Prince of Fire Emblem: Conquest

[senselessness]

This time, they're traveling in a coach with doors and everything, and Lissa is grateful that the sound of the horses' hooves and the wheel rolling across the roads muffles her and Jackal's voices.

"He couldn't possibly--" she began, hands over her mouth in horror, but Jackal wasn't much of a joker.

"It would have been a better bargain for him in every conceivable way," Jackal said, relentlessly honest. "You'd be easier to control than Bunta or I, and it would completely paralyze Yukimura-sama to have you in his power."

"'Cause I couldn't get myself out of it," Lissa said quietly. Her axe was under the coach seat.

"Of course you could," Jackal said. "The uncertainty comes from whether you would. No one thinks you needed to do more, Princess."

"Everything was under control. None of you made this decision with your eyes closed."

"No, we worked hard to give the king exactly what he needed to know to make the choice, and we don't question it. He did what he had to do for everyone who depends on him."

In spite of his seriousness, Jackal smiled.

"What you did was endearing and I'm grateful, but all the--"

The coach lurched to a stop, and Jackal leaned out the door. A few hurried words with the driver, and he quickly stepped out to hold the door for Lissa.


Lissa quickly made sure she could reach both axe and staff in a hurry, before following him out. The Rikkai vanguard was mostly who she expected, Seiichi's most trusted friends and Seiichi himself, looking at Mizuki's entourage like he could read into their souls.

She wanted to throw her arms around him for real, just like she had when she saw the magical projection of him, but something stopped her. He wasn't exactly paying attention to her-- he was entirely focused on Mizuki.

There was no doubt she could command his attention, but perhaps... perhaps she shouldn't interfere with his decisions again.

Yukimura stepped forward.

"Have you received the word of your king, Mizuki-san?"