She had been lulled to sleep quickly by her fatigue and the relative darkness of the room when she was brought in, and her parents' singing made it that much easier, as juvenile as that sounded. Mostly, she was glad to have their warm bodies beside her, as that was a sensation she had forgone most of her life, and she hadn't realized it until that evening. Hours later, though, she awoke without any prompting, feeling just as awake as she would normally in the middle of the day. It was actually a little too hot now, squeezed in between the two of them, and she could feel damp spots of sweat on her clothes and along her forehead where her hair hung down. She tried to lower her head and sleep again, but the discomfort from the excessive heat was overwhelming her, and so she fidgeted every few seconds. Her father's eyes opened in the midst of one such struggle.
"Everything okay, princess?" he asked her in a whisper. She nodded slowly and tried to yawn to give the impression that she was still sleepy and didn't want to leave the bed. "Can't sleep, huh?" her father conjectured, "That's all right, neither can I. What say we get up and help Felicia and Flora with breakfast?"
Kana nodded again and followed her father's lead, slipping gently out of the bed so as not to wake Azura, who breathed a little roughly as her mouth hung slightly open. They tiptoed down the stairs, and Kana was surprised to already see the sun streaming through the windows—it didn't feel quite that early, but it looked like it could have been ten o'clock outside. Corrin saw her staring at the window and placed a hand on her shoulder, saying, "Oh, that's right, I never specifically mentioned it… this world doesn't have any weather, and it's not affected by the movement of the sun, it's just always daylight here."
"Then how do you keep time?" his daughter asked.
"I just listen to whatever Jakob says," he told her, leading her along to the kitchen, "he's always been good with those details."
As they entered, they found Felicia humming away while she washed off dishes and carefully toweled them dry before setting them aside. Flora was buttering some toast on the opposite end of the room. They both turned around when they heard the approaching footsteps. "Oh, hi Lord Corrin," Felicia said, smiling cheerfully, "and Lady Kana, too!"
"Good morning, Lord Corrin, Lady Kana," Flora added in a more subdued tone.
"Good morning," Corrin said, nodding back at both of them, "Kana, I don't think I formally introduced you. These two lovely ladies are Felicia and Flora, and they've taken care of your papa for years. They even took care of you when you were a baby."
"Really?" she said, absorbing the information, "It's, uh, nice to meet you."
"We're both very happy to see you again, Kana," Flora said, "it's so exciting to see how you've grown… although we'll have to do something about those filthy clothes, and that messy hair."
Kana rubbed her bun protectively, mewling, "I like it this way…"
"Flora's the one with the blue hair who just spoke," her father continued, "she can be a little frigid at times, but I wouldn't trust the care of my family to anyone else."
"Don't make me remind you just how 'frigid' I can be," she said, wagging her finger at the prince.
"Felicia is Flora's twin sister. They're both from the Ice Tribe," Corrin continued, "do you know anything about them?"
"Sure," Kana said, nodding and turning her head to Felicia, "they joined the rebellion against King Garon after routing an invasion from a Nohrian general… what was his name? Othello?"
"Iago," Corrin corrected her.
"Right," Kana continued, "That was you guys, wasn't it? The rebellion? And that's when Uncle Leo decided to join you."
"How's it feel to have it all summed up just like that, Felicia?" Corrin said, smiling at her.
"Better than taking part in it, that's for sure," she replied. She stopped washing the dishes for a moment and dried off her hands with a towel before bending down to Kana's level. "Aw, Aunty Felicia missed her wittle Kana-bo-bana," she cooed, pinching the girl's cheeks.
"Ow!" Kana started, pulling away.
"Felicia, we talked about this," Corrin said, frowning at her.
"Right, sorry!" she said, standing back up, "It's just… she's so cute!"
"No denying that, but, all the same, you need to mind your—"
"What's all the commotion in here?" They turned to find Jakob entering the doorway. He paused and bowed without entering. "Ah, Lord Corrin, Lady Kana," he said, "I apologize for intruding. As you were."
"Actually, hold on a moment, Jakob," Corrin said, grabbing him, "I'm reintroducing Kana to everyone here, since she was too little to remember you all."
"Oh," the butler paused. He faced Kana and bowed deeply, his right arm across his chest. "Lady Kana, my name is Jakob, and I am a butler who has humbly served your father and all of Nohr's royal family for some thirty years now," he said as his head rose.
"Jakob can be pretty stern, but he's got a cool head and an unwavering sense of duty," Corrin said.
"I'll take that as praise on margin and thank you for it, my lord," Jakob replied. "I remember you as a rambunctious one, Lady Kana," he went on, "do you still get into the habit of digging around in the gardens and playing with insects?"
"N-Not really," she stammered.
"Excellent," Jakob said curtly, "how are your studies going? Do you know how to read? How much history have you been taught? What about mathematics? Sciences? The arts?"
"Uh, I can read," she answered, "and I've been taught about a lot of Nohr's history, even if I don't remember it all… I'm not very good at composition, but I've always done well with math. Siegbert compliments me all the time, and we have competitions to see who can solve the most problems in ten minutes."
"On par with the crown prince in maths, eh?" Jakob said, pinching his chin and smiling coyly, "Capital. I'm very pleased to hear that you're doing so well, Lady Kana."
"Um, thank you," she said, almost bowing herself. It felt more like she was speaking to a tutor than a subordinate.
"I don't suppose you mind if I join in on all this, then?" another voice interjected.
"Not at all. Please, come take a seat, Gunter," Corrin said, waving him over. "Kana," he presented, looking down at his daughter, "this gentleman here is Gunter. He's your papa's oldest servant, and he protected me from danger for many years, right up until just before the rebellion. He fell into the Bottomless Canyon, a bit like Silas, and we found him here in Valla a little over a decade ago."
"I've been out of commission since then," Gunter said, picking up after her father, "but I insisted on helping raise you and your brother. It does my old heart good to see you well, Kana. You used to call me 'grampa,' you know."
"It's good to meet you… er, again," Kana said, shaking his hand when he outstretched it, "Thank you for taking care of me."
He smiled. "Don't mention it, dear," he said, "taking care of children has been my prerogative for some time now."
"Why don't you tell Gunter some of what you told me about your exploits, Kana?" Corrin said, smiling at her, "I'll go help Flora and Felicia with breakfast."
Kana sat at a large wooden dining table across from Gunter and began to recount her days growing up in Castle Krakenburg, detailing each of her cousins and their parents, the latter of which caused Gunter to smile with much amusement, and she went on to discuss the reconstruction of Nohr, as it had been relayed to her by the other royals. Jakob, too, sat and listened with interest to hear all the goings-on in Nohr since the end of the war, until Corrin, Felicia, and Flora finally emerged, each carrying platters of eggs, bacon, and pancakes, which they placed carefully on the table. Coincidentally, they heard a yawn and a pair of feet descending the stairs.
Flora, Felicia, and Jakob finished setting the table as Corrin went over to the stairs and pecked Azura on the forehead as she got to the landing. "Morning, Zu," he said, taking her hand and leading her over to the table and pulling out a chair.
"Smells lovely," she murmured through another yawn, blinking quickly. "Good morning, Kana," she said softly upon realizing that her daughter was also seated at the table.
"Good morning, mama," she replied.
"Did you sleep well?"
"Mm-hm. You and papa make great hug-pillows."
Azura smiled and let out a little laugh before Jakob began placing food on her plate. She licked her lips and delved into the meal with little other conversation.
[…]
The man hummed quietly to himself, tossing seeds over the recently tilled soil while he clenched a blade of grass between his teeth. His eyes were glued to the fields, such that he failed to notice the group traveling beyond the hills over the horizon, and only finally lifted his head to spy them when they were close enough that their footfalls drowned out his hum. The farmer looked up and saw that they sported black armor, and so he wordlessly clenched the knife stashed in his pocket and waited for the visitors to draw in closer: he would give them a chance, as he had learned he should, but he had moved to this location to avoid the violence and strife of his former life—he would not tolerate being interrupted.
"Pardon us, good sir," the man who seemed to be leading them said. He descended from his steed, wheat-blond hair swaying a bit with the wind, "We mean you no harm, but we would like to ask something of you."
"As you will," the farmer replied, not losing his grip on his weapon.
"There has been a great tragedy in Shirasagi Castle Town," the boy told him, "Children from the kingdom of Nohr were attacked, and a princess of Nohr may have been taken prisoner, along with a high-ranking Nohrian general. If you would be so kind, could you tell us if you have seen a girl with light blue hair and gray eyes or a man with silver hair and green eyes?"
He looked at the boy, cocking an eyebrow. "Nohrians were attacked?" he said, "By whom?
"Prince Takumi," the boy replied gravely, "we were… forced to flee, initially, but we've since returned to rescue them. Please, we beg your clemency, good sir: both of those people who were lost are dearly beloved members of our family."
"I regret to say that I have no information on such travelers," the farmer replied, "but I say this truly, and not to spite you, travelers. I am sympathetic to the plight of Nohr… at one time, I served a Nohrian prince. If you say Hoshido's capital is in danger, then I can provide you assistance in your rescue beyond providing information on the whereabouts of your family."
"You… served a Nohrian prince?" the boy stammered.
"Indeed," the farmer said, nodding, "I aided the one called the Moonlight Prince in his quest to revolutionize Nohr. My name is Kaze."
"Ah!" the boy's eyes lit up. He bowed to Kaze, saying, "So you're the famed Cool Breeze Shinobi. Hoshidan historical texts are quite fond of you, and how you mysteriously vanished after the end of the Long Night."
"I have been told," the ninja replied, "My exploits in Nohr brought me equal fame and infamy in both nations, so I retired my career and title as a ninja to live a modest life with my wife and daughter."
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Kaze," the blond boy said, sticking out his hand, "The man you served was my uncle. My name is Siegbert, and I am the crown prince of Nohr. With me are the other Nohrian royal children, Prince Forrest and Princesses Sophie and Ophelia."
"You honor me with your presence," the ninja said, bowing, "Please, allow me only a moment to bid my farewells to my family, and I shall give you guidance for safe passage into Hoshido, children of Nohr."
"Thank you very much, Kaze," Siegbert said with a wide smile, "take all the time you need."
As the ninja walked back through the fields toward a single-story stone manse, Forrest folded his arms. "I told you," the prince said, "never doubt my judgment on these sorts of things. I've got a good head for reading people."
Kaze entered the house and shut the door slowly, exhaling deeply. Mozu stepped out from the kitchen to greet him. "Howdy, Kaze," she said, "how them fields lookin'?"
"Mozu, my dear, I must sincerely apologize to you," said the ninja.
"Well, what the heck for?" she asked, "If ya spilled a couple'a them seeds, it ain't no big deal."
"No, I'm afraid it's a bit more severe than that," he said, folding his arms, "I'm going to escort some members of Nohrian royalty to Castle Shirasagi. There's been trouble there, evidently."
"Trouble?" Mozu started, "Oh, I get it, yer worried about yer brother, ain'cha? Gosh, you're just about as cool as a cucumber, like always, Kaze. Reckon my mouth'd be going a mile a minute if I had somethin' like that to worry about. Well, all right then, don't trouble yerself about it much, go on ahead. Just try to be safe now, ya hear?"
"Of course," he smiled, kissing her quickly, "thank you, dear. Where is Midori?"
"'Round back, mixin' up another one o' those tonics o' hers," Mozu replied.
"Right," said the ninja, "I will return shortly. I, er… I love you, dear."
She laughed, "You too, you handsome head o' lettuce."
The ninja left the house and walked hurriedly around to the back to find his daughter busily stirring a purplish mixture. "Midori, my child," he said, waving to her.
"Hello, father!" she returned, bounding over to him, "How is everything? Ooh, you look a little worn out—need a little something for fatigue? Or is that shoulder bothering you again?"
"Nothing of the sort, darling," he said, smiling and patting your head, "I came to tell you that I'll be partaking in a mission."
"A mission? After all this time? What could be so important?" Midori wondered.
"I'll be tasked with guiding the royalty of Nohr to Castle Shirasagi to resolve some bad business out that way," he said in the same flat way he had explained it to Mozu.
"Sounds dangerous," his daughter replied, "do you want me to come with you?"
"A gracious offer, but not something I can risk, I'm afraid," he replied.
"Oh, come on," she pouted, "You always talk about training me more to handle real dangerous situations, isn't this the perfect opportunity for me to learn?"
"This is very different from a simple training mission, Midori," he said, "my answer is final."
"B-But… but father," the girl sniffled, "I don't want you to leave without me…"
"Agh, Midori! You cannot simply cry to achieve your desires. If you wish to accompany me, you must show greater maturity than that," her father said.
"So… if I stop crying, you'll let me come?"
"That is not what I—"
"Done deal! Come on, I've always wanted to see the capital up close! Let's hurry!"
"I cannot fathom why others seem so intent on making my work more complicated than it need be," Kaze said, sighing and jogging along behind his daughter.
[…]
The metal of the Shadow Yato hissed as Corrin placed it carefully in its sheathe. He looked up at the door to see Azura appear from behind the wall and block it. "You're… actually doing this, are you? You're heading out there? To Hoshido?" she said.
"I have to," he answered, "we've been sitting here for too long. You heard Kana's explanation: the world is teetering on the brink of another war. I have to stop things before they spiral out of control and we lose our chance to end Anankos's designs."
"Then… I'll come with you," she said, "I swallowed my fear of that world once before in resolving to protect this one; I can do it again."
"No," he said, "and before you go protesting, it's not because I want to protect you out of some familial duty or because I think it's too dangerous for you—it's because I need someone to remain in command here."
"C-Command?" the Vallite princess stuttered.
"Yes," said her husband, "I'll be taking Silas and Kana with me, but it's important not to put all our eggs in one basket. If I should… fail somehow, you're the only person left who can truly ensure the safety of Valla and, therefore, both our worlds."
"B-But… you won't fail," she said, lip wobbling a bit, "You won't. You'll return to me with news of your… your impossible success, and you'll tell me that Ryoma and Takumi want to join our cause… that's what will happen, right?"
He laughed, saying, "Maybe not all at once—"
"Corrin."
"I'll come back to you, Azura, I promise. We've been together this long, I won't let it all be for nothing."
"Huh? Don't say that. Whether you succeed or fail is irrelevant to our marriage, Corrin. I chose to be with you because I love you, because you made me believe in a level of control over my own destiny that I never believed I possessed, because you reshaped the world by your own force of will. You refused to give up on your family, your homeland, and… me. And that's why I came to love you. And that's why I won't care if the entire world is falling apart around us, as long as you and I are together to share in our final moments, do you understand? Corrin… you mean more than anything to me. To me… you are hope incarnate."
The prince rubbed the back of his head, his cheeks rushing full of hot blood. "Azura…" he blurted out, "What can I say to something like that? Th-Thank you… I love you, too, and I swear to be worthy of the affection you've given me."
She walked up to him and kissed him, stroking his hair. "Now, enough of this gravity—I've tried to put that sort of talk in the past. Call me 'Zu' again."
He held her hand and smiled. "Ours is a bond that can't be broken," he said, "No matter where either of us goes, I'll always be waiting for your return, Zu."
"You're too serious sometimes," she said, "but that's all right. I like that about you, too."
"Look who's talking."
"Look who shouldn't be."
They held each other and shared another kiss, letting it linger as if it were their last.