Chrom
6 Months Later...

"Just like that, Chrom! Keep on swinging!"

"Got it!"

Veronica, the Master-of-Arms and my main trainer, shouted commands to me as I slashed a training dummy. Ever since I started formal training in swordplay, my life became so much better. I didn't feel guilty for training, I was no longer endlessly restless, and it's even been easier to focus!

The past six months have definitely been though, but I was pushing through. I barely even saw my friends anymore. Sully was officially initiated into the Knights Academy recently, which took up most of her time. She still lived in the castle, but it was hard to catch her in-between lessons. To my surprise, Sumia signed up for the Pegasus Knights! Naga only knows how rigorous her training regimen is. However, it was a relief to know that Cordelia was with her. The two were best friends; I trust them to take care of each other.

Outside of training and school, most of my time was spent with my sisters. Lissa frequently requested my aid with her Fleurien; she wasn't understanding the language as well as I did. Besides Emm and her new best friend, a noble girl named Maribelle, I was her go-to playmate. Our favorite game is to go out into the gardens for an "adventure".

Emm, on the other hand, was getting busier and busier by the day. Her 18th birthday was in less than a week, and all of the Nagamas preparations were on her shoulders. I gladly took her place as Lissa's babysitter, but she still insisted on helping. Not only that but along with her various duties as Exalt, she took it upon herself to oversee all of my training.

And when I said oversee, I was not kidding.

"B-be careful! Don't hurt yourself!" Emm called from her place on the sidelines.

I let out a huff of breath, the cold December air turning it to fog. I know what I'm doing!

Whenever I trained, Emmeryn accompanied me to watch. And I meant every time I trained. I honestly wished that she wouldn't watch me. It took up so much time out of her day. Still, I did not have the heart to ask her to leave. I knew she only meant well.

My iron sword was freezing in my gloved hands; it was almost too hard to grip! My entire body was numb and stiff. I couldn't wear the many layers of cold protection like everyone else since they were difficult to move in.

"Halt!" Veronica shouted. She waltzed over to me, her violet ponytail swinging with each step. "That's enough for today. It is much too cold to continue on."

I planted the sword into the ground. "Should we move inside? It's warmer in there."

The Master-of-Arms shook her head. "Maybe some other day," she retorted. "Some of the other trainees were upset with the, um, state you left it in last time."

I puffed out my cheeks, frowning. "Isn't it normal to break things while training!"

 "Not of your caliber, my prince," Veronica chuckled.

"Could we find a more secluded place to train?" Emm asked, boots crunching on the light blanket of snow that covered the ground. "I don't want anyone getting sick or injured in the cold!" She wrapped a navy-blue cloak around me, securing it tightly. "Here, you must be freezing!"

I could barely move my arms. Or breathe. "Th-thanks, Emm..."

"I'll look into it, Your Highness." Veronica bowed. "I shall leave you two to your business." With that, the unsheathed my blade from the ground and began to clean up the training area.

Emm quickly rushed me back into the castle. "Are you sure you want to keep training like this?" she fussed. "You could just wait until after winter is over!"

I shook my head. "No, Emm. That's not how it works," I said. "If I don't train consistently, my skills won't improve at all!"

"But you already train so much-"

"I train every other day!" I exclaimed. "Emm, I can handle myself! I'm not a little kid!"

She hesitated with her next words. "But...but you're still so young to me... I still see you and Lissa as young children..."

"Emm..." I let out a breath and struggled out of my cloak cocoon. I pulled her into a hug. "I know it's hard for you to understand that we're getting older, but you can't just treat us like children our whole lives!"

She swallowed thickly. "All I ever wanted was to give you and Lissa the childhood I was never allowed to have..." she murmured.

That's why this is so hard for her... She just wants us to have the life of normal children our age... "I'm so sorry, Emm."

"Please, don't." She shook her head. "I'm just worried that all of this is too overwhelming. That all of these lessons are too much. I want you to be able to live your own life outside of being a royal! I don't want to become Father!"

"And you won't," I smiled. "This training is my choice. No one else's. I enjoy it. You're giving Lissa and me the perfect life. We couldn't ask for a better Big Sister."

Her face lit up. "T-truly?"

"Yes!" I hugged her tighter. "We can't live without you! All we ask is that you trust us more."

A few silent moments passed. Then, she sighed: "...All right. I will."

"Thank you, Emm. That really means a lot."

"EMM! CHROM! COME PLAY WITH ME AND MARIBELLE!" Lissa's voice echoed throughout the halls, followed by running footsteps.

She soon rounded the corner and spotted us, breaking into a full on sprint. She was dragging poor Maribelle by the hand, her blonde curls bouncing. "Lissa! Slow down!"

Emm and I exchanged a glance. "I'm impressed that Maribelle can tolerate her antics for so long," I chuckled.

"Indeed," she smiled. "But, she is our little sister. We must attend to her, too."

"Of course."

*****

Sad Emm wants her siblings to be happy. I'm now realizing that Chrom is getting to the point where he'll be taller than her, soon. Yay, growth spurts. XD Thank you so much for reading and look forward to reading more!