Unable to sleep, unable to sit still for more than a couple of minutes, just when she heard them laughing next door, she tried to put a foot out of bed, only to return when she stopped hearing them. Finally, when she heard the conversation next door continue, she mustered up the courage and got out of bed. On tiptoes, she approached the chair near her bookshelf, and with a strength she could barely boast, managed to push the chair to where she wanted it. She climbed and reached for the book she wanted to read. As she had done many times before, she imbued a peculiar white gem with a bit of magic, making it emit a light strong enough to see her dimly lit room. She quickly hid it to avoid being discovered. Again, seeing no shadows under her door, she smiled while on the verge of laughter but held it back, resisting the urge, and looked at the shadows she could see through the crack under her door, and the light was still coming through.
No danger in sight.
She quickly returned to her bed, tossing the book aside, and climbed, using the sheets. Before opening it, she searched her bedside table to find another peculiar white gem. As she had done many times before, with just a bit of magic, she made it emit a light strong enough to see her partially dark room, quickly hiding it again to prevent discovery. Once again, seeing no shadows under her door, she smiled and pulled the sheets over herself.
She skimmed through the pages to continue with the story, but despite having read part of the book just a few hours ago, her surprise turned into confusion as she couldn't find anything familiar. In fact, none of the pages she saw made any sense. Suddenly, hands appeared, wrapping around her and lifting her from the bed.
"Honey! Look what I found, a little white otter!" He said as he began a relentless attack on the girl, making her laugh as he carried her in his arms and playfully nibbled her stomach.
"DADDY!" She shouted amidst laughter while receiving playful tickles from the figure who was now lying on the bed with her still playing and placing the book on the table. The girl's head popped out from under the sheets, and she made a grunting noise as she pounced on him. He quickly used his arm to block her bite, which, like his, was only playfully delivered.
"Aggh! No! She's got me!" The man said dramatically as he held her, only to start coughing as if he were out of breath. "No... her cuteness... is too much for me... bleeh..." He stopped moving as he dramatically collapsed on the bed.
"Uh? D-Daddy? I-kyaaaaaaa!" The girl tried to 'revive' her dad, but he quickly hugged her and began giving her small tickles on the neck and head, making her laugh again.
"Remember never to let your guard down! Now you'll pay for your innocence!" He said as he started playing with her hair.
"Wow, wow, a fight without me?" Another voice pulled them out of their little act, it was strange, Morgan couldnt recognize that voice, all what she knew was that she loved her, but that voice and face were 'blank' in that moment "Robin, darling, if you keep spoiling her like this, you won't be able to spoil the one on the way. "Said the woman as she caressed her big belly. "Although... if you keep going like this, I might get a little jealous."
"Honey, it's just a little friendly fight between father and daughter, right, Morgan?" Robin turned to look at his daughter, who had a red face, puffed-up cheeks, and messy hair. "Morgan?"
"DADDY!" She crossed her arms. "IT'S NOT FAIR!" she pouted, looking at the book.
"Well, it's also not fair that you keep reading when we told you it's bedtime," Robin said, ruffling her hair. "But it seems you need a magic lesson, so you can understand better why you cant read a magical locked book, what do you say, love? Shall we teach Morgan something to see if she can grasp magic, or do we watch her go back to sleep?"
"Can I?!" Morgan asked excitedly. Her eyes lit up as both of them nodded. She raised her arms in celebration, again leaped from the bed, and rushed to the bookshelf, looking at the numerous books. "Father, which volume will we look at today?" Morgan asked, turning to look at them, but they were no longer there.
Her comfortable room disappeared, and she was no longer the same five-year-old girl. She looked confused and began to panic, her heart racing, as she saw a desolate land of Plegia, could feel the dry air.
"ROBIN NO!" She heard someone shout behind her. She turned to see that torturous scene again. She could feel the dry air of Plegia; she could see Chrom standing there in front of him, as Robin smiled, as if he were shattering into pieces with the wind.
"Thanks, Chrom... for... everything..." He said with a voice barely audible. "Tell the others... I'm sorry... tell Morgan... I'm sorry for being a terrible father... I'll do better... in a better life..." He said as Chrom ran up to his side.
"BY THE GODS! NO! NOT YOU TOO! ROBIN! WE—" Chrom couldn't finish speaking. When he finally reached him, Grima's body seemed to break apart as a gust of wind hit the area, as if Robin were simply being torn apart by the wind, under a purple mist, so Chrom couldn't even hold anything of what little was left of him, his clothes unraveled, and the only thing he managed to grasp was a small piece of his robe. Chrom looked horrified as he tried to understand what was happening.
"Da...ddy..." Morgan could barely whisper, and Chrom, despite his distress, managed to hear her sad voice. He looked at her with tear-filled eyes.
"Gods... Morgan... I..." Chrom gritted his teeth as he tried to find the right words. "Morgan... I..." He couldn't articulate anything else as Naga's light enveloped them.
Morgan felt the impact against the cold bedroom floor as she came to her senses. She realized she had fallen off the bed, trying to reach for something that wasn't there. She peered at the empty bed, and the first rays of the morning sun barely illuminated the windows. She felt her face was wet, thinking she might be injured. She slowly headed to the mirror to see where she was bleeding, but she only found her reflection. Her face was covered with tears, and she was sniffling, with red eyes from constant crying.
She had spent another night crying over her loss.
Another week had passed in the world.
While everyone continued with their lives, Lissa couldn't stop wondering how people in the desert could endure such heat, even in a relatively cool season. While the others were preparing, she had different plans to follow.
They had arrived in the city-state of Lhira, a small town that was still being built. Most of the "houses" were simply tents around a large fountain. There were some stone buildings already finished, but most of the place was still under construction. It wasn't unusual to see various workers carrying construction materials back and forth. What was curious was that not only Plegians were working there, but people from Valm and Ferox were also helping the Ylisseans build the place. On one side, you could see everyone trying to build as fast as possible. But looking beyond the tents, you could see different children playing around—children from different regions, cultures, and upbringings living relatively peacefully.
"Get out of here," her raspy voice interrupted her thoughts.
Arversa, as always, appeared unruffled, perfect, like that solitary rose with thorns standing tall in the garden. Lissa couldn't help but envy her intelligence and beauty a bit. The fact that Arversa referred to herself as "Robin's little sister" whenever she saw her made Lissa's blood boil. It irritated her that during the campaign against Grima, Arversa had become especially close to Robin. In fact, she always managed to annoy Lissa by whispering that Morgan could very well be her daughter since she still had white hair. Even though their personalities were different, Lissa couldn't deny the similarities in their figures and intelligence. It was a way for Arversa to easily taunt her, as sooner or later, Arversa realized the princess's feelings for her 'older brother.'
Now, sitting in the private room of that infuriating woman, Lissa seemed listless. She sat with her legs crossed, holding a book in her hands, wearing an expression of complete disappointment on her face. She had asked her something earlier, but the expression of that annoying woman, filled with mockery and superiority, changed to an expression an adult would have when hearing something stupid from a child.
"Uh, what's wrong? Did I say something wrong?" Lissa asked, sitting across from her. Arversa wrinkled her nose, placed her book on the table, and rolled her eyes.
"Let me make it clear. You, the princess of Ylisse, come here following your brother, make a whole spectacle to get a few minutes alone with me, and I, like a foolish jester, was hoping it would be about something serious. Instead, you come to ask me irrelevant questions when the truth behind your absurd questions is how to win over my absent brother?" She emphasized each part with her fingers, making Lissa blush. "By the gods, just get into his bed and be done with it. I'm sure my brother is so foolish and innocent that he would do whatever you want."
"I COULD NEVER BE LIKE THAT!" She shouted angrily.
"Then just buy it with gold. You're a princess, be spoiled, and use your status and money to get it," she said, taking up her book again. "I'm not interested in hearing how others drool over my brother, let alone trying to win him over." This comment made Lissa's face turn even redder.
"DON'T SAY THAT! I DON'T WANT THAT!" She shouted again.
"Oh? Seriously? You'll tell me you've never fantasized about hugging him, kissing him, and imagining how you could be his daughter, fantasizing not only about consummating the act but also about how many children you could have?" That made Lissa have the same reaction... "pervert."
"I-I AM NOT A PERVERT!" She puffed up her cheeks in anger. "This is a waste of time. If you're just going to make fun of me, then I'm leaving."
"...Well, that's a shame. Maybe I could have given you some advice." This made Lissa stop as she was about to leave the room.
"Will you keep making fun of me?"
"Making fun of you is the only way I can tolerate this ridiculous conversation, but if the Ylissean princess needs advice, I suppose I can give you some opinions," Arversa said as she continued reading the book in her hands. Lissa slowly returned to her seat as the witch still had little interest in the topic. "...How´s Morgan doing?"
"Morgan? Well... she's fine, I don't think she has any complaints, except that we don't let her ride any pegasi and fly off into the sunset."
"No, I'm not talking about that. I'm referring to Morgan's legal and public status," Aversa began to emphasize her words again. "You trying to win my absent brother's affection is one of the most amusing things I could witness. I'm quite sure I'd laugh a lot watching two idiots babble for hours about the simplest thing, as if they were a pair of lovestruck teenagers. But that's not the point," she said, setting her book on her lap. "I mean Robin, from an outsider's perspective, he's the Grandmaster, but there's something called 'power management.' The fact that the second tactician to reach such a rank in Ylissian military is marrying the princess is problematic in itself. Not only will it look like an attempt to seize power, but it could also be perceived as a betrayal on your part towards the kingdom, considering we're talking about a Plegian, a citizen your father swore eternal enmity against. That's deeply rooted racism in both nations. Besides, marrying a man who already has a daughter could be seen as a political marriage. Not to mention the confusion it could cause to have two girls with the same face. We already have problems with the merchant guild and their 'Anna' network worldwide, which would be troublesome. And most importantly, do you think you're capable of taking care of two Morgans psychologically? Not to mention that neither of you bears the Mark of Naga, but the current Morgan doesn't seem to have any similar mark. What will happen the day your children come into the world and none of them bear that mark that makes them part of the royal family? Chrom and Sumia are too stupid to think about it, but you, who know what it's like to endure the kind of unpleasant experience of being called an 'illegitimate child,' will you allow your offspring to bear the same stigma if they lack Naga's mark?"
"Wow... I...," Lissa was dumbfounded by such a comment. She hadn't thought about it before, but Emmeryn, at least the Emmeryn they rescued who was supposed to be from another world, had various problems adapting to her new situation, it could be something similar to Morgan if that was the case. The political environment in her own kingdom was foreign to her because, most of the time, Robin defended her and Chrom from any harm caused by the nobles of the second and third branches in the kingdom. She hadn't thought about the kind of problems that could come with it.
"You need to think faster. If you take too long to respond, it will be seen as weakness by any noble who wants to steal my dear brother from you," Aversa summed up her lecture.
"I... "Did she have the right to put that pressure on them? She love him to bits, but thinking that Morgan could be accused or stigmatized for some nonsense, it would have been ridiculous to think that before, just as ridiculous as someone could hate Morgan. But because of the events of that day in the square, she had to think about the possibility of everything Aversa was saying."
"You're overthinking it. If you don't give a quick response, then they'll—"
"Well, I don't know what to tell the others, but one thing is certain," Lissa finally said, being pushed to that point. "... I will do my best to take care of my family and Robin if something bad were to happen. And besides, it's not like I'm alone, right?"
"..." Aversa stared at her for a moment. She wasn't sure why that girl's innocence and credulity irritated her so much, but she reminded her too much of the blind optimism of a certain white-haired girl. "... By the ancient gods, just get a room with him when he returns, and that's it," she said, returning to her reading. "One can't have fun with buffoons like you."
"Eh? Well, I'm sorry!" Lissa said, embarrassed. "But do you seriously think I have a chance with him? And would you help us if we needed your assistance with any problems?"
"Of course, Your Majesty," she said, now more disinterested in the topic. "Although I wouldn't mind giving my little brother a little nudge."
"..." Lissa puffed her cheeks upon hearing that. "By the way, are you sure no one has seen him?"
"They haven't reported a buffoon wandering the streets, claiming he needs to return to Ylisstol. Besides, do you seriously think I wouldn't report a madman who's likely to spend his time shouting that he wants to see his daughter?"
"Well... I guess we'll have to look for him then..."
"I would suggest looking in places where there's a strong impression of him."
"Impression?"
"Places that have been important to him. Grima, for instance, emerged in Plegia because his remains were here. So, places where important events related to him took place should be the first ones to search or leave someone there to report what might happen."
"I see... Well, after this... I don't know where we're going," Lissa said somewhat embarrassed, causing Aversa to roll her eyes. "But... I'll tell Chrom that we should visit some important places. I don't think he'll mind deviating a bit."
"Remember not to set your expectations too high," Aversa said, closing her book and handing it to the princess. She was curious about what she was reading and was surprised to find it was one of Robin's diaries. She found it strange that she had it. "There are things you can't control and facts you can't change. If you or any of those foolish people want to get closer to my brother, they'll have to accept that there's a lot they'll have to endure."
"Who made Morgan cry?!" Little Lucina shouted at the top of her lungs as she stood on the table, taking everyone present by surprise. It wasn't unusual to see the young princess wandering around the barracks with Gaius or Frederick by her side, but what was unusual was her climbing onto a table in the middle of the mess hall and openly declaring this. The older Lucina couldn't help but feel embarrassed by her younger self's embarrassing outburst.
"Lucina, get down from there now!" said Sumia, embarrassed by her baby's behavior.
"No!" she said, crossing her arms with a serious look.
"Lucina, come on, get down from there," said Cynthia, reaching her arms out. Strangely, the little princess was being stubborn. Before her 'future sister' could grab her, she quickly leaped to another table. The new recruits weren't sure if this was normal, but the Shepherds present were perplexed by her behavior. "Hey, Lucina?"
"Morgan is sad, and it's SOMEONE'S FAULT!" she shouted, waving her arms.
"Well, this is new," Gaius said, before he could react, the thief couldn't catch Lucina; she skillfully evaded him, leaping between tables. Gaius was trying to grab her, but the little princess was quite persistent. It was rather comical how, at one moment, she avoided the thief, but also Cynthia, Frederick, and Sumia.
"LUCINA! Stop! We can talk, but please stop jumping around like this! It's dangerous!" Sumia yelled as little Lucina shook her head.
"No!" She continued jumping. Several people present made sure the tables didn't wobble, and if she were to trip, someone would be there to catch her. Fortunately, little Lucina was skillful and flexible enough to avoid causing chaos. In a desperate attempt, Sumia tried to grab her by leaping onto the table, but it failed when Lucina jumped to one of the tables with drinks. She gave another small jump and ended up at the door of the barracks. "BAD! FOOLISH! BULLIES!" she shouted as she ran off."THE SHEPHERDS ARE A BUNCH OF BULLIEEES!" she shouted as she ran through the corridors. Some were astonished by the scene. The Shepherds present were torn between containing their laughter and the growing fear from the frown on Sumia's face.
"Dear me~ Lucina has been naughty~" said Sumia who was present, Lucina flinched when she heard her name. "I believe this calls for a special mission: capturing my little, beloved daughter to find out why she's acting this way."
"Uh... yes, Mother! I... uh..." Lucina looked at Cynthia, who shrugged. Innocently, she tried to look for her father and Lissa, but since they were absent, she tried to find the others, who similarly shrugged. "Uh... sorry, Mother... but... do you happen to know where I'd run off to by any chance?"
"Well... this is awkward, and I don't like it," interrupted Sully, raising her hand. "Let's find little Lucina and see what this is about. Gaius, you keep following the little one and let us know where she's headed. Lucina, bring 'that' hidden in her bed. Cynthia, help me try to convince her that this is all a misunderstanding, so look for Morgan, that way we may ask what on earth is goin' on." Sully instructed, causing everyone to nod. "Your Majesty, I think it would be best if you came along, but given the circumstances and the late hour, let's check on little Cynthia first before dealing with anything else. I'll send Gaius to tell you where we are."
As Gaius disappeared to continue tracking the little Lucina, everyone split up to follow Sully's orders.
"Uh... this..." As Sully walked through the corridors, Olivia timidly approached, confused and intrigued by the comments of the other servants. "Did something happen?"
"Not much, just that Lucina is going through a rebellious phase."
"Lucina? But at her age? That doesn't seem-"
"I mean little Lucina, you know, the one who used to stick to Chrom, Sumia, and Robin's side?" Olivia laughed at the confusion. "There was quite an interesting scene a few moments ago."
"What do you mean?" Olivia asked, and Sully began explaining the princess's behavior. As she explained, Olivia had some doubts in her mind that she couldn't quite explain.
Indeed, the little Lucina had grown significantly in the past few months, but it was strange for her to suddenly exhibit such childish and capricious behavior. Of all the childlike behaviors she could have, this one was new. The day they returned without Robin, she became distressed over his absence, believing it to be her fault that he hadn't returned. Because of her young age, they couldn't explain the situation to her, so she had a minor existential crisis and tried to be a "good girl" from that day on. For months, she hadn't done anything particularly wrong or displayed any spoiled behavior, making her recent actions all the more unusual.
"Did something happen to Luci or Morgan in the last few days?" Olivia asked, but Sully shook her head. It had been two weeks since the incident with the stone, and she couldn't recall anything particularly relevant or important during that time. She had heard Maribelle being angrier than usual and complaining about certain events she couldn't explain in detail, but other than that, it had been a normal week.
"I guess we'll find out once we locate the little tadpole and ask her," Sully said, scratching her head. The knight was honestly surprised by what she noticed about Olivia. Sticking out of one of her pockets, she could see the small card that Lissa had distributed. "Oh? Are you taking that seriously?"
She expected Olivia to squirm with embarrassment or provide some explanation for her behavior. However, instead of her typical reactions, Olivia pulled the card from her pocket, blushing, covering her mouth with it, and trying not to look away. "Well... I've given it a lot of thought, but... I don't dislike the idea... and I wouldn't mind exploring it..."
"Of course, you won't feel... wait, what?" Sully was surprised to hear that. "You won't be upset about it? You won't act in your usual manner?" She thought carefully. It was already challenging to see Lucina stepping into her territory, but now Olivia too? It was unexpected. What was next? Tharja suddenly wanting to be a mother, or maybe even Cynthia wanting to join in? Sully couldn't afford to lose sight of anyone at this point, as any slip or comment might provoke a reaction or a desire from them to be present in Morgan's life. "Well... it's something..." Sully stopped to listen. Olivia looked serious, and as the dancer closed her eyes, Sully used her hand to improve her hearing.
"...Well, it was obvious," Olivia sighed, and Sully chuckled.
"The music room?"
"The music room," Olivia confirmed. It didn't take them long to reach the room. When they arrived at the door of the grand hall, they could hear more clearly the sounds of that melancholic and heavy melody.
(Google Ludovico Einaudi - Nuvole Bianche, or play it in youtube)
Was Morgan the one playing? Certainly, the girl had devoted part of her brain to learning to play the piano, and she had definitely improved quite a bit. However, how would they describe her current notes?
While she had a rhythm that she always used in her little sonnets and fragments of sheet music she could play, as well as those she had memorized, this melody seemed... heart-wrenching.
As they approached, they saw Gaius by the door of the music room, along with Lucina with Cynthia, who seemed somewhat distraught.
"Well, bubblegum looks... or sounds different today," Gaius commented as they approached. "Would it be prudent to go in?"
"Well... I don't think she'd mind," Lucina said. "But this..."
"...Let's just go in, see if little Lucina is with her," Olivia suggested. When they decided to enter, they could see how the little princess turned to look at them, then quickly hid next to Morgan, who, as expected, was focused on her sheet music.
It was something they couldn't quite understand. Even the nobles could confuse the notes. But for Olivia, who had an eye for artistic talent and an ear for it, the composition Morgan usually played at the amphitheater contained "happy notes" within the spectrum of typical heroic and valiant notes found in the functions and ballads of the bards. Right now, it was all about "odd notes" and "sad notes." The composition she was playing seemed to be at the pure extreme of "tragedy" and "emptiness."
A song that tore the soul apart.
Explaining it to others might be complicated, as not everyone understood the different notes and how they were composed. However, seeing little Lucina crying in Morgan's lap, as well as other room attendees who were spectators, it was evident that, despite being somewhat similar to what Morgan usually played, it was not something she would typically perform.
She was proud that Morgan seemed to excel in this area, but she was concerned about the direction she appeared to be taking. Perhaps she was the only one in the room who could hear the desperate cry for help in the music.
Well, perhaps she had thought too soon. Right when she was about to make a comment, another tune interrupted her thoughts. From one of the rooms, they saw Cordelia emerge with a violin. She supposed it was one of the noble's personal instruments, as its design wasn't something she had seen in their inventory. The crimson finish with small golden wing carvings was distinctive.
Cordelia wasn't wearing her usual Pegasus Knight armor. Instead, she had on an elegant white dress with red and gold accents that exposed her back, featuring ruffles and lace that accentuated her figure. She slowly approached Morgan while playing a few notes that didn't disrupt the song the white-haired tactician was performing. Morgan barely noticed the interruption and adjusted her rhythm. She didn't seem eager to make room for Cordelia, but the persistence in the latter's approach was subtle and precise enough to infiltrate Morgan's performance.
As they watched the captivating scene, it became apparent that it was more of a duel than a duet between them. Morgan appeared somewhat annoyed by the interruption and tried to finish her performance. But each time she seemed ready to conclude the song, Cordelia redoubled her efforts to keep it going and encourage the tactician to join in. It wasn't long before Morgan's notes started to change, and Cordelia moved closer to her. At one point, Cordelia even used her foot to adjust the stool Morgan was sitting on. Morgan quickly stood up while continuing to play. However, Cordelia's intention was not to take her place but to swivel the stool so that she could sit behind her. Morgan couldn't comprehend why Cordelia was doing this, but when she sat down behind her, Cordelia followed suit, leaning back to back with her. They continued playing, and Cordelia urged the tactician to follow her lead.
Even little Lucina, who had been jumping around since Cordelia's arrival, was now captivated by the performance.
It wasn't until Morgan missed a note that Cordelia stopped. She let out a small groan as she had pressed too hard and seemed to have injured her finger. She tried not to complain in vain. The Pegasus Knight remained silent and still for a few seconds, listening to Morgan's complaints, before breaking the silence with a smile. She played a couple of off-key notes to end the performance.
"Eh? Why did you do that?" Morgan asked.
"Because it's pointless to continue without you," Cordelia replied with a small laugh. "Besides, I think I need to get back to my lessons. I didn't realize how exhausting it could be to keep up with someone."
"Well... thanks, Aunt Cordelia, I... " Morgan felt a little embarrassed, but when she turned to hear applause starting, she realized they had an audience. She didn't know how to respond to the onlookers who seemed delighted but concerned about her music. "Uh, thanks? I... "
"AUNT MORGAN!" Lucina jumped into her lap, strangely distraught.
"Luci? What's wrong?"
"What's wrong with her? You worry us more than anything," Sully said as she approached to pick up the little princess. "This little pumpkin told us you were sad, lookin´ for the one who made you so sad."
"Who? Me? Sad? Why are you saying that?" Morgan had a big smile on her face, her fingers on her cheeks to emphasize what she was saying. "I just wanted to play something different."
"Morgan..." Olivia seemed conflicted. Despite the strong front she seemed to put on in front of others, Morgan's face wasn't the only way to gauge her mood. The way she shifted as she spoke, the way her hands moved, if there was one thing Olivia knew, it was body language. While she couldn't tell at a glance whether she was really sad, her body language was tense and somewhat rigid.
She couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was, but there was definitely a shadow hanging over the young tactician. Before she could say anything, someone vigorously applauding snapped her out of her thoughts.
I couldn't point out what it was, but there was certainly a shadow looming over the young tactician. Before she could say anything, someone applauding loudly pulled her out of her thoughts.
"Bravo! Bravo!" In another entrance to the music room, they could see some nobles, both familiar and unfamiliar faces, entranced by the performance. Instinctively, Sully spotted Cordelia, who nodded in unison. Before little Lucina could react, she quickly approached Olivia, with the little princess in her arms like a sack of potatoes.
"Forgive me for this, but... can't they see little Lucina? I'll go inform Sumia about this," she whispered in Olivia's ear as Cynthia followed closely behind her. Leaving Morgan, Lucina, Cordelia, and Olivia to deal with these folks, the dancer glanced around to find Gaius, but he seemed to have disappeared from her sight. Maybe he went to get reinforcements?
"Oh, fair ladies, that was spectacular!" The same man spoke as he was followed by various nobles who were trying to stop him, with little success.
"I thought it was a waste of the castle's precious funds to open something like this, but it seems there was merit in it," he said.
"Um... thank you?" Morgan said, confused. The man briefly glanced at her, and his interest in her lasted only a few seconds before he became more focused on Cordelia.
"But I must admit that you are especially excellent! Perfect! It's a shame we couldn't hear the rest due to your student's little slip."
"Excuse me? No, not at all. I'm not Morgan's teacher. I'm someone very close to her who enjoys quality time like this," Cordelia replied, somewhat uncomfortable with the man's scrutiny.
"Oh? Cordelia? The new captain of the Pegasus Knights, I assume?" he said as she nodded. "And Morgan? The Morgan? The daughter of our valiant Grandmaster? Sorry for the little confusion," he added as he adjusted his collar. "I assumed it was just one of the charitable acts of our beloved queen in action."
"Charity work?" Morgan inquired.
"Well, yes, charity works. Our dear Grandmaster has been stumbling lately into things that certainly don't concern him. He's been locked away, giving us bland papers on how we should organize things. If he would let us take some of the gold he has collected from the treasury, we could use it for more valuable projects than simple schemes."
"Do you consider the projects we've offered to be beyond our control?" Morgan asked, a little annoyed.
"I won't complain about the cultural projects he's given. It's clear that they are being used... even if it's to pamper his daughter. The new ports and trade routes in Ferox are ideal for trade and fishing, not to mention the new offerings we received from the Valmese for the last nonsense of their former conqueror. But I find the initial projects he's promoting to be rather strange."
"The initial projects?"
"Of course! Agriculture? We're nobles; we only manage the land and hire those who can benefit our nation. It's difficult to have any extra income to support the militia when all they allow us to harvest in large quantities are various types of potatoes, legumes, peanuts, and radishes. While the vineyards' harvests have benefited from these plans, I see little sense in this. Isn't it the peasants' job to till the land? Why doesn't he allow us to sow more substantial crops like cotton, hops, or expand the vineyards? Not to mention other laws, like this thing about saplings."
"Saplings? Are you referring to the project we proposed a few months ago about tree saplings?"
"Exactly! That's playing with nature! Let the squirrels and birds spread the seeds and let the forests expand by themselves. But it seems like a waste to send so many scholars to analyze the land and figure out 'where we could plant more trees' when they could be making more tomes, seeking more practical knowledge, or trying to solve the problem we have with scarce iron mines."
"I'm sorry, but I don't understand. You come to verify the use of the money, but you don't understand how it's used? Or do you expect my father and me to change our decisions?"
"Listen, I think this is getting out of hand," Cordelia commented, noticing how Morgan started to scrunch her nose while trying to contain someone belittling her father's efforts.
"Young lady, I've come to ask you to let me speak with your father about what he's done to the castle. Apparently, the respected monarchs have been seduced by these absurdities, losing sight of the real goal," the man said, somewhat irritated.
"Excuse me, but that's nonsense," Olivia interrupted, equally angry. "Robin has dedicated a lot of time to these things, so he wouldn't reject them just because they don't bring him direct benefits."
"And who are you?"
Olivia swallowed hard as she approached Morgan, placing her hand on her shoulder to continue, "I'm nobody important; I'm just an artist. But even I, as a commoner, can understand the purpose of what Robin wants to do."
He seemed both annoyed and intrigued, looking at one of the servants who came with him. With a single glance, the servant brought him a chair to be more comfortable. "All right, let's say I believe you can understand this. Explain it without her help," he pointed at Morgan.
"Wait, this doesn't make sense; she's the one who—"Cordelia tried to interrupt, but Olivia gave her a brief look to stop her.
"It's okay, Cordelia. I-I'll just say what I've seen," she said, taking a deep breath. "I'm from Ferox... Ylisstol has become my second home, with people I love and admire. R-Robin has always been the person I admire the most. So, when I heard from Naga's very voice that the land is running out, and she shared her observations on agriculture, he knew the exhausted land of this continent needed to recover its strength after the recent droughts and famines. As much as you say you would pay someone to farm, if there's no way to feed them, gold is of little value. That's why Robin thought of these farming methods, so they wouldn't go hungry. Alcohol goes hand in hand with my work, but there's no use for a wine cellar if the wines aren't being sold. The same goes for the forests. Empress Say'ri herself explained how certain trees could help expand the wealth of our lands. He's been very careful not to introduce trees that could harm our nature. I don't understand how, but according to Say'ri, these trees help attract rain. More rain means wells fill more easily, making it easier to maintain the basic necessities," she said with a sigh, not believing everything she knew. It was absurd that she could remember all those events in simple words, but it only demonstrated the careful attention she paid to him, and how he noticed what she said. "He even took the time to research livestock in different places. The same clothes you proudly wear, I can say he got the leather from animals in Ferox, animals that, when brought here, will make it easier to cultivate and profit."
She closed her eyes for a moment to focus. When she opened them again, she was determined to be tougher with the man, but she saw something she didn't expect.
That man was smiling broadly.
"Well, if even you can understand what he's doing, I guess there's not much we can do," the man said, turning to his colleague. "Are you satisfied?"
"Mr. BlackBelt, this is impossible!" one of the men behind him exclaimed, indignant. "HOW CAN YOU AGREE WITH THIS COMMONER?!"
"...huh? Wait... BlackBelt?" Cordelia seemed somewhat taken aback. "...BlackBelt... like... Stuart BlackBelt?!"
"DAD!" Another voice interrupted them; it was Maribelle, approaching from one of the doors. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!"
"Oh, my dear daughter, and—"
"STUART ALPHONSE BLACKBELT VON THEMIS! YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO WAIT FOR ME IN MY PRIVATE STUDY! NOT ROAMING AROUND HERE GOSSIPING WITH THE OTHERS!" Maribelle said, shaking her umbrella. The other nobles seemed a bit disturbed by her way of speaking, but the man simply laughed and scratched the back of his neck.
"Well, the study was a good place to wait, but how to put it... your father was drawn to this beautiful lady's music, which, in turn, attracted these gentlemen. Since we're here, maybe we can start preparing for the meeting."
"I agree," another voice interrupted them, Sumia, who was guided by Gaius. Strangely, she was using her scarf to hide her face and her hood to conceal her hair. She averted her gaze when she saw Maribelle's father. "I'm sorry, Your Highness. We've had... an interesting morning. If you could follow my guards to one of the halls, we could start the meeting."
"That sounds fantastic," Stuart said, looking at the group. "I'll join you later, gentlemen. I have a few words to exchange with my daughter."
"...This isn't over, BlackBelt," the same man said as he glanced at Maribelle and then at Morgan, before leaving with the other nobles.
Stuart let out a long sigh when they were finally alone. "WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!" Maribelle shouted as she struck her father with her umbrella. "DO YOU REALIZE WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED?!"
"Calm down, in one way or another, that Robin could calm them down, couldn't he?" Stuart said, trying to appease his daughter, grappling with her to stop her tantrum.
"Did you know him?" Lucina asked Cordelia while Sumia tried to calm the situation.
"I only heard his name. I hadn't met him in person. After that incident, he rarely leaves his duchy to talk with other nobles. I had been described what he's like, but I certainly didn't expect... to see him here."
"They seem to get along quite well," Morgan commented happily. When she spoke, Maribelle turned to look at her, quickly withdrew her hands, and tried to calm down. She cleared her throat slightly to fix her hair and, with one hand, introduced her father.
"Stuart Alphonse BlackBelt Von Themis, the current Duke of Themis, and the second son of Briar Balledone BlackBelt Von Themis... my father..." Maribelle introduced him to everyone, then turned to Sumia. "I'm sorry, Your Highness. If I had known he would slip away like this... I..."
"Don't worry, Maribelle. Everything's fine."
"Pshh, lass, I'm sorry for what happened," Stuart told Morgan, who was confused. "It... was necessary. I'm really sorry."
"Lass? Dear father, I think you've taken the 'common language' lessons too seriously. I believe it would be a good idea to refer you back to our dear mother's lessons so that you don't forget you should be formal at all times."
"Well, my dear daughter, after all the things you've said and all you've told me about the Shepherds and what has happened, I just wanted to be a bit closer to the precious people for you," Stuart commented with a chuckle.
"Maribelle, please calm down," Sumia tried to ease the situation.
"So... were you acting all along?" Morgan whispered to the noble, who nodded.
"Forgive me for that, young lady, but I've recently heard some rumors about buffons, incompetents trying to oppose Lord Chrom and Lady Sumia. In public, I can't show any favoritism, so I apologize if I somehow offended or upset you. It's a necessary evil," he said, making a small bow. "I hope you can forgive this sentimental old fool."
"Oh, no, don't worry; I completely understand!"
"I also apologize for the situation you're in."
"Huh?"
"Young lady, I know all about how someone looks when they're hurt, and I know everything that has happened to this day. So I'm sorry they have to put you in such situations when Lord Robin is absent. Forgive me if I crossed any lines, but I just want to remind you that you're not alone at this moment."
"Wait, you know everything? Everything about the Shepherds?" Olivia asked.
"I know everything from my daughter," he approached Olivia and whispered in her ear, "I also know what a maiden in love looks like. I can't give you encouragement because my little girl is in the same condition as you, but I can thank you for protecting the daughter of the man who saved us all." With that said, Olivia became a bundle of nerves, her face completely red as she tried to comprehend what he had told her. When he winked at her, the noble straightened his back to prepare to leave, but Maribelle stopped him by hitting him with her umbrella.
"FATHER?! WHAT DID YOU SAY TO OLIVIA?!" Maribelle asked, angry.
"Nothing, dear, nothing, my precious daughter. Just a few comments from a sentimental old man who can't contain himself when he sees such scenes. My dear daughter, I'd say you need to hurry if you don't want to stay behind," he added. Now, Maribelle turned as red as a tomato.
"FATHER! I THINK YOU'VE HAD TOO MUCH TEA. WE'D BETTER TAKE YOU TO SOMEONE TO SEE IF YOU'RE OKAY IN THE HEAD. I WON'T ACCEPT A 'NO' FOR AN ANSWER!" She said, pushing him toward the exit.
"Maribelle, I think he's just teasing you. Don't worry about it," Sumia said, accompanying her friend.
"Huh? Wait..." Morgan pondered, looking at all the girls. It was strange that Olivia couldn't look her in the face, Maribelle seemed embarrassed, Cordelia appeared a little timid under her gaze, and Lucina's cheeks had a certain blush. "Wait, what?" she thought, trying to understand the unusual scene that had just unfolded. "Daddy... are you really that popular?"
Lucina couldn't help but feel a little mortified and somewhat stressed. She took the treasure of her younger self from her bag, the little Robin doll, and couldn't help but think that this rag doll, the small version of Robin, was the closest she could realistically get. She heard Maribelle's father whisper and was now more aware of everything going on around Morgan and what it implied.
Looking at the piano, was it the right path to follow? She really needed advice, and unfortunately, the only person who could truly understand her was also the cause of her longing sighs.
"Well, I hope your Majesty can understand our concerns," said that noble, trying to control his temper. Sumia, on her part, was trying not to throw a chair or some other object at him.
It had been an hour since this farce had started, an hour in which Sumia had to listen to the various nonsense from the few nobles who dared to say that Robin didn't know what he was doing with the militia and was meddling in matters beyond his position. Apparently, the title of 'GrandMaster' meant nothing to them, as they seemed to overlook the fact that the decisions made based on Robin's research were supported by evidence provided by various groups. The fact that these guys started questioning the foundations of Robin's actions based on nothing made her increasingly clench her nails into the armrest of her chair, hidden from the view of these idiots.
Certainly, any other day, she could´ve tolerated this gracefully. She could´ve even engaged in a lengthy conversation with them over tea to participate in this war of attrition, just to demonstrate the fact that Miriel had given her immense resistance to bombastic and empty words, a complete waste of time.
But that day, she couldn't afford that luxury.
Her baby Cynthia had woken up well, but Lucina's actions in the barracks had something wrong. Her motherly instinct told her that. What's worse, the fact that once again Morgan was the center of attention for something that could be detrimental to the group's morale was one of the things that worried her the most. She didn't have time to waste with these buffoons.
"I understand your concerns," Sumia said as she leaned back in her chair.
"So... will you listen? Can you change..."
"Denied," she said with a cynical smile, "And before you say anything, my husband isn't here to hear these things and make an informed decision. Robin isn't here either to address your concerns about this issue."
"It's certainly a waste of time," Stuart said, stroking his beard. He felt Maribelle give him a little kick on his ankle, regaining his composure as he felt his daughter's murderous gaze. "I suggest we postpone this meeting until the two most important parties are available."
"I agree," Sumia said. But before she could say anything else, the noble slammed his fist on the table.
"YOUR MAJESTY! This makes me think you're influenced by that man! he wield too much power to let him roam free as if it was his own playground! He haven't attended any council meetings, nor have he deigned to respond to the directives of the other territories! He´s supposed to answer our call, but we only see him wandering around the castle from time to time. There's been no progress on other projects or reforms; he´s hindering the progress of our own agendas."
"Ylisse's agenda remains the same as it was more than six months ago. The policies won't change until we can secure the satellite states of Ylisse," Maribelle said, picking up some of the documents on the table. "Themis primarily supports this, but other places like Osht, Porta, Southtown, RootGrown, and most of the villages surrounding these territories agree it's the best option."
"It's unacceptable that we dance to the tune of that man. I won't deny his usefulness during times of war, but we've reached the limit. We can't sustainably produce goods if this continues."
"It seems that was your own mistake, Mr. Alder Von Grauss," Maribelle said coldly, looking at him and the group on his side. "You were warned that using resources in that manner could put your territory at risk, and you continue to spend and jeopardize your lands. It seems you're demonstrating an inability to govern your fields and mines."
"Be careful, Miss BlackBelt. Even if you have the role of the attorney of the castle, this is bordering on a conflict of interest. W-"
"Enough, this won't get us anywhere," Sumia said, irritated. "I remind you that the plans for development and civil protection are delegated to the GrandMaster. We can't stop any of the projects unless you bring evidence that he is harming the halidom. I remind you that as long as you can prove any of your claims, it's only an unfounded assertion. I assure you that when Robin does something harmful to us, I'll release him from his position under my authority as Queen, not before. Is that clear?"
"...wow, I didn't know you were so tough. I need to be careful," another voice said, surprising Sumia and Maribelle. The queen didn't move, but the noble searched for the source of the noise.
"YOU! CAN WE KNOW WHY YOU IGNORE ALL THE CALLS WE'VE MADE?! NE-" The noble tried to complain, but that man interrupted him by raising his hand, walking behind Sumia. She could see, from the corner of her eye, that familiar figure, but that feminine perfume was strange on him. "Don't you even have the guts to show your face? Robin?!"
The figure stopped on Sumia's right, there was no doubt. His clothes, his posture, and when she saw his face beneath his hood, his white hair were all evidence of who he was. They exchanged glances, and it was then that Sumia realized what was going on. She simply sighed, tired.
"Gentlemen, my apologies, but I've been busy lately, so my mail often gets lost," Robin said as he adjusted his collar. With a mischievous smile, he continued, "But I must inform you that the plans for the road, agriculture, and goods lines with the south, east, and west of the capital cannot be halted. We'll have to continue like this for at least another year."
"ANOTHER YEAR?! ARE YOU CRAZY? W-"
"Apologies, but this is not a suggestion or an option," Robin said as he unfolded the map of Ylisse, pointing to several key points. "The last war against Plegia and Validar's fall left us quite exhausted. Supply lines have been damaged, and if we don't recover after the constant Risen invasions, we won't survive the winter or begin spring planting." He pointed to the red areas on the map. "That's why we're doing this. If we can establish a resource line that can give us an advantage in our supply and food lines, trade routes with Ferox and Valm will become strong enough to help us recover. That's why we have key points on the border with former Plegia. If we let survivors go hungry, they'll mass into our nation. They won't be soldiers, but their numbers could certainly impact our agriculture, so we can't afford to concede on community aid and resource distribution."
"That's why you've asked Themis for assistance with bee farms and local fishing?" Stuart asked, and Robin nodded.
"Honey at this point is a luxury, but having this resource to replace sugar lines that may be affected by the winter is a way to keep the population alive. Smoked and long-lasting processed foods are also a necessity, which is why I'm focusing on fishing. It's easier at this point to preserve fish than cattle, work in the fields would be more useful than just using our last cattle as emergency food."
"Let it go; we can't do anything," one of the nobles whispered to Alder.
"...No, we wont survive," Alder whispered.
"... Yes, you will," Robin sighed. "We know you might miss out on some luxuries, but I don't think it'll hurt you to skip some of your gala festivals for the winter solstice. We'll also keep festivities at the castle to a minimum to save on expenses." Someone coughing at the door caught Robin's attention, and when he saw Stahl, he simply sighed. "Now, gentlemen, if you have any doubts, don't hesitate to come to the council meeting at the end of the month. Take notes of all your observations, but we won't address any complaints you may have until three weeks from now. So, if you'll excuse us, my companion will escort you to collect the provisions you're entitled to, and I'll offer something extra as a sign of my goodwill."
As the nobles slowly left, Robin remained silent, waiting for the last one to depart. With a gesture of his hand, he signaled the guards to withdraw, leaving only him, Sumia, Maribelle, and her father in the room.
"Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah," Robin sighed heavily as he adjusted his collar.
"Eh? W-Wait a moment... don't you have anything to say?" Maribelle asked, feeling a whirlwind of emotions within her. He looked at her for a moment as he rolled his eyes.
"It's not Robin," Sumia said.
"What?/How?" Maribelle and her father exclaimed, surprised.
"Oh? Which part of my excellent performance failed? Maybe I should have been more honest? Much more aggressive? Perhaps I should have praised my group of friends and recited some dull and absurd proverbs to inspire courage in others with hope for the future?" Robin said dramatically. As he put his hand on his cheek, it seemed that a certain mist was heading toward his face. Soon they realized that he was removing a mask as the features of his body changed. His voluptuous chest with its curvaceous figure, black and long hair, and oversized clothes showed it was not him. "What gave me away?"
"At first, it was your perfume. I doubt Robin uses lavender scents, which you usually use to incite him. Plus, Robin doesn't have purple eyes, Tharja," Sumia replied, making the witch click her tongue in frustration.
"I thought my disguise was perfect," Tharja said tiredly, pulling a small belt with several empty vials from under her robe. Only a couple of them were half full. "I'm impressed that this takes so much mana to work for just a couple of minutes. Making sure it looked realistic, it´s way too stressfull."
"Well, the good thing is that apparently no one noticed, but why did you go through all this trouble?" Maribelle asked.
"Simply because I don't want any lechers wandering around in my territory with my dear girl being downcast, only to make her feel worse later," Tharja said, irritated. She sat on the table, crossed her legs, and leaned back, looking at the ceiling. "These days I've tried to pay more attention to my adorable chipmunk, but I'm worried that she's not fluttering around as she used to. Imagine my surprise when I learned from your daughter that she's feeling down." She glanced at Sumia with disdain. "Any idea what happened?"
"No, I truly have no idea. As far as I know, there hasn't been any event, and every time I try to find out what's happening, I get interrupted," Sumia nervously replied.
"Interesting distribution of power," Stuart mumbled to his daughter. She rolled her eyes, but her father didn't seem offended, concerned, or worried. He just seemed content with his daughter.
"Father, I would appreciate it if you didn't share anything you've seen. It's already bad for your health that you have to attend these events," Maribelle whispered. Strangely, her father didn't seem offended, alarmed, or worried. He simply appeared content with his daughter.
How could he not be? Decades ago, his little girl used to come home in tears because she had no friends. Lissa had slowly helped her come out of her loneliness and her shell, only to find out a few months ago that his daughter was trying to date a man with a daughter. It was ridiculous, and even though his status prevented him from looking favorably on those decisions, when he heard about what had happened and all they had lost, he couldn't help but feel relieved. Even if he was uncomfortable seeing a Plegian bossing around the queen of Ylisstol, it was like watching a scene from a fantasy book where two friends had each other's backs. That meeting could get Maribelle into trouble, and he was touched by her behavior and the queen's response. The strange woman seemed to support them for some reason.
"Haaah, as I said before, this is an interesting scene for this poor old man," Stuart said, placing his hand on Maribelle's chin. "Just make sure to take care of yourself, alright?"
"I know, Father, I know... I... apologize for hitting you; it's just that..."
"Well, it's quite amusing to see my daughter embarrassed, not just because of her lover but her friends too. It fills me with joy," he chuckled, earning a light smack from her umbrella.
"Well, thank you very much for helping us, Tharja. Do you need anything from our side?" Sumia inquired.
"Well, I hate to waste my time on such foolishness, but I've already compensated for some of it. The fact that I have Robin's clothes makes me relax a lot and enjoy my stay here, so for now, I'll let it slide. Just don't let it happen again," Tharja said while sniffing the clothes.
"Th-Thanks for your consideration, but won't that bother Morgan? You wearing Robin's clothes," Maribelle asked.
"There's no need for her to find out. This time was solely and exclusively necessary because of the incessant insistence of those idiots. Spreading rumors, making illusions, and claiming he's still here to the general public is difficult, especially when there are so many cretins trying to get close to my Morgan with ulterior motives," Tharja said, taking a letter from her pocket. "Tell me, when were you planning to tell me that, for Lucina's birthday in a month, you were going to invite Morgan along with other incompetents who are courting her?"
Meanwhile, in Robin's quarters, a curious scene unfolded. Even though the queen was occupied with royal errands, Lucina, Olivia, and Morgan engaged in a peaceful chat after an unsuccessful attempt at having a decent breakfast without being bothered by the visiting nobles. They had come in droves, and while many didn't understand the importance of the princess in the Shepherds' ranks, there were those trying to pair up with her and Cynthia. On the other hand, Morgan was somewhat ignored or kept at a distance when next to Lucina, which irked her. Although she wasn't interested in such social interactions, she couldn't stand the small group of nobles that brought the commotion of the royal court, as was customary every two weeks.
So they were trying to have breakfast in Morgan's room. Mostly, both girls were watching her eat, devouring the cookies and pancakes they brought. While Morgan wasn't picky with food, it was rare for her to ask Olivia for food. The dancer offered anything to lift her spirits, despite Morgan's denial that she wasn't sad. She couldn't pass up a homemade meal from Olivia, which she gladly accepted.
For the moment, they were eating and chatting.
"Tell me, Lucina, have you prepared for your upcoming birthday?" Olivia asked.
"Oh, not yet. I'd like to do something, but I've told Mother to prioritize Little Luci's birthday. I don't like those kinds of formalities," replied the princess while calmly sharing the cookie jar with Morgan.
"I see..." Olivia watched as Morgan finished. The girl still seemed a bit sad, so why not encourage her to tease Lucina? Surely, she could regret using the princess as a scapegoat, but they generally seemed close in these matters. "And you, Morgan? Have you prepared gifts for both of them?"
"Uh? Um... yes! But it's a secret for Luci!" Morgan said with a smile. "I was thinking we could organize something on the balconies of the second floor that lead to the gardens in the west wing. She always likes to see the stars at that time, but I don't think they'll give us permission after her outburst."
"It's curious. Do you have any idea what could have happened?"
"Mmm... I don't know, but..." Morgan noticed Lucina still had that doll of her father in her lap. With a gesture, she asked for it, and Lucina handed it over. "Robin says: Better to fight on high ground than on the plains," she said, trying to imitate her father's voice. Olivia stared for a moment before giving a timid laugh, and Lucina couldn't help but smile.
"Wait, what does that mean?" Lucina asked.
"Superior tactics always work. Fight on high ground, know your enemy. If you know your enemy and yourself, you won't lose in a thousand battles," Morgan replied, moving the doll's arms dramatically.
"I think it means we should find a way to convince Sumia to overlook Luci's behavior. We have more than a month for that, so I wouldn't worry. I think. she might know what happened but... need more time to find out?" Morgan nodded "Then... if she´s not reffering her... she's referring to you," Olivia said.
"To me? Why me?" Lucina asked.
"Being tough on yourself often, Robin advises you to take regular breaks, stop skipping meals, and attend to your princess duties. That would make my daughter very happy since it would mean we could go for walks more often, seeing my precious daughter friend being to harsh on herself make´s both of us sad" Morgan said, still playing with the doll.
Lucina couldn't help but smile. Despite how ridiculous it looked, it was somehow calming. If she was going to give her a chance to get closer, she wouldn't turn her back. "Alright, how about a friendly practice?" Morgan puffed her cheeks while making the doll cross its arms. "Eh? Don't you want to?"
"Morgan is bored with the same options. I won't let her go out if you do things like that. You should behave like ladies," 'Robin' said.
"Oh... well... I...,"
"Well, if you really want to do something, how about a girls' night?" Olivia suggested.
"Yes! Girls' night!" Morgan said excitedly. "We could invite Cynthia and Cordelia, visit some shops, have some cake, see what we can include in Little Luci's birthday, and figure out what we could buy for you too, Lucina."
"Well... I'm not good at that... but... if you really want, we could do something like that."
"Yes! Thank you very much," Morgan raised her arms in victory. "Well, let's see how Lucina looks with something other than the same outfit as always. If I can get Olivia and Cordelia to do the same, maybe they'll help me remember what my dream was and recall who my mother is." Morgan thought excitedly. "It couldn't be better. Morgan, you're a genius."