A/N: Soooo… Hello there! General Kenobi, at your service.

But in all seriousness, I'm somebody who's spent many years dwelling on this site, posting reviews, reading all the great stories that people can think up. I want to become a writer in the future, and I have written down what's come into my head several times over the years, but I've never really considered my work good enough to continue writing I, nor did I ever have a plan for where I wanted my stories to go.

But I figure that now is as good a time as any to throw my hat into the ring. And here it is: my first ever fanfic, a story which was partially inspired by The Apocryphal One's Fire Emblem Fates fanfic The Lost King. Fates' plot was held back by lackluster storytelling for a lot of people, including myself. But I still have plenty of fond memories of its great gameplay and fantastic characters-one of them being Camilla. This story is split into two halves- one part focuses on Camilla's backstory, most notably regarding her relationship with her abusive mother and the infighting between Garon's concubines-as well as showing more of what King Garon was like before the events of the game and whatnot. The other part is set 7 years after the events of Revelations that shows how Camilla's past trauma shaped her into who she is in Fates and how it impacted her relationships with the two people she loves the most.

While I don't expect this story to be any longer than four chapters, I would really appreciate honest feedback on what I can do to improve my writing. That is, if this long as hell authors note has not fried your brain from how dull it is.

(TRIGGER WARNING-Later chapters may contain cases of mistreatment that may strike a nerve with some people.)

I own nothing. All characters are the property of Nintendo/Intelligence Systems.

Corrin was a very busy man with many responsibilities-that was something that Camilla understood perfectly well, and it was one of the reasons why she loved him. The King of Valla was an extremely generous soul, one who worked hard to ensure peace in not just his kingdom, but the lands of both his adopted and biological families. Just a little over 7 years ago it was this sense of optimism, the belief that people could make their own fate beyond the cards they'd been dealt along with his superb leadership, that had arguably been the driving force in the defeat of the Silent Dragon Anankos. And with it came the first legitimate peace treaty in known history between Hoshido and Nohr- two nations who had been at each other's throats for centuries. He was a great leader and a great man, and no matter how long he was away for, Camilla would be more than happy to welcome him home with both a warm smile and loving embrace along with perfectly prepared meals, a nice massage, and whatever emotional support and other comforts that he may need.

But that didn't at all change how much Camilla hated the inevitable nights like tonight, where she was forced to go to sleep all alone.

Camilla let out a frustrated sigh as she lay at the right of the luxurious blue four poster bed that she shared with Corrin- her voice almost inaudible over the wild storm which raged outside. Try as she might, she couldn't forget about the letter that she received just that afternoon which had completely soured her mood for the rest of the day.

According to her darling husband, his simple goodwill trip to the Hoshidan capital of Shirasagi had been unfortunately prolonged by an uprising in Mokushu that required military action. From what Corrin had written, it was highly likely the Mokushujin's most recent revolt was again sparked by their loss of former Kogha territory. Even though they were poorly armed and had limited numbers, it would still take him, Ryoma and the rest of the Hoshidan royal army upwards of two more weeks to both suppress the rebels and apprehend the main instigators.

Camilla wasn't at all angry with her beloved for choosing to stay and help quell the uprising-and nor was she as worried as she used to be about him entering the battlefield without her. He'd likely never forgive himself for shifting that responsibility onto the shoulders of his siblings. She had long since come to accept that Corrin was not the lonely, fragile child that she and Xander had watched over in the Northern Fortress for all those years. He was going into this battle alongside both the family he was born into and his trusted retainers, and Corrin himself was a capable enough swordsman and tactician that Camilla had full confidence that he would make it back safe and sound.

It's just… if I had one impossible, selfish wish, it would be that no matter how far away my precious Corrin may be, that every single night of the rest of our lives could be a time we could share together. Camilla thought. That way I can rest knowing that my reason for living is here with me.

With the sheets barely up to her chest, Camilla turned her head ever so slightly, her drowsy gaze fixated at the left side of her bed where normally a sleeping Corrin lay for her to wrap her arms around for comfort. But with his absence, her eyes were met only by the dark blue canopy bedside curtains that separated her from the rest of their bedroom.

Normally she and Corrin only drew their curtains for two occasions. Firstly, it was whenever they had the chance to express their feelings towards each other in a more *ahem* intimate way, and secondly during stormy nights like this. From childhood, Camilla had never been a fan of the rain in the slightest-and when asked why, she had mainly cited how it constantly prevented her precious baby siblings from enjoying their silly outdoor games for her reasons.

But if the Queen of Valla were to be honest with herself, her disdain for storm filled days and nights like tonight were mostly due to how they forced Camilla to recount terrible memories and the painful void in her heart that she could never be free from. Camilla wasn't sure if she was remembering things properly due to being so young at the time, but the pounding of rain on the windows and the grim atmosphere that these inevitable days and nights brought had often punctuated the darkest and most painful experiences in her life. Loveless times where she had almost nobody to reassure her that things would be okay, only knowing cruelty and pain. It was that period in her life that forever fueled Camilla's every action, all that she had done for her family, and admittedly for herself.

Castle Krakenburg- 32 years ago…

Even by the standards of Nohr, today was an exceptionally bleak day. The rain poured heavily outside, and not even the warmth of Castle Krakenburg's underground-based interior could mask the grim nature of the castle's inhabitants-the tail end of the fall season starting to give way to the harsh winter. Resources such as clean water and fresh food were always scarce in Nohr, sure, but the coming season would inevitably lead to the death of dozens of peasants in Windmire who were too poor to afford the food or housing their families needed to survive. Yet there was still at least one soul, one person who felt their hopes for the coming years had never been brighter.

Perfect.

As Lady Narcissa von Varon daintily sashayed her way through the entrance hall of Castle Krakenburg lowering her wet parasol, she was aware that many of the servants and guards nearby were eying her and whispering among themselves. Despite Krakenburg being a large castle, rumors spread like wildfire around its inhabitants. But Narcissa's mind was far too consumed by the thought of just how perfect her future seemed to pay them any mind. And it was all thanks to the wailing, lilac haired baby bundled up in white cloth which she held up to her chest as she walked. Little Camilla had been born just a few days ago, and Narcissa felt it right that the father of this child should know - whom she strongly believed was the same man that all these lowly peasants ogling her now owed their loyalty towards.

In short order, Narcissa made her way through the Castle's vast interior, up the Grand Staircase and through the Combat Room and finally came before the towering black doors of the throne room, where two armored knights stood guard with their heavy shields and lances. The knight on the left had the grizzled, scarred face of a veteran, while the other appeared less than half that age and was blankly gazing off into the distance.

If any of the guards under my employ showed such absentmindedness, I would have them either flogged or demoted in seconds.

"Step aside, gentlemen."

The first knight cleared his throat and turned to his younger compatriot with a steely glare, and the man's eyes widened in surprise as he seemed to snap out of his daydreaming. "Oh! Ahem… Lady Narcissa? His Majesty's expecting you." The pair quickly stepped away. In the brief moments before the massive steel doors opened, Narcissa took the time to examine her appearance one more time with a pocket mirror.

In preparation for today she had accumulated all the best garments that the accursed hovel that she ruled over could provide and had swiped on a fine red coat of lipstick to contrast her pale face. She wore a form fitting sheer black dress with faint horizontal gray stripes that accentuated her shapely build topped with a tight, dark red corset around her midsection to cover up the poundage that had unfortunately resulted from her pregnancy. Her lavender hair was tied up in an immaculate chignon, coupled with an ornate dagger strapped to her belt. Some may have labeled all this as excessive, but for Narcissa her attractive appearance was now more than something to proudly flaunt. Now, it was key to her ascension to greater power.

Narcissa made her way inside the throne room and almost immediately, her eyes locked with the broad-shouldered, regal looking blond man with the long beard seated at the elevated throne. King Garon von Abendroth was completely silent as he arose beyond the clanking sound of his metal boots and swaying of his mink fur cape as he slowly, cautiously stepped down to greet her.

"Lady Varon." Garon began with a polite, yet hesitant tone. The king's attention was clearly far more focused on the blonde woman standing to the right of the throne wearing an onyx necklace and golden tiara, Queen Katerina. Her usually gentle eyes were looking away from her beloved with a subtle look of disappointment, yet for a moment they locked with Narcissa's own with a steely glare, which she returned with a polite yet still piercing stare.

"Your Majesty," Narcissa greeted with as gracious a curtsy as she could possibly muster with an infant in her arms. "Thank you for taking time out of your day to be here."

"It is... of no trouble." Garon quickly motioned to the bundle in Narcissa's arms. "I assume that is the girl?" And with that, the Lady Varon held the baby closer to Garon. Looking directly into Camilla's wide and innocent eyes, Garon's stern gaze seemed to soften, and an almost involuntary smile began to form upon his lips.

Katerina seemed to finally gain her nerve as she stepped forward, clearing her throat. Clad in the imposing armor of a paladin, Katerina was nearly four inches taller than Narcissa, and a good deal more well built from her years of military training. "With all due respect, Lady Varon... How sure are we that this child is really my husband's as you claim?"

Narcissa turned to her Queen, preparing to impart at least a portion of the night that they had spent together, but as she opened her mouth she was abruptly cut off by Katerina's raised hand. "And before you say anything else, Garon has already confessed his infidelity to me, and I have forgiven him. But that does not mean he is the father of your daughter. Please forgive me for saying this, but until we are sure that your claims, I do not see why this is worth our time..."

"I very much understand your skepticism, my Queen. Which is why I am requesting access to the Dragon's Vein within the castle walls to be certain." Narcissa replied, a pleasant smile on her face. When the children of the Nohrian royal family were born, they were taken to the Dragon's Vein deep within a long-abandoned conference room near the heart of Castle Krakenburg, where they were tested to see if they bore the blood of the First Dragons.

The Dragon's Veins spread throughout Nohr and Hoshido were often inconsistent, holding a dangerous amount of power that could only be replenished over the course of many months or even years. And yet the one in Castle Krakenburg's interior seemed almost endless, reenergizing in a very quick rate and having none of the adverse effects which most other Dragon's Veins had on the surrounding land. Were this newborn child able to access its great power, then it would surely prove her heritage beyond any doubt.

Garon sighed and nodded. "As you wish. Come along." Garon stepped past Narcissa and pushed the doors open with his one hand, leading both women out with him on a long, arduous walk through the halls of Castle Krakenburg. Narcissa made a point to stay at least a few steps behind Queen Katerina with an affable smile. While she knew that she needed to be closer to the King to attain more wealth, land, and political power, Narcissa needed to keep up the appearance of a humble, good natured minor noblewoman. Katerina on the other hand bore a look of subtle optimism, not even trying to hide that she was mentally praying that her husband had not strayed once again.

"My Queen Katerina," Narcissa began. "That is quite a beautiful necklace you're wearing. Pray tell me, where did you get it?" Katerina smiled. "You're too kind, Lady Varon. It just so happens that it was made from material extracted from House Varon's mines." Narcissa's already very buxom chest swelled with pride as a victorious smirk crossed her face. "Is that so? Well, I'm honored. Such precious ore is hard to come by these days, and I am pleased that Her Majesty managed to acquire something of value from my humble territory."

Katerina rolled her eyes, as her mask gave away. "You are welcome. Though, I do have to voice my concerns once again about how you seem to have ceased funding for the humanitarian policies that your father always promoted."

Narcissa, more than prepared for any questions regarding that old fool or his wasteful philanthropy, chuckled politely with her right hand covering her mouth. "Your Majesty, with all due respect-please! Nohrians must be strong enough to provide for themselves rather than depend on others for help, especially in times like these. Even the economy of a territory as small as mine cannot function while constantly running soup kitchens and toy donations. And of course, I do empathize with those who cannot go without these things, but they must be strong enough to provide for themselves. And if not, then-"

"Too true. Though, I personally believe that in times of hardship, those in power should try to use their position to help those in need rather than deny them what they need to survive. But alas, you are correct in saying that a person must do more than feed off the kindness of others to support their lives. Sometimes trash is simply trash, no matter how hard it tries to present itself as treasure." Despite how Katerina had her back to her, Narcissa could tell the Queen still bore an insufferably smug smile as she said this, and it caused her temper to flare up.

Before she said anything, or Dusk forbid that she got the idea to make use of her dagger, the three of them had arrived at their destination, a more destitute audience chamber with limestone walls. A pulsating green sphere of magical energy protruded from the ground in front of Narcissa, just in front of the large pyramidal podium.

Narcissa stepped forward, while Garon and Katerina watched from behind as the noblewoman knelt, grasped the baby's right hand, and pressed it against the Dragon's Vein. For one horrid second nothing happened. In that moment in time Narcissa worried about the worst, that what she held in her hands was a child that was... defective, somehow. That the rest of the nobility would see her as a foolish girl who had a fling with a lowly butler or whatnot. But then, the floor itself began to shake. Narcissa's eyes widened as a light blue energy orb came erupting from the Dragon's Vein, where it impacted harmlessly on the upper podium. For twenty seconds, the room was silent. After a deep breath of relief, Narcissa turned back to the King and gave a pleasant yet satisfied smile.

"So... it appears that the royal bloodline continues beyond the Crown Prince."

Katerina eyed Garon with obvious hurt and disappointment, but Narcissa continued without paying her any mind. It wasn't like this was something that idiot woman wasn't used to. For all the prestige and power that the King of Nohr carried now, his earliest years on the throne and even before had been marked by multiple failed relationships with several different women-many of which were either members of his court or castle servants.

Even after his eventual marriage to Queen Katerina, who had long been his close friend and retainer, he still had close ties to his former mistresses-as friends, presumably. But rumors still ran amok that even now, Garon's relationships with his former loves had been grown notably closer even before his and Katerina's son, Prince Xander was born. Garon was even reportedly in talks with a highly influential Duke to bear a child with his sister in exchange for his family's loyalty. They were what drew Narcissa here, for a chance at having this moment where she could at last gain his favor.

"In light of this revelation, I would like to take up residence here in Castle Krakenburg. Garon seemed to come to his senses upon these words as his face held a bizarre mix of relief and apprehension. "I see. Quite odd of you to leave your territory on such a short notice." Narcissa closed her mouth, reconsidering her word choice.

"I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I did not mean to imply that I was shirking my duties." Narcissa corrected. "I will keep close contact with my advisors and governors. But..." Narcissa handed Camilla over to Garon. "I feel like not doing so would deprive Camilla of having her father in her life." Upon those last words, that same instinctual smile returned upon his face as he gently cradled the small baby he now knew as his daughter.

King Garon had been described as strong willed and nigh unflappable, a stalwart pillar of justice that kept order in the harsh and desolate darkness of Nohr. But even a man as strong as he was hampered by one weakness-sentiment. For just a moment Narcissa's eyes rolled with annoyance as even the thought caused her disbelief. Garon was not the first man in Narcissa's life that she saw undermined by his own pathetic, bleeding heart. Her late father Lord Gregory and elder sister Adabelle- so obsessed with thankless charity, aiding those far beneath them they never even tried to make anything of themselves. Even though their family home was so dilapidated and their territory pitifully small, they never cared to improve their house's abysmal standing as the laughingstock of the royal court. No, instead they poured all their time, money, and resources to the livelihood of peasants, lesser men and women whose sole purpose in life was to obey their lord's wishes!

If she hadn't ordered poison to be placed in their wine several years ago, Narcissa would have been doomed to spend the rest of her life in obscurity along with those two lesser beings. Nohr was a land where the strong survived and the weak perished, and from the day she inherited her father's title she had made sure that she would never be dragged down by that same weakness he and Nelson had. As soon as she had had the king's child days ago and secured her ticket to a better future, Narcissa had taken both urns with their ashes and emptied their contents out into the Woods of Forlorn's swampy waters just outside of House Varon's domain. All too fitting of a resting place for two people who had wasted their lives mingling with the dirt of society.

Garon, after handing the newborn girl back to Narcissa, took his leave with Katerina in tow, neither of the pair saying a word. For the next half hour Narcissa waited patiently, only hearing vague snippets of the heated argument between husband and wife.

"I still can't believe you'd…"

"Katerina, I…"

"You've heard the rumors about what that woman's done in her lands… Miners being overworked to the point of starvation and hypothermia, beaten to death under the pretext of 'disobedience'…"

"Which is why her losing a position of governance would be beneficial to our people…You have my word, my love; I won't let her anywhere near you…Our guards will be watching her every waking moment... Besides, I can't just leave that little girl without her father..."

"Inviting that blood sucking witch to live under our roof…"

Finally, after nearly an hour of this back and forth, another armored guard came out of the room to tell her that His Majesty had accepted her request and to come with him to her new living quarters-but she would have to sort out her affairs immediately.

Couldn't bring himself to tell me in person, could you, Garon? I guess that you must save at least some face with that whore.

In the middle of Narcissa's walk to her new residence, Camilla unfortunately started crying once again, and her wailing only ceased when they had been brought to what would soon be their new living quarters. It was a luxurious apartment with dark red walls, a fancy silver carpet with a portrait of the Dusk Dragon in the center and a very fancy bed with purple sheets in the far-right side next to a large auburn closet.

To the left lay a hexagonal side room with a fine dining table and ornate windows that gave Narcissa a view over the castle's training grounds. Laying Camilla down in the mahogany cradle in the left-hand corner, Narcissa took a seat at the dining table where several official documents bearing Nohr's national emblem lay with a quill and ink-which she would need to both sign and send back to House Varon to inform her few advisors of her new political status.

Just outside her window, Narcissa could vaguely hear a guard barking training orders to a platoon of new recruits from the arena as she wrote. Apparently, they were undergoing a new training program involving higher class tomes. But in Narcissa's eyes, all those paled in comparison to the child whose cries she could hear ringing out in response to the loud voices of the peasants outside.

The innocent mind of a child... was there any greater weapon or tool to exist? A sword, axe, tome, or lance could only be as efficient as their wielder. But Garon's newest child-she would be what brought Narcissa real power. She would do anything that she needed to shape her into a perfect daughter for a king, a proper princess to bring fortune to her name.

The sudden loud BOOM of thunder outside the castle was not the reason that Camilla snapped out of her attempts at reminiscing her earliest memories (which were admittedly based much more off what she learned from talking to her family's oldest attendants than anything else), nor the massive lightning strike that lit up her whole room. Rather, it was the terrified squeal of fear that reached her ears immediately after that from the hallway just outside the gaudy doors of the royal bedroom. Almost immediately, Camilla was on her feet, heading to the door. She stepped into the outside hallway where her attention turned to the door immediately to her left as she and slowly, gently opened it as she stepped inside.

Camilla was in a room with blue walls faintly illuminated by a small candle on the closet to the right-hand side. On the bed in the corner of the room lay a small figure huddled up beneath a mess of cream-colored bedsheets and stuffed animals, trembling like a mouse.

"Kana? Kana, my sweetheart- are you okay?" Camilla softly asked as she stepped towards the bed. The figure unwrapped itself to reveal a 5-year-old girl with messy lilac hair just like her own, looking up at her with wide, panicky eyes and a trembling lip.

"Mama? Mama, what was that?!" Camilla's daughter asked as she scrambled off her bed and tightly clung to her leg, the panic in her wide eyes evident.

Camilla knelt and took the little girl's face in her hands. "Oh, you needn't worry, honey; its's just the storm. There's nothing we can do about it. I know it can be scary and really, I don't like it much myself. But it's only weather. It can't hurt one hair on your widdle head."

Just when Kana seemed to be calming down, a second flash of lightning rung out that triggered yet another fearful squeal from the young royal, as the poor little baby buried her face in her mother's stomach.

"Shhh...there, there. Everything's okay, sweetheart." Camilla pulled her girl into a hug, stroking her hair.

How long has she been awake for? Camilla thought.

Taking a deep breath, Camilla moved to stand up, but in that moment, she saw her Kana-bun's gaze suddenly drift behind her for a few seconds before redirecting down to her floor. The Vallite Queen didn't need to turn around to see that her daughter had glanced at the treasure chest shaped box which held all her toys.

Kana didn't know this, but her mannerisms right now very much mirrored those of her Auntie Elise when Camilla had come to check up on her the night after her 8th birthday party. Even without saying a word, Elise's twitchy body language and downcast eyes had let her big sister know that she'd been playing with her new dollhouse hours after her bedtime and hidden it under her bed.

"Kana." Camilla asked, allowing just the faintest hint of sternness in her tone. "Were you up playing with your toys?"

"Ummm... No?" Kana replied, dishonesty evident in her tone. Camilla raised both of her eyebrows and looked her directly in the eye with her arms crossed, fighting to keep an indulgent smile from crossing her face. After a solid ten seconds of Kana's gaze darting all over the place, the little girl finally sighed in defeat and nodded. "Yeah, I was..."

Before her time in the war, Camilla had overheard multiple of Father's advisors dismiss her as being short sighted, a woman so ruled by her basest impulses that her only contribution to the family was her ability to fight, kill and eventually be married off. Yet Camilla had years of experience being a big sister to Corrin, Leo, and Elise, learning what each of their favored hobbies and pet peeves were as they grew up, lending both an ear and her best advice to their various woes as well as a shoulder for them to cry on if need be. This, coupled with the bountiful etiquette lessons which came with being a princess, Camilla had gained a keen sense of perceptivness.

Somebody's personality, from their manner of speaking to their most subtle nervous habits had a driving force, a reason behind it; be it from positive or negative past experiences. She had provided the sense of companionship that her stalwart yet emotionally repressed retainer Beruka had clearly needed upon her arrival in Krakenburg, tried to give the insecure Hoshidan Prince Takumi some validation and respect that she could tell that the poor dear longed for from watching him converse with Corrin and the rest of his allies, warded off the multitude of amoral noble suitors that besieged her in her late teens solely for her looks and royal blood with a few choice words, so on and so forth.

Some people took longer to figure out than others, for sure. But as her mother, Camilla could tell what Kana's intentions and feelings were just by the look on her face.

Camilla sighed, breathing heavily through her nose as she gently hoisted her daughter up into the air and placed her back on her bed. "Kana-bun, it's past midnight. you should be fast asleep!"

Kana looked to the side, guilt still in her eyes. "I did go to sleep. But..." This time, the indignation in Kana's voice seemed much more genuine. "But then the lightning woke you up?" Camilla inquired once again, but Kana shook her head, her voice much more silent. "No."

"…Did you by any chance have a bad dream?" Camilla asked again as Kana scooched herself towards her with a downtrodden expression on her usual cheerful face. A sad nod from her daughter confirmed this as she squeezed her mother's hand. Camilla couldn't help but let out a faint sigh as she silently looked off into the distance. "It seems like we're both having a sleepless night. What are we to do...?"

"Can I sleep in your bed, Mama?" Kana suddenly piped up, her eyes jolting up to look straight into Camilla's own. "But, darling..."

"Can I, can I?" Kana chanted, to which Camilla relented and responded, "Of course, my darling. But-remember the magic word."

"Pleeease?" Kana said so perfectly on cue that Camilla could not help but chuckle openly. "Very good, dear. Come along." Camilla turned to the door with Kana in tow. They made it almost halfway to Camilla's bedroom before Kana suddenly turned to her bedroom door. "Wait! I got to get my stuffed animals!" She scampered back to her room as Camilla, left alone again retreated to her own bedroom where she lay in bed waiting for her daughter.

For most people, the time that it took for Kana to come back to her mother was only a few seconds, a minute at most. But for Camilla this wait lasted twice as long, and maybe even longer.

Castle Krakenburg- 25 years ago…

For Princess Camilla, all the suits of armor in the hallways looked like they were alive, staring down at her judgmentally. The dark shadows they cast in the already lightless red walled hall and their hollow helms made them look like giant monsters, that would spring out and gobble her up at any minute.

As she crept through the castle, every droplet of rain and loud BOOM of thunder made her hairs stand on end. She had to be quick getting to Mother's room, because she heard that really bad stuff happened to people who walked around the castle at night. One month ago, her half-brother Xander's mother had walked out of her room at night to get a glass of water and had been killed by a bad man called an as... asanin? She didn't remember how to spell that word, but she would ask Mother once she got to her.

Mother's room was just at the other end of the hallway, and once Camilla quietly opened the door, she found her lying in bed, fast asleep. Her hair lay messy on top of her head, not nearly as well done up as it usually was. Even still, Camilla could see that her mother was beautiful. She hoped that she would be as pretty as she was when she grew up.

"M-Mother?" Camilla whispered as she tapped her arm. Mother didn't wake up. So, she tried again, a little bit louder. "Erm, Mother?" She finally started to wake up and turned her head to look at her with a soft groan.

"Ach...Camilla?" Mother asked as she slowly pulled herself out of bed.

" What are you doing up at this hour?" Mother hissed, to which Camilla felt her lip trembling.

Ohhh, no, is Mother mad at me? Camilla thought fearfully. Not again...

"Mother, I, um, had a bad dream." Camilla stammered. "Can I please..."

"Get back to bed, Camilla." Mother sighed, pointing to the door. "Right now."

"But... but Mother, please…" Camilla responded fearfully, prepared to tell her all about her horrid dream about being stuck in bed with a bunch of hungry leeches. "I can't sleep with all the rain and the thunder outside! It's real scary, I-"

"Camilla." Mother interrupted.

"I-"

"Camilla."

"Please, can I just sleep with you where it's saf- "

"Camilla!"

Mother grabbed Camilla by her right arm, holding her tightly while her long and sharp fingernails dug into the skin of her upper arm. Instinctively, Camilla closed her eyes and looked away, not knowing what else Mother would do to punish her this time.

"Listen well, young lady. Hey-Look at me. Look at me!" Mother quietly hissed. Camilla fearfully did as she was told as Mother took a deep breath. "I've told you that tomorrow is very important for us, remember?" Camilla slowly nodded. "Tomorrow night is the Dusk Dragon's Ball, which means that we need to get a proper night's sleep to be ready. This is our chance to both set us apart from the other ladies in court and to get closer to your father, and you are not going to muck this up for me-"

Mother's face inched closer to Camilla's ear with each word she said as she gritted her teeth, the anger on her face scarier than the leeches in her dream had ever been as her grasp grew stronger and hurt Camilla's arm even more. By the end, Mother seemed to see that she was hurting her, because then she let Camilla go and let out a sigh as she sat on her bed.

"There, there, Camilla. Stay calm..." Mother reassured her as Camilla kept her eyes shut with a trembling lip. "Stay calm and listen to me, honey. We can never afford to show weakness, because then it will be used against us. This may seem harsh to you, but you are old enough to know that the world can be a cruel place, and only by being crueler in return can you truly make something of yourself. So, I need you to not come crying to me every time you have a problem, okay?"

Camilla looked up, both confused and embarrassed.

"You're a big girl now, and for both our sakes you need to start acting like one. I'm not going to mollycoddle you through life when you should be able to take care of yourself." Mother took a deep breath, before giving Camilla a smile. "Let's get you back to bed. Okay, girl? You've a long day ahead of you."

"Yes..." Camilla barely mumbled out. Mother took Camilla by her shoulder and lead her out the door back to her bedroom. Just as she was about to step back into her scary, pitch-black room with the rain pouring on the window, Camilla looked back up at Mother one more time. "I-I love you, Mother."

"I know you do." She responded with a smile and nod of her head as Camilla tucked herself into her bed. Looking back, Camilla opened her mouth to wish Mother good night, but she had already closed the door- the last sound she heard from her being a loud, disappointed sigh that seemed to echo through the castle walls.

Camilla slowly curled up on her bed with her tattered old teddy bear and pulled down her sleeve to see where Mother had grabbed her. Outside her window, another lightning flash made clear a bloody gash on her arm. Mother always said that proper ladies didn't cry, but Camilla couldn't help but let out a sniffle as her eyes began to water-

No. She had to stop being so dumb, so selfish. Mother could be strict, but she did what she did to keep her safe because she loved her. She had to do whatever she asked and make her proud, no matter what.

Pulling down the long sleeve of her skintight black shirt, Camilla peered down at the tiny scar just past her underarm- one which had become more faded over the years, yet still a permanent black mark on her otherwise near perfect ivory skin that caused her to sigh.

Camilla figured that she had been spoiled these past few years by always being near the loving embrace of her Corrin as she went to sleep. But every night they spent apart since their wedding night just made her recall the pain and loneliness of the stormy night when she got this scar. To say nothing of the rainy nights and days to come after which would leave far deeper marks into her soul that would never go away, no matter what.

"Mama, Mama!" her darling Kana waddled in, holding as many stuffed animals as her small arms could possibly carry. The sight of this made Camilla giggle as she pulled back the sheets on the other side of the bed, granting her Kana-bun the room she needed to huddle up close to her-right along with Oswald the octopus, George the stuffed dragon, Bill the teddy bear, Willy the brown pig, his brother Tilly the green pig, Connie the puppy, Lily the big friendly frog... "Mama?" Kana asked, lying closer to her mother. "Can I please have another bedtime kiss?"

Like she even needed to ask. Camilla gave her not one, but three massive kisses-one on each of her cheeks, and a final smooch right on her forehead. For now, this seemed to at last calm her Kana-bun, who finally curled up in bed with her eyes tightly shut. Buried beneath a mountain of plushies and in the presence of her daughter-a sign that she was no longer alone on this stormy night, Camilla at last felt comfortable with closing her eyes and trying to get to sleep herself.

"Sweet dreams, my precious little Kana-bun." she murmured. "You've no idea how much joy it brings me to be your Mama."

Aaaaand there we go, chapter 1 down. I do have a rough outline for how I want this story to go, but if anybody has any ideas, then I am open to suggestions. Like I said, this is my first ever fanfic, so any feedback you have is much appreciated. See you later!