Later on through the day, I saw Jakob gazing upon the puppet. I happened to see him squat, which was a rare sight. The butler had one finger resting on his chin; critically thinking. Another notable fact would be he had his eyes locked in one area of the machinery. I couldn't help but not to observe his every action. However, he took forever. He rewired this and rewired that. He took so long, I eventually became fed up with his long while spent. I needed him. Not for a duty, but more of a request. My heart found it necessary to speak with the Nohrian butler.

Since he would do anything for me, I walked up toward him. Usually, he wouldn't mind me interrupting his work. Thankfully, this was no different. I called to him.

"Jakob, can we talk? I've made my mind up about something."

He immediately stopped what he was doing. His pupils adjusted as his gaze fixed upon me. He displayed a warm smile fairly quick. He replied. "Of course milady."

"Well, the truth is…" I came to a stop. I didn't know exactly how to admit this. My tongue suddenly felt heavy, and it also felt like some sort of substance was stuck in my esophagus. It felt impossible to say anything more.

Because of my difficulty stringing words together, I was relieved when Jakob had continued the conversation. "Please, do not hesitate. You have but to ask, and I will assist any way imaginable."

This almost felt like the little incident that occurred earlier pretty much didn't happen. My wonder is whether he is ashamed of it and is burying it in the back of his mind, or he is acting innocent. Of course, my second conclusion seems a bit farfetched. Or is it…

As the usual, he verbally explained how he would do anything of the sorts for me. "For you milady, I would walk through fire and ice…"

I stopped him there. "Look, you say this every time I speak to you. After that you'd say 'I would charge into an army of Faceless if you asked it of me.'"

He looked utterly shocked. He must've not expected me to recite his own words. "Besides," I continued. "This isn't anything like that."

"Remember, my talents are not limited!" He said once again. They do seem limited according to my opinion. If he can't take up a simple request when first asked, or if he is unable to politely say that he'd do it later on, they are not as good as he will think they will be.

"I can cook, clean, sew, smith, demolish, or brick lay anything you might require." His same old phrases flowed out of his mouth while my thoughts were sliding my attention away from the retainer.

"I know you are extremely capa-"I was interrupted.

"Forgive me for my immodesty…" He said briefly. "It is all because of you I am so accomplished in the butlery arts."

"Would you let me finish!?" I said, after all the anger and me was built up, and released in those five words. "I know you were pretty reliable…" My face turned away from him.

"And yet, you clearly have something to tell me that you believe I won't want to hear… Wait, 'were?'" He said in a worried tone once that sank in.

"Jakob…I—" I said, feeling anxiety swoosh through my body.

"Yes?"

"I—" I was tempted to say it.

My hesitancy felt like it gone on for way too long. Ryoma had shown up, and I never blurted out what I wanted to say. I froze when my 'Oni Chan' came.

"Kamui, are you ready for the sparring session? I have been waiting around at least a half an hour for it to initiate, and you are already late. Are you okay?" Ryoma said.

It took me ten seconds to respond. "…Yeah. I'm ready. Go get me a practice katana, and I'll be waiting at the training area." I turn away from him, with a shocked look still stuck on his face. His eyes dulled, and he looked down. He body basically expressed that he felt hopeless. Then again, at the corner of my eye, I see him getting back to work. I wasn't sure if he was bipolar, or he likes to hide his feelings. That retainer happened to be filled with mysteries. I ignore it as I walk down to the training arena.

Once I made it to my destination, Ryoma stood with a katana in each hand. "Since my sacred weapon would pose an advantage, I decided I would use a basic bronze katana as well." He hands me my one piece of arsenal available.

We both got in our positions. He bent down like any samurai would, and I, well, was in my 'Nohr Princess' pose. Our eyes met, for a prolonged period of time waiting on the first strike. It almost seemed we were both being indecisive about this. Our eyes both spoke the same message: "You go first."

The one moment I got distracted, he found an opportunity to strike. I 'wake up' from my thoughts and block it. He jumps back, and he waits on me. The expression on him encouraged me to go. Therefore, I charge forward and was way off.

I can immediately tell one difference between Xander and Ryoma: Ryoma had expression in training. Xander, however, always kept a straight face. I'm guessing it's a tactic to fill the opponent with surprises. No wonder Nohr was known for their conquests.

Ryoma swung his katana, and I flinched. Once that happened, he tried to hit me once again. The outcome wasn't what he had wanted.

He jumped back to his position and spoke. "Your reflexes are quite fast, but usually you don't fight like this. Is something bothering you?"

"Ryoma, it's not important," I replied, drawing my face to the side.

He walked up to me. "Kamui, I haven't seen you in years, but I can still tell when you are upset. Speak of it. Please tell me. What has been troubling you?"

My troubled look became more obvious. "Well, I…"

The sword master had his eyes laid on me. "Are you stressed about our trip to Demon's Falls coming up?"

"That isn't the reason why I have been worried. But now that you mention it, I do feel a bit worried about that."

"Hmm…" He murmured. "I can't think of it."

"Okay," I said. "It's Jakob."

"Hmm? I'm listening." Ryoma suddenly sounded interested, rather than concerned.

I blushed. "It's not like that!"

He exhaled. "Alright. Now explain."

"It's just that, he's been acting unusual lately. I gave him an order earlier today, and for once, he objected. He's never done this to me before. Have ever had issues like this with your retainers Saizo and Kagero?"

"Well, not me. They always knew what they were doing. However, if you need an example set, Hinoka's would be the perfect ones," he smiled.

"What are they like? I've heard of their misadventures. Setsuna and Azama, right?"

He looked up toward the sky. "Yes, that's their names. One time, Setsuna got caught in a Wyvern trap. Then, Azama tried to get her out with only his bare hands. He forgot about his rod, and possibly could've used it. Realizing his hands didn't do the trick, he was in search of things that would break the trap open. He spent hours doing this. Hinoka just stood by until Azama had given up. Then, she just used a spear, and it broke open. The poor monk felt dumbfounded." He chuckled.

"Well, that almost sounds like Felicia!" I replied, laughing.

"You sound better already," Ryoma smiled with satisfaction.

"Yes. Shall we get back to sparring now?" I said with half of my heart.

Ryoma answered physically. He drew out the brass katana he was using earlier out of its sheathe. I reacted by doing the same. I was only somewhat prepared for the next round. Sure, he made me laugh. However, one laugh wasn't enough to break the sadness that chained me up emotionally. My head was still drifting off to times in Nohr. All the pastimes the silver-haired man and I have shared together. Everything have seemed to be perfect before. Even after choosing my path, I still had some relief from my stress. He always took care of small jobs for me, making me feel better.

But now, it wasn't the case. That could completely morph into a new problem. I had to tell him how I feel—and fast.

I do NOT own Jakob and Corrin's C support. It is property of Nintendo, and Intelligent Systems.

I'm sorry for taking forever to post this. My internet was been out for quite some time. With that in mind, I hope you enjoyed it!