Marianne and the Forbidden Codex: A Fire Emblem Three Houses story

Determination

Marianne locked herself in her room for the rest of the day, not even coming down for lunch. She didn't want to see anyone; she waited until the next day to leave and finish this disastrous chapter in her life.

"I knew I was useless. I knew that the things they said to cheer me up were white lies. I'm just a nuisance. Either because of my condition or because they think I can't defend myself," Marianne said, covering her face with a pillow.

Meanwhile, everyone decided to train until a bit before dinner. Hilda reluctantly introduced it after lunch, arguing that there was no reason for it if it would just be a burden, while Claude made her desperate with a flurry of teasing as he pushed her run with a stream of shots from his bow.

Holst and Leonard, on the other hand, did not slow down at any time during that day. The intensity with which Leonard was fighting suggested a kind of spite and rage in the eyes of his sparring partner. It was clear that he was venting about the situation with Marianne.

Once they finished, Leonard cleaned up and put on more appropriate clothes to see his partner. He almost regretted knocking on the door of his room three times, but for no reason could not avoid clarifying the reasons behind that decision. Leonard knocked on the bedroom door, getting no response.

Looking at the door, Marianne thought, «Why should I answer...? I don't feel like I even deserve an apology. Or maybe yes. I'm angry; I don't recognize myself well... I don't want him to see me like that. But I want to show him that I don't like him to dismiss my efforts after having shown him... What do I do, Oh Goddess? ».

Next, the young man knocked on the door again, only receiving absolute silence. He knocked on the door ten times until the girl received him with a sad look and an angry grimace.

"Tell me, please, what do you need from me..." she said, taciturn.

"Marianne, I came to explain to you..." Leonard tried to comment but was immediately interrupted by her.

"We said there would be no secrets between us... But I don't know if I can listen to your reasons," she demanded, already expressing disgust. "You're hiding something from me... You feel like my curse can hurt everyone."

"This has nothing to do with the Maurice Crest you wear."

"So, what is it?" she inquired, avoiding looking at the young man.

"How can I tell you this, Marianne," Leonard began, trying to collect his thoughts while looking at the floor. "Ok, I'll make this short and to the point: you are my weakness."

"Weakness?" she questioned, already obviously furious. "I don't understand. You say this because I am a burden to you... Or it will be that I am fragile," Marianne lamented.

"On the contrary, Marianne," Leonard shook his head as he looked worriedly at his partner. "I can't question your ability to battle; your speed and grace to fight are strong points; they helped you a lot against the Death Knight."

"I don't understand, then," she replied, still upset.

"I love you, Marianne."

Leonard didn't get an answer right away. Marianne was silent for a long time, going from surprise, annoyance, embarrassment, and nervousness to end with a slight smile of laughter. The only thing he managed to do, however, was to lock himself in his bedroom again. «Why are you saying that? What does the fact that you love me have to do with not letting me come with you? » thought Marianne confused and somewhat annoyed at not understanding the situation.

The moment she closed the door, she felt Leonard's resistance. It wasn't an attempt to push her, far from it. Marianne had seen the man's strength in all the battles he had been in. Despite this, he was only stopping her from pushing further. After walking in that rhythm, Marianne let go of the door and walked away to sit on her bed. Leonard entered slowly and timidly, kneeling in front of his partner. Then he said: