"Once more, Lady Corrin, I must thank you for releasing me from that cage," Kagero said reverently, bowing to the half-dragon princess with one hand on her chest. "Were it not for you and your company, I do not wish to think what that damned Kotaro had in mind for me."

Corrin shuffled nervously, looking towards the lone window in the room. While the fort Kotaro and his forces had been occupying wasn't very impressive defensively above ground, there were many tunnels carved out of the earth that criss-crossed through its expansive walls. It was in several such rooms that they'd found both Kotaro's office, and his bounty.

Corrin wished they could return their ill-gotten gains to the people it had been taken from, but Leo was right: it was better in their hands than in the claws of the former Mokushujin daimyo.

"Think nothing of it, Kagero," Corrin replied after a moment, giving the female ninja a warm smile. "I couldn't very well leave you and Saizo to fend for yourselves. Not with the small group he was running with, anyway."

"Saizo has always been hotheaded, my lady," Kagero replied, crossing her arms. "But this was reckless, even for him. Still, I am glad to see it worked out in the end."

"He and Kaze were our biggest casualties," Corrin murmured, placing her hands on the wooden table between them and looking down at the floor. "It might have worked out this time, but who is to say it will the next? I feel as if…"

"It is okay to see where things could have gone differently, my lady," Kagero said, "but mind that it does not consume you. Find where you could have done better and improve yourself. Do not dwell on the past."

Corrin sniffed. "I see. I understand what you mean, Kagero. Thank you."

Kagero bowed. "I am just doing my duty, my lady."

"You don't need to be so formal with me," Corrin replied with a slight chuckle, pushing herself away from the table. "I am barely a Hoshidan royal, you know. Nowadays I feel more like a traveling vagabond than a royal."

"Nonsense," Kagero said, genuine shock entering her voice as she stepped forward. "You are of the Hoshidan royal family, my lady, and it greatly concerns me that you would see yourself in such an unflattering light. Please, I beg you, do not refer to yourself in such a way."

Corrin waved a hand. "Settle down, my friend! I'm merely poking fun at myself. Besides, I needed to speak to you about something, and the more we talk, the farther away that seems."

Kagero nodded. "Ask me what you will, Lady Corrin. I have nothing to hide from you. Not after all of this."

Corrin smiled before shaking her head. "We will need to work on that in time, heh. Anyway, I must know – with Saizo healing and Reina and Orochi being mum on the subject, I need to know, where are Ryoma and Sakura? How has father taken my departure?"

Kagero pursed her lips and looked towards the window to the outside world. "Lord Ryoma and Lady Sakura were sent south to the province of Cheve, to assess the capabilities of the rebels there and to help them, if the need arose."

Corrin raised a brow, a slight chill entering her blood. "There's a rebellion in Cheve?"

"It has been stewing for some time, as I recall," Kagero explained further, "King Garon's declaration of war was merely the final straw. As for how your father is doing, I am afraid I cannot comment much on that."

Corrin tilted her head, waiting for Kagero to continue.

She sighed. "He has sequestered himself in his throne room or his quarters. He only allows Yukimura to see him now. I was sent to deliver a message to him when I was intercepted by bandits paid by the Mokushujin and brought here. It is rather embarrassing."

"What was your message?"

Kagero shook her head. "It was a simple report on how the battle went. No doubt Yukimura has told the king personally by now. My capture must have cost precious time we could have used to prepare for the coming storm."

"I am hoping to avoid that storm altogether," Corrin said simply.

Kagero looked up curiously. "I have heard from the others what you plan to do. Do you truly think it's possible?"

Corrin smiled. "I do. And I will pursue that goal with every bone in my body. On the morrow we will travel further south to a port town and sail to Notre Sagesse. From there, well… I was hoping the Rainbow Sage would tell us more."

Kagero closed her eyes and lightly nodded. "Your task is an arduous, and dare I say, foolish one from a certain perspective. Even if this talk of the Silent Dragon is true, there is no guarantee Nohr and Hoshido will be able to peacefully coexist, even then."

Corrin shrugged. "Does that mean I shouldn't try?"

"On the contrary, I think it makes your goal all the more noble," Kagero replied, opening her eyes. "I only said from a certain perspective, did I not? And that perspective is not mine. You wish to ask for my aid."

"We need all the help we can get, and with you and Saizo's expertise, I imagine it'll make the journey ahead much easier," Corrin replied, holding her hand out. "What do you say?"

Kagero looked at Corrin's outstretched hand. "I am sworn to the royal family, but above all else, I serve Lord Ryoma," Kagero said quietly, "but, here and now, I do believe he does not know what is best for him. And so, I will serve you, Lady Corrin. For now."

Kagero took Corrin's hand and shook it.

"Use me well."

The Mokushujin fort was abandoned by Corrin's company not long after it had been taken, leaving the desolate place behind to rot away in the bamboo forest it resided in. Severa didn't particularly care what happened to that damned place. What did matter was the sleeping ninja in front of her.

Kaze had been asleep for several days as Corrin's company made their way through the woods. Severa made it her priority to keep an eye on the dumb idiot, making sure his bandages were replaced every so often and keeping an eye on his wounds. No signs of infection, thankfully, and Jakob and Felicia had assured her several times that there was no poison in the wounds. Still, Severa couldn't help but be worried. It was practically a part of her nature. That, and being constantly nettled.

She always hated that part of her, but she was lucky to find herself among people who accepted it rather than bite back.

It was on the fourth day that Kaze finally awoke.

He grumbled at first, as if he were waking up from a deep sleep rather than shrugging off being impaled on bamboo spikes. Severa had been minding her own business when it happened, but when he began stirring, all her attention was squarely on the wounded ninja.

"Kaze?" Severa called out quietly. Kaze tried to get up, but Severa carefully placed a hand against his chest and put him back down. "Don't try to move, idiot. It took everything we had to keep your wounds from killing you."

"Severa?" Kaze called out, his voice dry and raspy, but still his. "What happened? All I remember is…"

"Try not to talk," Severa said, her voice trembling lightly. She kept her hand on Kaze's chest, her own beating heart steadying as she felt its rhythmic rise and fall. "You fell into a pit trap and got impaled. Several places, here and here."

She pointed gingerly towards his leg and arm, and several spots on his chest. Kaze let out a breath before grunting.

"It hurts to breathe," Kaze complained.

"Oh yeah? Well that's what happens when you get impaled, moron," Severa said desperately trying to keep her voice under control. They were alone in the tent, thankfully, but it wouldn't remain that long if she raised her voice too high.

Kaze looked up at the ceiling of the tent, taking his good hand and rubbing his forehead. "Did I… did I do it while helping you?"

Severa remained quiet.

"That was the last thing I remember. Helping you fight the Mokushujin, keeping myself from giving into that boiling rage," he swallowed a lump in his throat before letting out a humorless laugh. "It would have been a good death."

"Shut up," Severa muttered.

Kaze looked to Severa, her eyes almost hidden by the shadow her bangs made.

"I don't," Kaze coughed, "I didn't mean it in that way, Severa. In the small amount of time we have known each other… Dawn Dragon, it feels almost as if we have known each other for years already. I do enjoy those talks we have, and if I died before I was able to…"

"Able to… what?" Severa whispered, her hand still on Kaze's chest. "You almost got me to explode at you, you know. With that talk of dying and crap. If you die on me, I'll kill you. Understand?"

"Who am I to disobey a direct order?" Kaze noted before sighing. "I did say it would have been a good death, to die for the living instead of the dead, but it would have been horrible to you, wouldn't it?"

"You're gawddamn right it would have been," Severa growled, "I've had enough of people dying on me, all the damn time. It's stupid. I've lost so much to war, to these dragons, I didn't wanna lose another person I cared about."

Kaze hummed before raising a hand. Carefully, he grasped Severa's.

"You asked me what I wanted to say. The thing I was afraid I wouldn't be able to say if I died?" Kaze asked, his voice raspy yet strong.

Severa's fingers curled around his as she tried her best to keep her expression level. "Yeah, you did. Tell me, then, Kaze. What did you want to say to me?"

Kaze took a deep breath, wincing slightly before settling himself. He looked Severa dead in the eyes.

"I wanted to express how much I care about you, too," Kaze began, "I would not call it something as strong as love yet, but I cannot deny that these feelings are there. Truthfully, I believe they were there the moment I met you, on those plains. Perhaps even from the moment my eyes landed on you." Kaze's grip grew tighter on Severa's hand, she responded with a squeeze of her own. "I was terrified that I would not be able to tell you, I remember now. That was the last thought that went through my head. I was terrified, not for myself, but for you…"

Kaze ran out of breath and fell back down on his cot. Severa moved forward herself sliding up a hand to cup his cheek.

"You're a gawddamn idiot," Severa sniffled. "Falling for me? Gawd, what a stupid decision."

Kaze barked a hoarse laugh. "Had I a choice to make! I would still have chosen you."

"I know a way to show how I feel without getting all theatrical about it," Severa murmured. "Hold still."

Before Kaze could move, he was suddenly enveloped in Severa's embrace. In the next moment, he felt something soft press against his lips.

It took him a moment to realize what was happening, and when it did, he felt himself melt. Whatever discomfort he felt upon being hugged so forcefully in his condition ebbed away as if he had just taken the best medicine possible. The kiss only lasted for a few moments, but Severa was right; it had explained her feelings better than a thousand words could ever hope to achieve.

When they separated, Kaze opened his eyes to see Severa looking down at him, a small, genuine smile on her suddenly gorgeous face.

"So, how was that?" Severa asked, her smile turning devious as she pulled a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "Weren't expecting that, were ya?"

"I-I would be lying if I said I was expecting that," Kaze chuckled airily, reaching a hand to his lips to trace their outline, the memory of the electric fire that pulses through them at their contact with Severa replaying over and over again. He wouldn't mind if it happened once more. Not in the slightest. "Truthfully, I was expecting to be rejected, like I have done to so many others who have pursued me."

"Well, what can I say?" Severa replied, tracing his jaw with her free hand. "I couldn't let you get away, could I?"

"Heh, I suppose you couldn't," Kaze said, taking a deep breath. "Although, now I find myself curious, what caused you to… Ah, what caused you to fall for me, as well?"

Severa's smile faltered slightly, and he felt his chest tighten painfully at that sight. He wished he'd kept his mouth shut and enjoyed the moment a little more. "I don't have the best answer for you, Kaze," Severa replied, her tone lowering. "I really don't. You never get mad at my nettling which is nice, and you… you make me feel like I belong. Even Lady Camilla and Beruka were never able to do that for me. Owain and Inigo are falling in love with princesses and here I am, giving myself up to the first Hoshidan ninja who decides to be nice to me for more than five minutes. Gawd, I'm a mess."

Kaze gingerly sat up, holding her hand in his. "If you are a mess, then you are my mess."

Severa blushed slightly. "And maybe it might be things like that. How the hell can you be so understanding all the time? It isn't fair!"

Kaze laughed. "I wasn't aware we were playing a game."

"We are now!" Severa declared, "I'll show you just how affectionate and caring I can be! I won't lose!"

"A lucky man am I, if I have fallen for someone who makes showing affection a competition," Kaze said, smiling. "But, er, perhaps hold off on any more hugs? N-not that I disliked that one earlier, but my body…"

Severa blinked before shrinking back in her chair. "Gawd, I'm sorry about that. I got all carried away and couldn't think straight. All I was thinking about was-"

"I know, I'm handsome," Kaze said, running a hand through his green hair. "But please, contain your excitement."

Severa lightly tapped him on the chest, trying desperately not to smile again and almost succeeding. "Damn it! Shut up with that! You're about as handsome as a horse's ass!"

"You must have been staring at some handsome horse's asses, then."

Severa tapped him on more time before cupping both his cheeks in her hands and stared down at him.

"We're not gonna do anything more than this for a while, I think," Severa said quietly, "but I wouldn't mind doing this again."

It was a long night for them both.

The days following the fall of Kotaro were some of the most peaceful of Corrin's life since she'd left the Northern Fortress. The air was clear and cool, and a faint breeze trailed through the trees, carried from the southern sea; their destination.

It wasn't as cold as she preferred, but it was a far cry from the humidity that had seemingly followed them throughout Izumo and Mokushu. On their way to a decently-sized port town along the southern coast, Corrin felt as if the very earth itself was taking a much needed respite. On their travels, none approached them. None came upon them. No one attacked. It was metaphorically smooth-sailing from there.

Corrin only hoped it would continue to be that way on the actual sea.

They made their way into the port town – its name was Abashiri, Corrin learned – and settled into the numerous inns that set up shop. Thankfully, their company was not numerous by any means, or they would have had to set up a tent city on the outskirts of town, and they had precious little time to wait for such things. Corrin found herself on the shore, staring out to the sea, watching the twinkling light fade over the gray waves. Her heartbeat became steady, her breathing was calm, and in that moment, she felt as if all the troubles in the world were so insignificant, so tiny, that they were hardly problems at all.

"I'd say 'penny for your thoughts', but honestly I think I've said that before, and I'm not trying to be boring," Corrin heard a voice say next to her, and she couldn't help but smile. She turned to see Liz standing beside her, both hands on her hips. "Beautiful, ain't it? Someone should take a picture."

"Mhm, it certainly is," Corrin replied still, looking at Liz.

Liz followed Corrin's gaze for a moment before realizing what she was referring to, and her face promptly turned the same shade as Severa's hair. "Did you seriously just do that? Really? Candy Corn, who the hell taught you that? I know for a fact it wasn't me! It was Sev, wasn't it? Where did she-?" Liz remembered that her brother was married, and she connected the dots quickly. "Oh. Oh, that poor, poor girl."

Corrin couldn't stop giggling at that. After a moment, she finally said, "No, I didn't learn it from her, although she and Kaze have seemed rather close recently."

"Ugh, don't remind me," Liz grumbled, standing a bit closer to Corrin than before. "All this lovey-energy, I can't tell if it's annoying or if it's intoxicating. I never thought I could really like another person, ya know? But here I am, feeling it myself. Sev just got there first."

Corrin tilted her head. "I haven't heard you speak much of your world, you know. I know Severa is your niece, and she hails from… what was it she called it? Ylisse?"

"That's what I think she called it, yeah, but that's not where me and my brother are from," Liz mumbled, "Actually, you know what? I can't talk about this while standing up. Is there anywhere we can sit down?"

"Well," Corrin said, looking down. After a moment, she sat down on the sandy shore. "The earth is the biggest seat there is."

"I can't tell if that's really profound or really, really dumb," Liz replied dryly before massaging her temples. "If I get sand up my ass, I'm blaming you."

Corrin laughed. "I'll shoulder that grudge gladly, then. Now, sit."

"What am I, your dog? I know I'm a bitch sometimes but I'm not an actual dog, you know that?" Liz replied pointedly before crossing her arms. "Unless I'm just so ugly that you couldn't tell the difference."

"Liz," Corrin said.

Sighing, Liz lazily fell to the ground and stretched her legs out.

"I guess it's not so bad," Liz continued. "That sunset is beautiful, huh?"

Giggling, Corrin said, "You already said something like that."

"Did I? Guess I was distracted by your gorgeous face," Liz said without missing a beat. Corrin blinked once, then twice, before her face turned red, and she looked away. "Look at you, all embarrassed! I would've thought you got more compliments but with the way you're acting, it's almost like you're starved of 'em."

Corrin continued to look away, her arms around her legs, before she let out a sigh. "Most of them come from my siblings, so it doesn't really count."

"Okay, first of all, ew," Liz said, "second of all, well, my brother never really gave me compliments, so you must've had some really weird siblings."

"Which brings me back to my original question, Liz," Corrin said, finally turning to look at the blonde. "What was your world like? You already said you aren't from the same world Severa is from, even if you're related."

Liz scratched her scalp. "My brother, he disappeared six months before I ended up here, you know. I guess I finally figured out what happened to him. Too bad I can't tell mom and dad about it anymore. But, uh, right! You asked about my world? Well, lemme tell ya, it's ain't always this pretty."

Corrin's brow furrowed. "That's worrying."

"Oh, don't give me that look, there're no half-dragon women there either. Although I'm not entirely sure the president wasn't a reptile or something. But anyway, uh," Liz stopped and took a deep breath. "I don't really know how to describe it, I guess? Not in a way you'd understand, anyway. It's kinda something you have to see for yourself. I'd only get you confused if I tried to explain it to you like this."

"Hmm," Corrin hummed, "try me. I'm not entirely dimwitted."

"Candy Corn, I saw you lose your mind over a coin in the ground before," Liz drawled.

"It was shiny."

"It wasn't even gold."

"It was shiny."

"I pick the strangest people," Liz grumbled.

"Well, let's try something different then," Corrin suggested, laying her head on her knees. "Tell me about your family. You've already seen the mess that mine is, so I imagine yours is pretty entertaining to be around."

"That's one way of putting it," Liz replied, "Well, there's my mom and dad. Mom's always been there for me, you know? Both me and my brother. She's the kinda mom that bakes cookies for us before we get home, if she's able to be home before us, that is. That kinda stuff started to go away before Alex got snatched. But she never lost that touch, you know? And dad…"

Corrin had been lulled by Liz's talk of her mother, but when she started talking about her father, she suddenly went quiet. Corrin's head perked up. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah, just – dad had his own problems, you know?" Liz murmured. "He got better after a while, but he was always the worst with my brother. Those two…" Liz shook her head. "The less said about that the better. Things were getting better before Alex – I never talked about Alex, did I? He was a recluse. Barely talked to people outside our family. Always irritable, always like he was just holding something back. I miss him."

Corrin nodded, burning everything Liz said into her memory.

"Then there was my cousin, Ashton, and my uncle," Liz continued. "Ash was a football player, his dad is my dad's brother – isn't it weird how families work like that? So many connected parts. I can't even remember them all. He's our only cousin, though. Only first cousin, at least. There could be dozens of them out there, but I wouldn't know them." Liz looked down. "Now I'll never be able to know them."

"Liz," Corrin whispered, her voice low.

"I'll be alright, Corrin," Liz replied, "Honestly, it was good to talk about them to you. Keeps their memory fresh in my head, ya know? If there's one thing I don't wanna forget, it's them. If I did, would I even be the same person? I just wish… I guess I just wish I could see them, one last time. Let them know I'm okay."

"You will," Corrin said, sniffling. "I know you will, if you put your mind to it. But even so, I hope you don't forget your time here, with everyone. I know that I would be saddened by your departure, but I would accept it all the same."

"I'm not leaving anytime soon, Candy Corn," Liz said quietly, looking out towards the glistening waves. "I can't. I'm too… I'm too attached. Not so much to everyone else, but definitely to you. And Severa. I know it's a bit presumptuous of me to say but, honestly, it feels like you're a part of my family just as much as she is. Just in a different way."

Corrin smiled at Liz, her fangs bared only slightly. "Are you saying what I think you're saying?"

"I mean," Liz stammered, playing with her fingers. "I guess I am? I hope I am. I know that doesn't make any sense, and we haven't known each other for very long, but I feel like ever since that day I first saw you, with those beautiful fields and the blue sky to outline you… well, I'd be lying if I say I wasn't starstruck."

"Hmm. Starstruck?" Corrin said, her smile losing its mischievous edge as she inched her hand closer to Liz's. "I haven't heard that one before, nor did I ever expect to… to feel this way, I suppose. I'd read stories, of course, but they could never prepare for the rawness of it all, this feeling…"

"…Corrin. Corrin, you can't possibly mean this," Liz replied, flabbergasted. "You can't. It's ridiculous. With your looks? How could I be the first person to be giving you compliments left, right and center?"

Corrin frowned, her hand stopping. "You would be surprised. Before I left the Northern Fortress, I had little to no contact with anyone outside of its gray stone walls. All I had were my Nohrian siblings and the fortress staff. Truth be told, I always saw myself as something of a freak, really. Here I was, with all of these strange deformities, meanwhile my siblings look as if they were chiseled from marble-!"

Corrin took in a quick breath as she felt something warm clasp her hand. She looked down, seeing that Liz had completed the handhold she had attempted earlier. Liz was looking away, but the luminescent blush on her cheeks spoke to her embarrassment.

"Here I was, about to say a bunch of stupid shit about accepting you for who you are, and the moment I grab your hand all of it just goes out the fucking window," Liz said quickly, rubbing her forehead with her free hand. "It's all just sucked into that goddamn black hole I call a brain. It's stupid, it's stupid I know, but I can't help it-!"

Liz never finished her sentence. Corrin had moved forward at a surprising speed until her lips gently pressed against her own. Liz let out a small squeak before Corrin brought up her hands and cupped both her cheeks. With Corrin's eyes closed, all Liz could see was Corrin's beautiful skin, her pointy ears, and her hair, barely kept in check by the hood she wore. Looking closely, she saw the small shine of the silver clip she had bought for her.

After a few more moments, Liz gave in and closed her eyes, taking in the feeling for all that it was worth.

A couple seconds later, and they both parted, although Corrin remained close and eventually placed her forehead against Liz's.

"I-I-!" Liz tried to say before letting out a breath to try and get her heartbeat to steady. It was unsuccessful, to say the least. "I h-had no idea you f-felt the same way! I-I just thought we were playing around, b-but I've got no complaints! None! You're very pretty. Did I mention how pretty you are? Your eyes, even when they're slitted like that – you look like you're about to eat me."

"You've said that several times now, yes," Corrin said quietly, "but please, by all means, say it more."

"W-well, whatever you want, pretty girl!" Liz laughed.

After a small chuckle, Corrin looked Liz in the eyes. "I can't replace the family you've lost, Liz," she said, "but that doesn't mean you cannot make a new one, here. Severa is here. Your brother is out there, at least. And when this is all over, I know you will find them again. I only hope there is room for me there as well."

"Like you even need to ask!" Liz nearly screamed before covering her mouth with her palms and giggling. "S-sorry, still kind of – trying to get my heart under control, you know? It feels like I'm having a heart attack. Do you feel it too?"

"Of course. I feel it every time I'm around you," Corrin replied, trying to keep her own giggles under wraps. "I'm just better at hiding it, that's all! We will need to work on that."

"What, me laughing, or you not laughing?" Liz asked before shrugging. "Eh, probably both."

Corrin nodded before moving away from Liz. However, Liz didn't allow her to get far before taking her hand again. Corrin smiled at that, choosing to sit right beside her once more, but even closer than before.

"Do you think that happened too fast?" Corrin asked, "I should've – I tried to hold myself back but with you sitting there and blushing I just, I suppose I couldn't help myself. You were just too cute."

"C-cute? I told you, I'm not cute!" Liz replied, genuine offense coloring her tone as she pouted. "I'm deadly!"

"You sure are, Jelly Bean," Corrin drawled.

"Hmph!" Liz sniffed before relaxing. "I mean, maybe? I don't much care how fast we're moving right now. I like you, I think you like me. What's more to talk about? We don't gotta wait until the ocean evaporates." Liz sighed. "Besides, I've never been a big fan of those stories, you know? It's always bad luck when two people confess right before the final battle. One of 'em always dies."

"Yeah, that's how it usually happens in my books," Corrin added solemnly.

"Mhm. So that's why I don't think this is a problem," Liz continued. "Although, I'm still trying to wrap my head around a literal half-dragon princess falling in love with me. Usually, it's the other way around."

Corrin raised a brow. "You've fallen in love with other half-dragon princesses?"

"I'm pretty sure I'm clinically insane, so I can't be held accountable for stupid shit I say, alright?" Liz whined, "That's not what I meant, but I don't feel like explaining. I feel tired."

Corrin decided to remain silent after that, eventually feeling Liz's head against her shoulder.

"Thank you, Corrin," Liz said suddenly, letting out a breath. "If nothing else, I don't think I'll regret this. Even if it's fast, it feels… right. Like it was always supposed to happen."

Corrin said nothing, merely resting her head against Liz's.

This will not last.

It did not take long to acquire the ships they would need to reach Notre Sagesse. Honestly, Corrin was expecting it to be more difficult, what with the war going on further north and the possibility of Nohrian invasion from the sea. However, the ship captains they hired seemed none the worse for wear. Many of them, it seemed, were already on their way there, lured in by the promise of an isolated, neutral country where they could either wait out the war, or use it as a base of operations to ship goods across the seas to whichever side paid the most.

It wasn't exactly the most honorable course of action for the sailors, but Corrin couldn't exactly fault them. Such an approach would no doubt benefit most involved – except for the side that didn't pay more. It was a sad state of affairs, one Corrin hoped would disappear once the war had ended.

A war that you allowed to start.

The traitorous and venomous voice in her head would never truly go away, not even as she sat on one of the boats, looking out towards the sea. Her heartbeat calmly in her chest, but her mind was still as much of a whirlwind as it had ever been.

"So," a voice said, coming up behind her before leaning over the railing and looking over into the dividing waters below. "You and that crazy archer girl, huh?"

"Takumi," Corrin greeted, "Come to give me grief for it, hmm?"

"Ha!" Takumi barked a laugh, pushing himself away from the railing and letting a goofy grin draw itself across his face. "Far be it for me to give you hell for choosing who you wish to love, sister! You know my retainer, Hinata?"

Corrin nodded, remembering the brown-haired, boisterous samurai.

"Well," Takumi said, twiddling with his fingers. "Let's just say I keep him around for more than just his fighting prowess, although he's not exactly wanting for that. He's been a bright spot in a dark place for a long time now. Heh, and to think, I thought you were too good for that blonde runt."

"You…" Corrin shook her head and lightly glared at Takumi, her fingers digging into the wood of the railing. "You did not say that to her. I know you did not."

"You place too much confidence in my ability to hold my tongue, sister," Takumi replied, chuckling.

"Takumi, I know that I love her," Corrin said adamantly. "And I don't want to ever, ever, say that to her again. Am I clear?"

Takumi narrowed his eyes, looking into Corrin's as if testing her. After a moment, he sighed. "It was nothing but a joke, Corrin. Something said in the simmering heat after a battle, nothing more. There is no need to take it seriously."

Corrin stared harshly at him for a moment before blinking and looking down, a blush spreading across her cheeks. "I'm sorry, Takumi. I don't… I don't know what came over me."

"That's young love," Takumi said, "I know I'm young too, but half the time it doesn't feel like it. But seriously, that passion is still running hot. She's just down below, isn't she? What will you do down there with her, I wonder?"

"Takumi!" Corrin nearly screamed, "W-why would you say such things!? I have never teased you about Hinata!"

"Ah, but you didn't even know about Hinata and I until I deigned to tell you, remember?" Takumi said, tapping his temple. "That's another way to make sure people don't use knowledge against you, sister: simply don't tell them. Something everyone within this company has a hard time internalizing. Seriously, with the amount of gossip that has been going on recently, it feels like I'm back in court."

Corrin closed her eyes and tried her best to keep from hurling herself over the wooden railing. In the end, she was able to resist the urge, but only barely.

"I'm serious, though, sister," Takumi continued, "Love who you wish. There is not a soul in this world that can tell you who you can and cannot love. If father has a problem with it, all the better."

"I am not in this to spite father," Corrin murmured. "In fact, with all luck, we will never see each other again."

"You love her," Takumi summarized. "And that's all that matters to you, huh?"

"Yes," Corrin said, nodding. "And I have a feeling I always will. No matter what comes to pass."

"Life's too short to take things like this slowly, I get it," Takumi agreed, putting a hand on his hip. "Especially for our line of work. Just be careful, you know? I don't want to see you hurt."

Corrin smiled. "Thank you, Takumi. But I have a feeling I'll be alright."

"Ha. If you say so," Takumi said, waving. "You should get some sleep, Corrin. Hopefully Liz will be able to make them more restful."

As Takumi went away, Corrin felt herself blushing again. She wanted to damn her skin for being so pale. It made it so easy to continue teasing her if someone knew how to press her buttons. Thankfully, the only three people who could make use of it were on her side. It would be a deadly weapon in the wrong hands.

As Corrin looked out towards the moon-stained waters below, that sense of calm she felt suddenly turned sinister. No matter how long she stared, that feeling of comfort never returned. She couldn't help but feel like something was wrong. Terribly, horribly wrong.

If she looked closely, she could've sworn something stared back at her from the ocean's grey waves.

Corrin eventually returned to below decks, her heart refusing to calm down.

Two confessions in one chapter, I'm pretty sure that's a new record for me.

I'm having a fun time, in case ya can't tell. With all luck, that will continue until the end of the fic!

Here's a link to our Discord server: discord .gg/9XG3U7a

See you guys next week!