Chapter 4 – Ryoma
Sakura came to visit a few times, informing them of Elise's condition. She allowed her to stay in the guest room instead of returning to the dungeon. Her retainers were allowed to visit under guard a few times, much to their gratitude. Corrin and Azura were not allowed, however. Even the princess wouldn't override Ryoma's order of not letting the two out of the dungeons without his permission. Not only for the chance of escaping but in case a rogue soldier decided to attack them. At least Effie and Arthur always shared good news regarding the young princess.
The Hoshidan Princess not only kept her word of better food but ordered that the psychological torture of random rotations of guards and mealtimes stopped. At this point, the Nohrian prisoners would not be a threat. They had been prisoners for three months.
Three months. A lot had happened in that timeframe and yet it felt like it passed in an instant.
Today was different. The princess arrived earlier than normal, this time flanked by a smiling Kitsune and Orochi.
"Kamui," Sakura said, gaining the attention of the entire prison. "Ryoma requests your presence."
The prisoners tensed and tried to protest, but the princess only raised her hand to silence them. It was still shocking that Sakura could command with such presence these days.
"She is safe. He only wants to talk," Sakura said trying to calm her comrades. She then turned to Azura's door and said in a more stiff tone. "He will be calling for you later, Azura," she warned and Corrin could almost hear Azura tense.
"Why not summon both of us?" she asked, trying to help the songstress.
The pink-haired girl shook her head. "I'm afraid what he was to talk with each of you is private from each other."
Not willing to push her sister on this, Corrin just nodded and followed Sakura. She flinched as she made her way upstairs. Her muscles had barely escaped atrophy in her small cell thanks to the little exercise she could manage.
Sakura noticed this and gave her an empathic node. "Kaden, would you please escort her to the throne room? I need to retrieve Elise, too," she said, earning an eager nod from the man. "Orochi, please come with me."
"Of course, Lady Sakura," the diviner said, following on her Lady's steps.
Standing there alone with the unknown man, Corrin felt extremely awkward and self-conscious. He didn't seem to care though, as he took her arm and helped her walk with a friendly smile. His support made the walk much easier.
"Hi! I'm Kaden! You're Kamui, right?"
She stammered at the tone. It had been a long while since anyone spoke to her with such warmth. "Emm, yes. But I'm also known by my Nohrian name; Corrin," she said, cringing and waiting for his outburst. She, of course, had heard what Nohrian poachers had done to many of the wolfskin and kitsune tribes.
The fox-man frowned in confusion. "That's weird. Why have two names?"
"It's complicated," she answered. Like everything in her life.
The throne room was as majestic as the last time she had seen it. When her mother was still alive and half her blood relatives didn't want her head on a spike. Elegant paintings lined the walls. The top windows were open, allowing the warm sunlight and cool wind to enter the hall. Ninjas and archers stood outside, making sure no one intruded. It would be a beautiful feeling in any other situation.
Ryoma and Scarlet knelt before the throne, their matching red armor making them a striking presence.
"Sakura, thank you for bringing Kamui and Princess Elise."
Sakura bowed to her elder brother, in honor of his position. "Of course, brother. Anything else you need from me?"
"No. You are free to go. I'm sure the machinists want to continue with your project."
"Bring him in," he ordered.
A moment later, the doors to the side of the room opened as Kagero and Saizo brought a prisoner with them. Corrin's felt her heart leap to the threat and she could hear Elise's cry of surprise at her side. The prisoner wore simple garments, though his arms and legs were bound by chains. A formality, given the fact that he was missing both hands. She could see the marks of electric burns around the bandage-covered stumps.
Xander would never wield a weapon ever again.
"What's this, King Ryoma? Are you going to parade me and execute me in front of my remaining sisters?" the Nohrian said with contempt.
"Mind your tongue in front of the king," Kagero warned. Her lovely voice carried steel, to display her loyalty to her liege lord.
"This is your trial, Prince Xander. You and your soldiers have committed many crimes against not only Hoshido and our neighbors, but even your own people."
"We do what we must to survive. Not all of us are blessed with bountiful harvests and clear skies like you Hoshidans," Xander spat.
"Spare us the lies, prince," Scarlet said with a voice worthy of a queen. The boisterous woman had grown into her role as ruler and leader, hardening after the massacre of her countrymen. "Is Nohr really in a dire situation when it can raise such an army? All while still feeding their wyverns and horses? When it can feed their armies long before their attacks on the eastern side of the continent started?"
Each word made Corrin think and she could see the same on Elise's eyes. Scarlet's country was not that different from Nohr, though conquered a long time ago. Yet their people only suffered on Nohr's rule despite serving proudly in their army for centuries. So why was it that even the capital had such problems with poverty, hunger, and disease when the nobility had lavish parties and plenty of food for the army?
"Cheve lays on the same side of the continent, but we never had issues with farming or trade. Not until we were forced under Nohr's banner," she said with distaste."We know the words you cry in battle. "For the Glory of Nohr!" Not for the need of the people, but for the glory. Nohr had equal access to the sea. We have rich mines where we can trade minerals for resources, but your father would rather take everything by force than to lower himself to mere trade! "
"You rebelled against your king's orders. I don't expect a traitor like yourself to understand."
"Traitor!?" Scarlet snarled, sounding like a wyvern herself. "After what you did to my people you dare c–!"
"Enough, Scarlet. I think you've made your point," Ryoma said with a commanding, yet soft tone. He placed a hand on the freckled blonde's shoulder as she took a calming breath.
"Pardon me, beloved," she said with a sheepish smile. "I have a hard time thinking about Nohr without getting angry. I can only see the Chevois corpses butchered in the ground. Generations of service to that damned kingdom wasted."
"I understand," Ryoma said before turning to the two girls. "Kamui. Princess Elise. I brought you here because it's important that you know the truth behind the Nohrian Royal Family's actions. While we can't share everything yet, Nohr is still responsible for many atrocities. We are here to discuss those related to you."
Corrin didn't understand what was happening but the flash of fear in Xander's eyes didn't inspire any confidence.
The Hoshidan King looked at his retainers and gave a nod. "Sit Prince Xander on the throne," Ryoma commanded the ninjas, who obeyed despite the weak struggles of the prince. "That's what your people have desired, no? For a Nohrian to sit in the throne of Hoshido? Now you get your wish, with all that entails," he said with no small amount of contempt in his voice.
"What is that supposed to mean? Is something going to happen to Xander?" Elise asked, worried for their elder brother.
"As you may recall, Kamui," Ryoma said as he and Scarlet watched how Xander was forced into the Throne. "Mother mentioned that this throne is known as the Throne of Truth. A gift from a kingdom long gone. It possesses the ability to reveal the true personality of those who sit on it. Not only that but when questioned by a member of the Hoshidan Royal Family, the one sat on it will always answer truthfully."
Xander's eyes widened in shock and fear, and Corrin felt dread coil around her insides.
Before the blond prince could protest, Ryoma powered through with the first question. "Tell us, Prince Xander. Were you aware of King Garon's plan for Princess Kamui?"
The Nohrian heir gritted his teeth and tried to resist but to no avail. The throne glowed with golden light and all of Xander's will crumbled away. "Yes."
Corrin's world shattered like glass.
"Since when?" Ryoma asked, carefully observing the girls' reactions.
"… Since the attempt to execute the two prisoners. Leo saved them on Father's orders. We knew that Corrin wouldn't kill them. We hoped that would spread the word of her so when you were captured taking the fort, the Hoshidans would take her captive."
He knew. He knew and he used her as a pawn.
"Were you aware then, of Kamui's role in the plan to kill Queen Mikoto?"
"Not until she had already departed," Xander admitted, which was little consolation to Corrin. "I knew the sword had something to with bringing down the barrier, but not the method. I myself had nothing against your mother, but I understood the necessity."
Used. Nothing but a tool.
He then looked at Corrin with determined eyes that did a poor job hiding the pain. "Once it was explained to me, I was angry, but as the heir to the throne of Nohr I understand that sacrifices have to be made sometimes. I knew there was a chance of you dying in the explosion, but I trained you too well for that. And I hoped that you would still return to Nohr even after learning your true heritage."
"...And had I sided with Hoshido?" Corrin asked, her Hoshidan blood compelling the prince to answer.
Xander closed his eyes before releasing a pained sigh. "I would've cut you down. The decision would've hurt me, but I would've done my duty. All traitors to Nohr shall receive no mercy."
Corrin couldn't believe what she had heard. At her side, Elise stood in equal shock, tears in her eyes. Their brother had admitted that he would've killed her in an instant, unlike the Hoshidans that tried time and again to get her back.
She gulped and asked another question that promised pain. "Camilla and Leo, too?"
"You know Camilla. If she couldn't have you, no one would. Leo tried to be too much like me. He wouldn't have hesitated in attacking you, always eager to please and demonstrate his worth," Xander said, regret fighting with the conviction in his voice. She knew it was true. "It's the result of the Concubine War. You and Elise can't understand, Little Princess. It would've hurt us deeply, but such is the burden of being a royalty."
Ryoma changed the topic, focusing more on Xander's actions. "What role did you partake in the massacres of neutral or rebellious territories?"
"They made a pledge to the crown and dishonored their vows with rebellion, but that did not deserve the massacre of civilians. I had nothing to do with the neutral territories and I do not approve of the actions committed there. Our goal was Hoshido," Xander said.
"At least you do have some honor," Ryoma said with a frown. "I really don't have much else to ask. I got the answers I needed." He then turned to his sister. "Kamui? Is there anything you want to ask him?"
There were many questions running through her head, but Corrin condensed them all into one.
"...Did you love me?" she asked softly.
"Corrin?" Xander asked, confused.
"Did you actually care about me, or was I just a tool to attack Hoshido?" Corrin asked with heat in her voice.
"I did! I do! I… I know what I said is horrible, but I'm sworn to my duty. I'm glad you joined us and didn't force us to fight you. You might've been Hoshidan by birth but when we took you in, I raised you as my own sister. We–!"
Corrin exploded. Rage powered her, pushing away the exhaustion she felt after weeks incarcerated. "You kidnapped me! You killed my father and erased my memories! Then you admit to using me as a sacrificial lamb!"
"Do not speak like I don't care! You would've been executed multiple times had we not interfered!"
"Only while I was still useful!"
"These were not easy decisions! You–!"
"ENOUGH!" the Hoshidan King commanded, stopping the bickering in an instant. "Prince Xander. You have admitted to many crimes against the people of Hoshido and its Royal Family. You have lead the Nohrian forces on this war as they ravaged our land. You might not be responsible for your father's choices, but you are complicit in following through with the orders. Do you have anything to say in your defense?"
Xander just leveled a glare at the prince. "What would be the point? It's clear you have already made your decision. Just end this farce of a trial."
Ryoma frowned at the tone but continued. "Very well," he said with finality. "The sentence for all these crimes is death. You will be executed at sunrise." The king then glanced to the young royals watching the display. "Do either of you have any last words for them before going back to your cell?"
The blond prince's expression faltered and looked at them with hesitation. They would be the last time he would ever talk to his family. Those that were still alive at least.
"Elise...After this… you will be the only heir to Nohr's throne. I..." he sighed in resignation. "We won't win this war. Father will die and you will be Queen. Do you understand?"
The young girl looked as if she had aged a decade in a matter of minutes. Her image of her family had been shattered and it would never be the same. But she gathered herself and looked at the broken prince in the eye.
"I will be a queen that leads Nohr to prosperity, through friendship and diplomacy. I will be the best queen I can be," she declared with conviction.
Xander gave her a pained smile, knowing that she should've never been the one to bear this burden. "...I know you will. You're stronger than you're given credit for." He then turned towards the white-haired princes. "Corrin… Little princess… I–"
She refused to acknowledge the way he used her nickname. It was obvious to anyone that he didn't want to die without at least healing some bridges.
But he wasn't going to be to mend this bridge.
"...My name is Kamui," she whispered, just barely preventing more tears from gathering in her eyes. And yet, despite her statement, she couldn't call herself that name in her mind. She didn't deserve a Hoshidan name after her crimes and failures.
She would remember the Xander that she grew up with fondness, regardless of the means by which she became his sister.
But that was not the man that was before her.
Xander just looked down in defeat, no longer having any fight left in him. The ninjas took away the broken prince away to wait for his execution.
"Princess Kamui. Princess Elise," the new Hoshidan Queen said, getting their attention. The fact that Scarlett called her 'Princess Kamui' showed some sympathy for the girl's plight. "I know you are going through a hard time, but could you please your hands on the throne? We need to know," Scarlet said with surprising kindness. She had no reason to even like the Nohrian royals, but she was making the effort.
Nodding, both princesses marched forward, with Corrin helping Elise who was still coming to terms with all of her family's atrocities. The pair placed their hands on the cold marble. They needed to prove their innocence, to some degree, for them to at least secure their comrades' lives.
Being the one with the Royal Blood, Ryoma asked the questions. "Princess Elise. Do you have any intentions of continuing this war once you become queen?"
Despite the harsh times she had suffered, Elise gathered all her strength and looked at Ryoma with conviction. "I never wanted war. I wish everyone would just get along. There are many people in the streets of Windmire that need food and medicine. I rather focus on helping them than continue this senseless war. I would rather trade with you to help my people. We lack food, but we have metal, gems, hardwood, and other goods to trade."
Corrin had to admire her little sister. Her kind heart hid a resolution many would not expect, along with a cunning mind filled with knowledge. Much like they did with Sakura, the fires of war and loss had tempered her heart.
The King and Queen shared a look once the throne glowed, indicating this was true. Scarlett nodded and Ryoma addressed the blonde girl. "Princess Elise. You are the only remaining heir to the throne of Nohr. Once we dispose of your father, are you willing to take the crown and work with us to help Nohr and end this war?"
"I do, but I understand that there will be conditions."
The rulers of Hoshido looked at her in approval. Despite being the youngest she seemed well aware of the intricacies of court. "You're correct. The removal of many nobles from positions of power, the demilitarization of Nohr as well as returning the seized territories to their rightful rulers are things that will be expected. Along with… insurance that no further aggression from Nohr will come."
Corrin felt pride in the way Elise took her but felt unease settle on her stomach at the mention of 'insurance'. "I understand."
"We will discuss this on a later date. I know that after what happened, you need some time to think." Earning a nod from the last Nohrian heir, the king looked towards his blood sister. "Kamui," Ryoma started with a grave voice that made her tense up. "Were you willingly complicit in our mother's death?"
The question hit her like a blow. Guilt, rage, and indignation rushed through her veins as memories of her mother came forth through thanks to the power of the throne.
In her memories, Mikoto had the same smile she gave her the day she laid down her life for her missing daughter.
"No!" she snapped, mustering all the anger she had bottled up. Not Ryoma too. She already had enough distrust from Takumi and Hinoka. "I would never have harmed Mother! I wasn't aware of anything regarding those actions!"
The glow from the throne showed this was the truth and Ryoma let go of a breath he wasn't aware he was holding. "I'm glad. While that doesn't absolve you of all responsibility, it will help your case. Though I don't think that will make Takumi or Hinoka change their opinions."
She didn't expect it to be easy, or even possible, but she would not deny she had some hope still left in her.
"Scarlet, would escort Elise to her chambers? I would like to have some time with my sister, alone."
"Of course," the queen said. Placing a comforting hand on Elise's shoulder, she used the other one to clean her tears. Offering her a smile, Scarlet slowly guided her out of the room. "Come, your highness. I have a proposition for you. We will discuss it while we have some tea. I will have your retainers come with us if that would make you feel more at ease."
Elise smiled at the kindness of the rough Wyvern Rider. "I would like that."
Corrin was glad Elise survived and was safe here, despite their circumstances.
Unlike herself.
"Walk with me, Kamui," Ryoma said and suddenly Corrin felt extremely vulnerable.
Her brother guided Corrin through a door on the side. The samurai guards showed no emotions on their faces but the princess could feel them tense at the sight of her. Not like she could defeat Ryoma in combat, even at her peak condition. The mere thought was ludicrous.
They walked outside and Corrin had to stop to feel the sun and wind on her skin. It had been so long since she felt this. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath of fresh air. The scent of spring hid the essence of war that still lingered on the air.
"Ryoma?"
"Yes?"
"Could…" She swallowed, not daring to look at him. "Could you tell me how you capture Xa– Prince Xander? I realize I'm prying for information bu–"
"Alright," he said with ease. "It's not a nice tale, though. Are you sure you want to hear it?" It was nice to hear such concern from one of her blood siblings.
She nodded. "Please. I need to know."
"Very well. This is what happened from my recollection, as well as the words of others..."
To say that the Nohrians were having a stroke of bad luck would be a severe understatement.
It first started after the Hoshidans had pushed them out of their foothold in Fort Jynta. The deaths of Prince Leo and Princess Camilla were hard blows after news of the captures of Princess Corrin, Elise, and Azura. The only remaining member of the Royal family had been Xander. The loss of troops on those encounters along with those from smaller skirmishes soon piled up, stopping the invasion in its tracks. Soon, they were being pushed out Hoshido and with no other choice, Prince Xander was forced to order the retreat back to Nohr to replenish their forces.
Sadly this played directly into the Hoshidans' hands. The main traveling path through the Bottomless Canyon had been rigged with explosives, with ninja demolition experts waiting for the moment when a large portion of the troops was already on their way. When more than half the troops were already on the path, the detonations started. Tons of rock came crashing down on the helpless Nohrian soldiers. Some were buried alive, while others were simply crushed or pushed off the cliffs to their deaths.
Prince Xander watched in horror as more than half of his remaining forces were lost on that single attack. He had only been spared of this fate because he put his troops' lives first while he protected the rear. A disgusting irony.
The warcries coming from the plains were enough to gather his attention and fill every Nohrian with dread. A large host of Hoshidan troops came rushing towards them. Leading them were the three eldest Hoshidan Royals.
Two which had killed his siblings.
Xander gritted his teeth and tempered his anger. It wouldn't do to lose his head. He couldn't put family over duty in this situation. The lives of his soldiers depended on it, even if their chances were slim. The Crown Prince barely manage to rally his disarrayed troops just as the Hoshidans crashed on their lines.
The battle raged for a long time and only the narrow terrain prevented the Hoshidans from overwhelming the Nohrians in one fell swoop. It granted the Nohrians a small fighting chance that they seized with both hands. But those with clear minds knew that they would soon be drowned by the number of Hoshidan troops coming on top of them, but in the end it didn't change their actions. There was no way out, but they would take as many Hoshidans as they could down with them.
Xander had cut his way through dozens of Hoshidan soldiers as his body protested from the exertion. He lost his horse to a volley of arrows but that didn't slow him down. He needed to get to the Hoshidan Royals and kill them or capture them to negotiate a parley. As destiny would have it, the Royals and their retainers met on the battlefields, while Takumi and Hinoka worked in tandem to thin the numbers of those that dared to get too close to them. The groups separated as each individual engaged their own opponent.
Laslow was tense. Most would think him relaxed from his expression, but anyone could see the wariness from facing against the brunette kunoichi before him. "I would rather not fight a pretty lady such as yourself. So how about you surrender? I give you my word you will be treated with respect," he said to the beautiful woman.
Kagero narrowed her eyes, but other than that her expression didn't change. "I could say the same thing to you, but none of us will betray our liege lords."
"... I suppose not," he conceded, before locking blades with the Hoshidan woman.
Kagero was surprised with the skill shown by the Nohrian retainer. He fought like a veteran that had been fighting all his life. But she had already been informed plenty on his skills. The blades on her forearms when combined with her wakizashi and natural agility allowed her to get shallow cuts here and there. She lacked armor in comparison to the samurai, but she made up for it by not getting hit.
A few kunai had pierced through his padded armor on the weaponed sections she had cut with her arm blades. Laslow gritted his teeth and pulled back to get some distance, but before he could take the kunai out or ask for a healer, his vision began to blur.
"W-what's happening? I feel… d-dizzy..."
"Fast-acting paralytic poison," the kunoichi explained, throwing a shuriken and striking a Nohrian mage that tried to attack her. "We have orders to take you alive. You will join your two friends in our dungeon."
"F-Friends?" he asked as he struggled to move. The action was becoming harder with every second. "Wh–?"
"You will know soon. Take him," Kagero ordered and two ninjas obeyed. Soon, Laslow had been taken away towards the back of the Hoshidan lines. Sadly for him, his capture was not witnessed by his lord or fellow retainer, for they were engaged on their own battles.
On another part of the battlefield, Peri fought on foot against Saizo, having lost her horse to the shinobi's shuriken. They were evenly matched. Saizo's agility and skill were being countered by Peri's unpredictability and brutality.
"I'm gonna bring your guts back to Lord Xander! Teeheehee!" the Nohrian retainer said with madness-filled glee.
"Tch! Madwoman..." Saizo said as he once more tightened the grip on his tanto.
Meanwhile, the King of Hoshido and the Crown Prince of Nohr were locked in brutal combat. The swordsmen had no more words for each other. Both knew neither would surrender to the other. The only way this battle would end would be with the capture or death of one of the combatants. Lighting and darkness clashed against each other in a fight for dominance, with neither giving an inch.
The Hoshidan King felt his muscles burn and knew he needed to end this quickly. The longer this went on, the more lives would be lost to this senseless slaughter. The Nohrians could not win, but a wounded animal was still dangerous and even more willing to fight. The sky soon turned orange with the sun starting to hide behind the canyon walls. It gave the king an idea.
Ryoma turned his blade, reflecting the light of the setting sun right into Xander's eyes. The moment of blindness made the Nohrian Prince falter, and that was all the Hoshidan King needed. Weaving through the missed strike, Ryoma swung Raijinto in a vertical arc. The black armor plating provided no protection against the lighting-enchanted steel, allowing the Hoshidan to severe both of Xander's forearms from the rest of his body.
Xander dropped to his knees, howling in pain. His hands laid a short distance away, Siegfried still on their grasp.
"LORD XANDER! YOU WI–URGH!" Peri's shout was cut short as she clawed at her throat, which now sported a bloody smile.
"Always keep your eyes on your opponent," Saizo said, pushing the dying girl to the ground and cleaning his kunai. "Remember that in your next life."
Hinoka and Takumi arrived moments later and took the beaten prince captive as the rest of their comrades dealt with the shocked Nohrians. They were drenched in Nohrian blood and the only thing that stopped them from cutting down the prince was their elder brother's command.
Ryoma raised Raijinto on the air and his voice rang like thunder on the battlefield. "NOHRIANS! YOUR PRINCE IS BEATEN! YOUR ARMY IS BROKEN! CEASE YOUR BATTLE AND YOU WILL BE GRANTED MERCY!"
The sight of their broken Lord on the hands of the Hoshidan Royals was the last straw for the beaten Nohrians. Their morale laid in ruins and only a few hundred of them were still alive. If they continued to fight, they would not live to see another day.
With no other choice, the last of the would-be conquerors dropped their weapons and surrendered to the Hoshidan forces.
"There were survivors?" Corrin asked in surprise as they continued their walk. She thought the Hoshidans would have killed them all.
"Yes. I'd rather not kill when it's not necessary. They were beaten and broken. We have around twelve hundred prisoners in our custody from all of our battles. They will remain in captivity in separate camps until this war ends."
She couldn't help but cringe at the number. It was but a fraction of the numbers before the start of the war. Still, she was glad that at least some Nohrians would see their families again. "And Laslow still lives?"
Ryoma nodded, but she noticed the slight scowl on his face. "Yes. He still has value as a prisoner."
Corrin remembered the strange behavior of two of her comrades. "Odin and Selena mentioned that your soldiers were ordered on taking them alive."
"That is correct," the king admitted, before giving her an odd look. "They have more to do with this situation than one would think."
"I have been told that before. I'm willing to accept it, but some answers would be nice. What makes these three special?"
"I'm sorry, but I should be able to tell you soon," he said with a sad smile. He stopped moments later, gazing in front of them. "We are here."
She finally looked around and froze. She hadn't been here since her return but she didn't need her memories to recognize the place.
The Royal Graveyard.
They walked in silence for a short while, passing through many of statues representing the previous rulers of Hoshido, before stopping before the latest additions. There stood three statues carved in marble with loving care. Gold was used to highlight certain details and give it a more lifelike appearance. It was the work worthy of a ruler and they would remain out in the open for a generation before being moved to the crypts below the castle. At the base of each statue was a plaque with the names of those resting there engraved in a golden plaque.
King Sumeragi Shirasagi.
Queen Ikona Shirasagi.
Queen Mikoto Shirasagi.
A lump formed in her throat and her pulse quickened. Her parents were resting there.
Her father's body, riddled with arrows as he shielded her from Garon.
Her mother smiling as she blocked the shard's from the sword Garon gave her.
"I… Why are we here?" Corrin asked. Was this some sort of torture? Ryoma couldn't be this cruel...
Ryoma placed a hand on her shoulder, making her look up to him. "Just for today, forget the politics. Forget the war, or whatever crimes you are being charged with. Talk to them. You deserve that much."
"I don't d–"
"You do," he said sternly, but not unkindly. "You are the real victim here, and as your brother I want to protect you. But Prince Xander spoke the truth. There is a burden to being a ruler. As King of Hoshido I have to punish you," he said and she could feel the pain in his voice. The pain she had put him through.
"I know… I'm sorry to place this burden on you, Ryoma."
"Even after all that you have been through, you still feel the need to apologize for things are not your fault."
"It is my fault! If I hadn't taken that mission, if I hadn't come back then mother would still be alive! If I hadn't sided with Nohr then I… I don't know! But things would be different!"
"Different doesn't always mean better."
"..." she didn't know what to say to that.
He squeezed her shoulder in reassurance. "You didn't kill our mother. You were used to doing so, yes, but not of your own volition. Your memories were taken from you and you were manipulated by Garon."
"I still sided with Nohr..."
Ryoma sighed. "It was foolish of us to expect you to simply side with us over those you thought were your blood for many years. The Nohrian heirs treated you well, regardless of the motive behind it. In the end, we were the strangers in your eyes. Blood has value, but so does bond. And it pains me that our place in your heart was stolen by Nohr."
Corrin cringed.
"It's not your fault," Ryoma insisted. "You need to get that through your head, little sister. You were manipulated. Garon put you in those situations and your life was on the line."
"Why do you keep trying to make me feel better?" she whispered, not looking at him.
"I'm your older brother. It's my job," Ryoma said as if that explained everything. In a way it did. Xander was the same. So different and yet so similar.
The white-haired princess gave a hollow chuckle. "Well, you are the only one that doesn't outright hate me or just cut me off their lives."
"Your decision certainly didn't make things easier for us," he conceded. "And each of us felt its weight in our own way."
Oh, how she knew that to be the truth. "I… I heard their rants. How Takumi dared to hope I stayed or the work Hinoka put into rescuing me… I didn't have the time to really get to know what they had been through before I made my choice."
Ryoma frowned in thought. He seemed to mull over his words for a minute before replying. "Hinoka spent her life training to get you back, making it her single-minded mission. Your choices, the death of Azama, and Sakura's situation replaced the image of the loving sibling she spent years trying to save with that of an apathetic conqueror who feels nothing for them," he said until he noticed the pained expression on her face. "I know that's not what you are, but pain can blind us to the truth."
It was the cruel truth. While Camilla pampered her with gifts, Hinoka was working herself to the bone to rescue her sibling.
"Takumi always hated Nohr for taking you and killing our father. Combined with Oboro's history… well, it was to be expected." He seemed to mull over something, before continuing."I will tell you a secret. He used to tell me, in private of course, that he wished we could all be a family once again. Even with Azura, despite anything he says. When you went to Nohr, Takumi took it as though you didn't care at all." Ryoma explained. "Did you know he is also a son of Mikoto?"
"Truly?" That surprised her. She wasn't aware, but then again there were still holes in her memories.
Her only full blood kin hated her.
"Yes. That's why you both share the same hair color. Father took both our mothers as wives. Not that different of Nohr, I suppose. But they shared power and actually got along. We never had anything like the Concubine Wars of Nohr." he told her fondly, "Mother Ikona was weak from Hinoka's childbirth and died of a miscarriage a few years after Sakura was born. After that, Mother Mikoto took the role of mother for all of us."
"Oh..." Only know she learned more about the other wife of her father. She never asked much about her when she was little, at least that she could recall.
Ryoma took her silence as a sign to continue. "Sakura is just too kind to hate you. Oh, she might have been angry, but not to the point to hate you." He then chuckled. "It's funny to think she has a temper under all that kindness. She used to slap Azama when he bullied her, and once even broke her festal in frustration with her bare hands."
Corin couldn't help but chuckle at that. Somehow the idea of meek little Sakura snapping a rod in frustrations was a silly idea. Sadly, that Sakura was gone, replaced by a more tempered but still kind princess.
That only left one person she couldn't figure out yet.
"...And you?" she whispered, lifting her eyes to look at her brother.
Ryoma looked at her with a mix of pity and resignation. "I'm… disappointed."
For some reason, that hurt her the most.
"At us," he clarified as if reading her mind. "Because we could only get you back home as a prisoner. Because I was forced to destroy the images you had of the Nohrian Royalty in order to give the truth. Because… Because I failed as your brother."
She looked at him in surprise. "Wha–You… You don't hate me?"
"Kamui…" he said, running a hand through her hair. "Did you know that I was the first person to hold you in their arms? Well, aside from the midwife. Father was away with my blood mother on a diplomatic mission when your mother went into labor. I was the one that held her hand through it all. By then, I already saw her as a second mother."
"I… I had no idea."
"When I held you… I swore I would protect you. Just like Hinoka did. And as the eldest it's my duty to protect all of you, and I failed you. I failed all of you. I let Takumi fall to his hatred. I let Hinoka burn her life away in a single-minded pursuit, no matter how noble. I couldn't protect Azura from my own soldiers. I let Sakura suffer so much. And I failed you most of all." Ryoma looked at the statues with remorse. "This is one of the few things I can do for you."
Ryoma stepped back, giving her the space she needed to get things off her chest. She looked at the carefully crafted faces of her parents. The fierce and brave expression her father had when he shielded her from the arrows. The soft smile her mother had when she did the same.
"Mother… Father… It's me, Kamui..." she swallowed, feeling her throat getting dry by the second. "I… I'm sorry! I'm such a disappointment! You must be so angry at me… You gave your lives for me and what do I give in return? I forget you and side with your killers! I..." She was rambling, but she didn't care. "I should've stayed in Hoshido… I know that!… I just… I didn't know what to do."
Her thoughts went back to all the good times she had with the Nohrian royals, even if her interactions were limited. She was a hostage, and it was so obvious looking back. Yet.. despite Xander's words, she just couldn't let go of those bonds.
"I still cared about my Nohrian siblings," the princess said, unsure if that would offend her parents. "I think I still do despite everything. I was just recovering my memories of you and then you died mother and I didn't know what to do… I just… I don't know anymore..."
Soft steps next to her made her look up to her big brother, who was looking at her with sad eyes.
"Come here," Ryoma said, wrapping his arms around her.
Corrin didn't resist. For the first time in what felt like a lifetime, she was just Kamui. She felt the warmth and strength of her big brother's embrace. A man that had tried his best, offered a dozen times to return home until her own foolish choices made that option unavailable. Just for a little while, she felt safe from the weight of the world. The princess wished she could stay like this forever.
She felt like the young girl she was. Why was she leading an army? Why did these choices fall to her!? All she did was screw up! Why did her father take her on that damn trip!? She would still be with her mother and father. Her Nohrian siblings might still be alive, even if they would not be her siblings.
"I'm so sorry!" she cried into her brother's arms. To whom she was asking forgiveness, she wasn't sure.
Ryoma just hugged her with a sad smile, stroking her hair like he did when they were younger. "So am I."
AN: So, I realize I made Xander look eviler than in canon as far as we know. Camilla and Leo are too weak-willed to make their own decision, with Camilla being quite unstable. Xander is weirdly written. In the supports he seems to care a lot for his family and people, while in the story proper he cares more about following his father, ignoring his evil actions and being the dutiful son.
I think its weird how the timing worked in the prologue. Corrin gets captured, the Nohrian army is at Hoshido's gate waiting for it to fall, with Xander leading it. While Xander doesn't want Corrin to die, clearly loving her and worried about her mission to the Ice Tribe, I feel he would obey his father if Corrin's sacrifice meant the end of the war.
Ryoma here is the understanding one. Takumi and Hinoka had their trust betrayed, while Sakura is just too kind to let it get to her when Corrin actually tried to help her. Ryoma here has lost the least compared to them. He only really snapped in Conquest when Corrin says they killed Hinoka. Here he is calmer, more rational and has seen how the Nohrians have suffered under Garon, as well as having Scarlet showing her that those in the Dark Kingdom can be just as good. That and he knows of the true enemy.
Thanks to Xbro Kong for checking this.