Keiji reflects upon the recent victory and what Camilla's cause means for the people of Nohr.
Reflection
Today is a memorable day. You've finally done what you couldn't years ago. You saved a village of innocents from misery. Better still was Elena's 'reward' for your part in helping liberate the village. Several kisses more from the lassie while travelling back from Redshire made the journey sweeter indeed. You sensed her intentions were more playful than romantic, but it didn't stop Charlotte from levelling the occasional scowl at you.
Better still, the camp cooks rustled up a large dinner from their provisions for all of Camilla's number; a reward for the victory. Such things resonate fondly with you, given that victory and the honor it brings are their own rewards in your native Hoshido. You'll be damned if hearty wheat bread and Nohrian goat's cheese aren't growing on you the more you try them, too. Even if they are exceedingly heavy.
You expected to rest after your dinner. It seemed Camilla had others plans, however.
Selena requested you join the princess in her tent before the day's end. So she might chat with you, it was explained. Where the more cautious side of you expected ill tidings, you were pleasantly surprised to find tea waiting upon your arrival.
Not just any tea, either. Hoshidan green tea prepared in a fine pot with little cups, all served on a silver tray.
"Anything else, Milady?" asks the maid responsible for the fine display with a bow. Standing in the entryway to Camilla's tent, she's darn pleased with herself.
"No, that will be all dear," replies the royal with a shake of the head. "You may do what you will for the evening."
The servant stands tall and nods. "But of course, Milady Camilla. A pleasure to be of service to you as always." She then turns to leave, but not before glancing back for a second and batting her lashes at you. "And do enjoy your tea, Mister Keiji."
"I will, thank you," you answer with a smile. The maid blushes and fans herself before stepping out.
Doubtless, a Hoshidan swordsman (and an unchained one at that) is a change of pace for some.
Camilla sits across from you with the tea set laid out neatly at the table's center. A cup in hand, she sips the steaming liquid and sighs with satisfaction. "Tell me, Keiji," she begins, her eyes glinting with curiosity, "did your visits to Bleakvale and Redshire widen your horizons somewhat?"
You'd be lying if you said they hadn't.
"More than you know, Princess."
"Wonderful." Camilla smiles and sets down her teacup upon its fine saucer. She slides back the finery to the table's centre. Placing elbows where the teacup was moments before, she rests her chin in her hands. "And I trust your time among our number has enlightened you as to our goal?"
At first, you were unsure as to the reasons behind Camilla's actions. You still are regarding her needing Corrin, in truth. However, your visits to the two Nohrian townships have enlightened you somewhat as to the highborn's goals.
"The soldiers here strive to ease the suffering of innocent's amidst this war; the beaten and downtrodden left vulnerable while conflict rages. What's more, these men and women are your faithful, or so Charlotte said in Redshire. They answer to your father in name only; their loyalties are yours to command." You smirk, pleased with your deduction. "I'm correct so far, am I not?"
"Indeed you are, my dear Hoshidan," Camilla hums with satisfaction, smiling. "And furthermore, I am told by Charlotte and Elena that you take to our cause with both heart and diligence." The royal narrows her eyes knowingly. "As I knew you would, given your past."
You look downward to your own cup of tea and gaze upon your reflection in the drink's surface. Smiling thinly, you stir it away with a spoon and exhale. Being tactful about your past (especially if Flora has revealed much to Camilla) is largely useless at this point.
Therefore, it is probably best that you approach the topic without holding back.
"And just how much do you know of my past, Camilla?" you ask, looking up from your tea with a frown.
Camilla's expression carries a hint of caution all of the sudden, as though she worries about causing you upset. "I know you survived a massacre at the hands of my father's general some years prior," you're informed gently, the princess moving her head from her hands and folding her arms. She then leans back into her chair slightly so she might continue:
"And considering only one massacre has ever breached the late Mikoto's barrier since Sumeragi's passing, that means you are one of the handful who survived Hans' raid on the town of Okashi," Camilla figures with a deep exhale. She unfolds her arms and reaches a hand across the table to touch your cheek. A small comfort you're grateful for, given the topic. "And that in itself explains why you bare such disdain toward my kinsmen."
"Hans and his ilk specifically, as of now at least," you feel the need to clarify. Especially in light of how well Camilla and her host have treated you thus far. "Though I don't deny harboring a deeper grudge toward Nohrians at large before entering your..." you hesitate on the word to choose, "...care."
Camilla nods. "Which is entirely understandable, given what that poor town endured before being put to the torch. Although..." She gazes into you thoughtfully, and likewise a little sinisterly. "It is likewise true that you harbor some displeasure toward your Hoshidan masters too, is it not?"
A cautious twinge grips your chest. A warning not to let Camilla in too deeply, under her care or not.
"And what makes you think that, Camilla?"
"Well... It is a simple observation really." Camilla brushes her fingertips against your cheek tenderly. "After all, I do not imagine one of your station helps us like you have without reason. Say, some sort of frustration toward their past in the sunkissed East, however slight."
An assumption as sharp as ever, despite the royal's reputation for an unstable temperament.
Not willing to give too much ground, you merely smirk in subtle acknowledgement. "Another titbit of my past from Flora, I assume?"
"Not at all," Camilla shakes her head, "for I have no need of a maid to reveal that which already burns so brightly in your eyes." The princess withdraws her hand and enjoys a victorious sip of tea. You watch her intently, from the way she sips to the sensual manner in which she swallows. Sated, Camilla sighs. "And judging by your lack of argument against my notion, I can only assume that I am indeed correct."
The princess is impressive. As impressive as she is frightful in her powers of reasoning.
All you can do is bow your head in submission.
"I see how why you were one step ahead of us at all times, from the Astral Plane to the Ice Tribe Village," you half-praise, half-lament.
"Why thank you, darling. Now, raise your head and look at me." You do as asked. Camilla's expression is warm and caring; a far cry from the horrors you expected of her days prior. "And please tell me something, Keiji: before I let you return to Charlotte's warming bosom for the evening."
Not quite yet. You raise your hand. "I'd ask a question of you first, Camilla."
"As you wish," the princess agrees between a further drink of tea. "It is only fair when considering our discussion's depth this evening. Please, go on."
"Why exactly did you fight so hard to have Corrin returned to you, aside from missing her?"
Your question earns a displeased frown from Camilla. One which quickly twists into a disjointed smile as she stares into you. Just looking at her causes your heart to thump fearfully. Too afraid to look her in the eye any longer, you look to the dresser left of you. "Forgive me if I've spoken out of turn."
"You haven't," Camilla assures you with a frightful chuckle. "Though I would advise caution, dear. For if I tell you the reason in earnest for wanting my sister's safe return at this delicate stage, I will never allow you to leave me. Come what may, you will remain mine forever. Are you willing to pay such a price...?"
Her tone alone tells you the Nohrian royal is deadly serious. And a part of you knows that (as much as you've endured) crossing or upsetting Camilla in any way is a fate worse than anything Hans could subject you to; you feel it in your bones. You'll back off.
"...Forget I asked," you relent with a shallow exhale.
"A wise choice, Keiji." Camilla's terrifying expression warms again, enough for you to look at her without feeling wrought with horror. "Though I would impart a small amount of knowledge without an asking price. So please listen, and listen well."
Camilla stands from her chair and talks across to her dresser at your left. Gazing thoughtfully at her reflection, she slumps her shoulders and sighs. "...I intended for Corrin to act as the bridge between our peoples; between Hoshido and Nohr. Although, perhaps it was foolish of me to expect as much." Camilla glances back to you. "Come over here and join me, please."
You get up from your chair and push it under the table. Then you join Camilla as asked, the two of you standing side by side in the mirror.
"Tell me this and you may go," Camilla says, linking her arm through yours and holding you. "Would you have died for my sister had duty commanded it, despite the ill-will you feel toward your past misfortunes?"
A query you've no problems answering, your past scars be damned.
"Without question." You nod.
Camilla smiles so very sadly in reply. For a time she remains lost to her reflection with a thoughtful expression.
Then (while holding you tighter) she sighs deeply. "Then she is indeed lucky, Keiji. And I shall do my utmost to not squander you." Promise made, Camilla releases your arm from hers and takes a step closer to the mirror. "You may go now, dear," she decrees with a hint of sadness.
You bow your head. "Thank you, Camilla."
Now you turn to leave. You want nothing more than to get warm under some linens and sleep after a hard day's fighting.
"And, Keiji...?" Camilla calls out to you with a hint of loneliness coloring her voice.
You pause in the tent's entryway and look back to the royal, whom still gazes thoughtfully into her mirror.
"Yes, what is it?" you ask politely, mindful of her dour tone.
Camilla glances back and cracks a glassy smile, "Do be careful not to make a mother of Charlotte if you can help it, as fond as you and she are of one- another." Her cheeks pinken with the request, and her smile brightens also. "...Flora tells me you've quite the wayward heart, my darling."
A request which gives you a chuckle, though you'll be damned if Camilla doesn't look tragically sad despite her smile. You'll make a game of this topic, if only to ease the guilty pang gripping your chest at the sight of her. "Oh did she now?" you inquire with a smirk.
Camilla turns around fully, appearing a bit happier with your gentle playfulness. "Indeed. And I would be careful if I were you, Keiji," she adds with a wink. "The young ladies among my ranks aren't demure like your Hoshidan maidens. They will likely reply in-kind should you show them kindness and affection. So I would be mindful of whom you tease, lest you want women sneaking into your chambers at night once we reach Windmire."
"I'm not too concerned," you answer smugly. "None would make it past Charlotte anyway."
"Perhaps not." Camilla raises a hand to her mouth and laughs warmly. "Though some would try, and especially for a steadfast Hoshidan gentleman like yourself. Anyway, do sleep well," the princess finishes, moving the hand from her mouth to reveal a genuinely happy smile underneath.
"And you too, Camilla."
You cast your eyes ahead and step out.
Thoughts of Redshire's joyous townsfolk color your return to your tent.
"To have helped them so..." You relish the warm glow in your chest. Satisfaction of making a difference. A feeling you rarely enjoyed while in service to Hoshido. At least not for some years anyway.
What you wouldn't give to feel it again.
"I made a difference..." You imagine your swordmaster sensei smiles down at you proudly from the heavens above for your actions.
Indeed, this small victory is far more gratifying than any Hoshido has won in their time spent marching the length of Nohr.
You arrive out front of your tent to find Charlotte waiting for you; she holds a tome of some sort under her arm and has damned impatient look about her. While you hadn't intended to spend the evening in her company, it seems she has other plans if the book she carries is any indication.
The lassie wears naught but a crude bustier with floral patterning and patchwork shorts to safeguard her somewhat loose standards of modesty. And very loose, considering the ample amounts of skin she flaunts. Her footwear is simple and inelegant. A pair of short brown ankle boots protect her feet from the elements and the dried earth underfoot. The left boot's toe looks as though a cobbler has recently repaired it.
"About damn time!" Charlotte exclaims out as you join her by the tent. Her volume earns a couple of passing glances from maids busy at work. "I figured Lady Camilla might keep you for a while, but Gods was I not expecting this kinda wait!" The blonde rolls her eyes indignantly.
"My apologies, but I had no idea you desired my company tonight," you say with a short bow of the head. You point to the book under Charlotte's arm and don a playful smirk. "And I sincerely hope you aren't asking me to read you a storybook before bed, milady."
"Oh you go to Hell!" Charlotte snorts, playfully punching your arm. She takes the book into both hands thereafter and holds it out in presentation. "I can read just fine for a girl from the slums, thank you. One of the perks of serving in the royal guard for a while," the lady fighter adds proudly, and with a smug smirk.
Leaning into your personal space, Charlotte smirk turns cruel. "How about you Keiji? Can you read?"
You nod and step back a couple of paces for some breathing room. "I can, yes. Mother sent me to Izami's schoolhouse once each week until I was twelve."
"Oooo! Fancy!" Charlotte whistles. "So you can read those weird Hoshidan symbols and add up your gold coins too. Cute. Really cute." She brings the book close to her chest and stands straight. "But I'll bet you can't read Nohrian. In fact, I know you can't."
You're irked to no end by Charlotte's smugness with this line of conversation.
"Of course not," you answer, folding your arms. "Our countries share a spoken language; they have since time immortal." You'll relieve your irritation while you've the opportunity. "And even so, it isn't as though I need to read Nohrian to kill people. I've managed against your ilk perfectly fine without."
"Ever the smartass," Charlotte grumbles, her smirk widening sadistically, "...so I guess you won't need my help learning a little Nohrian then."
An offer you weren't expecting. You raise a brow, relinquishing your irritation. "Come again? You intended to teach me?"
"Yeah, I did. And what of it?" Charlotte asks bullishly. "Unless you wanna keep gawping blindly at our shop signs like you did in Bleakvale?"
Your face heats with a touch of embarrassment. "You saw that, did you?"
"Damn right I did!" Charlotte answers smugly, very pleased to have the upper hand over you again. Her glib expression easing, she winks at you. "And while it was cute and all, we can't have you falling into some cheap whorehouse without knowing. Gods knows the diseases you'd catch."
"And what makes you think I'd be one to frequent such dens of vice now that I have you?" you ask in a low, amorous tone.
Charlotte's cheeks redden approvingly. "Looking to make our little tumble a regular thing, are you?"
You bring an arm around your waist and bow. "I wouldn't be averse to the idea."
"Heh. Good answer." Charlotte takes the tome under her arm again and jabs a thumb toward her tent. "And who knows? Do well on your first lesson and I might just reward you." Encouragement provided, the lassie eyes you with intensity. "Now, get your ass inside. It's getting cold out here."
"Then perhaps you should wear some actual clothes," you tease.
"Just move it already, Samurai," Charlotte orders with a hint of affection.
"As you wish." Grabbing Charlotte's free hand, you tie her fingers with yours. The two of you enter the tent together.
Soon you will arrive in Windmire. There is nothing to stop you from obtaining new knowledge and just a little pleasure along the way, thouggh. You may need the former to survive in Nohr's capital, Light Dragon only knows. As for the latter? Well, to say Miss Charlotte is growing on you is putting it mildly.
Yes, she's rowdy and rough around the edges. But that doesn't make her any less important to you. As a friend and more.
To be continued...
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