"This one looks better... Though this one is not half as bad..." Camilla said, mostly to herself, as she shifted two different necklaces on Charlotte's neck. She had been looking through her jewelry chest, finding something to match the outfit Charlotte had chosen. The first princess of Nohr's sisterly instincts have already kicked in, and by all means, she was already treating Charlotte like her sister.

She had always envied Camilla. The purple haired princess was always able to balance her femininity and grace with her deadly prowess in battle. Men admired her far and wide, for both her beauty and her strength. Oh, and did she forget to mention that she was a princess? She was everything Charlotte wished she was.

But spending the night in Camilla's rooms spelt out a cold truth for Charlotte. Grand as the princess' living quarters were, it paled terribly in comparison to Leo's quarters, both in size and furnishing. One would think the older sister would have more, but Camilla explained to her that seniority wasn't all there was to it. My mother is a commoner. Leo's mother is a noblewoman. Leo's mother is still alive and well and has enough of a reputable standing. My mother is behind bars and is accused of treason. It's only a matter of time before she gets executed. Father hardly pays as much attention to me as he does towards Xander and Leo or even Elise.

The reality was too dark, Charlotte wished she'd never asked. Camilla had replied all nonchalantly, as if she had gotten used to it long ago, her circumstances hardly bothering her anymore. Camilla only cared about the baths, the food, the dresses, and the opportunity to be with her siblings-she didn't so much bat an eyelid for concern towards Garon, or her mother, or the thought of her standing or inheritance.

"Yes, this would do," Camilla nodded, choosing a silver and sapphire necklace, handing it to Charlotte. "If only you were truly Leo's woman... Think of what fun it would be! This dreary castle needs more of a woman's touch anyway."

If only you were truly Leo's woman. Impossible, Charlotte thought to herself. She remembered the way he confronted her last night, about her motives, her goals, as if he already had her all figured out.

"You can say that again," besides them, Selena, Camilla's retainer, muttered, as she tried on a pair of earrings. "They haven't changed the curtains since I got here, and that was years ago! I'm sick of all these blacks and reds."

"Father could hardly be bothered about such details, but perhaps I'll put in a word with Xander," Camilla said. The first princess of Nohr-but not powerful enough to enforce such a change, still needing the crown prince's approval. "If I, Corrin, and Elise put in a joint vote, he can't possibly ignore it. Now it's only a matter of choosing the color... what say you ladies about lavander?"

"Ooooohh, I slept marvelously," Niles said, stretching his arms out like a cat, by all means looking well rested and jolly. "Can't remember the last time I slept on a real bed, what with the war."

"You slept marvelously?" besides him, Odin looked insulted, his face still streaked by pillow marks. "You snored like a bear! And if you weren't snoring, you were... moaning, for gods know what reason! How was I supposed to sleep?! I demand my room be moved elsewhere!"

"Hmm, I was moaning? I wonder why? Maybe I was-"

"S-Stop! Stop! I don't need to know! Keep the vile details to yourself!" Odin said, shutting his eyes and shaking his head. "Do not taint my mind with such thoughts!"

"Alright, what is going on here?" Leo opened the door of his chambers, seeing his retainers in the common receiving room, bantering over lunch. Niles was already dressed for the day, while Odin was in sleepwear. "...Odin, I heard you passed out early last night, is there any reason you're still in sleepwear?"

"It was this knave's fault!" Odin said, quick to point at Niles, who only grinned. "His moans kept me awake! I mean-not in that way..."

Leo just blinked a few times, trying to process what they were saying. He shook his head, and decided he didn't need to know. "Where is Charlotte?" he asked.

"Lady Camilla reserved the royal baths," Niles said. "I'd imagine Charlotte would be lounging there with the princess, that one red-haired retainer, and maybe Lady Elise or Lady Corrin."

Leo sighed. Last night with Charlotte didn't end on such a good note, and he wanted to ask her to breakfast or lunch to make it up for it, but knowing Camilla, they'd be gone almost the whole day. Dining hours never stopped Camilla from soaking in the baths-she'd even order food be brought there if she was hungry. He likely wouldn't be seeing Camilla, or Charlotte, until dinner.

"If I heard any of that correctly, it seems that my younger brother has brought back home a woman," the doors to the receiving room opened, and the men inside-Niles, Odin, and Leo-suddenly stood alert. This was the second prince's chambers-there were only two people that the guards would let in without a word.

Xander stood before them, cocking his head to one side, as if asking for an explanation.

He glanced at the men in the room, spotting Odin still in his sleepwear. The mage quickly scrambled out of the room to get dressed-as a retainer, it was inexcusable that his lord was dressed before he was.

"I... well..." Leo started, fumbling for words. He knew Xander would find out sooner or later-after all, they were all going to the banquet together-but being in front of him and having to explain it to him was a different thing.

"So, Charlotte, is it?" Xander said. "Please don't tell me you've been won over by her excellent cooking."

"Her cooking is indeed excellent, I can't deny that," Leo said. "She's a... She's a wonderful woman and an impressive fighter in her own right, why would I not like her?"

"Yes, anyone who can hold their own in battle while half-naked is quite impressive," Xander said, nodding in agreement. "You know, brother, this is quite funny, but I think we've had this conversation a few days ago. Except it was you wondering if I liked her in any way."

"You're just jealous I brought home a girl before you did," Leo said, a half-meant joke. He knew Xander would never take it seriously, and he never meant to ever insult Xander.

But a small part of him-the competitive part of him who was always stuck in his brother's shadow-enjoyed it.

"...Excuse me?" Xander raised an eyebrow.

In the background, Niles sensed a tension in the room and quietly mouthed an excuse, slipping away into one of the rooms.

"Oh, come on, Xander, that was a joke," Leo said. "I simply heard she always wanted to go to one of these banquets, so I extended an invitation, nothing more," he said, quickly thinking of a lie.

He paused after that, wondering why he even lied to Xander to begin with. If he explained, Xander would surely understand, maybe even help him out. But he lied, almost out of instinct.

...It was that small, competitive voice in him again, quietly rejoicing that he'd outdone Xander in one thing, never mind if it was a lie.

"...If you say so," Xander said, not sounding entirely convinced. "Just... be careful. ...You know women like her."

A beautiful blonde with curves in all the right places, faking her way to position or riches.

"...Maybe she's different," Leo said.

He remembered her outburst last night, her full conviction that whatever she was doing wasn't wrong, and the softness that graced her features when when she mentioned her family.

Xander chuckled.

"That's what father used to say about them all."

A/N:

Short chapter (at least compared to the last one), but I wanted to get it out because I've hit a writer's block, and hope that some feedback would help me. ^^;; Any reviews, reactions, or insights are appreciated. The actual banquet is supposed to be next chapter, so I've been taking my time trying to figure how to execute it.

Among the Nohrian siblings, Camilla is the coldest towards Garon, hardly talking about him in any of her supports and not showing much signs of affection when she did. While Xander, Leo, and Elise had something fond to say about Garon, Camilla didn't. Also, I'd imagine Beruka to not be fond of social gatherings, and that Camilla knows and doesn't require her to attend.