V. Degenerating

March 17: Morning

"Hmmmnh."

Corrin's mood reflected his health: poor. He tried to tell himself it didn't have to do with Elise. He was almost able to convince himself. After all, he was a pretty adept self-deceiver.

Felicia treaded lightly around him that morning. She seemed disappointed, but she took his dour attitude in stride. It made him wonder if he really was this bad before Elise and Camilla arrived. He vaguely recalled his morale was low back then, but the way Felicia treated him—so practiced, as if this were normal—reminded him that this ill temper had once been regular to him.

The thought did not comfort Corrin. His health having degenerated was certainly a factor of that.

He hadn't told Felicia about yesterday. When she said "Enjoy breakfast with your siblings," Corrin forced a smile and agreed.

March 17: Breakfast

Since Elise had arrived nine days ago, his routine had been to work on the proposal during the morning and edit it with Elise's help in the evening. Having slept through one of those timeframes yesterday, Corrin still felt unsatisfied in his work; it lacked an editor's touch. Thus, still angry with his siblings, he avoided the gardens and stole away to the conference room to finish catching up on the work he'd missed yesterday.

After a few hours alone, Hoshidans and Nohrians gradually trickled through every few minutes, notifying Corrin that the meeting would start fairly soon. While he and his family were usually on time to meetings, rather than early—in fact, the arrival of royalty had usually been an impetus for the meetings to begin—he soon found Hinoka and Ryoma standing in the doorway, scanning the room for their truant brother, well before the room had filled.

Corrin sighed irately, figuring he shouldn't have been surprised that they would look for him. He brushed off their concerned inquisitions, and when they tried to sit next to him, he refused, moving to another side of the room.

"I really can't deal with you two right now."

Corrin's words stinging, the Hoshidans numbly took their usual seats.

A few more tense minutes passed—Corrin still editing his proposal, though with some trouble focusing due to the presence of his siblings—and soon, Camilla's arrival (her expression showing concern mirroring Hinoka and Ryoma's) signaled the start of the day's meeting.

Corrin couldn't meet her eye. "Please let me sit alone, Camilla. I'm sorry."

Frowning, Camilla let him be. She approached the Hoshidans, a question on her tongue: "Did Corrin have breakfast with you?"

"No," Hinoka admitted, quiet so as not to disturb the meeting. "I thought he was with you."

"No, he wasn't." Camilla glanced at her brother; he seemed uncharacteristically intent on the discussions of the Nohrian and Hoshidan advisors. "I suppose he must have skipped breakfast…" She shook her head. "Apologies, but do you mind if I sit with you?"

Hinoka blinked, and she glanced at Ryoma (equally surprised). To Camilla, she whispered, "Y-Yeah, go ahead."

Flashing the Hoshidans a somewhat contrite smile, Camilla sat.

March 17: Afternoon

Corrin had work to do yet. Even having worked on the speech all morning, he was still behind; to Felicia's surprise, he was already at the lunchroom, having brought his proposal along and toiling away at it by the time she arrived. A tray of half-eaten food sat forgotten next to his work.

Corrin didn't want to pretend, but he also didn't want to rub his low mood off on Felicia, so when she seated herself across from him at the lunch table, he cleared his throat and gave her a little smile. "Sorry about my mood this morning, I just… I'm frustrated that I'm sick."

Felicia brightened. She wore on her sleeve how the apology had touched her. "I, I totally get it, Corrin! It's fine."

Cough, cough. He couldn't deny that her mood was a bit infectious. He found himself lightening just from her bubbling response. Cough.

"How's the speech coming along?" Felicia casually asked, gesturing at the stack of papers.

Corrin shrugged. "It's coming, I guess. I have today and tomorrow to work on it, and I'm behind. If I slave away at it today, I should be back on track to have it ready for the deadline on the nineteenth." He exhaled. "Boy, am I ready to be done with it."

Felicia laughed. "Yeah, I'd imagine! Hahaha." She pushed a forkful of mashed potatoes into her mouth. "Sho, how are thingsh wif the fillage girl?"

"They're…" Corrin's mind wandered to the events of last night. "…They're fine."

Felicia swallowed. "Sorry, I don't mean to pry, I just—"

"It's okay," Corrin chuckled. "You're just making conversation. No worries."

"Oh, o-okay." She paused. "So, you two are fine?"

"I think so. Last night was… well, I couldn't meet her, because I had to work, so she snuck in to meet me."

"Aw, that's swee—" Felicia suddenly froze. "Wait. Weren't you in your room?"

"…Yeah?"

"She was in your bedroom?!"

Corrin blinked. Her voice was oddly panicked. "Yes, but nothing… happened," he responded, confused.

Felicia hesitated, gathering her bearings. "S-Sorry. Well, I'm, I'm glad you had some fun." She quickly stuffed her mouth with food to shut herself up.

Remembering his own plate, Corrin figured he needed to eat something, having skipped breakfast. He probably wouldn't get much work done as long as he had Felicia to talk to, so this was as good a time as any. Pushing his speech aside, Corrin reached for his tray.

They ate in silence for a while.

Corrin decided a change in subject was in order, and he had to admit, he was very curious: "Any news on Sakura and Silas?"

Felicia's expression lit up, and she hastily swallowed her food to speak. "Yes! I was right! They've been spending plenty of time together the last couple days." She smirked, proud of herself. "Hm, hm~ I wonder who's gonna ask who out?"

"That's… Hm." Corrin frowned. "That's a good question. Doesn't seem in character for Sakura, and Silas will probably be intimidated by her rank…"

"Maybe we should give them a little nudge?" Felicia teased.

Corrin chuckled. "If they haven't done anything by the time I finish the speech, then MAYBE I'll be your accomplice."

Felicia giggled.

Conversation flowed casually and naturally. Even as they returned their trays to be cleaned, they only halfway paid attention to their surroundings, so engrossed in each other they were.

Felicia wore a constant smile as she walked Corrin back to his room. Corrin had almost forgotten he was sick. Thankfully for them both, it was a long walk.

"Picture this scenario," Felicia asserted. "Silas pretends his memory has been cursed. Sakura tries her best to cure it, but he's just making it all up in order to spend time with her."

"And the curse is true love," Corrin said, with a laugh. "Yeah, that doesn't sound like something he'd do, but it would make for a funny story anyway."

Felicia adopted a youthful, high-pitched voice. "Mommy, how did you and Daddy meet?" She then performed a startlingly-accurate impression of Sakura: "W-Well, you see, it all started when he pretended to be mentally ill…"

Corrin had to stop and brace himself against the wall, practically doubled over from laughter. Felicia caught the contagion and leaned against him for support, laughing just as hard.

Accidentally, with her clinging to him like that, his lips brushed against her cheek. Excited goose bumps traced down Corrin's arms.

Corrin's laughs soon devolved into a coughing fit, but even that couldn't defeat his smile. Felicia was reassured.

After a bit, they resumed their walk to Corrin's room. As they conversed, Corrin couldn't help but wonder if Felicia was walking a bit closer to him. It may have been his imagination… or perhaps the corridors were narrowing, necessitating she walk closer? He tried not to read too much into it.

Time flew. Even in the sizeable walk from the lunchroom to Corrin's, the prince walked slowly, trying to put off work, trying to extend this time together, but it wasn't a permanent solution. They found themselves standing in front of Corrin's door before they knew it.

"I guess I've gotta leave you here, then," Felicia said, smiling weakly.

Corrin wasn't imagining the reluctance in her tone. "You know, Felicia, I'm not that far behind," he said, putting his hands on his hips. "If you wanted, we could both go—"

He froze, taking his hands off of his hips. Icy horror raced through his spine as he gazed into his empty palms.

"…Corrin, what's—"

"Shit," Corrin breathed. "Oh, shit."

I left it in the lunchroom.

Felicia was startled, but as she saw him staring at his hands, the pieces fell together. "Corr—"

Without another word, Corrin dashed back in the direction they had come from. Panic struck him in a way it hadn't since the war. Fear. A hole within him. All that work—

Corrin coughed as he ran. The halls were spinning, though he knew the way. Even though it was all closing in on him.

He could taste saline. Water. When he stumbled, hands that were not human braced himself on the ground. He heard a call of his name, but it was distorted, submerged. When he coughed again, shining water flowed from his maw.

He shook his head. His arms dripped wet, but slowly they shifted back to ones he recognized. He was able to right himself—and stagger a few more steps forward—before his legs gave out entirely, and the walls closed in.

…

"…Elise…"

The name tumbled from Corrin's mouth as he awoke. Blearily, he forced his eyes open, finding a stone ceiling overhead.

Two familiar faces leaned over him. He recognized them both—Sakura and Elise—but the latter seemed to stand out clearly. He could make out the details in her expression, while Sakura seemed hazy.

A faint smile touched Corrin's lips, and he raised his hand with the intention of cupping the Nohrian princess's cheek. She tilted her head slightly in expectation, her expression awash with relief.

"Elise," Corrin whispered again, "I…"

Then, a sharp sound: fingers snapped before his eyes, and Sakura came clearly into view.

"Big Brother," Sakura whispered. "Are you with me?"

Corrin winced, trying to avoid eye contact with Elise. The princess seemed a bit disgruntled by Sakura's interruption, but he knew Elise would be too polite to make a fuss over it.

"Y-Yeah. I'm alright." Corrin rubbed his eyes. When he opened them, he took in his surroundings more thoroughly. This was definitely the infirmary. While Elise and Sakura hovered over his bedside, Ryoma, Hinoka, and Camilla were lingering nearby. "Oh… Hey, everyone."

His three siblings all smiled back at him, concern replaced with relief.

"Aren't you guys usually busy at this time?"

Ryoma chuckled. "Come now, Corrin. I don't need to tell you that we prioritize your health over work." He nodded at Sakura. "Felicia found you, but Sakura and I brought you here. Felicia went off to secure your paperwork once we assured her of your safety. She said she would return it to your room once she found it."

"I came as fast as I could when I heard," said Elise, frowning. "I didn't realize you were this sick…"

Corrin frowned. "How long was I out?"

"About t-two hours," Sakura answered.

"Ah…"

March 17: Late Afternoon

"Listen." Ryoma was suddenly grave. "While I have your ear, I must apologize for before. The deception was my idea, and a terrible one for sure."

Sakura wrung her hands. "I-I'm sorry for not telling you, Big Brother. I feel like if, if I'd said something sooner, w-we could've avoided all this stress…"

"Me too," Hinoka said contritely. "You know, Takumi was ahead of all of us. He refused to go along with the lie, knowing it would end in a fight… He told us, "And I'm done fighting with Corrin." …We should've listened. I should've listened."

Takumi… Corrin shook his head, smiling reflexively. "That's… I'm surprised he would say that." Takumi had my back, even then…

"It's true," said Ryoma. "That's why he's been working with His Highness and the Advisory Board instead of here."

"I… Thank you," Corrin murmured. "I accept your apologies, all of you. Honestly… if you'd just said so from the beginning, I still would've been overjoyed just to see you at all."

His Hoshidan siblings all smiled at him. Elise and Camilla both did the same; they could feel the warmth of family filling the room.

Sakura clapped her hands together, turning on her sister and brother. "This was great! B-But, now, Corrin needs some rest. Everyone out, okay?"

The priestess shooed Corrin's reluctant siblings out of the infirmary; Camilla and Elise both waved good-bye to Corrin before the doors shut.

Sakura turned back for Corrin, clearing her throat to catch the prince's attention. She grasped the bloom festal lying at his bedside. "Corrin, s-sorry to get more serious. You've been sick lately, haven't you?"

"Y-Yeah. At least for the last few days."

"When was the last time you were sick before that?"

Corrin's mouth opened to reply, but he found he couldn't think of an answer.

"…That's what I thought," Sakura murmured. "I've never seen you get sick, and when I asked Lady Camilla, she couldn't remember a time either. Corrin, this is just stress, through and through. Stress-induced illness like I've never seen."

"That's absurd."

"It's the truth, Big Brother." She rested a hand on his shoulder. "I, your healer, am prescribing a low stress environment for the next few days, and you can't miss any more meals. Okay?"

"Wait. Does this mean I can't work?"

"You can…" She mulled it over. "…You can present the speech. Someone else will have to finish it."

For a moment, Corrin was indignant: he wouldn't even be allowed to finish what he'd started? Impossible!

But the moment passed, and soon Corrin mellowed. The proposal would be finished. He had more than done his part. If Ryoma or Camilla or someone wanted to complete it, then more power to them.

"Okay."

Sakura smiled slightly, and she patted Corrin on the shoulder. "I'm sorry, Corrin. I, I know we were probably part of the stress…" She shook her head, still smiling. "Get some sleep. I'll w-wake you up in the morning."

She left him alone in the quiet room.

For a while, Corrin just sat still, thinking about… nothing in particular. His plans for the next two days had just been upturned. If he couldn't finish his proposal, what would he do with all that free time? At the moment, planning the day was equally distressing as to what Sakura was trying to prevent.

So he closed his eyes and tried not to think about that. He tried to simply relax.

March 17: Evening

"Corrin," came a sharp whisper, and Corrin glanced toward the infirmary's entrance. Elise stood just before the doors, putting a finger to her lips and grinning mischievously as she tiptoed closer.

Corrin smiled. "Elise."

As Elise drew near, she gestured vigorously at him, whispering "Make some room!" Curious, Corrin did as he was told and scooted over in his small sickbed, careful not to tug loose the sheets he was using. To Corrin's surprise, Elise quickly slipped into the minimal space next to him, lying atop the sheets.

He didn't say anything, though, and soon he followed her example by smiling up at the ceiling. Both lying on one infirmary bed made for a cramped situation, but not an especially uncomfortable one. It was like stargazing.

"How was your day?" Her voice was a whisper.

"Could've been better, I guess."

"Could've been worse?"

"Mm…" Corrin shrugged (hard to do in such close quarters). "I guess so. Lunch was good."

Elise nudged him, smirking. "Fun with Felicia?"

"Yeah, actually. Had a really fun conversation. Heh, at one point we were laughing so hard I couldn't walk. She hugged me, and my lips touched her cheek." Immediately he realized that he shouldn't have divulged that information, for Elise was already glowing.

The princess clapped her hands together rapidly, unable to resist a giddy squeal betraying her excitement at the news. "You kissed Felicia?!"

"On the CHEEK!" Corrin whisper-shouted. "And on ACCIDENT!"

"Oh, stop pretending you don't like her like that," Elise said. "Life's too short to be worried about that kinda thing."

"Life's too short to play games with a solid friendship," Corrin countered.

Elise clicked her tongue playfully. "Ooh, so cynical! Am I talking to the right Corrin?"

Corrin huffed. "A lot's changed, Elise."

"Don't I know it."

They were quiet again, watching the unchanging ceiling.

"'Life's too short,'" Elise echoed. "…Corrin."

"Hm?"

"With this proposal—this big thing you've been working on, the thing that's stressed you out enough to hospitalize you… With it, do you think you're making a difference?"

Corrin frowned. "I… would like to think so. This should be a big deal, benefiting Nohr and Hoshido both."

"So do you think it was worth it?"

That gave Corrin pause. He had to take a moment to think about Elise's words.

He looked at her, smiling a little bit. "…Well, it let me see you, didn't it?"

Elise giggled. "Yeah, it did." Shifting to lay on her side and meet Corrin's eye, she whispered, "Do you ever wonder if what you've done really matters?"

"That's… deep. Are you all right, Elise?"

She sighed. "This just got me thinking. Like, if you were gone tomorrow, would you be proud of everything you've done? Do you think you've left a good enough legacy?"

"I…"

Again, Corrin had to mull over her words carefully.

"…I've changed the world," he murmured. "And now I have to make sure it's a change for the better. I feel like I still have things to do, Elise. This can't be it."

"Do you have any regrets?"

Corrin stared into her lavender eyes, clear as day.

Elise…

"…No," he lied. "I can't afford to."

Her face broke into a grin. "That's a great answer, I think," she murmured. "You can't change anything that's happened, but you can make for a better future, right?" She poked him in the chest. "Maybe that speech of yours is a big deal, after all."

Corrin grinned as well. "Hey, I thought you were only here to help me enjoy the little things? 'Big deals' are my job!"

Elise giggled.

As he laughed, Corrin found himself suddenly exhausted. The lethargic effect of Elise's presence.

"I should let you sleep," Elise whispered. "Good night, Corrin."

Corrin wanted an excuse to refuse—he grasped at words, searching for a reason to have her stay, but as she inched closer, all words died in his throat.

"I really think the future will be better," Elise breathed. "Close your eyes, will you?"

Corrin had to comply. Her arms folded around him in a warm hug, and she leaned in to press her lips to his forehead.

He didn't open his eyes again until morning.