#sprightlyexalt

      He doesn’t blame Lissa for having reservations about the arrangement. He’s been in Ylisse long enough to hear whispers of Emmeryn’s previous failed courtships, and the stories didn’t sit well with him either. In the short time he’s known her, he knows she deserved better. 

      It’s only natural for her siblings to be so concerned. Were his own sister in the same position, he’s certain that he would feel the same.

      “I understand how you feel. Emmeryn and I have talked about this at length, and I’m very fond of her. Even had we not agreed to the arrangement, we would have come away from this as friends, I’m certain.”

     “Are you sure about that?” She doesn’t mean to be patronizing, particularly when she herself hasn’t the faintest idea of what proper axe technique might look like, but she can tell at a glance that Lissa seems distinctly uncomfortable with the weapon in her hands--particularly when she knows the ease with which Vaike and Cherche seem to wield theirs.