Chapter Text
In an enormous, lone building standing on a cliff, a small girl with bright blue eyes and hair gold as lightning with a white streak in it, was sitting on the windowsill, looking out on something that people of the central region of Holy Fódlan Empire called “summer” (while it felt more like early spring for any person that had no roots to the North).
This girl was Cassandra Estefania Blaiddyd the I. One day, this seemingly small and innocent child would inherit not only the north - the whole Holy Fódlan Empire, taking the place of her father, King Dimitri.
But no one knew when this day would truly come. For now, she was still just your regular nine year old child, only born with a crown on her head.
And she was bored.
Usually, at this time she was already leaving for her training. But not today.
Cassandra was dead set on locating her father and making him play with her. As far as she remembered, her old man already owed her about 12 games.
Dolls that were thrown around her playroom bored her to death, her mother was away from the capital again, busy with the Monastery business, and Norn… Eeeek, no.
“No, it has to be papa’s turn,” Cassandra was thinking while carefully sneaking towards her father’s office. “He promised me”.
As soon as Cassandra showed up, the guards around the office door immediately bowed to the young princess, and allowed her through with zero questions.
“Okay, I think this is it for today,” Cassandra pressed her ear against the door and recognized her Uncle Felix’s voice.
“Absolutely fantastic. Looks like this day decided to leave us without breaks,” and this was her father’s already exhausted voice.
Cassandra rubbed her hands together and chuckled.
“Oh no, looks like you will get your break. How about now?” She thought and opened the door.
“Papa! Come and play Battle of Lion with me!!” The girl loudly announced, giving her father and her always gloomy uncle a bright smile.
Starled Dimitri had to lean over to the side to look at his daughter, since he couldn’t see anything under all those papers, while Felix rolled his eyes. Here it goes again…
“Cassie… I always asked you - do not go in while I am working-” he couldn't say the rest, since Cassandra already took him by his hand and began slowly pointing towards the exit.
Dimitri could only awkwardly laugh and shake his head - he always felt bad for refusing his precious little princess.
Looking at this, Felix signed and coughed, attracting the king’s attention.
“Sorry, Your Highness, but for this day, your father is completely busy. Okay Boar, we don’t have all day, and I can’t put a signature for you”.
“Felix. Have a bit of patience here”.
“Understood. Maybe”.
Cassandra huffed. She was never the biggest fan of her uncle Felix, but before she could say anything, she noticed how her father carefully removed his hand from her grip.
“My sorry Cassie. But for now, I am really busy. I will surely play with you later, do we have a deal?”
“12 games, dad . You owe me 12 games,” Cassandra said with puffed up lips. She only ever switched from “papa” to “dad” when she was annoyed.
And Dimitri also noticed it right away, and thought about what to do. He gave her a reassuring smile, like saying “I promise, I will pay everything up to you, and even double”.
“Maybe go play with Norn? I’m sure she missed her older sister”.
“I wish. But Norn always tells me to go away when I knock. Also, mom is in Garreg Mach and can’t play with me. Only you are left”.
Dimitri got up and patted Cassandra on the head. In comparison to his tiny daughter, the King looked like an actual giant.
He saw his little girl’s soured up face and breathed in. Sadly, being the ruler of practically the whole continent that has been Holy Fódlan Empire for over 10 years for now.
Every day, he and Felix, his trusted right hand man, got buried with important documents, letters and organizing blanks to fill in. And every last of those letters had to be read carefully, either approved or disapproved.
Of course, Dimitri never complained about everything that has been dumped on him after the end of a tragic Crimson War that lasted over 5 years. Fódlan was in ruins and someone had to step up.
But sometimes, he couldn’t look at his daughter’s sad face and eyes, which were judging him for not playing with her. Byleth always told him how Cassandra inherited his puppy eyes, that is why it was always difficult for everybody to refuse her.
“Cassie, I’m sorry, but I swear that I will compensate everything I had promised to you,” Dimitri said and Cassandra once again gave him a sad look.
“Everything is perfect, papa. I understand that you have responsibilities to fulfill. Now, I am going to train and prepare to fulfill mine”.
Cassandra just kept quiet and closed the door.
Dimitri sat back in his chair, and let out a big sign. Felix, who this whole time was standing silent finally raised his clearly unhappy and judging voice.
“Why can’t you just lock the door, Boar, to prevent the young princess from coming in? And if she entered the office, why did you take so long to answer?” Felix talked, I’m between reading over and signing the send letters.
“Do not act like you are cold as ice with your own children. I remember you being just as soft on them”.
Felix rolled his eyes.
“But at least I always set clear boundaries, and when time is needed, l put my duty as the Shield of Holy Fódlan Empire first”.
“Felix, the girl is just lonely, l also promised to play with her. And while Byleth is away, l always try to be extra sweet to her”.
This was completely true. For some reason, even her own sister either couldn’t or sometimes openly didn’t want to play with her. And with his beloved wife being far away from home, Dimitri was Cassandra’s only friend.
“Who are you trying to trick here, Dimitri? Everyone knows that you constantly dote on both princess Cassandra and princess Norn, and it has been like this since forever. So, this excuse can work on anybody but me”.
Dimitri closed his eyes and smiled.
“You are the only one who is allowed to speak like this to me, Felix”.
“I don’t know if I am supposed to feel flattered. All l know is that you cannot allow yourself to play Daddy Daycare while on working duty. Remember this”.
Dimitri heard this, thought a little bit, and then turned to his right-hand man.
“Hey Felix. I just had an idea, can we talk?” as soon as he heard this, Felix raised his eyebrow. He didn’t like Dimitri’s tone at all.
Meanwhile, Cassandra went to the castle's park, instead of the training grounds. She laid on the grass and was looking over the sky.
She got used to the north’s summer coldness, so was not bothered by this at all. What she was truly bothered with - it was deep, immerse boredom.
Cassandra looked over, and suddenly, noticed her sister, sitting in the gazebo and quietly reading a book.
Being polite, Cassandra waved, but Norn openly ignored her, and then repeatedly coughed. What was she even doing in the park if her health is bad today?
Usually, Norn was spending her free, well, basically all time in her own private tower - yes, like the princesses in knight tales. And today, Cassandra remembered that her health today was not in the best condition, so why did she go outside?
“Hey, Norn!” Cassandra exclaimed, and her sister turned her head away as soon as she saw her. Then, she started coughing.
“My sister,” Norn got up after coughing, quickly bowed and then sat back. Cassandra awkwardly did the same.
“Hey Norn, want to play? I’m really bored here”.
Norn looked her sister dead into the eyes.
“Even if I could play with you, I don’t really want to right now. I only have one hour outside, before returning to the tower. You know I cannot play the games you usually play”.
Cassandra signed and turned away. Ugh. Once again, she was convinced that Norn and her have nothing in common. It was completely unfair - they were sisters, and by standards, supposed to be closest to each other.
But instead, they couldn’t be more different. And the barely visible age gap was not an issue at all - Norn and Cassandra just weren’t close, and no matter how much Cassandra wished for everything to be different, Norn seemed okay with how things were right now.
“Cassandra, I really want to *cough to finish reading this book. It has a great new spell that has interested me. Can you please leave?”
Could Cassandra really refuse her sick sister? So, she obeyed and left, and was alone once again. As soon as her sister left, Norn buried her nose in the book, and coughed a couple more times.
Cassandra herself was not in the mood to train at all so she laid down on the grass once again. Yes, it could have seemed spoiled of her weeping about boredom, but couldn’t help it - being only nine, and having known only palace life, it was hard for her to not complain about this.
Especially when her father - her hero and best friend doesn’t have any time for her anymore…
“Pardon me, what now?” startled Felix said, when Dimitri really caught him off guard. A couple of hours passed after their last talk with Cassandra, when Dimitri suddenly approached Felix with a weird request.
“Exactly what I said. We had this deal either way, why not send your kids to us sooner?”
“Boar. You must be joking. Derek is the same age as the young princess right now. How can he be expected to become a proper appointed knight for now?”
Dimitri signed.
“I am not talking about the position of appointed knight, both of our kids are way too young to worry about this. I am saying through the position of friendship,” Felix immediately understood where Dimitri was hinting and rolled his eyes.
“Want to try a similar thing our old men did? Remember, Glenn and I were moved to Fhirdiad at a similar age. Oh, how “excited” I was to play with you and those other two brats. And I had to live here, along with you, for a pretty long periods of time” On this, Dimitri chuckled.
“Do not pretend you didn’t enjoy our games”.
“Well I did. But doesn’t mean I want the same thing for Derek. He needs to train every day to be ready to take on my duties at any moment. And Frances is… Ahem”.
“Oh Sothis, Felix, let kids enjoy life for a bit, before throwing them into school and then leadership. Like we all did”.
Felix understood where his old friend and King was coming from. Still, he could not just accept his request without attempting to “negotiate” by his method.
“You're just asking me because someone can’t find time for his own kid. Well Boar, your game debt will not disappear, even if you throw Derek and Frances at the young princess”.
“Says the person who had left his house to work here,” Dimitri immediately replied, and Felix had gotten quiet.
“Okay-okay, I give up. Doesn’t mean I agreed to this, I must discuss everything with Alexandra first. I wouldn’t even need to ask Derek and Frances - they have been dying to see the palace since they could talk,” said Felix, and immediately regretted saying this, as Dimitri was giving him a smug look.
When they both had their kids, Dimitri and Felix had a deal about Felix’s son Derek coming to live in the palace for long periods of time and train to be Felix’s successor and Cassandra’s appointed knight. Maybe arrive with his twin sister Frances as a package deal.
But Felix, who wanted his kids to be raised much more seriously, kept refusing to move them in and meet Cassandra, under whom they are planned to be serving. But, looks like this is about to change.
Felix and Dimitri talked a bit after already deciding the whole plan - it may take some preparations, but it was not impossible.
Only hardship was to move two kids in the palace on a pretty short notice, and also - so it would stay a surprise for Cassandra.
“Okay, then can I go now? Need to write a letter to Alexandra, hope to receive a positive response. And… You can write a similar letter to Her Majesty,” Felix said on his way out. He was in such a hurry that didn’t even notice a small figure stepping away from the door.
After Felix left, Dimitri breathed out and sat back into his chair. Like every other day, this day was extremely tiring mentally, especially adding to the fact that his beloved was not with him right now, and his daughter is breathing down his neck.
He took his already cold tea from his desk to ease some stress. But, as soon as he closed his eyes, someone quietly knocked on the door.
“Is this you Felix? Come in!”
Door was opened, and to Dimitri’s surprise, his younger daughter, Norn, was standing in her sleeping gown.
“Norn? Miracle, what are you doing here, isn’t it too late to wander through the palace by yourself?” Dimitri asked, and on this, Norn only curtsied.
“I heard you talking with Uncle Felix about getting people for my sister,” Norn took some steps towards her father, and he lifted her up, sitting her on his knees.
“Yes, that is true. Thing is, you know that Cassie is really lonely here, and I cannot always play with her. So, is this okay for you to move two more kids in here? They will not bother you or touch your things, but I still need your approval on this matter”.
Norn kept quiet for some time, then finally spoke up.
“Three”.
“Huh?”
“Father. I have listened to your and Uncle Felix’s talk, and now also want to have my own person my age like my sister”.
Dimitri was a bit taken aback by those words. Sometimes, his girl had a small problem with properly wording out her wishes, and that caused her to sound weird from time to time.
“Sorry, my miracle, can’t quite understand you,” Dimitri began to feel awkward over this. “Do you also want a friend for yourself?”
Norn only nodded.
“Does not have to be two, can be one. Just let it be anybody,” Norn said calmly, but with a lowered head. Great, and what Dimitri was supposed to do now?
He already had a candidate for Norn’s future vassal discussed and arranged, but this request from his daughter came literally out of nowhere. Norn kept silent, waiting for his answer.
Still, Dimitri breathed in and looked his little girl in the eyes.
“I will see what I can do. But - are you sure you want your own friend?”
“Yes”.
“Well, then I will try my best to negotiate with a person I know. She has a very well-behaved son, he is eight - only one year older than you. Do you want to become friends with a boy?”
“As long as he can protect me - yes,” said Norn, and then coughed a couple of times. Dimitri immediately picked her up and carried her towards her bed - Norn didn’t mind, she had gotten the reaction she wanted.
When they reached her room in the tower, Dimitri carefully put his daughter into the bed and covered her with all warm blankets. He even gave her some tea to ease up the coughing.
“Do not worry father, I can be okay without the bedtime story. Just leave *cough the spell book on the table near me”.
“Your wish is my command, my miracle,” Dimitri kissed his daughter on the forehead and sighed, looking at her. This poor girl, and he couldn’t do much to help her…
“Thank you,” Norn said and turned away.
He spent some time tucking Norn to bed, so when he was returning to his office, it was already a deep night outside.
“Ugh. Looks like I would have to write two letters tonight,” he thought, and yawning, went to do exactly that.
My old friend Duchess Annette Fantine Dominic. Sorry to bother you, but I have an odd request…
For over a week, the palace has been going crazy - rooms for children were getting ready, and other arrangements were being made, while Dimitri had to still rule the Holy Empire like nothing was happening.
The King started to look like a dried, sleep deprived piece of bread, and circles under his eyes became even bigger than before.
But, all this hell will soon come to an end - two carriages were already visible from the palace’s window. Those were the kids and their families.
“Why do I have to dress my best? Is mama finally coming home?” asked impatient Cassandra, standing in front of a mirror and getting the last touches on her dress tailored.
“I am sorry Your Highness, but I don’t know. All I know is that His Majesty asked you to be on your best behavior today”.
“That’s no problem at all! But I wonder why papa doesn’t tell me anything. I know something is up with him”.
The servant only chuckled.
“Well, Your Highness, if it interests you, then you will know soon. We have already finished,” after those words, Cassandra quickly said thanks to her servant and rushed down the stairs.
While running off the stairs, she almost bumped into Norn, who was also dressed extremely well.
“Seriously? Be more careful”.
“Norn, do you know why papa called us down here? He was running around like crazy this whole week, but wouldn’t tell me anything. Maybe you know?”
Norn knew all about the plan, but chose to keep quiet - it had to be a surprise for Cassandra.
“I don’t know much more than you. Only thing I know is that you should stop stomping so loud. Are you a princess or a beast?”
“Oh shut up, that doesn’t concern you,” Cassandra puffed her cheeks, and ran to the meeting with the same loud feet stomping.
On this, Norn only touched her forehead.
“Father. Are you sure she is the oldest?” she thought and chuckled.
Meanwhile outside, the carriages with the noble kids stopped, and before a servant could open one, an excited girl with black hair and huge round glasses jumped out.
“Wow!! Derek, you see this?! Real palace, we are finally here!” The girl was pointing at the towers.
“Franny, have mercy on my ears,” a boy, the girl’s identical copy, also went out. “Don’t understand what you saw here - just a big fortress, nothing else,” said Derek, and immediately got a smack on his shoulder.
“Boo, you bore”.
“Hey! I’m not a bore, just I know what becomes of this beautiful castle after you go in there. You brought your equipment, right?” Derek said judgmentally, looking at his sister. On this, she got flustered a bit.
“No-no, I swear, I will be careful,” she laughed, and her brother laughed along with her.
“Oh no, you definitely will not be blowing up the palace. I still need you both in one piece,” the twins heard Felix’s voice from behind.
“DAD!” they screamed, and rushed to him. A woman with straight black hair and pale face - Felix’s wife Alexandra, who was still in the carriage just slightly smiled on this.
“What are you reading, sweetheart? You have been reading this book the whole time we rode here, and we almost arrived at the castle. Please, get ready”
“Sorry mother. I study how knights talk. For the princess”.
Those were Annette Dominic, and her younger son Lonato. Looking at all this, she gave her son a cute smile, and patted him on the head.
“You still need to know a lot to be a knight in the future. Just protect and play with the princess and everything will be great”.
“But I want to leave a good impression,” quietly said the boy. “I want the princess to see me like Knight Graham from father’s books”.
Annette sighed and then smiled once again. “Ashe…”
“You worry too much sweetheart. I am sure the princess will feel lucky to play with such a young, brave knight,” Annette reassured Lonato and his eyes sparkled.
“Are you telling the truth?”
“Of course I am - now, why don’t you look out of the window? We are almost there”.
Dominic carriage also stopped, and Lonato carefully exited out of it, still holding onto his mother’s hand. Now, Fraldaruis and Dominic families were finally welcomed into the castle, all for some children’s playdates.
But, all of the parents, even Felix himself, although he would never admit it, were happy about this event.
“This brings back so many memories…” Felix thought.
Cassandra was standing in the meeting room, having no idea what was going on. Everyone else kept silent, so she started to become annoyed over this. Why was it only her who was being kept in the dark? Her father and sister had to know something, at the very least.
Suddenly, a loud knock was made on the door.
Cassandra’s eyes wided - her Uncle Felix entered the room, accompanied by his wife and two kids, who the young princess heard about a lot. Then, it was turn for Annette and Lonato to enter.
Alexandra, looking at Annette and her son, bowed and pushed her children to do the same.
“Your Majesty, it is a pleasure to see you aga-”
“Are you the princess?!” one of the twins, Frances, interrupted her mother. Cassandra, seeing this, laughed and Frances got a stern look from her brother.
“Yes, Franny, she is the princess. That is why we were supposed to be on our best behavior today. Great start,” Derek rolled his eyes, but right off the bat noticed that Cassandra didn't mind such an informal introduction.
Alexandra kept silent. She always kept silent when something like this happened, so she just took Frances by the arm and led her away.
“Your Majesty, pardon my child’s behavior”.
Dimitri only smirked on this.
“They are only kids, Duchess Fraldarius. Easy mistake to make,” he then brushed this situation away.
“My dear friend Annette, it has been so long,” the king also greeted his former classmate with deep warmth in his voice.
“The feeling is mutual. By the way, when leaving the Monastery, Her Majesty asked to deliver you this,” Annette then handed her king an envelope.
Norn began to also grow impatient over having to keep her father’s secret plan to herself. She briefly touched his cape and whispered:
“Father, can we not stretch this out for any longer?”
Dimitri listened, and coughed, looking firstly at his children, then at his friends’ children.
“Okay, Cassandra, Norn. My old allies’ families are not here just to visit, especially with the kids”.
Cassandra, hearing this, got excited - she might not have been the smartest child ever, but even she understood where her father was leaning towards. The other three kids kept silent. They were a bit nervous - what if the princesses would not like them?
Dimitri continued, and finally announced the exciting news.
“Since this day and for three months, Derek, Frances and Lonato will be staying in Fhirdiad, at our home, and will be playing with you this entire time”.
A loud “YAY!!!” that Cassandra screamed out was probably heard by the whole Fódlan. Frances’s eyes also brighted.
“Cassie - Frances and Derek are Felix’s children, and are in training to be your protectors for the future. Go say hello” after those words, the twins got to their princess and bowed - so well in fact, that Frances’s glasses almost fell off, but Derek caught them in time.
“Your Highness Norn, Lonato will be your personal knight in the near future. Lonato, go to your lady,” Annette kissed her son on the forehead.
Lonato carefully walked and sat on one knee right in front of this small 7-year-old girl.
“Are you really a knight?” asked doubting Norn.
“Yes. I will train to be a knight to protect the Saint Royal Family in the future. I swear my life to you,” Lonato comically said, which got a chuckle out of usually apathetic Norn.
She appreciated the gesture - let the young knight in the making stand a little bit longer, then offered her hand to help him stand up. The kids then kept quiet for some time, not knowing what to say to the royals next.
“So… Why don’t you all try and get to know each other?” Dimitri broke the silence.
Hearing this, excited Cassandra immediately dragged Frances and Derek out, accompanied by the sighs of relief of the parents.
Norn and Lonato also left shortly after. Other parents didn’t seem to worry, but Dimitri looked a bit nervous. Felix then put his hand on his friend’s shoulder.
“They will manage, trust them at least a little bit”.
“And you are right again my old friend. Okay, how about we all go and eat a bit?” the king offered, and took his friends to eat some desserts, while praying inside that everything between his daughters and other kids will go smoothly.
Cassandra led her new acquaintances to one of the biggest halls in the castle, and was showing it around.
“Wow! Those are really big, princess!” Frances was saying with a huge smile on her face.
“Sooo… How about we all say proper hello?” Derek offered, with some shyness.
Cassandra smiled.
“Well, I am Cassandra Estefania Blaiddyd, but I want you to call me Cass - my name is way too long”.
Cue laughs from all three kids.
“Well, okay… Cass. My name is Derek, and this is my older sister Frances, or Franny as I call her”.
“Nice to meet you, Derek and Franny!” the young princess shook both of their hands.
“So, what are the princesses in palaces usually do?” Frances asked. “Based on what I read - nothing exciting”.
“Hm…” Cassandra got stuck a bit. “Since you are Uncle Felix’s kids, maybe you’d like to train?”
“NO!” the twins suddenly yelled out, that even the young princess got startled.
“Please no, swords and training sucks,” Derek, who Cassandra thought of as a complete copy of his father, said.
Suddenly, Cassandra fell on the floor laughing. And her laugh was so contagious, that the twins also started laughing with her, rolling on the carpet.
“Your father would definitely not accept this,” the princess said through laughing tears. The twins didn’t reply, only wanting this moment of childhood laughter to last a bit longer.
“Derek, I like her already! I thought she would be a bore, but she is so funny!” Frances whispered, and Derek also saw this - the princess now looked like a completely ordinary child, laughing and smiling like them.
“Then, if you don’t like to train - let me show everything around my home! There is a lot to see!”
“I want to show you my science results! You will like this!”
“Oh please no…”
The kids immediately started running around, happily laughing. Servants who saw them only smiled - they all missed periods when the castle was lively, and full of those kinds of laughs, when Queen Byleth was in Fhirdiad.
And, under the window of this exact hall, young Lonato was standing in the field full of flowers, and picking out the best for his little lady.
Norn, who had no idea how to properly talk with any new person, just enjoyed the fresh breeze outside.
“Your Highness, I brought those for you. Do you have any allergies?” Lonato suddenly returned, with a big bouquet in his hands.
“No. Erm, thank you,” the small princess accepted the flowers and Lonato sat beside her.
Then, Norn noticed a book peeking out of Lonato’s bag.
“What is this?” she asked.
“Oh… This one…” the boy’s ears turned a bit pink. “Nothing interesting for you, Your Highness, just a tale of a knight Graham”.
“Is he a historical figure?”
“Well, kind of - he lived in the time of King Loog, and got really famous over his endless victories in battle”.
Norn looked at the boy more carefully this time.
“So you like tales of knights? Now I see where you got your attitude from”.
“Well, my father is a knight, and I always wanted to be like him, sir Dedue and knight Graham. Then yes, this is true”.
“Can you read me this story? I never heard of this knight before,” Norn quietly asked, on which Lonato got a bit lost.
“Uhm, yes of course Your Highness,” he then opened up the book in front of Norn and started reading the story of a brave and also most romantic knight ever known.
Norn kept silent - maybe it wasn’t that bad for the first meet-up? Because she kind of liked it.
Meanwhile, after the women of Fraldarius and Dominic left, Dimitri was finally alone, reading Byleth’s letter:
Open up only for puppy eyes!
Hello my love. I heard the news from Annette. Thank you for finally agreeing on my long-time plan, I’m sure that our daughters are in good hands - I trust Felix and Ashe with Annette to raise good kids. Just make sure Norn wouldn’t scare the poor boy off.
Miss every one of you terribly. Promise, as soon as Church matters would be settled, I am fleeing home immediately. The work is crazy, can’t wait to hug you all.
Also!
Do not worry. Those kids are good and well-behaved, so again, our girls are going to be alright. Looking forward to actually meeting them again, though.
With love - your beloved
And as soon as Dimitri wanted to relax and be touched by the letter, a loud scream was heard throughout the castle:
“FRANNY!!! AGAIN?! DAD SAID - BE CAREFUL!”
“Sorry Derek, sorry Princess! But look how cool it is!”
“And she is right! The explosion was great!”
“You also, Princess? Really? This crazy person will blow up the palace one day!”
“Well-behaved kids, right…” Dimitri thought and started laughing out loud. Now, he was sure that his daughters were in good hands.