Chapter 5: Life in the Castle.
While everyone was asleep after all the chaos of the past few days, a certain little person sneaked through the halls. She could see the first signs of the city lights, the changing of the guards, and, most importantly, the personnel in the barracks. She could see a certain King saying goodbye to their daughters and wife, promising to return soon.
With unparalleled audacity and bravery, Morgan decided that despite everything that had been said, maybe she could sneak into one of the carriages to accompany them. She passed through the corridors, avoiding the guards, and approached the caravans.
"Well, Chrom is distracted saying goodbye to Lucina and Cynthia... maybe if I could..." Morgan thought as she tried to locate everyone who would be going. "Hmm... if Panne or Tharja go, they'll discover me immediately... maybe if I hide among the provisions?" She tried to move the ropes to slip between the barrels, but she couldn't because they were tied so tightly.
"Oh? Do you need help?"
"Ah, yes, please! It's just that these things..." Morgan came to a sudden stop when her world suddenly went black for a moment.
"Well, girls, I hope you keep training. We'll be back in... what?" Chrom was finishing his farewell while Sumia watched in the background as Sully approached with something in a sack.
"S-Sully? I thought you were finishing preparing the horses," Sumia commented as Sully got close enough for all four of them to see that she was carrying Morgan in a sack, with only her head sticking out of a hole.
"Look what I found back there. Can I keep her?" Sully asked while Morgan could barely kick her feet.
"IT'S NOT FAIR! I MUST GO WITH CHROM! HE'LL GET LOST WITHOUT ME! HE'LL GET BORED! HE NEEDS MY HELP!" Morgan yelled while the whole group watched her behavior.
"Sweetie... you need to stay here with us. You need to rest and recover, and not only that, but you also need to..."
"NO! I've rested enough! I d-don't ne-hyaaaah!" She stopped when Sully gave her a playful spank.
"Hey, hey, it's not nice to interrupt someone while they're talking to you. I don't know why you've been so stubborn lately, but if we all agree that you need to rest, then you need to rest, little one."
"B-But I ne-haah! W-wait!" Another spank "I-It's not fair! a-hyaaa!" and another.
"Well, it seems like even though it's early, you need to burn off some of that energy. I don't think it's a good idea to let you stay like this, right?" Sully snickered "Perhaps a stroll around the castle?"
"Morgan, honey, please understand that you need to stay here with us; we worry about you," Sumia said, stroking her cheek.
"But Aunt Sumia, ah-ow!" Three more swats.
"Well, there are times when you can't be stubborn and need to listen to the people who care about you," Sully said, finally setting her on the ground. Morgan was curled up in a fetal position.
"Uggg... my butt..." Morgan complained. "Sully... you're a savage..."
"Huh? Are you complaining about something?"
"Of course, it's a complaint! I use my butt to think! If it doesn't feel good, my intellect drops a lot when I'm planning things! How can I cause mischief if I can't sit properly! BAD! TOMATO! BULLY! TOMBOY!"
"... Are you done?" Sully asked while trying to keep her composure. "The last part was unnecessary."
"Sully..." Sumia sighed. "I think you went a bit overboard with those swats..."
"Well, I did it because I found this in her room." Sully showed them a letter Morgan had left behind, and Sumia took it and started reading it aloud.
"Howdy! Hello, everyone, just wanted to let you know not to look for me. I'm going on an epic quest approved by my boss to gain more personal experience and help others. You won't see me for a couple of months; I'll probably leave when Chrom does and come back shortly before he returns. Don't worry; it's all official. I love you all! With love, Morgan," the letter read, bearing the official seal of Ylisstol.
"... Well..." Morgan tried to excuse herself, crawling like a worm toward the exit. "I-it's very early; I'll go sle-"
"Sweetie... who signed this document?" Sumia asked while crumpling the paper.
"... I-I think I did by mistake..." she laughed nervously.
"An' who... was th' person who greenlit this?" Inquired Sumia, all riled up.
"Me... how funny that you ask! Lately, I've been having somnambulism... ahahahha, quite amusing, ain't it?" Morgan tried to justify, and the others just took a step back.
"MORGAN!" Sumia balled up the paper and approached the girl furiously. "WHY DO YOU INSIST ON DOING EVERYTHING ALONE?! ARE YOU TRYING TO GIVE ME A HEART ATTACK?!"
"Ah! M-MOM! W-WAIT! YOU'LL RIP THEM OFF! WAIT!" Cynthia tried to help her friend, but Sumia had firmly grabbed Morgan's cheeks, stretching them so much they looked like rubber.
"S-Sumia! Wait, I think-" Chrom tried to stop his wife, but she let go of Morgan's cheeks and hugged her tightly.
"...Do you want to be away from us that much?" Sumia asked sadly.
"It's not that... Aunt Sumia... I...," Morgan sighed, "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to worry you. It's just that I don't want to sit idle... I feel like I'm taking advantage of your kindness..."
"Oh, Morgan..."
"No! You're not a bother!" Cynthia came closer, hugging Morgan. "Nobody will ever say that about you! Don't think like that! Any meanie who says that will face Lucina's and Aunt Lissa's wrath!"
"Cynthia!" Sumia tried to scold her daughter, who covered her mouth.
"What's this about Lucina and Lissa?" Morgan asked. "Why is-ah!"
"Alright, hu-of! let's head inside, 'cause this mornin' has been quite a ruckus," said Sully, carrying Morgan on her shoulder once more. "I reckon we're all a tad worked up here, so if it don't bother ya, I'll take this little bun and let 'em bake a bit more," she added, giving another swat on Morgan's backside.
"A-Aunt Sully! Please stop doing that! Pretty please!" Morgan complained while trying to wiggle.
"Hey, now, stay put, or I'll take off the glove next time," she said with a sinister chuckle. Immediately, Morgan went still, though his muffled complaints could still be heard.
"Morgan..." Lucina looked somewhat hurt by his suffering, and Cynthia couldn't help but notice how her sister felt about Morgan, even though she thought it was ridiculous for her to refuse to join the club.
"Well, well, this has been an interesting morning. Morgan, please, take care of my girls," Chrom said, making her groan. "Morgan?"
"Darling, I think this isn't the right moment..."
"Yep, not to be insensitive, but Morgan needs to unwind a bit. She seems very anxious," Sully said, laughing. "Let's see... I've got it! You need a girls-only moment, Morgan. Cynthia, is that place you mentioned earlier still open?" She asked the princess, who shook her head. "Too bad... Oh, I know! Maybe Tharja is interested in this new facet of yours. She'll love seeing how cheeky you are."
"Oh, wait, no, I'll behave, I promise," Morgan began to plead. "I'll do anything you want, please."
"All right, everyone heard it! Morgan will do whatever I want, and what I want more than anything right now is to have fun with this little pumpkin. Are ya coming?" She asked while looking at the princesses. Lucina seemed somewhat perplexed, but Cynthia couldn't help but find the entire scene entertainingly ridiculous. "Well, Chrom, we'll take care of the house while you're away. See you in a few weeks."
Lissa, on the other hand, had witnessed the scene while still half asleep, barely aware of the embarrassing things she was thinking. Going against all odds, she needed to know what Arversa would tell her about Robin. More than anything, she needed to return to him to compensate for Morgan's loneliness.
After a few hours, Chrom had left the castle with Lissa, Panne, Kellam, Frederick, Miriel, Yarne, and Donnel. There had been a slight last-minute change of plans. While he wanted to take Tharja, Sumia, Lucina, and Lon'qu with them, the events of the month had prevented a smooth departure. He wanted to avoid further unforeseen circumstances, especially for the sake of his best friend's daughter.
Despite his efforts seeming in vain, he couldn't help but think that the girl was a bird in a gilded cage, just as Emmeryn once expressed about her own situation. Even if they were heading to the border with some of the Shepherds and the pegasus guard, he didn't want to waste any more time. After the visit that would take a couple of days, he would start searching, starting with the entire south area. Southtown was a place filled with many memories, both happy and sad, so he hoped it would be the first place where they'd find him.
He prayed for it every day.
While the day went on, Olivia wondered why Sully suddenly wanted to call her.
Had something happened? As the dancer walked through the castle's corridors, she questioned what kind of prank Morgan was planning. Luckily, Lon'qu would be staying at the amphitheater to keep things in order despite the overwhelming number of plays they had scheduled. Using the system Robin had left her to manage the place, it was relatively straightforward. Micro-management was strictly forbidden under this scheme. Though nervous during the first few weeks of using it, it had been easy to follow and implement her beloved's dream.
It was only possible thanks to the man of her dreams.
No! She had to focus; she couldn't allow herself to be distracted this way. Simply thinking of Robin in that manner was entirely wrong and embarrassing.
But how could she avoid it? She arrived at Robin's room, which Morgan was temporarily using, and upon seeing all his things, she couldn't help but enter to search for Morgan while thinking, dreaming that the room one day could be THEIR room. Her search didn't last long as she found another note from Sully informing her that they would be in the royal baths, waiting for her.
Before leaving, she gazed at the tactician´s bed. She remembered the early days of their acquaintance, when they returned from a battle with him wounded. She had offered to take care of him while they gathered supplies for the others. Chrom had suffered severe injuries alongside Robin, and despite the estimates of the priestesses and healers, Robin had refused treatment until the others were cared for. The stubborn man had been under protective custody for days, only the two of them. Unfortunately, at that time, he had contracted an infection that kept his body below the required temperature. He had spent days with labored breathing and shivering, without medications and only basic care while they closed his wounds. Olivia couldn't help but compare such a stubborn attitude as a noble act towards his loved ones, that he didnt want to see his loved ones suffer. That was the reason she acted as a "heater" at the time, despite her chronic nervousness.
How could she not be embarrassed? Such an idea had been absurd from the start! Libra had said that he would heat water to keep the strategist's temperature at its best, despite the overwhelming workload. He had been consistent with this care. It was only on the third day that he stopped due to concerns that he might give Robin a common cold outbreak, which could weaken him too much due to the infection. So she was quarantined with him in his room. Olivia, at the time, despite how daring the idea seemed, couldn't continue to act like an innocent maiden. Anyone could understand her decision, so she just gently lay down on him when Robin started shaking too much from the cold to share her warmth. Initially, he was unconscious, but instinctively, when she laid her head on his chest, he would encircle her with his arms.
The act seemed intimate, and it didn't displease the dancer. She knew she was taking advantage of him in a way, but even when he regained his normal temperature during his quarantine period, he refused to let her go, always ending up spooning. Fortunately, Robin didn't remember what happened during that time; otherwise, she might die of embarrassment if anyone were to find out.
It wasn't until the maid who was calling her interrupted her reverie that she snapped out of it. Almost automatically, she had gone to Robin's bed to hug one of his pillows without giving it much thought. While the maid didn't say anything wrong, her annoyingly goofy smile at finding her in such a position was rather unpleasant. But was she upset because she had interrupted her daydreaming? Or was she upset because someone found her in such an indecorous position?
As she continued to follow the servant, Olivia couldn't help but feel embarrassed at being discovered in such a position. Every few steps, she tried to relax, only to feel her face growing redder when she thought about what she had done without thinking. She couldn't help but feel that there was some sort of trap in that room to act so shamelessly brazen.
"Don't worry, milady, you're not the only one who does that," the servant murmured, still wearing that teasing smile on her face. "Lady Lissa often does the same thing, sometimes she grabs a few pillows or Lady Morgan herself to cuddle in that bed... although it would be appreciated if it wasn't a habit."
"I'm sorry!" Olivia apologized, even more embarrassed than before.
She simply tried to follow her without turning redder than a tomato. When she finally reached the royal baths, she was a bit calmer.
Despite its name, these were more like thermal baths located in the back of the castle. From the outside, it didn't look that way, thanks to the abundance of trees and vegetation that obscured the view from outside. However, the baths they had were impressive compared to other services in the castle. The part for washing the body was "inside" the limestone walls, while the part acting as the thermal baths was on the outside, covered by another stone wall and vegetation. It was normal for the ladies of the court to frequent this warm place.
Even though she was from Ferox, where this type of bath was more common in her homeland, she preferred the more private baths.
Leaving her clothes aside and preparing to enter, she couldn't help but think about what to say or do when she saw Morgan. Was it okay to approach her after she failed at something so simple? Tharja told her not to blame herself, but it was difficult to do so, given how close they were.
Now with only a towel, as she entered the soaping area, she didn't see anyone, but she did notice Morgan's voice in the background.
Lucina was behind Morgan, trying to control the situation, Sumia and Cynthia were a bit further away from the duo as they couldn't help but feel some pity for the girl. Morgan, on the other hand, was sitting on the edge of the thermal bath while Sully was applying cream to her face and still not allowing her to enter.
"Almost done?" Morgan asked as Sully chuckled.
"Wait, you know you can't just jump in like that," she said as she finally ruffled Morgan's hair, causing her to puff out her cheeks.
"But..."
"No 'buts,' young lady!" Sully said as she pinched Morgan's cheeks. "We don't want your skin to get ruined, right?"
"...no..." she said as she allowed the cream to be applied, still pouting.
"Ah, Olivia, welcome," Sumia greeted her, kindly inviting her to join them. "We're so glad you could make it. Sorry it's such a last-minute thing. We just wanted to invite you for your great success this week."
"Yes! Some of the girls in our battalions have gone to see the performances. They're fantastic!" Cynthia said with a big smile.
"Oh, thank you! You have no idea how happy it makes me to hear you say that. Thank you so much, Your Majesty," Olivia said with a warm smile and a slight blush on her face.
"Please, Olivia, we're friends. You don't need to be so formal," Sumia said as the dancer slowly entered the thermal bath, with Sumia nearby. "Well, you must be wondering why we've called you, right?"
"Uh? W-well... y-yes... I..."
"We wanted to know your answer!" Cynthia said excitedly.
"Sweetie, hold on a bit. You can't... ask that so abruptly, especially when... they're so close," Sumia said, pointing at Lucina and Morgan.
"Sorry..."
"Well... I don't think it matters now," Sumia said with a laugh. Both women watched as Morgan pouted again and moved away from Sully, who followed her. Lucina couldn't help but sigh. When Lucina noticed Olivia's presence, she approached with a warm greeting.
At this point, even though all the women were covered by towels, Olivia couldn't help but sneak glances at Morgan's body, trying to find any resemblance between her and the others. She hated having to make comparisons between bodies; she had been taught that 'every body is a temple, and each one is beautiful in its own way,' which was essential for her job as a dancer. However, in recent weeks, she had put the possibility of Morgan being her daughter on the table in a realistic way.
There was an intrusive and somewhat uncomfortable thought that lingered in her mind, and seeing Morgan's body in the thermal baths reaffirmed that thought. HOW SHE ENVIED THAT GIRL'S FIGURE!
It wasn't noticeable because Morgan always wore loose clothes and oversized costumes. In fact, Morgan hated wearing tight-fitting clothes, like any armor or metal mesh that restricted her movements. But in simple words, if she had to say it, even if someone could misinterpret her thoughts, Morgan's figure could be the envy of any woman her age just by wearing tighter clothes.
The girl had no permanent scars, just minor marks that would fade with time. It was clear that she might have one or two imperfections due to her role in the war, but anyone could tell that her skin looked like porcelain. She also didn't seem to have any birthmarks or moles on her body. In fact, what Olivia envied the most was her figure; she was the very image of an 'hourglass figure,' a figure that reminded her too much of Tharja. But it seemed that nature had been more generous with Morgan than with other girls who had come from the future.
She immediately regretted that thought. Lucina had arrived malnourished and underdeveloped due to Grima's constant threats, and Cynthia was obviously the one who received the most food assigned to them during a military campaign since it wasn't uncommon for Cynthia to occasionally share her food with Lucina despite the fasting days, a behavior Robin corrected.
Anyway, she had recently wondered who could be Morgan's mother. It was a question that had been swirling in her head since the incident at the plaza. She wasn't entirely aware of it before, but it was clear that many of the girls considered her an adopted daughter among the group. Furthermore, other ideas had invaded her mind. That's why she maybe gave a passing glance to the other girls, searching for any resemblance they might have.
She couldn't help but feel guilty about evaluating the girls' figures. She had even noticed how Lucina would sometimes sigh when looking at Morgan. She was almost certain that the princess had the same questions as she did.
"Excuse me, do I have something on my face?" Lucina asked, causing Olivia to pay closer attention.
"I-I'm sorry, I was just thinking... about how happy it makes me to see you so relaxed, Lucina," Olivia smiled. "You've... made significant progress."
"Th-Thank you!" Lucina said, a bit embarrassed. "The truth is, I still feel a bit insecure with nothing to do."
"Tell me about it!" Cynthia hugged her sister. "You're always rolling around in bed, and sometimes I hear you whispering his name."
"CYNTHIA!" Lucina scolded her sister, who continued her mischievous behavior.
"It's the truth, even if you don't want to admit it," Cynthia said with a giggle. "Every girl needs a hero, right? Why not go with the flow?"
"Please, girls, calm down," Sumia tried to soothe them. Indeed, Lucina had a blush as big as Cordelia's and Olivia's when they talked about the topic. "In any case, what happened? Why did Morgan run away?"
"Uh... well... it's..."
"OF COURSE NOT!" Morgan shouted, grabbing everyone's attention. She removed her towel, revealing her figure to Sully. "I'M NOT 'CHUBBY' ANYWHERE! I'M STRONG!"
"...That's why..." Lucina sighed, looking even more embarrassed. "Sully said she could use a bit more exercise... I think she took it the wrong way and thought she was saying she had a bit of excess weight."
"WHO CARES?! LOOK AT THIS!" Sully yelled as she grabbed Morgan's belly; it wasn't much, but she could pinch it. "WHAT ARE THESE LOVE HANDLES?!"
"EXCUSE ME?! IT'S PROOF THAT MY DAD FEEDS ME WELL! AND I PREFER BEING LIKE THIS THAN LIKE THAT!" Morgan yelled as she grabbed Sully's belly. "BY NAGA! EVEN WITH THE TOWEL, I CAN FEEL HOW TONED YOUR ABS ARE! I'M SURE IF I LAY AN EGG HERE AFTER YOUR TRAINING, I COULD FRY IT!"
"You little..." Sully began squeezing Morgan's cheeks. "Respect your elders' figures."
"Oh, I respect it, but this is excessive!" Morgan continued with her fingers on her belly. "I could even worship your muscles. Now I know why some guys say you could crush melons with your biceps!"
"Excuse me?!"
"Haaaaaah... I'm sorry..." Sumia sighed as she stood up and walked over to them. Before they could react, Sumia grabbed their ears. "Morgan, it's not very ladylike to expose yourself like this, Sully, don't compete with someone half your age," she said as she pulled their ears firmly.
"Sometimes, Mom can be scary," Cynthia said, holding back a mocking laugh, while Lucina couldn't help but wonder how things had gone so far.
In the following hours, things didn't change much. Sumia continued chatting with Olivia about the theater, and for the moment, life was good.
At least for these people in the baths.
While everything was laughter and ridiculous scenes in one place, in the castle's dungeon, a certain noble was trying not to sigh too much.
She had certainly grown quite fond of Morgan. Maribelle was waiting in one of the common rooms for that unpleasant girl to arrive. Even for a noble of her stature, dealing with the customs of other nobles was exasperating, especially when they were nobles from another country or continent. This morning was supposed to be spent with her precious Morgan. She couldn't wait to brush her hair, dress her in one of the gowns she had bought, and perhaps even pass on one of those elegant pink shirts she had stumbled upon that would match the coat Morgan always wore.
But that letter had to arrive, ruining all her plans for the day because a foolish girl couldn't contain her jealousy. She couldn't blame her for being jealous of Morgan, but still, this uncivilized and unrefined behavior was only fitting of a brute.
Gerome had arrived with the letter; it was an urgent matter, and apparently, it had been favorable for Virion and Ylisse that this foolish girl had been imprisoned.
"Do what you must do; we'll handle things here. The extensive laws do not apply to you as a noble, so there's no problem," the simple letter read. It seemed like a joke, but the Rosanne seal was unquestionably authentic, not to mention it was the son who brought the letter. Gerome had expressed his displeasure at having to be the messenger, but he was listed as a witness to gauge the seriousness of Miss Lia Evergreen's offense. However, he hadn't come alone.
"Sorry for the delay," Cherche interrupted her thoughts. Despite being in her third month of pregnancy, she had joined Gerome to come to Ylisse to be part of the legal process, representing the girl. She entered the room with the girl who was in simple handcuffs, accompanied by a couple of guards.
"I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG!" Lia kept saying over and over, looking shattered.
"Dear, please, be quiet; now is not the best time to talk," Cherche said as the girl crossed her arms in anger.
"I assume you'll be Miss Lia's legal representative?" Maribelle asked, to which Cherche nodded. "Very well, I assume you're aware of her actions?"
"I'm aware of the witnesses, Lia's testimony, and the victim's testimony... let's not beat around the bush. What is Chrom's decision?"
"Wait, what?! I thought we were here to negotiate! You don't expect us to—" Lia tried to object, but Gerome silenced her by slamming his lance on the floor.
"Let's see..." Maribelle took the documents on the table and read them one by one out loud. "Lia Evergreen... you're one of the five daughters of Duke Pierrot Evergreen... you arrived in Ylisse just over a couple of months ago due to the cultural exchange facilitated directly by King Chrom, Viscount Virion, and Empress Say'ri. Therefore, we do not want this to become a public trial. Exposing you to a trial will only put your life in danger."
"What?! Just for a filthy Plegian rat like her—"
"SILENCE!" Cherche shouted, interrupting Lia. "Dear... this is for your own good."
"Gerome! You told me I'd have a fresh start here! I can't believe they're doing this to me!" Lia tried to plead with Gerome. Despite his stoic and serious demeanor, he appeared irritated.
"You... Lia..." he didn't say much, just averted his gaze.
"Child, I don't know how your parents raised you, I don't know what ridiculous feud you have against the Plegians, and I don't know, nor do I care to investigate your personal history. But you must understand that it's not just because you caused a scene in the square; it's about who you assaulted," Maribelle said, visibly frustrated, pulling out a few gray hairs as she spoke. "That girl is important, more than you can imagine. You didn't just assault a 'mere Plegian,' you assaulted the daughter of the Grandmaster."
"What?! That must be a vile lie! From what I heard, Robin is barely over 25 years old; that child can't be her daughter! Th-They—" Lia protested, but Maribelle dropped a document that showed all the necessary information.
No one outside of the Shepherds could possibly believe that she was a "child from another world." Such a concept couldn't be understood in a court of law anywhere; it was absurd, and she herself had trouble accepting it. Therefore, she took the best option, even if it was illegal. There was no other way to defend the case—fabricate evidence that Robin had "adopted" Morgan during the Plegian campaign. Since she could argue that at 14 years old, Robin was legally an adult in Plegia, it was easy to claim that Robin had only adopted the child when she was 4 or 5 years old. It was something she had worked on with Gaius months ago, in case any legal problems arose. Despite Robin's reluctance to tarnish the noble lady's honor, Maribelle considered this more than acceptable in these extraordinary circumstances. The law couldn't predict these circumstances, and she wanted to reach an unspoken agreement with Cherche. Virion didn't mention it in his letter, but if word got out that someone from Rosanne had assaulted Robin's daughter, Say'ri might request custody, or worse, Tiki might have a thing or two to say, as if someone other than Robin adored that child slightly less, it was her.
"As you can see, there's nothing to discuss about this. Assaulting the daughter of such a person could be an offense that in any other place would lead to severe corporal punishment..." Maribelle said as she used her fan to calm her anger upon seeing that arrogant girl. Lia's expression changed from anger to fear as she looked at the documents.
"Miss Evergreen can't go free with just a physical punishment. So, we are willing to pay a tribute to keep this within our jurisdiction," Cherche said.
"I think you're not being reasonable. We couldn't let her go even if we wanted to in these circumstances. We've been extremely kind to provide her a comfortable cell given her status. But that was until you arrived. We have no basis to negotiate her release when the King himself isn't here," Maribelle said, noticing that Cherche had understood what she was aiming for.
"I see. So, is there no way to reach an agreement?"
"Mmm..." Maribelle considered as the girl appeared to be scared. She just needed a little nudge. "Well, I don't think we can have a fair trial here. It's not just the Grandmaster involved; it's impossible to find an impartial jury. Most people wouldn't be able to bear to see her."
"Then, what do you propose?"
"Well, for starters, strip her of her noble title. We can't let her go without any consequences. Besides, we'll have to erase the records of her arrival and departure here. After that, once she gets to your land, make sure she faces a trial for tarnishing the nation's and the duchy's name. Only then can we accept her transfer."
"That sounds reasonable. Can we take her away immediately?" Cherche asked, while Maribelle nodded in agreement.
"Very well... dear, if you'd be so kind..." Gerome nodded as he took Lia's arm. She was pale, and when he touched her, she reacted with fear and dismay.
"N-NO! W-WAIT! I'LL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES! PLEASE, LET ME APOLOGIZE TO ROBIN! PLEASE! LET ME MAKE THIS RIGHT! I KNOW WHAT I HAVE TO DO! PLEASE!" She shouted as Gerome and the guards removed her from the room. It wasn't until her cries could no longer be heard that both women sighed in solitude.
"...what a disgusting girl," Maribelle said.
"Yes, a very unpleasant one," Cherche replied, feeling the frustration in her body. "I can't believe she's really messed this up like this."
"Was she so terrible at home? Why did they send her here in the first place?"
"We didn't want to; she convinced Gerome to bring her along with the others coming to migrate here. She genuinely made Gerome feel sorry for her; maybe they could have had something, but she's too proud and conceited. She's the youngest daughter of Duke Evergreen, but she still thinks she's so important, even though she hasn't achieved anything significant in her career."
"Is she living in her family's shadow?"
"Nah, she just lived way beyond her means. Maybe if she had been willing to grow up, we could have helped her more, but this feud with the Plegians is..."
"Ridiculous."
"Yes, ridiculous... she's very impressionable," sighed Cherche. "And to think that my son's goodwill gesture could cause this problem."
"No, youre wrong, Cherche, your son did nothing wrong. In fact, I'm sure the one who influenced that girl's mind is the real villain here, but she needs to be held accountable for her actions."
"So accountable that nothing will happen to her in the end."
"We'll let her torture herself. After a few months waiting for the trial, we'll send her a letter with Robin's forgiveness so that nothing happens to her on our part. With that, she can decide whether to straighten her path or fall under someone else's influence. It's a shame this is a farce, and she'll get away with it."
"Virion won't like to hear that..."
"Nobody will like to hear that, so I'll just say from my perspective that she was expelled and banished. As for your part, I suppose any punishment they come up with will do. I just don't want to see her in my life ever again," Maribelle said, getting up.
"You're leaving so soon? I thought you wanted to chat."
"Dear, I'm quite upset about this outcome, and you need to prepare to leave as soon as possible. I don't mind your presence, but I definitely need to rest my poor heart from this disaster. So, if you'll excuse me, I'll see you later," Maribelle said and left the room.
Observing the old pendulum clock as she exited the dungeons, Maribelle noticed that it was a little past ten in the morning. She thought she might seize the day outside her extra-curricular duties as a district prosecutor. She made a mental note of what she had to do in the coming days, including preparing for tomorrow when she would´ve to report to the consulate about the events of the past week.
As she walked through the hallways, she saw a couple of maids laughing and running toward one side of the castle. When she followed them to see where they were going, she found several maids peeking through the crack of a door into a room. Upon approaching and getting a better look, she saw two guards preventing the maids from entering but allowing them to sneak a peek. The guards immediately stood at attention and saluted the noble. As Maribelle cleared her throat, the maids panicked, with a few bumping into each other, while the rest hastily excused themselves and left.
"What's so entertaining?" Maribelle asked one of the maids who tried to escape but found herself under the stern gaze of the noble. She attempted to explain herself.
Fortunately, the maid didn't have to say anything. A certain voice that Maribelle recognized was more than enough to give her an idea of what was happening. Looking at the guards, they nodded and allowed her to take a look inside.
As she expected, upon cracking the door open slightly, she found Sumia, Cynthia, Lucina, Morgan, Sully, and Olivia in the room. They appeared to have received a pedicure treatment. All of them, except Sumia, had their eyes covered with damp towels, and from the bathrobes they were wearing, she was sure they hadn't been out of the hot springs for long.
The reason for the voice she had heard was Morgan, who was letting out a long, pleasurable sigh as she received a foot massage from the staff. Every time she moaned with delight, Sumia couldn't help but stifle her laughter, and Olivia and Sully smiled. It was simply adorable how Morgan seemed to "melt" in the folding chair.
"Oh, Maribelle, it's so good to see you. Is everything okay?" Sumia asked, inviting her to come in.
"What's going on here? And why wasn't I invited to witness this... spectacle?" Maribelle said, unable to take her eyes off Morgan as she seemed to be savoring some melon next to her.
"Sorry, I didn't think you were here; I assumed you would be busy with all the preparations for tomorrow. But if you'd like, you can join us," Sumia said.
"I think for now, I'll pass on the pedicure. I wouldn't want to disturb the brave soul who approached my dear Morgan like this," Maribelle said as they brought her a chair to take a seat. "Is there any particular reason for indulging yourselves like this?"
"Aunt Sully was being mean to me, so Sumia made us bet after we argued for a bit, so now I'm savoring the fruits of my good illegal bet," said Morgan while continuing to delight in the melon on the table.
"A bet?"
"Ugh... I don't want to hear this..." Sully said, somewhat annoyed.
"Well... we were discussing our figures in the hot springs, and Morgan questioned how strong Sully was... so she bet that Sully couldn't crush a melon with her biceps, to which she lost on the spot," Sumia explained.
"So Aunt Sully is paying to keep my expectations high. Aunt Sumia treated us all to this pedicure, but Aunt Sully is paying for this foot massage," said Morgan, taking another bite of melon. Maribelle couldn't help but look at the fruit plate, then at Sully's thighs, and back at the plate before she confiscated it before Morgan could grab another piece. "Hey!"
"Oh, by the ancient ones, I hope this isn't what I think it is, right Sumia?" Maribelle said.
"We ordered some fruit from the kitchen, and Sully's attempted melon-splitting ordeal is being used for something else, while Morgan is just rubbing salt in the wound," Sumia said, a bit disappointed.
"Even being fair, sometimes you can't get enough, right?" Morgan said, looking wistfully at the plate of fruit Maribelle had snatched from her.
"I admit, it sounds like a peculiar bet," Maribelle said, her voice laced with a mix of amusement and concern. "I hope this isn't a recurring custom in the group; I'd hate for someone else to make some strange and unexpected wager."
Sumia, appearing slightly embarrassed, replied, "Well, typically, we're not like this. But sometimes the relaxed atmosphere in the hot springs can lead to... interesting situations."
"Come on, Aunt Maribelle, don't be like that! There's still plenty of food on that plate, right? Give me back my food," Morgan pouted while Maribelle sighed.
"Haahh... open wide," Maribelle said, and Morgan, still puzzled, followed her instructions. Sumia was surprised, Cynthia and Sully raised her towel to peek while Maribelle fed Morgan a small bite of food. "Not a word about this," Maribelle said, using her lips to articulate the words without speaking.
"What's going on?" Olivia lifted her towel to see, and the three girls were looking at the ceiling. Olivia followed their gaze but couldn't find anything interesting. "What are you seeing?"
"Phew, Sumia, I've never said it before, but the castle's ceiling looks lovely at this time of day," Sully commented.
"Yes, quite true. My little darling loves gazing at the ceiling. Now I know why," Sumia replied. Olivia was still confused, looking at Morgan. She saw Maribelle sitting next to her while Morgan had the plate on her belly.
"...What?" Maribelle asked as she took notes.
"Nothing... it's just that Morgan looks like a little pet when she's so relaxed... like a cute kitten," Olivia commented with a suppressed giggle.
"Nuh-uh! Remember, Aunt Olivia! I'm a little otter," Morgan proudly declared.
Maribelle smiled at the girls' reactions and their comments about the castle's ceiling. It was a pleasant moment where they could enjoy Morgan's company and relax after the recent events.
"I reckon little otters enjoy both ceilings and melons, don't they, dear?" Maribelle joked, gently pinching Morgan's cheek, who seemed content with the plate of fruit on her lap.
"That's right! Little otters are creatures of diverse tastes," replied Morgan with a mischievous grin. Maribelle just playfully pinched her cheek.
"Well, this is cute and all, but remember Morgan, don't start any mischief; we already have enough with the little Lucina and Cynthia." Said Sumia.
"Eeeeh?! But I'm the mastermind behind it all. You're taking the fun out of life," Morgan protested.
"Really? So, you're the one responsible for Lucina sneaking into the kitchen to steal the desserts they were preparing a few days ago?" Sumia asked, making Morgan feel her piercing gaze.
Morgan quickly tried to stand up, removing the towel from her face and holding the plate. With a nervous chuckle, she tried to make her escape, "Wow! Look at the sun's position! Is it that late already? I think I—" She attempted to get away, leaping barefoot. But when Maribelle cleared her throat, she let out a long, dejected sigh.
"Morgan, dear, what have I told you about instilling such low values in the princesses?" Maribelle asked.
Morgan stood still, fidgeting with her feet, trying not to look at Maribelle. She muttered some incoherent words, unable to come up with a believable excuse, "...That they... are the future of this halidom... and I must support them, not spoil them."
Maribelle huffed at Morgan's evasive response and patted her on the head. "You're right, my dear. It's crucial to set a good example for the younger ones."
"But let's not forget that part of being a good example is teaching them how to enjoy life and have a little fun now and then, but not by being mischievous." Sumia commented, still a bit miffed but unable to scold Morgan any further. "Well, I think we've teased Morgan enough. I'm delighted that you both are here. Olivia, Maribelle, I wanted to tell you that today they're finally opening the music room. I was thinking of asking Morgan to take a look, but given her mischievous nature..."
"Eh?! That's not fair! Don't be mean!" Morgan protested to the queen. Despite her facial expressions, Sumia had developed a rather high resistance to her daughters' whims, with that in mind, Morgan was no match for Sumia, at least not always.
"Well, it would be a waste if my favorite pianist missed her new workplace," Olivia remarked.
"Indeed... If it pleases Your Majesty, I'll ensure a presentation worthy of royalty, keeping her from playing and goofing off, strictly professional, in any case," Maribelle stated, causing Morgan to wear a dejected expression.
"That sounds good. At least you'll give me your opinion on everything good about the room," Sumia laughed as she watched Morgan roll her eyes. "Make sure our little otter doesn't smash another cello," she added.
"Just once! I only broke a string once! Besides, it was Papa's fault for distracting me while he tuned that thing!" Morgan retorted, leaving the plate in the hands of one of the maids and putting on her socks and boots. "And we must admit that thing was pretty worn out."
"Sure, sure," Olivia chimed in.
"Oh, I want to go too!" Cynthia said excitedly.
"Shouldn't we be training at this point? It's quite late," Lucina pointed out, deflating her sister's enthusiasm.
"My dear, I don't mean to judge, but have you ever tried training after using the hot springs and relaxing like this?" Sumia asked, causing Lucina to shake her head. "Well, it's probably like being a newborn lamb. I don't want to hear about another accident like last week. Remembering how and why that happened made Lucina blush."
"Well, in that case, why don't you join us, Lucina? It's sure to be fun!" Cynthia said.
"It's good for the 'girls of the future' to spend some time together," Sully added.
"Well... if you insist," Lucina replied, somewhat reluctant to go along with it.
"Come on, let's go before the queen changes her mind!" Morgan approached the girls and pulled them to their wrists. Before they could put on their shoes, even though Morgan realized she had put on her boots with her bathrobe, she quickly dressed properly and left the room before Cynthia could even keep up.
"Take care of her, Maribelle," Sumia finally said, letting out a warm chuckle.
"Always, Your Majesty. Girls, let's follow the trail of our little runaway otter," Maribelle said as they all prepared and changed their clothes. "Sully, you're not coming?"
"Nah, I'll pass. I have to go with Frederick later to meet the new recruits with Stahl. After Chrom left this morning, we're in for a tough week," Sully sighed, scratching her head.
"Very well. If you'll excuse us," Maribelle bid farewell with the girls behind her, leaving Sully and Sumia alone.
Sumia, despite having some servants by her side, waved her hand, dismissing the servants and leaving her and Sully alone. Sully raised an eyebrow as she searched for the right words to start the conversation.
"...I assume that was a lie?" Sumia asked.
"Yup, a big one," Sully chuckled.
"I suppose it has to do with that..." Sumia's expression darkened.
"You're damn right. Those...!" Sully sighed, remembering how a few days ago she had to burn an insane amount of 'concern' letters from various nobles. The thought that the mail would be filled with so many letters from lustful youths trying to take advantage of Morgan in a moment of vulnerability made her want to kick their butts, but shortly after she chuckled. "If Maribelle, or worse, Tharja finds out that some guy wants power, status, or something indecent with Morgan, another civil war will break out ... I still think it's a bad idea for her to stay here."
"Well, I'm against it, and after what happened, I'd rather take care of some foolish teenagers than risk Morgan's health. Despite Robin always having good health, I remember a few times when he got sick, he got really sick, so I don't want to take any risks with her."
"I understand completely, but damn, the number of letters just keeps increasing. I wonder how bad it would be to respond to them in Robin's name."
"Do you think you can replicate his style?"
Sully thought for a moment, then laughed and shook her head. "Well, I can always reply as his mother, don't you think?"
"Huh? What? How?" That took Sumia by surprise. "Don't tell me you're going to take the bull by the horns... although I think in your case, it's more like giving the bull a suplex." The queen was worried.
"Well, Lissa has been promoting this 'Robin's matchmakers' thing for months, so why not give it a shot? Besides, I think we're acting like concerned mothers here, right?"
"Uh... if you put it that way... I guess there's no denying it, especially when Maribelle gave her that ribbon," Sumia sighed.
"That ribbon... the little pudding that no one can corrupt..." Sully said, clapping her hand with her fist. "... It would be easier if Robin were here..."
"Let's hope we get some good news from Chrom or the other groups."
Morgan was wandering the halls, chatting amiably with Cynthia, with the other girls following closely behind, close enough to overhear the chatter of the hyperactive duo.
"Sweetie, if your gaze were any more intense, you'd be boring a hole in Morgan's head," Maribelle commented, causing Lucina to blush a bit.
How couldn't she be enamored with the girl at this point? It was ridiculous! Ever since the incident in the plaza, she couldn't sleep properly. Before that, her sleepless nights were due to the threat she had gone to prevent and eradicate. She often confided in Robin, feeling out of place. She had even made it clear that when all of this was over and if she were still alive, she wouldn't stay much longer. Perhaps Tiki could help her return to her world, or maybe she'd simply disappear without a trace. She couldn't bear to separate her sister from her parents, but she didn't feel entitled to anything.
Again, despite the overwhelming support she received from her parents, the only shoulder she often found to cry on was Robin's.
She felt silly that a couple of flowers on the path could lift her spirits, remembering how Robin offered those flowers in their travels, the tactician had encouraged her to build a bridge between herself and the Shepherds. She had reclaimed a new life, and at this moment, she didn't feel like an intruder being there. Robin had told her that if he could be by young Lucina's side, he could guide her and help both of them find happiness. It was something she felt she owed after the noble man's sacrifice, given the considerable time she had invested in their relationship.
Then came the day of the stone.
She could never say that the battle against Grima had been in vain, but she couldn't understand how other humans could hurt each other in such a ridiculous manner. She was speaking with Laurent in one of the watchtowers on the castle's wall when she saw the first bolt of lightning strike the ground. Through the spyglass, she could see Morgan wounded on the ground with a furious Tharja.
She had followed the rules Robin had imposed on her in the past, if it seemed there was nothing she could do, she had to go to someone who could help. In this case, only her father could reason with Tharja.
She was mistaken that day.
After hours of worrying, Tharja revealed what she had discovered, documenting everything that had happened that afternoon. It was then that Lucina realized that, just like her father, Morgan wholeheartedly cared about the well-being of everyone and was focused on preventing harm from the more peculiar members of the Shepherds.
In a somewhat absurd way, she wanted to be by Morgan's side and help in any way possible, but as always, it seemed like that girl was two steps ahead of everyone.
That day, she came to a significant realization. In fact, that day reaffirmed her feelings. She would have to speak with her mother later, but she undeniably felt the same as the day she tried to attack Robin. She felt that she was about to lose something important and very close. She had hoped to only feel that way about her parents and Robin, but up to this point, it felt like a small betrayal to her future companions not to feel the same way about them as she did when she saw Morgan injured so severely. That day, even if it was out of character for her, she couldn't help but embrace and protect Morgan from the irrational harm anyone might inflict.
Not only did she solidify her feelings for Robin as more than just a political uncle or an exemplary tactician, but she could love Morgan as if she were her own daughter.
That, in itself, was a significant problem.
It wasn't until they reached the music room that she could focus on the present and the location.
Well, what could she say? The place had been decorated as Chrom and Sumia had requested. It wasn't just because the castle always had a theme or style according to the rulers of the time. This space on the third floor of the enormous castle had been decorated and remodeled with a rustic and fresh theme, with predominant colors of purple, gold, and white. Obviously, it was based on a certain missing Grandmaster. The reason? Robin and Tiki had discussed a way to address future problems. Even though Robin wasn't an economist or a finance expert, with Virion's notes, Priam's support, and the constant vigilance of Say'ri and the Khans, he had devised a way to boost the continent's economy to prevent the disappearance of Plegia from affecting everyone. One way to do this was by harnessing the money they could obtain from other realms to establish two currencies: the national currency and raw gold, a currency accepted by all. This, in turn, boosted various positions beyond the basics, including art and culture. Given that Robin had helped restore the fragile economy of the continent, giving him this tribute was more than appropriate.
Gaius was there, making sure the artisans and specialists could finish all the final details promptly. Even though it wasn't his usual job to handle these things, the Shepherds had transitioned from being just a military group to something more than a group of special forces. Occasionally, they served as representatives and coordinators for the castle's details.
Noticing her presence, Gaius quickly approached to greet Morgan, ruffling her hair and offering sweets to bribe her into allowing him to play with her locks of hair. Maribelle was obviously displeased by this, as she believed that one shouldn't play with a maiden's hair. However, Cynthia and Olivia seemed to find the scene quite amusing.
Meanwhile, Lucina couldn't help but step aside for a moment to take in the surroundings. Using some mana stones, they had conditioned the room to have a stable temperature. Given that the piano, cellos, harps, violins, and other instruments were sensitive to temperature changes, she could still see some musicians tuning their instruments in their new home.
The curtains adorning the pillars, the various rugs, and the numerous tables decorated with curiosities donated by different artists couldn't compete with what might be one of the most striking pieces in the room: the various paintings that adorned the space.
Of course, she found paintings of her parents, Cynthia, the little princesses, and herself in elegant attire to showcase the nobility of her family. There were other paintings portraying the talents of artists interpreting their various encounters. Right beside the piano, however, were two paintings that made her smile. The first depicted Morgan, looking somewhat uncomfortable in the elegant attire she had been given. She was painted with Robin, who wore his expected Ylissian blue formal suit. Even though they were together, they looked incredibly tender. The painter had captured Morgan's expression well, making her seem like she was trying to appear serious but only looked adorable. In contrast, the other painting was more informal. It portrayed Robin sleeping in the shade of the old oak tree in the main royal garden. An inscription below it read:
"No matter what, the most disloyal thing to oneself is to do things without passion."
She couldn't help but laugh because perhaps in the future, they might depict him as a slacker or a lazy person. However, everyone knew that it was that very passion for taking care of their loved ones that was rarely captured in such memories.
Just as they finished tuning the piano, Lucina stepped forward to test it. She timidly began to play random notes. Even though she didn't have the skill Morgan possessed, she could at least attempt to play some individual pieces. For the moment, she focused on playing the opening sections of the composition that Morgan had created.
"I hope... I can improve at this before you return, Robin," Lucina thought as some admired her effort to play. "... I'll have to tell Mother that I can't help what I feel... and tell Father about my decision to stay, all thanks to you... I hope it's with you at my side" Lucina thought as she fumbled the last notes of the first page of the memorized sheet music.