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Robin paced endlessly through her tent.
Gods. I'm hopeless.
Staring at her desk, she sighed at the unorganized mess it had become. Papers and maps lined the desk, which were entirely covered with various bits of flowers, leaves, and ribbon. In the center of the desk was a messily bundled bouquet that was barely held together with a purple ribbon.
If it wasn't for this damned war I would be able to just pay someone to do this.
Robin felt too embarrassed to ask any of her friends for help. She could barely ask Sumia for the ribbon and where to find some nice wildflowers nearby.
War hadn't been kind to their group. It had been a long time since they had been back home in Ylisse, having spent the last leg of their campaign in Valm. Being on the road meant that resources and time were far and few between. Before the Valmese war, she could've waltzed into any florist in Ylisstol and paid for the most beautiful bouquet. On the road, she had to rely on her own shoddy skill in floral arrangement.
Robin's stomach twisted. She didn't enjoy feeling like she was rushing things. The famed Tactician of Ylisse never rushed things- at least not without making plenty of calculated risks. But this was different.
Say'ri was destined to leave soon.
Now that Walhart and the Valmese army were defeated, Say'ri was free to return to Chon'sin to reclaim her homeland.
Say'ri…
A warm feeling passed through Robin for a moment as she thought of her. The feeling then shifted into a sinking feeling deep in her gut.
She had never intended to develop feelings like this for another person. Robin was supposed to be devoted to her work. Chrom and the Shepherds needed her. They didn't need a lovesick fool of a Tactician who was flirting with the very idea of settling down with someone else who wasn't even from Ylisse. Let alone with the princess of another country.
She didn't even know if Say'ri felt the same way. For all she knew, she was going to humiliate herself with this plan. But she had to try.
All plans have a pro and a con.
Pro: she says yes.
Con: …she says no and you are the biggest fool in the army.
Pro: she says yes and everyone is supportive.
Con: she says yes and everyone hates you for wishing to abandon your job to move to another country to be with her.
“Con: you ask a princess to marry you despite your lack of social standing.” Robin sighed to herself.
She looked back at her desk. Her heart rate spiked.
I have to do it.
Moving the bouquet aside, she reached for a paper and her pen to write down a quick note. Folding it into an envelope, she wrote a name, and hurried out of her tent.
The sun would be setting soon. The sky was just beginning to shift into a light blue with the faintest of yellow hues beginning to find their place. The breeze helped Robin keep a cool head as she marched over to a familiar tent. She did a quick scan of the area to check for any watchers, then slid the letter under the tent door flap and then turned to run back to her own tent.
Oh gods, I have to do this now. I can't back down.
Robin tried to steady her nerves, but this was easily becoming a losing battle.
Just go and wait. Waiting in here will only make you feel worse.
With a deep breath, Robin reached for the messy bouquet and left her tent again.
Not far from their camp was a quiet spot over a hill. It was a great place to see the sunset or the stars in the evening. Robin figured it would be her best spot to wait. Sitting in the grass, she fiddled with her coat, buttoning and unbuttoning it to fidget her worries away.
She closed her eyes as the breeze picked up, feeling the winds embrace. She could handle this. She certainly had dealt with worse during the war.
She let her thoughts drift back towards Say'ri. The princess had surprised her when she joined their forces. Though she had fled her homeland, she fought valiantly with rebel forces to reclaim her home. It made Robin shudder to think about what would've happened had their army not joined the fight.
Robin enjoyed the quiet evenings she would spend with Say'ri. They had ended up on late night guard duties around camp a few times by chance, which led to many conversations. She enjoyed hearing Say'ri talk about her home- the different customs and cultures. Say'ri taught her about different foods and teas and festivals and Robin noticed how much she lit up when she talked about it. She could listen to Say'ri talk for ages.
When she had told Say'ri that she wanted to see Chon'sin some day, she originally meant it as just a leisure tip or on a diplomatic trip with Chrom to strengthen their allied ties. Now she couldn't help but picture a future there- a dangerous thought.
Robin heard footsteps behind her, her eyes quickly snapping open.
“Good evening, Robin. You summoned me?”
Robin turned around to see the beautiful princess approach. Without her armor, she wore a white cloth shawl that covered a short purple dress.
Robin felt a bit plain in comparison, realizing she should've maybe dressed up more- at least not in her standard coat and armor.
Say'ri held up the letter. “I wasn't expecting this.” A small smile lined her face.
“Y-Yes. Thank you for coming.” Robin stood up, while awkwardly holding the bouquet behind her back.
“For what reason do you call for me?” Say'ri stopped in front of Robin.
“I-I have something for you. Something to say-” Robin stopped herself. She had never felt more uneasy in her life.
Despite her shaking hands, she revealed the bouquet and held it out towards Say'ri.
“Ay, what beautiful flowers.” Say'ri took the bouquet, admiring each flower individually. “Thank you, Robin. But I have to ask what the occasion is.”
Here we go…
“W-Well… Y-You see, I can't actually get you the real thing, but I wanted you to have something-” Robin started mumbling to herself.
Say'ri looked concerned for a moment, before moving a hand up to Robin's cheek.
“Breath, Robin.” She said, barely above a whisper.
Nearly melting at the touch, Robin did as she was told and took a deep breath in and out.
“I meant to say… I couldn't get you a ring.” She avoided all eye contact.
“A ring? What for?” Say'ri asked.
“Um, in Ylisse people gift rings when they want to… ask someone to marry them.” Robin's voice petered off.
“Oh!” Say'ri's eyes widened.
“So… the flowers are the best I can do…” Robin muttered, embarrassed.
“You wish to marry me? Truly?” Say'ri asked.
Robin's heart nearly broke out of her chest as she realized how ridiculous this whole situation was. “I'm sorry- I shouldn't have asked. I'm sure this isn't even feasible. I mean, you're a princess and I'm nothing- and I'm not even from your home and-”
Robin was interrupted as Say'ri placed a finger against her lips.
“Robin, let me speak.” Say'ri moved her hand back and looked over the bouquet again. “I would happily accept your proposal.”
Wha…?
“Robin, I care for you deeply, you know.” Say'ri moved closer to Robin, mere inches between them now. “I have found my home is by your side. To be near you is enough for me to feel like everything is going to be okay. As if the war never existed.”
Robin's legs felt like they were going to give in.
“To have you and your love would be the sweetest gift in this life.” Say'ri whispered, right before she pressed her lips against Robin's.
Robin held her breath as her arms moved to wrap around Say'ri's waist.
This is real.
Their kiss deepened for a moment, before Say'ri pulled away, allowing for Robin to get a breath again.
“I didn't know you felt the same way.” Robin said, head still fuzzy.
“I promise you have nothing to fear about my status.” Say'ri kissed Robin's cheek. “I can't wait to show you Chon'sin.”
“I'm excited as well.” Robin smiled.
“Someday we shall be wed under the cherry trees of my home.” Say'ri leaned in for another kiss.
“Well, should we tell the others the news?” Robin asked.
“Nay, I wish to indulge in you a little while longer first.” Say'ri said with a smirk.
“As you wish.”