Corrin shuffled along the gardens, his cane clacking against the stone pathway softly. He breathed heavily, sweat beading on his forehead.

"Come, dear, let's sit for awhile." Azura suggested.

Corrin nodded, thankful for Azura's tact in avoiding his leg. Azura kept a hand firmly clasped around his free arm's elbow, white gloves carefully gripping his dull blue doublet. He sat down with a silent groan, eyes flashing to his leg.

It seemed fine, all wrapped up inside his embroidered pants. Yet Corrin could only see the skin beneath, mangled, scarred, and still purple in some spots. It had been only two weeks since his return, yet he felt useless.

"It will get better." Azura said quietly, as if she knew what the king was thinking. Corrin chuckled dryly. She probably knows exactly what I'm thinking.

"It won't." Corrin said simply. "There's little the healers could do." Not after the botched job his guards did. He didn't blame the boys, of course. Far from home with a king, hunting deer, and their lord falls from his horse, down a cliff. What could they do? It was only when they dragged him back to camp did they notice his leg pointing in all the wrong directions.

At least Silas was with him, though by then damage had been done, and there was little more his friend could do other than bring him home. Corrin, much to Azura's insistence, would bring healers next time. If there was a next time.

"A poor attitude doesn't help." Azura said stiffly.

Corrin opened his mouth, ready to have the same argument again, but closed it. He was tired of talking about his leg. "Azura, where's Shigure?"

Azura looked through the gardens, to the gazebo near the ponds. A normal spot for Shigure to lurk on his free days, painting and singing the afternoon away.

"He's there." Azura said, pointing to the gazebo.

"Ah." Corrin nodded. "Good, I like to watch him paint."

"He doesn't like being watched." Azura said. "It makes him feel nervous, as if he's being judged."

Corrin sighed. "I know, but he should know I'm proud of him."

"He does."

"Good."

The two sat in silence for awhile, Corrin dabbing at the sweat on his brow and rubbing his thigh. I bothered him immensely, knowing that his leg probably wouldn't heal right. He glanced at the cane. He'd probably need that for the rest of his life. Azura simply kept a warm hand within his own, a silent guardian beside him. He sighed again, though he felt better knowing Azura was there.

"Papa! Mama!"

Corrin's thoughts were swept away by a familiar whirlwind. Kana ran down the path, her bare feet kicking up dust as she moved. Behind her, Midori followed, a bag slung across her back.

"Hello, dear." Azura giggled, squeezing Corrin's hand.

Kana stopped in front of Azura, presenting a blue flower in one hand. "I thought of you, Mama!"

Azura smiled and took the rose from Kana's hand. "It's beautiful dear, and it smells wonderful!"

Corrin raised an eyebrow. "That didn't come from Elise's garden, did it?"

Kana flushed. "No~o!"

Midori finally caught up to Kana. "Greetings, My Lord, my Lady."

Azura nodded. Corrin patted her head. "Your practically my niece, Midori, no need to be so formal."

"Thank you... Corrin." Midori said, a blush on her cheeks.

"What were you two up to?" Azura asked, twirling the flower in her free hand.

Kana grinned. "We found a secret ingredient!"

"A secret?" Corrin said conspiratorially, leaning closer. "For what?"

"To fix your leg, silly!"

Corrin's smile faltered, if only for a heartbeat. "Ah."

"Kana, your father's leg is a bit more complicated than-"

"Trust me!" Midori interrupted. "Er- sorry..." She apologized, bowing slightly to Azura. "There's a plant that was rumoured to mend bones, some people form the flame tribe wrote it down in this book." She patted the bag slung over her shoulder, no doubt containing the book. "If we mix it with some common herbs and a bit of devil grass I'm certain it would heal your leg, even if it doesn't work completely."

Corrin shared a look with Azura, both knowing how studious and thoughtful Midori was. "Well, if you think so..." He smiled at the girl. "I trust you."

Midori and Kana laughed, sprinting off to find a table to work on this solution to his leg.

Corrin leaned slightly on Azura, his head coming down ot rest on her shoulder. He surveyed the gardens, the clear sky, the flowers and his children.

"There's so much sunlight, here." He said quietly. "Not like in Nohr."

"It is a beautiful country." Azura agreed.

"So much sunlight." Corrin repeated, looking across the lawns and flowers to see his children. "Beautiful."