Cordelia

Cordelia dearly wished she was anywhere else. Prince Clovis declared that they were all going to spend the day exploring the Glass Gardens of Arena Ferox. He apparently did so to fulfill a promise he made to that male knight he brought along. It was good to see that Prince Clovis kept his word when it came to promises, but she was miserable at the moment.

Cordelia didn't really care for the plans. It was somewhat interesting to see how the Feroxians kept their crops warm under those glass roofs, but she wasn't enjoying her current company. Prince Clovis had wandered off towards the end of the massive enclosed garden alongside his male knight. Normally, Maribelle and Princess Lissa would group up together on outings like this. Alas, Maribelle seemed content to roam the gardens a fair distance away from everyone else while Princess Lissa remained firmly glued to Cordelia's hip.

Cordelia usually didn't have a problem with Princess Lissa. In fact, Cordelia liked speaking with her. Lissa was a good source of information about Prince Chrom. She even managed to wrangle a few stories out of her about Prince Chrom a while ago back at the inn!

Lissa's stories had confirmed the fact that Prince Chrom was a good person. One of the stories Cordelia had managed to get out of her was the tale of how Prince Chrom developed his first friendship. The barbarian, Vaike, that Cordelia knew to be one of Chrom's closest retainers had an interesting tale associated with him.

Vaike's friendship with Prince Chrom was something out of a fairy tale. Vaike had been an orphan Prince Chrom stumbled into when he had snuck out of the castle at a young age. They had apparently formed a very close bond with one another when Prince Chrom and Vaike got into a fist fight with a bunch of rowdy children that were threatening a stray dog. Prince Chrom dragged Vaike back to the castle with him to be treated for their injuries, sealing their friendship.

Cordelia unconsciously tightened her fist. It should have been her. She would have happily fought at the side of Chrom to save an innocent creature. They could have grown up together, fighting side by side. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be.

She needed to rely on Prince Clovis's promise to inform Prince Chrom of her desire to go flower viewing. For Prince Clovis to fulfill his promise, she needed to fulfill her own of escorting him during his stay in Ferox. He was simple to deal with all things considered. Princess Lissa was much more… challenging.

Cordelia heard Lissa grumble at her side again, the Princess doing her best to rope her into another conversation.

"Something happened. I know it. Maribelle and Clovis must have gotten into an argument. She's been weird these last few days," Lissa subtly pointed towards Maribelle.

Maribelle was by herself still, further north of them. She was sniffing some white flowers planted within one of the many planters within the glass garden. Maribelle glanced away from the flowers to look even further north towards where Prince Clovis and his knight stood near one of the gardeners at the northern exit.

Lissa groaned at Cordelia's side, "See that? She keeps glaring at him. I don't know why she won't tell me what happened. If Clovis did something stupid, I want to make things right!"

A sudden idea popped up in Cordelia's head. A brilliant one.

She softly spoke to Lissa, "What would Prince Chrom do if he was in your position?"

She was a genius. Cordelia was going to further her knowledge of Chrom! She wanted to know more, so much more about him. She wanted her own fairy tale story with him. It wasn't fair that some barbarian orphan got to live out one of her fantasies!

"What would… What would Chrom do?" Lissa tapped her cheek with her finger as she seemed to fall into deep thought.

Prince Chrom was a great man. Cordelia had no doubt that he would have a great solution to resolving a conflict between squabbling friends. Cordelia wouldn't have fallen in love with him at first sight if he wasn't such a tender and charismatic leader.

Cordelia fell in love with Chrom all those years ago. That day when Prince Chrom stood somberly at the Exalt's side as she was crowned. Upon that same balcony moments later, Exalt Emmeryn presented Prince Chrom with the Falchion, naming him her heir until she bore one of her own. Cordelia would never forget how the sun radiantly illuminated the blade of Falchion as Chrom hoisted it into the air, accepting his burden.

Cordelia had promised herself that day that she would do anything in her power to help Prince Chrom with his hefty burden. Despite her mother's worry, Cordelia signed up with the Pegasus Knights. She dedicated herself fully to her goal of self-improvement. She needed to be the best for her Prince, even if it came at a cost. She couldn't recall the last time she visited her mother's small estate. It was a few days too far away from Ylisstol for her to bother.

Lissa snapped her finger, "I know exactly what Chrom would do. He'd jump right in without worry. I don't really want to confront Maribelle, but I'm getting tired of her brushing me off. She keeps telling me that everything's fine! I'm not an idiot!"

Cordelia did her best to hide the slight shiver she felt down her back. Lissa's words confirmed her own observations of Prince Chrom. He'd proudly jump right into the heart of a conflict to make everyone happy as soon as possible. He was self-sacrificing, willing to take on as many burdens as he needed to in order to ensure everyone else was satisfied.

Prince Chrom needed a strong queen at his side to help him with those burdens. Cordelia knew she would be the perfect person for the position.

Cordelia smiled at Lissa, "Sometimes the best way to resolve a problem is to aim for the heart. Being direct may just be for the best."

Lissa sighed, "I guess you're right. I don't like to see Maribelle and Clovis fighting. It's made things awkward these last few days. I'm going to try to ask her again to let me know if there's anything I can do to help."

Lissa walked off, Cordelia trailing quietly behind her.

If Cordelia's advice worked out, she'd have more arrows in her quiver for when it came to demanding stories about Chrom out of Lissa. Who knows? Maribelle might realize she played a part in resolving the conflict. Cordelia could always use more tea recommendations. The tea that helps with sleeping seemed like a great gift to give someone like Prince Chrom given how much he overworks himself.

Maribelle took notice of their approach, her posture stiffening as she turned her attention to them, "Lissa. Cordelia."

Lissa scowled, "What's wrong? You've been weird these last few days. I know you're not fine, so don't try to pretend like nothing happened."

Maribelle looked off to the side, defensively raising her hands, "Lissa, I really am fine. I am thankful for your concern, however I do not need it. I just have a lot on my mind."

Lissa pouted, "If that's true why have you been so distant with me? I can help! Are you feeling homesick too? Is that what's been wrong? Are you mad at Clovis for dragging us out to Ferox?"

"Ah, I did not realize… I am sorry, Lissa. I didn't mean to neglect you. You might be right, I may be thinking a little too much about home recently…" Maribelle seemed to be avoiding Lissa's gaze.

Cordelia didn't miss the fact Maribelle avoided mentioning Clovis. Maybe something had happened?

Lissa gently grabbed Maribelle's hand, "If you want to talk, I'm here for you. I know the trip was sudden. I don't like that we might not make it home for the Winter Solstice. That doesn't mean we can't buy gifts here to hand out when we get home. We'll have our own celebration here too, so cheer up!"

Maribelle seemed to stiffly smile as Lissa did her best to cheer her up. To Cordelia's eyes, it looked like Maribelle seemed worried. Guilty about something, perhaps? Cordelia doubted Lissa actually got to the heart of the matter, but it wasn't Cordelia's problem to deal with. She had more important concerns.

Would it be strange if Cordelia got Chrom something for Winter Solstice? She wasn't sure. She didn't know when their flower viewing would happen. Would a late Winter Solstice gift be well received? Maybe she should get something for the Exalt to show she was thinking of Chrom's family instead of just him? She was going to be stuck thinking about what to do all day.

What would Chrom like? What would Exalt Emmeryn appreciate? Should she buy a gift for Phila as well?