"I think it's time to let your bird free." Xander smiled. The cold January had melted into a warm May. Xander and Camilla had been watching Corrin take care of her bird and talk constantly about her family.
"But I'll miss him." Corrin pouted.
"Maybe he'll come back and visit sometime." Camilla smiled, playing with the young girls blond hair.
"Do you really think so?" Corrin asked as she turned to face Camilla.
"Of course!" The bird walked around the window sill, as though waiting for release. Corrin stood up from Camilla's lap and walked over to her bird.
"You have to come visit us and say hi. If you see my family, tell them that I love them and miss them." Corrin told the bird before opening the window. The bird looked at Corrin for a moment and then flew out of the window.
"I wish the bird really would find her family." Xander thought to himself.
"Xander, when do teeth grow back?" Corrin asked, she had begun to loose her baby teeth.
"It takes time, but they'll come back." He smiled. Corrin grinned, revealing gaps where three teeth had once been.
"I miss my bird."
"You should be happy, you saved his life." Xander replied, noticing the quick change in subject.
"Life." Corrin mumbled, thinking about the word.
"What's on your mind?" Camilla asked.
"What'll happen if I die?" Corrin asked. Camilla felt pain form in the pit of her stomach at the thought.
"No one really knows." Xander shrugged. "The people who die never come back to tell us."
"No, what'll happen when I die? What if my family isn't here before then?" Corrin asked.
"That won't happen." Camilla smiled.
"How do you know?"
"I just do."
"But how?"
"Sometimes a person just knows things. They can't always explain how or why though." Xander chimed in.
"Kind of like how I know my family will come for me?"
"Yes, just like that."
"Camilla, if I die, will you come with me?" Corrin asked suddenly. Camilla was stunned at the question and Xander was wondering what her answer would be.
"Yes, I will." Camilla replied bluntly. She would gladly follow her Corrin to the grave.
"Does she really know what she's saying?" Xander thought to himself. He quickly pushed the idea out of his head. "Camilla, we must get to our lessons." Xander said.
"Please don't leave me alone!" Corrin begged Camilla, her eyes filling with tears.
"I have to sweetheart. Someday, we'll get to spend the rest of time together, I promise." Camilla forced a smile.
"But why not today?" Corrin began to sob.
"We have to study to becomes royal models for Nohr." Xander said proudly. He didn't expect Corrin to understand.
"Big brother and Big Sister never had to study as much as you guys do."
"Someday, you'll be studying too." Xander smiled. Camilla hugged the girl and left with Xander.
"Xander, what will happen if she does die before her family comes?" Camilla asked. Xander stopped walking.
"That won't happen. I will protect her from anyone that can hurt her, even Father." He said through clenched teeth.
"I'd do the same. I'd protect her from you if I had to." Camilla sighed. She knew she put Corrin before her family, and she knew she shouldn't, but she couldn't stop herself from doing so.