Fire Emblem - Awakening: March Prompts

Blush

Sometime during her childhood. Emmeryn

These council meetings are so boring... Especially since they've talked about nothing but war! And why do I have to be here? Isn't Father always saying how the deep parts of war are not for the eyes and ears of a seven-year-old girl?

Everything was nothing but war. To what should we distribute our resources? The war. What should all of our energy be spent on? The war. What should taxes be all about? The war. Why are many innocent Plegians and Ylisseans dying? The war.

Father's thirst for winning this war was going to bleed Ylisse dry if he didn't do anything reasonable. Not only did he want to eradicate any trace of the Grimleal or any Grima worship, but supposedly, there was an 'Heir of Grima' running loose and must die. Thousands of people died because of some hypothetical idea.

Sometimes, I thought my father was possessed. The difference between him now my early memories of him were like night and day. He had always had anger issues and was nothing short of commanding, but something just felt...off. Not even the peaceful and loving presence of Mother could calm him.

"Generals. Report." Father's gruff voice spoke, causing each general of a certain portion of the army stand. I already knew this process. He would call the leaders up one by one and have them report on their soldiers.

A warm hand fell on my back, snapping me away from my dreary state. "Don't slouch, Emmy," Mom said, flashing me a smile.

I mustered what I could of a smile back. "Sorry." I looked back down at the council, completely drowning out the dull voices of the military leaders.

Before long, a woman with long blonde hair stepped up, dressed in the traditional garb of the Pegasus Knights. I knew who this was: Commander Lillith of the Pegasus Knights. I tried my best to remember the names of the important people of Ylisse, but it was hard. I just knew who Lillith was because she was easy to pick out in a crowd. What surprised me was that there was someone with her. A young girl - who looked to be at least three or four years my senior - with pale blue hair followed the woman closely.

"Commander Lillith of the Pegasus Knights, sir." Lillith bowed, the girl following. I was always amazed by the Pegasus Knights and what they could do. I longed to fly on the back of a pegasus; not to fight, but for the feeling of being free.

Father raised an eyebrow. "And who is this?" he asked.

Lillith stepped aside, allowing the girl to step forward. As I got a better look at her, my heart started to flutter. For a young girl, she already had a stern looking face and piercing amber eyes. Her hair was pulled into a tight bun, braids holding it together. She looked just like a female knight in my storybooks.

"This is Phila, my niece, and apprentice," Lillith spoke. "Although she is still very young, I have named her as my official successor. As soon as she is of proper age, of course."

"Do you plan on retiring, Commander?" Father's tone was accusatory. "Because now is not the time to abandon the battlefield. Especially when I have...certain ways to make you stay in battle."

Blackmail. It's always blackmailing with him. How many people does he have control over? How many loved ones are in captivity because of him?

She shook her head. "Not at all, my lord. What I simply mean is that if I were to fall, the Pegasus Knights would have a temporary leader until Phila is old enough to take over."

Phila flinched at her aunt's words. Now if it was because of pressure or the thought of her dying, I did not know. Either way, I wanted to run right up to her and hug her.

"I-it's an honor to be in your presence, Your Grace," Phila said with a bow.

Father huffed. "As you say, Lillith. Carry on with your report."

And so, there droned on the report. I quickly lost interest. However, that interest was instead focused on Phila. I couldn't seem to take my eyes off of her. I felt some sort of connection that I couldn't even describe. Gods, I must really want to be her friend!

Phila, sighed, awkwardly fidgeting from standing at attention for so long. She spared a glance upwards, catching my eyes. We both froze, not knowing what to do. I decided to wave at her, suddenly wanting to shrink back in my chair. I expected her to completely avert her gaze and never look at me again.

But, to my shock and delight, she offered a small smile back. Being distracted at the moment, we both failed to notice as her aunt started to guide her away, having finished her report. A rush of sadness filled me. But I wanted to see her more! I wonder if there's a way I can talk to her after this...

"Emmeryn, is everything all right?" Mother asked, face pinched with concern.

I looked up at her, confused. "Yes, I'm fine," I whispered back.

A hand fell on my forehead, feeling around. "Are you sure? Your face is flushing pretty bad."

That made whatever this blush was to increase. Have I been blushing this whole time?! "Wh-what?" Oh, gods, this is so embracing! "I-I, er..."

"Is there a problem?" Father glared in our direction.

I felt a whole slew of emotions, shame being a prominent one. "N-no, Father. Not at all."

"Good. Now, where were we?"

What is going on with me? I probably made a huge fool of myself in front of the whole council! And in front of Phila! This is a nightmare!

As I glanced up, my eyes fell on Phila once more. However, she too had a faint shade of blush on her face, along with her trying her very best to conceal her giggles.

My heart did that thing again. Actually, maybe it wasn't as bad as I thought. I may have made a fool of myself to everyone else, but not to Phila. And that's all that really matters.

*****
And so it begins! I've said it before and I'll say it again: Emm is just an anxious bean who wants to kiss girls. Anyway, I'm super excited to start posting these prompts! It feels like forever since I did one of these. Once again, very excited. Thank you so much for reading and look forward to reading more!

Next Prompt: March 4th - "Clover"

Link: https://youtu.be/nwqaoLPGNXY