Chapter Text
Lucina smiled politely as she walked through the ballroom to her assigned seat. It was yet another holiday, and her father was obligated to throw some sort of party. Similarly, she was obligated to attend as the head of a newly birthed noble house.
Robin, in his forethought, had written out a detailed plan for how to install Lucina as head of the lands confiscated from the old hierarch's family after his betrayal. Technically, she was inheriting it from Robin as he had been the official new head in return for his services. However, he had been rewarded it after his disappearance.
Her husband had still not returned from vanquishing Grima, but she maintained the belief that he would return. She had led the charge in trying to find him initially, but that proved unsustainable. Lucina simply could not keep gallivanting off.
Lucina passed a group of noblewomen gushing of a newly pregnant comrade, but when they noticed her, their smiles turned a bit more scandalous as their tones became whispers. Lucina ran her hand over her stomach as she continued on her way.
Unfortunately, their marriage had been a private affair, but when Lucina was made head of a noble house after her husband was declared missing in action, well, the rumors started flying. At first, they mostly defamed her as a gold digger, however, as it became harder and harder to hide the fact that she was with child, other theories surfaced.
Namely, they accused Robin of getting her pregnant and quickly covering his tracks. Not an unheard of situation for men of power. None of them had ever heard of her, and they took efforts to keep her out of the center stage so that no one would notice her brand. As far as the gossiping noblewomen were concerned, she was a nobody, though stories differed on who took advantage of who.
Sitting down, Lucina casually played with her food for a bit until she noticed someone sit down next to her.
"Sadly, not all nobles hold themselves to the same standards as I do," Maribelle smiled slightly, "Do not let them get to you."
"Ah, thank you, Lady Maribelle," Lucina smiled lightly, "But I do not care about what they say about me. It is of little consequence so long as it does not affect my family."
"Chrom and Sumia seem to have evaded most scrutiny from the gossip as he is a hero," The noblewoman reassured, "But you're still troubled."
Lucina focused on her plate as her expression hardened, "I do not care what they say about me. It's when they say things about Robin that I-I get angry. They lump him in with all those unsavory men, but he was a complete gentleman. In fact, it was I who…he was a complete gentleman."
"We know that, dear, but some of the noble women seem to have little more to do with their time than come up with lurid tales to spice up their dreary lives. Do not let it discourage you. The Shepherds know that he is a man of character."
Lucina finally smiled a little, "Thank you, Lady Maribelle. You can be quite insightful."
"Well, the nobility is my specialty. Though do let me know if they grow to be too much. I may not be particularly popular among the gossip circles, but I have learned how to deal with them and their ilk. Helps that I carry no small amount of weight these days."
"Thank you, but I don't think that will be necessary. It may irritate me, but I can control it. They can have their gossip, but I do wish Robin would hurry home."
"Well said. I shall have to reprimand him for keeping a lady waiting. To think he had come so far in his lessons."
"Oh? What lessons?"
"Ah, right, I suppose he would not have mentioned it. When he realized his feelings for you, he sought me out to learn about proper courting procedures for the nobility and the like. He seemed to want to know what someone of your status would be expecting."
"Hmm, now that you mention it, he was not quite so formal, but he did stay within the general protocol. What I remember of it anyway"
"Good. I did not expect him to follow it as strictly as I made Ricken follow it, but it does not hurt to follow a little tradition."
"I see. Well, I thank you for helping him. I had no idea."
"Then I suppose I did not do a good enough job," Maribelle smiled with a glint in her eyes, "It should have been painfully evident someone had given him pointers in how to behave."
This got Lucina to giggle, her sense of humor having slightly grown under her husband's tutelage, "As I said, he did not follow it too strictly."
"All the more reason to give him a stern talking to upon his return."
"I would prefer a word with him before any scolding."
"Of course. As is your right."
Lucina smiled softly as they ate in amiable silence for a bit, "Thank you, Lady Maribelle. For cheering me up."
"I believe that is, as they say, what friends are for. Besides, you had more important matters to attend to growing up than learning how to handle petty gossip. It is only fair that someone more experienced lend you aid."
"Of course," Lucina smiled, "I am indebted for your aid."
"You have done more than enough for us. Though, if you insist, give your husband a stern talking to about making his friends worry when he returns and we shall call ourselves even."
Lucina giggled, but in truth, she could not be mad at him for his decision. She could not say she would not have done the same. She still missed him terribly though. All she could do now though was hope he would be home in time for the birth of their child.