September 4th, 1494 AD
Princess Azura of Nohr burrowed herself from the rest of Hoshido.
She had spent the last day in a lone room with walls of paper and bedding of simple mats, and she would continue to do so. The light of the dawn flowed into the room and the air was fresh on her lungs. Yet her breath was strangled due to the unfamiliarity of it all. Currently, the blue-haired princess covered herself in the blanket. Hiding herself from her kidnappers and praying to the Dusk Dragon, Erobos, to bring her back to the man she called father.
The sounds of footsteps stepping across the floor slowly arose in her ears. Azura simply hugged the sheet tighter, hoping that the person at the door would leave her be. The Nohrian peeked her eyes from her blanket, seeing the silhouette of a woman.
"Hello! I've brought food! I know you didn't eat last night…" Azura attempted to tune the woman out. However, the sound of her stomach rumbling overpowered her resistance. With a heavy heart, Azura caved in and unswaddled herself.
She opened the door, expecting to see a servant woman but who she saw nearly caused her to jump. Queen Mikoto stood in front of the girl with a silver tray of food. An omelet that rested on top of brown rice with a cup of tea beside it. The queen walked into the room and laid the tray onto the small table in the center of the room. She looked to Azura, motioning for her to go ahead.
The princess crossed her legs and took a seat, slowly beginning to eat as her eyes refused to look away from the woman. As the spoonful of food hit her tongue, Azura widened her eyes. She chewed slowly, letting the taste of seasoned rice and egg linger. It was similar to the food in Nohr but quite different, still… It was really good.
"I'm glad you like it," The queen took a seat, laying her knees onto the floor and folded her legs under her thighs. Azura blinked at the strange seating manner but decided on not speaking about it. She looked to Queen Mikoto, who flashed her a beautiful smile. "I had one of our best chefs prepare it for you…"
Azura swallowed bits of rice stuck to her cheek, and spoke. "You sound a lot like me."
"Huh? Oh, you mean language." The queen laughed, "Common Tongue or Language of the Dragons, Hoshido has it as well. But we stayed close to our roots, so you'll be hearing a lot of Hoshidan around here."
Azura stared at her blankly, understanding a bit of what she just said. The young princess continued to eat from her plate with the queen watching her closely. As she raised her spoon, Azura noticed how solemn the queen's eyes were. Looking to be on the verge of crying.
"Are you okay?" Mikoto was caught off-guard when the girl asked her that.
"Oh, o-of course! Why do you ask?"
"It's because… you look sad." Azura dropped her spoon. Her voice broke as her eyes began to well up. "My mother looked the same way whenever we were harassed by the Castle attendants. And… Father looked like that when she d-died."
"Oh…" Mikoto slowly moved herself to the girl, brushing her hand against her tousled hair. "You poor child, I can only imagine the pain you've felt at such a young age."
As Azura clinged onto the woman, she noticed a sense of… familiarity. Like she's known this woman from somewhere. And not only that, she seemed so much‒ so much like her mother. Enough to let herself be weak, like the days in the Castle of Krakenburg. Where she would run to her mother after the harassment faced by its denizens.
To feel such warmth again, by the gods, was she grateful.
After the blue-haired princess finished her plate, Queen Mikoto offered to brush her hair. Taming the tangled mess that was her bed head. The queen admitted that Azura's stay here in Hoshido would not be long. She would soon return to Nohr and her father. That sentence gave her mixed emotions, though she couldn't fathom why.
"I have a daughter, the same age as you." Mikoto admitted as the brush gently grazed Azura's hair. "Her name is Kamui. I… I miss her a lot. It's been a month since I've seen her, but I can't help but worry about her safety."
"Where is she?" Azura asked, turning her head to see the queen suddenly stop. Gnawing at her lip before taking a deep breath.
"Let's… not worry about that now." She placed the brush onto the table and took the girl by the hand. Plastering on a smile full of saccharine. "I want you to meet some friends!"
Mikoto led her down the hall, passing by art that decorated the walls. Murals of dragons hovered over lush landscapes. And one wall that depicted a man and a woman, wielding a bow with a string of wind and a katana wreathed in lighting respectively. The two made their way to the courtyard, where four children sat on a field of green.
"Mother!" A boy with silver hair rushed over to hug Mikoto. His tiny arms wrapped around her legs. He could only mumble with how much he choked on his tears. "W-When is… Big Sis coming back?"
Mikoto kneeled down to hug her step-child, "Soon, Takumi. Soon, I promise…"
The queen looked to her red-haired step-daughter, Hinoka. She stared off into the koi pond with a face that lacked any life. The poor girl was there, alongside her brother Ryoma. She stuck beside Kamui as the Nohrian soldiers attacked. In the absolute chaos of it all, she lost Kamui. She lost her sister to Nohr.
The girl hugged her knees to her face as she sat on the edge of the pond, watching the koi fish swim around each other. Mikoto held Takumi in her arms and sat beside Hinoka. Rubbing the girl's back, Hinoka flinched at her touch.
She looked to her step-mother, unable to look her in the eyes. Hinoka mumbled, her voice cracking. "I-I'm sorry… I shouldn't have let her out of my sight. I'm supposed to be her big sister, I'm supposed to protect her! I‒"
"It's okay." Mikoto attempted to console her yet she could not hide her own voice breaking. "It's not your fault, you're not the one to blame." The queen felt her chest burn at the thought of who did this. The dreadful kingdom that a kind soul like Azura would return to. "...We will solve this, I promise."
Mikoto turned to her eldest, Ryoma, who was busy tending to Sakura. The toddler held tulips that she picked, completely unaware of the situation their family was in. Wondering where Big Sister Kamui was…
"Ryoma?" Mikoto called, "Are you alright?"
"Yes, Mi… Mother," Ryoma choked out the word as he heaved Sakura off his lap. "I'm… alright," The Crown prince forced a smile and straightened himself underneath the gaze of his siblings. "Everything will be alright."
Mikoto felt her heart sink as she saw the boy steel himself. Ryoma was thirteen years of age, yet he felt the need to fulfill his father's duty. Mirroring his late father's posture and forcing a smile.
"And the girl…" Ryoma looked to Azura, who hid behind Mikoto at her mention. The prince walked over to the queen and whispered, "She's how we get Kamui back, right?"
Mikoto slowly nodded. It wasn't right to treat children as a means of barter but it was the only option on the table to return her daughter to Hoshido. And despite how much of a monster Garon was, at least he loved his children. Azura should be fine in Nohr.
She hoped… Her premonitions haven't told her much of Kamui's fate so all she could do is hope that this exchange of princesses would work for the best. The queen looked to Azura, informing her that she needed to be somewhere else. Though her stay in Hoshido may not be long, Azura would hopefully get along with her children. Their nations may never be brought together, but at least Azura would have happy memories here.
Arete… I will take care of your daughter until mine is safely returned to me.
September 7th, 1494 AD
Azura walked over the wooden floors of the Castle, dressed in a Hoshidan dress. A kimono, they called it. It was quite beautiful, the light blue water design looked elegant and the silk felt nice on her skin. Just one little drop of Hoshido's beautiful ocean. Not to say that Nohr didn't have its own beauty, but one would have to look past its rough exterior.
The princess made her way into the throne room, where she found Ryoma. The boy was swinging a wooden blade with the posture of a samurai. But Azura could feel something was wrong, she saw how Ryoma's grip shook with each whip of the sword. As if it could fly out of his hands any moment.
"Hello, Ryoma…" Azura greeted the older boy with a soft voice. "Why are you waving that stick around? Are you playing?"
"I wasn't playing," He answered sternly, "I'm training, testing out my stance and swings of my blade. If I put too much energy, it'll leave me open for an attack. If I put too little, then I'll be wasting my time. I need to find a rhythm that'll work best for me."
Ryoma lowered his hand, his grip tightened. The sword shook as he looked to the ground. "If I am to follow in my father's footsteps, then I'll have to master my swordsmanship. Master the Raijinto, then I'll have my revenge on those Nohrian Savages!"
The prince flinched, remembering who he was talking to. He turned to Azura, stumbling on his words. "I-I mean… Not all Nohrians! I…"
"It's okay," Azura cut him off before he could stammer any further. "I know why you hate Nohr. I know why Takumi and Hinoka didn't like me."
"They don't‒" Ryoma sighed, "Takumi is too young to understand, and Hinoka hasn't really talked to anyone for the past few days. No one hates you, Azura. And if they do, it's unjustified."
Azura turned away at that, looking out down the large hallway of the throne room. Though Hoshido was a beautiful sight, she could not adjust. Just like in Krakenburg, the servants of Shirasagi looked at the girl with their noses up. Except she did not have her father, Garon, with her. Protecting her…
He may have not been related to her by blood, but he certainly treated her like she was. And… he was the one who stuck beside her during her mother's funeral.
"I want to go home…" Azura whispered as she gazed over the hollow beauty of Castle Shirasagi.
September 12th, 1494 AD
Shirasagi Square was bathed in the golden glow of dawn. Five statues stood at the town square and at the center of it all was a stone statue of Hoshido's God, Byakuja. Its noodle-like body wrapped around an orb atop of a pillar, its head looked downward as it flexed its wings. Azura admired the sight as she walked with Ryoma and Hinoka.
Whilst Mikoto was busy with her tactician, Yukimura, Ryoma offered to show Azura around Shirasagi. Hinoka was forced to tag in order to get her outside. Her long red hair was left tousled and unkempt, her kimono was wrinkled, and she looked to the ground with a pout.
"Hinoka, do you want something?" Ryoma pointed to the sweets cart across from them.
"No, go ahead…" Hinoka sighed, waving her brother off.
Ryoma blinked, he opened his mouth to say something but hesitated as Hinoka walked off to get some shade. The eldest sibling sighed before turning to the blue haired girl at his side. Azura clicked her geta onto the ground in a short rhythm, her face scrunched at the wooden sandals they picked out for her.
"Azura?" Ryoma's voice brought her attention to him, "Do you want any sweets?"
"Okay…" She muttered before grasping Ryoma's hand, the prince smiled. Though Mikoto was working on a way to return both princesses to their rightful homes, he did enjoy Azura's company. She was like a little sister in the few days they've known each other.
They walked up to the cart, Azura's eyes scanned the drawn image of treats. Her small finger immediately went for the image of a brown fish. She couldn't read Kanji but the familiar image of a fish did draw her in.
"Ah, two taiyaki please!" Ryoma looked to Hinoka, who laid her back onto the stone walls underneath the shadows. "...Make those three please."
After paying for their treats, Ryoma and Azura walked over to where Hinoka was. Hinoka gave a glance towards her brother who held out a cake for her. The red-haired princess eyed the snack before silently taking it. The three ate them in silence. Hinoka looked to the girl beside her brother, who took large bites of the taiyaki. She couldn't help but smile at the sight.
But she had to remind herself, this girl was Nohrian. The kingdom that killed her father. She wouldn't see her for long. Because Kamui was going to come back to Hoshido. Hinoka would beg for her forgiveness, and they can begin to fix their family.
September 18th, 1494 AD
Mikoto slowly collapsed as she stumbled into the room, tears flowed from her eyes. Her children rushed over to her side, asking her what happened in shakened voices. Azura kept herself seated at the table that they were around, watching the scene unfold.
The queen was wrapped up in certain businesses for the past few days. Mikoto kept a smile on her face as she and Yukimura discussed manners that Azura could not pick up on. So to see the woman crash into despair was shocking.
"Mother, what happened?" Ryoma asked as he helped her up. Mikoto looked between the five children in the room with her, unable to regain her composure. "How did the negotiations with Nohr go?"
Mikoto shook her head, choking back the tears building up. "I-I'm sorry… Kamui is… They say she's missing, and even sended out a 'search party'."
"But they're lying…" Hinoka balled her fists together as her teeth clenched.
"That is… Most likely the case." Mikoto shut her eyes as she slowly regained some balance. "Nohr has effectively shut down what little contact with us… But they'll allow this search team to run on until they find Kamui."
"Or until they give up…" Ryoma seethed, "Because they have Kamui! I know they do!"
Mikoto bit her lip, unable to properly respond to that. She looked at Takumi and Sakura, who slowly wrapped their tiny arms around her. She reciprocated, bringing her youngest closer to her. However the Queen realized that there was another hand pressing against her arm. Opening her eyes, she discovered that Azura stood next to her. The girl looked to be lost, yet her eyes seemed to glisten with the faintest glint of hope.
"A-am I… Am I going home?" Those words broke her. Mikoto tried her best to keep some reservation yet the welling of her eyes revealed the truth.
Without another thought, Mikoto brought the girl into her arms. Azura stood frozen, unable to grasp what was going on. She was going home right? Her father… He still wanted her back home, right?
Garon wouldn't abandon her… Right? He would fight for her… He would fight her to return home. He had to...
April 16th, 1506
You are the ocean's gray waves, destined to seek
Life beyond the shore, just out of reach
Yet the waters ever change, flowing like time
The path is yours to climb
Azura stopped there to catch her breath. The princess of no nation in particular stood at the lakeside on the outskirts of Shirasagi. The wooden docks were warm at her feet and the waters before her rippled at her voice. She looked down to her pendant, its blue gem glowed as it slowly floated back down.
She looked to Castle Shirasagi, its structure towered over her as the orange sun hit its body with its brilliant glow. This was her home now, for twelve years she's stayed here and she'll probably never leave. Azura would not complain, as Hoshido was a beautiful country with very little conflict inside its walls. However she would be lying if she did not wish to see Nohr one last time.
While Nohr did not have the radiance of Hoshido, it did offer plenty in its culture. And… she wanted to visit her mother's grave, maybe even see her old room. Azura couldn't even remember the details of her face, all she had of her was her pendant and her song.
This strange pendant that clung to her neck like a beautiful leech. And a song that seemed to manipulate the life around her...
"Azura!" A familiar voice rang from above her. Azura flinched at the sudden force of wind that emerged from behind her.
She turned her head to see Hinoka, clad in her sky knight armor. The red-headed princess hopped off her tenma, Tomoe, and rushed over to Azura with a worried expression. Her breaths were heavy as she stopped at the foot of the docks.
"What's wrong, Hinoka?" Azura asked in a low voice.
"I… You haven't heard, have you?" Azura shook her head. Hinoka gave a rough sigh, "Nohrians, they've taken one of our bases near Cheve. Captured Kaze and The Flame Tribe's daughter along with the men hulled up there. It's been leaked to the public!"
"I… I don't understand why you felt so inclined to inform me." Azura mentally cringed at how that came off but Hinoka paid no mind to her tone.
"Because if anyone finds you, you're going to be harrassed." Hinoka gently grabbed Azura by the arm and led her to Tomoe, "C'mon, let's head back to Shirasagi. Ryoma and Mother should be able to ease the people soon enough."
The two got on the tenma, the horse took a quick gallop before lifting off. Azura clung to her sister‒of sorts‒as the ride began to rise in altitude. The blue haired royal witnessed the whole Shirasgi from above. Each building was like a brush stroke against a canvas painting.
Hoshido was indeed beautiful, but it wasn't home. Neither was Nohr, it was a distant memory of hers. Azura sighed, shutting her eyes from the sight. Directing her attention to whatever she could find.