The Palace of Ylisstol was as beautiful and gorgeous as the woman that used it as a home, with varying arts, carvings and delicate designs decorating the grand hallways that Corrin was certain could easily allow a horse through, as they made their way through Corrin couldn't help but notice that Robin was nearly clinging to her side, once again she was conflicted on the one hand this was the reason she had been brought here but on the other there was something different about Robin for the third time that day she cursed her kindness.
Before Corrin realized it they were standing in a great hall that had a large throne near the back of it, draped all throughout the hall were banners depicting the royal sigil of the exalt along with Pegasus knights guarding all the entrances, as they approached Corrin was once again stunned by the Exalt, as she stood there she was the very image of grace and beauty, once they stood before her Emmeryn gave a gentle smile that caused Corrin's heart to flutter which in turn led to Corrin being more confused than she had been before about Chrom and everything that had happened.
"Chrom! Lissa! Welcome home. Oh, and good day, Frederick. How fared you all?" Emmeryn continued smiling at the group as she spoke, acknowledging her other guests but focusing on her siblings which Corrin respected.
"Well—we shouldn't have any bandit problems for a while." Chrom gave his sister one of his own charming smiles in an attempt to keep the situation light, as he smiled Corrin suddenly felt her heart beat harder and her face getter hotter, she suddenly felt light headed and realized just how dangerous this time line was for her health.
"Wonderful. And our people?" Emmeryn's smile faded to a look of concern both for her people and it seemed the now beet red Corrin who seemed to lose her balance slightly as Emmeryn met her eye.
"Safe as they can be, Emm. But we still need to watch the borders. The brigands crossed over from Plegia." Chrom looked to be barely containing his anger, his eyes following his sisters as they did his anger faded to concern.
"Forgive me, milord. My Pegasus knights should have intercepted them." A Pegasus knight with short silver blue hair tied into a tight bun and red eyes with a small beauty mark, as she spoke she did have a serious expression that Corrin believed she would look better without.
"No, Phila. Your duty was here, with the Exalt." Chrom's kind words seemed to put Phila at ease and once again Corrin found her mind racing with thoughts of Chrom sweeping her of her feet with the same gentle tone.
"And besides, we had plenty of help!" Lissa chimed in upon seeing that Corrin was fine and directing the conversation to allow Corrin and Robin to introduce themselves.
"Ah, you speak of your new companions here?" Emmeryn turned to face Corrin and Robin as she did both silver haired women turned a light shade of pink.
"This is Corrin; she fought against the brigands bravely…" Chrom began speaking and as he did Corrin could only feel her embarrassment grow both from the way Chrom was speaking about her and the attention that both royals were giving her, she just hoped her mind wouldn't wander.
"She's also from an alternate reality… Time thing…" Lissa's sentence quickly drifted off as she realized how crazy she sounded, she was thankful when Corrin stepped in.
"That statement is true, your grace, I am the queen of a kingdom called Valla and I was asked by a goddess…or at least an incredibly powerful entity to come and provide assistance as I have seen conflict and defeated many enemies, there is something coming your grace… something big and I shall do all I can to provide assistance when it does come." Corrin bowed her head slightly avoiding the shocked looks of her travelling companions she half closed her eyes and decided the floor would be the best place to stare right now.
"Then… Queen Corrin, I thank you and I can say that never once did I doubt what my sister was saying, as ludicrous as it sounds, I know in my heart of hearts that what both of you are saying is true and I'm glad to have you here." Emmeryn's gentle tone and way of speaking reminded Corrin of Azura in some ways, more than she would like in fact, as those thoughts hit Corrin remembered the times when she had failed… the times she had discovered that to her fate was something that she could bend to her will another grim reminder that she was the daughter of a monster.
She hadn't realized it but her fists had clenched as they did the water and crystal fragments the signalled her transformation had also appeared, she could feel the tension in the air and at the edge of her senses she could hear weapons being drawn however there was a sensation that surprised her, the sensation of warmth, looking down she saw purple sleeves wrapped around her waist and she could hear a small voice "I don't know what's happening but this… isn't you… I don't know why I'm saying this but please Corrin… don't stop being you" Robin's voice cut through the growing roar in Corrin's head and just like that the magic faded along with the all-consuming anger that accompanied Corrin's darkest dreams.
"I…apologize lady Emmeryn, Prince Chrom, Princess Lissa and Sir Fredrick I seem to have lost control for a moment there" Corrin spoke quietly, her voice had a controlled tone, her body was tense until she felt Robin squeeze her waist then all the tension faded, she couldn't explain it but she felt better.
Emmeryn smiled gently "Lady Corrin, there's no need to apologize, you had mentioned that you have seen conflict… I understand those lingering burdens better than most, so please relax and enjoy Ylissean culture while you are here and if it isn't too much to ask I would appreciate your input at the council meeting tomorrow, I would appreciate the insight of a skilled warrior like yourself." Her smile faded when she mentioned the council, Corrin couldn't tell why but she sensed the Emmeryn wasn't looking forward to it or if there was something weighing on the Exalts mind "But enough of these dour thoughts, you should rest and recuperate for the evening… oh maybe you should meet the rest of Chrom's Shepards before the evening is out, you'll find that they're quite the group." Emmeryn's smile returned and seemed to be brighter than before.
"Those certainly sound like good plans Lady Emmeryn, the rest definitely sounds good after all we've been through" Corrin smiled wearily whilst trying to gently pry Robin's arms from around her stomach.
"Well in that case I'll head down to the barracks and let the others know to expect royal company your highness" Chrom bowed slightly before heading off and Corrin couldn't help but notice that Chrom's attitude seemed… different he seemed more like a stuffy noble than the freewheeling swordsman he had been, which is why she hated introducing herself as a queen.
After he had left Corrin looked towards Lissa slightly confused "Was that the same Chrom?" Lissa shrugged as if that answered the question, Corrin then turned to a now embarrassed Robin "I want to thank you… Robin…" As Corrin spoke those words her inner dragon called for her blood which was a new sensation for her "…For stopping me from… well… not being me" she watched the (as much as she hated to admit it) cute amnesiac hide her face behind her twin-tails.
As she waited for Robin to stop hiding Emmeryn approached "Would you like to clean up?" Corrin's mind went places with that question "I'd love to lady Emmeryn…"
Much to Corrin's disappointment a servant showed her to the bath, she also noticed Robin following her which was… strange… she liked it but could almost feel a creeping sensation in the back of her mind… like a madness contesting with a great hatred. Once the servant had respectfully left them Corrin looked to Robin and said the only words she didn't think she would say in this timeline "Would you… like to… join me… for a bath… Robin…" She took her time and formulated the sentence normally in Hoshido this would only be a bad thing to say in a private setting like this one Corrin or to a complete stranger Like this one Corrin or in a different place that isn't Hoshido Exactly like this Corrin WHAT ARE YOU DOING!? To her surprise Robin nodded with a red face and of course this response caused Corrin to also turn bright red, however upon opening the door she relaxed, the royal bathroom was a similar size to a Hoshidan bath house its décor resembled a brighter take on Nohrian design featuring marble columns and a rather intricate fountain, the two of them kept their modesty to the best of their abilities.
After some time Corrin spoke breaking the Silence "So… do you know what those markings mean?" as much as she had tried to keep things… normal between them she couldn't help but steal a glance at the woman she was sharing a bath with, a large bath but a bath none the less, and during those fleeting moments she had noticed across Robins body was various designs, all of them featuring at least six eyes, they were most prominent on her back, hand and just below her navel Not that my eyes went much further… Bad needy Dragon! Stop! As she finished chastising herself Robin spoke quietly "I don't… it's… scary and I can't explain it but when it feels… dark… you make me feel safe…" As she spoke Robin slowly sank beneath the surface until only her eyes and the towel on top of her head were visible, Corrin didn't know how to react… this really wasn't the Robin she had seen this was just a terrified woman that knew nothing about herself all she really knew was Corrin and that was it.
After some time as they were getting out Robin surprised Corrin again "Are you okay lady Corrin?" first there was the "Lady" part that was a small surprise but the genuine concern in that statement caught her off guard she turned to smile "Of course why wouldn't I…." Robin cut Corrin off placing a hand on her bicep "You're covered in scars… so…" Corrin looked down as Robin spoke and true enough the spell that Sakura and Elise had made for her to hide her years of conflict had faded… there was a lattice of scars across her back, along her right arm there was a long scar that ended at her wrist, her left forearm had a deep axe scar in it, her torso had two prominent scars one on her chest that was left by a wyrmslayer and one on her stomach that had been left by her older brother during one of the skirmishes she had with the and from there it was just small nicks and sword marks, signs of her reckless youth and desperation to unify her families.
For the first time in years Corrin broke down into tears and hugged Robin ignoring the awkwardness of the situation and just revelling in the comfort of Robins embrace the moment was ruined as the door opened and Chrom stood there, for a moment there was silence…then… "KYAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Chrom only just avoided the embarrassed screaming women's spells which proceeded to put an incredibly large hole in the wall…
