Keiji is presented with the most esteemed of honors for his part in protecting Takumi.

Promotion

Strike. Parry. Reverse. The left fist. Then the right. Back to the left again. You're Focused. Dedicated. Flawless. From swordplay to martial arts, you'll never let your training slip again, especially after what happened last week. Whenever you close your eyes you see that smug blonde harlot staring you down, that huge axe of hers slung over her shoulder. Everything about her fills you to the core with absolute disgust.

Those blue eyes. Those golden curls. The soft freckles upon her cheeks. And even the bow in her hair.

"Charlotte..." Muttering her name brings bile rising in the back of your throat.

You've not felt bitterness this strong for the longest time. In fact, you can hardly remember the last time you poured such unfathomable scorn upon another. Not even your most heated rivals flood you with such intense hatred.

You push your body harder, your leg slicing through the air in a swift leaping kick. You exhale stiffly once your feet return to their rightful place upon the grassy underfoot. You're no stranger to the dull ache of exertion; the low burn that comes from muscles pushed to the brink.

But today? You've no intention of resting. Not even if your legs threaten to give out from under you.

You won't stop. You can't stop. Not until that sultry piece of Nohrian trash stops grinning at you like a greedy cat with a bowl full of cream.

"I'll be ready for her if we ever cross paths again," you pledge bitterly. "I'll not be humiliated twice..."

Yes, you did your duty admirably. Lady Corrin even thanked you for protecting Takumi. You and Felicia both, in fact. But that doesn't change how everything played out. There's a very good chance you'd be bound in chains in some Nohrian dungeon if Felicia hadn't come to your aid.

"Focus, fool, focus," you tell yourself sterly, You push worrisome thoughts of capture away before they pull you into a mire of misery.

"Felicia," you exhale thankfully, thinking instead about your clumsy comrade-in-arms. "I do hope you fare well."

Hopefully the hapless housekeeper isn't avoiding you. Outside of her essential roles of delivering Lady Corrin's breakfast and gathering laundry, she's been quick to slip away whenever you enter her sights. "She's probably busy," you summize with a shrug.

"Keiji, there you are, friend." One of your fellow samurai joins you. A brother-in-arms, of sorts. You served together on the frontlines before your assignment to Lady Corrin. "I've been looking for you," he tells. "Order from Lord Ryoma." He holds out a scroll for you.

"Lord Ryoma?" You take the finely crafted wooden item and open it wide. "I wonder what his lordship Ryoma wants from me at such a late hour." The moon stands high in the sky, crickets chirping in a complimenting chorus. "My thanks for delivering this to me, Koji."

"Not a problem," your friend answers, giving you a pat on the shoulder. "You allowed to share the details? Last time you got a scroll like this one you were sent to watch the princess."

You cast your eyes to the neatly written letters on the scroll's face.

You begin reading:

"Keiji, loyal swordsman of Izami, you have done my family a great service. Not once, but twice. You and Miss Felicia staked your lives to protect my younger brother in his hour of weakness. And moreso, you have done a fine job of escorting my sister Corrin. She speaks highly of you, and I too would like to show my gratitude. Please come to my tent within the hour. Ryoma."

Koji's jaw damn-near drops to the floor when you hand back the scroll. "Lord Ryoma offers his thanks? Lucky bastard! You'd better not keep him waiting."

"I wouldn't dare," you answer, your stomach churning. Praise notwithstanding, this is still an engagement with royalty. You give Koji a firm pat on the back. "Wish me luck, friend. I feel I may need it." Ryoma's quarters are beside the war council tent if you remember rightly.

"I'll even come with you partway," says Koji, falling into step at your side..

"An armed escort?" you smirk. "I am indeed a fortunate man today."

You step out of the cold and into Ryoma's tent. It is a high-class abode of velvet carpets and flickering incense candles. There are weapon racks beside the Lord's Hoshidan Oak dresser. His armor (held on a mannequin) shines softly against the candlelight's orange glow.

You're surprised by who you find standing by the armour, moreso. "Lady Corrin? May I ask as to why you are here?"

"Ryoma had to step out and speak with Kagero," the princess explains, walking over and gifting you a quick hug. Her formallity absent while you're alone with her, she flashes you that innocent smile you know and love. "He should be back in just a moment."

And just as she explains as such, Ryoma does indeed return.

"There is a reason we called you here," the crown prince starts, taking his place beside his sister with folded arms. You know his serious expression too well. The same expression he had when he first asking you look after Corrin. "Allow me to explain."

"But of course," you reply, lowering your head respectfully. "I'm here at your beck and call, milord." You drop on hand and knee, as is your place in the presence of royalty. In some ways this situation feels surreal, especially since (behind the comfort of closed doors) you've shared tender embraces with his sibling. "If there's anything I can do then please say so." You again raise your head and get to your feet.

Ryoma gives Corrin a gentle nod. The princess rejoins you, touching her smooth hand to your shoulder. A sensation so lovely that you almost shiver. "Keiji of Izami," she speaks with authority. "We have a request to make of you, if you would be so kind?"

"A request, My Lady?"

"Indeed. An important one," she explains. Your gaze into your princess' silver eyes. She flashes you a wink, something her elder sibling thankfully doesn't see. "Now," she continues, holding out her hand and gesturing for you to take it. "Join your fingers with mine."

"Of course, Milady Corrin." You do as you're told, honestly wondering her intention. "Though may I kindly ask what this is about?"

Corrin looks to her brother for approval. He nods. "Well, Keiji... You've been good to not just me, but also my brother Takumi. I believe in you... and I see you as a friend. I wish for you to become my retainer," Corrin reveals. "Will you serve me directly, alongside Felicia and Flora?"

The world around you stops still. You freeze, the words sticking in your throat. "M-milady," you stammer. "It would be an honor, truly."

Corrin smiles hopefully. "Then you accept...?"

"Without hesitation." This is your chance to enact change. To take the fight to Nohr as an honored retainer.

"My sister sees great promise in you, Keiji," Ryoma chimes in. "And as I am sure you know, our Hoshidan customers place great value on one's worth as a swordsman. Commoner or no, you have talent. I'll not object to Corrin's wishes therefore. So long as you swear to uphold your duties as a samurai, of course. And so I ask once more: do you accept my sister's wish to serve as one of her chosen protectors?"

This is your only chance and you know it. "But of course. I will do my duty." You look to Corrin in confirmation. "I hearby swear to stand by you, Lady Corrin. From here on I will be your devoted sword."

Corrin reclaims her hand from you. She then offers it again offering it again to kiss. "As per tradition then Keiji, I ask you seal this pledge with a binding kiss."

"As you command." You press your lips ever so lightly against her skin.

Whatever ills that ail you, it falls upon your shoulders to protect royalty as a retainer from this day onward.

Ryoma smiles approvingly, a witness to this small ceremony of sorts. "Very good," he says. "I expect much from you, Keiji of Izami."

You bow for His Lordship. "I will do my utmost, Lord Ryoma. On my life, I swear it.

Corrin has been something of a blessing to you. Her care and sincerity eases the anger which so intensely courses through you.

You're not in a position to let her down.

It's the early hours of the morning. You're laid in bed, wide awake as is often the case. So much is happening and so quickly; you can't even begin to switch off. Your service to Corrin. The clash with Charlotte. Felicia's kiss. You're honestly struggling to keep up with it all.

Deep in thought, you stare into your opened palms. "At long last... I've finally the means to fight those Nohrian bastards." And in-part thanks because you survived your clash with Charlotte. "Felicia saved me... not just out of her obligations, but because she cares for me."

Indeed, you owe the maid more than you can ever hope to repay.

"Keiji," comes a whisper from the gap in your tent. "Are you awake?"

You'd know that gentle tone anywhere. Climbing out of bed, you smile for a further time tonight. "Felicia?"

You open your tent to the girl. She holds her hands in her lap, still adorned in her traditional maid's attire - even in the early hours of the morning. Your greeting startles the poor lass. Thankfully, you're able to catch her before she stumbles.

Felicia grabs you tighter, a furious blush overtaking her. "It's so nice to hold you again," she whispers tenderly Stealing a cuddle, she nestles her head against your chest. "I'm sorry I haven't seen you these past few days. I've just been so busy, been avoiding you, honest."

"It's quite alright." You kiss Felicia's forehead. "Now, what brings you here at this late hour, might I ask?"

"I heard the news of you becoming Lady Corrin's retainer," Felicia explains warmly, smiling. Her soft breathes tickle your cheek given her closeness. "I'm glad she chose you, Keiji. It means we'll be able to spend so much more time together. Lots more.. provided you can deal with me being so clumsy."

"Clumsy? You? Not at all," you chuckle

"Now you're just teasing," Felicia whines, pouting.

"I certainly am, milady. Because you're fine in my eyes. Just as you are."

Face washed red, the maid lays her head against your shoulder. "...Now I know you're lying."

"I'm not, honest."

Yes, Felicia can't tell her left foot from her right half the time. And yes, she even burns something as simple as rice at breakfast. But you can't help feeling endeared toward her. Maybe it's your gratitude for her saving you talking, but your feelings for her are growing stronger.

"Are you cold?" You ask. Felicia couldn't snuggle closer if she tried. "There's certainly a nip in the air. Winter nears with every passing day."

"No, I don't really feel the cold. B-but I'll be fine like this, with you. You're so warm, even if your hands are icy."

You can't leave the lady standing outside. It wouldn't be right. "C'mon... " You ease out of your embrace with the maid. But you keep ahold of one of her hands so that you may guide her. "Follow me." You bring Felicia inside your tent. Her eyes widen as you do.

"Ummmm... Are you sure this is a good idea?" she asks nervously. "What if someone sees?"

"It's fine," you reassure her. She sits down at the foot of your futon, hands squashed together in her lap. Her cheeks are aflame a bright pink. "Make yourself comfortable and stay as long as you like. It's the least I can do after you helped me the other day."

"T-Thank you."

"Tis my pleasure."

The two of you sit side by side. For the longest time there's silence. Felicia rests her head against your shoulder and sighs gently, much like she did on that fateful night in Macarath. "K-Keiji... I-" she breathes deeply, her chest puffed out with pride and determination. "I think I'd like to stay until morning..."

Your heart flutters just the tiniest bit at Felicia's admission. It flutters even harder when she gently kisses your cheek.

"But only if you'll have me," she adds at an anxious whisper, snuggling as close as she can get. You lock your eyes with hers - so soft and wonderfully blue. "I want more than anything to know what it's like to snuggle beside someone as I sleep. Well, someone not my sister, I mean."

You'd be happy to oblige her request. You deeply enjoyed sharing the warmth of another lately. "I'd like that too, truly."

Although, you will have to make a choice soon. Felicia or Corrin? Your ambition to fight Nohr alone, or letting others into your heart entirely? And not just as a soldier of Hoshido, but for yourself. For so long now you've seldom thought beyond your personal grudge against Nohr.

'What do I want?' A question that right now, you can't answer.

"What's wrong?" asks Felicia, her gentle question freeing you from contemplation. Y-you look troubled."

"It's nothing," you assure the girl, kissing her cheek. "I'll be fine."

"Then in that case," she continues, motioning toward her blouse buttons. "Will you help me unfesten these...?" Extending her other hand, the maid strokes your cheek with gentle fingertips. "I-I don't mind you seeing more, provided you're a gentleman about it." As if inviting you, places her hands into her lap.

"It would be my pleasure, Felicia." You reach out and unfasten the bottons protecting the maid's modesty, your heart pounding excitedly as you go. The last one undone, you bring the blouse's front wide. Felicia's pale ivory shoulders are exposed to you, her perfectly rounded breasts, also. The candle's pale ornage light only amplifies her natural radiance, your face heating in appreciation.

"May I?" you ask politely, extending a cautious hand.

"Uh-huh," Felicia nods. "You may." Grabbing your wrist, the maid presses your outstretched palm to her soft and sinful flesh. She smiles at you lovingly, a gentle moan falling from her lips. "Come closer," she begs. "Please Keiji... Warm my heart tonight. You're all I truly desire."

"As you wish, milady." You lean over to blow out the candle first, however.

Now, enshrouded in passionate darkness, your hands roam freely of restraint.

Your life mere weeks ago was far simpler. One of anger and single-minded focus.

Now, everything is harder to navigate. And far more pleasurable, too.

To be continued...

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