"Laslow, how many times do I have to tell you? I'm not going to have tea with you. End of story." Corrin sighed, crossing her arms. "Besides, you told me you wanted to talk to me about an important matter, and I assumed it had to do with a strategy for the upcoming battle."

"But it is important, Lady Corrin! What if this was to be our last day on earth? Life is too short for such harsh words," Laslow grinned, leaning on a nearby support pillar.

"Good to know how much faith you have in my ability to keep my men alive," She smirked. "Besides, there are plenty of other women here for you to hit on. Why not go after one of them?"

"Why, isn't it obvious? None of these exquisite creatures could even hold a candle to your radiant beauty!" Laslow winked. "The very idea of it being otherwise is utter blasphemy," He said slyly, pulling out a rose and handing it to her.

"If I had a grain of rice for every time I've heard you say that to someone else, I could feed both Hoshido and Nohr for centuries." Corrin remarked. She held the flower he gave her in her hand, examining it carefully. "Laslow, I know I'm not the first one you've tried this on today."

"What makes you say that?"

"The tag says 'Dearest Rinkah.'" She rolled her eyes, handing the rose back. "I'm guessing that's how you got your black eye?"

"Oh, this old thing? Pah, 'tis nothing! I got it while sparring with Subaki." He gave her a cat-like, lopsided grin.

"Right…" She murmured. "Well, as sweet as this second-hand sentiment is, I have to go tend to the stables." Corrin began to walk away.

"Ah, why must you wound me so, my sweet? How incorrigible of you, milady. Won't you stay and tend to this poor, battered heart?" He gestured dramatically at his chest.

"She won't, but I'll be happy to rip it out of your chest if that's what you want!" Elise giggled, walking out from behind a wall. Laslow gulped, staring wide-eyed at the dangerously cheerful looking princess. "I'm sure Xander will be happy to hear that one of his trustworthy retainers is trying his darndest to woo his little sister," She added, hands innocently folded behind her back, smiling.

"Ah, Lady Elise! How unexpected," Laslow laughed nervously, looking around for any potential witnesses. "No need to tell Lord Xander; I was just offering a platonic gesture of friendship! Honestly, the thought of any doing any other such thing never crossed my mind," He croaked. Elise looked pointedly at the rose in Corrin's hand.

"Oh? Then what about this? Roses aren't usually the kind of flower you give out of platonomy..." She grinned slyly. "Must I call Camilla?"

"If it helps, it has another girl's name on it." Corrin shrugged. Elise frowned, scrunching her face at Laslow.

"Seriously, Laslow? No wonder you keep striking out! You can't even pick a girl to focus on!" She chided, wagging her finger at him. "How many times do we have to tell you? You can't win it all, so just choose one and be done with it!"

"But of course, milady!" Laslow exclaimed, with a snap of his fingers. "Excuse me, but may I have the rose back, Lady Corrin?"

"Sure, knock yourself out." Corrin said, eyebrow raised. She returned the flower to him, and watched as he took out a pen, hastily scribbling something out in black ink. He gave it back, giving her a deep bow. The Princess of Hoshido examined the rose once more, frowning.

"All you did was scribble out 'Rinkah' and write my name... Which is spelled wrong." She looked up, to see Laslow mentally whacking himself in the head. He winced. "My name is not Corrine."

"Ugh, you're so hopeless..." Elise sighed. "I'm gonna go vomit. But first…" She grinned eerily. Laslow gulped, turning white. "Laslow, I need to speak to you. In private."

"If you insist," He stammered ever so slightly. He shifted his hand a bit closer to his weapon, just in case. Laslow turned to Corrin, smiling once again. "As always, the pleasure was all mine."

"No kidding," Elise snorted. "Now follow me!" She huffed, grabbing him by the ear. He let out a yelp of protest as she dragged him around the corner, stomping on his foot in the process. Corrin looked on, wondering whether or not she should be worried. She stared at the rose for a few seconds before sighing and seeking refuge in her quarters.

"What's the big idea, Laslow? If you think you're gonna take advantage of my big sister, you've got another thing coming, ya big lug!" Elise fumed, steam practically coming out of her ears. She whacked him firmly on the side of the head.

"Ow! It's nothing like that, I swear on my life!" Laslow said, rubbing the spot where she hit him. "I had only the noblest of intentions!" She hit him a second time.

"I know you, Laslow. Your philandering ways know no bounds! You'd hit on a cabbage if it had legs." She glared at him. "You spend every one of your waking hours flirting with random women! I'll have you know that Corrin is different. She's not going to be another notch on your belt, got it?"

"But she's not just another notch on my belt," He protested. "I wasn't trying to do anything like that!"

"Do you love her?" Elise asked, crossing her arms. Laslow rubbed his neck, feeling her gaze piercing him like daggers.

"Well…" He heard his own voice trail off.

"If you don't intend on being with her in that way, then why on earth would you pull such nonsense?!" She asked angrily, pulling his ear until his face was inches away from hers. "Well? Spit it out!" She huffed. "Or do I have to tell Xander?"

"Heavens, no!" Laslow said, face turning white. "Fine, I'll tell you…" he sighed. "Just promise not to hit me again, okay?"

"Fineeee…" Elise growled under her breath, though she noted that he said nothing about stabbing. She crossed her arms, waiting expectantly for an answer.

"I swear to you, I am not trying to take advantage of Corrin. That's never my intention when I speak to a lady, cross my heart!" He exhaled, shoulders going limp. "I... I just... eurgh..." He said, feeling the words floating away from him when he most needed them.

"I've never seen you at a loss for words, I'll give you that..." Elise sighed. "I won't push you, but you have to promise - absolutely no going after Corrin unless... Unless you intend on marrying her, ok?" She said, letting go of his ear. He staggered backwards, nearly falling on his hindquarters. "You are hereby forbidden from 'making a move' on her, unless you intend on asking for her hand in marriage."

"I guess that's fair..." Laslow sighed. "I promise."

"Pinkie promise?" Elise asked, holding out her right hand.

"Pinkie promise," Laslow smiled, wrapping his pinkie around hers.

"Good," She laughed, returning to her jovial self.

"I must be going, I have an urgent matter to attend to." Laslow coughed, clearing his throat. He shook himself, trying to clear his mind.

"Ok, just remember our deal. No flirting with Corrin," Elise said, glaring intently at him, a dangerous smile on her face.

"You have my word," He bowed, then turned to walk away. However, just before he broke eye contact, he found himself winking.

"LASLOW!"