I meant to post something earlier but exams are keeping me busy. I was juggling with several ideas and finally decided to roll with this. Hope you like it!


"This is outrageous, Prince Xander!" The councilman slammed his fist on the table. Xander kept his hands folded in front of his mouth as he let the man finish his rant. "You disappear during a vital part of the war to join that traitorous bastard, Corrin! Then you suddenly come back with not only news of Garon's death but that we now going to be allied with Hoshido?"

Xander sighed. He had assembled men who he thought would help him see his vision for Nohr's future a reality. The only reality he was being aced with currently though was that these men were just as bigoted as his father.

"Then there's the fact that you married one of those Hoshidan whores," another councilman added. A firm grip on his shoulder from his friend, Laslow, reminded not to stand up and beat the outspoken cur to a pulp. "You didn't even tell the people."

"Why should my love life be the people's concern?" Xander asked.

"Because you are the prince!" the first councilman shouted, slamming his fist on the table again. "You do not make such brash decisions without consequences!" Admittedly, he did have a point. It may have been too much to expect everyone for him to suddenly return home with a Hoshidan princess for a wife.

"Gentlemen, please," Laslow said. Xander looked at him confused. He thought Laslow might be too shy to speak out. "You have all known my lord since he was but a child. He has always acted in Nohr's interest. Allying with Corrin was not a decision made lightly, and his courtship with Lady Hinoka was not an impulsive act of passion."

"And why should we listen to what some lowly retainer has to say?" asked one of the councilman.

"Because this 'lowly retainer' has served consistently by his majesty's side through this whole ordeal. I have watched as he deliberated over each of his decisions. If my word isn't good enough there are Lord Xander's siblings, their retainers, and other Nohrian soldiers who aided us in this war."

"Traitors all!" Xander was starting to wonder why any of these fools held any sort of title in his kingdom.

"Traitors who not only found but destroyed the true threat to both Nohr and Hoshido. All the while, you lot were wasting lives over a meaningless distraction."

"What do you know? You are not even Nohrian yourself, outsider! Why should-"

"Enough!" Xander shouted. "My friend speaks the truth. Our war with Hoshido was only a distraction for a greater evil. One that we could not defeat on our own. I fought and bled with the ruling family of Hoshido itself, and am honored to have done so. I see now that continuing this feud between our nations has only exacerbated the problems our kingdom faces. We must be willing to move past it."

The councilors looked at each other and murmured in disapproval. "You betray everything your fore fathers established, Prince Xander!"

"King," Xander said. It was quiet for a moment.

"Excuse me?"

"My title is 'King' not 'Prince.'" He stood up from his chair. "My father is dead. Nohr is now mine to rule. I wish to take it out of the squalor are people have been forced to live in. If that means allying ourselves with Hoshido, then so be it. And if none of you are willing to look past your own misguided prejudices, then I have no need for you. This will be my first order as king: you are all hereby stripped of your position. I will find replacements of a more open mind."

The councilors just stared at him in shock. Laslow stood quietly but was just as surprised. Slowly, they all began to file out of the room. Xander looked at the one who referred to Hinoka before. "You there." The councilman stopped and looked at him. "While our union has been short so far, I love my wife dearly. You may not care for her, but I expect you to respect her position. And if you ever call her a whore again . . ."

The councilman gulped loudly. "Forgive me, King Xander. It will not happen again." Xander nodded and watched the pathetic man scurry out of the room. Xander sat down and let out a long sigh.

"Laslow."

"Yes, Sir?"

Xander looked at him. "Do you think I made a mistake? These men have served my father for years."

"If I may be blunt, Your Highness." Xander nodded. "I think that was the problem." The two men chuckled lightly. "Do you feel you made a mistake?"

Xander shrugged and shook his head. "I don't know. I suppose we'll find out. I certainly didn't make any friends today."

"Perhaps, milord, it's equally as important to make the right enemies."

Xander smiled a little. "There's some wisdom there. Perhaps I should put you on my new council."

Laslow's face started to turn red. "Oh, no. I'm not a politician. Besides, they were right. I'm not from Nohr. I intend to return home someday."

"A pity. I think you would be a great help to Nohr."

Laslow smiled. "Coming from you, that is the highest honor."

"Hey." The two looked towards the door and saw Hinoka walk in. "I saw those councilmen you summoned. They didn't look too happy." She walked up to Xander's side. "Did something happen?"

Laslow cleared his throat. "I think I'll let you two talk alone." He quickly slipped out of the room. Hinoka raised a brow as she watched him leave.

"What was that about?" she asked. Xander stood up and stared at the table. "Hey." She put a hand on his cheek and directed his face so he was looking at her. "What's wrong?"

"I just came to grips with how difficult it will be to move Nohr forward."

Hinoka nodded. "I see. Anything you need my help with?"

"Only if it won't be a burden for you."

"For you? Never." Xander smiled as Hinoka brought his lips in to meet hers.


Thanks for reading. Hope you enjoyed!