"Silas! Let me go!" Corrin pleaded as she thrashed in her friend's arms. He held onto her with all of his might, though his strength wavered at the harrowing sight that was before them.

"Corrin! I'm so sorry!" He yelled, there was no way he could let her go, not with Iago just several yards away. "We have to stay quiet!" His voice was just as loud as hers from a wave of adrenaline that hit him.

"No! This can't end like this! It can't!"

Corrin watched helplessly as she saw seven singers, male and female, be pushed to their knees. Their faces were dirtied by the dirt and embers raging around them, some had fresh wounds and a stream of blood flowing down their forehead and into the corners of their eyes. Hans towered over the group, reaching for his axe with a bone-chilling toothy grin. Right behind him stood Iago, a hand holding up his thinly pale face. He looked nonchalant, not giving a damn that innocent lives were going to be taken or for his underlying bloodlust. Impatiently he stood, waiting for the deed to be done so he could head back to Nohr and be at the right hand of Garon once more.

"We're going to make all of you singers pay for your treason against Nohr." Hans said, darkly. "You could save yourself if you reveal who the singer was, though I'm not making any promises."

The dancers remained silent and kept their eyes glued to the earth. The dance community was strong in Cyrkensia, their bonds with each other would conquer their cruel fate just moments away.

Hans sneered at their silence. "How boring. It's always fun to kill after some groveling." He lifted up his weapon and shrugged his shoulders callously. "Oh well."

"NO!" Corrin shrieked, shutting her eyes closed right before the blade touched the neck. Her body immediately lost all will to stand and she collapsed into Silas' arms.

"Corrin!" Silas gasped, trying his best to keep her from hitting the ground. "Are you okay? Corrin!" He shook her and felt his blood run cold when she gave no reaction.

"Corrin? Corrin!"

I failed, again.

More people died because of the path I chose. Because of me.

Am I even deserving to be labeled the hero everyone calls me?

I can't…

The blackness around her was suffocating, as if she was being dragged into an endless void. Her throat burned, the pain similar to the one time she drowned in the lake outside of the Fortress.

The fortress.

I wish I could go back to the days of being stuck in my room, before any of this even happened.

I can't…

"—rin."

There was an immediate rush of lightness in her chest and she could finally breathe.

Yes?

"Corrin!"

Her eyelids fluttered open, her long lashes framed her doe-like eyes met the ceiling of her room and then the familiar face of her older brother. His eyebrows were knitted together in concern, a contrast to his usual stern exterior.

"Ah, you finally woke up, little princess" Xander said, relieved, as he sat down on the corner of her bed.

"Xander?" Corrin mumbled as she slowly lifted herself from the comforts of her bed. "Are we back at the Northern Fortress?" She looked around and saw the small room with red carpet and white walls lit warmly from the chandelier above. Her shoulders slumped as she answered her own question.

"Hm? Did you want to be back in that drafty tower, Corrin?" Xander jested. "I thought your private quarters were a nice upgrade from the dark interior of the castle."

Corrin gave him a weak smile, not knowing what to say. Xander took note of it and shifted the conversation.

"Regardless, I wanted to let you know that dinner is ready in the mess hall. Warning, Elise cooked tonight, so I'm not sure how much of it might be edible." He laughed lightly but stopped when he saw her solemn expression. "Are you okay Corrin?"

He already knew the answer to that.

No, of course she wasn't okay. She witnessed the death of a handful of people today, deaths that could've been avoided. And it was all her fault.

"Yeah." She gave him a sweet smile.

Her curt answer surprised him. Deciding not to pry further, he accepted her answer. "Alright, then let's get you out of bed and to the mess hall."

He gave her support as she peeled the covers off of her and stepped out of bed. She was like a newborn deer, struggling and gingerly taking her first steps.

"I'll meet you at the mess hall, brother." Corrin said in a soft voice. "I'm going to change."

His eyebrows furrowed as his lips pressed into a straight line. He had never seen her like this, not even on her first night back in Nohr after returning from Hoshido. She always seemed to bounce back immediately, though maybe it was because of her naïve sheltered nature, but never had he seen her so empty, like a walking shell.

"Xander, do you think I could excuse myself from tonight's strategy meeting?" Leo asked abruptly during their meal. Xander looked at him oddly. "What's the occasion?"

Leo's eyes shifted to Corrin, who was like a whole new person. She was actively engaging in conversations and occasionally said a joke. Xander just nodded as he understood, he had seen firsthand how broken she was from the day.

"You're concerned about her behavior, correct?" Xander asked, before taking a spoonful of the soup Elise had made. He winced at salty flavor but knew he could stomach it, a warrior needed his energy and Elise had actually improved since last time. "I considering skipping too but I already told Corrin she can't come to tonight's. We can have two leaders missing, especially after today." Inside, he was grateful that Leo offered to stay with Corrin tonight, though he had considered asking him or Elise to do so.

"Yeah. She just seems so…too happy. I know her, those executions should've shaken her to her core. There's no way she could be having amiable conversations right now." Leo sighed, watching her warily. Just a few tables over, Keaton must've said a joke because Corrin and Elise looked like they were trying to hard not to laugh. Elise burst out laughing, her palm slamming on the wooden table as her other hand clutched her stomach. Keaton was getting a kick out of her reaction, laughing and pointing at her. As soon eyes were off of her, Corrin's expression hardened for a split second but quickly returned once Elise asked her a question.

"I figured you would be one of the first to catch onto Corrin's act." Xander admitted. Ever since Leo was young, he would always be in the background, quietly observing. He could read people as well as he could read esoteric books. "And yes, you can miss tonight's meeting. Anything you want to mention though?"

Leo pondered for a moment.

"Let's try to push Corrin near the back, away from the frontline."

Xander stared at him as he tried to visualize that.

"You know Corrin's going to throw a fit if we do that."

"I figured. But let's try to push it, at least for a few battles." Leo urged.

Luck's always been on her side, but we shouldn't wait for it run dry.

Leo stood outside of Corrin's quarters. His heart raced as he tried to think of conversation starters and other topics to keep the conversation flowing. Normally this would come so easy, but he never had talked to her when she was in this condition. Actually, never in his 19 years of living had he dealt with this. Camilla and Xander wouldn't even think about going to Leo for their problems, as the elder of the siblings they probably dealt with it on their own or with their retainers. Elise would have some gloomy days or be in a period of depression but she would always make a beeline for Camilla. He doubted there was anyone who would have him as their first choice for words of encouragement and comfort.

He was nothing like his elder siblings. Whenever Xander spoke, whether it was to an entire town or one-on-one, there was always an inkling of truth and sincere encouragement. And Camilla, she was the walking definition of being motherly. She would dote on all of her siblings, though Leo had reached the age where Elise got the bulk of the love and adoration. Though there was that time Camilla had said he looked cute in his armor.

Now's not the time to be thinking of that.

Regardless, he still cringed from the memory.

From the top of the tree house, Leo saw how quiet and tranquil the realm was. Everyone was either at the meeting or resting in their own quarters.

If only the world outside of this realm could mirror this.

He nearly jumped out of his skin when the door before him creaked open. Corrin peeped her head out, her eyebrows raising when she made eye contact with her shocked brother.

"Leo." She breathed. "You scared me!" She said with a giggle.

"I can say the same," Leo smiled, though inside he was panicking. He hadn't planned out what he was going to talk about and here she was, standing before him.

"Anyways, what are you doing out this late? Is the meeting already over?" Corrin mused as she adjusted her robe.

"I can ask you the same. Are you going out for a night walk?"

She shifted uncomfortable where she stood. "I mean, I guess."

Leo looked at her oddly.

"Just needed a breath of fresh air." She said. Leo nodded, knowing there was more to that.

"Well then, would you mind if joined you?"

Her eyes widened as she smiled. "Of course, Leo!"

"I feel like I've never realized this part of the castle ground." Leo admitted as he sat down on the grass near the pond and the mines. "I mean, I knew we would occasionally mine for ores and gems, but the beauty."

The moonlight above them bounced off of the gems peeking out from the stone, leaving scattered prisms shining across the grass. There was a watery reflection of the moon moving on the pond's surface.

"Yeah. I feel like everyone focuses on this being just a mine or they go straight to their quarters after a long day." She rested her head on her hands and stared dreamily at the pond. "But it's my favorite place to be after a long day like today."

Leo frowned slightly, recounting the traumatic events that happened just hours ago.

"Then, you wouldn't mind sharing this secret spot with me, sister?" Leo mused.

Corrin grinned cheekily. "I mean…I'd expect a slice of cake or two from you whenever Peri bakes for everyone."

"Hah, deal."

The two silently stared at the sky above them, both appreciating the calming nature around them. A water bug skated across the surface, leaving rings of ripples in its wake.

"So why were you outside my quarters, Leo?" Corrin asked, breaking the silence.

Leo felt his cheeks burn and his heart race. In her eyes, he must've looked like a creep. He cleared his throat and tried his best not to let his nervousness seep into his voice. "I wanted to check up on you." He spoke honestly. "Today must've been so much for you and to be frank, it looked like you were trying very hard to be someone else at dinner."

Corrin pulled her knees close to her chest and sunk her head into the gap between, her eyes still staring at the reflection of the moon. "I figured, I thought I did a good job of hiding it." She said wryly.

"Oh, you did. But nothing can get passed your little brother."

Corrin smirked. "I'm glad the war hasn't dampened your personality."

"Of course." He smiled. "But be honest, how are you feeling, after all of this?"

Corrin was taken aback, she knew this question was inevitable but she wasn't expecting Leo to cut straight to the chase.

This is so like Leo.

"Hm…honestly. I feel shattered." Her voice hushed. "That girl, Scarlet, she looked like she was our age, maybe even younger. Being a rebellion leader, she had so much potential yet it was stripped from her, so grievously."

Her voice began to waver. "And those singers. We've never crossed paths with them yet they got tangled up in this and… And Azura…"

Leo looked at her oddly. "Azura? The blue haired maiden, correct?" He remembered seeing her when he met up with Corrin back in Cyrkensia, she had a stoic expression and piercing golden eyes.

Corrin nodded. "Yeah, she's a singer and my sister."

Leo parted his lips, ready to speak but knew it was best to just listen.

"I just imagined, what if she had been caught up in that. I lost so much in the past few weeks, though I've gained so much too! It's just…I already lost Ryoma and the rest…" Tears started puddling up in her eyes and her breathing tapered.

"Sister…" Leo extended a hand out and gently rubbed her back.

Corrin jumped from his touch and hastily wiped the tears from her cheek. "It's okay, I'll be okay.'

He frowned. "You've been so strong today, I think you at least earned some transparency for yourself."

She looked at him, noting his concerned amethyst eyes. He had changed out of his armor and into white button-down shirt and loose trousers. He looked so distressed, so vulnerable. Leo and the others often slept over the tower but Leo would never change out of his uncomfortable dress-up shirt and slacks until it was time for lights out. She had always figured he liked looking professional.

"I don't know if it'll make a difference, but I was very inspired today by you." Leo admitted sheepishly. It was dark out but she could still make out his red tinted cheeks. "When I first heard of your plans to end this war without bloodshed on our part, I was quite doubtful."

He looked out to the lake again and all of the anxious muscles in his body relaxed. "I've killed before, more than I can count unfortunately, on behalf of Nohr and Father. I'd never questioned my actions though I always felt this bubbling pit of guilt inside." Since his first mission of capturing and killing the 11 year old son of rebellion leader, he always harbored an immense guilt for killing someone, especially his own age. Hearing Corrin's sorrow for Scarlet resonated so much deeper for him than anyone else. "I agree, wholeheartedly, with your vision. And now that I can see the great leader you became, I know it is within reach."

Corrin stared at him speechless, blinking her large ruby eyes occasionally.

"It's okay, you don't have to say anything if you don't want to." He said, shuffling around in the grass, trying to dampen how flustered and bothered he was inside.

Minutes later, Corrin was still silent, trying to process and memorize ever word he said.

"Okay, now it's getting embarrassing…" He grumbled anxiously.

She blinked a few times before slowly nodding. "Wow…Thank you Leo. It's really means a lot, especially coming from you." She said timidly.

Mentally, Leo gave a huge exhale of relief. Finally, the eternal silence ended. "Of course, sister. But how so?"

She let go of her knees and stretched her legs out on the grass. "I mean, when we were growing up, you were always so distant from me, and the others. I never would have imagined I'd leave a mark on you." A smile graced her complexion. "I'm so glad that I finally left a mark on my precious little brother."

He waved her off. "Yeah yeah, you're starting to sound like big sister Camilla." He teased her.

"Oh! I didn't even realize!" She exclaimed. "I guess this war made me get even closer to her than before!" She giggled.

Leo stared at her with longing eyes, he had begun to tune her out and was nodding and agreeing with her, not taking his eyes off of her. She was smiling and laughing, and unlike at dinner, she was genuinely happy and he knew this.

Corrin, you have no idea how big of a mark you left on me.

tbh leo always tries to look so cool in front of corrin when he's actually such a lovesick dork