mutual feelings
time: a short while after conquest's chapter 14, "voice of paradise"
As he spun and twisted them with an absent mind, the shine of Leo's golden cuff links reflected upon the dark waves.
He was dressed to the nines. Today was a special occasion, after all. The Nohrian siblings had arranged to make a trip to Nestra in order to celebrate Elise's birthday. Tonight, they would be seeing a show in the opulent Cyrknesia Opera House, a breathtaking aquatic theatre that was home to some of the best talent in all the realms.
"...and that's when I apprehended the wretched thief with my legendary finishing move, the Supreme Seal of Phoenix Ashes!"
"Oh my," Camilla replied, doing her best to conceal an outburst of snickering.
Leo couldn't help but roll his eyes. Of course Odin would have found a way to sneak along- and bring Niles with him. He was thankful for his retainers, of course; they were an eccentric gang, but one he did hold in high regard. Not that he was going to let anyone else become aware of that fact.
"Supreme Seal of Phoenix Ashes, huh?" Corrin smiled next to him, having had eavesdropped in on the conversation herself. "That sounds pretty extravagant. You didn't happen to teach it to him, did you?"
"I did no such thing. As far as I'm concerned, a technique like that doesn't even exist."
"Well, you have to admit, he's quite the creative character."
"Is that what we're calling it now?"
"Oh, stop," Corrin laughed, giving his shoulder a gentle, playful push. "You know you love Odin just as much as the rest of us."
"Sure, sure," he said, rolling his eyes once more. He stared out across the amply-sized theatre, which was quickly filling up with patrons.
It was enormously difficult to concentrate and make substantial conversation with Corrin, looking as lovely as she did. He rarely had the opportunity to see her in silk and chiffon- not that he thought her regular attire was unappealing in the slightest. There was just something about being in rich shades of dark plum and gold that made her glow.
He was lucky enough somehow to secure the seat next to her for himself. That was a first.
I must have the devil's own luck.
"You seem a little...distracted tonight, Leo. Pray tell, what's on your mind?" She asked him with warm concern.
The fact that you have curves for miles in that dress, bless whoever made it.
"Nothing much. I only just realized that this will be your first show at Cyrkensia. The last one didn't count, of course."
She shook her head, narrowing her eyes in displeasure at the memory.
"I hope all goes well this time," she said, "I'm really looking forward to it."
"Oh, believe me, it won't disappoint," he smiled. "I still haven't forgotten the first time Father took me to see a show."
"Well, if it managed to impress the great Leo, I can't even fathom how fascinated I'll be," she grinned. "It really was a shame that last time had to derail into complete chaos…"
"It was a horrible night," he agreed. The battle against the Hoshidan fiends had been lengthy and exhausting, especially having to brawl atop the theatre aisles and gondola-style seats. Of all the places to engage in combat, a water-filled Opera House is not a fantastic choice.
"Well, I wouldn't say it was horrible. I actually have one very fond memory from that night."
"Oh?" That surprised him.
"We were reunited," she smiled. "You had finally finished aiding Father in his missions, so you were able to join us. I had missed you a lot, you know."
Her eyes were soft and full of sincerity. He hadn't expected her to say anything of the sort, and he felt deeply embarrassed at the sudden revelation. He silently cursed his cheeks, which were quickly pooling with shades of deep red.
"I-I can't believe you remembered that," was the only thing he could think to spew out his mouth.
Before she had a chance to reply, a great commotion interpreted her.
"Hey! You guys, look! They're selling Nestrian Honey Cakes! Up there, in the concessions," Elise exclaimed with great excitement. "Come on, we have to go get some."
"But darling, you've already had at least four slices of birthday cake today," Camilla laughed.
"Last I checked, I'm the birthday girl," Elise remarked with a wink, "And birthday girls call the shots. So, off we go!"
She rose to her feet, running over to Xander's seat, where he was engaged in conversation with Niles. She took him by the hand and pulled him.
"Come on," she beckoned to him, "I need more hands to help carry all the sweet honey goodness."
Camilla let out a hearty chuckle.
"Do you think you'll have enough help with just Xander? You're going to need to bring at least three of those cakes back for me."
"Oh! You're so right, big sister," Elise nodded. "We're gonna have to call in back up." She pulled Odin up by the hand as well, and gestured to where Corrin was seated.
"Corrin, you come, too! You have got to try these things, they are just divine! They're like a fluffy little piece of heaven, but in your mouth."
Corrin smoothed the creases out of her ballgown out as she stood, gathering the fabric in her hands so as not to trip over it as she followed.
"Okay, coming! Wait for me, Elise-"
She trailed after them, leaving the clicks and clacks of her stilettos behind her. A strange sight indeed, Leo thought, as the girl was almost never seen with any kind of footwear on. He couldn't help but imagine that it would be a miracle if she could make it all the way up there without tripping as he watched her chase after his elated little sister and her newly-acquired Honey Cake minions...really, who thought it was a good idea to let Corrin wear heels, for goodness' sakes…
"Could you make your lovesick yearning a little more obvious, brother?" Camilla jested, a wide, wicked grin plastered on her face.
"W-what?! Camilla, what are you saying-"
"Aw, look," Niles joined in on the teasing, "Our poor prince is as red as the tomatoes he loves so well. Poor thing."
"N-Niles, I suggest you shut your mouth before you find yourself out of work-"
"Don't bother threatening to pull that card, sweetie. Even if you followed through, I'll just hire him as soon as you let him go."
Leo buried his face in his hands in a desperate attempt to hide his burning cheeks, although this only seemed to add fuel to the flames of his teasing torment.
"Ugh! You two are insufferable enough on your own, but together…."
"We're positively unbearable," Camilla finished his sentence. "Oh, and positively correct, too."
Before Leo had a chance to retort, Niles answered in a reassuring tone.
"Look, my lord, we're only trying to help. Watching you fawn all over Lady Corrin is painful."
"I fully anticipate Camilla shoving her nose in my business, but why on earth do you care, Niles?"
"Haven't we been over this before? I live to serve, and you've given me a purpose in this world. The least I can do in repaying my debts is helping you cozy up to little miss dragoncheeks."
"Do me a favor and never refer to Corrin as that ever again."
"You got it, fussy britches."
"For crying out loud, would you people stop calling me that?!"
Camilla took a seat to Leo's right, with Niles sitting down on his left. The timing and tonal shift of such an action had Leo wondering if they had planned this prior to tonight. He would be more surprised if they hadn't, at this point. He sighed. Figuring it was too late to deny the truth, he opened up on the matter.
"I don't think pursuing my affections would be wise," he gave a crestfallen look to his shoes. "I'm going to do the exact same thing I've always done: I'm not going to let her know."
It didn't take a genius to figure out that Leo had been mulling over these feelings for quite some time. As long as he had known about Corrin's secret, he had fostered this devotion in his heart, and his older sister Camilla was no fool. She had seen the way Leo watched Corrin with such admiration and suspected as much, but in light of the situation had never taken the initiative to say anything about it.
However, upon Corrin learning of her true lineage, it seems that Leo could no longer bury his affections beneath the surface, pretending that they did not exist. The seed of fondness had breached past the layer of his consciousness, turning to full blown adoration and bursting into bloom at even the slightest possibility that Corrin could reciprocate his feelings. He could no longer control his infatuations with her. He was a goner.
"Things are different now. You know that, and she certainly knows that," Camilla encouraged. "Quite a bit of time has passed since she learned the truth, you know."
"And I also know that I could very well destroy everything if I'm not careful. You say things are different now, but I can only imagine how 'different' they possibly could be for her. After all, for years she saw me as a family member...all the while, I was hiding these feelings. She'd think I'm disgusting, Camilla. From her perspective, surely it's...it's not an ideal, normal situation."
"Leo, just like the just of us, Corrin's brief childhood was nothing even close to resembling normal. The years she lived in the Fortress, all the while, unable to remember anything about her previous life...surely, the thought that something was amiss had to have crossed her mind at some point."
"Whether it did or it didn't," Leo began, "it doesn't matter. The point is that placing the burden of knowing this upon her shoulders is unreasonable."
"Don't speak for Lady Corrin," Niles interjected. "You know she hates when others try to decide her fate for her."
"I would have to agree," Camilla added. "You can't possibly know what is going through her head. Leave her feelings up to her."
Giving her little brother a loving pat on the head, she wore a tender smile.
"Take a lesson from your retainer's book for once and err on the side of boldness. I think you may end up being surprised."
"She's right, you know," Niles said, a devilish . "A little bit of bravery, a dash of courage, and I'm sure you'll have a wyvern of a wife before you know it."
"I could slap you," Leo frowned. "But...thank you. I suppose."
"We're here for you," Niles assured him, Camilla nodding her head in agreement as they returned to their original seats.
The conversation on the matter was abruptly cut short at the return of the Nestrian Honey Cake retrieval party, just in time for the show to begin. Elise had bought far more than any of them could possibly eat (although she would definitely try).
"Leo! Have you had one of these before?!" Corrin returned to her place beside him. Her mouth was full of the fluffy sweetcakes, her lips smeared with honey. "These things are incredible!"
"I have," he smiled at the sight of Corrin enjoying herself so thoroughly. "Nice, isn't it? Although they're perhaps a little too sugary for my tastes."
"Heretic!" Corrin scoffed in mock offense.
"Fine, fine. Give me one of those, you goofball," he said, biting off a warm flake as the theatre lights began to dim.
That night, not unlike most nights, Leo found himself lost in a sea of thought. He kept reliving the conversation from earlier, trying to find some sort of solace in it. The words of his eldest sister resounded in his head: "Take a lesson from your retainer's book for once and err on the side of boldness. I think you may end up being surprised."
The humiliating discussion wasn't the only thing he was reminiscing on. He recalled Corrin's face alight with joy as the spectacles on stage wowed her. He had barely seen the show himself, instead focusing on Corrin's amusing reactions out of his peripheral vision for most of the production's duration. However, he was not the only one guilty of this; the rest of his siblings couldn't help but find great entertainment in her behavior as well.
His thoughts were clouded with that memory, the image of a starstruck Corrin with the dazzling stage lights sparkling in her eyes, her mouth covered in confectionery sugar and breath sweet with honey...it was well worth the trip.
Minutes ticked by, turning into uneasy hours lost to restlessness. At this rate, he wouldn't be getting any sleep at all. Hastily, he made his way outside, hoping that some fresh night air would work its magic on his fidgety state.
The midnight breeze was unseasonably chilly. Leo found himself pulling at his tunic, shielding the exposed patches of his skin from the breath of the night. Aside from the gentle rustle of leaves, the Astral Plane was quiet. It seemed that no one else was out tonight.
The wind picked up a little more as he approached the lakeside. The waters were lit beautifully beneath a pale moon, dowsing the world beneath in a silvery glow. Perhaps, had it not, Leo wouldn't have been able to see the outline of his beloved, wavering and wobbling about.
When he saw her, he froze. She was so absorbed in...well, whatever exactly she was doing that she didn't even notice Leo's approach. She moved in clumsy staggers and hesitant steps, face suspended with a look of intense concentration. The sight was so strange that it took him a minute to register that her awkward series of bulky, clumsy movements was supposed to resemble something like dancing.
"Corrin?"
Silver locks of hair went flying as she whipped her head around. Eyes dilated and face stark with deep embarrassment, she located the source of the voice.
"What on earth are you doing?"
She ran her fingers through her hair, pushing the wayward strands out of her face. She groaned, greatly frustrated with being caught in the act.
"...Promise you won't tell anyone?"
He gave a solemn nod as he came closer.
"I was...I was trying to dance."
"You don't know how to dance?"
"Never learned," She said, giving a sheepish grin. "I've always had two left feet! It's particularly difficult for me to be graceful."
She stared down at her bare toes, bespeckled with the soot and grime that comes along with dancing in the the dirt.
"Perhaps wearing a proper pair of shoes once in awhile would help?"
"Absolutely not!"
He gave her a playful flick to the forehead as she gave an indignant pout (which quickly transformed to a bout of giggling).
Beneath the light of the moon, the words that had robbed him of slumber and solstice had returned to haunt him once more.
"...err on the side of boldness."
Mustering up as much confidence as he could, he took her hands in his and slipped them into a waltz position. Her eyes flashed up to his, shooting him a bewildered look. Crimson irises were wide and frightened with a new vulnerability.
"Don't I always say a person is never too old to learn something new?"
"Leo, I don't think-"
"I don't see why dancing should be any different."
In a swift motion, he pulled her closer. She was close enough to feel the warmth radiating from his chest. She was tensed, teeming with great amounts of nervous energy that seemed to rival Leo's own, although he struggled to decipher whether or not this was a good or bad sign.
"Just let me lead," he murmured.
He began to usher them around, rocking her into a gentle sway. While she was something akin to a nervous wreck, the motions were like second nature to him. He was a prince, after all. Dancing was all part and parcel of the royal experience. Before long, the two had broken into an easy choreography.
"I'm...actually having a lot of fun. I never knew you were such a good dancer, though I should have expected as much."
"Because I'm so brilliant at everything?"
"No!" She briefly paused the dance to gave him a light tap to the shins with her foot. He gave a satisfied laugh in response.
"I mean, with all the balls and galas you must have attended, being a prince and all...that's why."
The pair was silent for a moment as they spun onward. He could have sworn the mood had taken a shift towards the melancholy, but he couldn't place why.
"You know…on those nights, when I was locked up in the Fortress, I imagined what it would have been like...to be there with you all."
He remained quiet, letting her continue.
"And I couldn't help but think of all the fun you must have been having...dancing all night, stuffing your face with food….all I ever wanted was to be there."
The revelation rendered him speechless. Her voice was so tight with an enduring sadness that it pained him to hear it. How could he have possibly been so stupid to not have seen where this was going? To have been so ignorant? He racked the situation over in his brain, desperately searching for the right words to say.
She must have misinterpreted his silence as disapproval, as she nervously continued.
"I mean, I know now why I was never allowed to come along. But, I didn't then, and I guess being excluded...just, well...even though I didn't have any right to feel that way, it just...hurt?"
He stopped abruptly, clutching her tight.
"I'm so sorry," he said. "Corrin, if I would have had even the slightest idea you felt that way back then-"
"Don't be sorry, Leo. It's nothing you could have helped. Besides, I disguised it pretty well, so there's no way you could have known."
She attempted to give him reassuring smile, but the somber feelings beneath it only made him feel worse.
"Corrin," he said. "Those galas were so abysmally boring. I couldn't even fathom the thought that you could have possibly wanted to come along, because in my mind they were a special brand of torture."
"What? Really?"
"Yes, really. I promise," he reassured. "One year was so horrendously bad that Elise even resorted to hiding under a table and ended up falling asleep."
This earned a laugh from her.
"And when Camilla told us she was leaving to go find her, she herself disappeared for two hours. That's when we found both of them underneath the table, snoring together."
She laughed even harder, Leo smiling in success.
"And believe me, even though we didn't wish the torture of having to endure it, we still missed you greatly."
The expression on her face was beaming with genuine happiness.
"That means the world to me," she simply replied.
To his surprise, she suddenly started up their waltz once again- but this time, she took the lead.
The motions were gawky and the rhythm was slow, but Corrin managed to settle into a comfortable cadence. The pair waltzed together beneath the glow of the stars, the soft chirps of the occasional cricket and the breeze rustling through the trees as their ballad. Before Leo knew it, Corrin's head found its way to the crook of his neck, nesting in an easy nuzzle. He frantically prayed she wouldn't hear the sound of his heart hammering against his chest.
He could only guess how long they stayed this way. Was it minutes? Hours? It felt like only seconds before she cut their midnight gala short.
"Thank you," she said, gazing into his eyes. "For teaching me how to dance….and, for everything else."
She brushed her lips against his cheek in a soft, chaste kiss, leaving the faint smell of honey and sugar behind. He drew in a sharp gasp.
Before he even realized what had happened, nimble feet had taken her away into the night. She left him behind by the lakeside in the dead of night to stand in shock, hand pressed against the cheek where her the sweetness of her warmth had been just moments ago, clad in a night tunic and a lovestruck grin as wide as the moon above.
It was a pure gesture, something seemingly innocent and simple. But it was a start. He didn't know what was fated to happen next, but he did know one thing: he surely wouldn't be catching any sleep now.