The Very Core of My Heart

Part I

A winter day in Ylisstol. Though it was chilly outside the few remaining birds were chirping merrily into the wind, the markets bustling with food carts, and of course no less than three Anna's peddling their various wares in anticipation of the coming winter holidays. Inside the castle which sat upon the sprawling hills beyond the city square Princess Lissa was hosting a dinner of roasted pheasant, a medley of root vegetables, four different soup choices, and a small selection of wine. Joining the Princess were her best friend Maribelle, Queen Olivia, her niece Lucina (who thanks to the wonder of time travel existed both as an adorable toddler and an adult), Severa, Cordelia, and Sumia. Each of the seven had been members of the Shepherds during the war against Grima and when their various duties allowed, they enjoyed meeting like this. Each member had at various points tried to talk Lissa into letting one of them do the kitchen labors instead of the castle kitchens, today though with the temperature dropping every hour and wind starting to howl, the offers of going elsewhere were half-hearted. Everyone was laughing, Maribelle was in the middle of a story about the latest foolish nobleman who thought land, titles, and promises of adventure would convince her to marry them.

"And then if you'll believe it ladies, the gormless knobhead tried to kiss my hand."

"What'd you do then?" Lucina asked, unable to contain her curiosity and her giggling at the same time.

"Took a page out of Sully's book and smacked him in the jaw. He didn't like that and although father reprimanded me while the fool was still in our presence, I could tell by how his face was twitching that he thought it was warranted.

"Do you ever plan on marrying Maribelle?" Lissa mumbled, her cheek full of pheasant.

Making a face to show her amusement at Lissa's lack of table manners Maribelle nodded.

"Of course. I'm just not going to marry a man who thinks a bit of gold, land, and unproven gallantry will persuade me. Still, I can wait."

The tone was casual, but Lissa thought Maribelle's hand had twitched grasping for her water goblet, as though she were restraining some idea about who she was waiting for. She knew better than to ask in public. Despite the friendships she had seen her best buddy build in the Shepherds, Lissa knew Maribelle still preferred to keep her emotions and personal life firmly behind closed doors and that, whatever bluster she presented in public about being unwed, it was bothering her not to have a husband. Out of the seven women at the table Lissa herself had been married longest, having married Libra about a week before the battle where King Gangrel was defeated.

Much to the shock of everyone in the army Chrom proposed to Olivia, the Feroxi dancer, a mere month later. Though there was much grumbling, skepticism, and a few spiteful rumors about witchcraft flung in Olivia's direction, she handled the role of Queen with just as much grace as she did the dancefloor. Within another month anybody who had thought Chrom was thinking with his smaller head with his engagement had been forced to eat their words Lissa included. The Princess still said prayers of thanks to Naga that Robin had talked sense into her before she shot off at the mouth to either Chrom or her sister-in-law in the build up to the ceremony. She was also thankful to the tactician for his positive impact on her own marriage, which like any stereotypical older brother Chrom had shown wariness to despite Libra's status as a priest. After speaking to Robin for an hour (with Lissa eavesdropping) Chrom lost his overbearing urge.

Though to her knowledge the others had dated men and women of varying backgrounds the delicate nature of courtship left Maribelle as the only long-term single Shepherd of their party. It was quite ironic that the reserved Maribelle was transparent with all her failed suitors to the group while laughing about it when Lissa was positive it was killing her not that far from the surface. With that in mind she scribbled a note on her napkin to hand to Maribelle after dessert when there was a knock on the door of the dining room. All seven women looked at eachother, wondering which man had made the folly of ignoring "Lady's Dinner Night.". Lissa, though she was seated at the far end of the table got up, preparing to shoo Chrom away as everyone seated figured that Libra would sooner start worshiping alongside the Grimleal than forget something his dear wife told him.

When the Princess opened the door, she beamed. It was neither Chrom or Libra but a man wearing a black coat with gold accoutrements and a purple interior that almost matched the hair that went well past his shoulders.

"Robin! You're back early!" Lissa exclaimed, the pout on her face replaced with a contagious large smile as she threw herself forward into a hug and inhaled the scent of Chonsinian coffee that clung to him as tightly as she was to him now. She withdrew realizing this would look suspicious given her marital status and everyone in the room laughed, knowing exactly what she had thought.

"Happy to see me?" Robin mumbled, his own face alight with mirth. He thought he heard the tinkle of breaking china as the remainder of the group rose to greet him. Of all the potential interruptions for their dinner event this was one nobody minded. Robin had been gone for two months, negotiating reparations for Chon'sin from Valm with the new ruler of Walhart's former kingdom on behalf of Say'ri. Chrom had told Lissa he had expected Robin to miss the Winter Festivals out of dedication to completing his task, not bothering to hide his disappointment.

"Did you finish with Say'ri?" Cordelia asked before getting in the hug line behind Sumia, though the pair of Pegasus Knights polite squeezes were much more in line with what a friend was expected to hug like.

"Yeah, I did. She's really pleased. Valm is going to bankroll their agricultural imports for the next ten years. She only expected to get five, and that's not included the wartime-"

"Snoresville!" Lissa groaned, but the wink she gave let him know it was mostly in jest.

"It would have been a real shame if you missed the first Winter Festival after beating Grima" came Lucina from middle of line.

"He'll probably still find a way to work through it Lu" Severa snickered as she discarded her usual crabbiness for a hug.

"He will not!"

Maribelle had brought up the rear of the line of hugs from Robin but the fierce look she gave Severa almost alarmed the myrmidon.

"You aren't either Maribelle. Remember we share that office."

Maribelle glowered at Robin as she got her hug. She wished they were alone and that she could peck his cheek without it arousing suspicions and tell him how much she had missed his company in their shared office. She flushed, knowing that such a thought for the tactician had absolutely nothing to do with work.

"I know, I was just saying I forbid you to work during the festival."

"That's a bit bold Belle, given that he's your boss." Lissa joked, slipping the piece of paper into her friend's grasp with a sleight of hand she had refined with her frog pranks many moons ago.

The remark drew laughs, but it made Maribelle's cheeks flare with more color. Not wanting his presence to cause an argument, Robin decided to retreat.

"I have lots of chocolate and coffee, swing by my office in a couple days everyone for their presents."

With one final nod around the room Robin left the dining room, Maribelle glowering in his direction until the door shut. The royal chefs brought out a large apple pie and an accompanying serving dish of vanilla ice cream when Lissa could no longer contain the remark that was burning her lips.

"Awful protective of Robin there aren't you Maribelle."

All six of the others turned to face the embarassed Magistrate who had wiped her mouth with the napkin Lissa had written on after taking a spoon of ice cream.

"He doesn't ever stop working! You'd fuss at Libra too if he never stopped Clergy work for a break!"

Lissa nodded, and the conversation drifted to what Severa and Lucina were going to do when they saw Flavia for the upcoming tournament of the Khans. Maribelle had gotten her message because when she was sure nobody else was looking at Lissa, she had made a jerking motion with her head. Once everyone else had left the pair made their way to Lissa's room and though they were full to bursting with dinner and dessert, Lissa quickly procured a pot of tea. Maribelle was careful not to break this cup. Without further prompting the thought that had been pinging around Maribelle's head since Robin had announced himself as back, flew out of her mouth with the abandon of an angry dragon.

"I wish Robin was my suitor."

Maribelle hadn't meant to start the conversation like this, she had wanted to build up to the topic, to dance around it as though her words were Queen Olivia. Instead she had been as direct and uncouth as Vaike.

"That's adorable Maribelle! You and Robin would be really cute together!" Lissa gently encouraged, waiting for the inevitable self-effacing reasons why Maribelle couldn't fulfill her obvious crush. True to form Maribelle sighed, she knew Lissa would react like this. For as loveable as her best friend was, she was quite apt at overlooking these problems of decorum. Her hands were trembling. Seeing this, Lissa poured Maribelle's mug.

"When did you first figure out you liked him as more than a friend you sneaky turkey? C'mon you can't just surprise a Princess with something like that!"

"Lissa. Please." Maribelle whispered; she wasn't in the mood to be teased.

"Oh right! Kinda hard for you to tell a story if I won't shut my gab."

"I first had an inkling at…your brother's wedding."

Lissa sat bolt upright, hanging on Maribelle's every word.

…

"And do you, Lady Olivia take Chrom as your lawfully wedded husband?"

"I do."

"Then by the grace of Naga I pronounce you as man and wife. You may embrace."

Tiki had barely gotten the words out of her mouth when Olivia and Chrom kissed the Bride wrapping her arms around her husband's head. Tiki and Libra rang the church bells and unleashed a flock of white doves upon the streets of Ylisstol. With each clang of the church bells, through the many thousands of the citizens clapping and whooping, Maribelle could feel her heart ripping and bleeding. She was putting on an excellent show of happiness, her smile was wide, her periwinkle dress immaculate, and her applause just as enthusiastic as any of the Shepherds despite her inner agony.

All the living Shepherds were seated at the front of makeshift pews which had at Chrom's request been constructed as temporary outdoor fixtures. He had wanted to make enough seating for all Ylisse's citizens to enjoy but after Robin informed him that the amount of lumber needed would be every tree within a hundred-mile radius Chrom opted to make seating for the Shepherds, and begrudgingly the nobles, only. As the ceremonial horse carriage drew the groom and bride into the crowd of citizens, the finality sank in for the wounded noblewoman. Chrom and Olivia had been engaged since the day Gangrel had been defeated almost five years ago, but they had been unable to have a wedding before the Valmese campaign because both Olivia and Chrom had wanted their engagement not to be lightning-tome quick amid the minor scandal of Chrom's choice in mate. She supposed even before Walhart fell that they had decided, but that they had waited until Robin had killed Grima and resurrected for both practical reasons and because neither of them would dare think of having a wedding without the purple-haired tactician present. But only now, when the diamond on Olivia's left hand gleamed in the setting summer sun did Maribelle finally mumble the truth she had been dreading since she had first heard Lissa shout to the entire camp that her brother was kissing someone.

"It's over."

"What did you say Belle?"

"I expected the wedding to be longer, I am surprised it is over." Maribelle lied a little too quickly.

Lissa frowned, turning to her friend with a raised eyebrow.

"We've been doing wedding stuff since the crack of dawn and it's almost sunset. Did you think it would last until nightfall?"

"Well yes…"

She smiled, shaking her head.

"You do read a bit too much about pomp and circumstance. Now come on let's get out of here, these damn shoes are killing my feet. Watch your step!"

Maribelle had done her best impression of Sumia nearly careening face first into the cobbled street as one of her heels got stuck in a crag where the stone needed repairing.

"S-sorry…"

"Don't worry, c'mon let's go get changed for the after party."

Maribelle loved to ballroom dance, yet as the wedding orchestra thrummed, and the other members of the Shepherd's dance shoes clacked on the dance floor she sat in her misery sipping champagne.

"What's wrong Maribelle?"

It was Robin, his usual attire discarded for a smart suit, his long violet hair tied back in a ponytail. Honey met Hazel and Maribelle knew that she couldn't lie and say she was fine, a different lie however…

"I don't have anybody to dance with."

"Would you like to dance with me then? You taught me how after all."

Maribelle nodded, unsure of why Robin was making such an offer but too emotionally desolate to complain. The next song started and with a deftness of foot Robin began to lead her around on the ballroom floor. How could this be? The Robin she had taught to dance had three left feet and clambered about like a drowning goat when she had tried to teach him.

"Where did you learn how to improve?"

Robin looked as though he were thinking very hard for a moment.

"Dancing is just a different form of strategy, no motion is wasted. Whatever I may say about not being a real nobleman there is something to be appreciated about every motion of the body being essential."

As he continued to twirl, twist, and tantalize her, Maribelle felt she was not aching for Chrom, as mightily as she would have had her choice of fib left her sitting with her champagne glass. She also realized for the first time just how handsome Robin was. His long hair flowed like a great violet waterfall as their dancing loosened his ponytail, his honey colored eyes glowed with a kindness that was like opium for Maribelle's soul in her grief. Robin didn't speak much, letting Maribelle control the subject matter. He didn't know why she was hurting but he also knew if she wished to tell him it wouldn't be until later in private. For now, what his well-meaning if zealous friend needed was a bit of kindness. It wasn't until the bandleader tapped her own wine goblet that they stopped.

"This next song is for couples only."

Without any fuss, Robin let go of Maribelle, sitting down next to her while the bride and groom, Libra and Lissa, as well as a half dozen other couples remained on the dancefloor. Now that she saw Chrom and Olivia dancing again Maribelle expected the stabbing pains to return, but they didn't instead they were replaced by a new much more manageable irritation. She had been a complete fool to hold onto Chrom like she had, when the man she should've been dancing with was right in front of her. She couldn't act though; in her opinion it was improper for a lady of her standing to make the first move and it was possible in the rush to accept comfort that she was overestimating her feelings. She would wait and see.

…

The way he danced with me, it lit a candle in my breast Lissa. It has become a wildfire since. I waited for it to go away but working with him as I have has only strengthened it these past couple years. I felt enraptured in a way I never felt... Part of why I have been so keen to blast down these suitors is because I know there is a man who could give me what I want."

"So why don't you tell Robin? Royal advisor or not he's the most laidback person when it comes to all that customs plop. Well, second most after me I guess."

Maribelle had to bite a laugh back, she wanted to get her point across.

"I think you're missing one-point Lissa. That's wholly inappropriate for a noble lady, even more inappropriate when you factor in that he is my boss."

Lissa gave Maribelle that familiar look of exasperation she reserved just for her.

"You just told me about how he danced with you at a wedding to make you feel better and something about a candle in your boob. Maribelle, he may be your boss, but don't be so silly."

"Could you broach the subject with him when you see him next?"

"Eh! Wha-Maribelle that's soooo ridiculous. You see him every day!"

"Please Lissa, you don't have to mention me by name just ask what his dating plans are or something, he's bound to tell you he can't keep a secret from you."

"I guess…I think you're being a bit stupid Belle, but I love you and I want to see you happy. So, I will ask about it."

The pair laughed and began trying to strategize about how to ask the master of strategy where his love life lay. Though Lissa had already made up her mind.

…

Maribelle returned to her own Villa that night, courtesy of Frederick accompanying her through the woods separating the castle from the other plots of land in possession of the royal family. When she arrived, there was a package stuck to her door with magic that seemed to have been designed to keep whatever it was safe from damage from the elements. She pulled it away from the lock and after getting inside and lighting a torch, unwrapped it. There was a note concealing what it was so Maribelle set the item on her bedside table, and after bathing and changing into pajamas she finally disturbed the magic that had been protecting it. At a whiff she thought she knew what it was but before confirming she read the note, her heart thumping.

Dear Maribelle,

I know you said before I left for Chon'sin that you didn't want any gifts for doing your duty. However, as you are already the High Magistrate of Ylisse I felt asking you to take on my duties as Royal Advisor for an indefinite amount of time was above and beyond what you should be required to do. Because of your faithful execution of both your duties and mine I decided to get you this. I know you will lecture me about the gold spent to procure such a gift but you deserve extravagance whatever you may tell yourself.

I take your threats about me not working seriously,

Robin

Maribelle looked at the box and nearly choked on the air. It was a small box of Valmese Tieguanyin Tea, that had to be worth in excess of one thousand gold. Tea enthusiasts said the tea was imbued with magical properties which meant you could use the same leaves seven times before they lost their ability to make a wonderful cup. Maribelle sniffed three times before she began to cry.

"NAGA DAMN HIM! DAMN HIM FOR HIS KINDNESS!"

Though her outward voice was bursting with rage, none of it was real. She was overjoyed that Robin had remembered she disliked coffee and preferred tea. But this?! It was almost like he knew she had feelings for him and was intent on making them deeper. When she saw Lissa the next day she would beg if she had to for her most trusted confidant to deal with this unintentionally romantic man.

Hey guys, TnT here with another Robin story for those wondering what happened to L.A.S. the writing was getting garbage so I decided to split my original concept and stick with a just Maribelle story which some of this material was salvaged from. Tieguanyin Tea is a real tea that sells for 3,000 dollars a kilogram and the thing about seven uses a leaf is also derived from that kind of Oolong. I apologize for the delays (my immune system hasn't cooperated, and I burnt my dominant hand too badly to type for a couple weeks). The Sumia story will happen eventually, I'm just conflicted. Part II of this will be up today.