Chrom has lost count how many times he has paced the castle's eastern wing and Lissa thwacking his head for ruining his own bandages. The damage on the capitol could have gone worse if the invasion lasted longer. Right now, all available manpower and resources were allotted to providing the civilians and repairing the outer walls of the kingdom. Emmeryn herself requested to repair the castle last, worrying more on their people than herself. Chrom agreed with her, albeit barely listening to the meeting the night after the invasion yesterday. His mind was invested on something else or rather, someone.

Robin collapsed just after the arrival of his older sister yesterday due to blood loss. Neither any of the Shepherds has seen him as distraught as he was that moment. They had Frederick and Lissa ride ahead to bring Robin and have her attended immediately by the healers in the palace. By the time Chrom arrived to the castle, the healers have forbidden anyone to get in the ward. It was only at past midnight that Robin's condition stabilized and they let the Exalt first to check in the tactician. Fortunately, the blood loss was not as worse as it should be thanks to Lissa's initial intervention. Otherwise, Robin would be in a dire situation. Despite that, the tactician has yet to wake up.

"Your Highnesses," Chrom turned to see a servant standing dutifully at the corridor with them. "Your breakfast have been served as you wished."

Chrom nodded half-heartedly. "Thank you. We'll be coming shortly."

The servant bowed and left. Chrom leaned on the wall and ran a frustrated hand through his hair. Not far from where he was standing, Lissa gave the top of her staff a tap with her fingernail.

"Sulking won't wake her up."

"I know," Chrom muttered. "I know."

"We should eat some breakfast." Lissa said. "We already declined the usual meal with Emm today. She will not be happy if we actually skip breakfast."

Chrom sighed. "You go ahead. I'll follow."

Lissa shook her head hopelessly and turned to her heels. She paused by the staircase and took a breath. "You know, if you really like her, you should tell her." She called out. "Emm and I don't mind having another sister, you know. A niece and a nephew would be nice too!"

Chrom's ears reddened. He was about to retort but Lissa has already descended down the staircase to the ground floor. He slumped further as his thoughts wandered back to the past two days: Robin's sudden withdrawal, his argument with her, the woman with snow-white hair, the festival, the invasion, and Robin's revelation of the truth.

It's not every day you'll find a woman as beautiful, strong, and brilliant as her.

Just like Robin.

More than I deserved.

Chrom jerked out of his thoughts, almost stumbling forward. Oh gods! Oh Naga! He can't believe it. He confessed his feelings to the woman he loves without him knowing. He wanted to bang his head on the wall and crawl in a hole where no one will ever find him. How is he going to face Robin now?

"If you're done mulling over your oh-so-princely courting skills, may I suggest you use the wall on the other wing to slam your head to? Someone's trying to have a good rest here."

Chrom stiffened as he turned to the owner of the familiar voice. He hadn't noticed the door beside him swing open. The tactician has stepped out of her room with her arms crossed over her chest and an annoyed look on her face. He felt the tension on his shoulders unknot as relief finally embraced him after agonizing hours. It was short-lived however, when his eyes settled on the bloodied bandages wrapped on her skin. It was the first time he has gotten a chance to survey her properly in the aftermath of the invasion. Her wounded arm was bandaged, together with her forehead. A cut on her left cheek was covered too. There were a few bruises and faded scars that Chrom has never seen. He reached up and brushed his fingers on one, angry line running down her good arm.

"Those heal and disappear when I'm a vampire," Robin spoke up. "You know, flawless, supernatural, and stuff. They only appear as scars when I'm human."

"When was this?" Chrom asked, not taking his eyes off it. "It looks old."

"To be honest, I don't know." Robin admitted. "Probably somewhere in my past."

"Oh." Chrom withdrew his hand and met her eyes. They were onyx with gold swirling in the depths. It was beautiful, mesmerizing even. While her blood-red eyes as a vampire exude power and ferocity, her eyes as a human emanate calm and wisdom. He could not help but to be drawn to both.

Robin coughed meekly at the silence. Her cheeks dusted pink in the awkward atmosphere. "You should head to the barracks. Lissa is waiting for you."

Chrom blinked, astonished. "How did you know we are going to have a meal in the barracks?"

Robin smirked cheekily. "You're easy to read, Chrom, with or without psychic powers." Her eyes flitted at his form. "From the looks of it, you haven't had some sleep last night."

The prince scratched the back of his head with a sheepish smile. "I guess worrying does that to anyone."

"Ah…"

"I-I mean, I was worried about Plegia attacking last night!" Chrom supplied frantically. "You know, they might but didn't. Guess we showed them yesterday-"

Robin ran her palm on her face. Her shoulders quavering as she tried to contain her laughter. He's rambling. Oh gods. Why is he such a dork?

"-Not that I'm not worried about you. I trust Lissa and Maribelle and yeah, you're strong and all. What I'm trying to say is-"

"Let me guess." Robin cut him off. She tried to maintain an air of professionalism as she chose her next words. "You like me?"

"That's right! Yeah, that…wait…" If a person could spontaneously combust without actually setting himself on fire, that would be Chrom. His eyes bulged as realization struck him. Robin could only burst into laughter as the esteemed prince gaped and turned red as a freshly-picked tomato.

"Oh gods, Chrom! Hahahaha!" Robin chortled. "You should have seen the loo-!"

A pull and a sweep of an arm was all it took for the tactician to find herself in his embrace. Her eyes widened as her head was tipped and dry, warm lips pressed against hers. Her hands found their way on his chest but instead of pushing him away, she gripped his clothes closer and closed her eyes to revel in the moment.

It was a brief moment but it meant the whole world to Chrom. That simple kiss, that pull that closed the remaining distance between them were more than enough. It was a confirmation, an acknowledgement of the feelings he has kept for long, and an answer sweeter than any honey. They slowly pulled apart, lips tingling with the lingering kiss. Chrom rested his forehead on hers, eyes not parting from hers.

"I love you, Robin." He whispered. Every word sincere as his love for the woman before him. "You meant world for me."

Robin chuckled. "I noticed. You confessed to me an awful lot since yesterday." She reached up and cupped his cheek. "I love you too, Chrom, and for the record, you still looked cute in the bunny suit."

Chrom's face reddened. He groaned. "You're not gonna drop that anytime soon, aren't you?"

Robin smiled wickedly. "Nope. Never. I will make sure that that will remain etched in history. Someday, the bards will sing of Prince Chrom in a bunny suit."

"Please don't."

Robin tiptoed and pecked on his lips. "Come on. You've made Lissa wait long enough and I'm hungry too."

Morning was a chaotic affair. As soon they stepped foot in the barracks, a staff appeared out of nowhere and hit Chrom point-blank on the head. The two royal siblings bickered before Lissa broke it up and pounced on the spectating tactician. Robin has to reassure the princess that she felt better and that she's not going to burst into flames under daylight until tomorrow before Lissa finally let her go. The Shepherds waited for her food to be served before firing off questions one at a time (which was a miracle to be honest). Robin as best as she could, especially with Miriel hovering close with a parchment and a quill at hand.

"So, ya lose yer powers when yer human?"

Robin swallowed her food before answering. "Yeah, but the good side is I can cast any magic I want and I don't get fried by the sun. Not a bad deal to be honest."

"But don't you get weaker?" Sully asked. "As in, human weak."

"Vampire, human, it does not matter." Robin answered. "I just change the way I fight and I'm good to go." She tapped her finger on the wood of the table, drawing lines in the air. "As a vampire, I rely on my vampiric powers and sword skills. As a human, I have my sword skills and magic in my arsenal. All there is how I will plan to use them."

"Interesting." Sully grinned. Robin already anticipated what she will say next. "Then, I expect you to be in the grounds later. Don't make me wait, Robin."

"She's not going anywhere, you brute!" Maribelle scolded as she jabbed a finger at the red-haired knight. "She's a patient and she needs to rest. She's not going to get herself beaten back to bloody pulp anytime soon. Not on my watch."

"Don't be party-pooper. She's gonna go back to the night side by tomorrow. Now's a good chance to see our human Robin fight. Everyone's busy having our asses handed back to us and us back to them yesterday to watch."

"There's still next month. Every month if you will."

"Alright, alright." Robin interrupted, having enough of the two arguing before her meal. "Stop it, you two. Let's just make compromise, okay? Sully and I will spar but if things get rough, I will pull out. Is that fine?"

"Fine with me." Sully stretched and smirked mischievously at her and Chrom. "Besides, Chrom will be watching. I'm sure he will swoop in once he sensed danger creeping on his future wife. Didn't expect him to be so bold to kiss you first."

Robin nearly drowned on her drink. Beside her, Chrom coughed as he tried to down his food. He snatched his cup and gulped the liquid down. She was about to ask how when she noticed the wary knight subtly fidgeting beside Chrom. Of everyone in this room, why it has to be him?

"Oh, Freddy Bear~!" Robin singsong.

Chrom froze beside her, apparently having flashbacks. The Great Knight sensed the discomfort of his liege and winced as the air began crackle. He has yet to experience the tactician's wrath first-hand. The only ones he knew who did were Gauis, Vaike, and his liege himself. They never wanted to speak about it but frantically warned the others to never ever anger the tactician. Apparently, she can cook horrors unimaginable even to Tharja and Henry themselves.

Robin pointed to him and to herself. She was smiling amiably but the meaning of that smile was not. "You and I will have nice, long chat about privacy." She stood up and dragged Frederick outside by the collar. Her voice trailing behind her.

Sully cackled. "Can't wait to see her become queen!" She slapped Chrom's back. "You better take good care of her, Chrom, and make lots of royal babies!"

"I'm down with five nieces and five nephews." Lissa called out, grinning ear to ear. "No. Make that ten each!"

Chrom groaned. "I haven't started courting her properly."

"Then, start now, you doofus!" Lissa nudged him at his side. "Or else Gaius will steal her away from you."

The said thief raised his palms. The stem of his lollipop drooping at the corner of his mouth. "I know nothing, Blue!"

Chrom shook his head and stood up. "You're right. I already know that she feels the same way as I do. I can't lose this chance."

"Wooo! You go big brother!" Lissa cheered. "Bring the ring and get on your knee! I expect a royal wedding in a week."

"Lissa, no."