Jakob woke to sunlight flickering on his eyelids.

He was cold, cramped, and damp, and memories of the night before rushed into his mind.

Corrin, alone, afraid. Thunder, lightning, wind, and rain. Carrying her, hot and cold, in his arms, trembling more and more, unconscious by the time the fortress was in sight. Gunter, angrily setting out in search of the prince just as he himself stumbled through the doors.

The Old Man tried to take Corrin from his arms, but he wouldn't let him. He clutched her tighter and carried her, dripping, upstairs to his room, laying her gently in his bed while barking orders to those around him. He called for Felicia, for Flora and her healing staff, for a hot bath to be prepared, a fire, a nightgown, while his eyes never left Corrin's flushed face, his arms reluctantly letting her go, but not leaving her side.

He stroked her hot, feverish face, murmuring soft words of care, of reassurance, hoping some of it got through to her. He tucked the blankets around her while everyone else shouted and bustled to follow his instructions.

He had to leave, of course, when they bathed and changed her, but he paced outside the doors, waving off Gunter's pleas for rest, for his own bath and change of clothes. "It won't help her if you both get sick," he said, but Jakob wouldn't, couldn't think of himself. Not when she was ill and hurt and needed him.

While he waited, old memories came to mind. Memories of when they were both little, and Corrin, left on the steps of the Krakenburgh Castle, was brought to the fortress, untrained, to be his new maid. She was frightened and shy, hiding behind her white bangs as she was introduced to her new master. And in that moment, the very first moment Jakob met her, there was nothing he wanted more than to hug her and tell her everything would be alright, that they would be friends, and she would find a new home there… with him…

He felt like that again. Like he was that boy of twelve, and she, the frightened orphaned girl of eight, and there was nothing he wanted to do more than hold her and tell her everything would be ok.

When they were kids, he had helped her, encouraged her, refused to let them throw her out when she struggled with her work. Yes, he did this because she needed him, needed someone kind, someone who would be her family, but secretly, he did it because he needed her. He had never realized how much until she came into his life and brought joy with her…

When they were finished and Corrin was again tucked into bed with her wet hair flared around her like a white aura, her face a contrast of feverish red, Flora told him she was bad off. She shook her head at Jakob, unable to answer his questions positively. She explained the ankle had been healed with staves, but the fever would have to take its own course. That the night was important. If Corrin made it through the night, she would probably be well again in a week or two.

Jakob grabbed her, shook her, if she made it through the night? But Flora, grim-faced, could promise no more, so Jakob sent her away with a wave of his hand and returned to Corrin. He sat beside her, held her hand in both of his, searching her face, watching her toss and twist and shiver and mutter in her sleep, his heart breaking with every whimper of pain or distress. He wiped her brow with cold, damp rag, and held her hand, and kissed her forehead, whispering soft pleas or gentle commands.

At some point, they offered him food. He had hardly eaten all day after all, but he wasn't hungry. He couldn't think of eating. He turned them away as he brought the back of Corrin's hand to his cheek and closed his eyes and relished in the feeling. Please, please, Corrin... Come back to me. I need you.

In some part of his mind, he knew he should send for Silas. The man Corrin loved should sit by her side and comfort her, but Jakob couldn't do it. He used the excuse of the storm, and told himself he would send for Silas in the morning. But just then, he couldn't tear himself away and let another take his place.

It was the deep black of night, thunder grumbling in the distance, after hours of anxious vigil, that Corrin finally calmed and lay still in sleep. Flora came again (ruffled, still dressed, apparently as unable to sleep as Jakob). She checked Corrin, touched her brow and smoothed her hair from her face. She listened to her chest, and finally straightened. This was a good sign, she explained. Most likely Corrin would recover, but after such a bad fever it may still be some days before they could hope to see her waken.

Jakob sighed deeply, worried still, of course, but relieved that the worst was probably past. He thanked the gods as all the tension eased from his tensed muscles.

With this positive news, Gunter begged Jakob to leave, to wash the mud off and get some rest, but Jakob wouldn't. He wanted to stay up and watch her all night, be sure she was alright. But… apparently, the dreadful exhaustion caught up with him…

He fell asleep with his head on the bed, Corrin's hand clutched to his heart.

When the light flickered on his eyelids, Jakob stirred for the first time since he fell unconscious. When he remembered where he was, what had happened, he sat up anxiously, biting back a groan of discomfort as his sore, cramped muscles unwound again.

Corrin lay still and ashen white. "Corrin?" Jakob forgot, for a moment, how to breathe. He moved closer, chills crawling up his arms. He touched his hand to her cheek and traced along her jaw. "Corrin, can you hear me?" She was warm, but not hot. The pads of his fingers found the vein in her neck, searching for a pulse. For a second, there was nothing.

Then, thump-thump. Her heartbeat, slow, steady, and he let out a breath. He sat again, brought her knuckles to his lips, and kissed them one by one. "I don't know what I would do without you," he whispered.

A gentle tap sounded at the door, and he looked up, laying Corrin's hand beside her again. "Come in," he answered quietly, and Flora entered.

"Milord—" she started.

"Flora, I'm glad you came. Please do check on Corrin right away."

"Milord—"

"Also, open a window to let some air in, please. It's too warm in here. And…" he hesitated, frowning.

"Milord—"

He sighed, "Send someone for the priest, Silas." As much as he wanted to care for Corrin on his own, the man deserved to know she was ill.

"Milord!"

"Shh! Flora!" He hissed. She let out a frustrated breath and stepped towards him.

"I apologize, Milord, but I've been trying to tell you—Your family is here! They just arrived a few minutes ago."

"What? My fam—They're all here? Whatever for?" Usually he was thrilled when his brothers and sisters came to see him at the fortress. It was an opportunity to train with Xander, study with Leo, and hear all the latest news from his sisters, but now… With Corrin ill, all he wanted to do was care for her. "Why have they come? Why now, of all times?"

"Milord…" Flora faltered. "It's your birthday tomorrow."


Jakob had quickly scrubbed the mud from his arms and face with the basin of water Flora had brought to him in the guest room nearest his own. She brushed his hair, still damp from the braid he had worn, and quickly did it up again before leaving him alone to change.

He scowled as he tossed his shirt to the ground and pulled on a fresh one, grunting from the spasm of pain in his sore muscles. He didn't know how he was going to do this… Appear calm and happy even, as Corrin lay unconscious a floor away.

Flora would examine her, Silas would be sent for, and Jakob would be downstairs eating breakfast, chatting, sparring with his brother, and preparing to celebrate a day he would rather spend with Corrin's hand tucked in his.

He took a breath as he exited the room and hesitated, glancing down the hallway at the closed door to his room. But he had already kept them waiting long enough. So he turned and marched down the steps, forcing a natural expression onto his face.

"Big brother!" Elise shouted with glee. She ran to him, her blond pigtails bouncing behind her, and threw her arms around his waist.

"Elise," Jakob smiled.

"I've missed you!"

"Jakob, darling, it's so good to see you," Camilla smiled lazily, sauntering towards him.

"Brother," Xander clapped his hand onto Jakob's shoulder.

"I trust you are well," Leo closed the book he had been reading, nodding in Jakob's direction.

"Mm, it's good to see you all," Jakob answered smoothly. "But am I not getting too old for these birthday celebrations?"

"Nonsense." Camilla draped her arms over Jakob's shoulders from behind. "You're never too old for a party."

"Yeah!" Elise scowled. "Don't even think about backing out of this like Xander tries too. He's a big party-pooper."

Xander chuckled, "There comes a time in a man's life when streamers, cake, and presents, become a bit too much. I don't believe, however, that that time has yet come for you, Jakob." Jakob smiled half-heartedly and didn't reply.

"Come!" Xander continued, "I'm famished."

The others chorused their agreement, and Jakob could only exhale and follow in their wake, taking a seat by Camilla as Felicia served them all one by one (shockingly making it back to the kitchen without tripping once). He eyed the hearty breakfast, silently apologizing to Cook for his family dropping in unannounced. They liked to do that, and Cook hated it.

"So how are you, dear brother?" Camilla purred. "It's been some time since we last came for a visit." She pouted. "I don't get to see this particular little brother often enough."

How was he, truly? Tired, drained, desperately anxious. "Fine, Camilla. I'm fine. Yesterday was… long. I'm a little exhausted, but I'm ok." He attempted a smile, aware that it fell short.

Camilla tilted her head curiously. "It was long? How so?"

"We must spar after breakfast," Xander interjected before Jakob tried to think of how to answer that. "I trust you've been keeping up with your training?"

If only he knew. "I have, brother. In fact, I was out there for some time just yesterday." He glanced at Camilla. "Part of why yesterday was long."

"Excellent!" Xander replied. "I look forward to seeing how you've improved."

"What Jakob really needs to learn," Leo contradicted, "is how to defend himself when a flame or lightning bolt is streaking towards him. Magic is a deadly force not to be taken lightly."

"Oh! Please," Elise begged. "Let's not talk about boring stuff. I want to tell brother about all the latest court gossip!"

Jakob's smile was almost real when his eyes returned to his little sister. He pushed his plate of food aside, not hungry, and placed his elbows on the table, his chin in hand, and responded, "Do tell, Elise."

That's all the encouragement she needed. Within seconds, she had launched into a tale of all the mad scandal, the depraved stories, and the unbelievably juicy chunks of gossip she had collected since the last time she visited.

Jakob tried to listen. He nodded when the time was right, or grunted if more encouragement was needed. He even gasped with surprise once or twice for his sister's sake, but his mind kept drifting elsewhere. His heart seemed to beat, and his breath to whisper only one name.

Corrin. Corrin. Corrin.

More than anything he wanted a reprieve, an escape somewhere, somehow, from all of his siblings. As much as he loved them—And he really did love them—something else was monopolizing his thoughts. Rather, someone else. He wanted to see her. He needed to see her. He couldn't shake from his mind the image of her twisting, feverish form, and he had to know she was still alright still and hadn't succumbed to fever again. So when Flora entered the room, her eyes seeking Jakob's, he straightened, alert, hands fisting in his lap. She came to him and whispered in his ear. Corrin is doing well. The sleep is definitely helping her. And I received a reply from Silas. He's on his way.

As much as the first part of her message filled him with relief, the second filled him with dread, and, yes, also with jealousy. Silas would get to stay with her and hold her as Jakob had done while the prince remained with his siblings and wore that mask of indifference.

Jakob thanked Flora. She curtseyed to the assembled royalty and exited the chamber.

"—So then I told her that if she heard it from Royce, than it must be true—"

"What was that about?" Camilla interrupted, gesturing lightly in the direction Flora had departed.

"What? Oh…" Jakob suddenly realized four pairs of eyes were on him. "Ah…" What could he say? He loosened his collar and explained. "Corrin… was trapped in a storm last night. She caught fever and is still recovering. Flora was just letting me know the latest."

"Aw," Camilla crooned. "I do hope the poor dear will be alright."

"Corrin?" Xander asked, his brow raised questioningly. "She's that little white-haired girl, isn't she? I'm sorry to hear she's unwell."

"Mm… So was I." Jakob's smile was somewhat strained.

Leo looked at him quizzically. "How did she get caught in it in the first place? Surely she knows how suddenly a storm can creep up here. Did she not see the warning signs and take shelter?"

Jakob's hands twisted in the cloth napkin in his lap. "She twisted her ankle."

"I see," Leo answered slowly, obviously still considering the conundrum.

Camilla was watching Jakob. She patted his hand. "Well, I certainly hope the dear child feels more like herself soon."

"Indeed," Leo muttered. "But why was she out in the first pl—"

"Didn't you say you wanted to spar?" Jakob rose abruptly to his feet, looking at Xander. "We're all done with breakfast, aren't we? Why don't we all go up?"


"Ah," Jakob grunted with pain. "Elise, I thought you were meant to be a healer!"

"Sorry, sorry!" She puffed out her cheeks in concentration, staff in hand. It took some minutes, but the slash on his arm eventually knitted itself back together and sealed shut. Elise let out a wearied breath and collapsed in a nearby chair.

"I still don't understand what was wrong with you today, Jakob," Xander commented. "Your head was not in the match, and that could mean death on a real battlefield! You must concentrate, you must be present at all times. Your sword was low, your stance was off, your reflexes were lacking—What was going on?"

"I told you," Jakob sighed. "I had an exhausting day yesterday… A long ride, a long training session… among other things. I didn't sleep well. You just—You caught me on an off day."

Leo glanced up from his book, a concerned tilt to his brow. "You can't burn yourself out, Jakob… Putting so much into one day may exhaust you to the point that you require weeks to recover, which defeats the whole purpose of the extra training. You have to build your stamina gradually…"

"Leo is right," Xander nodded. "Such 'off days' could get you killed."

"I know, I know. I just—" He didn't have an excuse to give, at least not one he was willing to explain. The truth of it was had gotten very little sleep the night before, and he was exhausted. And, even during the match, he couldn't seem to completely shake off the image of her pale face from his mind. The fact that Silas was probably with her—or soon to be—didn't help matters either. His sore muscles were strengthened by his frustration, but still, he was too distracted to be a serious opponent.

"Alright, that's enough criticism for one day, boys," Camilla hummed, giving them each a bit of a look.

A brief moment of uncomfortable silence fell around them as Jakob stared at the floor, lost in thought.

"I'm hungry," Elise muttered.

"Indeed, watching that fight gave me an appetite," Camilla agreed. "Let's ring for lunch, shall we?"

"Actually, I'm not very hungry," Jakob said. Sitting around play-eating while trying to have normal conversation was more than he could handle. "You all go. I'm going to take a walk."

"Oh… well I'll join you then," Camilla offered.

"No, no, I'm sure you're hungry, sister. Don't let me keep you from your lunch." They'd only been there a few hours, and already, he longed for a moment of silence.

"Nonsense. I'd rather spend time with my adorable Jakob." Apparently, it would not be granted him.

He sighed. "Very well. The garden then?"

"Yes. We can walk through the garden to the stables. Marzia had missed you almost as much as I have."

Jakob nodded, and the party separated then, Elise and Leo heading towards lunch, Xander squeezing Jakob's shoulder in silent apology before following them, and Camilla leaving another way with Jakob just behind her.

The sky, for once, was mostly clear with only a few patches of white clouds strewn across it. A cool breeze blew through the trees, and Jakob exhaled, only then realizing how much he needed some fresh air to clear his head.

The garden was fairly sparse. There were trees and bushes, but not much in the way of bright colors. The pair walked through it in silence, Camilla trailing her fingers over the few tough blooms that could be cultivated in the harsh Nohrian climate.

"So," she began. "Is there anything you'd like to confide in your big sister?"

"What do you mean?"

Camilla gave him a sideways smile. "You've never been able to keep anything secret from me for very long you know, Jakob. As soon as we got here, I could tell something was wrong… You're usually happy to see us, but now…" Her voice turned somber. "You can't wait for us to get away, can you?"

He winced. "It's not that, Camilla. I-I am happy to see you all. I'm sorry… that I've been acting like I wasn't. It's just," shaking his head, "bad timing."

Sighing, Camilla leaned back against a tree. "I've suspected for a long time, dear brother. Today only confirmed it." Jakob glanced at her under his white locks. He had thought she might have already guessed his feelings, but he was never sure. He plucked a leaf from a tree and shredded it at every vein before letting the pieces drift in the wind. The silence remained, and when it was clear Jakob wouldn't be the one to break it, Camilla said it for him. "You're in love with her, aren't you."

He turned away and took a seat on a stone bench nearby, his elbows on his knees. He didn't know what he should say. Tell her? She watched him expectantly. Would she be angry with him? Call him a fool for falling in love with a 'lowly maid'? But Jakob couldn't help himself. Corrin was… She was so much more than that.

"… I am," he answered.

"Sweet Jakob," Camilla cooed. "I'm so happy for you."

"You are?" He glanced at her with surprise. "I rather thought you would… would tell me 'this cannot be. That I am a prince, and she a maid' and… so on."

"No, my dear. Others… may not agree with me, but all I care about is your happiness." She sat beside him and drew him to her bosom in a great hug before he could stop her. "But the question is, does this Corrin know just how lucky she is?"

"She—N-No, it's not like that." His face warming, he pushed away from her, running his fingers through his hair in some attempt to regain his dignity.

"What do mean?" Her eyes flashed. "Are you saying the fool girl doesn't return your feelings?"

"Camilla! No, you don't understand." He shook his head. "She doesn't know how I feel. She's…" He stared at the ground beneath his feet. "She's already in love with somebody else." Saying it out loud… As many times as he'd told himself, actually saying it to someone really drove the dagger home.

"Oh, sweetie…"

Somehow, the sympathy made it so much worse. Jakob stood before she could coddle him. He faced away, silent, taking a moment to compose himself.

"Jakob, dearest," she began. "I know… I know you don't want my advice right now, but I'm going to give it to you regardless… I think you should tell her."

"What?" He choked. "I couldn't—I couldn't possibly! I told you she loves someone else. She would reject me, Camilla! I-I couldn't take that…"

"Brother," she had stood and now placed her palm on his cheek. "You don't know that. If she's not married, then… you still have a chance… Speak to her, fight for her, give her a choice, and any girl in her right mind would choose you."

"I… I don't know, Camilla… I just want her to be happy."

She smiled sweetly at him. "Promise me you'll think about it, dearest."

He swallowed. Tell Corrin? The thought terrified him. If she left, packed her bags, and walked away, he… He honestly didn't know what he would do. But if… If perhaps she could someday come to return his feelings… Was that possible reward worth all the risk? "I'll think about it," he answered.

Her smile widened. She tapped his arm gently, and said, "Come. There is a certain wyvern who needs our attention."


When night finally fell, and he and his siblings parted to their separate rooms, Jakob sat on the bed in the guest room he was using, tense as a taut bowstring. Camilla's words echoed in his mind. Ever since their conversation he had been considering it, weighing the odds back and forth.

Could he do it? Tell her… everything, all the feelings he had harbored for years? Give her a choice… Would she—Could she—choose him?

His heart thumped at the thought. He pictured himself looking her in the eyes and saying… I love you. The fear of losing her forever was almost overwhelming… But, on the other hand, if she could, perhaps, somehow… come to love him back…

"Milord."

Jakob twitched. Flora stood just inside the doorway. He hadn't even heard her knock.

She curtseyed, "My apologies for not coming sooner. I'm just so used to Corrin—" She stopped herself, her mouth thinning in a line of worry. "Is there… anything I can do for you?"

"Ah… No, Flora, I can manage, thank you."

She curtseyed. "Alright. I'll bid you goodnight then."

"Oh, Flora? Is Silas… still with her?"

"Oh, no, Milord. He had to leave hours ago. He said he would be back tomorrow."

"I… see. Thank you, Flora. Goodnight." The information gave him conflicting emotions. Anger that Silas had found something more important than Corrin. Relief that he himself might go to her without having to endure the priest's presence.

He chose to focus on the latter. He stole into the dark hallway and slipped into Corrin's room unnoticed. All day he had been wanting to see her. All day something was missing without her, a piece of his soul broken and stored with her for safekeeping. Only when his eyes landed on her, only when his hand warmed hers and his lips touched softly on her cheek… Only then, did he feel whole again.