Chapter 14

The familiar chill of the autmn morning crept up Robin's spine as hey lay on his side. He wondered if he had left the windows to his chambers open again, but was a bit too comfortable to get up and close them. That, and something heavy seemed to keep his chest and legs in check, but none could compare to the splitting headache the likes of which he'd never felt before he currently suffered from. Made all the worse by some sort of blunt thump against his skull. Still, he didn't care to address who was there at the moment. He just wanted to sleep through the painful ringing in his head.

The misfortune didn't end there. For some bizarre reason, Robin could swear it was raining. The cold splash of droplets against his face finally got the hungover tactician to open his eyes to the harsh sheen of silver clouds drifting across the sky. Thank the Gods the sun was blocked out, or this would be a lot harder than he would have liked. ..

Wait... Clouds?

Just to make sure he wasn't delirious, Robin rubbed his right hand against his eyes to clear his blurred vision. He would have tried his left too if it weren't still currently weighted down. As he lay on his back, he could see what he perceived to be two other standing just above him. He blinked multiple times for their images to come into focus and just before the blurred shapes fully formed, he could feel another downpour upon his head.

This time, Robin made a little more of an effort to sit up, still feeling his chest carrying whatever burden it had. Wiping his face of the water, he could finally see clearly and noticed that Maribelle was currently nestled tightly against him. Her head rested peacefully on his chest, arms wrapped around his body, and even one of her legs hooked over both of his.

'What the in the hells happened last night...' Robin pondered as he tenderly rubbed his aching head. Again, he felt a rapid rush of water hitting his head, sending a shiver down the back of his neck. Craning his neck back, he saw one of the maids standing behind him, arms crossed dutifully behind her back. The other woman? Sully, carrying a watering can, which would explain the 'rain' from before, and a look on her face that he couldn't tell if she was either unimpressed at the less than pleasant picture before her, or completely indifferent to the whole thing

"So... G'mornin'." She greeted, tapping her foot on the grass. Judging by her full suit of her familiar red armor, Robin could tell it was way passed morning at the time of his rude awakening. Sully's look didn't shift all that much, but she managed to smirk a little at the situation before her. "I see you had fun last night."

The shyness in Robin would have spoken up to defend himself, given the way he was presented to her majesty as it were, but he figured why even bother. He certainly couldn't remember anything besides the two glasses of wine he had before the rest of the night was lost to him. "Well, if I did, I certainly can't recall past a few details."

"Damn, when I said I heard blondie was lookin' for ya, I didn't think it was for this." She motioned her hand to the two. How the noble could remain asleep was beyond the two of them at the moment. "You dog, you didn't tell me you two were close like that before."

"Please, we just had a few to drink and talked with each other all night as far as I can remember..." The tactician rubbed his aching head again. It had been a long time since he had a hangover of this magnitude. The last time he could remember was the day after the royal wedding.

"Pfft, right. And I'm the Queen of Ylisse."

"But, you are the-"

"Forget it. I didn't think that one through..." Sully scratched at her feathered hair at the stupid comment she made. The common quip of hers had since lost its sarcastic meaning. "Look, what I'm tryin' to say is that whatever you two have got going on, great. Just... be more discrete, yeah?"

Robin forced himself to rise from the grass, struggling to bring Maribelle up with him in a bridal-carry. "C'mon. Do you really think I'm the kind of guy to get into such things?"

"Hey, they always say the quiet ones are the freaky kind." Sully shrugged, her crooked smile still as smug as ever. "Anyway, keep in mind that the only kind of fluids allowed in this garden is water."

The attending maid looked away to hide her reddening cheeks. Such crass language from the ruler of the realm... As for Robin, had he not been carrying Maribelle with both arms, he would have slammed a palm into his face. "Gross." Robin answered monotonously.

Although still evidently asleep, Maribelle nuzzled her small nose under the crook of Robin's chin, resting her head on his shoulder almost as if she was snuggling him, and lifted her dangling right arm over and gripping his cloak at his chest in her hand, all while giving a small satisfied sigh.

"Uh huh." the queen crossed her arms, still maintaining her smug grin the entire time of the display. "I doubt anyone's gonna cuddle up like that unless something happened last night."

"Would it make a difference if I said one more time that we did absolutely nothing besides talk?"

"Nope." she responded dryly.

"Right. Then I'll just be off then. I'll be in the barracks if you need me." Robin bolstered his grip around Maribelle and turned to walk to his destination. Sully was actually ready to poke more fun at the man, but figured he'd probably not take her japes to good heart at the moment, aching head considered and all.

Walking was absolutely cumbersome for the former-tactician. If his head wasn't hurting, then it was his arms. If it wasn't his arms, it was his legs from the extra weight, or his back... or pretty much anything that could be counted as part of his body. He mentally cursed himself for being so careless with alcohol; he knew he was a lightweight. Still, however badly he had it, Maribelle surely had a worse road ahead. If he could barely walk in a straight line, he could only imagine the mess she would be in, especially with her back pain. Though, it was all the more reason to hurry to the barracks. The sooner he found her room to lie her down, the sooner he could find something to ease his pounding head.

The stone building that was the barracks provided some much needed shade from the harsh light of the sun to Robin's sensitive eyes. He thanked Naga he was finally here, his arms were getting ready to give out. "Damn. I don't remember you being this heavy last I carried you..." he huffed bitterly. Pressing his back against the door, Robin pushed his way into the merciful dim light of the indoors.

Quietly, he closed the doors with his foot so as to not disturb any of the other resting Shepherds, and proceeded to the individual rooms that accommodated each soldier there. Maribelle's room was easy to spot. It was the only one with a heart shape carved into the wood of the door and a stylized 'M' for obvious referential reasons.

Inside, it was almost what Robin expected it to be with a girl like Maribelle. Everything was neat and tidy, with nary a spec of dust or a book out of place on the small shelf at the foot of the otherwise modest bed, which sat under the room's window to the outside. Of course, she happened to have a tea kettle hovering over the fireplace and a set of matching cups for her usual morning beverage. By the scent of it, it seems like there was tea already pre-made, sitting in the kettle. All it needed was a bit of heat and it would be suitable to drink.

Robin gently walked over to the bedside and set the noblewoman down onto the plush mattress and pillow. Afterwards, he sighed a breath of relief and stretched his shoulders out a bit. "Ugh, sometimes you can be more trouble than you're worth..." He mumbled.

Within the next few minutes, he left the girl alone to sleep while he took a quick look into the weapon supplies. He happened to have the good fortune of finding one of the last few Thunder tomes available. They were getting to be quite expensive with the demand for weaponry plummeting after the war. He quickly returned to the room with book in hand and knelt before the fireplace. The half-charred wood was still perfectly usable, and with a snap of his fingers, a tiny bolt of electricity struck the log and reignited it.

For now, until the tea was ready, Robin occupied himself with the small collection of books Maribelle had with her. He ran an index finger across the spines of each of them, and surprisingly, all of them were books on basic etiquette skills and mannerisms while the rest of them focused on understanding the law and positions of the counsel that abide by said laws. Each book was penned by very well known authors, clearly the noblewoman was serious in her pursuits.

Rather than even try to follow along whatever were in the more difficult texts, Robin picked free a book delving into the ins and outs of dinner conversation among other nobles. Thumbing through the pages nearly made his eyes spin in his head at the sheer amount of subjects that can be covered. Was all of this meant for a single evening? One chapter looked like it focused entirely on how to size up one's level of nobility by keeping a keen eye on their fashion alone.

"What... is this stuff?" Robin raised an eyebrow as he read along each line, as if it were written in some foreign language. "'Accessory recognition is key; Pay special attention to baubles such as rings or broaches indicating family crests and the like. Such telltale signs can lead to knowledge on the individual's family and House?' What?"

How was a single person meant to know such things? Everything that was printed on these pages came off to the tactician as pitifully shallow or otherwise void of any personal engagement with anything besides the person behind a title. Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise Robin happened to be born a commoner. Gods only know how lost he would be had he been born to learn such standards.

The whistle of the kettle tore Robin away from the book, and how glad he was to have a valid distraction. Clapping the book shut, he carefully removed the kettle from the fireplace, and poured himself a steaming cup of the amber liquid. The divine smell wafting from the ceramic container helped in alleviating the headaches he still suffered from, serving as a late wake-up call. It felt even better as he tipped the drink to his lips and downed the stuff. Having something warm inside of him on the otherwise chilly Fall noon felt quite refreshing.

However, Robin wasn't the only one being treated to the heavenly smell. Just a foot or two away from him, he could hear the faint sniffles of the resting girl who stirred ever so slightly from her sleep. Her eyes fluttered open to see the tactician sitting not too far from her bedside. He stared right back at her, waiting for her to make some defensive comment and possibly throw him out.

"Mmm good morning, Robin." she yawned. Maribelle rose to a sitting position so as not to aggravate her back pains. Surprisingly, she felt just fine. Not a single cramp, pain or twinge that she usually had whenever she rose from her sleep. It certainly wasn't the current mattress, unless her back does respond positively to such low quality bedding.

"Afternoon, actually. Tea for the headache?"

"Beg pardon? I don't feel a headache coming on. Or any sort of aches today, actually."

"Huh. I wish I could say the same." Regardless, Robin poured a steaming cup for his friend. "So, about last night..."

The noblewoman ran her hands through her slightly messy hair and sat across from Robin. "Ah, yes. Quite an interesting time we had, hm?"

"Yeah. That's exactly what I want to talk about." The tactician tugged at his hood for self-comfort and to help mask his feelings on the possible awkward night between them. "I just wanted to say that if there was anything I may have said... or done, that may have offended, I apologize."

Maribelle couldn't help but laugh a bit at the earnest portrayal of Robin's words were. He was utterly clueless on what happened between them. "Rest assured, dear, nothing happened. You merely had two glasses and were already out of your wits. If you aim to apologize for anything, it should be your inability to handle your alcohol." She took a sip of her tea to hide her wry smile.

"Only two? You've gotta be kidding me..."

"It can't be helped. After all, as far as you know, you've never had a drop in your life. As for me, well I happen to have a glass or two with dinner on most nights."

"I suppose I should work on my tolerance then, huh?"

"Only if you intend to have more nights like that."

"Is that a preemptive acceptance for a future outing then, Miss Maribelle?"

"Perhaps. If I feel so inclined to share my good graces and extend my noble pity to you, Mr. Tactician."

Both stared into each other's eyes, not wanting to blink or look away from each other, while wearing a grin on their faces. It was as if they were having some sort of competition between them and neither one wanted the other to gain the upper hand.

It was funny, in a way. Robin was used to the noblewoman always having him right under her thumb, and he started enjoying these verbal volleys they shared. With Maribelle, she noticed how much of a smart mouth the man was developing with each passing day they spent. Her reputation of having the sharp tongue of the Shepherds was being soundly contested, and deep inside of her, she liked that. She couldn't deny that there was an admirable quality in a man on Naga's green Earth that could stand his ground around her without his knees quivering at her otherwise piercing words. Dare she say, she even found it attractive.

Eventually, their silent meeting of the minds had to come to an end. They would be there all afternoon had neither said anything. Robin slumped back into his chair and took a hearty sip of his tea then poured himself another. Maribelle followed and continued with her own cup.

Looking around the room, Robin noticed how much use it had seen these days. Obviously the noble was keeping track of it, as pointed out by the lack of dust in any area. It was almost as if she had never left the place. Then, it struck him; What if that really was the case. She always had a home to return to, and he usually saw her on her leaves back home. Yet this past week, they had spent nearly every day together after training. He had to wonder if she returned home even once.

Sitting straight, he decided to confirm his theory. "Hey, Maribelle, do you mind answering a question for me?"

"You're not planning on asking me out on another date quite so soon, are you?" Maribelle asked back, in her usual snark.

"That's a question for another time. I wanted to know, if you've returned home to Themis at all this past week. You've been around for quite a lot longer than I'm used to seeing."

"Oh, Gods..." she huffed. Her expression grew dark almost instantly. Her entire body language changed just by mentioning her home for some bizarre reason. She was set to give an answer, but a familiar pain suddenly gripped her shoulders again. She reached her left hand up to futilly rub at her sore muscles, but quickly gave in.

"You're shoulders aching again?" Without even waiting for an answer, Robin stood up from his chair, walked behind the noblewoman's and immediately began kneading her shoulders with his bare hands. "I take it you didn't sleep that well after all?"

Maribelle leaned back in her seat and allowed Robin to work his palms on her shoulders once again. "On the contrary, I slept quite well, all things considered. I'm just in pain because you brought up stressful subjects I'd rather avoid..."

"Your home is a stressful subject?" Robin continued to knead her upper back with his palms while trying to delve into her peculiar comment.

"Somewhat." The noblewoman tried to keep a tight lip about what it was particularly, but knowing Robin the way she did he would just continue to ask questions ad nauseam until she outright said it anyway. "Do you remember when I said I had troubles I needed to deal with that would make it difficult to have a relationship with anyone, noble or otherwise?"

He puckered his lips trying to remember among all of the things they spoke about, what she meant in particular. "Oh, yeah. What about it?"

"I lied."

"About?"

"The problems I have directly reflect my relationships involving nobility."

That swelling pain in Maribelle's shoulders persisted as the conversation continued. It certainly didn't help that Robin had ceased with his massage treatments either. "So when I asked if you and I could ever... You were just being kind?"

His hand retreated from the noble's shoulder, but was stopped as she softly held it in place with a hand of her own. "I am sorry I lied to you, but I tell you this now because," She had to swallow a bit to continue her sentence, an act that made her seem as if she suffered from an onset of guilt. "I thought you deserved to know."

The old quote of things being better left unsaid rang through Robin's mind for a brief moment. He would have preferred being in the dark about this. And yet, something about her honesty kept him from the brink of disappointment. "That's not all there is, right?"

"I'm sorry?" Maribelle turned to face impromptu massage therapist.

"I mean, me having the right to know. That's not the only reason. You're telling me this because deep down you trust me, don't you?"

"Or, it could be that you are reading too much into a kind gesture."

"No, no, no. A few days ago, you hadn't even wanted to tell me this. Now, after we've spent some time together, perhaps even gotten closer, you see me as a person fit enough to earn your trust. Am I wrong?"

"Oh, please. You've always had my trust, otherwise I'd have not gotten my hands dirty on the battlefield with you as our tactician."

"Yes, you trusted me to guide you, as did everyone else. But, you trust me enough to tell your secrets to. And, you didn't deny I was wrong."

Shaking her head, Maribelle sighed exasperatedly. Even when she would tell him the whole truth, he would find a way to dig a little deeper.

"I also know you haven't even told Lissa yet."

And there he goes again. "And what makes yon tactician so damn sure I haven't?" The irritated swear only amused Robin even more.

"I'll have you know I wasn't made the Shepherd's tactician just by my devilish good looks alone... even if Lissa insists on that." In any other situation, Robin would be quaking in his boots at the death-glare he was getting. "I bet you 200 gold that you haven't said a word to the princess."

"Hmph. Quite bold to be making such bets, aren't you?"

"Go ahead. Tell me I'm wrong, that I'm not the first and only person you've told."

Oh, how Maribellle wanted to take her parasol and whack that grin off Robin's face for once. She had to stop and wonder where along the line did the tables turn and he became the one to wrap her around his fingers so easily. But the part that irked her the most was that he was absolutely right. He was the first person she bothered to say anything to, when normally, Lissa would hear word of it before anyone else. In fact, she hadn't planned on telling the princess about this particular event in her life despite her normally jumping at the chance to impart any and all facets of her being to her best friend.

"Alright, you win." she finally conceded.

"And that, Maribelle, is why I happen to be such an accomplished strategist." Robin beamed.

"Do specify for my meager brain cannot comprehend the relevance of such things..."

"Tactical manipulation in the face of adversity."

Robin was endlessly amused by how Maribelle perked up immediately from his short explanation. As much as he was trying his best to sooth her muscles, he could feel them tense up against his fingers when the realization dawned upon her. "You were bluffing?" she asked incredulously.

"Just a little." Robin sang in a slightly raised pitch. Now he understood why the noble loved to tease him as much as she did. That rush of adrenaline when he pulled the wool over her eyes was almost addicting. "I really wasn't sure if you told Lissa or not. I just wanted to see if you would call me out on that lie, and since you didn't, I put the pieces together."

"Crafty, I'll admit. I suppose I should watch my words around you then. Also, that'll be enough for the massage today, thank you." Robin withdrew his hands and stepped back a bit as Maribelle stood up from her chair. She rotated her arms a bit and even a few stretches to make sure her shoulders were nice and limber. The former-tactician may act like too much of a smart-aleck for her liking but, damn him, he knew how to give her a good rub.

Turning to face him, Maribelle stepped toward Robin a bit then tilted her head upon seeing his face. "Robin, it appears you've something on your face."

"I do?" Robin reached up with his left hand to feel around his cheeks but didn't feel a thing.

"Hold a moment, I'll get it." Then, with a sudden wind up, the noble gave a quick slap across Robin's face with a very clear crack of her hand ringing through the room.

"Ouch! What the hell!?" Tenderly, he rubbed his cheek to sooth the sting of her palm. Although, this strike wasn't her worst. It certainly sounded more painful than it felt, yet just from the familiarity of her previously slapping him, he could tell that she hadn't put that much effort into it. In fact, it seemed more playful than hostile.

The noble maintained a demure smile as if nothing had just happened, but how fickle that smile was, as she immediately reached the same hand out to Robin's face, not for another slap, but grabbing his cheeks in the palm of her hand and hauling his head in a bit too close to hers. "Just remember this: You had better keep that smart mouth of yours in check as well around me, Mr. Tactician."

"Y-Yes, ma'am." Suddenly, that rush Robin felt from feeling he had one-uped the girl shrank rather quickly. Even when he had the upper hand in this power play, she still managed to put him in his place.

"Good boy." Maribelle chirped, relinquishing her grip on him. "Alright then, perhaps it's time we prepare for training. I'll see you at the sparring grounds, won't I?"

"Absolutely. You don't even need to ask."

"So what happened next?" Gaius asked after dodging a swipe from a training sword and countering.

"Nothing else, really. We just talked a little more after that." Two dulled metalic swords clashed against each other, leaving Gaius and Robin at a standstill.

"You know," Another swing by the thief barely nicked Robin's shoulder. "all you two seem to do these days is talk."

"Your point?" Another missed swing on Robin's part.

"All I'm saying is, put your mouth to other uses with the girl, is all."

Their sparring match continued around the conversation, each going back and forth at each other just as their blades were. Ultimately, neither thief nor tactician came out on top and both merely ended up exhausted after their session.

"Gaius, trust me, I don't need your help. I know what I'm doing." Robin struggled to lift himself to his feet after all of the intense training he had gone through that early afternoon. "And tell Lissa the same thing. I swear it's as if you two were working together..."

"C'mon, Bubbles, me and Pigtails over there working together? Even you have to admit that's a bit of a stretch." Despite the laid back tone, Gaius was trying all he could to not look guilty. Maybe he was underestimating his friend after all.

"I've seen the bodies of fallen soldiers walk right back up and try to put an axe in my back. Nothing is a stretch anymore, Gaius." Robin grabbed his waterskin from his coat to slake his thirst and rubbed his forehead dry before helping the thief back onto his feet.

"Look, just... ask her out to lunch sometime. Maybe go see a play. I hear that newbie with the pink hair's been getting really popular lately. Go catch one of her shows with Twinkles at least once."

Robin opened his mouth to protest and again assert his control over the situation, but upon thinking about it, those ideas weren't half bad. They would serve as good distractions from whatever problem Maribelle had at home, and admittedly, watching Olivia's dancing was something he always enjoyed.

"You know what? I think I will one of these days."

Meanwhile, Lissa and Maribelle were busy with a new training regimen that involved using magical tomes. Of course, their occupations as healers were crucial to any future missions, but a means of defense was never a bad idea. Both were practicing to use Fire tomes, though with little success, having no previous history in the arcane arts.

The latest attempt at trying to light a dummy on fire ended up with yet another scortch upon the stone wall of the training yard.

"Ugh. How do Miriel and Ricken make it look so easy...?" Lissa pouted. "Maybe you're supposed to hold it a certain way." She tried holding the book upside down from it's previous position and on her next try, caused a fireball to crash just a foot away from her directly into the ground.

"Eh, I think that would be a good sign to take a break, dear." Maribelle clapped her own tome shut and tucked it away under her arm. "Perhaps another time we can request Robin's help to teach us the ways of casting magic."

Lissa's familiar mischievous smirk curled across her face, though she turned away from her friend so she wouldn't notice. "Huh. That's curious. Why Robin of all people?"

Tucking the book away into a leather satchel along with a spare Mend staff, the noble looked back to her friend. "Because Robin happens to be skilled in sorcery as well, as I'm sure you know."

"Yeah, yeah, you're right." Lissa took each step to her friend in a very calculated way. She eventually started walking a full circle around her, in a fashion a knight would against an accused criminal. "It's just that I already named Miriel and Ricken, two accomplished mages we've known for years now. Yet, you instantly want to talk to Robin only. Now why would that be, hmmmm?"

"Maybe I just happen to think Robin would be a better teacher."

"As opposed to someone as powerful as Ricken or someone as smart and experienced as Miriel?"

The third degree Maribelle was receiving nearly put her into another shoulder-aggravating mood. "I just think that Robin is the perfect intermediate between the two. First, Ricken is much younger than us, and while he is quite skilled, i doubt he could properly express the subtitles of the process. As for Miriel... her vocabulary may be a step too far in the other direction."

'Well played...' Thought the princess. She was certain she would be able to get her friend to admit, even to a small degree, to her attraction to their tactician. "Okay then, we'll be sure to ask Robin to help us out with training. I'm sure he'd love to help."

"I'm sure he would. Well I must be off, books to read, places to be, you understand." Maribelle waved good-bye to Lissa and immediately left in quite a hurry, leaving Lissa to her own devious devices.

The entire time Maribelle walked through the castle halls, she couldn't stop thinking about that last conversation. The way she spoke to her, the gestures, everything. Deep down she knew Lissa was onto her. However, the prospect of her and Robin being public knowledge no longer seemed as bad as she previously envisioned. It was just a shame she still had to worry about that one particular hurdle she had been avoiding the entire previous week.

Then, it hit her: Perhaps it was finally time to clear that hurdle and pursue her life without inhibition. Yes, she would no longer run away from her problems if she wanted to move forward, but she couldn't do it alone. As determined as she was, she needed morale support. So, steeling her nerves, she elected to seek out her tactician friend and hopefully he would help her through this hard time of hers. After all, who was he to say no to her?

The more she thought on the idea, it made her heart beat fast in her chest. A mixture of excitement and nervousness. Hopefully her efforts would bear fruit. Her thoughts distracted her from the walk back to the barracks. Pushing the wooden door open, she was immediately greeted by her peers who had already finished their training and retired for the day.

The noblewoman's eyes easily picked out the snow-white hair of the man she was looking for and sauntered over. He was sitting with Gaius and fellow noble Sumia, talking among themselves and laughing at old stories involving bee larvae or something to that effect. When Maribelle was close enough to be noticed by the group, they immediately made room at the table, Gaius even pulling up a chair for her.

"Unbelievable, you can't be serious!" Robin had a hand on his forehead in in complete disbelief at what he just heard.

"I'm telling you, it's the truth!" Sumia laughed, trying to convince both Gaius and Robin of her claims. When Maribelle took her seat at their table, she made a point to lean in next to her and place a hand on her shoulder. "You can even ask Maribelle here if you think I'm lying!"

"Okay then." Robin turned to Maribelle with folded arms. "Maribelle, tell the truth; are bee larvae considered a delicacy?"

"Actually, despite popular belief, they are indeed. However, you'll not see me placing those things on my dinner plate in this lifetime."

"See? Told ya!" The Pegasus Knight crossed her arms and nodded, finally having gotten a another noble to back her up on her claims.

"You were. I'm sorry I doubted you. Though, why anyone in the right mind would eat bugs is beyond me, but then again, I wasn't born with a very discerning tongue."

"Well, if this stimulating conversation is over, would the two of you perhaps give me and Robin a moment alone to talk?" Maribelle asked politely as she nervously wrung her hands under the table.

"Hell n-" Gaius was immediately cut off when Sumia grabbed him by the back of his bandanna and literally dragged him away from the two.

"Take your time, you two." she called back as Gaius tried to get her to loosen her grip.

Robin leaned comfortably in his chair drummed his fingers on the surface of the table. "So, what's going on that you needed to send our friends away?"

'Alright. Just tell him everything and hope for the best...' Maribelle's thoughts raced through her mind while contemplating a good way to put things.

"Okay Robin, I've decided to bare my all to you, and I hope you'll aid me in whatever it is I ask."

"Uh... You're going to bare what?"

"Terrible choice of words. What i mean is that I'm going to tell you the naked truth of the situation I'm in."

"What's this about naked now?"

"Alright, I can see you're too juvenile to take this seriously..." Maribelle stood up and began to walk away but her left arm was grabbed, keeping her from moving too much further.

"Wait. I'm sorry, I was just having a bit of fun."

Reluctantly, the noblewoman returned to her seat. "Remember when I said I had problems directly related to my nobility? And that it could potentially affect relationships in my life?"

"Of course."

"Well, the truth is... I... My... Oh Gods. I actually don't think I can do this..." Her nerves had gotten the best of her, and all she could do was cover her face with her hands and try to deflect this conversation elsewhere. That is, until she felt Robin's hands reach out to hers and gently tear them away from her face.

He carefully held her hands in his and looked into her eyes with a look of concern and reassurance. Whatever it was, it was a very serious matter, and he wanted her to know he would be there for her. "Maribelle, you can tell me anything. I have no reason to distrust you, and I promise I'll say a word to no one else."

His genuine tone and unflinching gaze eased the girl's mind and allowed her to refocus her thoughts. Thank Naga Robin was so dependable at times. "You may already know this Robin, but I have issues with connecting to other people outside of my comfort area. This, has an unfortunate effect on my *ahem* love life..." Robin hung onto every word, nodding when she finished her sentence, fully understanding her situation as she went on. "What you may not know however, is that I am an only child among my house. I have no brother or sister of my own. So, it falls to me to be the head of the household one day, being the sole heir."

"Huh. That's pretty interesting. I suppose that may be why you're so attached to Lissa, huh?"

"I'll not deny my solitary upbringing may have contributed to my fixation on her, yes. But being an only child comes with other unsavory complications outside of poor social skills." She took a deep inhale and sighed as she came upon her point of speaking with him. "My... Father... has taken it upon himself to interfere in my life and has... been searching for suitors without my consent..."

Robin could see her teeth grit when she mentioned her father. Now he understood why the mention of her return home brought up her shoulder pains; the stress of having to face what was essentially an arranged marriage would upset anyone. "And judging by your tone, it would be safe to say that he's found to so-called perfect man?"

"The third one, actually..."

"Third!?" Robin nearly jumped out of his seat. He was quickly shushed so as not to draw too much attention to them with the outburst. Thankfully, no one seemed to take notice, or otherwise didn't care. "Third. You would think he would simply allow you to make your own choices after the first and second candidates fell though..."

"If only. Which brings me to my next point and reason for coming to you directly. I want you to come with me back to my home and see if someone of your verbal skills could convince my father to cease this nonsense."

"Wha-? You... want me to convince your father to call off these planned courting arrangements?"

This time, Maribelle held Robin's hands in her own. She was desperate. She hardly had any other options and she certainly would not humor a man who she knew absolutely nothing about. "Robin, please. You are the only person in the world I know who could help me with this dilemma. Did you not tell me earlier today that you were an accomplished tactician because you were an expert with words?"

What kind of task was this anyway? What was he supposed to do? Walk up to her father and simply ask him to discontinue with these anonymous suitors? Then again, if it were that easy, she wouldn't have asked him to do this. The prospect of the whole thing seemed too ludicrous to be real, and yet the look in Maribelle's eyes was anything but a joke.

After a long thought process, Robin came to his conclusion. "I suppose the situation must really be so dire if you came to me for help. So, I'll go. I'll help you through this."

The noblewoman sighed a breath of relief. She actually could believe Robin agreed. Any other person would have just turned her down or to do so herself. The fact of the matter was that she needed him. It wasn't really a matter of want, she really did need him for this. Were she not such a high-standing noble, she would leap over the table, burst into tears and embrace Robin fiercely. In fact, she was almost tempted to.

"Gods above. Robin, you've no idea how grateful I am to you. I promise, I'll find a way to repay you if you can indeed manage to succeed. You just name it!"

"How about we worry about the problem at hand before we think about the future, huh?"

"Indeed, best we not get ahead of ourselves." Finally, Maribelle was able to get her heart beating normally with the weight lifting from her shoulders. She felt bolstered in confidence and really thought this would work. "It's settled then. Tomorrow, we leave first thing in the morning. Best we get there as early as possible and tackle the issue as soon as we can."

A/N: *walks in with protection* Uh... Heh heh. Hello there everyone! You're probably wondering where I've been this past month and a half. Well, I'm not gonna lie, I got lazy and unmotivated for a really long time. I kept thinking of how to make the story go forward, but after finishing a recent playthrough of Awakening I had the urge to return to this fic. So, I apologize for making you guys and gals wait for so long. But rest assured that I have a new resolve and you'll be seeing more of me as we go on!

As always I thank everyone for their views, reviews and critiques, but above all that, your patience. I know I say that a lot, but I really do appreciate the people who have stuck with this story. It keeps me motivated to continue the story that you people want to see more of.

Once again, thank you all.