A pair of matching icons I did for a donor for the North Korean refugee fundraiser I’ve been running over at @ask-north-korea. They requested Teutonic Knights and Knights Templar. I don’t draw either very much so this was fun and refreshing!
Odd,he thought, as he walked out of his music room and into the hallway. A littering of roses, lying haphazardly in his path as they led to another room further up the corridor. Red the colour of dark crimson blood, but not only that, white, as soft as the snow Erik saw in the cemetery only days before. Amused, he decided to follow the roses, picking his steps carefully so that he wouldn’t crush any of the soft petals underfoot. They led to the door of the dining room.
Softly opening the door, Erik peeked in and any breath that he had in him at that moment quickly escaped from his mouth. The table, which normally remained bare bar from the silver candelabra dripping with wax, had been laid. A crisp, white table cloth had been adorned and in the centre in a crystal vase sat more roses. The yellowed candles were alight, and there by the head of the table, was Christine, fussing around with the placement of some cutlery.
“My love?” Erik said, making Christine jump at his sudden voice. She looked up and smiled, drifting over to wrap her arms around him. He returned the embrace before pulling away and gestured to the table. “What on earth is this?” Christine looked over her shoulder, still smiling.
“Well… Today is the day that we were married three years ago… And you’ve already treated me today so this is my gift to you. I made us dinner!” She laughed then, a delicate little thing, and squeezed his arms, “I hope you like it. I almost burnt the biscuits earlier when you… distractedme.” Erik had the decency to blush at the last comment which only made her laugh more.
“I had no idea…” Christine led him to his seat and bade him to sit down.
“You know, for someone who is so very clever, you can be quite obtuse.” Erik shrugged, fingering the silver cutlery that gleamed like phosphorescent pearls in the light.
“It’s wonderful.” He murmured, his throat thick as he still got a little choked from gifts of love such as this. Christine, knowing her husband well, knew what was going through his mind and kissed him on his forehead. The mask was never worn in her presence and remained in a box in their bedroom for safekeeping.
“I would give you the whole world on a plate if I could, but I’m afraid dinner will have to suffice.”
“You already have.” Erik smiled, placing a hand on his wife’s stomach, marvelling that soon a creation of them both would soon be in this world. Christine smiled sweetly at that and laid her hand atop of his.
“To many more years of us against the world. You, me and… The baby.” He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her knuckles.
Masked Marth: Hello, Mia. Diligently training as ever, I see.
Mia: Oh, so YOU’RE the masked dude that everyone’s talking about! You’re Lord Marth of Archanea, aren’t you? Nice to see you here!
Masked Marth: But I don’t understand. Don’t you usually fight on the ground?
Mia: Eh, I sort of like flying. And besides, it’s Halloween! This pegasus matches my costume, so don’t worry about it.
Masked Marth: I see…
Mia: Hey, aren’t you wearing a costume too? I mean, I know you’re not really Lord Marth. He’s much kinder, and he seems to have a more graceful aura about him, or something. Tell me, who are you really?
Masked Marth: I’m afraid that will have to remain a secret. …For now.
Mia: Aw, really? Then how about this? If I beat you, then you’ll tell me your true identity!
Masked Marth: Is that a challenge?
Mia: Yes, it’s a challenge! Bring it on!
Masked Marth: Heh. I’ll have to accept. But, for another time. There are some duties that require my attention. Until then.
Mia: Hmm… He really does seem a bit interesting, I guess… Maybe he’s my true rival! The Hero-King Marth of Archanea! But, he’s just someone in a costume… Whatever. I’m gonna win, and I’ll find out their true identity!
[Mia and Masked Marth have reached support rank C.]
B SUPPORT
Mia: Hngh!
Masked Marth: Are you done yet, Mia? I thought you were going to beat me.
Mia: Grr… I’m not done yet! I’m gonna beat you, and I’m gonna find out who you really are!
Masked Marth: To be honest, you’re very strong. I can see why Ike places his trust in you as a member of the Greil Mercenaries.
Mia: Yeah, the boss is pretty cool. But Lord Marth, you’re pretty cool, too! I mean, not as cool as me in this witch costume, since I clearly put effort into it, but still cool.
Masked Marth: …Can you really not tell who I am?
Mia: Nope! Not a single clue. Why?
Masked Marth: Surely you’ve noticed something about my blade.
Mia: Your blade? But you didn’t use it. You were just using a regular sword…
Masked Marth: I know, but because I knew that you probably couldn’t handle the power of the Falchion.
Mia: The… Falchion? Where have I heard it before…? Oh. OH. Doesn’t Lord Chrom have a Falchion? And the real Lord Marth as well? Oh, and I think Alm had one.
Masked Marth: Precisely.
Mia: HOLD ON. I KNOW WE HAD A BANNER FOR THIS. …No. Freaking. Way!
Masked Marth: Have you figured it out?
Mia: You’re Lucina, aren’t you?
Masked Marth: Yes, I am.
Mia: Hm. So you decided to dress as Lord Marth for Halloween? That’s so cool! I would have never thought about crossdressing as my identical looking ancestor!
Masked Marth: When you put it that way…
Mia: Oh, sorry. But is Lord Marth okay with this?
Masked Marth: He knows my reasons for dressing up like this originally, so he allowed me to. But, thank you, Mia. That sparring match was fun, was it not?
Mia: Heck yeah it was! And it’s nice knowing that you’re just Lucina in a mask. Now, I don’t think I’ll be half as scared anymore!
[Mia and Masked Marth have reached support rank B.]
A SUPPORT
Mia: Now that I think about it, what are your original reasons for dressing like Marth?
Masked Marth: My original reasons? It was to save my future. I had to travel back in time, but of course, I couldn’t just reveal myself as their future princess Lucina. It would have given my father a heart attack, and I wouldn’t want that if I were saving him.
Mia: I guess that makes sense. But why Lord Marth specifically? Couldn’t you have just put on the mask without having to tie your hair up?
Masked Marth: To tell the truth, I could have. But I came from a grim future, and the people needed hope in order to keep fighting. And by my time, Marth had been a legend, so hearing his name gave people that hope.
Mia: …
Masked Marth: So yes, that’s why I dress like this. …Mia, what’s wrong?
Mia: I had no idea that’s what you’ve been through! You see, the boss lost his father, too, and he couldn’t save him. But you, Lucina… You pulled through. You were able to save your future. Honestly, you’re a freaking hero.
Masked Marth: I mean, I’m not as good as your boss, but I’ll accept the compliment.
Mia: Don’t be modest! You fight really well, and you’re super strong! Ylisse should be proud to have a princess like you.
Masked Marth: Thank you, Mia.
Mia: Now that that’s over with, let’s spar! I need to make up for my loss.
Masked Marth: (Isn’t she a bundle of energy…) Alright, then. I accept your challenge!
[Mia and Masked Marth have reached support rank A.]
S SUPPORT
Masked Marth: Hold on. You want me to take off my mask?
Mia: Just for a second. I want to see your real face. You’ve seen mine plenty of times, so it’s only fair! Plus, I did manage to beat you, so you promised!
Masked Marth: Okay, then…
Mia: Gods. You’re beautiful as well! Is there anything Lord Marth hasn’t passed down to you?
Lucina: Um, I don’t know?
Mia: I’m dead serious, though. You’re really beautiful. But my feelings aren’t worth anything if you don’t even love me back.
Lucina: Hold on, what?
Mia: You heard me! I love you, Lucina. I mean, you’re so cool, so brilliant, and I know you’re a princess and all, but I’m still confessing! After all these sparring matches, I’ve realized that you might be my rival, but I also want you to be my wife.
Lucina: Well, that’s a straightforward confession if you ever heard one…
Mia: I know it’s completely out of the ballpark, you know, since we live in different worlds, and I don’t know how beorc are treated in your world, but if you just give me a chance, I promise to prove myself!
Lucina: But you’ve proven yourself already, ever since the day I met you. Mia, I don’t care if you’re a beorc, or you’re just a mercenary, but… I love you as well.
Mia: Really?!
Lucina: I do. To prove that, here is the ring that my grandparents made for my father. If you wear it, it will signify our bond and oath to each other. Of course, you do live in another world, so if you want to think it over-
Mia: Of COURSE I’ll marry you, silly! We’ll never be separated. Trust me, I can be a good wife if you want me to.
[Mia and Masked Marth have reached support rank S.]
As a black woman, I don’t often find brilliant works of fiction with black protagonists. They are especially rare in the romance novel genre. But every once in a while, I’ll find an amazing work that takes my breath away. Queen Move is one of those books. I love Kennedy Ryan because her characters are amazing and her romances are epic. Queen Move was brilliant and I enjoyed EVERY SECOND of reading it!! Please check this one out!!
