Families

Robin sighs in relief as pure warmth flows in her as she soaked herself in the large royal bath of the castle, she loved it. She had always absolutely hated feeling dirty, it made her feel disgusted. She always loved taking baths and was always particular about them. The bath at the royal castle of Ylisse certainly hit all the spots for her ideal bath, it was big, open, warm but not too hot, filled with scented flowers and best of all could be taken all alone. Gods it was ten times better than hers back in Pelgia. She let herself slip down more as she let the tension in her body float away and forgot about all her worries and cautions. Her face softens and a gentle smile comes on her, as she was about to drift away, a voice suddenly resounded in the quiet bath,

"Robin, did you fall asleep?" She jerked up, straightening as Lissa's voice slightly echoed,

"No." She shouted back more loudly than necessary, and the girl giggled,

"It's quite nice in there, right?" She asks teasingly.

She blushes, "Yes its quite a nice bath."

"Hehe glad you liked it. I just came here to tell you to take your time and I have left a pair of clothes here on the side which you can use, they should be roughly your size."

She immediately stood up, "Oh thank you but it's ok I almost done, and you didn't need to do that I was fine with my old clothes."

The girl pouted, "There were dirty and stuck with a grim and dried blood. Don't worry these clothes are just some old ones I had laying around. And like I said take your time there is no hurry." She said in her no-nonsense voice that even Robin understood not to argue to.

She sat down, feeling a bit scolded, "Thank you for all this Lissa."

"Your welcome now enjoy your bath I will be out of your way. I will come to pick you up in a bit ok?"

"Yes," And with that the girl walked away, leaving the bathroom. Her shoulder flopping down as he smile tightens and she hurries back to her room, feeling really tired. She wanted to sleep, just sleep for a long time. But she can't until Robin is completely settled in.

She sighed as she entered her room and flopped on her bed, covering her eyes. She carefully breathes to not her tears fall. She had tried to remain strong for her siblings, to not pile on there huge list of worries. But in the secret of her room, she lets the pain spread as her heart clenches tightly and the tears come unbidden. She is still not that strong, she is not as strong as all of them. Her thoughts run to the man who was her father and yet someone she hardly remembered. He was a man she remembers haze, most memories born from her own imagination from the things she heard about him from other people. Only good things though, until she turned 15 everyone protected her from the horrible stuff her father had committed. They never told her the full truth and now she is slowly learning it, it is so horrible. A strangled cry escapes her lips as she asks Naga-sama again - How could someone do such horrible things? She doesn't get it, why would he do it? Why did he hate Pelgians so much? They were humans like them too and yet her father had slaughtered them all with no remorse.

She cries, in anger, in pain for the ones that fell, for the hatred now she understands, very well. How well deserved, he well deserves all this hatred. But, but, she cries, her siblings don't. Emmeryn and Chrom don't deserve this, they were kids too, they have made so many sacrifices to repair all the horrible things there father has done. And yet it is not enough, it will never be enough, she knows, she gets it if one day someone unreasonable killed one of her loved ones, she would hate them until they die. And yet she prays, she gets it, but she prays to them, begs them to forgive them, to forgive them for being that man's children. She hopes, she begs that the hatred will be left behind, she wants them to be happy, she doesn't want to carry around this unreasonable hatred. She gets it but she is selfish, she wants them all to be happy.

She rubbed her eyes and tried to pull her smile back as she got up. She is being foolish as usual but she can't help it. She wants to believe in something, a hope even if it is foolish and selfish. She pours some teas and pulls out her stash of sweets as she cheers herself and silent promises Robin and Rufure that she will make them happy, make them a happy family again. A painful smile pulls on her as she silent whispers,

"I can't act like Rufure's little sister anymore."

Rufure sighed, feeling slightly better as he saw Lissa take Robin to the bathhouse, she seemed to be holding it better than all of them, he is glad. He turned to his siblings and bit his lip slightly, they both had dull faces as they silently looked away. Chrom looked bleak as he dazed out a bit, Emm on other hand seemed tired as her hand unconsciously went to her crown and he was worried for Lissa too, he will need to check up on her soon. He takes a minute to put himself in order and forces his calmness back, he will stay calm they need to see he is fine.

He puts a hand on both of their shoulders, and they look at him and he smiles sadly, a bit forced. Emm closes her eyes pained and Chrom just looks away, guilt still burning in them. He just sighs and pulls them both for a tight hug and they both wound their hands around him and squeeze tightly. He clutched his eyes shut to stop the tears that burned in his eyes, he can't cry right now, they will only feel more guilty. He sighed, a minute later let them go as he took a step back still smiling at them and they both too tried to give him the same half-broken smiles, and he understood, that was best, for now, their guilt won't go away so easily.

Emmeryn put a hand on him and gently squeezed as she said, "Rufure and Chrom you both should go and rest too, the last two days must have been long for both of you too."

He tenses, "But what about Robin and the council, we need to decide- "

She cut him off "Frederick will pick up Robin and show her to her room. and the council can be discussed about tomorrow, for now, please go rest." She said gently, but the order was given, she will not hear to his excuses. He sighed and gave up, nodding he turned and left, with one last glance to his siblings.

"You should go and rest too, Chrom." She turned to her last sibling, he looked like he aged 5 years in one day.

He wryly chuckled, "I am not sure if I can rest after all that, I feel like going to the training ground and hit some dummies."

She sighed, "Chrom I understand your frustrations, but you can't exhaust your body just to not think about it."

He frowned, "No Emm you don't get it, you might say it was father's fault, but it was not entirely his if only I had- "

She put a hand on his shoulder, her face falling too, "Chrom you were young you couldn't have known about it and if only father had been honest from the starting then,"

"Still Emm I should have - I always act childish if only I had thought things through like you." He looks away, frustrated with himself.

She shook her head, "Chrom the blame doesn't fall on you only, we all felt that way and maybe Robin won't forgive us for that, but we still need to try. Rufure needs us right now Chrom, without our support he can't connect back to her."

He sighed, smiling defeated, after all, Emmeryn was right. "Ya, you are right, like always."

Her lips thinned but she didn't say anything instead just let his shoulder go and he took a step back and nodded, turning around he left too. She turned around and stared at the throne, her hand going back to her bloody crown, as she gingerly touched it,

"Father I will rectify your sins; I must rectify them." And with that she also turns around and leaves the bloody throne, she has inherited, to once again carry out her duties.

Rufure closed his door behind him and felt the exhaustion seep into him, his muscles sagging as he finally let his body fall. With heavy steps, he slowly started freshening up and with an empty mind went along the motions. He didn't want to crash even though he knew it was a matter of time before it was going to come crashing down and as he put down his coat and sat he felt it, the pain, the sadness, the regret, the guilt everything came crashing on his shoulders, in his bones and he grunted as he screwed his eyes shut and let out a strangled noise as he tried to control the pain that was filling up. He dug his nails in his palms and covered his eyes as he feels them burn, the tears coming unbitten and took a desperate breath as his heart-crushed, as tightened painfully in his chest,

"Why?" He whispered in the silence and his pain jus increased as he dug his nails dipper and then bit his lips so he won't scream out as he looked up to his bed, the greens and blues surrounding him and let out strangled grunt as he finally let go and cried,

"Why? Why!? I- I finally gave up and now - " He felt his throat burn as words came out to the silence to ask no one in particular,

"Why father!? Why did you lie!? Why did you bring me here? Why did you adopt me!?"

"Why!?" He screamed to a ghost. A ghost who he felt the hatred starting to lurch for in his heart, He felt the anger and hatred swirling in him as he glared at the thin air, he knew he was not there, he couldn't be there if by any chance he was looking after anyone he would be looking after Emm, the child he favoured most not him and yet he glared. Because he didn't know what else to do, he didn't know who else to scream at, question the questions to, the answers he will never get but he needed to ask because his heart was hurting, screaming and he didn't know what else to do.

He fell back on his bed and covered his eyes with his arms as he let out a ragged breath and then tried to regulate his breath, inhale and exhale, he slowly made the motions as he practised his breath and tried to regain his calm as he slowly relaxed and told himself shouting in emptiness won't bring him any answers, no one will answer him. And no matter what the answer was it no longer mattered now because he was gone, his father was gone, and his motives died with him and he left them all to deal with the aftermath.

He looks back, the day he first woke up, an unknown place with no name and no identity. Emm and Chrom had smiled kindly at him as they gently explained to him everything and gave their utmost trust even when he says something unbelievable as memory were patient and warm with him, the very first people he got to know. He had loved them since the first day but he was curious to know his past, to know himself, even after two months he could only remember his name after all. They had decided to ask there father one day, finally and went to the exalt with him in tow. The man had looked at him with dark eyes, swirling with emotions he couldn't understand, as he answered he doesn't know his parents, how he had just found him on death's door while coming back and had decided to take him in.

He remembered their shock at seeing their father showing mercy for one of the Pelgians, it had hit them that maybe, just maybe the man still held kindness and empathy somewhere in his cold heart. He had been even adopted by him when no information came about his family. He has since then become the symbol of the mad exalts humanity to his children. They had kept him close even after his death, treated him just like their blood and gave him love, to keep the hope that their father was also human somewhere. At the age of 10, He had decided to love them like they loved him and stop chasing after ghosts that probably won't ever come for him.

He had known of his father's horrific atrocities to the Pelgians but he who had lost all his memories had not felt that kind of kinship for his fellow country mates anymore and this man had given him a place to stay and loved ones when he had lost everything, that's why he had accepted him to be his 'father' he had never come to hate him, but now their reality has been shattered, in thin pieces, and all that left was another bloody mess. Now, all he feels as he remembered that man was hatred.

He glared at his palm as he whispered, "Father I would have forgiven you for killing my mother, I would have forgiven you for lying to my sister, I would have forgiven you if you only told the truth, if only you had honestly told me the truth and let me meet with Robin again. She didn't deserve this father, she was just a kid she didn't deserve to be stripped away from both her mother and brother so suddenly, in such cold blood and then forced to bear the weight of a bloody kingdom all by herself. My sister didn't deserve that father." He felt the pain in his heart clench more as he let his hand fall. His anguished brown eyes turned to the coat lying at the chair and got up.

He fingered it and wondered who exactly it was from. He wanted to ask her, but he felt ashamed too, he felt he didn't deserve to ask her anything about his past self. But he knew if he wanted to get close to her, again be her brother then he will need to know about his past also. So, he will ask her, once she has calm down and when she was comfortable to talk about it. He put down his coat and sighing went to his bookshelf and pulled out the novel Sumia recommended to him last week, opening it he took it to his bed sat down comfortably and then started reading, hoping it will clear his mind and make him feel better a bit. And then he lost himself in the novel forgetting his worries for a bit.

Chrom sighed as he put falchion down and went to his closest as he removed his armour and started freshening up. The words Robin said swirled around his head, his heart stabbing every time he remembered how broken, how devasted she looked as she recalled what happened and seeing that he hated it, it hurt him so much because his father may have caused everything but he was also at fault in it, at least partially.

When his father had come back from the faux treaty meeting, he had brought a heavy injured Rufure, just a kid in his arms that was heavily bleeding and he just being 7 himself had been disgusted seeing the first when he thought his father, the insane man had brought a trophy with him to make an example out of. But that had not been the case, to his shock he had not bothered to even glance at his children instead he had barked at the guards to bring the healer and immediately look after the child, first and then tend to his injuries. It had stunned everyone there, but they had soon followed there exalt's orders and healed the boy and then the exalt. Two days later he had woken up with no memory whatsoever only after a few hours passed, he had finally remembered his name and nothing else. After some days passing and his father's condition stabilizing, they had gone asked him on who exactly he was and why his father had brought him here.

'I found him when I was coming back to Ylisstol, he was there, crying -' he coughed, 'I took pity on him and brought him here to cure him and then I'll be sending him to the slums.' Came his raspy authoritative voice as he glared at them, to dare make an argument against his decision, and no one did, no one had the power to do and this time they didn't mind it so much.

But the siblings were worried for the boy who doesn't remember anything, to be left in slums. Emmeryn was the only one who could take up to their father and express their concern, and he dismissed them by telling he will think about it. They had expected him to stick to his original plan and not care about him. The fact he had not left him to die was miracle enough. But to all their shock he ordered the minister to find Rufure's family and he announced if they found no one in a month he will then adopt him officially in the royal family. All the ministers and the council had objected but his father, even on the sickbed, exercised that absolute authority of his and made them all of them shut up. A month later, the ministers didn't find anyone looking for a kid like him so then like he had first decided his father had adopted him. No one could understand why he did that; no one ever thought the mad exalt who hated Pelgians with burning hatred would ever adopt a pelgian boy in his family. Some speculated that maybe being in the death bed made him rethink or maybe it was his guilt.

No matter what reason, for young Chrom it was the first time he had seen his father as a human. As a person capable of kindness and love, for the first time since Chrom was born, he had seen his father do something so humanly.

And maybe that's why he didn't want Rufure to ever leave their family.

After his father passing, the official declaration had been passed but the ministers had kept searching for his parents or any family. They didn't want a pelgian among there royal family since the tensions between the two countries were at high. Emmeryn had officially taken the crown and since then was stumped with work, with trying to end this war for once and all so had been unable to get the ministers to pull back. They all were aware though, Rufure was too and he had always seen him looking away lonely whenever he thought he was not looking at him. He knew Rufure wished to know about his family, about his past but the news was hardly heard. And he had never tried to get the news. He had always discouraged the ministers and kept telling Emm that Rufure can stay with them, now they were his family. He always used to hate whenever Rufure would try to know something about his past and would try to make him love them, so he won't ever leave. He never tried to find Rufure's past, he never wanted to find Rufure's past. And once he grew up, he felt guilt, and that guilt further prevented him to do anything for Rufure.

He had been selfish. And the one who had to pay for his selfishness was Rufure and Robin.

He doesn't hope now she will forgive him. Because if he was in her place, If she had taken away any of his siblings from him and kept them with her selfishly, he would have never forgiven her.

But he sat down on his bed staring at falchion, he wishes he could wish for her forgiveness.

"Robin are you ready to come out?" Lissa voice resounds in the silent bath, 20 minutes after she had left her. It had startled her, as she jumped and put a hand on her outstretched hand to calm down, as she distractingly noticed her voice didn't sound so chipper as it did before. But she answered her back, nonetheless.

"Yes, I think I have spent enough time here." Which was true but as she looked around, she wished she could stay for a bit more. She had always loved taking long baths. She silently admonished herself for being so childish, now was hardly the time to be admiring their baths.

She gets up and walks to the door and slightly opens it as Lissa's hand shots in and hands her a towel. She takes it, thanking her, and dries herself. Wrapping it around, she steps out and feels the cool air hit her, cooling down her warmed body, making her feel refreshed. She smiled slightly as she turned to the girl and thanked her again for letting her use the bath. It had cheered her up and made her feel better. She smiled, a bit tightly, as she shook her thanks away and handed her the clothes she had brought.

She changed into a mid-spring dress, pale and flower patterns littered around the hem. It was made of cotton and was easy to move in, she smiled as the girl complimented her and then motioned her to sit down on one of the vanity chair. She did, a bit confused, as she came behind her and took out the brush she had brought and started brushing her, gently and slowly. She let them loose and asked her if she wanted to fashion them in a certain way, she replied if possible, to do in her signature twin tails, the ones she was most comfortable with. A few minutes later, she looked all refreshed and dressed up, no longer looking like a murder on loose. She turned and bowed as she thanked the princess. The girl pouted and shook it away as she put her hands on her waist and said,

"It's ok Robin, sheesh this much is normal. If it wasn't so sudden, I would have prepared the proper makeup ad all," She then grinned "Well you don't need them any way you look quite beautiful like this also." She complimented and straightened as she blushed and thanked her, awkwardly complimenting her back, for the basic social etiquette. But she had hardly attended any tea parties, so it came out fumbled and messed up and she laughed at it, a bit better now. And Robin understood, the strength Lissa was trying to portray, the strength to not worry her elder siblings. She understood it very well.

The princess then asked her what she wanted to do next, she was silently thankful they were treating her so hospitably, but she knew her limits, "I am fine now Lissa. I think we should return to the room your sister has prepared for me."

The girl pouted slightly, but understood, she nodded and then a knock resounded. They turned to the door as the knight's voice filtered in, "Lady Lissa is miss Robin done? Lady Emmeryn has asked me to show her to the guest room to rest once she is done."

She chuckles as she goes and opens the door and they both walk out. He slightly courtesies and then straightens, "Thank you, Lady Lissa, I will take it from here."

She pouts "But I wanted to talk some more with her."

He doesn't relent, "Lady Lissa you must be tired, you should go and rest. Miss Robin must be tired too."

Robin smiles as she steps in, "He is right Lissa. We can talk later, you should go and rest."

She huffed "Fine. I will go to my room." She turns and grins at her, "We can have tea and have a nice talk later with no Frederick to glare at us." She says the last word and then turns leaving as she sticks her tongue out. She chuckles slightly at that.

"She is quite a spirited one." She comments and the knight nods as his eyes soften a bit, she notices.

"Yes, she is." He then turns to her, his impassiveness back as he puts a handout and gestures, "This way miss - " He takes a step back, making way to for her. She nods and starts walking to the pointed path as he falls in step beside her.

A silence reigns and she doesn't mind it; he didn't even seem the type who likes to have idle chatter, unlike Lissa who was excited to know everything about her. She didn't mind that, it was good and helped them ease their minds off from all the thoughts, but she also knew it was the girl's way to keep her bursting feelings at bay and remain strong. Robin didn't regret telling them everything, but she wished things could have been different but she guessed it was better than telling them on the battlefield while trying to cut them down. She had always thought that's how she is going to meet any of them, in the war, in the deserts of her homeland as she cut them down and yet wishes she could have been the one who dies.

'What destiny has led her to?' She thought sarcastically as she sighed.

Now that she walked down the hallways, she didn't feel so unwelcomed, but she knew she didn't belong here. She didn't belong in Rufure's life anymore, but she knew - even though she didn't know them - she just knew they wanted them to become a family again. But now it was too late, extremely late. The war will come and whether Emmeryn and the others like it or not they will need to use her as a prisoner and once the war is done, they will have to send her back to show goodwill. And she knew Rufure won't come with her. And that's why she doesn't want to be family with him again. She has said goodbye to him once and it had torn her apart, a second time will kill her. And it is better this way anyways, they can continue living their life here like they did, as a family and she can return to the Pelgia.

They reached the hallway of rooms as they walked, rows of various rooms were lined up on both side, most likely empty, they came at stop at one near a left side, slightly inside one. Two guards were always posted there as they noticed them coming and saluted to Frederick, who nodded at them and then proceeded to open the door for her. She took a glance at them as they did too and then smile which didn't let go of their stoic expressions, she didn't mind and stepped inside. The room was posh and as big as her own, with large patio windows, a small balcony and large drape silk curtains. The queen-sized bed at the centre of the room with dressing area on its left side and a small reading table of its right. In the front right was a small sofa and chairs with a round table set up for tea with guests.

She turned to him, "Thank you this is quite a wonderful room, more than I expected."

He nodded, "I am glad this is to your liking. Everything you need has already been arranged, if you require anything else please inform your guards. I shall bring your lunch in an hour."

She nodded, "Understood."

"If there is nothing else you wish to ask, I shall take my leave."

She slightly shook her head, "None please tell Emmeryn she has my utmost gratitude for showing me so much hospitality."

"I shall." With that he bowed and left, closing the door with a small thud.

As the silence fell again, she took another look around and then went to the balcony, peering outside she saw the guards patrolling in the gardens and smiled slightly, obviously. She looked at the view and sighed as she put a hand on the stone spindle and took a deep breath. The day outside was beautiful, with pleasant winds blowing, sun shining and birds chirping. It was a wonderful day and unlike her every day she didn't hate it so much today. She tightened her grip around the stone and closed her eyes, to strengthen her resolve as she opened them and took another look around.

She has made her decision and she was going to see through it. She turned around; this golden prison was better than the vile prison she had back in Pelgia. The prison where no one loved her and yet she strived to help them because she wanted to fulfil his wish. She still wished to do; she will do it.

'After all, once I have done it, I am free and then I can finally leave.'

(And yet why does feel like she was sacrificing yet another thing for the people she didn't even love.)

Emm sighs as she puts down her quill and rotates her wrist as she closes her eyes and thinks finally her paperwork for the day is done. Even though it has been years since she has been an exalt, she still hasn't gotten used to the massive amount of paperwork she needs to deal with and take care of every day. Chrom and Rufure already helped her by taking off the military-focused and yet she was still left with a massive amount. If she had any complaints with her position it would be the amount of paperwork. Well, she could hire an assistant for it as her father had but they lived in a tensed times she didn't have enough faith in someone to make them handle such a demanding and risky job, and ones she did trust she can't force them to burden themselves with such work on top of their usual duties. So, though not enjoying it she still got it done. Luckily today were done by the time of dinner and she was glad for that, she hated missing eating with her family. Exactly right on time, Philia walked in, saluting she reminded her,

"Emmeryn-sama dinner has been served, it's meat potato stew with sausages and iced wine with some iced tea for Lady Lissa."

Emmeryn smiled, "That sounds delicious I shall be there in a bit. And how did the preparations go for our guest?" She asked.

Philia nodded "Yes everything has been preparing as you asked."

"I see and for the dinner, I wonder if she will be ok with what we have prepared. I am ashamed to accept but I don't know much about the Pelgian diet."

She frowned though, "If I may be bold Emmeryn-sama, I do not believe it's wise for her to share the table with the royal family so freely."

Emmeryn frowned too, "And why would you say that Philia?" Though she kept her tone neutral they both know if Philia didn't think her answer properly then there are going to be consequences. Philia knew of her liege's big heart and just ideals but sadly as her knight, she must tell her the voice of reason, or in this case the voice of the majority.

"Lady Emmeryn and the other royals are just and strive for equality but not all the people will see it in that way. They are going to have different opinions that are going to clash with yours and right now that conflict will neither benefit us or her in any way." She explained, not flinching away from her hardened eyes, knowing that truth though difficult is something her liege will have to swallow. She is the exalt and she just can't think about herself.

Emmeryn feels her heart heavy as she knows what she is saying is true, it is something that will happen but she wishes such a thing, such a stupid thing like racial discrimination didn't exist in her people but sadly, truthfully, it did and she must take in it in mind when she is trying to get Robin in the good graces of the council and hopefully her people. She sighs, apologetically smiles at Philia and nods.

She puts her quill down and gets up leaving the room.

(She ignores the pain in her chest and bitterness in her throat. She was the exalt such selfish emotions didn't belong to her.)

She smiles as she greets her sibling and sits down, their servants diligently put down all the dishes and leave the royal siblings away, the doors closed and a bit of alone time for them to speak with no curious ears listening on them. She takes all of them in and smiles sadly, none of them looked good for wear even the bright Lissa seemed down but she still tries to smile as she greets her back. Emm silently thanks her for her effort. She put her hands out and they all clasps together to call grace but Rufure pauses and she feels her heart hurt as she knows what he is going to say. He looks around, his eyes sharpen and then he sighs frowning.

"Frederick did you bring Robing her food?" He asks instead and she is reminded, Rufure had always been quick to catch up and faster to bury his feelings and think things logically. Chrom catches up and looks at her sharply about to say something, mostly a complain but Rufure squeezes his hand and shakes his head, he bits his lip and looks down and Lissa looks away frowning.

Frederick nods as he bows, "Yes, she said it was the most delicious and to tell her gratitude to you, my grace." He says her and she tries hard to not let herself frown and nods as she looks back to Philia who stares back, strong and unwavering and she silently, bitterly laughs - really her aide was something else, just the one she needed. She always remained the rational mind to make sure she stayed grounded.

Rufure lips are thinned as he nods, his eyes darken but he takes her hand again, holding more tightly and she squeezes back in what she hopes is an apology. He doesn't glance at her and Chrom too looks away and they all again hold each other's hand and call grace.

"Thank you for this meal, Naga." They whisper, let their hands go and then start eating. The dinner is spent in relative silence and she doesn't blame her siblings for being so down spirited, with everything that was happening she can't expect them to keep a positive mindset. But it still pains her to see them so sad.

He is angry, not at Emm, no not her he knows she feels hurt too. No, he was angry at himself. He should have seen this coming, really he of all people should know how things are going to be from now on, he didn't advise Emm on diplomatics for the jokes and yet he had hoped he would be able to start making his redemption soon. But, it seems, it will have to wait until at least he brings Robin to the councils and by extension to Ylisse's good graces and then he can start making amends. He looks around and sees his two siblings frowning as they eat, he smiles sadly, well, thankfully they are keeping quiet at least. The rest of the dinner goes in the silence and as they sip the drinks, he decides to finally break the silence, he has enough time to think for a plan that will not be used against them in the council. He puts his cup and looks at Emm directly.

"Emm we only have a week to prepare for the council meeting, I know you would want to let Robin rest, but we do not have too much time on our hands."

She puts her cup down and folds her hands, "What are you suggesting Rufure?"

"I want to ask permission to interrogate Robin about her personal information and the current situation in Pelgia. We sadly have very little information on Pelgia as a whole and if her words are to be trusted she can give us quite a lot of valuable information. Normally, the interrogation should be carried out by Frederick or Philia, but I am your military advisor and considering the recent tension I believe it will be better for me to interrogate her." His voice is far flatter than anyone would like and he pats himself in back for his superb acting skills. If there any rats around here, they won't even figure out the truth.

Emm's face betrays no emotion, but her eyes widen only slightly, and he knows she has caught on. She leans forward and puts a hand on her chin, as if she was contemplating and then glances at Philia who just stares back, blank and yet resolute. She nods and turns to him, "That's a good proposition Rufure. Indeed, we do not have much time so I believe it will be most efficient to leave this case in your hand."

He smiles, diplomatically, "Thank you, Emm, then with your permission I will start my investigation tomorrow."

She nods, "Understood. I am expecting satisfactory results, Rufure."

"I have never disappointed you, Emm."

She smiles, he smiles and their siblings stare between them with bewilderment and shock. He hopes Chrom and Lissa will develop skills and catch faster on diplomatic schemes. Well, he can hope, at least.

The dinner ends and as they all leave, he calls Frederick back and asks him to inform Robin of this arrangement and prepare for tomorrow as he informs, he plans to start early. The knight nods, bows and takes his leave.

Chrom and Lissa are waiting for him when they enter their living quarters and he sighs as they round him up and demand an explanation. He gives an exasperated look as he pulls them into his room and explains everything. They stare at him and then Chrom sighs while Lissa pouts.

"So, basically you are going to use interrogation as a façade to talk freely with Robin and while exchange information also try to get to know about her?" Chrom repeats and he nods as he removes his coat and puts it away.

"But then why did you have to go so roundabout way and during dinner too."

He sighs, "Lissa even though our meals are supposed to be private we never know how many rats are hiding."

"Rats?" She asks confused.

"Yes, rats I am sure they all know what happened in the throne room by now. So, their next move will be to gain enough information about her and any soft behaviour or our side to use against us."

She tilts her head as she looks more confused and he smiles, really his cute sister. Well, at least Chrom has understood as he nods at him, "Go and ask Frederick tomorrow Lissa he will properly explain it to you."

She huffs, "Why do you have to talk so roundabout every single time!?"

"Because Lissa rats are everywhere and nowhere." He winks.

She glares, putting her tongue out, stomps out of his room. He reminds himself to apologise to Frederick tomorrow. Chrom stares out of his window as he puts a hand on falchion, his unconscious habit when he is worried.

"How bad do you think it will be?"

He puts a hand on the tome on his desk and leans back on the table, "Well for starters there will be no support whatsoever and then they probably are going to propose something ridiculous and if we react strongly they probably will accuse us of being impartial. And then if we don't smother it there, things will turn ugly fast."

He clicks tongue, "It has been more than 10 years and we still have to live in his shadow."

He looks away, right now his heart hurt too much at even the slightest thought of their 'father', "Chrom that's why you will need to remain rational and calm no matter what they say or bring up. You will not say anything or react strongly we can't have ourselves fighting while we might have a war at our doorstep soon."

"I know I will try my best." Chrom turns, pats his shoulder and then leaves.

He sighs, he knows Chrom is trying his best so he won't say anything. For now, he has other things to think about, like how to talk with his estranged sister again. This time, he will be alone with her in her room. He needs to make sure he won't make any mistakes, he has made enough mistakes as it is now.

He changes and lays in his bed, he puts his right hand up and stares at the mark of Grima.

"I wonder if Robin has this also. I should ask her that tomorrow and I need to ask her so many things, about mother and - " he pauses and gasps, Robin had not said a word about their father. He could be dead, but he wondered why it felt far deeper than that. He frowns, he doesn't know anything about her yet, but he needs to learn it, one step at a time.

He certainly hopes she will open to him.

A/N - Hey guys I know this has been really long since the last update, I didn't want to take so long but sadly things have been a lot of hectic in my life especially with my health and just the world around us. I am also having a hard time editing the stories. I have heard about the beta site but I am still confused how it works so once things work out a bit I will try to get things more quickly. Thanks for waiting guys and I hope you like this chapter too. I will have chapters like this where we take a pause from the main story and dwell a bit deeper in the characters, world-building and story building like politics and other things. This on was character focus but the following chapters will go a bit politics. Do give your opinion on my build-ups and how well they are actually working.

This is actually a practice for me to see how well I can do character building and world building at the same time. I also want to apologise if I mad any mistakes regarding the culture, I am not English and was not brought up in an English country so the research I do is from the internet and you know media, so apologises if I made some mistakes, I didn't mean any offence.

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Xoxoxo, Luna.