Ylisstol was buzzing with the news of the newly declared war; Emmeryn had excused herself from the company of the shepherds upon their return the palace, once they had parted ways the shepherds returned to the barracks to rest and recuperate.
Chrom sat in Corrin's room with her as much as the dragon queen hated being forced to rest she didn't want to cause anyone any more concern "So Chrom mind if I ask you something?" Corrin smirked slightly as the Prince looked to her.
"Ask away" Chrom smiled brightly although he was suspicious of the mischievous glint in the queen's eye.
"Have you noticed anything about the others?" Corrin watched the gears turning in the Prince's head with a sly smile.
"Well, Sully seemed to be uncomfortable even after she had been healed, Lissa was surprisingly quiet and Ricken seemed more distracted than usual, not that he should have been there in the first place." Chrom looked thoughtful as he spoke, a look that Corrin thought was cute.
"Not what I meant Chrom, your shepherds are strengthening their bonds and well it seems like romance might be on the cards for them." Corrin's smile only widened as realization hit the Prince like a cavalry charge.
"Oh… Well that's certainly surprising; I can't believe that I missed that." Chrom placed a hand on his chin as he spoke clearly trying to figure out who it could be.
"Yes it's certainly surprising" Corrin rolled her eyes she loved Chrom but he could be oblivious sometimes "But I thought we could push them along…" She smiled as Chrom looked at her.
"You really are mad aren't you?" Chrom smiled gently "Well I'm game as much as I may come to regret this, so what's your plan?" He leaned in conspiratorially.
"Well, Fredrick and Sully seem to be the easiest to work on since they have more in common." Corrin did her best not to laugh as Chrom's eyes widened with the mention of his childhood friend and his lieutenant.
"W-wait! Fredrick and Sully? Fredrick the wary and Sully? Uh…" Chrom seemed to be unable to fully comprehend the idea.
Corrin giggled at his reaction "Yes and I think they're a good match for each other, Sully may be able to help Fredrick lighten up a little" She smiled as she spoke which seemed to settle Chrom a little.
"Okay… So how do you plan on helping them?" Chrom watched Corrin carefully fearing slightly for his friends.
"Well the two of them just need a push, so maybe organise some sparring and make sure they face each other." Corrin placed a hand on her chin as she spoke simply speaking her ideas without thinking too much.
"So push them together? I assumed something more complex considering your battle strategies" Chrom smiled as Corrin stuck her tongue out he enjoyed this playful side of her. "Well we'll enact the plan during the march to Ferox tomorrow, for now I need rest thank you for staying with me Chrom" She smiled as Chrom took her hand and kissed her knuckle.
"Sleep well, if you need me you know where to find me" With that Chrom left Corrin's room and began to head to his own as he passed the courtyard he decided to head out for some air, a lot had happened and he still needed to gather his thoughts about Corrin and her 'quirks' as Emmeryn had called them.
As he stepped into the cool night air Chrom noticed the bushes rustle on instinct he placed his hand on Falchion, he lowered his guard when Corrin appeared from the palace "Chrom? What are you doing out so late?" Corrin had struggled to sleep after Chrom had left and had decided to seek him out.
"Oh, Corrin. Just...duelling with some unpleasant thoughts... As you know tomorrow we march to Regna Ferox to request additional soldiers. But there's something you should know first. ...Not everything Gangrel said was a lie. The last exalt, my father, waged war on Plegia for many years. The violence... It was a brutal campaign, ending only with his death 15 years ago. Plegia rightfully remembers their suffering, but his war was no kinder to his own people. As the fighting dragged on, our army became more and more diminished. Farmers who could barely wield a pitchfork were conscripted and sent to their deaths. Soon there was no food at all, and the kingdom began to collapse. I was young, but I remember those dark times. ...I know how they affected Emmeryn." Chrom wanted to tell her about his concerns about her wellbeing but he kept it to himself for now.
"Such an experience would change anyone." Corrin looked to the stars with a far off expression; she knew all too well how such events could change someone; however it had changed Emmeryn for the better.
"Indeed. When our father died before her tenth year, he left her quite the legacy... Plegia's desire for vengeance... Our own people's unbridled rage... My sister became a target for blame from all sides. Her own subjects began to hurl insults—and stones. She still bears the scar from one... But she never let them see her pain. Only Lissa and I understood." Chrom joined Corrin in looking at the stars as he spoke, wrapping his arms around her from behind and holding her close.
"It must have been so hard..." She turned to look at him nuzzling close as she spoke.
"I cannot claim to know how she does it, Corrin. I could never greet such hostility with warmth and patience. While our people mocked and vilified her, she reached out and healed them. She brought soldiers home to their families. She ended the war. And when Yliesse's spirit was mended and the people "forgave" her? ...She never resented them for it. She represents the best of the Halidom—the part most worth protecting. She IS peace. But some men would take advantage of that. Men like King Gangrel. The day he understands peace will be the day death gives it to him. ...So perhaps I must be death's agent. Emmeryn would never order him killed, nor would I wish her to." As he finished speaking Corrin looked into Chrom's eyes and began to edge closer, just as she was about to kiss away his concerns the rustling returned and both of them quickly stepped back and placed their hand on their divine weapons.
"Well spoken, sir." 'Marth' felt bad about interrupting such a moment between her parents but she was very aware that she wasn't the only observer.
"Marth..." Chrom barely held his frustration back; the swordsman had a habit of showing up and complicating things.
"Good evening to you both, I hope I'm not interrupting anything." 'Marth' tried her hardest not to smirk as her parents turned slightly red.
"No however it is rude to eavesdrop but that's a discussion for another time, how did you get in here?" Chrom locked eyes with the swordsman a sudden concern growing in his mind.
"The cleft in the castle wall, behind the maple grove." 'Marth' shrugged casually as she spoke.
"There? But how would you...? Ugh." Chrom face palmed, he had thought that particular weakness was well concealed.
"You know the place, Chrom?" Corrin was concerned if there was such a weakness it needed to be dealt with.
"Yes he does, he bashed in part of the wall while training the Shepherds. It's only a small hole, and he believed it well concealed, but there are those that know of it." 'Marth' smiled as her father covered his face more "Your secret is safe with me. I come here only to warn you." Her tone turned grave as she spoke instantly causing the two of them to shift focus to her.
"Warn us?" Chrom tried to keep his voice level but both Corrin and 'Marth' could hear the concern growing.
"The exalt's life is in danger." 'Marth' spoke calmly and quickly making sure the seriousness of the situation was conveyed without confusion.
"What, Emmeryn? That's absurd. She's guarded at all hours." As he spoke Chrom looked back towards the palace betraying his dismissive tone.
"What if... What if I told you I have seen the future? Would you believe me? A future where Emmeryn is killed. Here. Tonight." 'Marth' spoke nervously, she had to get them to believe her no matter what.
"Seen the future? Have you lost your wits?" Chrom exhaled as he spoke glad that 'Marth' was just mad.
"Chrom I think we should trust he-him on this" Corrin looked to 'Marth' and nodded before looking back to Chrom "He has shown a strange level of foresight thus far."
"Just because he told you about the bandit attack on Donnel's village it doesn't mean he can see the future" Chrom could feel the pang of jealousy rising in his chest again and he hated it.
"Yes that is true and I expected you wouldn't believe me. So allow me to prove it!" With that 'Marth' dashed towards Chrom with her blade drawn.