"Deceptions"
by Sara Jaye

I had this idea knocking around in my head for a while: what if Raven only made that promise of marriage to Priscilla just to keep her from being with other men? He is known to be rather protective of her, and I could see him being very critical of whoever she fell in love with (Especially Sain XD). So I decided to give this idea a test run.

Fire Emblem belongs to Intelligent Systems and Nintendo and the like, I'm just borrowing the characters for a while.

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It was only a child's game, I told her as she cried. A meaningless promise made between brother and sister. Nothing more.

Of course I'd say that. I was only a child.

Now I'm older.

She's older.

And I'm realizing that promise was more than a child's game.

I don't really want her as my bride, of course. She's my little sister. Besides, I'd be a pretty lousy husband.

Just like so many other men out there. Men who would dazzle her with their charms, men she would fall head over heels in love with only for them to hurt her in the end.

Men are beasts like that. Selfish, possessive, lying beasts. Even if our intentions are good, we change for the worse. Our brutish ways always hurt someone at some time or another.

That's why I made that promise. Because if she spent her life waiting for me to honor that promise, she'd never have eyes for another man. She'd never get hurt.

She always did value her lord brother over all else, did she not?

So she continues to wait for me in vain. Believing in a complete and utter lie, a wish that will never come true.

I guess this makes me as bad as the men I believe to be snarling beasts who will break her heart.

But how can one expect anything else of me?

I am, after all, a man.

I look at her, sleeping soundly in her bedroll. A lock of her red hair brushes against the pale softness of her cheek.

She is beautiful. What man wouldn't want to marry her? If I were not her brother, and if I already didn't have feelings for someone else, I certainly would. She is a princess, in both appearance and mannerisms.

I continue to watch her sleep, and my frustration mounts.

He love for me is so pure. All she wants is to stand by my side even if I never return her feelings.

Why do I continue to hurt her this way?

She only deserves the best, that which neither I or anyone else can give to her.

No one is good enough for Priscilla.

I am not good enough for Priscilla.

No brother would keep his sister locked in an ivory tower barred with a false promise.

But it is the only way to protect her from those beasts out there.

Someday, I will have to tell her the truth. Someday, I will have to break her heart like I'm so afraid all those other men would.

All men are beasts.

Except one.

Lucius...he is blissfully unaware of my deceptions to Priscilla. He knows nothing of the guilt I carry day in and day out. All he worries about is trying to stop my revenge on Ostia.

He is so innocent, so untainted by the blood of deception and insanity.

So is she.

Lucius cares for everyone in this army, no matter who they are. He has said he does not wish to lose anyone to this war.

Priscilla has said the same thing.

I slip carefully into our tent, not wanting to disturb his sleep. He is so beautiful when he sleeps...he is always beautiful.

Just like she is.

Lucius, the one who captured my heart.

Priscilla, my sister.

They are so different, but so similar. They are beautiful. They are strong. They love me more than their own lives.

They were never meant for this kind of lifestyle.

They mean everything to me. And I will do anything to protect them.

Even if I must hurt them.

-End-

Angst on, Raven! XD Poor guy, he was starting to go insane halfway through this. -laughs-