Author's Note: Hey there, everyone! This story is in honor of the newest set of refines coming with the update today, specifically the new refine for B!Fjorm. This was a delight to write, so I hope you all enjoy it as well. Special thank you to you reviewers as well; I appreciate your comments and critiques! I want to make sure my writing is immersive and enjoyable for everyone, so it's always good to hear feedback.
Well then, let's get to it! Enjoy!
Half-beastdragonsoul2013 - Thank you so much, I appreciate your patience! And yes, Fjorm isn't as good at concealing her feelings as she might believe, and Kiran definitely needs more breaks (something I can relate to, lol!)
AppleMarineXX - Thanks!
A Bride's Blessing
"Ah, I wasn't able to obtain the bridal bouquet this year. What a shame…"
Fjorm sighed as she sank down onto a nearby bench, taking care not to muss up her bridal dress. She had spent the better part of the day competing in this year's bridal festival tournament for the coveted bridal bouquet. This year, however, Commander Anna had decided to raise the stakes, declaring that whoever found the bouquet first would win the right to a special ceremony alongside a person of their choosing.
The Nifl princess giggled wistfully as she remembered how fiercely many of the young women were in the competition. The young ladies from Elibe seemed especially fired up for the competition, while others such as Tharja, Catria, and Cordelia were just as determined to win that bouquet. Fjorm herself had given it her all in order to claim the prize for herself.
Alas, even her all wasn't enough to secure her victory this time. Fjorm released another sigh as she recalled the winner being declared, her hopes of a special ceremony with her ideal person being dashed. Not that she felt bitter toward the winner; young Roy had won fairly, and he even gave the prize to his father Eliwood, bless his heart. There was no way Fjorm could feel resentful in the face of such a heartwarming gesture. She could, however, feel slightly discouraged for her own missed opportunity.
"Why, hello Princess Fjorm! Why the long face?"
Lifting up her head at the greeting, Fjorm turned and offered a small smile to the greeter. "Ah, hello, Lady Louise. It's…nothing, really…"
The Etrurian noblewoman shook her head with a patient smile as she took a seat next to Fjorm, smoothing her bridal gown with one hand while the other held a lovely bouquet. "Now, now. There's no need for secrets. Besides, it's no good for a bride to look so downcast on such a lovely day."
"Y-you're right. My apologies." Fjorm acquiesced, pushing her feelings aside for the sake of her fellow bride. Hoping to steer the conversation away from herself, Fjorm asked, "How was your ceremony, Lady Louise?"
"Ah, you mean Lord Pent and I's 'vow renewal'?" Louise said with a delighted sigh. "It was absolutely lovely; Kiran's world has such novel traditions and customs! I must be sure to give Kiran himself my sincerest gratitude for proposing and organizing such an exquisite event." The noblewoman chuckled fondly. "I'm sure he will make a lucky young lady very happy someday."
"Y-yes, I agree…" Fjorm murmured with a subtle blush, imagining herself in Louise's place at that ceremony, and at her side…in place of Lord Pent…
"By the way, while we are on the subject…" Snapping out of her daydream, Fjorm returned her attention to Louise and was slightly unnerved by the mischievous grin the Etrurian woman wore. "I heard from my darling husband that you, Princess Fjorm, have your heart set on a certain someone~!"
"Th-that's…!" Caught off guard, Fjorm's mind raced for a response as the previously subtle blush on her cheeks quickly became not so subtle, all while Louise observed with a mirthful expression. Realizing that there was no point in hiding the truth and that there would be no distracting the noble lady from this topic, Fjorm reluctantly sighed and nodded.
"Y-yes, that's true…" The Nifl princess softly admitted, much to Louise's glee.
"Oh, how wonderful! Would you mind telling me about this lucky man? I'd also be more than happy to offer you any advice if you'd like." Fussing with all the excitement of a young maiden hearing of a friend's courtship for the first time, Louise leaned in with rapt interest, much to Fjorm's growing embarrassment.
"Erm, I appreciate you're, um, offer but…" Fjorm stuttered, unsure of what to say or do. She didn't want to come off as rude in the face of what was obviously just innocent curiosity on Louise's part. On the other hand, Fjorm was definitely not prepared to speak her inner feelings aloud. Especially when anyone could hear…
It was then a question came to Fjorm's mind, one that she sincerely wanted to know while also providing a polite way to avoid revealing the identity of her affections. "Actually, Lady Louise, I do have a question for you. Regarding my, um, f-feelings." Louise nodded eagerly, her smile communicating her approval for Fjorm to continue.
Taking a deep breath, Fjorm asked her question. "When you courted Lord Pent, how…did you go about doing so? How did you win his affection?"
Louise's smile seemed to grow at that question, a blush dusting her own cheeks. "Ah, I had a feeling you would ask that, Princess Fjorm. You certainly aren't the first, and I highly doubt you'll be the last. Not that I mind; it is my favorite story to tell."
Gazing toward the sky, Louise began to recount her tale with a wistful expression. "We were both young when we first met, Lord Pent and I. He was the son of one of the most influential noble houses in Etruria, and his accolades as a youth were well known throughout the kingdom. Even before we had formally met, he had captured my admiration."
Now it was Fjorm's turn to give her full attention as Louise continued her story. "The circumstances of our first meeting were rather…unusual. Lord Pent was to choose whom he would be betrothed to, and of the twenty noble girls selected as potential candidates, I was one of them." Louise chuckled in reminiscence. "Compared to the other girls, my family was not as prestigious or influential. And yet…"
Fjorm unconsciously scooted closer in anticipation. "And…?" She urged, to Louise's amusement.
"All of the other girls were lovely young women, each beautiful and remarkable in their own way." Louise stated. "And each one of them were eager to demonstrate as such to Lord Pent, whether it was through dancing, singing, or displaying their skill with an instrument or words. Finally, it was my turn."
A slightly bashful look overtook the noblewoman's features as the recounted the next part of her tale. "Truthfully, I was not so skilled in any of the ways those other girls were." That came as a surprise to Fjorm, but she held her tongue and nodded for Louise to continue, eager to learn how she had won Lord Pent's affection.
"When it came my turn to present myself to Lord Pent, I held nothing back and plainly told him my true feelings and the talent I possessed." It was with pride and passion that Louise spoke her next words. "I told him that my skill was with the bow, and that should he choose me as his betrothed, I would vow to protect him with my very life, for the rest of our days."
Fjorm's eyes widened, her mouth open in a silent gasp as Louise's words resonated with something deep within her.
"I was quite mortified in the moment, I will admit, and the sound of laughter ringing around me certainly didn't help matters." Louise said with a chuckle. She then turned to Fjorm and made direct eye contact as she revealed the finale of her story. "Everyone was laughing at me. Everyone, that is, except Lord Pent. Do you know what he did instead, Fjorm?" The princess shook her head, completely enraptured.
Louise smiled as she said, "He smiled gently, approached me, and spoke to me these words, words I will never forget for as long as I live. 'I have never met a girl whose heart was so clear,' he said as he took my hand in his."
Her story finished, Louise reached forward and gingerly took one of Fjorm's hands in her own, her gaze never leaving the Nifl princess.' "That was how I won Lord Pent's affection, and that is how you will win the affection of your special someone, Fjorm. Be true to your feelings, and do not hesitate to share them when the time comes."
Fjorm could hardly form words as Louise held her hand, the Etrurian woman's advice ringing clearly in her head and resonating within her heart. "I…I understand. Thank you for sharing your wisdom, Lady Louise." Louise nodded with a smile as she gave Fjorm's a reassuring squeeze.
"Hello, Lady Louise! Hey, Fjorm!"
Both women turned to see Kiran walking toward them with a pleasant grin. Lousie released Fjorm's and immediately stood to properly greet the summoner, Fjorm quickly doing the same. "Kiran! Just who I wanted to see." Stepping forward, she gave an elegant curtsey to the summoner. "Words simply cannot express how grateful I am to you for organizing that wonderful event for Lord Pent and I! You have our deepest gratitude!"
Kiran chuckled awkwardly as he nodded. "Oh, you're very welcome! Really, it was great to see you two so happy. The way you two smiled and looked at each other, it made all the planning and work worth it!"
Louise giggled. "Such a lovely heart you have, Kiran. I'm sure you'll make an excellent groom and husband one day!"
Kiran blushed at the praise, his gaze darting elsewhere nervously. "Th-thank you. I, um…" His gaze settling on Fjorm, the summoner quickly switched topics. "So! Are you two, um, enjoying the festival? You know, aside from the reception earlier."
Fjorm nodded, giggling at Kiran's flustered expression. "Yes, it's been wonderful, Kiran. Have you taken the time to partake in the festivities?"
As the Nifl princess suspected, Kiran shrugged in response with a sheepish grin. "Well, I mean, I've been doing the rounds to make sure everything is running smoothly and that everyone is having a good time. So, technically speaking, I've enjoyed the festival here and there, heheh."
Fjorm frowned as she fixed Kiran with a stern look. "Kiran, how many times do we have to tell you not to overwork yourself? You've done your part, so you should take the time to relax. No one will blame you if you actually take the time to enjoy yourself." Her frown then shifted to a well-meaning grin. "And if someone does take issue with that, I'd be more than happy to have some words with them."
Kiran held up his hands at Fjorm's scolding, chuckling all the while. "Ok, ok, I get it! No need to twist my arm, I'll go and take a break." Throughout the whole exchange, Louise observed the two with a scrutinizing gaze.
With that, Kiran began to turn his body away from the pair of women and gave a short wave. "Well, in any case, I'll see you two around! Hope you enjoy the rest of the festival." As he began to walk away, however, the summoner paused as if he was considering something. Finally, he turned his head and said in a slightly subdued voice, "Oh, and Fjorm? Thanks. You…look really nice in that dress, by the way. Y-you as well, Lady Louise." With that, Kiran resumed his course, leaving Fjorm a blushing mess while Louise giggled with a parting wave and a twinkle in her eyes.
Regaining control of her tongue, Fjorm was prepared to say her own farewell to Louise and thank her again for sharing her advice when a bouquet of flowers was suddenly shoved into her hands. "H-huh? Lady Louise, what are you-?"
Louise merely inclined her head to the bouquet, gesturing for Fjorm to take it. "Go on, Princess Fjorm. It may not be the prize bouquet, but it will suit you, nonetheless. If you hurry, I'm also sure you'll be able to catch up with Kiran." Before Fjorm could question what exactly the noblewoman meant by all of this, Louise leaned in close to Fjorm's ear and whispered, "I'll be cheering for you two~!"
Fjorm sputtered even as her hands automatically grasped the presented bouquet, attempting to produce some excuse or refute to what Louise was implying. However, Fjorm quickly realized once more that any such effort would be futile, as demonstrated by Louise's knowing smile. Thus, with a flushed expression, Fjorm could only nod in quiet thanks as she briskly made her way after the summoner, the tips of her ears burning as she heard Louise's well-meaning giggles behind her.
"Ah, those two." Louise said aloud as she watched the flustered princess depart. She held a hand to her mouth as another bout of giggles escaped her lips.
"Wait until I tell Lord Pent about this!"