Brawler

“Oh worry not, you might understand one day.”

“Hopefully not too much. It’s no fair if he knows more about me than I do him. A girl needs a few secrets too.”

“Were you usually working with your ax?  You’re so good at it!” Annette had no trouble complimenting someone, especially if it encouraged them.   “It looks like you worked really hard at it.” 

“I don’t know, more like… he probably knows a bunch of other people’s secrets. He just seems like he would be good at figuring it all out.”

“Most students are nobility and they don’t get taught to cook much.  I know I didn’t.” Which might explain why she was still very poor at it.

“You can have another one if you’d like.”

“Mercie really has the best.  I’d do anything for them.  But she taught me so I’m glad that I can do her teaching justice!”

And the cookie’s already gone.  That was fast.

“Absolutely.  I made them to share.”

“Do you need something, Francesca?” 

“I feel like even if that rumor is true, he’s still got more secrets. You just look at that smile of his and know he’s hiding something.” 

You would have a hard time getting Lorenz to ever admit to that since he seems to think his face was hand carved by the goddess. “I mean, you’ve seen him. There’s like noooooo comparison.”

“That figures. He’s a lot of talk, but not a lot of action.” She shook her head. “Yet he thinks he can take on Claude for the spot of leadership in the Alliance. It’s fun to watch him get all huffy about it.”

“Well, I can say there are definitely men who are into that.” Many who were into it but would be hard pressed to admit it. “Lorenz has his uses, but the cost is sometimes too high.”

“Oh I’m aware.” She brushed a strand of hair from her shoulder with a flourish. “I’m good looking and know how to inflate their egos with compliments.”

“Do none of the guys here catch your interest, or do you just have none? A little cutie like you could wrap someone around your finger too.”

“I meeeeeaaaan, eventually yeah. How else am I going to have my extravagant fancy wedding and get swept off my feet into the sunset?” She may not always seem it, but she really was a big romantic at heart.

“Right now is the time to have some fun though.”

Dedue hesitated, before taking her hand, giving a gentle shake. A faint smile appeared on his lips.

“I am pleased to hear you like my cooking.”