Time for a chapter with the potentially first girl you get. This should be fun, as I really like her character. Anyways, I hope you enjoy reading this chapter. Like and comment if you want, it's up to you –ArcanaHermit

Chapter 7: Usefulness (Corrin X Felicia)

Corrin was walking out of the room, just done with the war council. The thoughts on the last battle still weighed heavily on his mind. While there were technically no significant casualties, there were a lot of moments where the tide could have easily swung in the enemy's favor, ending in the complete collapse of the army.

A good majority of the reason is that the enemies are simply getting stronger and more numerous, and the relatively small size of the army meant tactics needed to be more complex and more risky. During the council, the leaders all agreed that the best way to proceed is to simply train and get stronger, though it were easier said than done.

Letting out a huge sigh, he decided to go to check on his wife Felicia. Her unending kindness and spirit never ceased to lighten his mood, and perhaps he could help her with a few chores, as he usually seems to do.

However, when he arrived at where she would usually be, she wasn't there. Confused, he asked around for any signs of her, and they told him that she hasn't been here at all, which just confused and worried Corrin even more. He decided to search the castle to find any signs of her.

After walking around the castle with no sight of her, he was ready to give up until he heard her voice nearby, shouting. Following her sound, he managed to find her next to a large tree near the outskirts of the castle. She was moving as though she was in an actual battle, juggling and throwing knives and daggers intently at the trunk of the tree, moving gracefully to dodge pretend attacks. It was almost like it was a dance for her. Her eyes seemed so focused that she didn't even notice Corrin approaching her.

"Felicia"

With just a simple calling of her name, her focused immediately turned to the person just a few away from her. She blushed and got flustered as she tried to respond; embarrassed that she was caught like this.

"Hello, milor- I mean, dear. I was just training over here, how was the war council?"

Corrin chuckled inwardly. Ever since their marriage, Felicia had struggled to call him by his name or some affectionate nickname instead of simply "Milord". He could still recall many a time where she would call him that and quickly retract her sentence. It was so honestly endearing, much like a lot of things Felicia does.

"It was tiring, but I managed to pull through. Shall we grab a bite to eat?"

"Oh, uh…actually I packed food here. I only considered myself, but there should be enough for the both of us here. Nothing dangerous too, just some plain cheese sandwiches. So can we eat here?"

Corrin happily agreed and held her hand, causing her to blush and smile. They walked to the tree and sat down on the grass, with Felicia taking a basket out from where she left it. Together they sat there and ate cheese sandwiches and talked about little things. After a while, Corrin decided to bring up the issue on his mind.

"So…I didn't see you at your usual place today. Have you been training here all this time?"

"Yes I have, I've been training my combat abilities."

"Oh? But don't you usually practice your tea walks this time of day? What made you decide to train in combat instead?"

He could feel her nervousness, her mouth slightly frowning.

"I've…decided to quit focusing on trying to be a better maid. Instead, I'll try to be a better fighter instead."

This came as quite a shock to him. Felicia had always detested fighting, and wanted to be a maid for as long as he known her. To see her neglecting something she was so passionate about for something she didn't like was very worrying to him.

"I always thought you wanted to be a proper maid, Felicia. Is something wrong? Did something happen to you?"

"Nothing happened, except for breaking a few plates, but I always do that. But that's the thing: something always happens, no matter how hard I try. I wanted to be a good maid, and I still do. But when I keep seeing people hurt, I feel guilty that I keep practicing something that doesn't help our cause, something that I'm not even good at anyways."

She began sniffling, and Corrin wrapped his arms around her lightly and pulled her into a short hug. He could relate to her dilemma a bit, wanting something but forcing to do something he didn't want to, it felt much like his own struggles with the war.

"You're always so kind to me, even when I trip or mess up your tea. I feel so lucky to have a master like you, and to have you love me is everything I could ask for...but I don't want to always be a burden to you. I want to be useful."

Some tears started pouring down on her face. Corrin could tell for her voice that's it been getting to her for a while. He hugged her tighter, and tried to give her his best smile.

"Oh, Felicia. I swear you were never a burden to me. I wouldn't deny that you're rather clumsy, but you never stopped trying your hardest to improve. That's what makes you so endearing to me, what made me fall in love with you."

"Y-you're too kind, milord. I don't deserve such a amazing master, much less such a amazing husband."

She returned the hug and buried her head in his chest, sobbing ever so slightly. Corrin decided to let her settle down her emotions before talking, and so simply brushed his hand down her back, soothing her. Once she calmed down, Corrin looked her in the eyes as he spoke.

"Felicia, I don't mind your drive to be stronger in battle, but you shouldn't give up on your dream. You have always cheered me up when I was down, you kept me alive when I saw sick all those years ago, and you always try your hardest in everything you do. Aren't those all great qualities of a maid?"

"I-I guess..."

Corrin knew that he was convincing her of his view, now all that is left is to win her over completely.

"You say you don't deserve me as a master or as a husband, but aren't those things that I should have decided for myself? And what I've decided...is that you are more than worthy of being my maid, and you alone are worthy of my heart. So please, no more talk about quitting? I shall dedicate the rest of my days to see you achieve your dreams."

Felicia smiled, and at that moment knew that she was convinced.

"T-thank you, mil-...Corrin. You always know what to say to make me feel better, I'm so happy to have someone like you. I love you so much."

"And I you, Felicia. And I you."

Felicia gave her a light kiss on the lips, a kiss that was returned by Corrin. Then she stood up and began taking her knives and assuming a battle stance, much to Corrin's surprise.

"Still want to train, Felicia?"

Felicia turned her head towards him, and he could see that the usual fire in her eyes was back, brighter than ever.

"Yeah. I'll return to my maid practicing tomorrow. I want to be both a good fighter and a good maid, because I want to serve you as best as I can... so I'll need to protect you as well."

"Thank you, Felicia. It warms my heart to hear you say that. I guess I'll need to be better in order to protect you to so...shall we train together?"

She nodded happily and they began training together, practicing and sparring, all their passion behind their swings. After a while, they laid on the grass next to each other, tired but satisfied. It wasn't before long that Jakob would find them on that spot, sleeping in each other's arms with a huge smile on their faces. Deducing what had happened, he decided to leave the happy couple alone, not wanting to disturb their slumber, though not before whispering a few words.

"Keep him safe and happy, Felicia. So long as you do, you're already an amazing maid in both milord's eyes...and in mine."

Woo, I'm done with best girl. I swear, the moment I get my hands of Birthright, I'm S-supporting her. I wonder if I did OK with this chapter. Wouldn't want to mess up any chapter, hers most of all. I hope you enjoy, until next time fellow wanderers of the internet. -ArcanaHermit