Her lover always handled his ale better than she and settled calmly beside the bed. His doubtful expression was his show of compassion.  

“And what, pray tell, makes you think so this time?”

“Morgan…”

“Did he say something to you?”

“No.” The woman sniffled, keeping her face buried in the blankets. “But the boy is going to have a lonely, lonely childhood. Or, he did have it. Or both! And it’s all my fault!”

 “I know he is a bit of an odd duck, but I assure you, that is none of your doing.”

“No, no.” She went to brush the comment aside but froze. “Well, yes, but this is a different fear altogether!”

“I see. Then, what troubles you?”

“I watch Lucina and Cynthia sharing the love of sisters. They grew up with Owain as a cousin so close he may as well be a brother. I hear them speak of their other relatives, the plans for other children.” She angled her body just enough to peer at Frederick through wet eyes. “Am I denying Morgan something important? You and I have no siblings of our own, so he will have no blood relatives if I provide none.”

“You are aware that, even if we had an army’s worth of our own children, none would be his blood siblings…?”

Robin grumbled in reply. Rather than take the chance to boast over her uncharacteristic lack of common sense, his voice softened. “My dear… when have familial lines ever mattered to you?”

She suddenly rolled over on the bed, hands reaching towards the sky in exasperated gesticulation. “We are a family of wild animals, Frederick!”

He frowned. “…Pardon?”

“You found me on the ground, in a field, with no memory. You picked me up like a stray and decided to keep me. I found Morgan in the same manner – adopting him out of the ruins like some lost pet. We are no more a family than we are feral animals that you decided to keep!”

Tears streaked down the side of her face as she continued staring distantly at the roof of the tent. “What if he feels himself an outcast because of our unorthodox origins as a family? What if he despises the disconnect? What if he resents us for never–”

“–What if he is fine?”

Frederick placed a hand on her shoulder. He leaned over, forcing her to meet his eyes. “What if the boy is perfectly content with the family he has?”

“B-but…”

“I know for certain Lady Lissa is going to call herself his aunt.” He rolled his eyes. “I believe she already has. The other Shepherds have made it clear they’d remain in the city with us, if fate allows it this time. Morgan shall have plenty of relatives surrounding him.”

His fingers interlocked with hers, pulling her into a seated position. He hardly needed to draw her in, the way she tucked herself into the embrace.

“Crucially, it is not up to you either way. You have built up a beautiful family from the ashes of your bloodline – nothing more is asked of you. Do not forget that I am your sworn knight – I will protect your honor for all your life, if you desire it.”

“Even from yourself?” She asked, a smile playing on her lips. It was a familiar and reassuring jest. The hiccupy breaths in her chest slowed.

“Indeed!”

“You are too kind to me, Frederick.”