Author's note: Thank you, readers, for sticking around to read chapter ten. I have here another serious chapter for you all; I shall try to make it up to you by putting Xander in "elitist-prig" mode for the next chapter. Until then, please enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Fire Emblem.

Chapter ten: The Fight

Silence reigned in Corrin's room. The air felt hot and stuffy, causing sweat to trickle down Xander's pale forehead. He was so warm, he was suffocating; he wanted desperately to remove the scarf around his neck, to pull the leather gloves off his hands. But he was feeling far too nervous to move.

He had been staring at his hands for some time. He couldn't say how long — a short time, a long time? Neither sounded like fact. His mouth was dry after sitting so determinedly dormant since the end of his speech. Xander could not muster up the ease to even swallow.

Eventually, Xander dared to peek at Corrin.

She had been curled up on her bed for almost the entirety of Xander's visit. He had noticed that, as he had gone deeper into his "explanation", Corrin had pulled herself even tighter together; by the time he had finished, her arms were wrapped so tightly around her legs, her toes were turning blue. Xander had stopped talking some time ago, but Corrin had not relaxed.

How long are we going to sit here? Xander wondered. He felt suddenly trapped, and desperately wished to escape and flee to his own rooms. I must excuse myself. No need to be dramatic — obviously, we both need some time alone after this trial.

Xander cleared his throat loudly. Corrin shuddered. "Sorry!" Xander exclaimed. "I didn't mean to frighten you."

"It's okay." Corrin wouldn't look at him.

"Yes, well… I think I had best go, now. I have nothing more to say, and you need time to come to terms with what I have told you." Xander spoke softly and calmly, as though he were trying to soothe a terrified animal. He inched a little closer to the door with every word. "If you have any questions, of course you can ask me."

"Wait!" Corrin said, raising her head just enough for Xander to see her blush. "I do have some questions." she whispered.

"Oh." said Xander. He stood still and rigid between the door and Corrin. Damn it…! he cried.

"I… I was wondering…" Corrin twisted her fingers in her lap. "Why do— How did the tradition about waiting until after the couple was married start?"

A needle of pain shot through Xander's heart, leaving a cold wound. "Why that question?" he asked quickly.

Corrin shook her head so rapidly, her hair flew up. "I just wondered! I was curious! I'm sorry."

"No," Xander said more calmly, "I shouldn't have snapped." He knew he was lying.

You're lucky I only snapped at you! he thought.

Taking a deep breath, he said, "Waiting until marriage is more than a bland tradition, Corrin. The wait itself is a test — a test of the couple's love and fortitude and respect. The wait answers the question of whether the couple is in love with each other's heart or only with each other's body. Additionally, it is a test of fortitude, in that when young people are particularly in love, they may run off and… be reckless." Xander coughed. "They must be stronger and resist temptation, for that sets the standard of loyalty in their married lives. Finally, the wait is also a test of respect. Do the couple respect each other enough to wait and not pressure each other into something the other does not want? But most important of all, it proves respect for the couples' families."

Corrin lifted her head. "How?" she asked.

"The families of each lover want them to prove they are truly in love before they marry; waiting is the greatest proof of that love. For example, the family of, say, the bride would want to make sure that the groom loves their sister for herself and not for her body, that he is not only playing on her affections for his own gain. Thus, they would want the couple to wait until the groom proves himself before they consent to the marriage. Heh."

Xander smiled despite his discomfort. I'm actually doing all right. he thought. Her question caught me off guard, but my answer is clear and certain. She could not possibly consent to any advance from Niles after this. Finally, I have managed to defend our family's reservations against the marriage and warn Corrin in one swoop. We don't need to worry. Everything will be fine, now!

"Is there anything else, Corrin?" Xander asked, looking at the door. "It is getting very late." he murmured off-handedly.

"… Get out." Corrin whispered.

Xander spun around to stare at his sister. Her face was pale and her eyes were narrow; she was glaring at him fiercely, as though he were an enemy she was anxious to cut down. She ground her teeth and repeated, "Go now!"

"What is wrong with you?" Xander exclaimed.

"How dare you accuse Niles of trying to use me!" Corrin shouted. "Do you think he pretended to woo me? Was he lying when he said he loved me? Do you think me so stupid I could be duped into love?"

Corrin jumped to her feet and stood tall before Xander, her fists clenched at her side. "I thought you were angry about my marrying Niles because you objected to his past. But you didn't even have the basic decency to believe in his loving me? You couldn't believe even that. Instead, you had to twist it into something criminal!"

Corrin gasped for breath. Xander's temper flared. He wouldn't let that weasel turn his own sister against him!

"You side with a man whom you've only know a few months rather than your family?" Xander asked. "You decide we are cruel monsters because we question a thief's intentions? How dare you, Corrin. We hurt and act out of love for you; we want to protect you. But you cast us aside in favor of a street rat!"

"Get out!" Corrin screeched.

"I will leave, but not before warning you one last time."

"I won't hear it!" Corrin turned her back on Xander.

"He was bred a liar, Corrin. He was brought up to have no morals and to stoop to any low."

"Shut up!"

"He will love you and leave you, Corrin! And when that happens, you'll want us there to pick up the pieces."

Corrin turned around and pointed at the door. "Get out now!"

Xander turned and left without another word. He slammed the door behind him. He stood outside, not moving, seething in anger and pain. Inside, he could hear Corrin sobbing.

"Damn it…" he whispered, and fell silent against the door. Unbelievably, he had made his little princess cry. He, who had always been the one to dry her tears, had now caused them. The pain in his chest grew more intense; he clutched at his heart, feeling the burn become a raging anger. "Damn him." he cursed. "Damn him!"