Volume 2

Chapter 1-Outside at Last

Our footsteps echo within the dark walls of the Northern Fortress; lit with several candles, illuminating the halls just enough to see where I am going.

I follow Xander to the castle's exit. I was never told where it was before. Probably because if they told me, I would know how to leave. This was never allowed, until today. Ugggh, we are walking fast, yet my legs feel like they are about to burst.

"Corrin, is everything all right?" Xander asks. " You look rather anxious."

"It's nothing."

"You can't fool me, little sister. I can tell just by looking at you how much you desire to leave."

"I can never hide anything from you Xander."

"As your older brother, it is my duty to look after you, and help you when needed.

But Xander has done more than this for me. He is the one who visits me the most frequently and would frequently drop his work id he heard I was upset. We would even train late at night past curfew to help train me. He even risked breaking law to get me the Akatsuki series, which is only available on Nohr's black market. To what would make Xander so adamant on taking care of me and my siblings?

" I have a proposition for you, if you are interested?"

"Go on."

"In a few turns we will reach a long hallway. At the end is the main exit of the castle plaza, which is where our carriage is waiting."

"So, what you're saying is, you want to race me to the exit."

"You took the words right out of my mouth. Here it comes, the finish line is at the doorway. It starts the moment we turn the corner."

We reach the corner, turn, and sprint for the light at the end of the hallway; the exit. Too bad for Xander, my desire to leave gave me the strength to run ahead.

When I finally reach the outside, I stop to take everything in; I feel the cold air etching into my skin. This must be what it feels like to be outdoors.

As I close my eyes, and embrace the sensations of the outdoors, I feel a thick garment draped over my shoulders. I turn and see Jakob smiling.

"I thought you could use a coat milady."

"Why, thanks Jakob."

Only when put my arms into the sleeves does Xander reach the exit, panting.

"Lord Xander, what happened?" Jakob asks.

Xander quickly calms down and regains his stern posture, and composure.

"No need to worry. Corrin and I just had a friendly race. Still though, I am impressed you won."

"I guess you need to get off your horse every once in a while." I say.

"I see...then I guess I will have to add running to my daily workout."

A nicely lit carriage comes before us. Black and gold in color, it stops before us. The door opens revealing Leo, and Selena?

"Selena? What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be resting with the others?

She has bags under her eyes, and it looks like the only thing keeping her up is willpower.

She replies "Couldn't...sleep. No... room. Arthur wouldn't...stop snoring. A retainer...must...also."

Selena almost collapses; it seems like she will pass out at any second.

"You should rest, Selena." I say.

"Sorry, it is my fault." Flora says as she comes out of the exit. "Lilith and Felicia have apparently gone missing, and I needed another person to help at the stables. But when I arrived, Selena was already there, helping Lady Camilla and Lady Elise with their mounts before they left."

"It's okay, Flora. But why did they leave?" I ask.

"Lady Elise and Lady Camilla went ahead to help secure the time slot for your test, as the everchanging schedule made Lady Camilla paranoid of you having to wait another day." Jakob responds.

"I figured so." Then, I ask " Jakob, Xander, can I ask you both a favor?"

"At all ears milady."

"Of course."

"I would like to give Selena time off for her hard work so she can rest. Furthermore, she can sleep in my bed."

"But milady-"

"It is all right by me, Jakob."

"Understood, Lord Xander. Flora!"

"Yes, Jakob?"

"While I am gone, you are head-maid. Furthermore, please lead our guest to Lady Corrin's clean bed. Do not worry about Lilith and Felicia, they should be back soon."

"Understood."

Flora walks over to Selena. Selena rests herself on Flora's shoulder as the latter carries Selena inside. On the way Selena pats my back and says "Thanks, Corrin."

"That's what friends are for."

"Heh, yup."

Flora carries Selena over her shoulder back inside the castle.

Jakob says "Now then, milady, Lord Xander, and Lord Leo please enter the carriage so we may be off."

Xander and I enter the carriage, with Jakob behind us, closing the door.

"Took you long enough, I was beginning to get cold."

"Apologies for taking so long, Leo." I say.

"It's alright, sis. I am relieved to see Selena getting some rest. I cannot believe someone can work themselves to the point of almost collapsing. I doubt even Lord Xander can match her work ethic."

"Yes, while I hate to admit it, I do indeed envy Selena's talent. However, I have found working without any sort of break is more harm than good."

"Leo was making a joke big brother."

"Oh! My apologies."

Does he always have to take everything seriously? Deciding not to respond, I count the other people here, and realize one is missing. "Hold on, where is Gunter?" I ask.

Gunter's voice comes from outside the carriage. "Out here milady!"

"What are you doing there?" I ask loudly.

"Driving the carriage, of course! Just because I'm old, doesn't mean I cannot steer a mere carriage. Kids these days."

"Come on. Big brother, big sister. I think I may freeze if the door remains open any longer."

"Right. Sorry Leo."

Jakob holds the carriage door open as I step inside-followed by Xander. It's lit with bright lanterns, and the seats are red velvet. Jakob takes his seat after Xander I do; him closing the door behind him. As we begin to move, I look back through the window, back at the Northern Fortress. I lament at first, leaving the only place I called home my whole life. A feeling which gets swallowed in excitement as I daydream of the new possibilities.