HopelessRomantic1020: I'm glad I can get Corrin to react in a believable way. Trust me, I'm not sure what's harder here, setting up the scene and trying not to make everything picnics... or trying to get the rejection lines to come out too similar. I mean, they're all going to contain 'I'm sorry, but...'
I've always viewed Leo as an older brother, and it's at the point where I can't wrap my head around him being younger than Corrin.
DoomMarine55: Camilla is the second-to-last... I'm still trying to get hers finished so I can do Takumi's.
And, gods... PALcatraz? Really? I ain't gonna lie, that was quite funny.
K: Yes, well. *Ahem* I'm happy that you're happy about seeing this fic. I'm also glad that it makes you glad that it's written so nicely...
Seriouly though, I'm honestly happy you're enjoying this.
Hinoka looked herself in the mirror for what felt like the millionth time, making sure that everything is perfectly in place. "Lady Hinokaaa…" Her retainer, Setsuna, drawls out, "I got the ribbons you wanted, but…"
The Hoshidan princess turned around and saw her trap-attracting retainer tied in ribbons… on the ceiling… hanging upside down. She sighs, "Setsuna…" She was about to start walking towards her, but Kaze walks in and bows.
"Every..." He stops when he sees the archer hanging from the ceiling. "Please, allow me to free her, Princess Hinoka." He deftly manages to unwrap her retainer without even fraying a single ribbon. "As I was saying, everything is prepared at the location you requested."
"Thank you, Kaze." She smiles, "Does everything on me look okay?" She feels self-conscious, a feeling that is foreign to her. She isn't used to wearing 'girly' things, she has a red and white dress, but it is under her Falcon Knight armor. She has high heels, but there is an armor plating near the heels of her feet, the only place where there is only feminine things is her face and hair, where a cherry red makeup and lipstick has been applied. Her hair has been smoothed out, but it will undoubtedly become windswept when she takes Corrin for the flight trip.
...A flight trip she has been planning for over fifteen years now. It is a short tour of the surrounding Hoshidan area, but as of recently, there has been a very specific spot added, it is a hill with a lake, a lake that is said to radiate happiness, a spot where a couple would trek to and wish for eternal bliss with their partner. Corrin, the man she has grown to call her brother, who actually isn't her brother.
Gods, he isn't her brother and her mother knew it… she knew Hinoka would fall in love with him and she has evidence, Queen Mikoto wrote down that Corrin is in no way related to the rest of the Hoshidan royal family.
"Princess Hinoka." Kaze startled her out of her thoughts, "You were… staring off into the distance."
"My apologies, were you saying something?" She flashes a nervous smile.
"I merely commented that everything on you is as it should be… and that the time for he flight will be happening soon." He notions towards the window and sure enough.
"Gods!" She gasps, "We won't make it to the sunset if I don't get moving!" She dashes out of the room as fast as she can without messing up any of the work on her appearance.
"Princess Hinoka!" Kaze calls out, but she is already long gone. "...You forgot your letter…" He sighs and starts moving, it would probably be for the best to deliver it straight to the picnic area, so that Hinoka and Corrin can have as much time to together as possible. He is going to need to get to Subaki to actually reach it, though.
Hinoka reached the room that Corrin lives in, her heart already beating faster, she knocks on the door, "Corrin? Are you ready?"
"One moment!" She smiles when she hears something topple over, the door soon opens and he pops his head out, "Hi." He smiles.
"What did you do…?" She jabs.
"...knocked a vase over." He sheepishly smiles, "Other than that… I'm ready." He opens the door fully and she is not surprised when she sees him in his Hoshidan Noble armor. "So…" He starts as they begin walking, "This is the trip you have been planning for years?"
She nods, "For over fifteen years. But… there have been a few recent adjustments." Gods only know how long it took to find that lake. "We need to move though, or else we'll miss the finale."
"Huh? Finale?" His curiosity is piqued, but she refuses to say anymore.
The trip continues in the same tense silence, Hinoka is fighting to keep her nerves calm. The two finally reach the stables, where her Pegasus has already been saddled and ready to fly. "Easy, girl… you're taking two today." She coos at the majestic beast as she mounts her.
Corrin clumsily gets on, his inexperience with Pegasi showing, "Okay… I think I'm good." He sounds unsure. "So… what do I hold on to?"
Oh… whoops. Gods, Hinoka forgot the extra grip on the saddle, "Um… me?" She states.
"Are you okay with that? I don't want you to feel uncomfortable."
"I'll be fine, go right on ahead." She fights to contain a blush as she feels his arms wrap around her. "Alright, here we go!"
Cherry blossom trees, a crystal-clear lake, a small forest, an overhead view of Shirasagi, and several more wonders pass by in what feels like a few minutes. Finally, though, she reaches the magical lake and gently guides the winged beast down. The picnic basket and cloth has already been laid out near the shore, positioned in such a way that they can watch the sun set. She gestures towards the area and they walk towards it, taking their seats side by side.
"Today was wonderful." Corrin comments.
"One of the best." She agrees. "You can't believe how long I dreamed of taking you on this flight."
"I can see the effort you put behind it." He nods, "Truly an experience I won't ever forget."
Hinoka scoots slightly closer to the man she has come to love, "Corrin… I have something to show you." She shakily reaches into her pocket and… gods! It isn't there!
"Are you okay?" He asks as she frantically looks from pocket to pocket.
"I… it…"
"Princess Hinoka!" Kaze is breathing heavily as he procures a letter, "You left…" He trails off, "My apologies, I would have arrived sooner but…"
She sighs in relief, "It's okay… thank you, Kaze." She nods and he leaves as quickly as he came. "Here…"
Corrin accepts the letter, it has been well-taken care of, only a few wrinkles show, even though it clearly looks old and well-read. " 'Dear Hinoka' ..." He looks up at his sister with a questioning glance, who encourages him to read more. Several minutes pass and Hinoka starts sweating from nervousness alone, she takes a sip of wine just to calm her nerves. "Hinoka…" Corrin starts as he hands the letter back.
"I love you." She blurts out, her face turning as red as her hair, "Gods, I love you so much Corrin and I want to be with you… Would it be too much to ask for your hand in marriage?" She finally takes a breath.
He looks away for just the briefest of moments and Hinoka's heart drops as she notices the distant lack of happiness on him… did she do the right thing? "Big sister." The Falcon Knight's heart has shattered from the title, gods. "I can only think of you as such, I'm sorry… I love you too, but in a brother-sister sort of way."
"Right." She takes a breath.
"But…" He starts up again, "I promise you that you will not ever lose me again, okay? I will be with the Hoshidans for the rest of my days, and I also promise that we will not lose anyone else."
A small smile graces her face, even as she feels like she is dying inside. "Good, and I promise the same."