Chapter 21

Unfortunately for Nathan, life did not give him a chance to retry his confession to Lissa just yet. The day after their talk, news came to the group that Emmeryn had been captured by Plegia, and was to be executed. At this point, the tactician was, of course, instantly drawn back to only commuting between the strategy room and his tent, constantly looking through possible strategies and formations to prepare for the inevitable battle against Plegia's forces, while also looking for a way to fight without endangering the life of the exalt. Chrom and Frederick even pitched in to help him buy a replacement tent for himself so he could concentrate on his own, with Frederick taking over the duties of watching Lissa (Much to the princess' dismay).

Free time, for Nathan, had become a nonexistent event, to the point where various shepherds would stop by to drop off his supper, have a quick two minute chat, and then allow Nathan to head back to his planning.

In the evening of one night, while looking over records of Plegian executions, and also scanning through a book on Plegian culture to try and find out how the execution may be performed, the tactician heard familiar voices yelling from the tent pitched next to his.

"By the GODS, Frederick! Going over to Maribelle's for tea won't get me KILLED!"

"But Milady, please reconsider! These assassins, looking to kill you, they could have done anything! What if they poisoned Miss Maribelle's tea? What if the invitation she gave you for tea was secretly given by an impostor, and this is all just an elaborate scheme to- MILADY DON'T DRINK THAT, IT COULD BE POISONED!"

"IT'S WATER, FREDDY! FROM YOUR CONTAINER!"

Nathan trudged over, rubbing his eyes and yawning loudly as he opened the flap to Lissa's tent and stepped inside. He looked up to see Lissa and Frederick fighting over the Great Knight's leather flask.

"Hey, uh…guys?" Nathan muttered, yawning again. He couldn't remember the last night he got any actual sleep in, one that wasn't just him falling asleep at his desk. Lissa took her hands off the flask when she saw the man, which Frederick quickly deposited back on his belt.

"Huh? What is it, Nathan?" Lissa inquired, trying her best to act innocent, as if nothing had gone on.

"Well, my tent is right next to yours, and I really need to work right now, so could you both please try to keep the noise down?" Nathan told the two.

"Of course, Milord." Frederick replied. "But I must do what I must to ensure Milady Lissa's safety-"

Lissa was about to start yelling again at the overprotective knight captain before Nathan quickly cut her off. "- I understand that, Freddy, but let her go visit Maribelle. Trust me, she'll be fine. Lon'qu's tent is right next to them, and nothing gets past that man. In the meantime, I'm sure Chrom could use your help with…uh…. raising troop morale. This is quite the battle we are headed into."

Frederick nodded, and puffed up his chest, triumphantly saying, "Ah, if Lord Chrom requires my assistance, I will do what I must to help him in this endeavour!"

The great knight then quickly ran off to find the prince. Nathan turned to Lissa.

"Come find me if he gives you any more trouble like that, I'll do my best to sort him out." He told the princess. Lissa nodded with a small grin.

"Thanks." She quickly replied, before turning to find her staff to bring with her to Maribelle's tent.

"Oh, and one other thing…" Nathan began. Lissa turned around.

"Yeah?"

"About the other day…things are too busy at the moment, but there are things we need to discuss regarding what happened. We'll clear that up soon enough." Nathan told the princess, whose mouth widened into a huge grin. Nathan's face turned red as quickly as lighting a match.

"Alrighty!" Lissa happily replied, pleased at the opportunity to undo the other night's events. The blonde cleric then walked over to Nathan, pulling him into a quick surprise hug.

"Try not to work too hard, okay? I thought I taught you how to relax at times!" Lissa told the man, before bolting off through the camp.

Nathan sighed. He was bewildered at how Lissa could be so energetic even when her Sister was in danger. "So many people are counting on me…I can't let them down." The man muttered to himself, before he headed back to his tent.