Days passed in the castle as Lucina started to become accustomed to its inner workings, its layout and its quirks. After that first dinner she had shared with Jade's family, she hadn't had much reason to talk to her siblings which gave her ample time to explore her current residence. She knew it was big, much too big, but somehow living on the inside opened her eyes to just what that size meant. There were empty rooms that were just there for paintings to be hung on or sculptures to be erected. Maids and butlers appeared to be the most common inhabitants of the palace, it made sense in her head, there was no way a single person or even a dozen would be able to take care of the upkeep. The days were uneventful and almost eerily quiet, none of the daily panic she had once felt was there anymore. If she was hungry, she ate, if she was bored, there would be entertainment at the ready, if she was cold, there were fireplaces all around along with blankets and other accommodations. Lucina spent most of her time practicing alone, trying to keep her physique and instincts sharpened, fearing the comfort of her new life would take away her edge in battle.
It was in one of these seemingly monotonous days that one of life's trademark surprises finally presented itself in front of Lucina. As she was battling an imaginary foe in her head which was represented by a training dummy in front of her, she couldn't help but overhear the frantic opening of a door in the hallway outside. Lucina decided to put down her weapon, listening closely for any sign of... anything, be it danger or just the regular stress of royal life. Whoever was on the outside was walking frantically, searching for something, or someone. The knight's curiosity finally got the best of her and she decided to peek, she froze immediately at the sight of Adwin in nothing but a bathrobe. She retracted back into the training room, but her own reflexes betrayed her feet as she came crashing down into the floor with a less than subtle noise.
Shit! Shit! Shit! She thought to herself as she scrambled to get to her feet. Perhaps if she got into a fencing pose fast enough she could pretend it was all just a sparring accident, the embarrassment from being taken down by a dummy sounded like the lesser of two compromising situations.
"Is someone there?" She could hear the noble ask from the outside. Their footsteps, although quiet, were undeniably heading towards her location. Lucina twisted and turned until she could move no more when the doors opened.
"O-Oh... Hey Adwin!" She tried to appear as confident as possible. "I didn't mean to startle you, just had a little training mishap." The long haired, scantily dressed artist stared at Lucina for a moment, their mouth slightly ajar.
"Yeah I can see that." They agreed, seemingly buying her excuse. "You know, I shouldn't be the one telling you this but I'm fairly certain that's not how you hold a blade." The knight looked down at her wooden weapon, realizing she was holding the blade instead of the hilt.
"Oh this..." She babbled. "It's uh... It's a technique you know. Catching your opponent off guard by... holding the edge and attacking them with the hilt." She softly smacked her own head in a poor attempt to sell her lie. The heir just sighed in response which made Lucina look down in shame.
"I can't believe you're my best option right now." Adwin said, slapping themselves on the forehead. "You, whatever your name is." They grabbed Lucina's wrist and pulled hard, guiding her out of the room. The surprise made her easy to move but once she understood Adwin needed her help she willingly followed them through the castle's many hallways.
"Y-You know it would be quite nice to know where we're going!" Lucina yelled out as they powerwalked all through the maze that was the palace. "Or why!" But Adwin did not answer. After what felt like an eternity, they finally stopped in front of a large pair of doors.
"You're going to have to excuse the mess." Adwin announced as they opened the doors with a push. Lucina gingerly walked towards the entrance.
"Woah..." Was all that could escape her lips as she was greeted with a never ending ocean of paper, canvas and used up sketch books. Every single inch of the room was covered with tracings ranging from hyper realistic depictions of animals, plants and people to splashes of paint arranged seemingly at random. Everywhere she looked, a masterpiece stared back at her creating a symphony of art which she had never experienced before.
"Yes, yes, awe-inspiring I know. You should consider yourself lucky I've allowed you into my chamber," Adwin boasted. Though their expression quickly soured as they pointed towards the bathroom. "Although if you're able to help me out... I'll consider your tour earned and I may even be willing to give you another!". Lucina shook her head, the artist really needed her help.
"Right!" She shook her disguised head. "What can I do for you Adwin?" The young noble guided Lucina towards their lavatory. Unlike the room, it was spotless, not a single tracing or painting was found there. Unless the sizable hole in the floor was a piece she didn't quite understand.
"Th-that!" Adwin pointed at the pit. They hid behind Lucina's frame causing the knight to tense up as she realized the artist's clothing situation had not changed. "I was washing myself just a moment ago when I heard a distinct scratching in the floor! I thought one of Thea's creatures had somehow snuck into my room but when I looked around I saw the tiles lifting like a reanimated corpse from its grave! I thought a mighty earthquake was to blame but I felt no shaking so I kept staring at it, waiting in horror for what was to come!" They placed the back of their hand on their forehead and leaned into Lucina, making her freeze even more. "Once it stopped moving a foul monster poked its head out of their infernal trench! I don't recall much after that, the fear overtook my senses and thanks to what I'm sure was a devilish spell by the intruder, I lost consciousness for a moment! Lucky imp! Had I not been taken by surprise, I would have obliterated it! When I woke up... it was already gone! But its unwanted hole is still there!"
Lucina awkwardly marched up to the opening, partially to analyze it more closely and also to not have a seminude royal pressed against her. She knelt down and felt the dirt around the hole. It was soft. Far too soft. As she looked down the pit, it was too dark to see a bottom but more importantly, it was almost perfectly round. The continent of Dreiland was filled with creatures who could have produced the hole, many of which Lucina had encountered and fought in her travels. All except for one...
"Was anything missing from your room when you woke up?" She asked.
"None of my paintings thankfully." Adwin answered, placing a hand on their chest as a show of relief. "Although..." Lucina braced herself. "Some jewelry of mine did go missing."
"Shit..." She muttered under her breath.
"What? Why did you say that?" They frantically asked. "Is it bad?!"
"Notify the guards your majesty. I want someone stationed here at all times, in fact, at least two people taking turns. I have to pay someone a visit..."
"Sir Luke, you are scaring me..." Adwin trembled as they took a step back. "Wh-what did you find?". Lucina turned around to meet their gaze.
"Just do as I say." She asserted with an air of authority that reached the heir. "We have a goblin problem..."
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"A goblin problem?" Jade asked once Lucina was finished with her story all the while the knight equipped her armor, looking in the mirror to make sure no inch of her was exposed. "Gods, Lucina, with how you were building up the tale, I thought it was actually something serious!"
"It is serious!" The knight rebutted. "I mean... It can be serious. I've never actually met a goblin but according to Doran's Encyclopedia there is no such thing as a lone goblin. We could be facing a whole colony of them and once they get a glimpse of the palace's riches, they'll surely try to overrun us to get to our gold. That is unless I can catch our little intruder and stop them before they tell the rest of their army." She walked towards the sitting princess and placed a hand gently on her face. "I promise I won't be long though, I just have to see an old friend! With her help, this whole ordeal will be over in a blink of the eye."
"I don't know, Lucy..." Jade grabbed her hand with both of hers. "I don't like this. What if the tunnel collapses? Or what if it's already too late and you get caught by a horde? It just seems rash to send the champion of Helikor on a mission like this! Shouldn't we just send someone who is more... equipped to handle this?"
Lucina tightened her armor straps and the belt that carried Devilsbane. "Hey! I'm equipped!" She pouted. "And also, this is a great opportunity, Jade! If I show your siblings how resourceful I am, I'll get on their good side and who knows?" She sat down next to her fiancée. "Maybe with enough goodwill... I won't need to hide who I am anymore." Jade leaned into her.
"Politics seldom work like that," Jade responded with a defeated tone. "But... I suppose it can't hurt either." She placed her hands on both sides of Lucina's helmet, bringing it softly towards her forehead until they were touching. "Just be sure to return to me. This is the first time we'll be apart since you arrived."
"A week ago but you're right..."
Jade chuckled at her intermission. "Yes, a week ago. The best week of my life..." She admitted. "So don't you dare leave after just that! I'll be waiting for you." The princess got up and walked slowly towards her nightstand where she pulled out a small handkerchief, placing a kiss upon it and leaving the crimson outline of her lips on it. She folded it and placed it on Lucina's hands. "So you don't forget. Now and on every quest you go on." Lucina unfolded it and kissed the fabric as well.
"As if I could ever forget you, darling." She let out, standing up and giving the princess a quick peck on the cheek. "Until I see you again!" She curtsied causing Jade to giggle. "My lady." And without another word, she marched towards the exit of the princess' bedroom and out of the castle, determined to return as soon as she could.