Chapter 15
Lucina gave an exhausted gasp, shaking atop me as the last tremors of her most recent orgasm died down. Slowly, languidly, she leaned down to kiss me, a sloppy, tired affair. Then she slid off me with a wet pop, collapsing in a heap on the mattress next to me.
"Holy crap is it nice not to always have to be the top," I panted.
Lucina just gave a breathless chuckle, wiping sweat-slick hair from her face before turning to smile tiredly at me.
"Are you quite… quite done now?" I asked, still struggling to catch my breath.
"Mm. For now," Lucina said.
As she spoke she shuffled over, snuggling up to my side with a contented sigh, entwining her legs around mine as she rested her head on my shoulder. We were both still coated in sweat and other 'bodily fluids'. It was a gross feeling, probably for both of us, but hey, I was a cuddler.
"I had nearly forgotten how much fun this was," she sighed, getting comfortable.
"Damn, woman," I groaned. "How many times is that now?"
"I haven't been counting," she chuckled.
"You're insatiable," I laughed. "You trying to kill me or what?"
As we spoke I used my free leg and foot to hook the edge of the closest sheet, dragging it up high enough that I could pull it over us. My core spasmed at the movement, and I hissed a small breath through my teeth as I tugged on the sheet.
We'd both definitely need a rest day after tonight…
We'd been going at it like rabbits all evening. We'd missed dinner, caught up in each other's arms, laying next to each other naked and languidly talking about nothing and everything while we weren't fucking.
How cool the weather had been lately. How Cynthia was settling in. How recruitment rates were still sky-high, and I'd had to move newer squads and platoons into a part-time rotation. How much Lucina liked dogs versus cats.
Inane crap like that.
It had been one of the best evenings of my life.
"When I asked if we could throw down again, I wasn't expecting this," I went on.
Contrary to the rebuke in my words, I leaned down and planted a kiss on the top of Lucina's head. She gave a little contented hum, snuggling closer into my embrace.
"I love it when you do that," she said softly. "That little kiss. On the top of the head."
"You do?" I asked. "You know I do it to Noire all the time, too, right?"
"I don't mean it in a lewd way," Lucina scoffed. "I just… I love the affection in it. It's like… gods, but I feel silly saying this out loud… it's like you're making sure we know you care."
I sighed a little out my nose, the arm Lucina was currently resting on rising up to begin to trace little patterns on her back now.
"A little starved for touch, huh?" I asked. "I know that feeling."
"Indeed," Lucina sighed, a little melancholy creeping into her voice before she smirked again. "I have to say for the record, though, that I resisted this temptation for as long as I could."
As she spoke, she began to run the fingers of her hand slowly through my chest hair in what was a very pleasing motion.
"Is that what I am now?" I chuckled lightly. "A temptation to be resisted?"
Lucina gave a small chuckle, bunching up a fistful of my chest hair and lighting pulling it.
"Don't get cocky," she warned teasingly.
"You love it," I smirked.
Lucina went back to tracing patterns on my chest, sighing in contentment. I could feel her smile against my shoulder, though.
"Gods, but you are insufferable," she said. "And there is a part of me I am truly frustrated with for finding that so attractive."
"Opposites attract," I said, giving a small yawn now. "I have to admit, I really admire the way you're so… dedicated."
I fumbled at the end, searching for the right word, and I could see, in the dim candlelight, the blush spreading up her face.
Lucina's tracing fingers found a scar on my chest, beginning to gently trace around it.
"You have only been here for a few short years," she said wistfully. "And already so many scars. I have been fighting all my life, and yet…"
"You know, they say 'chicks dig scars' where I'm from," I laughed when she trailed off. "But I have to admit, I find yours fairly attractive, too."
Lucina was silent a moment, her hand hesitating against my chest before continuing around the scar.
"You do not… find them unseemly?" she asked, her voice a whisper.
I sighed out my nose, shaking off the post-nut urge to sleep, to roll her onto her back. Lucina blinked up at me with those beautiful blue eyes, fairly glowing in the dim lighting, her expression unguarded and vulnerable within the corona of her dark hair. Leaning down I placed a slow, sensual kiss on her lips, one she responded to gladly. As I did so, I ran my hand up her side, my fingers lingering on every scar, every mound of puckered flesh that had once been a wound, brushing and rubbing around them. I started at her hip, and when I got to a particularly large one at the bottom of her ribs, Lucina let out a stifled gasp.
"Did that hurt?" I asked, pulling back only slightly.
"No," she breathed. "It is just… sensitive."
"I don't find them unseemly, Lucina," I told her.
I began to move down her body, planting random kisses and playful nips at random as I went, eliciting gasps and stifled giggles in equal measure. Slowly, I came to the large, sensitive scar on her ribs, and placed a lingering kiss atop it.
"They're just like any other part of you," I told her, looking up.
Lucina smiled gratefully, eyes damp as she scoffed slightly.
"Save the lines for your serials," she told me.
"I maintain that you're exactly what I want, physically, in a woman," I told her with a grin. "Svelte, toned, athletic… rawr."
Lucina laughed, stroking the top of my head.
"And your shoulders are, well…" she grinned mischievously. "To borrow one of your phrases… rawr."
I just chuckled, resting my chin lightly on her stomach as I gently stroked her thighs. We lay like this for a while, just looking at each other and luxuriating in each other's company, before Lucina spoke again.
"You know," she said slowly. "I think I liked your look better with the smaller beard."
"Oh, wow," I laughed, rising up into a kneeling position.
"I do not mean insult," she assured me quickly, rising to her elbows. "It just… makes you look… younger, I guess."
I made a sound of contemplation, stroking my chin in mock thoughtfulness before nodding.
"Very well, I think it's time I had a shave," I declared. "However, there's something you're going to have to do for me in return."
Lucina just grinned, shifting a little to spread her legs again.
"Now, I wonder what that could possibly be?" she asked sarcastically.
I just chuckled, slowly crawling between those perfect, thin legs and leaning over her. The kiss I gave her this time was one of heat and passion, stoking the embers left smouldering after our most recent lovemaking.
"Again?" she laughed. "Now who is the insatiable one?"
It went on like this all night, and even though we barely slept at all both of us wore wide smiles for most of the next day.
The next morning, something unexpected happened that threw a great big wrench into my plans of escaping north as soon as possible.
And no, it wasn't that Lucina and I had been chewed out by the rest of the barracks inhabitants. Though, I was sure that particular conversation was coming.
Who'd have thought that the princess was a screamer?
Not that I particularly minded, though…
Anyway, not the point.
I had been summoned to a council by Chrom.
According to Cordelia, who had delivered the message, I was in trouble.
The simple fact that the Wing Commander of the Pegasus Knights herself and a full contingent of her Knights to act as honor guard had been sent to fetch me, to deliver the summons personally, was a big tip off. Cordelia had tried to soften the blow by explaining that, as a Duke, I warranted the respect, but the apology evident in her tone said she was doing this against her will.
The fact that she also warned me "You're in trouble" was also a tip-off.
"Ugh, what did I do now?" I asked, pulling on my jacket as I strode through the common area. "Did I screw something up in the Parliament?"
Archer, who I had once more tripped over when I found him sleeping just outside my door, trotted placidly alongside me receiving the occasional pat every time he brushed my hand with his cold canine nose. The old mutt could tell something was happening, and bless him, he was still trying to be my support.
"Yes, but nothin' ya could be called ta task fer," Gaila yawned.
The fact that she wasn't even trying to moderate the worst of her accent, her mask was crooked, and was still in her pyjamas (a scandalous nightgown that was clearly made out of less fabric than one end of an ear cleaner, for the curious) really showed that I'd just dragged her out of bed.
I stopped at the top of the stairs, taking a deep breath and preparing to call for Erutreya to prepare another guard detail-
"You are not being apprehended," Cordelia assured me quickly. "Though, you are forbidden by custom from calling your own Honor Guard."
- Only to let the breath out in a loud sigh as Cordelia cut me off.
Gaila and I exchanged glances, and the pirate's single eye twitched a little. It was a tell, I'd learned, that this was something she didn't want to deal with.
"Stay here," I told her. "Keep the transfer prep on track."
"Blegh, I'd almost rather come with ya," she said, before breaking into another loud yawn. "Almost. Rather get a few extra hours 'a sleep. Was kinda… loud here last night."
With that, she spun on her heel and left. I watched her go for a moment, guiltily eyeing that ass and perfect legs that the nightgown showed far more of than her usual outfit, until Cordelia gave me a curious glance and I shrugged.
"You don't wanna know," I warned her.
"I won't ask," Cordelia chuckled.
"You know I won't be able to make Su'ko stay," I told her.
To emphasize my point, the young ninja suddenly appeared at my side. Cordelia just smiled, nodding a polite greeting to the younger girl.
"A single bodyguard should be acceptable," she told me. "Especially now that we know how capable she is."
I sighed out my nose, closing my eyes for a moment before I leaned closer to Cordelia to speak a little quieter.
"Be real, Cordy," I asked, hoping using the nickname would help me get some more sympathy points. "What's going on?"
Cordelia shifted her weight from foot to foot uncertainly, before finally deciding to spill.
"Chrom is to lay charges of petty treason on you for ignoring Lady Emmeryn's strict rearmament policies," she said quickly. "He doesn't want to, but Beorhito has half the House of Lords clamouring for censure. I'm sorry. For what it's worth, Frederick and I are both on your side, and managed to talk Exalt Chrom into a smaller hearing. Only himself, Duke Beorhito, and Duke Midland."
I grit my teeth, stepping back and letting out a low growl.
I knew this would happen sooner rather than later. Annoying as this was, I'd already been mentally preparing for the fat bastard to hit back at me, but it was heartening to know that Chrom was quietly supportive.
Though, to be fair, I had technically broken the law.
The admittance about Frederick, though, was unexpected. I thought he still hated me.
The simple fact that this was happening now, while I was in the middle of something, was what was getting under my skin.
"Fine," I frowned. "Let's just get this over with."
Cordelia nodded, leading Su'ko and I out of the barracks to where her Knights were waiting in perfectly ordered ranks. A few of the soldiers had been up early to get I some exercise, but were now clustering around curiously. As we exited the building Tennabree stepped forward, the Plegian woman brushing aside a lock of pale hair as she eyed the Knights.
"What is happening, General?" she asked. "Should we be worried?"
"No, keep doing what you're doing," I told her, not even stopping. "It's just politics. Business as usual."
The Plegian officer nodded, and in the grey light of dawn I was brought to task for preparing to fight a war that everyone knew was coming, yet insisted on ignoring.
Ah, to joys of leadership.
I stopped, glancing down at Archer, who looked up at me with his tail wagging slightly.
"Anyone willing to carry my dog?" I asked the assembled Knights.
Unfortunately no one was, and a visibly disappointed Archer had to stay behind.
After a quick flight over Ylisstol, in which I contemplated throwing myself off the back of Cordelia's pegasus just to end the sheer annoyance that the constant politicking was causing me, we arrived at the familiar sight of the Pegasus Roost atop the Palace's tallest tower, where we were met by Frederick and an Honor Guard of his Knights.
"Am I considered a flight-risk or what?" I asked sarcastically as I slid off the back of Cordelia's mount.
Frederick stepped forward, his bearing even more rigid than usual, his armor shined to an almost mirror sheen.
"It is customary," Cordelia explained. "The Wing Commander escorts you to the Palace, the Knight Commander escorts you whilst inside."
Frederick nodded gravely, stepping forward with perfect military precision.
"Duke Baham, you will allow us to accompany you to the Conference Hall that the meeting is to be held in," Frederick declared.
His tone also made clear that this wasn't an optional offer.
Frederick's perpetual frown deepened as Su'ko stepped up to my side, glaring up at the looming Commander challengingly. He just sighed out his nose and ignored her, which I assumed was tacit approval of my ignoring of regular protocol.
"What, no courtroom?" I asked tartly.
"Not yet, anyway," Frederick said, eyes narrowing.
I rolled my eyes, choosing not to rise to the bait.
"I did warn you to be more subtle about this," Frederick added in a whisper.
"Aw, I knew you cared," I smirked.
As I spoke I rapped my knuckles against his polished breastplate, just because I knew it would piss him off. Fortunately, like me, he didn't rise to the bait.
After Cordelia softly wished me luck, Su'ko and I were led down a corridor of saluting Pegasus Knights and into the tender mercies of Frederick's regular Knights. They led us silently through the Palace; not through the servant corridors as I was wont to use to cut down on travel time, but through the main halls and corridors, making a big show of this for the staff and dignitaries still hanging around. Stone-faced and head high, I allowed all of this to happen.
It was all part of the show. I had to project authority, and act like I'd done nothing wrong.
Gawking dignitaries snickered behind hands or openly stared, and every time I managed to meet one of their gazes I made sure to amp up the glare I was wearing. They all ended up looking away. The palace staff, though, all wore sympathetic faces, some of the maids and pages even softly wishing me luck as we passed.
We arrived at the Conference Hall on the first floor, the same one that Flavia had come to us to beg Ylisstol's aid in, and half of Frederick's Knights spread out in a cordon to keep the court gawkers back.
These Knights, however, didn't offer me a respectful salute.
Frederick did open the door and declare my presence. At the very least.
Although, he did do it very loudly.
Right in my ear.
Prick.
I stepped into a mostly empty room, occupied by Chrom sitting at a long table, flanked by Beorhito and Duke Midland. A single priest sat to one side in the room, ostensibly there to be a representative of the church for these proceedings. To my great relief, it was a man I didn't know and not Pope Penis-Hat, although expectedly it wasn't one of Celeste's faction. The remaining Knights took up positions in a line behind the noblemen and along the sides of the room, and I slowly approached the centre of the room, where a single chair waited.
This felt less like a hearing, and more like a cross between an interrogation and a job interview. I almost scoffed at the thought, but didn't want to provoke Frederick further; he already seemed like he was in a pissy mood to match my own.
"Duke Ben of Baham, welcome," Chrom intoned formally. "Please, take a seat."
My frown intensified, but I did as I was asked. Beorhito was grinning like a bastard, like a cat that had just caught the canary, thought Duke Midland was good enough to wear a more neutral expression.
"You had to know your blatant flaunting of the laws of this proud nation would catch up with you sooner or later," Beorhito purred. "This, Duke Baham, has been a long time in the coming."
I gave a cough into my elbow that sounded suspiciously like the words 'tax evasion', and the corner of Chrom's mouth twitched as he tried not to grin.
"Sorry," I said seriously. "Frog in my throat."
"Indeed," Beorhito said, eyes narrowing dangerously.
"So, what am I being charged with?" I asked with a sigh.
"At this point, nothing," Chrom said. "This is simply a hearing to evaluate the reasoning behind your actions. We decided to hold it now, before the Dukes returned to their respective territories, so that you can be assessed by your peers."
"Two things I am on record as disagreeing with," Beorhito said pointedly.
"Can we please not, Maximilian?" Midland sighed. "I would like to get back to my city sometime before the Autumn harvest finishes. I don't want to miss the Harvest Festival."
The fat Duke shot the other man a sideways glare, but settled for grumbling and letting the barb go. Chrom and my eyes met, and we both rolled them at the same time.
Politics. Blegh.
"Duke Baham," Chrom began formally. "You have been brought before us today to answer for your flagrant disregard of the laws around the raising of armed forces in Ylisse. Due to your history of service and the progress in enriching the economy in the northern territories you have achieved, we have decided to allow you the chance to explain yourself and your decisions."
I bit my tongue to stop myself blurting out the scathing remarks that leapt to the forefront of my mind, doing my best to work around my sleep-deprived state and think politically.
I blinked as my thoughts immediately drifted to the reason for my tiredness this particular day, and remembering the certain bluenette no doubt still warming my bed actually brought me a measure of calm.
"What laws, exactly, am I being accused of breaking?" I asked.
"There are numerous laws and regulations in place regarding the raising of troops during peace time," Chrom explained. "My late-sister placed these laws in place to ensure that, should it come to another war such as the one that my… father enacted, there would be a significant period of reflection while troops were mustered."
"Yes, and how did that go three years ago?" I deadpanned.
"Do not be snide, Duke Baham," Beorhito drawled. "These are quite serious charges."
"Even if you do have a point," Duke Midland added.
I sighed, leaning forward and scrubbing at my tired face with both hands. I did this to buy myself some time, because oh fuck I had not prepared for this eventuality.
I really needed to read a charter of Ylissean laws or something one of these days…
Or get some actual goddamned sleep for a change.
Oh well. Lying out my ass had worked before; there was no reason it wouldn't work now.
"Exalt Chrom," I said slowly, sitting back up. "I swear, by Naga, you have never once read a single sheet of paperwork that has passed your desk."
Midland choked back a snicker, quickly looking away. Burrito's eyebrows rose as he licked his lips, clearly expecting me to get the mother of all dressing-downs here.
"I beg your pardon?" Chrom deadpanned.
"I specifically stated," I continued. "That this 'army' was for self defence purposes only. Leaving policing to local governments and civilian militias was not working. The sacking of the southern territories during the last scuffle with Plegia proved that."
"So you are claiming that this army is nothing more than…" Midland said, trailing off.
"A Self-Defence Force? Yes. Exactly," I nodded.
Oh Japan, you glorious bastards. You'd saved my ass here.
"This is preposterous!" Burrito thundered. "You think you can lie your way out of another situation where you have very clearly ignored the laws of this land?"
I shrugged, before glaring tiredly at Chrom. "Do you even know where the paperwork is?"
"I have it… somewhere," Chrom said awkwardly.
"You will, no doubt, have your own copies to provide as proof," Burrito seethed.
"I just finished packing all my paperwork to move back north!" I groaned. "I don't even know where my own property deeds are right now! For the love of… do not make me unpack it all again!"
Chrom and Midland both laughed at my show, the Duke shooting me a wink as Burrito was preoccupied with glaring bloody-murder at me. Frederick's brows narrowed behind Chrom, but a few of his knights were twitching, clearly trying not to laugh. It was almost like that famous scene from Monty Python's Life of Brian.
"That will not be necessary, Duke Baham," Chrom said with an easy grin. "I will find the paperwork and present it as evidence for your case. I hereby rule that your raising of a Self Defence Force is not, by definition, the raising of a standing army, and therefore does not break any of Ylisse's laws."
"Then why are you preparing to bring it with you on this Crusade to Valm?" Burrito sneered.
"One, it's a retaliatory strike for their own aggression, not a Crusade," I pointed out. "It's got nothing to do with religion, they worship Naga, too. And two, I'm not bringing the SDF with me. I'm bringing certain units to defend camps and train the conscripts, who are all woefully unprepared in every region except Ylisstol and my own."
"I wish I could disagree," Duke Midland sighed. "But I am grateful I signed the pact with both territories for the regular patrols along the merchant roads."
I had to try very hard not to react to that. The 'pact' was probably Helman's doing. Hopefully.
"Then… then…" Burrito blubbered, clearly reaching now. "Then why do you call them an army!?"
I quirked a brow at Chrom, who sighed and rolled his eyes.
"Duke Beorhito, surely you have to accept that this-" Chrom started.
"No, no," I cut in, shaking my head and glaring right back at the fat duke. "It's fine. I don't mind playing teacher. 'Army' is a slang shortening of the words 'Armed Forces'. This is for the ease of the illiterate peasants that are coming from the western provinces, who wouldn't understand the phrase 'Self Defence Force' until we explained it to them. And taught them basic literacy."
"You dare besmirch my people…" Beorhito said dangerously.
"Am I wrong?" I asked mildly.
The fat man's silence was more than enough answer.
"And before we get started on the matter of freemen and peasants moving from territory to territory, and I'm sure you're no doubt about to start complaining about that, too, Maximilian," Duke Midland said. "I believe that this hearing has gone on long enough. I am satisfied with Exalt Chrom's ruling."
Duke Beorhito went red in the face and practically leapt to his feet, giving Chrom a very perfunctory bow before stalking from the room without another word. There was a moment of silence before Chrom cleared his throat awkwardly.
The priest in attendance rose with more dignity than Burrito had, bowing gracefully to the three of us before following him out. The knights snapped to attention, saluting to Chrom, before Frederick led them out. Once we were alone Chrom and Duke Midland let out long sighs, and I leaned forward to rest my elbows on my knees and let my head droop.
"Sorry about that," Chrom said. "But part of being a monarch-"
"Is not playing favorites, I know," I sighed.
"I… will find that paperwork, right?" he asked quietly.
I just looked up and quirked a brow at him.
"Well, it's not my fault I get so much of it…" he muttered.
I rolled my eyes, internally already planning To'shi's next mission; planting some documents somewhere in the middle of a random pile of paperwork backing up my claims before Frederick tore the Exalt's office apart. It was a good thing that Chrom's signature was so easy to forge…
"If that's all," I sighed, rising to my feet. "This whole thing has left a bad taste in my mouth. I think the sooner I'm out of Ylisstol, the easier all our lives are going to be."
"You could, ah, join us for breakfast," Chrom offered.
I shook my head. "Thanks, but I think I need a walk. I'll see you up north, Chrom. Duke Midland, always a pleasure."
"At this point, I'm sure it's fine for you to just call me Hans, lad," the older man chuckled.
"Well then, Hans," I smirked. "Thanks for backing my corner. I'll send everyone some letters once I get back to Baham. Gentlemen, I'll see you both later."
As I stood, though, another interruption bustled in through a side door. Sumia and Lissa, in full fancy court dresses, practically ran into the room.
"Oh, thank Naga we didn't miss you!" Lissa cried.
The blonde princess practically leapt on me, wrapping her arms around my chest in a tight hug. As I awkwardly returned it, Lon'qu stepped in after the two women, raising a brow at the sight of his wife so intimate with another man. Before he complained, though, Lissa stepped back and was replaced by Sumia giving me another bone-crushing hug.
"We were so worried that we wouldn't be able to catch you before you left," the Queen said, stepping back.
"Uh," I managed eloquently.
"You didn't think we'd let you just leave without saying goodbye, did you?" Lon'qu asked.
The swordsman stepped up to me, surprising me by giving me a strong man-hug, and I returned it as we both slapped each other's backs over the shoulder.
"I'm touched," I admitted. "I figured you'd all be keeping away for politics."
"Hell with the politics," Sumia snapped.
"Excuse you, young lady," Hans frowned.
Chrom laughed, stepping up and giving me the same kind of hug Lon'qu had.
"We are still your friends, Ben," the Exalt said warmly. "Don't forget that. I know we'll be separated for a time now, but we'll see each other again in Regna Ferox."
"Count on it," I nodded.
Hans stepped forward, stopping a pace away from me and holding out his hand.
"I don't think we're ready for hugs yet," he said with a smirk. "But, you're my daughter' friend, and that makes me your friend, too. If ever you need anything, I and all Midland will be there for you."
I shook his hand, the thin man's grip surprisingly strong. I was honestly choking up a little.
"That goes double for Ylisstol," Chrom added. "And the rest of us."
"Thank you," I said, stepping back. "You bet we'll all see each other again. And I'll be there, with every part of Baham at your beck and call, and… I'm… just… thank you all. I think I needed to hear this."
With the farewells and smiles out of the way, I left the palace feeling my mood a little lighter.
Though I did stop at the top of the stairs at the entrance and curse under my breath. Su'ko looked up at me curiously, and I rolled my eyes.
"I forgot to warn them about the corsets," I sighed. "This is the damn helmets all over again."
The barracks outside of Ylisstol fairly bustled at the best of times, but had become a veritable hive of activity since the proclamation of war. Soldiers and support staff ran around from dawn until well after dusk, packing and preparing and checking and double checking, and…
And Lucina yawned, rolling over in Ben's bed, feeling only a slight twinge of guilt as she listened to the bustle outside the window. The guilty twinge was heavily outweighed by the ache in her legs and core from the previous day's… exercise.
The once-Exalt took a deep breath, her nose buried in the sheets where her lover had lain the night before, feeling an almost girlish giddiness as his scent enveloped her.
They had finally done it.
She and Ben had finally crossed that final line.
Or, rather, they had tap-danced across it.
She curled up into a ball, unable to stop the little giggle that rose in her chest, burying her face in his pillow instead.
It had been magnificent.
She did still feel some guilt about lazing about, but Ben had practically sworn her to get some extra rest when he had left that morning.
When he had left…
Gently brushing the hair from her brow and placing a gentle kiss on it, whispering assurances that she could continue to rest, to-
Lucina buried her face deeper into his pillow, practically wrapping herself around it now. Part of her chided herself on this childish foolishness. It had been a night of intense passion, of that there could be no doubt, but that was all it had been.
She frowned, loosening her grip on the pillow a little.
It had just been a night of passion, the sexual tension between them finally boiling over.
Hadn't it?
Perhaps the first time, in the office, had been, but the second and third and…
Gods, how many times had they made love?
She blushed at the thought, unable to stop the silly little smile that crossed her face.
With a sigh, Lucina finally released the pillow and rolled onto her back, resting the back of one hand across her brow as she looked up at the ceiling. The cool air across her bared chest felt good as the blanket slipped away, and had the bonus of helping her clear her thoughts.
Had this been a mistake?
More than likely. In fact, they both agreed that it probably had.
But denying their mutual attraction for each-other for so many years now had been a form of torture that Lucina hadn't even known existed. She felt a twinge of possessive jealousy just thinking about Ben lying next to Panne or Nowi, a longing whenever she pictured him holding the infant Noire…
No.
Lucina gave a long sigh, scrunching her eyes closed.
She had a job to do.
As Ben was so fond of saying: 'the world won't save itself'.
This was a mere infatuation. A complication that neither of them could afford. Already, events had started progressing far faster than they had in her own time, which brought the princess a level of trepidation that she had yet to share with anyone.
Not even Ben.
But, perhaps this could also be a blessing in disguise? Ben had harped on, time and again, about her bearing the weight of the world on her shoulders, about how she didn't have to, and how he'd bear it with her and all her cohort weather she liked it or not…
The thought brought another silly little smile to her face, one she quashed immediately.
Perhaps they could support each other? As friends and confidants. Surely, if anyone could understand her position, it would be Ben.
He had thoroughly understood all her favorite positions the previous night, a guilty little voice said in the back of her head.
Lucina snorted a little, not even trying to hide the smile this time.
Friends and confidants, then. He had already made it clear that he understood her mission had to come first, so…
Lucina bolted upright at the sound of the doorknob opening, snatching up the sheets to cover her chest as Elle bustled in.
"Oh, good morning, Princess," the maid said with a polite curtsey. "My apologies, I didn't mean to wake you."
"N-no, it is fine," Lucina said, her face blazing. "I was already… ah…"
"Oh, don't bother," Elle laughed. "You haven't got anything I haven't seen before, and I'm pretty sure that the entire barracks heard you two last night."
"Oh Naga above please smite me down," Lucina moaned into her hands.
Elle laughed again, placing a pitcher of water and a plate of bread and cold meats on the nightstand.
"You missed breakfast," the younger woman said. "Take your time. I'd rather not think about having to restuff this mattress again- Archer! No! Bad dog!"
As the maid spoke the old dog came dashing into the room, fairly diving into the bed next to Lucina. She tensed, but Archer just gave her a knowing sort of look before he flopped down in the empty space next to her.
"I swear, you old mutt!" Elle seethed. "I'm sorry, Princess. Nowi used to let him on the bed to cuddle in the mornings after she and Ben, uh… I mean… um… yeah."
Lucina chuckled a little, smiling wanly.
"I am well aware of his history, Elle," Lucina said.
The maid nodded and blushed a little, before grabbing at Archer's scruff.
"Come on, get off!" she huffed. "Let's go and see if Tharja will let you be in the same room as her and Noire yet."
Archer just whined, struggling out of Elle's grip and planting his muzzle across Lucina's lap. She couldn't help but laugh and stroke the dog's head, and Archer's tail began to wag in spite of Elle's irritated sigh.
"I'm sorry, Elle, but it appears his mind is made up," Lucina smiled.
"You are not getting away with this in Baham," Elle muttered to the dog.
The blonde girl shook her head and sighed, before curtseying again to Lucina.
"Would you like me to open the windows and let some air in, Princess?" she asked.
"That would be lovely, Elle," Lucina chuckled. "I believe I shall remain here a time longer and entertain the General's dog. To keep him out of trouble."
Elle nodded, giving Lucina a little smirk as she pushed the heavy windows wide, letting light and fresh air stream into the room.
"When you kick the dog out, I'll take it as a sign that you'll be wanting some warm water and soap," she said slyly.
Lucina blushed again, spluttering as Elle laughed and swept out of the room, closing the door behind her.
The princess glanced down at Archer, whose head was still sitting across her lap. She began to scratch behind the dog's ears, and his tail began to wag again.
"Ben really has ruined that girl," she sighed.
Something that Elle had said nagged at the back of Lucina's mind, though.
You are not getting away with this in Baham.
With a sinking feeling, Lucina realised that she and Ben would be separated already, and very soon.
True to my statement to Chrom and Hans, I declined Cordelia's very polite offer of bringing Su'ko and I back to the barracks. Frederick had just given me a polite and clearly socially-expected nod when I walked out of the meeting room a free man, before dismissing his Knights. Cordelia had been waiting, sighing with visible relief and giving me a quick hug, even after I'd told her I'd rather walk.
It was nice to know that not everyone in the Palace below 'royalty' hated me.
I'd moved at a brisk pace to get out of the fancy districts of the city, finding the ordered, white-washed façade irritating that day. It wasn't until I passed through the gates into the merchant's quarter, where the smell of flowers and fresh-cut grass were replaced by piss and shit and life that I slowed and relaxed a little.
Su'ko, for a change, walked at my side rather than shadowing me. Perhaps she sensed that I'd wanted some kind of company, or perhaps she just didn't trust the bustling crowds of the cobbled streets, but either way I was grateful for the companionship.
I meandered my way through the wider, busier streets, making my way slowly towards the slums I had to pass through to get to where the barracks was outside the city. I could probably have borrowed a carriage or something from Chrom, but I'd been serious about needing the walk.
Burrito was really starting to get under my skin, and I'd needed the chance to cool off. As soon as I'd left the palace I'd started to dwell on his little barbs again, souring my good mood after the heartfelt goodbye.
That fat fuck was one more annoyance away from getting a visit from one of To'shi's people, I swear to god…
I shook the violent thoughts out of my head even as they formed.
I wouldn't be that kind of nobleman.
Hell, I wouldn't be that kind of man.
I couldn't let this authority I'd bumbled my way into corrupt me.
Su'ko glanced up at me as I shook my head clear, and I grinned a little down at her.
"It's nothing," I assured her. "Just planning espionage."
The corner of her lips quirked up ever-so-slightly, her equivalent of returning my grin, and we continued through the busy streets. Eventually, we began to follow the river that passed through the city, the smell of rotting fish mingling now with the sewerage. Those merchants and tradesmen that could afford to held scented kerchiefs to their faces to fend off the worst of the smell as they hurried down the streets, and even Su'ko wrinkled her nose a little.
It didn't bother me much, though. My father and grandfather had been tradesmen of many talents, and while I hadn't chosen to follow in their footsteps, that hadn't stopped them teaching me whatever they could. Which had, occasionally, involved sewer lines and septic tanks.
I was momentarily struck with a bout of the old homesickness, and my pace slowed a little as a pang of longing to see my parents and grandparents again made it's way through my chest. Hell, I'd settle for slapping my brothers' upside their heads before we all started to punch each other's shoulders again right then.
Slowly, tentatively, Su'ko's hand moved to gently grip my little finger.
I smiled down at her as she blushed and released my hand as if she'd been burned.
"You're just as attentive as Archer sometimes, you know that?" I said warmly.
She just nodded, her blush growing a little more as we continued on our way.
Eventually, we made it to the slums where my kind of people resided, stepping off the last of the cobbles and into the muck. They were rude, dirty, and always raring for a fight.
In short, it really reminded me of where I'd grown up, and it always brought a smile to my face.
I smiled and waved at the working gals as they cat-called me, trading good-natured jibes with some of the braver workers on breaks or just whiling away their time waiting for more jobs to come up, surreptitiously dropping a few small denomination coins into the pans and cups of the beggars, and, of course, pausing to pet the stray dogs and cats. A few of the men from the First got that deer-in-the-headlights look when they spotted me pass them in the cafes and eateries, but I left them alone with more lazy waves.
The smell wasn't much different from the merchant's quarter, but the sound of industry was replaced by the raucous sounds of taverns and music, shouting parents and screaming kids at play. It was out here that I could relax, blending into the crowd and feeling truly anonymous.
A certain tune caught my ear, though, as we got closer to one of the many taverns lining this particular street, a sweet voice accompanying the playing of a weird-sounding strings instrument. The crowds passed right by the girl as she sang and turned the crank on the boxy instrument, a small plate with a few dirty old coins sitting in it placed in front of her.
She was playing, of all things, a hurdy gurdy. Think of it like a Celtic accordion. While it was an acquired taste, I really did love the sound it made.
It was the song she sang, though, that had me stopping to listen.
"When we were driven from our homes by an oppressor's hand,
We covered our faces and hid our tongues to come over to this land.
We found a great and worthy liege, a man we hold dear,
By Naga, he'll show the villainous Valmese the true meaning of fear!
So here's to our brave General Ben who the army now reveres!
He'll lead us to victory as foreign volunteers!
We'll liberate our homes, our lands, and most of all our kin,
So long as we follow the Lord of Baham, we will surely win!"
This time it was my turn to blush, as I realised that the girl was singing about me.
Su'ko glanced up at me with a smug little glint to her eyes, and I huffed as the last notes of the song faded. The girl, a blonde Ylissean with pale skin, looked a little odd singing about foreign fighters like that, but her sweet voice was soothing. She had real talent, talent that was wasted singing on the side of the street for pennies.
I began to clap as she finished, smiling a little as she jumped in surprise.
"That was lovely," I told her.
"Thank you, sir," she said, smiling without looking up. "Lovely enough for a copper, I hope?"
I frowned as she spoke without looking up, leaning forward a little to catch a glimpse at her face.
She was blind.
Her eyes had the milky hue of someone who hadn't used them in a very long time, though they still had a faded blue hint to their iris'.
"I think," I said softly, stepping forward to kneel in front of her. "It was worth a little more than that."
I took her hand gently in mine, and pressed a silver coin into it. She gasped a little at the touch of the larger coin, immediately secreting it away into a pocket in her threadbare and patched dress.
"Sir is most generous," she said with a wide smile.
"The young miss is talented enough to deserve it," I grinned, standing again.
I moved aside out of the road, standing next to the girl now.
"But where did you get the idea for a silly song like that?" I chuckled.
The girl frowned and huffed, hefting her hurdy gurdy a little higher on her lap.
"I heard some of the soldiers singing it in the tavern," she said, a tad defensively. "And I happen to think it's a lovely song. The Duke of Baham has become a great hero to the masses."
I glanced down a Su'ko as she moved next to me, and the ninja girl nodded up at me. As if saying 'I told you so'.
"So I keep hearing," I said.
"I only wish I could have heard his speech at the parliament in person," the blind girl sighed. "It's all the merchants and workers have been talking about for the last few days. I'm told they've even been writing it down and hanging it up everywhere they can! My… sister has read it to me a couple of times. 'I cannot promise you victory without struggle, but I can promise you there will be no victory without struggle'! He sounds so dashing…"
She practically swooned as she sighed, and I felt my face burning a little more as I blushed. After a moment, though, the girl sighed again, deflating a little.
"If only we could make it to Baham as well," she said softly. "I know a better life would be waiting for us in the North."
I frowned a little at this. I knew for a fact I'd opened the border for anyone that wanted to move up to Baham. Hell, I'd probably even give the girl a job singing in my 'court', she was so good.
Now that I knew I was supposed to have a 'court', of course.
I actually still didn't know what the hell a 'court' even was, but… problems for later.
"What's stopping you?" I asked her. "I've… heard that Duke Baham is welcoming anyone that shows up. He's even almost doubled the size of Baham City itself to make housing and work for the refugees."
The girl smiled up at me now, blinking those milky eyes at me.
"You speak as if you've seen it yourself," she said. "Are you, perhaps, one of his soldiers?"
"Yeah, something like that," I said awkwardly. "I'm, ah, sure that someone with a voice as beautiful as yours would have no problem getting steady work, so why haven't you gone?"
"Aside from the obvious?" she said, motioning at her face. "It is too dangerous a journey, even with the new patrols, and none of the caravans are willing to protect a cripple like me for free."
"You're blind, you're hardly a cripple," I scoffed. "Uh, where I'm from, anyway."
The girl smiled again as she looked down.
"Thank you," she said. "Sir is very kind indeed."
A thought occurred to me.
I'd been musing on not abusing my authority for evil earlier. But, well, abusing it for the sake of good… Maybe that was something I could do?
"What's your name, miss?" I asked her.
"My name?" she repeated. "It's Lilly, sir."
Once again, the universe decided to bitch-slap me upside the head with this kind of divine providence. A blonde, blind girl named Lily? I was starting to think that Naga had read through my memories when I'd been dropped into Ylisse, because this was literally just a Katawa Shojo reference.
If an immunodeficient alien engineer fell into my lap next, I would probably just scream…
"Lilly," I repeated, nodding. "You mentioned 'us' trying to get to Baham. How many are you?"
She blinked a few times, as if weighing her response carefully.
"Only myself and my sister, sir," she said eventually. "We left Sudettenland after the Plegians burned our village and… well, we had nothing left. So we decided to try to get to Baham. Getting to Ylisstol was hard enough for us, and now we cannot earn enough to live, let alone to pay our way on a caravan."
"Come to the Ylissean Army Barracks in two days' time," I told her. "We'll take you to Baham."
She chuckled, shaking her head.
"I have heard offers of charity before, sir," she said. "They are rarely what they seem, and I will tell you now, neither my sister nor I are willing to pay with our bodies."
I frowned, kneeling in front of her again. I pulled the signet ring from my finger, the one Chrom had given me, and gently pressed it into her palm.
Then I suddenly realised 'wait, she's fucking blind'.
Fortunately, though, her tactile senses seemed to make up for that, and she ran the tips of her fingers over the engraved symbol on the face of the ring. The girl gasped in shock, and I actually had to catch her hurdy gurdy as she nearly dropped it.
"Duke Baham?" she breathed, her already pale face turning white.
"Show this to anyone that tries to stop you," I told her. "Bring anyone else that can't make it north, and is willing to work. I'll… I'll take care of as many of you as I can. I'll find you work. There's rarely a 'cripple' so bad they can't… still do something to contribute, to make their own way."
The girl, Lily, blinked a few times, holding the ring in her fist to her chest. Her breathing hitched as she stifled a sob, and she wiped at her blind eyes to try to hide the tears.
"Is this a dream?" she asked, her voice a whisper.
"If it is, then it sucks," I laughed, standing again. "It stinks out here, my back hurts, and I still have a mountain of paperwork waiting for me. More like a nightmare, at least where I'm concerned."
"You… you will take us to Baham? Yourself?" she asked, her voice thick. "Not… not just me? All… of the crippled that… that…"
"There's a song in my homeland," I said as she trailed off. "A line from it comes to mind. 'Is a kingdom really mighty if for a sick and starving child it doesn't care?' Two days' time. And don't try to run off with my ring, or I'll be pissed."
"W-why?" she asked, more tears falling down her face. "Why would you do this for us? Why would you h-help the… the crippled? The… the…"
I rolled my eyes, leaning down to wipe the tears from her cheeks with my thumb.
"Because," I told her. "When I needed help, no one was there to help me. I can't change the whole world, but… I can do this. Please. Let me do this much, at least."
Lily almost shook as she nodded, smiling broadly at me.
"Of course, sir," she said. "I know many who would be thrilled to take your… most generous offer."
"And," I added with a chuckle, "I happen to know a certain nobleman who's quite impressed with your voice, and just so happens to have an opening for a court minstrel. Remember: two days' time. I'll take as may of you that'll fit, and I'll send back wagons for the rest. As many times as I have to. So stop crying. I already have a bad reputation as a lady-killer, I don't need you adding to it."
Lily laughed, shaking her head.
"I think I may have to sing that song a little louder now," she said brightly. "I will… I will see you in two days' time… sir."
I grinned, even though she couldn't see it.
"I look forward to it, young miss."
I turned to walk away as she started to play again, coming face to face with Su'ko. The ninja's own eyes were bright with tears, and she had the broadest smile I'd ever seen on her face.
"Don't give me that look," I huffed as I pushed by her.
"You are truly a good man, milord," she said as she followed.
"Hell," I muttered. "I ain't that good."
I leaned back against the desk in my empty office with crossed arms, marvelling at how big the space was now that it was empty. Hell, the room was bigger than the bedroom I'd claimed in Baham. Actually, the desk looked bigger than the bed, too…
Archer lay curled up at my feet, sticking to me like a bad smell as he so often did when Tharja decided it was time for her to spoil Noire. Which, lately, had basically just consisted of her trying to teach the child not to say 'fuck'.
The old mutt yawned, positioning his muzzle atop my boot while still asleep, and I couldn't help but smile a little.
I figured I may as well enjoy this relative moment of peace before the shitstorm I was about to start…
Personally, I'd been putting this off for as long as I could.
And this was something far, far more important than just the stupid paperwork that Gaila was still grudgingly sorting. I think, once she and Robin finally met, there would be quite the reckoning.
I sighed out my nose as the latch on the door clacked open, and three of the most beautiful raven-haired women I'd ever seen stepped into my office.
And all three of them, for differing reasons, scared the hell out of me.
Noire led Tharja, who was carrying mini-Noire, into the space, closing the door behind them. Tharja bounced the child on her hip a few times as she looked around the empty space, eyes settling on Archer and narrowing. For his part, the old dog had gone very still, watching Tharja like a prey animal.
"What is it with you and the dog, mother?" Noire sighed.
As she spoke, she took her younger self out of Tharja's arms and crossed the room. My daughter placed a kiss on my cheek before hopping up to sit on the desk, now that there were no chairs in the room anymore.
"I do not like dogs," Tharja said, glaring down her nose at Archer.
I rolled my eyes, bouncing off the desk to move to the other side of the room as her. We basically all made a big triangle now, Tharja and I across from each other with both Noires and Archer at my desk in the middle. I did this on purpose, so she didn't feel like she was being ganged up on.
"We need to talk about something important," I told her.
"Oh?" Tharja asked sweetly. "Are you going to give me a mansion now, too? Like you did the blonde one?"
"Mother," Noire sighed.
"I'm gonna let that one slide," I said, frowning. "But, for future reference, I didn't give anyone anything. She's just a tenant."
"Very well, then," Tharja huffed. "Speak, and get it over with."
"Are you deploying with the Shepherds in Valm?" I asked.
"It is my job," she said stiffly.
"Then I'd like it if we could keep Noire in Baham until we both get back," I said.
Like ripping off a bandaid…
Tharja immediately went stiff, color rising in her cheeks as she seemed to inflate to-
"Mother, at least hear him out," older-Noire sighed. "Please?"
The mage growled, shooting her daughter a dirty look, before going back to glaring at me.
"Explain," she demanded.
"We both know we can't take her with us," I said, spreading my hands. "And I want… no, I need to know she's somewhere safe. Somewhere she'll be taken care of. If you have any other options, I'm more than open to them, but I'm… I'm moving my whole operation into Baham, so there won't be anyone left here to take care of her."
"Not even the blonde?" Tharja sneered.
"Why does everyone think I'm fucking Emm?" I asked exasperatedly.
"Or what of your newest toy, the princess!?" she ranted.
"For fuck's sake, Tharja!" I growled.
"Fuck!" mini-Noire squealed.
Tharja snapped a furious glare at me, but Noire beat her to the punch.
"Blood and thunder, dad!" she snarled. "You promised!"
I actually flinched, and even Tharja seemed taken aback.
Mini-Noire just giggled, though.
There was a moment of silence between us all before Noire gave an angry sigh.
"I am getting very sick of playing peace-maker between you two," she said, glaring at us both. "I love you both to bits, but I'm meant to be the daughter, not the parent."
"She's right," I said, looking away.
I won't lie; I felt more than a little shame at that moment.
Tharja sighed, seeming to deflate beneath her robes. Her fringe shaded her eyes as her head drooped.
"I have no better ideas," she said softly.
"This isn't permanent," I said quickly. "This is just… just until we get back from the war."
"And if we don't?" Tharja asked, still not looking up.
"Either way, I've set things up so that she inherits Baham," I shrugged. "So we can cross that bridge if we get there."
Tharja's gaze snapped up, unabashed shock on her face.
"You what?" she whispered.
"Uh… she's… she's my first born?" I said in confusion. "That's… how things work, right?"
I exchanged a glance with Noire, whose expression told me I was a right royal dumbass for not having mentioned this earlier.
"She is a bastard," Tharja said. "A half-blood. She cannot inherit."
"True, true, and false," I said. "I changed the laws. Subtly. She inherits. Right, Duchess Baham?"
I said the last part casting an accusatory glare at big Noire, whose turn it was to wilt under her mother's glare.
"Um. Yeah, he, uh, he did," Noire said awkwardly.
With an awkward little chuckle, Noire pulled the chain she always wore out from beneath her tunic. Hanging off the end was a ring; my signet ring, older and beaten all to hell, but there it was all the same.
"And what of me!?" Tharja snarled. "Am I just to relinquish my claim on my daughter!? Slink off back to the desert like a beaten whore!?"
"Tharja, what do you even want!?" I finally exploded. "All you've done is act bitchy and spiteful, and I get it! I deserve it! But at no point have you told me what you want!"
"I don't know!" Tharja shouted.
This admission seemed to take even her by surprise, and another silence descended as Tharja sunk back beneath her robes.
"I don't know what I want anymore," she repeated, quieter. "I… I thought I wanted you, but I assure you that is no longer the case. I… Noire is all I have. You have an army, a kingdom, vassals and servants and I have…"
"The best daughter ever?" I said as she trailed off.
"Nobody likes a brown-noser, dad," Noire smirked.
"Tharja, I just want to make sure that Noire is safe while we're gone," I told her. "I'm not going to turn around and hold her hostage, or kidnap her, or any other stupid shit. I've already told you, I'll never separate a child from their mother unless I absolutely have to."
Tharja shifted under her robes, but didn't look up.
"We'll have plenty of time to talk about what to do after… after," I finished lamely.
The mage seemed to consider this for a few moments, before looking up at me. I thought I could see a hint of gratitude in her eyes, but I'd honestly always been bad at reading her.
"There will be conditions," she said.
"Name them," I said. "I don't care. I'll make a blood sacrifice of twenty virgins if I have to."
"Nothing so extreme," Tharja chuckled. "Though the thought is… appreciated."
I let out a long breath, the tension in my shoulders ebbing a little.
"Well, that went well," Noire said blandly. "Look at us. One big, happy family."
"I ruined you," I groaned.
"You did," Tharja agreed. "I blame you for this. There is no sarcasm on my side of the family."
I glanced up, catching the barest hint of a grin on Tharja's face as she reclaimed her daughter from her other daughter's grasp.
"Two days until we leave, right?" Noire asked me, hopping off the desk.
"Two days," I nodded.
"I will have to pack," Tharja said, sweeping out of the room.
Noire and I looked at the empty space that she had just vacated, before my daughter shrugged and looked at me.
"And for future reference," she said, "I really don't care about you and Luce."
If there had been anything in my mouth, I would have spat it across the room. Noire laughed, patting me on the shoulder before continuing.
"Come on, dad," she said. "You're both adults. Besides, I used to live in a war camp with her. Trust me, we all know she's a screamer."
"Oh my dear sweet lord please strike me down where I stand," I groaned.
Noire laughed and pulled me into a hug, but we both froze as a voice called back into the room.
"Noire! You will assist me!" Tharja shouted.
The time-traveller gave me a stricken look, and I grinned evilly.
"Good luck," I said sweetly.
Noire just blew me a raspberry and flipped me off, before following her mother.
I glanced down at Archer, the dog looking back up at me inscrutably.
"That went better than I hoped," I said.
"Wuff."
"Indeed."
Progress. It was progress.
That evening I'd managed to avoid anyone who could possibly give me shit about last night's volume, which was difficult considering how hard Gaila, Flavia and Cynthia were all apparently looking for me, but I'd managed. I'd had dinner on the little balcony I'd used to hang out with Robin on, even going so far as to do a few sets on the weights I'd left up there so long ago rather than risk going back inside.
Now I was standing in my nearly-empty room, glaring at my bed.
I realised now that I hated this bed.
I hated this room.
I hated this whole damn city.
Mostly because I couldn't sleep here anymore.
I ran a hand down my face with a tired sigh. Not even the extra exercise of the weight lifting had helped make the idea of trying to sleep here any more appealing.
"Just two more days," I muttered, pulling off my shirt and kicking off my boots. "Two more days and I'm gone…"
My dark thoughts were interrupted by a soft knock at my door. I didn't even bother trying to figure out who it might be. I didn't really care. At this point, I welcomed the distraction.
I opened the door to find Lucina standing awkwardly in the hallway, looking like she was torn between knocking again or running away. Then her eyes drifted down, and her brows drifted up, and I couldn't help but snicker as I tensed my abs a little.
"Evening, Princess," I said. "Care for a night-cap?"
"Didn't you stop drinking?" she asked absently, still eyeing my torso.
Ah, divine providence. The weights had been such a good idea.
"Okay," I shrugged. "Care for a round of hot, steamy pre-marital sex?"
She immediately blushed to her roots and spluttered in the face of my shit-eating grin. With a frustrated huff she shoved me back into the room and closed the door behind her.
"I actually wanted to talk to you," she said stiffly.
"Aw, party-pooper," I chuckled.
As I spoke I crossed to my bed and perched on the edge of it. Lucina fidgeted a little just inside the doorway, clearly unsure how to say what was on her mind.
"What's eating you, Luce?" I asked seriously.
"I am… not going with you to Baham," she said.
I blinked a few times in confusion.
"Um. Yeah? I figured as much," I said.
It was Lucina's turn to look confused now.
"You did?" she asked.
"Your dad's here," I said. "Your mission's here. I mean, I know we had fun last night, but I'm under no illusions that my dick is that good."
Lucina snorted, quivering a few times before bursting into a fit of what I could only describe as giggles.
"Okay, now I'm feeling a little insulted," I frowned.
"No, no, forgive me," she said, brushing the long blue hair from her face. "I just… I have been tying myself up in knots about this all day."
"Instead of just talking to me?" I asked.
Lucina smiled guiltily.
"You are clearly not the only one lacking in social skills," she admitted. "Gods, I feel silly now."
I chuckled, nodding sympathetically as I patted the bed next to me. Lucina hesitated a moment before moving to sit next to me, her added weight on the mattress causing us to lean in towards each-other slightly. I put an arm around her shoulders, and she sighed as she leaned into the embrace.
"You should know by now that you can talk to me," I told her.
"I know, Ben," she said, closing her eyes. "It is just… hard for me sometimes."
I actually had to bite my tongue to stop myself from blurting out "baby, I'm hard for you at all times" and ruining the mood.
Lucina chuckled, leaning back to look up at me a little.
"You were just thinking something lewd, weren't you?" she asked.
"Prove it," I said, a little too quickly.
We both chuckled a little, before settling into a comfortable silence. I moved to rest my face on top of her head, drinking deep the scent of her hair. God damn I loved the way she smelled…
"So, I guess it'll be… goodbye for a little while in two days, huh?" I sighed.
"I guess so," she agreed sadly.
"I guess we'll just have to get as much fucking into those two days as we can, then, huh?" I asked.
For perhaps the second or third time in all the years I'd known Lucina, she actually burst out laughing. Not the refined, dignified chuckle or giggles she usually gave off, but an actual, honest laughing fit. As she began to calm, she reached over and shoved me down onto my back.
"As crude a way as you could have put it as always, but, I suppose so," she said with a wide grin.
"Ooh, I love it when you talk dirty to me," I laughed.
"Shut up," Lucina said, smiling as she leaned in to kiss me.
As we finally separated from the kiss I turned my head to the side with a laugh.
"Su'ko!" I called. "I suggest you clear the area, and fast!"
Lucina laughed again, swatting at my chest before undoing the clasp on her tunic and tossing the garment aside.
Needless to say, I didn't get any sleep that night, either.
Hot, heavy air filled my lungs and clung to my naked skin as I brushed my fingertips along the surface of the steaming bathwater. I usually didn't indulge like this, but I did still try to get in a proper scrub once or twice a week. It just felt wasteful, filling an entire tub; and it felt unhygienic sharing that full tub, too, so I usually just scrubbed myself down with a damp rag, peasant style, and left it at that. Well, okay, I scrubbed myself down with a rag wet with hot soapy water, then rinsed off, Japanese-style, but it still wasn't a full soak like this.
I glanced up suddenly as the door opened, relaxing a fraction when I saw Lucina slip inside. She was clad in only a towel, her hair pinned up to keep it out of the bathwater.
"Shit, sorry Luce, thought I put the sign up," I told her. "I'll be quick, don't worry. I think Elle stuck your scented soaps over…"
I trailed off as Lucina just gave me a coquettish little grin and dropped her towel.
"You did put the sign up," she said. "And I wanted to make up for the wasted opportunity from last time."
My eyebrows rose as she padded towards me, a new, confident sway to her hips.
"Finally, all my good deeds are being repaid," I muttered.
As Lucina dropped to her knees in front of me and practically tore my own towel off, for the first time since I arrived in Ylisse I offered a little prayer of thanks to Naga.
And Eru Illuvatar.
Just in case.
I walked through the storage barn that we called the first floor of the barracks, rapping a clipboard against my knuckles as I pretended to look for a certain label. There were, like, four other people looking, too, so I didn't feel too guilty…
It was just nice to take a break from packing, and let Elle and Gaila argue about what linen was vital enough to bring with me without my input.
I rounded a corner of stacked palettes, spotting Lucina facing away from me, scribbling on a clipboard of her own. Clearly, I wasn't the only one that was bored.
A little red lightbulb went off in my head, and a no-doubt lecherous grin rose to my face.
I had a surefire way to cure that shared boredom…
I silently snuck up behind Lucina, grateful she was distracted, and slipped my arms around her middle.
Unfortunately, I had forgotten that this was a battle-hardened warrior I was trying to be cute with.
Before I could even close the last of the space between us Lucina threw back her elbow on reflex, smashing it into my ribs, and spun to push me back with her hip. I yelped as her fist snapped into my solar plexus, smacking me back against the nearest palette of crates. The stack rocked worryingly, but remained upright as I slumped against it.
God damn, but she was hot when she was in ass-kicking mode.
"Ugh… hello there," I wheezed as I slid down the crates halfway to the floor.
"Ben!" Lucina gasped. "I am so sorry! I did not know… you should not have… I'm sorry!"
"It's fine, it's fine," I assured her.
I stood up back up, gingerly holding my ribs as Lucina rushed over to me.
"What were you even trying to do?" she asked me, frowning now.
"Um. Surprise you, I guess," I said lamely.
"And then I hit you," she said, a small grin rising to her face.
"And then you hit me," I sighed. "And the romance died. Heh. Surprise."
Lucina got that little grin, that little glint in her eye again, and swallowed heavily.
"Would you like me to kiss it better?" she asked sweetly, licking her lips.
I opened my mouth to respond, but was beaten to the punch.
"THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE IN THIS STOREAGE ROOM!" Olivia screeched from the row of crates behind us.
"These are the last of them?" I asked.
"Yes, sir," Kaelind nodded.
We were looking over the almost empty firing range now as Toady led a squad of engineers in stuffing straw into the barrels of the last few cannons we'd needed to field test. Across the range sat mangled bales of straw, and Kaelind gave them a sideways glance.
"Nasty stuff, that grape shot you came up with," he commented.
"I didn't come up with it," I said without looking. "It was common, once. Great at stopping massed infantry, but I really don't want to have to use it."
Near the cannons another gang of the Third Regiment's engineers were tossing sacks of small clumps of scrap metal into crates, junk we hadn't even bothered shaping into balls. It would tear apart anything we aimed it at, like one big buckshot.
"You should see the chained balls I gave to Yemuel for the naval stuff," I added. "They'll shear a mast right off a ship if we fire them right."
The Colonel of the Third glanced over at me, a trepidatious frown on his handsome face.
"I will admit to some hesitation to use these weapons, General," Kaelind said softly.
"I feel the same way," I admitted. "I'm hoping, praying, that we only have to use them once to put the fear of God into the Valmese. Then, whenever they see the field artillery, they'll run scared and we won't even have to use them."
"It would be nice to be relegated to garrison duty," Kaelind nodded.
"It scares you, doesn't it?" I asked softly. "I've… changed the world here. War will never be the same."
"Yes, General," Kaelind said, looking back at Toady and the others.
The firebug glanced up, his slovenly appearance unchanged even after two years of reprimands, and gave us a three-fingered wave with his mangled hand.
"Although," the Colonel added, giving me a small grin, "There's no man I'd trust more to use this great power with restraint."
"Hopefully, we won't have to use them at all," I said softly, before sighing. "Since I'm bored, I'll go and check on the ones in storage, maybe start wheeling them outside. You go make sure Toady doesn't blow himself up. Again."
"I appreciate it, General," Kaelind laughed. "A whole lot more than I appreciate you transferring Toady to my command."
I just laughed, already walking to the storage shed.
I huffed as I shoved the third of the cannons I'd promised to move out into the open, wiping the sweat from my brow and making a mental note to suggest to Laurent to make the wheels a little larger, to make these damn things easier to move.
I glanced up at a familiar flash of blue, smiling and leaning back against the cannon as Lucina approached with a guilty smile on her face.
"Ben," she said, a note of reprimand in her voice. "You should have told me you were working out here. I would have helped."
I let out a tired laugh and shook my head as she reached me, smiling right back at her.
"I would have," I said. "But we have a bad habit of getting distracted."
"We… still get things done," Lucina said, blushing and looking away.
"Oh, I'll always take the chance to get you done, babe," I said in a low tone.
Lucina barked out a laugh, shaking her head.
"You are so crass," she said. "And I hate myself so much for being turned on by it."
She grabbed me by the collar, and I let her drag me into the shack. There was only one cannon left now, and I laughed as a thought popped into my head. Lucina gave me a curious, expectant look.
"How many people are going to be able to say they banged on a cannon?" I asked her.
"Oh, you are bad," Lucina said, running a hand down my chest. "Su'ko! Clear the area!"
Before we could even finish laughing, though, the door to the shack swung open again, and we leapt away from each other as Miriel pulled down the edges of her hat to fit through the opening.
"Ah, Ben, Marth," she said, barely pausing. "Do not let me interrupt your coitus. I merely need to check that the last of the grape shot is prepared. I shall try to keep the engineers away until you finish."
I gave Lucina a glance and a grin, and she cocked her head a little with curiosity.
"Or," I said slowly. "You could join us."
Lucina's jaw dropped as her eyes goggled.
Miriel, for her part, looked up from the sacks of scrap metal. She glanced between us, as if weighing the offer, before shaking her head.
"I appreciate the offer, but we really must get the packing done," the mage said. "I shall keep it in mind, though. Another time."
With that, she left the same way she came, and I gave Lucina an awkward smile. She was glaring at me now, and I chuckled a little.
"Come on," I said guiltily. "I've never had a three-way with two women. It would have been fun!"
Lucina frowned, closing her eyes and shaking her head.
"You are so lucky I want to be able to say I was the first woman to be bent over a cannon," she said.
This time, my jaw dropped.
"Holy shit, that was hot," I said, rapidly closing the distance between us.
Good lord, did we tick that one off the bucket list.
AN: I don't really have much to say about this chapter. It was a lot of fun to write, and I greatly enjoyed progressing relationships with the main character and his supporting cast. You can keep up more frequently on (P)atreon for only a buck, which makes me feel all warm and fuzzy on the inside.
Thanks for reading, and Nagaspeed!