Italics = Thought

I do not own Fire Emblem.

Cross published on A03

"He'll be fine, Little Star."

Ophelia had been concerned about the 'mysterious stranger', and it was only with the promise of cake that Nyx managed to remove her 'niece' from the Main Guard Office, where they had taken Odin. Nyx, however, was concerned. She knew full well who the Man was, and did not wish to be the one to reveal the truth to the young girl. Not only would it ruin her relationship with Marc (which she truly treasured), it could potentially mess Ophelia up mentally. Given how badly Corrin had turned out due to his own childhood, anything she could do to minimise Ophelia's problems, the better.

"Promise?" The girl asked.

"…I promise." The woman lied. She couldn't know if it was true or not. Luckily however, Ophelia didn't catch the lie, and promptly threw herself at Nyx, hugging her tightly.

"Thank you Auntie!"

Nyx had adapted well to her 'Aunthood', as Morgan had worded it. She was probably the only one outside Morgan's immediate family that was trusted with Ophelia. It helped that Ophelia adored her (and in turn, Nyx adored her, often spoiling her). In turn for this trust (in addition to making Marc happy), Morgan helped Nyx become the royal tutor, educating Shigure and Caleb in everything from mathematics to the different cultures of Haven. Both of the Prince's respected her for her patient, if at times stern approach. This also drew her into the inner circle of the Queen. She cherished the time she had with her 'Little Star', and both loathed and was thankful for her curse, whilst it had extended her life well beyond that which was normal, she couldn't deny that because of it, she had found a home, a family..

Due to this, it came as little surprise to herself that she led the Plegian girl into a bakery. A bell jingled as the pair entered, the dark haired woman behind the counter turned her glance to them, and a warm smile slowly formed on her face.

"Not often I get new faces here." Merry greeted them, exaggerating her accent. "Welcome to my bakery. I'm Merry!"

"Oh! Are you Plegian too?" Ophelia asked cheerfully, her eyes widening with curiosity as she hurried over to the counter.

"Born and raised in Navarra." Merry allowed false pride to lace her voice as the lie easily left her mouth. "In Nerja, across the bay from the Palazzo D'Santiago."

"Oh?!" Ophelia tilted her head. "C-Can you tell me about the homeland?"

An almost sincere wave of reminiscence washed over the ancient being.

"Another time perhaps, Sweet Child. And besides….Haven is the homeland now, no?"

Nyx sighed, and ushered Ophelia off to look around. Whilst Ophelia looked over the cakes and pastries, Nyx got talking with the proprietor.

"So…forgive my curiosity." Merry grinned. "But how did you come to suffer a…..unique curse?"

"How did you-"

"Anyone with at least half a brain could tell you've been cursed, love." Merry smiled. "Since I have an entire brain, it's plain to see. Can't quite put my finger on the correct curse though, botany and thaumaturgy were more my thing."

"I…see." Nyx sighed. "….I'd..rather not discuss the how. I deserved it, however."

Merry waved a hand, as if batting away her worries. "Frankly, that's horseshit. No one deserves to suffer such a curse. How long've you had it?"

"….I am two hundred and forty eight. I was…fifteen when I was cursed."

The Baker sighed. "I'll see what I can do." It wasn't a lie.

Opening her mouth to respond, Nyx was stopped when Ophelia came over with her choice. Choosing silence, and after placing a pair of silver argents on the counter, Nyx led Ophelia out, glancing back at Merry with a small smile.

Merry's eyes glinted with well disguised glee as the pair departed her store.

Now this…this was most interesting indeed.

Maybe she should keep an eye on her adorable niece...

Niles whistled cheerfully as he walked through the halls of Governor Blackhart's Palace, paying little attention to the servants going about, doing their daily duties. The archer arrived at his Lord's office. Prince Leo maintained an office in his Father-In-Law's Palace. The walls were covered by bookcases, all of which were full. His desk was made of the solid dark wood that the Nohrian Royals preferred, and almost always had a stack of paperwork on it, along with whatever book the Prince was currently reading, and a crystal decanter of brandy with two glasses. Finally, in pride of place on the wall behind him, was the official Royal Portrait of his beloved wife, Aveline.

As Niles entered the room, his Prince looked up, a frown on his face.

"What did you tell Corrin?" Leo questioned.

"All I told him was 'Hinoka'. Don't really see the problem."

"It's a state secret!" The blonde snapped.

The archer raised an eyebrow. "Really? One word is a state secret? I sent a potential enemy sniffing after Hoshido and away from us. I don't see the problem."

The Green Prince let out an amused laugh. "I see. That was very inventive of you, Niles."

"I try."

Standing up, Leo turned to look out of the window, and almost immediately narrowed his gaze at the sight below him. The girl Niles had brought with him was now chasing his Son...

"What….is that girl doing?"

The archer sighed. "Nina is playing with your son."

"I need a drink." Leo declared wearily.

"Are you suggesting my daughter is a bad influence on Prince Forrest?" Niles asked as he filled both glasses with brandy from the decanter. He strode around the desk, and handed one of the glasses over.

"She's not your daughter yet." Leo pointed out.

"…Are you suggesting my soon to be daughter is a bad influence on Prince Forrest?" Niles corrected himself with a smirk.

"Possibly."

"I'm hoping he'll be a good influence on her." Niles sighed as he headed back to the other side of the desk. "Have some of that princely charm rub off on her.."

Leo pushed a parchment across it, and gestured for Niles to read. Clearly, the time for jokes was over.

"This is a report from Specialist Zola. I had him infiltrate Haven."

"And?"

Leo sighed. "Corrin's been clever. His citizens want for all but nothing, and any crimes are dealt with by a competent City Guard. It's commanded by Felicia, one of his former Maids, if you can believe it. Homelessness is non-existent as anyone that files for such a state is recruited into said Guard and given food and a bed whilst they get back on their feet. The different cultures all have a voice in a 'council' in a vague mockery of the Nestrian Grand Chamber. Said cultures appear to have been chosen deliberately, as none of them had conflicts with another 'Havenite People', with the possible exception being the Greyshield Nohrians and the Akaikusa Hoshidans. Even then, the cultures that join the Havenite's rarely have other options left to them, the demand that they put aside any old hatreds is of little consequence."

"Doing little to make him sound like a mad villain from Children's tales, Lord Leo."

His Prince shrugged. "I can't help it. I wouldn't be surprised if he's waiting for Nohr and Hoshido to rip each other to shreds before making his move."

"….Shut up and drink your booze." Niles jokingly ordered. "You're being paranoid."

"Have you never heard the old adage, Niles? 'Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it'. Perhaps it is time we think on these words, and on our actions. History teaches us a lot, and if we aren't careful, we're about to learn a very harsh lesson indeed..."

"….Okay, really. Shut up and drink already."

Historical Log: Kaden Kadensen

The son of the Kisune leader of Nishiki Hamlet, Kaden grew up as the eldest child of a large set of siblings. Following in the tradition of his people, he took the surname "Kadensen", or "Kaden's Son".

His people joined the Havenites during the spring of 6 n.h.c to much fanfare on the part of the Kitsune. Whilst it was their position to distrust humans, they soon accepted the offer to uproot themselves from their small hamlet after a truly massive bandit raid was repelled by Havenite forces under Highlord Silas Teague. Proving himself a ferocious warrior, Kaden joined the Royal Blades shortly after leading his people into Haven. The reason for the fanfare is due to the Kitsune concept of loyalty: It is exceptionally hard to gain, and near impossible to lose.

Sometime prior to 6 n.h.c, he sired a daughter, Selkie Kadensdottir, later a Royal Blade to King Shigure in her own right.

He would later perish in the War of Three Thrones.

-Excerpt from the book "A History of Heroes", written by Munakata Kaito, circa year 245 n.h.c.