Dinner was a bit awkward, to say the least. The two received many stares when they walked into the mess tent together. Lissa was a people person, she always likes to be around others, but Lon'qu on the other hand, was a man of few words, and even fewer friends. He declined Lissa's offer to sit with her, as he wanted his space. She would be fine a few tables down surrounded by people. Being near her for so long took a lot of strength.
"Oi, why Lon'qu spending the time with princess?" Gregor questioned taking a seat across from the swordsman.
"My new 'assignment'," Lon'qu informs. "I'm her new bodyguard."
"Why face is long? You get to guard beautiful Princess! Is nice, no? Or is fear of the women getting in way again?" Gregor questioned. Like always, the experienced sellsword could read Lon'qu like a book, and is met with a grumble. "Lon'qu, how many times Gregor must explain! Short is life! You must enjoy while you can."
"But my condition..."
"This good way to face... how do people say... with 'head on'? Try getting of know of small princess. She is surprising... will keep you on the tips of toes. You train mind and spirit like with body, no? Be as hard working like you are with the training. Report back to Gregor with results at dinner every night."
Lon'qu sighed. He couldn't argue with Gregor, much like he couldn't with Basilio. Gregor has proven to be right about a lot of things, not just limited to battle, but also life as well. "Very well..."
The rest of dinner went by, as Lon'qu and Gregor talked idly, mostly about sword techniques and things around camp.
"Hey, did you have a nice meal?" Lissa asked happily as she approached the two.
"Oy, small princess, long time no talk. Is busy, yes?" Gregor greeted.
"Yeah, just the usual stuff." She nods.
Gregor laughed heartily as he gets up from his seat. "Such busy bee. Remember to take time for self, ok?"
"Yeah! I will!" She nods, and is given an affectionate hair ruffle from Gregor as he leaves, much like a father would give to his daughter. Lon'qu gets up and stands by the princess.
"What is it that you usually do during the evening?" He questions.
"Well, I usually get to do whatever I want if I get all my work done!" She nods. "Today I promised I would have tea and dessert with Maribelle." This was met with a slight cringe from Lon'qu. It was already a great struggle to be around the Princess, but now he was to be around the rather loud, bossy and abrasive noble as well? "I can just go alone if you-"
"That won't be necessary. I was ordered to guard you, and I will to the best of my ability."
"Oh, okay." She nods.
It was a breezy spring evening, and the walk to the Noble's tent was rather pleasant and short. The sun was setting, and the sky was a beautiful mix of twilight. Lon'qu was thankful that spring was very mild, however, he wondered how he would fair in his first summer in Ylisse.
"Oh is that you Lissa darling?" A rather haughty yet sophisticated voice rang.
"Yep! I'm here Mari-belly!" Lissa greeted happily as she ran the rest of the way to the tent.
"Goodness Gracious! I'm so delighted that you could make it to our little 'soiree'!" Maribelle giggles as she embraces the princess, and the best friends kiss each other's cheeks affectionately. Lon'qu can't help but blush slightly. This was never a social gesture in both Regna Ferox and Chon'sin. Was this something that was only done in Ylisse?
Maribelle looks up at the Swordsman. "Odd, I didn't think you would be the type to enjoy gossip, however if you are a guest of Lissa's you are more than welcome to join us."
"N-no I..." Lon'qu babbles nervously.
"He's my bodyguard!" Lissa informs.
"Bodyguard? Since when?" Maribelle questions raising an eyebrow.
"Since today actually! There are actually assassins after me..." Lissa says gloomy.
"Oh my! Assassins? After my Lissa?! I'm so sorry dearest!" The noble gasped. "Come along my love, you must tell me everything that's been going on! It has been far too long!"
"Aren't you coming Lon'qu?" Lissa asks.
"N-no, I want to give you your privacy... I will be nearby."
"Awww that's sweet of you! Thank you!" The princess smiles.
"Well, I must at least offer you a cup of tea!" Maribelle insists.
"Thank you..."
It only took a few minutes to get Lon'qu some tea and to settle down at Maribelle's rather elegant tea table. There was a wide array of sweets and desserts that were being served in fancy pastel plates and rather expensive imported tea in decorated teacups.
"Now then my dear, how have you been?" Maribelle smiles contently as she stirs some sugar into her tea.
"I'm okay! Just a bit on edge I guess."
"I can only imagine! This assassin business has me walking on pins and needles as well."
"Well, actually... I feel pretty safe with Lon'qu around. It's just um..."
Maribelle's voice became softer. "You fancy him, don't you?"
"Y-yeah, and I don't want to make him uncomfortable... more than he already is."
"Yes, that is totally understandable my dear! Luckily I have some tips for you..."
Lon'qu merely sipped on his tea, sitting underneath a tree in the distance. Far enough where he couldn't overhear their conversations, but still close enough where he could protect her in a moment's notice. He then suddenly sneezed. How odd... he wasn't one to usually suffer from allergies.
"What do you mean we are to share a tent?!" Lon'qu exclaimed.
"Well, how else do you expect to protect her if you aren't near her?" Robin informed. "After all, nights are when they are most likely to strike."
"Do I not get any say in this?"
"Hmm... not really..." The tactician shrugged. "Don't be so down, Lissa is a great tent mate! There are worst people to share a tent with. I mean, I could easily assign you to share one with Vaike or even Gaius..."
Lon'qu sighed in defeat. "Very well..."
"Trust me! I use to be Lissa's tent mate, and she's wonderful!"
"B-but you are a female..."
"I guess, but Lissa is pretty easy going. You should be thankful it's her out of all the women in camp. Plus Chrom is putting a lot of trust in you. He has great respect for you. He knows you won't take advantage of the situation."
"Fine."
"Thank you Lon'qu, you're doing a great service to our army. Goodnight!"
"Goodnight." He nods as he enters the tent, it's rather big, but that's to be expected of a Princess' tent. As his eyes wonder, he stops to see the princess laying in bed knitting something. He couldn't help but linger at her appearance. For one, her hair was down and not in their usual perky pigtails. She also wasn't in her usual cleric uniform and was wearing a white, silk, sleeveless nightgown. Dare he even think that... she looked cute? Not that he would ever admit it out loud.
"Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't see you there." She smiled softly. The two had parted so the princess could take a bath, and as such, Robin was the one to look after her for that period of time until they met up again at her... or rather their tent? All of this was new and bit odd for the swordsman. "I um, put up a curtain so you can have your privacy, I know how this arrangement makes you uneasy."
"O-oh... thank you, that is very thoughtful of you." He thanks, a bit surprised. He didn't know Lissa was so... considerate.
"It's no problem at all! If there's anything I can do for you to help make you comfortable let me know!" She smiles and then continues with her knitting. Lon'qu sighs as he sits on his bed, all his possessions were already moved from his previous tent. He decided to do his daily nightly routine of checking to make sure all of his swords were in order. Suddenly his attention was diverted when he heard the small pitter patter of feet approaching the tent, and Lon'qu was instantly on guard.
"It's okay, it's just Truffles!"
"Truffles...?" He questions, raising an eyebrow.
"Me and Chrom's dog!"
"W-what...?"
The white albino puppy walks in and leaps up into Lissa's cot."Hiii sweetie!" She giggles. "Did you miss me boy? Had enough of smelly old big bro?" The puppy merely wags his tail and barks cheerfully. "Sometimes he gets bored of hanging around Chrom and Freddy so he comes to sleep with me."
"I see.."
"Don't worry, Fredrick and I trained him well, he won't make a peep, and will sleep through the night."
"Very well."
Lissa continued her night by playing with Truffles, hugging and cuddling the puppy, giggling all the while. Lon'qu couldn't help but let a barely noticeable, faint hint of a smile escape. It seemed like for once, the princess was simply... well herself and a how a girl her age should be.
The princess then yawned sleepily.
"Perhaps it is in our best interest to sleep," Lon'qu advised.
"Okay! Goodnight!" Lissa smiles cheerfully as she tucks herself and Truffles into bed.
"Goodnight Princess."
Lon'qu ran through a rather dark forest, going as fast as his legs could take him. He was breathless and tired but his adrenal began to kick in. He would not let time repeat itself again. He ran to a fork in the path and for some reason, he felt an odd familiarity with the place. It seems like he reached his destination at a rather large tree, and there he sees someone sitting against it, someone who resembles the princess. He sighs in relief. "Princess, it is not safe to be here by yourself, let us go back to camp."
No response.
"Princess is this one of your pranks? Cease this at once-"
Blood began to bleed through her dress on her abdomen. He was too late.
"P-princess... this is not funny. L-let's go back... P-princess?" He shouted as he shook her to wake her up but to no avail. "O-oh gods, not again... No-no-NO!" He shouts in anguish, his angry and frustration building as he begins to punch the tree with his fist, blood beginning to seep out of it.
"Lon... qu..."
He turns to see a pale, decomposing, and disfigured Ke'ri behind him, slowly approaching him. She wraps her hands around his neck, and just when she's about to wring his neck... He wakes up, startled, sweating profusely, and breathless. The swordsman instantly turns to check up on Lissa and leaps off his cot in a hurry.
He sighs a breath of relief to see the princess sleeping soundly. The dream, however, has unnerved him so much that Lon'qu can not possibly fall back asleep. He proceeds to watch over Lissa until dawn.