Chapter Text
He heard it so often at times. A little lass, said that her father is none other than him- Hector, either just a young lord of Ostia or the Marquess of Ostia and head of the Lycian League. Depends on which one you talk to. To a particular Hector, this wouldn’t be something that he’d have to come to grips to. The other four? Not so much at all.
And this one only felt confused every time someone mentioned her around, or to him. It took him back to the dreams he had during the war. A young girl with silky hair, coloured blue just like his. At eighteen, this concept of meeting what is told to be his daughter is something that he finds hard to comprehend. He hadn’t a clue of what to say, or even do.
With these descriptions of a blue haired lass around said to be his daughter, he got paranoid every time he saw a young lady of that description. Yet every one he saw, it just didn’t feel like it was the one. He got scolded by Chrom for looking at Lucina, thinking she was his , not Chrom’s. Ideally, he’d like to avoid people getting the wrong idea. But he snuck looks at others like Caeda, and Catria. Hell, he even mistook Seliph at some point but quickly realised he’s definitely not a girl. After that, he just didn’t bother. It’s not like he wanted to even meet her, not knowing what to say nor do and all.
He just lived life as normal in Askr, not thinking on it at all. He’d avoid the subject with even Eliwood of all people. Maybe he’ll think on it when he knows what to do. For now, his days are just training, battling, training and battling. Nothing much else besides the odd read in secret and a night out alone under the stars every so often to get a taste of peace in his life. Loud and fighty as he is, that desire for peace never wavered.
His training regimen is pretty demanding of him. He goes and goes, works to the bone and then some. So it’s no surprise that after, he would find some time to relax in some way. He chose to withdraw to the higher areas of the castle, stood in front of a window, taking in the broad blue sky and breathing the fresh air. His armour would’ve been off, but he lacked the energy to do so and wouldn’t want to trouble anyone to take this heavy plating off. It’s real heavy even if not the heaviest. It’s called heavy armour for a reason.
Something disturbed that peace he was indulging in though. He felt a presence come towards him. Quiet footsteps, so whoever is near is a little small. He just carried on looking out the window, not caring. But…
“Father?”
Those words made him jolt back. So much so that… he came crashing down to the floor on his rear end.
“Ah-!”
And now he’s on the floor, irritated. He looked to his left and it only gave him more shock. A blue haired lass, cobalt eyes that reminded him of his own. The thoughts came out from the back of his mind and began swimming circles. Talk of the blue haired girl, apparently his daughter . And this one he hasn’t seen before either. Is this the one? Despite those thoughts, he’s too annoyed with himself to even care about them.
On the other hand, the girl immediately went towards him, an apologetic and concerned look about her.
“F-father?! Did I startle you? I’m so sorry…” she asked.
Hector would get up, dusting off his rear and going to pick up Armads.
“I’m alright.” he groaned, walking right past her and away. He isn’t particularly happy now for sure. Not happy that the lass who’s potentially his daughter caught him like that.
The lass only desperately followed after him.
“I’m sorry, father…”
No response from the marquess. But the girl only persisted, catching up to the young man.
“Father?”
Again, no response. So she tugged lightly at his cape once close enough.
“I’m sorry… really…”
That was it for Hector. He stopped, looking back at her with a scowl.
“Lay off me already, lass.” he growled.
He walked off, faster this time. The girl only stayed put, now more upset than concerned. She began to feel a bit bad for seemingly bothering him so much. As he faded from view, she turned away as a tear fell from her eye. And another, and another, and another. A quiet sob escaped her as she went off in the opposite direction that Hector went.
Hector had only one place he could be bothered to go now, and that’s his quarters. No one would bother him there. No one would see him in the messy state he’s in emotionally. He just carries on walking, as neutral a face as he can muster to mask that irritation. Unfortunately for him, someone noticed, and approached him. He caught the person at the corner of his eye and accepted that this individual is going to question him.
“Hector?”
He sighed, knowing he won’t ward this one off so easily.
“What, Eliwood? You need me for something?”
And unfortunately, his tone of voice didn’t exactly sound normal. To someone who knows him, like Eliwood, this isn’t a good sign. So the Pheraen put a hand on Hector’s shoulder.
“Something is troubling you, friend. What is it?” the redhead queried.
Hector simply shrugged.
“Just a bad training session, nothing to concern yourself over. I’ll be alright.”
Of course, he’s lying right through his teeth. He only hoped Eliwood wouldn’t catch on to that. And thankfully, he didn’t.
“We all have our lesser sessions. I am sure you will work to make the next one better.”
The Ostian nodded to that, and sped up a little. Didn’t want to spend more time with another than he had to right now.
“Yeah, I will. I’m off to rest now.” he said hastily.
“Alright then, rest well.”
Eliwood slowed to a halt and watched in concern as his friend walked off. Somehow, he had a hunch that what Hector’s presenting on the surface isn’t the truth. Wouldn’t be the first time he’s done it. He knows him all too well enough to know he does this more than one should. Still, he turned off to go about his own business. If one thing’s clear to him, it’s that Hector wants space for whatever reason. He’ll try get that reason out of him later.
Meanwhile, the little girl was against a wall. Hearing some footsteps from the other side of the hallway, she swiftly dried her tears. She talked quietly to herself.
“…He didn’t raise a crier.”
She turned to face whoever’s coming. To her relief, it was a certain red haired individual.
“Lilina! I’ve been looking all over for you!”
Lilina put on a smile and walked toward the boy.
“Roy! I’m sorry I worried you.” she responded.
The boy returned the favour with his own smile, but there’s a hint of inquisitiveness on him.
“How did it go with your father?” he asked.
Her heart sank. That smile began to crumble and tears welled up again. A sob came out as she looked down, away from Roy.
“I-I…”
That concerned the lad, and prompted him to worry.
“Lilina… what happened?”
The lass continued looking down, devastated, upset, you name it. She feels awful.
“I upset him… I-I just wanted to say hello… And then h-he fell because I startled him… He walked off and…”
A sob ensued, more tears fell.
“…he was angry with me…”
She sounded so broken- as if she made the biggest mistake of her life or something. All she wanted was to say hello. But what she got was an angry, albeit younger father. It tore her heart into pieces that he was angry at her. In her life, he’s never been angry at her- not once. Not even a single time- he loves her too much. But this one’s different, he doesn’t know her.
“I’m sure he’ll get over it, Lilina. Neither of you are at fault.”
Lilina looked up to her close friend, drying her tears once again.
“I hope he does…”