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Dragonna: yess! That is a reason! Hmm that is too blatant. Takumi is still sassy, but much less blatant and informal than before that he is king, that he wore Mikoto mask. Still very sassy though.

AnonymousGeek: Oh you're going to love his facade in this chapter. So much sassy Takumi.


Takumi sat in front of the mirror, holding his mother's cape. Even if he tried to apply it naturally, it is clear that he did put on some cosmetics. It's only few hours before his coronation. He only had few time to make that cape of his mother's fit his shoulder. His wife, the royal seamstress, is now exhausted from gave birth to his son, Kiragi, and a considerate husband he is, he let her rest and did the cape's modification on his own. It's not that he doesn't have the skill to. He has more than decent of feminine skills of the noble ladies, which he is capable to because of his closeness with his late mother. As much such feminine work is embarassing for him, the greater reason why he stopped doing all of that is because such activities remind him to Mikoto. However, despite stopped doing all those feminine handiworks after Mikoto's death, surprisingly, his skills haven's rust.

He heard someone knocked the door. Sakura. He allowed her in, and as he expected, she is surprised that he haven't worked on the cape.

"B-Big Brother! W-Why haven't you worked on the cape yet? Y-You don't have much time left, it's only few hours until y-your coronation! "

Takumi's grip on the cape grew stronger, and he sighed. He makes an inviting gesture with his hand, and when Sakura is close enough, he tried to put on the cape on her.

"... I knew it. Mother's clothes would look better on you than on me. "

The redhead shook her head, and take the cape off her shoulders.

"N-no! Big brother looks good too in this! S-see, you already wear her brooch. I-it looks fitting on your chest, B-big brother."

Takumi shook his head, and picked the cape again. He embraced the cape as what is he is actually hugging is Mikoto.

"No... The supposed heir of these clothes are you, Sakura. You're a Shrine Maiden... Mother was a Priestess. These surely would look better on you than me."

"B-but, I don't want to wear it." Sakura sniffled. Feeling bad for his sister, Takumi immediately try to wipe Sakura's tears.

"Why?"

"B-because... Because if I w-wore it, it means all of my siblings a-are dead. Not only Ryoma a-and Hinoka...B-but also you, T-Takumi. I d-don't want to b-be alone... " Sakura's stutter becomes worse than usual at the thought being the actual queen regent because all of her siblings are dead. Takumi then started working on the cape as he smiled at her.

"It's okay, Sakura. I'm not dead...I'm here for you... I'll be the one to wear this. Do you think Mother will be mad at me for modifying her clothes?"

"N-no. Y-you did a good job on it, B-big brother " Sakura's eyes are fixated on Takumi's hands. Takumi spoke as he worked on the cloth.

"... Then again, perhaps this is one of the reason why I want to be like Mother instead of Ryoma."

Sakura's eyes moved from her big brother's hands to his eyes.

"W-what this does have to do with you mimicking Mother lately ?"

The silverette paused from his job, looking at the ceiling, then answered the question as he continue to work on the cape.

"I... I like to do the yamato nadeshiko works just because it brings me closer to Mother. Mother... Was never too busy for us. Even if she is the one who actually rules Hoshido instead of Ryoma after Father was killed. But Ryoma... Hinoka... They... Ryoma wasn't the one who actually ruled Hoshido, but why he never had time for us, Sakura?! Always so busy with his training as Swordmaster and lessons as crown prince! I know Hinoka actually thought Kamui was more important to her than anyone, even Mother! She become a warrior at seven, Sakura, seven! She ditched the life of a princess and walked the path of of warrior for Kamui, and Kamui only, and what have it brought her!? She dies in the hand the sister she dedicated her life to! "

Takumi suddenly raised his voice, but Sakura isn't surprised. Her brother have always been a mood-swinger. Trying to divert Takumi's attention from the "Kamui-ruined-everything" topic, Sakura tried to talk about another topic.

"S-speaking about Hinoka's unladylike traits, if she asked you to taught her your yamato nadeshiko skills, w-would you reconsider?"

Takumi grimaced. " ... You see, Sakura, Hinoka's lack of femininity is not only because she decided to be warrior. Her rejection to Mother also play a role in that aspect . "

Sakura remained silent. She remembered how Hinoka always tried to avoid Mikoto whenever she can. She remembered how Hinoka was the least impacted by Mikoto's death at her funeral. Even Ryoma cried, but Hinoka didn't. She just.. Says nothing there.

"I'm willing to teach you whatever yamato nadeshiko skill I have, but you haven't because you willingly follow Mother's footsteps, because you greatly love and honor her, just like I do. But Hinoka? Why must she ask of me, if Mother is still around? I just can't give her an answer until she gives me the answer of her rejection of Mother. Maybe I'm putting Mother in my priority list too high, but what do you expect of me when she's the one there for me when Ryoma and Hinoka are busy with themselves? Speaking about rejection of Mother... I need to get that answer from Kamui too."

Takumi continues while still working on the cape. Sakura just apologized because they're back at that topic again. Of course, Takumi can never be angry at accepted her apology. He just look at his own reflection in the mirror again as he clutched the cape again.

"Speaking about Kamui, Sakura, I want you to do me a favor."

Corrin arrived at the Hoshidan throne room with the Nohrian royal family again. Never she thought she would be allowed to step in this place again after the battle with Ryoma, Garon, and Takumi, in that order. Unlike at Xander's coronation, people are gossiping about Takumi, because he's not the supposed next king, about his inadequacy and childishness. Sakura greets her, in place of her brother. And she still have problem to address Corrin's proper title and name.

"W-welcome, King Xander, Lady Camilla, L-lady c-Corrin, Prince Leo, and Lady Elise. We-we are grateful for your presence to w-witness the coronation of our n-new k-king.."

Elise, being a cheerful and lax girl she is, she tapped Sakura's shoulder.

"I told you that you can drop the honorific, Sakura! We are friends, remember!"

"U.. Um... Yes... "

Sakura actually is a bit uncomfortable with Elise. Did she befriend her just because of pity? Or was it because Elise is so extroverted in the first place? But the memory when Elise shoo her away from Kamui at that banquet after Kamui defects to Nohr. Or maybe... Because Elise is just that childish to begin with? Which is why even Takumi let her trying to get into Sakura's inner circle?

The situation with Corrin isn't any less awkward. Corrin once let her watched her forces massacred and Sakura herself captured, and probably Sakura is still traumatized from that. Corrin did ask her when Takumi will arrive. Soon, she said.

She doesn't have to wait for long. Soon, the new king of Hoshido entered the throne room. Every single pair of eyes instantly focused at the silverette, including Corrin's. The gossiping nobles was already bad before Takumi entered the throne room, but when he comes in, it just exploded. The reason is his appearance, clothing, and attitude. He walked to the throne wearing Mikoto's grace, his movement fluid and elegant. Few eyes froze at the sight of his beauty, but it is easier to count them. Instead, more eyes widen in rage on his outrageous decision. Corrin should pay more attention when Elise said Takumi not only becomes more affable, but also more effeminate. The attire he wear to present himself as Hoshido's new ruler makes it clear what is the reason for his adapted politeness and femininity. He wore the blue kinshi knight uniform, but that's not the focus of his attire. He incorporates Mikoto's brooch and cape to his getup. It took him to actually wear Mikoto's accessories to make Corrin realize Takumi is trying to mimic Mikoto. How long and hard have he tried to mimic Mikoto that his adaptation already looks so natural at this point? It doesn't stop there. When Takumi bend down for Yukimura to crown him, Corrin realized that was Mikoto's crown. Whatever the proper Hoshidan king crown Sumeragi used to wore, it's definitely not the one Takumi are about to wear now.

Takumi already heard the gossiping nobles before he entered the throne room, and when the gossip exploded, he already expect it. He already knows his decision to mimic Mikoto would be controversial.

Now he has gone and did it! What is he thinking about, mimicking Lady Mikoto like that !? Is he trying to insult her ?! I know he was mimicking her manners after Prince Ryoma and Lady Hinoka's death, but to actually wore her cape and crown !?

I don't think he did it to insult her. He was very close to her... He was too young to remember his father when Nohr killed King Sumeragi. So he had to follow Queen Mikoto. Poor thing...

Admit it, he's even more graceful than Lady Hinoka. I can never imagine Lady Hinoka to be that graceful...

I'd still think Lady Sakura would make the better yamato nadeshiko than him, or Lady Hinoka for that matter. She was Lady Mikotos' supposed heir...

But at least he was right on one thing.

You know, at least I prefer him behaving this way than the abrasive and blunt attitude he once had. Effeminate as it is, this manner is more appropriate for a royal, let alone ruler.

That nobody wants him to be his true self. They wanted a proper ruler instead. He knows that his blunt and rudeness is unacceptable for a royal, but he used to be able to get away with it because he is the second prince. But not anymore. He is the king now. So he had to create a facade to be fit into the role of a king. They was right for his reasons to mimic Mikoto. He is not trying to be Mikoto, he is still the same insecure and distrusting Takumi deep down. What he changed is his mask. He used to mask his insecurities with his rudeness, now he is hiding it under a persona created based on his mother.

The reason why he wore Mikoto's crown on himself is not because he doesn't want Oboro to wear it even though that he is king now, which by extension would mean she would be his queen. No, the reason he wore Mikoto's crown on himself is to remind himself that he is sealing his original self deep down, that he will only reveal on occasions to his closest people.

After his coronation speech about his late mother , brother and sister, their future ties with Nohr and his own hope on ruling Hoshido, he walked towards the Nohr family. Among the traits he adapted from Mikoto, namely, her grace, kindness, and politeness, comparatively speaking, his politeness have to be the most fake. Takumi already had that natural grace in him, helped that he's such a pretty boy to begin with, an undeniable part of him despite of his actual brash personality. Then there is his kindness, which, as Azura said, he usually only shows to his inner circle. But his politeness, oh god...

"Welcome, king of Nohr and his siblings. We are honored by your willingness to visit us, to memorize this honorable day." Takumi properly greeted Xander, all while wearing Mikoto's expression and posture. It hurts to see him like this. Azura sure means it when Takumi was the most attached to Mikoto, to the point he decided to be her when appointed as the next king.

Then Corrin see how he spoke to Xander.

"We are truly sorry for the inconvenience of this event. They were expecting someone else..."

I'm not supposed to be king. It's your fault our supposed crown prince dead.

Xander tried to handwave Takumi's indirect insult .Emphasis on tried.

"No need to think about it too much, Prince Takumi. We are delighted by your hospitality, we cannot ask for more."

Takumi raised his eyebrow. Perhaps he have been much less direct than he used to be, but his presumptuous trait would be hard to kill.

"Ah... Is that truly? We're afraid we lack the proper resources to provide proper service after this war... "

The casualty we suffered shall not be forgotten, as well we shall not forget how you razed our land.

"Your cape, King Takumi...Is it..."

Takumi is still smiling. But his eyes are not.

"Oh, do not mind it much, King Xander. I presume your coat have the same meaning to you ? I did not mean it... But I heard a bit of your relationship with King Garon back in your coronation ball. Perhaps we are more akin to the other more than we thought? I hope our similarity can make us more accepting to the other as fellow rulers."

A father complex like you have no right to call me out on my mother complex-ness.

Xander looks at Corrin, and asked of a request to Takumi.

"Regarding such agreement, King Takumi, I had a proposal to ask you. Would you be willing to hear it?"

Takumi prepared himself before it. Xander look at Corrin before asking it, he will have to look for a way to refuse it.

"I will have to know about the proposal before I can decide will I decline or accept it."

Hearing Takumi's readiness to hear the proposal, Xander continued.

"The distance of Nohr and Hoshido is not close, King Takumi. Also, the difference in our politics perhaps would get in the way of our trade. I would like to propose Corrin as our representative in Hoshido, as she is familiar to this land."

Familiar? She's a native of this land, you bastard. You stole her away from us, must you need to gloat about it further even after your blatant victory over the war?

"I see the need of an ambassador, yes. "Takumi played with his finger, still in a rather effeminate posture he copied from Mikoto. "However, I don't think Lady Corrin is the person fit for the role. She barely have actual political knowledge, be it of Hoshido or Nohr. Perhaps Prince Leo, who is infamous as the genius, would be more suitable for the job?"

You won the traitorous bitch from us. Fine, keep her away from our castle.

"I will have to consider that. I plan to be a direct advisor to my brother after we take out Iago from the picture... But becoming the ambassador of Nohr here doesn't sounds too bad. " Leo answered instead of Xander. After all, the question was inquired to him.

"... Takumi.." Corrin weakly spoke to him after all those times. Is this why he wanted to speak of her at his coronation ? Just to show her Mikoto's image?

"Ah, Lady Corrin. Must I remind you that it is important for us fellow royals to keep the formality?"

"K... King Takumi... C.. Can I talk to you in private?"

This. He waited for her to ask this question, and she finally did. He then leads her to one of the rooms. Then she saw his eyes. He is still the same scornful Takumi beneath his Mikoto facade. He is not trying to be Mikoto, he is wearing Mikoto's personality like a mask, but he keep his true self beneath that mask.


It was just a small room, enough for a short conversation. Sitting facing each other, Corrin started the conversation.

"Y... You are.. Insulting her..." Corrin spoke in low, weak voice. Actually Takumi heard her, he just wanted to torment her further.

"Pardon?"

"You are insulting Mother with wearing her personality like this, Takumi! " Corrin raised her voice. But Takumi remained calm.

"So you're telling me... That razing the land she loved despite she died for you isn't an insult?"

An arrow struck Corrin's heart. Takumi have always been a snarky person, that's no surprise. But now, it hurts more. Because he is wearing Mikoto's smile and attitude, and politeness, all while intentionally butchered her heart hurts her more than the direct insult he used to say. If Takumi is torturing her mentally, he is doing it right by doing all of this.

"I... I didn't plan to do it..." Corrin looks away from Takumi's eyes. But he doesn't seem to care as long she is listening to his words.

"Would you be so kind to explain the original plan, then?"

Corrin look into Takumi's face. His lips are smiling. But his eyes still clearly full of hatred.

"I... I and Azura saw King Garon's true form one day through her crystal ball. But we didn't think anyone would believe us if we just say it directly. So we plan to let him sat on the Hoshidan throne... So that's why we..."Corrin clutched her chest. Takumi pointing out her mistakes one by one like this, it's too on the point. He doesn't need the Fujin Yumi to torture her, his words are the more effective arrows straight to her heart.

"Invaded Hoshido? Oh, Lady Corrin. If only you realized that except me, the Hoshidan royal family still have their faith on you, then all of this won't happen. You can tell Ryoma to masquerade our loss. I would disagree, but my words have no power in the court. Besides, our pride is less important if we can minimize the casualty. Or you can assassinate King Garon on your own... Was it too hard for you ?"

"I...I'm scared of fighting him... And I'm scared my siblings would hate me..."

He sighed. So be it. Corrin isn't evil, just stupid. And coward.

"What is it, that Nohr can offer but Hoshido cannot? That you chose them over us?" Takumi asked another question that have been digging on his head for the few months since the war ended. Corrin stuttered.

"I... It was the opposite. Nohr isn't as fertile as Hoshido... Not to mention Hoshido closed the trade with Nohr... So I wanted to help them...I want to change Nohr from the inside..."

Takumi shook his head. Just how stupid this girl can be...

"But Lady Corrin, King Garon has remained in that way for years. The words from his true son, King Xander, never reached him. What makes you think, a woman that was never his daughter , that he locked away in a tower for a decade and half, can change him?"

Takumi was right. Corrin was never Garon's daughter. She is Xander, Camilla , Leo and Elise's sister, but never Garon's daughter. But she still have to save Nohr...

"But Takumi, Nohr ..."

"Was so desolate. Famine happened across the land. I know. I have seen it with my eyes... What do you think I was doing in Cheve back then? "

Corrin grimaced. She remembered how the rebels screamed King Garon's injustice in the battle, how Hans massacred them...

"His own people spoke about his tyranny, that they are willing to side with us to take him down. His tyranny was that horrendous, Lady Corrin. Why must you side with such dictator ? I take it you never considered to side with the Nohrian people itself than with the royal family to save the country ?"

Corrin remained silent. She didn't think of her actions through and through. She does feel guilty for all the damage Nohr didn't only cause to Hoshido, but also to their own people. So she just accepted it when Takumi list her mistakes one by one, and what is the proper action for such moment. Although such correction holds no meaning that everything was happened already. If there is any meaning in his words, it is to punish the ex-Hoshidan now Nohrian princess.

Another memory from Cheve come to her mind. She remembered when Takumi screamed Scarlet's name .

"King Takumi... Speaking about Cheve... Are you... And Scarlet..."

Takumi just giggled.

"Me, and Scarlet? Oh, no. She already have her own man, you know. I am but a boy in her eyes, but then again, who doesn't think of me as an immature rascal?"

Before Corrin can exhale in relief, the king of Hoshido continued. "But this man in question happens to be Ryoma. So it is not a mistake that you think she's important to me. Because she is. She was so much of an older sister to me... I never thought I had any. Hinoka distanced herself from us with her training, Azura with her secretiveness, and you... Taken by Nohr, both your body and mind. She was about to become my sister... If she and Ryoma lives, he surely would make her his queen. Scarlet's leading capability was amazing, she would make a respectable queen for Hoshido even if she's Nohrian. They were truly in love... Scarlet, trying so hard to make Ryoma realized his own feelings, and Ryoma, oblivious to his own feelings, yet still shows clear signs of attraction... What a cute couple they are! Yet both of them died in tragic, gruesome death. Oh well, at least they are together in death now."

Corrin clutched her chest harder. She takes away so much from this man, and all because of her. She didn't even stopped Hans from massacring Scarlet and Takumi's forces, he is very likely to be still traumatized from that scene, yet he haven't brought that fact up.

"Before you arrived at Cheve... I promised Scarlet that I would stand for her if anyone dare to reject her for being Nohrian in Hoshido's court, after Ryoma make her his queen. I also promised Scarlet that I would protect her for Ryoma. But I can't. Despite all those sweet phrases I said to her... I still failed. All I can do for them is to redirect those words to their son. "

Takumi's last line shocked Corrin. She raised her head to meet Takumi's eyes, who is still full of grudge to her.

"W.. What was that? Their son?"

Ignoring Corrin's question, Takumi replied to another person instead.

"You heard her, Lily. Bring Shiro in. Sakura too, bring Hisame ."

Corrin's eyes widen in shock as Takumi accepted the baby from Lily, and she saw the baby in Sakura's is Ryoma and Scarlet's son, who became an orphan because of her actions, the other seems to be Hinoka's son who inherited her hair color.

"Lady Corrin, I present you my nephews Shiro, son of my brother, Prince Ryoma and Chevois rebel leader Scarlet, and Hisame, son of my sister Lady Hinoka and my retainer Hinata. We too are rather surprised by their presence. Few weeks ago, Lily takes the trouble to bring Shiro here from Windmire, and Hisame was raised by his grandmother , who is still traumatized because her loss of her son, so that she, for that time, refused to submit her grandson to the castle, but she finally accepted her grandson is a prince after all, who have to be raised in the castle. I am afraid... That I will never be sufficient caretaker to these nephews of mine. I will love them, yes, but I will never be, and should never be, replace their supposed parents."

These boys become an orphan because of your stupid idea. You will never forget that as they grow. Such is my curse to you. That was the meaning of Takumi showing Shiro and Hisame to Corrin.

Corrin starts crying. But Takumi doesn't care. He won't stop making her heart pincushion to his words so soon.

"I talked about Scarlet just now. Why wouldn't we talked about the rest of these boys' parents, then? Ryoma... As I said before, he was courting Scarlet. He expressed some sorrow from losing her... But no rage. I wonder? Did he loved you so much that the death of the woman she loved seems negligible to him? Well, I did reported to him that is wasn't you who killed her directly. But I still wonder why he didn't feel any rage he should be feeling... Then he commit seppuku when King Garon ordered you to kill him? And he said that he counted everything in your hands in your death? You know that Raijinto is always cloaked in lightning sparks... Meaning Ryoma committed seppuku with it doesn't mean he only stab himself, he is also electrocuting himself? He did all of that for you, despite his awareness of the damage... My, what a loving brother he is! Did you wish I was as loving as him? Oh, I wish of that too. But as much as I am aware, I am not , and will never be Ryoma."

Corrin sobbed harder. Takumi handed her a napkin.

"Please, save your tears, Lady Corrin. We are still far from the end of my story. "

Takumi then continued. This time he talked about Hinoka.

"Hinoka... What did she said when you encountered her? That she spends her life looking for you ? My, did she mean it. You know how old are her when you were kidnapped?

She was seven... And she worried about you, loved you so much , that she decided to abandon the life of a princess and walked the path of a warrior at such a young age. Were Ryoma also killed along Father , were Mother assassinated much sooner, there is nothing can stop her storming Nohr alone just to save you. Mind you, she attempted to do so not only once, but so many times. Ah, remember when she was not impacted deeply at Mother's funeral? Because she is, in fact, isn't that close with Mother. Remember when I said she distanced herself from me with her training? In fact, it distanced her from everyone else. From Mother, Ryoma, or Sakura. All that dedication, for you only... Mother, Sakura, and I didn't matter for her. Only you matters. Only for her felled by you in battle. What a waste, living your life dedicated to one sister that ends up killing you... Well, at least I don't think she died with any attachment to this world. She spends her whole life for you, and I'm sure she saw you in her last seconds. "

Corrin's sob echoes in the room. But that doesn't stop Takumi, it even encourages him to continue.

"Hinata... He was my only friend, you know? You know my real self is. I didn't have much friends... No, more like I didn't have any friends with me in the first place. Hinata have been serving me since I can remember. He is more than a friend of a vassal. I abandoned swordplay because I am aware I shall never reach or surpass Ryoma. But he keep on encouraging me that I am a skilled swordsman on my own, something that I myself didn't believe. We are almost always together... I also realized his feelings to Hinoka and I encouraged him back. I did come back... But he didn't. "

"T-Takumi..." Corrin can't find her words, they are clogged in her throat. As if that can stop Takumi.

"Oh, and , Lady Corrin... I heard that you let that brute, Hans, unleashed again at Fort Jinya? When Sakura is watching ? And then you captured her? Lady Corrin, perhaps I would be more understanding when you did it at Cheve to me. I am a full-fledged warrior, clearly a threat for you and your Nohrian family. But Sakura is not. She is a pure healer with almost no combat skill. For what reason you have stoop so low, that you let that brute massacred that to those poor, vulnerable shrine maidens? "

How Corrin was wrong to think Takumi will not mention Hans' massacre at Cheve. He mentioned it later, to giving further emphasis that Sakura saw the massacre too, that the siblings are equally traumatized. She bowed so low.

"S-Sakura.. T.. Takumi.. I am so sorry..."

"B.. Big Sister K-kamui... "

Sakura perhaps is about to say she forgave Kamui. But then Takumi cut her off.

"Lady Corrin, I would accept your apology if that could bring our lost sibling back, if that could wash our trauma away, if that could bring this razed land to its previous prosperous state. But none of those things your apology can do, so I have to decline."

Takumi make a hand gesture, telling Sakura and Lily to leave with Shiro and Hisame. Sakura knows what is he going to do. After Sakura and Lily leaves, Takumi takes out something from his clothes. His Kamui doll. Corrin gasped when she saw the doll. A doll resembling herself in Hoshidan kimono.

"I always had this doll since you was kidnapped. Mother give it to me after that event, telling me to cling to this doll in your absence. She already know you will defect to Nohr and never to return to us... But she accepted you when you returned here anyway. I was hostile to you when you returned. I remember that. My reason for that is because I'm not sure are you truly Kamui, the older sister I loved that is truly part of us, or Corrin, the Nohrian princess sent to spy on us. I loved Big Sister Kamui... But I hate Princess Corrin... Which are actually you, I am not sure even during the war. But now, everything is clear." He walked to another side of the room, takes a katana that is meant for decoration, throw the doll upwards , and in one quick slice, unsheath the blade, slashed the doll into two, and sheaths the blade again.

"Now Big Sister Kamui, second princess of Hoshido, is gone, and what is left is Princess Corrin of Nohr. Lady Corrin, I hope you lived your life happily with your family in Castle Krakenburg."

You abandoned me. So I have the right to abandon you. You chose them. So live with them, and don't you dare to return and claiming this place as your home anymore.

Corrin cried as she tried to reconstruct the doll resembling her. But Takumi doesn't care and he walked out of the room anyway.