pssht! Don't let that woman get near, please?" she whispered to the secret seller.
"I´ll do my best" she winked.
"Haaaah… Quickly! Kellam! WHERE ARE YOU?!" Lissa shouted as hard she could.
"…."
As the wagon slowly moved, the rocking of the wheels was a familiar feeling, it was something he got used to, but lately it was recomforting.
He was dozing, struggling to wake up, normally he would be hungry, but strangely all that he could feel was exhaustion, something that made his body heavier with the comfortable sheets and pillows around him.
The grip of it loosened with the new movement, so little by little his arms started to react, still numbed but at least fighting to wake up, his vision was blurred but he could see the dim daylight, there was a shadow near him, hearing how something hit the floor, he guessed who it was.
"Please don't do it, please don't do it, please don't do it" he pleaded in his mind, feeling the cold breeze and how the figure rested its body on top of his, that faint scent of 'convent' in the air, she wasn't a 'flower girl', but certainly the way she used those lavender flowers incite him.
"Mmmm~ I missed this~" She whispered, with her hand on his torso, he could feel how she started moving her fingertips, something wet and cold in his skin made him shudder "Sorry, but you´ve been a bad boy, those wounds need treatment."
"ahh…. But…. It´s necessary this kind of skin ship?"
"I just left my robe and whatever could hurt you off, besides, it´s too cold to do that here, I don't complain since I have you at my mercy~"
"Tharja….. you know that´s…. not good"
"Are you denying my reward? I had to lead these buffoons for two whole days, is asking for your attention too much?"
"Well… no, but you have my attention if you want it, just…. Not like this"
"It´s my presence that hideous now?"
"No, but you know how I feel…. Making you do all these things, you´re going to such great lengths just for me…"
"I do this because I want to, you´ve nothing to worry or feel guilty about, but if you're so worried about me, maybe I can't tone down a little bit, for a little price." She giggled "But… seeing how hard you´ve been working…. It´s hard to not pamper you….heh heh heh…."
"….haaah…. " he sighed, knowing that there was hardly something to freed himself from her grasp, to be honest her presence was intoxicating and calming, after spending almost a decade together she knew how to push his buttons, and snuggling the way she did, she didn't want to entice him, but recomfort him.
"But, since you just woke up, I guess there´s not helping it, are you hungry?" he nodded "Good, otherwise this would be pointless" then again, moving her position and stretching her arm over his head, the service she was providing was indeed on purpose, maybe to prove she was still using her clothes aside of her usual robe, this was indeed, a move to provoke him, she always found a way to show her affection but now this was interesting, she was jealous? She wasn't so direct in Plegia, there was hardly something that could explain this behavior, or at least that he could remember, now that he thought about it, how he ended up in that position in the first place?
He couldn't remember, not that he could focus with the sight of Tharja sitting on his torso, of course she placed a hex around to maintain the warm inside, made him wonder why she needed to slip under the sheets in the first place.
"Here…. Aaaaahh" Offering a slice of apple, he tried to move his arms again, no response as there was barely any strength, sighing he opened his mouth.
"You know, you shouldn't hex me like this" he commented, Tharja stopped for a moment, looking in contempt, frowning and placing her fingers on his mouth.
"My love, you don't seem to notice, this is the backlash of that hex of yours, if you forced that spell any longer, numbed arms would be the least of your problems, for now let the hexes to me, you´re not bad at it, but you don't have the knack for this kind of magic" She saw the vault, feeling the energy of those scales "As always, i´ll do the dirty work, but I must insist that you must refrain to cast anything like that, you know that until you destroy that front page, it wont let you cast any kind of useful or powerful hex"
"….fine…. i´ll be in your care….."
"And as always, im glad to comply" She started feeding him again "That reminds me, you have a lot to explain, about your whereabouts and how you were lost for who-knows how much time, why you have been neglecting your health" she frowned seeing how he just ate without a hint of guilt "Uh? Are you ignoring me?"
"N-No, but it´s kind of hard to eat like this and respond"
"It´s that so?" she took a slice of apple, a smirk appeared on her face "We haven't played for a while, want to resume? To see if you can finally settle the score?"
He gulped, right now he couldn't dare to go against her wishes, but doing that in that place? It was bad that he couldn't remember how he ended up like that, now making any kind of excuse that could endanger the group would be risky, Tharja fixed her hair to her left side, placed that slice of apple on her lips and slowly approached, with her right hand she guided him, he could feel the fruit in his lips and see her expecting eyes, there was nothing that could make her stop.
Humoring her, took small bites, little by little, she giggled when their lips touched a couple of times, until the last piece, he tried to take it as quickly as possible, while he finished his meal, curling her lips and now embracing him from his neck, she waited until he gulped.
Just a small "bite".
Her favorite and most special meal, he never resisted her touch, and that included how she indulged in that kind of moment.
With her arms around her neck, how she slowly started with a small peck, building the moment as she tasted the moment, closing her eyes and increasing the intensity of her kiss, on his lips, how their breath grew hotter and aggressive, normally he would place his hands on her waist, using his hold to press against each other, the last time they indulged like that was in Plegia, near the border, now once again she claimed what belonged to her, she had to stop for a moment to take small mouthfuls of air and resume, after a decade of knowing each other she couldn't get used to his presence.
It always made she act strangely.
She was a DARK MAGE, from a prestigious family in Plegia, her mother and sisters always pointed how to use her feminine charms to get what she needed from her job, she was taught from an early age to expect deception and disappointment outside her family, to maintain in check her emotions, for that same reason everything seemed pointless and dull from her point of view, but the moment their gaze met she knew they were meant to be together, ten years later, her belief was stronger than ever.
Even after years of stalking, years of observing and documenting every little movement, she couldn't believe that all he needed to do was touch her to blur all her training, the code of her family, as she aggressively claimed her place as her lover, the training of her family seemed as something optional, the first time they succumbed to their most primal and carnal desires and the times after that, there was only 'him' and 'her', no rules, no code, nothing to worry about, she always thought that other girls in her class were mere fools, idiots for falling in such behaviors as 'lovers', 'head over heels' was just an empty phrase, now she turned in what she loathed eleven years ago, and she was fine with that.
There was something deep inside him, but all she could do was to gloat in the moment of their union, every second watching him, holding him close to her was stronger than any other hex, drug or curse she knew, how many times she inflicted obsession to others for her family honor and job as a sorceress but never saw anything as addictive as she indulged with him? She had to break the kiss for more air, this time taking a considerable amount of distance between their lips, basking in the afterglow of that moment, all she could do sitting on him was to enjoy it, licking her lips and looking in anticipation, his face reflected the same kind of excitement and fulfillment, Wild was never a dull or boring lover, he reacted whenever she approached, and unfortunately for him, there was only one thing she could do to break the sound of gasp in that place "Seems that…. I´m still winning, my love" said while she tried to hold her impulse to resume their precious time, she had to hold on for their sake, anymore and maybe they would notice outside, not that she minded but certainly that face, Wild´s flustered and embarrassed face was only for her.
"Th-Tharja… what are you…. Trying to do?" he gasped, that was no good, she spoke too soon, now he had enough strength to fix his posture, leaning on his right elbow, he took her hand on with his left, she couldn't believe that he pulled down to reveal her face like it was nothing, in the first place it was just a reflex to hide her flustered face, her curled lips couldn't hold her trademark giggling, she was about to speak but he was faster "…you have…. clearly lose this time, you´re covering up your face…"
"…Tsk" she now was annoyed, red handed and with nothing to argue, even if he was dazed and exhausted, he was still as sharp as ever, but it was not like she couldn't take a bold bet "Don't get cocky…." Her curl returned "I can change that anytime"
"Th-"
"Good morning~!" Anna opened the flap of the wagon, with a ear to ear smile "My dear little brother, I hear that you finally woke up! We should…. Get ready for…..Lord….." She slowly stopped realizing the situation, Tharja on top of him with flustered cheeks and panting, the sheet fell from her back, revealing the black silk of her bodysuit, her pleased expression changed to discomfort.
"…HOW DARE YOU?"
"W-W-Wait a minute Tharja! I-I-It´s too soon for me to being an aunty! Im not mentally prepared yet!" Anna raised her hands, the dark magic in Tharja hand stopped flicking for a moment.
There was a long pause as everyone stayed in their places, what broke the silence was Tharja giggling with her finger on her lips.
"This is going to be a long day" thought Wild sighing.
"I already told you, im perfectly fine" he coughed, making sure that he had his gear, there was missing some pages in his pockets, but aside of that, he shook his head pulling his winter cloves "There's nothing to worry about."
"You´re sure about that? You had us worried" Chrom chuckled, Lissa was still pouting near the couch with her arms crossed "It's not every day that you…. Worry us like that."
"I'm fine, really" Wild sighed, pulling his collar Frederick brought whatever they could need, they were in one of the rooms provided by Raimi in the outpost. As she predicted, the snowfall was getting worse and by the time being they would stay in that place, at least they had enough space and food for the next weeks if they had to wait, fortunately with the size of the barracks in that outpost there was nothing to worry about. He just needed to survive the night "These are all the documents?"
"Are these necessary?" Chrom took one of the papers on the table.
"Normally no, but as a large convoy we need to register all our supplies, weapons and every soldier in the group, they might hire us."
"Excuse me? Hire the Prince? Are you jesting?" Frederick commented.
"It´s possible" he pointed at the coliseum in the map on the table "We may say this is the capital, but Regna Ferox doesn't have that kind of political system, as a mercenary kingdom they have a meritocratic policy, if you want something you have to earn it."
"We´re here to request their help, Emmeryn tried to contact them but there was hardly any kind of reply, is there any possibility that they could reject our cause?" Inquired Chrom.
"As long as we provide what they need, I don't see a reason, but it can be tricky" Wild said rubbing his chin "Regna Ferox is ruled by several warriors and clans, but normally they follow the strongest warrior, the Khans are the ones who decided how to rule and if we prove our case, they won't reject us, but…." He closed his eyes for a brief moment "….we should chose our words carefully, im not sure who are the current Khans in Ferox, I would like to scout and learn about their situation"
"You mean, spy them?"
"Not exactly, I just want to know what they need, knowing that I would proceed accordingly " he took one of the parchments showing the east wall of the longfort "Smuggling it´s one of the most common issues in the kingdoms, but Regna Ferox always rejected products from Plegia like jewelry or spices, their strong point, but there´s hardly a reason to turn down a new batch of weapons or armor, even warships, Ylisse in the other hand, can produce a good amount of goods like food or furniture, we should expect that they´ll try to trade instead of providing any support, in the worst case scenario, they might reject us completely, so we need that information"
"I see, how long it will take?"
"Im not sure, it could take a week, maybe a month? Mobilizing such large troops along the territory to secure the safety of the civilians it´s…. problematic" someone handed a cup of tea to him "Oh, thanks, anyway, we need to think about it, I already made arrangements to mobilize Ylisstol current military, but I don't think it´s enough…." He took a sip, hearing how someone was giggling behind him he almost spit the drink.
"You must be careful…. I brew that specifically for you~" Tharja said with such glee in her voice, that Wild couldn't help but worry about what was in his drink.
"ha?! What is she doing here?!" Lissa shouted pointing at the raven girl, Tharja for her side hid her lips behind the tray she had in her hands.
"Is not obvious? I can't leave him alone and since no one here can't lend him a hand, i´ll take the position as her personal assistant…." She looked at the purplenette who nervously smiled "It´s not like I enjoy your company, but it´s something I have to deal with it…."
Lissa was about to complain but Wild raised his hand "Don't fight, please, she´s here for me, and to be honest, she´ll be a great asset to our group" Wild began "The fact that she could sneak in our group should be proof enough, second best information gatherer when I was in Plegia, her magic skills are beyond the average, she knows how I work and can follow my instructions, there´s hardly someone more capable as my assistant"
"And we have to ignore the fact that she slipped through our defenses?" Frederick inquired.
"Easy Frederick, I'm sure Wild judgment it´s justified, but I can't help to wonder….. what is she to you?" Chrom couldn't ignore Sumia request, he didn't understand what she meant for 'ulterior motives', but Lissa pushed the topic as well.
"That´s quite personal" Wild commented, but Tharja giggled as she slowly approached to him.
"None of your business" She said, taking seat on his lap, with her arms around him "What we do in our private time is just for us"
Lissa was puffing her cheeks seeing how bold she was acting, Wild quickly and carefully moved her away.
"Tharja please, this is serious, you know what I think about this behavior in important meetings" She looked somewhat disappointed, but her blue passed quite quickly, looking away for a moment, she shrugged and leaned against his shoulder.
"Fine, but once these meetings are over, you´re mine for the rest of your free time."
Wild sighed "Look Chrom, her antics are….. cute when you get to know her, she might be harsh at first, but I assure you she´s just like any other shepherd, kind of heart and willing to help if she´s needed, just give her some time to open."
"What I am? A stray cat now?" Tharja said, but seeing how that princess was pouting, her lips curled, rubbing her head against his shoulder, she wanted to prove her place "Should I remind you our time together?"
"Ok, that´s enough" Wild sighed "Chrom, im sure we can discuss this later, right now you need to talk with our group and remind them that we´re invited to meet the Khan, our behavior will impact our incoming agreements with them, until we march again, i´ll be in my quarters, explaining this girl why she cant do whatever she want" said grabbing her from her arm "Let me know if you need help with anything, see you later." Before they could react, Wild left the room as quickly as he could.
"That was…. Interesting….." Chrom chuckled "I guess that´s all for today?"
"Technically he shoved his work on us, milord" Frederick said "A young girl appears and he´s already neglecting his duties"
"I don't know….. these are quite well documented, most of the work was already finished, I just need to check and approve these papers, right?"
"Mmmmm" The stalwart knight took one of the documents, and as his liege said, the work was near to be finished, the presence of that girl didn't affect his work for what he could see, but nonetheless he would keep a close eye to a pair of Plegian loose in the camp "Perhaps just a reminder that he work for us, not the other way around"
"He´s fine, w-" Chrom was about to talk to his sister, but she was missing, all he could hear was the door closing "…is she that annoyed for the work?"
"Milord…. I think we need to talk about relationship and personal affairs" Frederick sighed rubbing his temples "Anna should be prepared for any inconvenience, for the time being, lets focus on this, for what I heard from the guards, the snowfall might stall us for a while."
….
He couldn't believe that she was way bolder than before, she never hesitated to show her unique attachment to him, but certainly in the past she preferred to maintain it as private as possible, not to mention she never felt the need to show of in public, what was going on? Was his health that bad that she felt the urge to act like that? Wild couldn't think in any excuse for her behavior, but he needed to stop it, one thing was Chrom, but doing that in the future? She wasn't a fool, but Tharja certainly doesn't care at all if someone pointed her antics.
His blood boiled if someone dared to lecture her in what she could do, anyone but him.
As he was told, his place was aside of Chrom hut, unfortunately, the huts were quite afar from the main building, the whispers from some of the feroxian guards were rather crude and idiotic for his perspective, not even subtle about Tharja figure.
He hated it.
He couldn't stand it even for a minute, before she could protest, she covered her with her robe and continued to his hut, of course the prying eyes complained but he didn't care, it wasn't a show, and Tharja seemed quite pleased to have the fabric around her.
"Cozy" Said Tharja after they arrived at the hut, twirling around with the robe and with the sleeves on her nose.
"This place was a tourist spot, the warm-rock under us is built from some remanent of hot springs, the thermal cracks are the reason the huts can't get cold, Raimi was generous t-"
"Im not talking about the place" Tharja said, snuggling on his chest, interrupting him "but… I remember some good days aside of a chimney back in Plegia, want to repeat?" she took him from his collar as he sighed, guiding him to the couch, he only followed her since he didn't have any strength left on him, only to talk.
"Tharja…"
"You´re right, i´ll kill anyone who dares to interrupt us, so it must be enough with some old quality time, besides, you still owe me…."
"Excuse me? Who owes who here? You came from nowhere, create havoc around here and knock me out" he groaned "don't get me wrong, im happy to know you´re safe and sound, that you could get away from Plegia and that we can talk again, but you can't just…." He narrowed his eyes seeing how she was giggling with his robe "…. You just stopped listening, aren't you?"
"I heard that you´re happy for me" she smirked "That´s all what matter."
"Aaaahhhhh, look, we need limits, were not going to do anything similar to what happened before, not in battle and certainly not in our private time."
"Are you sure?" Tharja left go his robe, to slowly release her own robe and letting her sleeves fall "You know i´ll never ask you to repeat those acts from Plegia, but I definitely want seconds for what we did together, why we should resist?" she giggled with her hand on his chin "This time we can chose a bed or a couch, or maybe both? I still have those emergency wards, right now, our only limit is our imagination."
"Tharja… i…." Wild held her hand, she closed her eyes expecting her answer, just as he pulled the robe on her shoulders, they could hear someone knocking the door "How sad" he laughed while she whined.
"Just ignore it" she said painfully as he walked to the door.
"No can do" he said playfully "After all, I have a real honorable work right now, im not going to neglect it"
He opened the door, to be surprised that a trembling Lissa greeted him, shaking like a leaf and some snow in her head "H-HI."
"…. Babysitter? that's your job now?" Tharja remarked somewhat harshly.
"Har har…. Very funny" Wild replied, guiding Lissa near to the chime, sitting in one of the couchs, he dashed to what he thought would be the wardrobe "Lissa, why are you here? And why are you like that? Didn't you had something fluffier to wear? What about your coat?"
"I… forgot it" she looked away "My stuff is still in the wagons, and I forgot it in my hut."
"You forgot it? In this weather? What was so important that you…." Looking at her, she shyly showed her staff.
"You still need to be careful, your wounds are still fresh and I wanted to make sure you were fine, it´s just that everything was going so fast that I forgot your check up, i… aaack!" she was interrupted as a towel hit her face.
"You….. silly thing" he took the tower and rubbed her head "Fine, you forgot that, but that´s not excuse to rush to my side, not with this weather, you´ll freeze to the dead if you do this in a snowfall" looking at the window, the amount of snow falling increased "…not that we can do something about that" looking back at the fidgeting princess, he sighed.
"H-Hey! Wh-What are you doing?! Nobody told you that you shouldn't touch a maiden hair?" Lissa complained when he took of her hood, undoing her pigtails as well.
"If you didn't want this to happen, then you should be more careful with your own health" said Wild drying her head "Took the other towel and clean your shoulder, the snow might wet your clothes…."
For her, it had certainly something special, the way he touched her hair, the way his fingers played with her curls, a fuzzy feeling in her chest that dazed her thoughts, she couldn't help but smirk shyly with pink cheeks, fortunately she could make that face hiding her lips, the fact that nobody was bold enough to do that make her heart take a skip.
Realization stuck her, that rude woman was with them, looking at her direction, she was…. Playing with his robe? They exchanged glares, Tharja just smiled, pitting her as she rubbed the robe to her face, delighted to sniff it.
"Wh-What? That pervert!" Lissa pouted, not sure if she was angry of jealous for her behavior.
"Well, I guess I can use this time to relax…. Besides, this hut its kind of comfy…." Wild walked again to the window, taking off his blouse "…but it seems that we won't be going away soon, fine, both of you win, i´ll slow down for now" he sighed again in defeat.
"…. Hey… c-come here!" Lissa demanded, sitting now in the big couch, with her hand tapping the free space "come, come, come!"
"Uh?" seeing her acting that meekly was somewhat cute, rolling his eyes and seeing how Tharja was to focused in his robe, he just followed her instructions "Yes your majesty…"
"Don't call me that! You know i-ahh!" Wild started drying her hair again, smirking at her behavior, puffing her cheeks at first, she used her staff again.
She got used to see him like that, not that she complained and certainly didn't tough that she would enjoy a view like that, it was weird for her, seeing his torso, although she hated to see how he got injured, it was hard to understand those mixed feelings.
She felt foolish, thinking that she was safe, and now all nowhere that girl appeared, just how close they were? She couldn't forget what happened that night, and seeing how easily she knocked out him, she was way too dangerous.
"Well, maybe another approach?" Sumia words resonated in her mind "You know, there is this book Wild recommended, he´s a great bookbuddy! And just when I thought I had ran out of stories, he lend me some good novels, we can talk about each other hobbies, so why don't ask? He has a open-door policy"
"…" She finished, placing a hesitant hand on his skin, there was still work to do, he was resilient, but unfortunately her magic couldn't help him as much as she wanted, there were traces of a strange ointment, maybe something he did?
"Lissa?" He broke her focus, embarrassed she turned, moving away the towel.
"You´re still recovering, no exercise for the next days mister" she crossed her arms "Well, I don't think you can…. Stay away from the battlefield…. Right?"
"…."
"Chrom…. Said earlier that there was a chance to fight at the arena…. But you…. H-hey!"
"You shouldn't worry about that now" Wild took one the combs from her apron and began to comb her hair, then braided it with such skill and delicacy that all Lissa could feel where his fingertips were, there was a fuzzy feeling in her.
"Wh-What are you doing?"
"Didn't you said that I shouldn't touch a princess hair? This is the least I cand do, so don't complain, ok?"
"D-Do you know what´re you doing?"
"You´re kidding? One older stepsister that can only eat and drink all day aside of her work, another who forced me to brand her long white hair in the desert, another meek girl who demanded a special look every day."
"Just how many sisters do you have?"
"Three, so you´re in good hands"
"Mmm….." Maybe she could approach them? She was sure Anna was in her side, but the other two? and what about the other members of his family? It was strange that he was talking about his personal life, but before she could ask more, he laughed.
"I have to say, this is kind of fluffy, like a Pomeranian."
"A what?"
"Pomeranian dog, a small, fluffy and cute dog"
"Hey! You shouldn't say that about a girl hair!"
"Heh… sorry….. Done."
"Uh? Already? W-wait, what…." She had to look around for a mirror, seeing his work, she couldn't help but love how he braid her hair "W-Wow… it looks something from a fairy tale."
"Please, its just a regular waterfall braid, but im glad you like it….."
"…"
"…"
"O please, say something! Anything!" Lissa thought, not willing to end the conversation like that, "C´mon, there must be something that y-"
Wild sneezed quite hard "Ugg… I guess I need to prepare…." He said yawning "… for the next days, lets find something comfortable, ok?" he stood guiding her to the next room "There´s a lot of space here, Tharja already seized the bed, so let's find some blankets, you can have the big couch."
"Oh… it´s…. its kind of early, isn't? i…." Lissa was interrupted seeing how he yawned again, now that she thought about it, it was the first time he willingly tried to take it easy "N-nevermind, lets go!" he nodded with a calm smile, looking back, that girl was still focused on her own world.
She was surprised to see how one small room was used to store so many cloths, Wild just nonchalantly tried to pick something for her.
"There are some thick and comfortable blankets here, you…" looking at her, she had was thinking in something "… is there nothing of your liking?"
"Uh? Ah…. Y-yes, everything is good…." She was playing with her thumbs.
"Ok? Lissa, you have to throw me a bone here, I don't know what you want, there might be something that´s too heavy for you or uncomfortable, you ju-" He was talking and stretching his arm to one of the blankets above him, but all of nowhere, she pressed herself against him, with her arms around his torso "-st… L-Lissa? What a-"
"I don't know… I just… feel like doing this…" She murmured "You have been with us for a while…. But until now….. I didn't know you were pushing yourself so far…. And I didn't notice it…."
"That´s normal Lissa, y-"
"No, its not!" she hugged him "How can you say it´s normal to work to dead? You´re supposed keep us safe and we should do the same with you…. Not noticing how tired you were…"
"…..Thank you"
"Uh?" Lissa was surprised by his answer, he carefully moved her arms away, with that same warm and tired smile she saw on Emmeryn.
"I appreciate that you care so much for me Lissa, but im fine, truly" he laughed, trying to convince her, but she recognized that kind of behavior, trying to shrug off her worries "It just something that has to happen, new work, new people, new responsibilities, if not sleeping a couple of days can maintain everyone in shape and safe, then i´ll happily do it over and over again, its fine, y-"
"No, it´s not fine" She stared angrily "A few weeks ago, we found you almost dying of exhaustion, now we found out that you´re overworking, that´s not fine and it's not healthy for you." Crossing her arms, she pouted "You have done a lot for us, its not fine to push you like this…." Now she could feel her face heating up, thinking in her next words "…No, I don't want to see you like that again… its decided then!"
"Wh-Wha-"
"From now on until you fully recover, i´ll be at your side and help you in anything I can" she said with a cheeky smile "Like, being your personal secretary, what´d you think?"
"….That´s…. a terrible idea" he sighed, taking off her wind "For starters, you´re a princess, taking you like a secretary…. Frederick would behead me if he finds out about this idea, not to mention that you´re way too busy, you and I have a-" She placed her finger on his lips.
"Those are pesky details, im sure Chrom and Emmeryn will agree, just to make sure our favorite tactician gets enough rest and help, Freddie can handle my task" She smiled "To be honest, he already does, there´s hardly something I need to do aside of checking in the inventory" she thought, not willing to share that information "Besides, what better than having a beautiful princess at your side all the time?"
"… haaaah….." he rubbed his head "Look, i´ll promise to not push myself like that again if it´s not necessary, I cant bother you like this, y-"
"Are you saying you don't want me around you?" She interrupted with an angry expression "Or it´s because you think im childish?" placing her hand on his chest she tried to sound hurt.
"You´re acting like a spoiled child…." he thought.
"I can hear what you are thinking!" she puffed her cheeks.
"It´s not a think about wanting you around or not, I-"
"Then its decided!" she clapped her hands "I´ll tell Chrom later about our deal" she took one of the blankets, spinning around "Let's call it a day then! I'm sure we have a lot to do tomorrow" she practically skipped out the room.
"…" Wild sighed again, rubbing his temples "…What was that?" he whispered "I suppose I can humor her, until she gets bored" he took a pair of blankets, returning on his steeps, Lissa was already making space in the couch, he barely had time to left one of the blankets at Tharja side, seeing how she was already kidnaping his robe, he rolled his eyes while she used it to cover herself.
Lissa was energetic, but before he could notice it, she was already preparing everything, before taking any free spot, he just wandered around, making sure the windows were tightly shut, seeing how everything outside was white, he knew there was no escape for it, at least for the next hours.
Defeated and with barely energy to complain, he sighed and walked one last time to the window, seeing how everything outside was turning white, there was nothing he could do about it, closing the curtains, he checked every window just to make sure they were sheltered for the harsh weather, takin charcoal to stoke the fireplace, preparing the wood so as not to have any inconvenience, he had no other choice but go with the flow.
Using the poker aside the chime, he remained silent, focused on the flame.
"Its not perfect, but for now….. this is good" He thought "Until she gets bored of me, until then i´ll humor her….."
Chapter 6: Hidden Feelings.