Robin awoke with a start, quickly scanning the room. He came to realize he had fallen asleep in his office again. Groaning, he closed the drool covered ledger and stood up. It seemed his skills had a peacetime application at least, but that also meant he was working himself ragged in the reconstruction effort.

Not that he was the only one. The Shepherds were all pitching in to some degree. Well, mostly at least. Still, the first couple of months after the war had taken their toll on Chrom and Robin in particular.

The people had taken Chrom as their leader with no real objections. He was well liked, charismatic, and had ended the war very quickly. Still, he had refused to be officially named Exalt out of respect for Emmeryn. He said he would take the title when he felt he had earned it, and he had done enough that no one pushed too hard.

Stretching, Robin opened the curtains to the admittedly lavish office that Chrom had granted him, and much to the chagrin of his eyes, he found the sun was out in full force. His stomach seconded the later time, letting him know he really should go get something to eat.

Robin had been given an open invitation to eat with the royals, but it did not seem quite right to intrude. Part of him thought they were just taking pity on him given he had no known family as Lucina had been extended a similar invitation which she similarly rarely made use of.

Instead, the both of them often went directly to the kitchen to find something. Robin went at odd enough hours most of the time that the staff was not too bothered. Lucina had apparently taken to cooking though which annoyed the head chef initially, but he allowed it if just because she was a special guest of the prince.

She usually ate early though which made it all the more surprising when Robin found her hard at work preparing something. Best he could tell, she was making a sandwich. Well, not quite, she was making multiple sandwiches.

"Quite a meal," Robin finally made his presence known, "Skip supper last night?"

"Hmm, oh, hush now," Lucina scowled, "They aren't all for me."

"Oh?" Robin chose his next words carefully, not sure he wanted to hear the answer, "Going on a date then?"

"N-no, I was hoping to share them with you. I know you can neglect your meal schedule, and I was wanting a second opinion. I made several types."

This got a smile out of the snowy haired man, "That sounds delightful. Shall we?"

Lucina smiled in turn and placed the last few sandwiches in her basket and led Robin to a spot the two of them had taken to enjoying whenever time allowed. Not that it happened all that often. Still, it was a nice, out of the way spot in the gardens with a quaint little table. How Lucina found it, Robin had no idea.

"Is this turkey? Not bad," Robin noted as Lucina looked on eagerly to gauge his reactions to each of her creations. Though, even for the less than amazing ones, he tried to hide any visible distaste. She was not a bad cook, honestly, but even the best faltered, and he hated seeing her sad. If asked for his opinion, he focused on the positive.

"I'm glad to see you liked it. I've been experimenting with ingredients. It's not much, but it's something to do when I'm not training."

"Well, I would say it's paying off."

This seemed to make Lucina's day and the two talked casually for a while before they were found.

"There you two are," The prince smiled with his beautiful bride to be at his side, "We have a table here?"

"I told you," Sumia grinned, "I saw it while looking the gardens over and thought it would be a great place to set up a private place for family meals. Though it looks like someone beat us to it."

This got Lucina to blush, but Robin had built up a little immunity to all the teasing by this point, "To what do we owe this honor, your majesties?"

"Oh, please, it's just us," Chrom rolled his eyes, "But we have an announcement. We already told Lissa and Frederick, but we thought you two should know too."

"We've picked the date for the wedding!" Sumia jumped excitedly. Lucina was immediately over the moon.

"Congratulations!" The women squealed, making Chrom wince, "I'm so happy for you!"

"Thanks! I'm both excited and a bit nervous. I mean, being queen is a big responsibility."

"Oh, I'm sure you'll be great."

As that all unfolded, Chrom side stepped over to Robin, "Well, I wasn't expecting that strong of a reaction."

"They've been close almost ever since we joined," Robin smiled looking at Lucina being so animated for a change, "Otherwise, it's a woman thing I guess."

"Well, as for the wedding, I actually had a request."

"Name it."

"I was wondering if you'd be my best man."

"I'm not sure he'd accept short of being ordered. Besides, you really saved us in that war, and you helped get me back on track. You brought everyone together to pull me back up. You've been a true friend, and I'd be honored."

"When you put it like that, I suppose I can't say no."

"Thanks."

Robin smiled as Lucina and Sumia gushed about the upcoming ceremony. Seeing Lucina so happy made him happy. Though, it did make him think. She was really excited about this, and she was both beautiful and single. What if she was eager to marry herself?

Why did that bother him so much as well?

"Oh! I think this would be a lovely color on you!" Lucina gushed as she picked out a sash that made Sumia blanch.

"Er, I'm not sure it's really me." Sumia did her best to deflect without hurting the girl's feelings, "Besides, I really think I should stick to white. Maybe a little blue for Ylisse."

"Hmm, well, what about something like that for a bride's maid's dress?"

"Oh, please no," Cordelia was practically sweating, and Maribelle looked almost ready to throw hands at the idea of wearing something Lucina had picked out.

"That's kind of you to try and help, but I think as maid of honor, Cordelia should really be the one helping to pick out the dresses."

"Oh," Lucina deflated, "I suppose that makes sense. But if you need any assistance, just let me know!"

"I will definitely let you know if I require your assistance."

With that, all the ladies other than Lucina breathed a sigh of relief as the bluenette continued on obliviously. After that, the shopping trip went fairly smoothly, but Sumia was unable to prevent Lucina from buying the gaudiest hat she had ever seen which she, naturally, insisted on wearing to lunch.

"So, are you nervous?" Lissa asked, trying not to pay too much mind to Lucina's hat and the strange looks from the staff.

"A little bit. A normal wedding is nerve wracking enough, but a royal wedding? I'm not sure I'm cut out for it, but Chrom insists I'll do fine."

"You will," Cordelia insisted, and Sumia shot her an appreciative look. Her support meant a lot considering her history of pining over Chrom. The two had a heart to heart, and the redhead insisted she was over the prince. So far, Sumia had not been given reason to doubt her friend's statement.

"Indeed," Maribelle sipped her tea, "And I am here if you ever need any assistance with the ins and outs of court life. I understand you have some knowledge, but I can make sure you adapt. Even if it may be my fiercest mission yet."

"Um, thank you. I think."

"I know you'll be a great queen," Lucina spoke with confidence. She knew it. She did not know how she knew it, but she did.

"Thank you, everyone. I'll try not to let you down."

"So," Lissa scooted to the edge of her chair, "What about kids? How many nieces and nephews are you giving me?"

"I-I we haven't really discussed it," Sumia's face looked almost as red as Cordelia's hair.

"Lissa, please," Maribelle reprimanded, "Such topics are inappropriate to discuss in public. Though, admittedly the people are restless for an heir."

"Not you too! We'll have as many or as few kids as we're comfortable with."

"I just find it hard to imagine Chrom as a father," Lissa looked off as if picturing something, "He just seems like such a big kid sometimes, you know?"

"I think he'd be a great father," Lucina defended, "He's kind and strong. I'm sure any child would love to have him as a father."

"Heh, I guess so. Maybe he can think like them and bond. Poor Sumia though, being the only adult."

"Anyway," Sumia desperately sought to change the topic, "What about all of you? Surely I'm not the only one planning to marry."

"Well, you did kinda steal any and all thunder until you two get hitched," Lissa pointed out.

"We're all friends here. It's not like you're announcing it to the world."

"How about you, Lucina?" Lissa asked with a gleam in her eyes, "You and Robin talking about getting serious?"

"Serious about what?"

"Ugh, romance! Getting Married! Having an army of tactician babies!"

"O-oh!" Lucina's face went red, "I don't think he thinks of me that way."

"I'm not hearing a denial on your end," Lissa sang.

"And, honestly, the idea he isn't interested is preposterous," Maribelle huffed.

"E-even if he were, which I don't think he is, he's so busy, and it's really just not a good time."

"I'm telling you," Lissa warned, "I think you need to step in before some lovely maid moves in. I've heard them gossiping about him. He might get tired of waiting eventually."

Seeing that Lucina was uncomfortable, Cordelia came to the rescue, "Actually, Stahl and I have been getting pretty serious. He hasn't proposed, but…I think it's on his mind. He's probably waiting until after the wedding."

This got the other ladies' attention. Lucina, for her part, breathed a sigh of relief and let herself just enjoy the company. With worries over her unknown past abounding, it was nice to just forget it. Though, Lissa's words did bother her as much as she tried not to let them.

She wondered if Robin was eying anyone.

Robin stared at himself in the mirror in absolute shock. What was this abomination? How many colors could someone fit in one garment? Was he really supposed to wear this in public?

The tactician rued the day that Lucina had gone on that shopping trip. This coat was an abomination, and he honestly was not even sure if this was meant to be worn, but her face when she had given it to him had been so full of happiness. He could not turn it down.

This was going to be some dinner.

Finally mustering up the courage to leave his room, Robin walked with purpose to the dining room while doing his best to ignore the onlookers. And there were plenty of onlookers. To be fair to them, he was hard to miss in that coat.

"You wore it!" Robin stopped outside the dining hall as Lucina ran up to him in her own dress which was oddly normal. Except for the hat. Still, that smile made it all worth it.

"I couldn't very well turn down such a…thoughtful gift." No matter how much he wanted to.

"I'm sure you'll amaze them. Do you happen to know why we were invited?"

"Not sure," The tactician replied with a shrug, "But he rarely needs a reason."

As they entered, the royal couple looked up to greet them. However, Chrom nearly choked on his water seeing them enter. Sumia simply gave Robin an understanding smile. After the shock, Chrom's smile was far less understanding.

"T-thank you for coming," Chrom struggled to contain his laughter, "It's nice to see you so…festive."

Robin replied with a fake smile as he pulled out a chair for Lucina, "To what do we owe the pleasure?"

"I wanted to see how you're adjusting," Chrom spoke with a tighter grip on his mirth after Sumia glared at him.

"I've been keeping busy. Haven't had too much time to think about my past," Robin answered, earning a concerned glance from those at the table.

"I have been managing," Lucina replied, "I've tried to help Frederick with training the recruits. I generally try to keep busy. I've even been practicing with mounted combat as well as other weapon types. Frederick says I have a lot of potential with lances and bows. I seem to know how to ride as well."

"Impressive, and I'm glad to have the help," Chrom smiled.

"And what about your eye? How is it?"

"Oh," Lucina squirmed a bit. She did not want to tell them she had been skirting around all her check ups lately, or that it was fully healed. "It is well. There's no pain."

"Well, that's good. What about your memory?"

"No luck, I'm afraid," Lucina looked a bit downtrodden, "I still find some things oddly familiar," Including the castle which combined with that brand just made her more confused, "But no solid memories."

"Same for me, just without the familiarity. All I remember are tactics, a few basics on swordplay and magic, and mine and Chrom's name apparently."

Lucina looked at Robin strangely, "Yes, for some reason I remembered Chrom's name and recognized him."

"Never did quite understand that one," Chrom reminisced as their food was brought out, "But it worked out at least."

"It was still pretty reckless, but who am I to argue with results I guess."

"Hey, for all we know you just saw me at an event or something. Actually, that was something I wanted to talk to you two about. I took the liberties of scouring our records, well, I had help, for anything that might hint to your origins. I figured people like you might have some sort of trail."

"What did you find?" Robin's left hand drifted to his right, clutching the back of his hand under the table.

"Not much I'm afraid. I tried everything I could think of, but no leads. I'm sorry."

"I'm touched you even tried," Lucina smiled softly.

"Yes, I know how busy you've been. It couldn't have been easy."

"Well, until your memories do return, I want you to know that you have a place here. And even once they do if you want it."

"Thank you," Robin raised his glass, "To family then."

"To family."

"Can you stop pacing?" Robin watched with a twinge of annoyance the prince as he walked back and forth, "You'll wear out the carpet."

"Do I look okay? What if I mess up my vows?"

"You were less nervous about going to war."

"Yes, because that was less terrifying!"

Robin sighed, "Look, you'll do fine. She is head over heels for you. Just…show up and you'll have already won half the battle. You got this."

"Right," Chrom took a deep breath, "I'll be fine. I'll be fine. This time tomorrow I'll be happily married."

"That you will be," Robin looked up as the bell chimed, signaling the need to get into position, "Remember, just don't do anything weird."

"Heh, I'll keep it in mind."

Robin locked arms with Cordelia and made his way down the dressed up main hall of the castle before parting ways. Being first gave Robin some time to watch the rest of the proceeding. He did have to admit that Ylissean blue was not Cordelia's color. A small consolation that she did not win the prince's affections.

Lucina, on the other hand, wore it extremely well, but he was finding himself biased. He had to reevaluate his sanity after he started thinking that abomination of a hat she had bought was not so bad so clearly he could not be trusted when it came to her. Still, she filled it out well. It was modest but demonstrated her beauty far more than anything she wore during the war.

Still, this Chrom and Sumia's day. Instead, Robin smiled and stood in place waiting for his cue. When it came time, he produced the ring without any hiccups. Cordelia did her part as well, and before they knew it, the royal couple was officially wed. He could hardly hear his own thoughts over the cheering, but Robin did not mind. He was happy for the couple.

All the same, his eyes would drift against his will, but he told himself there would be time for that later.

A/N: Now, several of the time skip chapters may be shorter in length.

Also, Merry Christmas!