Corrin today was not making his usual rounds around Ft. Corrin (gods, they needed a different name). Those he entrusted to Elise while he took care of a more... personal matter. With the mutterings going on around the square today, he had the feeling he knew where he needed to go and, sure enough, he found Peri on the way to the mess hall. "There you are, Lord Corrin!" She skipped over to him happily. "I was looking all over for you!"

"Ah, Peri," Corrin greeted. "I was looking for you too."

"You were? Huh." She shrugged. "Well, I'll go first anyway. Come see!"

She began to drag him by the arm to the kitchen. "See what...?"

Once inside, she released him. "Ta-daaaa!"

Corrin couldn't believe his eyes. Sometime between their meetings two days ago and now, Peri had concocted a colossal mountain of food, which she had then seen fit to pile onto one of the large tables in the cafeteria. "Gods!" he swore. "This is enough to feed an army!"

Peri nodded eagerly. "It's all for you, Lord Corrin!"

"Really?" He pondered the extremely generous gift fondly. "Well... I am a bit peckish..."

She stepped over to the table. "Do you like red meat?"

"Of course."

"Whew," she breathed, "because I have plenty here! Go on - have some!"

"Maybe just a bite..." He took a forkful of venison and began.

It was, daresay, the best thing Corrin had ever tasted. Before it even reached his mouth, he could smell the smoke from the fire she'd cooked it over and the sauce she'd rubbed it with. Once inside it proceeded to melt, allowing every one of his taste buds to experience the heat and sauce and spices. It was salted just enough to keep it from coming completely apart, but not make it so dry as to ruin the flavor. The sauce he kept coming back to was sweet, tangy, and somewhat fruity - maybe plum?

Before he could place it, the meat and all its glory slinked down his throat. He barely even had to chew it. "What is this, Peri?" he asked, already going in for another bite. "I've never had anything like it!"

"Yay!" Peri cheered. "Lord Corrin likes it! I couldn't find any good ingredients, so I had my servants from home bring some!"

Corrin looked at her nervously. "...You didn't kill them afterward, right?"

She giggled. "Of course not, silly. They did a great job!"

He breathed a sigh of relief. Now that that was out of the way... "Peri... you know what I'd really like?" She gave him a curious look as he continued, "If I could eat your amazing food every day."

She looked taken aback. "You're serious? Lord Corrin, are you asking me to...?"

"Yes. That's why I was looking for you, in fact."

"Oh... I'm sorry, but..." Corrin feared he'd said something wrong when her eyes began welling with tears. "I can't be your personal chef!"

...He wasn't expecting that response. "My what? N-no, that's not what I meant. What I wanted to ask was, um... your hand in marriage."

The tears disappeared as her distressed expression changed to a surprised one. "M-marriage? To Lord Corrin?" She covered her cheeks and began to fidget around. "Someone, pinch me..."

"It's not a joke..." he confirmed, grabbing her shoulders, "or a dream. I genuinely feel that way about you."

Peri looked up at him. "I..." Her eyes began to water again. "I..."

When she began to weep again, Corrin was certain this time that he'd messed it up. "Wh-why are you crying?" he asked, distraught. "Are you that opposed to the idea?"

"No, no!" she assured. "Crying isn't always for sad times. Sometimes I cry when I'm happy!" She smiled weakly, pulling him in for a tight hug. "And right now I'm very, very happy. I love you too, Lord Corrin!"

Relieved, he returned the embrace, looking down at her. "Then you'll accept my proposal?"

"Yes...!"

"Wonderful!" he got out through Peri's sudden shower of kisses. "I'll make sure our home -" gods, he was going to love saying that, "- is up to your aristocratic standards. I want you to live in the style you're accustomed to, with servants. I'll make sure to hire hardy folk, who won't die when you attack them."

She bounced jubilantly. "This is perfect! I'm so excited! Thank you so much, Lord Corrin! I promise to be a good wife!" She pulled him in for a long, passionate kiss.

Before they connected, Corrin could smell the rich spices she had cooked with just this morning; whether it was from her or the food just feet away, he wasn't sure and, frankly, didn't mind either way. Her lips were soft and sweet, but firm enough to not be overpowered by the sudden gesture. She wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss further. She gave a gentle moan as he placed one hand on her cheek, the other resting comfortably on her waist.

After about a minute of this heavenly experience, they parted. Both were out of breath, just standing as they raced to be the first to speak again. "I know nothing will ever come between us..." Peri said finally, resting her head on his chest. She nuzzled his neck as she added with a whisper, "because I'll eviscerate anyone who tries..."

Corrin almost jumped. He was expecting one of those statements this time, but he wasn't really prepared to handle it. Seemingly in spite of the sudden general threat, he let out a laugh. He was going to have to get used to those.

She departed to plan the ceremony, and Corrin went back for another bite of venison. As he ate, however, he smiled when he decided to correct his earlier judgment.

It was now the second-most delicious thing he'd ever tasted.

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Happy Valentine's Day! Here's hoping you find that special person who will always support you through everything life throws at you.

-Hannibal-Necromancer97