Dear Corrin,
I am inviting you back to Nohr at your convenience. Camilla has proposed a 'date' idea for us, and although it sounds strange, I quite liked the idea. Word got to her, somehow, that you enjoy picnics, which was something I admit I didn't know about. So I'd like it if we could go on a picnic, perhaps somewhere outside the city? Of course, it's up to you.
I'll see you soon,
Leo.
Corrin smiled at the paper as she folded it up. For someone that was such a stickler for rules, unlike herself, Leo's writing style was surprisingly informal. Even Camilla's letters held an eloquence that Leo's words couldn't hold a candle to. She tucked the letter away on her shelf, hidden from the prying eyes of her siblings.
It had been a few weeks since she had dropped that bombshell on her family, and in her opinion, they were taking it quite well. Hinoka had invited herself to be Corrin's head bridesmaid, and Sakura had roped Oboro in to sew Corrin's wedding dress, the measurements for which had already been taken. Ryoma had been ridiculously busy the past few weeks, and therefore Corrin had barely had a chance to speak to him. And Takumi...
Well, Corrin had barely seen her younger brother. He rarely turned up for meals any more- Sakura said that he was there when he knew Corrin wouldn't be. On the few occasions they did see each other, passing in the corridor or at the training grounds, he ignored her, pretending like Corrin wasn't even there. She tried to be polite to him, saying good morning and how are you when she saw him, yet she received no response.
Deciding to move on from Takumi's strange attitude, Corrin walked downstairs, her armour clanking against the wooden stairs. Her room was the only room on the top floor of the building, a small attic room that has served as her nursery when she was a child. It gave her an extra layer of privacy that the others didn't have, and the wooden stairs and wooden door added something quite un-Hoshidan to the room.
There was one room that she was headed to, an office in the far flung corridors of the palace. The paper door was red, a contrast from the white doors of the rest of the palace. Gold trees snaked up the side of the door, and unlike every other room in the palace, this one had a bell, on a gold string. Corrin reached up to the bell, pulling on the string until it rang out over the corridor.
"Who is it?" A voice questioned from inside.
"Corrin."
"Come in."
Corrin walked into the office, taking a seat in front of Ryoma's desk. He continued to write in silence for a moment, while Corrin admired the room. It was dark, lit only by candles ash the window was blocked by bookshelves. The rest of the room, too, was covered in books, although Corrin had never seen Ryoma read any of them. They must've belonged to Mikoto, or Sumeragi, or perhaps even someone who ruled before. At this thought, Ryoma set his quill down, and folded his arms, facing Corrin with a gentle smile.
"What can I do for you, dear sister? I imagine it's something important if you've come to my office."
"I guess you could say that, yes. I... I don't want to have to do this, but if I'm moving to Nohr, I'm going to have to resign from my job as Foreign Secretary."
"I knew this was coming. I didn't want to bring it up to you," he added, upon seeing Corrin's mouth open in offense. "It was your decision to make, and I do think you've made the right one. It would be wrong to work in Hoshido so close to the king while being queen of another kingdom."
"It's not effective immediately," Corrin interjected. "I'm giving you time to find someone else. I'm sure you have someone in mind."
"I would like to discuss this wedding with you, though. Do you have time now? What I was doing can be put off," Ryoma asked, quickly changing the subject.
"Of course," Corrin answered, making herself more comfortable in the seat.
"We in the council want to know if it is to be held here or in Nohr. Plans need to be made and a date set soon, Corrin. Some people are getting impatient."
"In Nohr, it is traditional for the wedding to take place in the bride's church, so I for one would like it to be held here, if that suits with the council."
"I'm sure they'd be thrilled. We haven't had a royal wedding since father married your mother, which was almost twenty years ago," Ryoma smiled, finally unfolding his arms.
"I'm leaving for Nohr later today, so I'll ask Leo concerning a date while I'm there."
"Wonderful. I'm so happy for you, Corrin. I know you've had a hard run since coming to us, but I'm sure marrying Leo will be good for you. Hinoka and Sakura also are good with the arrangement too. I hear they've become quite involved."
"My wedding dress is already in the works, apparently," Corrin laughed, but her face fell quickly. "I know Takumi isn't pleased. He hasn't spoken to me since my return from Nohr that time."
"Yes," Ryoma mused, his eyebrows furrowing. "I feel like you should speak to him. He has confided in both me and Hinoka, and what he has said is slightly concerning. One of his favourite phrases, 'Nohrian Scum', has resurfaced, so perhaps having a good conversation with him would help the situation immensely."
"Perhaps," Corrin sighed. "I'll speak with him on my return from Nohr. Jakob is already preparing the horses, and I think Kaze is cooking up something for us to eat on the way."
"Enjoy yourself, Corrin," Ryoma said as she rose from her chair.
"I'll write if I decide to stay longer than one day, although I should be back late tomorrow."
"Safe travels, princess." Corrin shot him a look as she reached the door, but Ryoma merely chuckled. "A joke, Corrin. My apologies."
"Goodbye, Ryoma."
The picnic was already set out for Corrin when she arrived in Windmire. Clearly someone had heralded her arrival, as a tartan blanket was laid out for her, and Leo was wandering around the rose garden, Niles and Odin sitting within viewing distance, but out of earshot.
"Dear gods," Corrin mumbled, causing Kaze to snort.
"They really have pulled out all the stops for this, haven't they?" He commented.
"This is likely Lord Leo's first 'date'," Jakob said, trying to hide his own amusement at the situation.
"Maybe you two would like to sit with Odin and Niles?"Corrin offered, hopping off her horse as Leo spotted her approaching, walking towards the party from Hoshido. "Do I look okay?" She asked, running a hand through her hair.
"I've never seen you act like this, Lady Corrin. But as usual, you look lovely," Kaze informed.
"She's having a picnic with her fiancée, of course she's flustered," Jakob put in.
"Guys, please. Once you tie up the horses, please feel free to sit with Leo's retainers," Corrin sighed.
By this stage, Leo had reached them, his armour surprisingly absent for once. He instead wore a shirt with a cardigan, formal trousers finishing his outfit. Corrin too had gone casual, opting for a flowing skirt and blouse, with a large sunhat casting shadows across her face. Kaze and Jakob took off as the couple met in the path. Leo took her hand and placed a gentle kiss on it.
"Nice to see you again. I didn't think you'd arrive so quickly," he commented.
"I hadn't really got any other things to do, so I may as well come and spend time here. With you," she added, thinking it was the right thing to do.
"Do you want to sit down? I've had lots of food I know you like prepared for you."
He led the way through the rose garden, a few paces ahead of Corrin, who walked slowly, her hands linked behind her back, admiring the flowers. He sat down first, and lifted a bottle of pink lemonade out of the basket and pouring two glasses. He held one out to Corrin, whose face lit up at seeing her favourite drink. She plopped down on the blanket, and took the glass from Leo, sipping at it while making small talk.
Halfway through their lunch, a thought entered Corrin's head, luckily at a lull in the conversation. The two had devoured plates of sandwiches, chocolate covered strawberries, and were now onto the cake- topped with strawberries too, something she understood to be Camilla's speciality when it came to bakery.
"Ryoma was asking about the wedding," Corrin started, going in to the conversation slowly so as not to scare Leo.
"Hm?"
"My family are quite excited about the whole affair," Corrin giggled, remembering Sakura and Oboro's insistence on starting on the wedding dress. "Well, aside from Takumi, but that doesn't really matter. I knew he'd be funny about it anyway." Her mood quickly dropped when he entered her mind, but she turned to her fiancée instead, hoping he would help take her mind off her brother back in Hoshido.
"Don't worry about him, Corrin."
"I'm not, I'm not. Anyway... Ryoma was asking where it was to be held- here, or at home in Hoshido. And... well, if it's okay, I'd like it to be held in Hoshido."
"A royal wedding held outside the country the royal is from? That's... unheard of."
"But I am considered part of the royal family of Hoshido. And isn't it Nohrian tradition for the wedding to be held in the bride's church?" She asked, fear rising in her at the prospect of him saying no.
"You have a point. Very well! I'll tell those in charge. The advisors will be pleased we've set a place."
"Ryoma also wants to set a date," she said quickly, her words coming out n a blur, almost impossible to be heard.
"A date? Already? But this is our first meeting since the engagement. It would be ridiculous to set a date now."
"You said the marriage would take place a few months after you found a wife. It's nearly been a month already, Leo. We only have a couple more months before your advisors will insist. If you book a time and a place, then they'll be off your back until the day itself."
"Three months today," he said suddenly.
"What?"
"Three months today. We'll get married three months from today."
"Alright," Corrin smiled. "I'll tell Ryoma when I get back."
"Are you sure about this, Corrin? This is a big thing to rush in to. I don't wish for you to feel uncomfortable in any way at all. I know marriages are usually supposed to be between two people who are in love, and that isn't exactly the situation with us, really, I suppose. So this is strange for both me and you."
"I know," Corrin sighed. "But... well, I would be expected to marry soon by Hoshido's rules. If you're not married by twenty five, often you're looked down upon. I know a lot of people who aren't married- like Ryoma, and Hinoka, and Kaze. But I don't think I could do the whole housewife thing that is expected. I much prefer being in the army, or being Foreign Secretary. But it's different in Nohr, so I'd much rather marry you, Leo. And stay where I know."
"That's... good to hear," Leo commented, and Corrin neglected to mention the redness that had overcome his cheeks.
"Oh, and thank you for the picnic. I bet it was Silas that told Camilla, right?"
"That's what I heard," Leo smiled. "I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. I'll be in touch with you again. Probably quicker than the last time. I was stuck in a rut for something to do."
"Perhaps you could come to Hoshido next time? I could get in touch with you."
"That sounds wonderful," the king said, taking Corrin's hands within his own. "I'll be seeing you then."
"I'll see you then," Corrin agreed, leaning over to place a kiss at the corner of Leo's mouth. He jerked back in surprise at her affection, but smiled, his hand going up to his mouth to touch the spot her lips touched his skin.
She rose from the blanket, lifting the sunhat that she had abandoned when they first sat down. She waved shyly at Leo as she headed back towards her retainers, who met her halfway, and they headed back towards the stables, where the horses had been left. Leo flopped back on the blanket, his head hitting the grass. He sighed loudly, closing his eyes, and when he opened them again, Niles and Odin loomed above him, they too out of their uniforms.
"You really do have it bad for her, don't you?" Niles commented, a smug smile appearing on his face.
"The chosen one can see that Lord Leo had special feelings in his heart, ones that reign like sparks of thunder and ice, only for the fair maiden Corrin of Hoshido!"
"I recommend you two shut up, before I have you executed," Leo mumbled, packing the picnic up, his hand still sometimes touching his lips, a soft smile appearing.
Nohr at night was a sight to behold, Corrin decided, on her way through a small village near the Hoshidan border. They had decided that the night was setting in quicker than both she and her retainers had anticipated, so they stopped at an inn. There was a festival on in the town, though what was being celebrated Corrin didn't know and didn't bother to ask. Lights were strung up and down the street, candles in glass balls that seemed to float in the night. The streets were packed with people, and Jakob even commented that there must be people from towns from all around come to visit.
Even with the many lights casting their orange glow over the town, Corrin could still see the stars, and made her way onto the roof of the inn, lying on the ground and staring straight up. Jakob sat on the bench that sat beside the owner of the inn's greenhouse, frowning at the princess (loath as she was to be called that) who would certainly catch a cold from lying on the concrete, hair splayed out around her. Kaze sat on the wall, and when Corrin glanced over to him, she was almost convinced he was about to fall off and into the revelry in the town below them.
"How is that comfortable?" Jakob asked after a minute, his dismay shown in the dropping off all his formalities.
"It's not," she sighs, her voice wistful and her eyes empty.
"Then why are you lying there?"
"Because I want to look at the stars. And they're different here than they are at home."
"The view from the lake at night is better, though," Jakob pointed out.
"And when was the last time I went out to the lake?" Corrin retorted, pushing herself up to balance herself on one arm. The lack of armour she was wearing was still slightly disconcerting to her, after so long of wearing it daily. It put her off balance slightly, so being able to relax like this in casual clothes made a world of difference to her.
"Lady Corrin is right," Kaze commented. "It's been a long time since I've had to rescue you from the bank when you've fallen asleep."
"Alright, no need to remind me of my failures," Corrin laughed. "But the lake reminds me of Azura, and she's gone, and I need to move on. And I have!"
"I can't say that this arrangement with Lord Leo is a bad thing. Your mood had lifted considerably."
"He is a kind soul. He means well." Kaze glanced towards Jakob, who shared a knowing look. The ninja raised an eyebrow, and Jakob sighed.
"Lady Corrin, we were discussing..."
"You were talking about me?" She asked, her face serious but her tone still joking. "It'd better only be about my welfare."
"We care for you a lot, milady, and you know that. But of course, there are things we don't know about you, even after years of serving you."
"Or months, in my case," Kaze said with a small chuckle.
"But we must ask, for your safety and wellbeing. Do you truly love Lord Leo? Or are you doing all of this out of a sense of duty?"
Corrin was silent for a moment, her eyes dropping to the ground while her eyebrows furrowed in concentration. She knew the answer somewhere, deep, deep in her heart, but putting her intricate and complicated feelings into a sensible response was her real problem. Words were not her strong suit. While her letters were well composed in comparison to Leo's, his spoken words were beautiful, and in such a situation he would know exactly what to say.
"I... I'm not sure. I can tell you this, though. My feelings regarding Leo are stronger than they were at the end of the war. And they're different, somehow. So..."
The two retainers shared yet another glance, and Corrin rose to her feet. She made her way towards the trapdoor that led down to the stairs, but a call from Kaze stopped her.
"Lady Corrin." She turned to face him, and Jakob was now beside him.
"Truly, we wish you all the best. We couldn't ask for a better suitor for you if we tried. Leo is a good man," Jakob offered. "And... well, this may sound presumptuous, but we wanted to ask if we would be coming with you when you permanently move to Nohr?"
"Of course! Why would I not take you with me? Of course, that's only if you're willing to come with me. Kaze, I won't take you away from your life in Hoshido. Your family is there, and that's been your home your entire life."
"I can still visit Saizo and Asugi now and again. And I'm sure when Ryoma visits you, Saizo will come too. There will be plenty of opportunities. Besides, I already pledged my life to serving you. A ninja doesn't go back on their word."
"And of course, I'll have to bring Felicia with me, but I'm sure she won't mind being closer to her home, especially after all that happened," Jakob pointed out.
"Don't remind me," Corrin groaned, turning away from them. "That time in the Ice Tribe was one of the worst in my life. I will never be able to get over Flora burning herself to death." With even the thought of the horrifying moment in her head, Corrin felt sick to her stomach, and tried her best to rid herself of the memory.
"Sorry. Lady Corrin, get some sleep. We make back for Castle Shirasagi in the morning, okay?"
"What a pleasant memory to leave on," she mumbled, making her way downstairs anyway. "Goodnight, Jakob, Kaze."
She readied herself for bed, brushing out the tangles in her hair and discarding her hat on the dressing table. Teeth brushed and clothes changed, she slipped under the covers, squirming around for a bit to get comfortable in the unfamiliar bed. Lying on her side, she managed to push the unpleasant memory of the incident in the Ice Tribe out of the forefront of her mind, but only by replacing it with another less than enticing thought. This time, it wasn't from the war- no, merely from ten minutes ago.
She hadn't expected an interrogation from her retainers. They doubted her reason for consenting to the marriage, and who could blame them? Neither she nor Leo had shown any particular interest in each other, aside from the odd glance and brushing of hands, and a comforting hug that lasted a few seconds too long to be just sibling like. These moments set her heart racing, her cheeks aflame, and sent her brain to mush, but before now, lying in the uncomfortable bed in the inn in a small Nohrian town, she hadn't never really thought of the root of these unwanted reactions.
Perhaps she truly was in love. She hated to admit that, even to herself, and the thought scared her more than anything else.
The sky was light. It was covered in white clouds, only obscured by strange pillars and tall trees. Deep underground the earth something was stirring, something that emitted a bad energy over the entire land, permeating above ground, silent and threatening. Deep underground, a dark haired Priestess from Hoshido walked along a dimly lit corridor, her heels clicking on the concrete tiles. Towards the centre of the temple she walked, where the source of the energy was coming from. The door that once led to the throne room was destroyed, left in a crumbling mess on the ground. She walked into the long, empty room, this one in complete darkness.
"She knows, my lord," she spoke into the darkness.
"You told her?" A voice called back, unseen and menacing.
"A long time ago. Out of my control now, of course, my lord."
"The damage is done."
"I could try to rectify this past mistake, if it so pleases you?"
"No. We will bide our time. There is only a few weeks before the skies change. She will come."
"Very well, my lord."
.