Fire Emblem: Fates x Reader Oneshots

Live to Serve (Jakob x Reader)

You woke to a soft knock at the door to your chambers. The sky was dark outside your window and the fire in the hearth had burned down to embers. You had no idea what time it was, only that it appeared you had fallen asleep in your armour once again, face down in the various strategic maps and documents scattered across the tiny table. This had become a common occurrence in recent weeks. Sleep was always hard-won in times of war.

"Come in," you called, trying and failing to mask the exhaustion in your voice.

The door clicked open and your butler, Jakob, entered carrying a large silver platter.

"I apologise for waking you, Lady [Name], but when you didn't show up to dinner I thought you might be hungry."

"Oh, Jakob, you didn't have to. I'm not hungry." The heavy burden of war had been weighing on you of late. Even just the thought of food made your stomach turn. But you couldn't deny the smell that wafted into your room was torture on your empty stomach.

"Nonsense, you need to eat. You have to keep your strength up in times such as these."

You could not deny he was right and you resolved to try, just for him. "Yes, of course. Thank you, Jakob."

He set the platter down in front of you, rolling up the maps and setting them back in their places on your shelves. He then busied himself with stoking the fire and lighting new candles. Soon, he had a cheery, glowing atmosphere filling the room and you felt just a little of the sleepy fog lift from your mind. You sighed contentedly as you breathed in the aroma of the food. He had kept it warm for you.

"You are too good to me, Jakob," you sighed.

"I am merely doing my job, milady," he said and you did not press the subject. That man could be frustratingly humble.

He began tidying the room while you ate. He paused as he noted that your bed had not been slept in but chose to say nothing, fluffing the pillows and straightening the duvet as if nothing were amiss. But you knew he worried about you. He had devoted his life to you, followed you even through your most questionable decisions. He was far more than you deserved.

When you had finished eating (though you'd only managed a few bites) he took the plate away and returned with a steaming kettle in his hands.

"Would you like me to brew you some tea, milady?"

"That sounds lovely. Will you join me?"

"It would be my pleasure, milady." He busied himself with the tea, setting two porcelain teacups down on the table between you. "I've whipped up a special blend just for you. Chamomile and valerian root to help relieve stress and promote a good night's rest."

He poured the tea, first for you then for himself, before taking his seat opposite you at the table. You inhaled the fragrant aroma of the brew. No matter the blend, the scent always had a calming effect on you. It smelled of familiarity. Of home.

"Thanks you, Jakob," you said. "For everything."

"No need, milady."

The two of you sat in silence for a time, but as you watched Jakob over the rim of your teacup, it became increasingly apparent that he had something urgent to say, but was simply too polite to say it.

"Go on, out with it."

He jumped slightly. "I don't know what you mean, milady," he said hurriedly, burying his nose in his tea only to cough and sputter when he inevitably scalded his tongue on its contents.

"I've known you practically my whole life, I can tell when something is wrong." You place your teacup down in front of you and leaned forward, catching and holding his gaze with yours. "So, out with it. Or do I have to command you?"