Italics = Thought
I do not own Fire Emblem.
Cross published on AO3
Corrin awoke early the following morning. His room was by far and away more lavish than his one at the Northern Fortress. His bed was made from dark mahogany, the curtains appeared to be made entirely of velvet, and there was an over-the-top amount of gold on the furniture.
The disgusting decadence. I've seen the fields' father. I've seen the towns and villages. People are dying, and you sit here on your throne doing NOTHING.
He dressed himself in silence, and left his quarters, heading through the winding hallways, stopping when he reached one of the many portraits of former Monarchs. The hall connected all of the Royal apartments, and the walls were lined by the portraits of every Nohrian Monarch.
The woman in the portrait looked like an older Camilla, albeit with blonde hair. The portrait itself was surprisingly bright for a Nohrian painting. Delicate rays of sunlight lit it up, and in her grip was Siegfried, the sword currently in Xander's possession. The woman wore a fierce expression, and appeared to be blinded in one eye.
"Queen Cornelia the second." Corrin said to himself. "Nohrian History claims you slew the dread dragon Anankos. It doesn't say how or why, nor does it say where. Hoshidian history spins it differently. They claim you were a power mad tyrant. Who slew a kindly Dragon for no good reason… they do say where. The small island far in the south sea." Corrin grinned broadly. "Which is, 'oddly' enough, where my dear friend Anna is right now. With all the forces she's accumulated via her….own means"
Corrin turned, and kept walking. "Regardless of the truth. We'll find out. Soon enough."
Jakob joined him on the way, and greeted him cordially.
He reached the dining hall, and allowed Jakob to push open the doors.
"Prince Corrin." The butler announced.
"You don't need to do that here, Jakob." Corrin pointed out.
"It is good practice, My Prince." Jakob said. For when the plan is complete was what he didn't say.
The only other person in the hall was Camilla's red-headed retainer, Selena. Not-Her-Father had been a whole lot more active in the last few days.
They're alive! My beautiful children live! Not-Her-Father had laughed manically. The twins live, Selena!
"I got that. Why are you so surprised? You knew that Morgan was still alive…" Selena sighed
I didn't. I knew that my first child is still alive. What, how do you think my bloodline started?
"I have an elder si-"
Of course you do. Now pay attention. The Snake is talking to you.
Selena blinked, and turned her attention to the blacked haired Prince that her lady adored so much.
"Sure, he's a little cute." Selena conceded.
I heard that.
"Shut up."
"I asked how you were this morning, Lady Selena." Corrin said calmly.
"Oh….I'm fine. Thank you." Selena said quickly. "..Not that it's any of your business."
"…..I believe I am the one who decides what is and what is not my business, Selena." Corrin said, taking a seat. "I'll let it drop, do not worry…..although…."
"Hm?"
"How is my sister this morning? I am aware that you and Lady Beruka were…shall we say….entertaining her last night. I haven't seen her today…"
He's right for once. Do you have any idea how awkward it is to watch my daughter having a thr-
"WH-WHAT THE HELL?!" Selena snapped, and glared at the Prince, now smirking broadly.
"Ah. That sort of entertaining huh?" Corrin teased, before relaxing into his seat. "My sisters' tastes are not my concern nor my business. That she is happy is all that really matters."
"…What are you up to?" The question was blunt. Since the bunt approach had worked for her father in the past, Selena figured it was worth a shot.
Corrin's answer was a simple grin.
Before Selena could ask again, the other royals arrived.
Her concerns could wait until after Breakfast, right?
"Lilith? Is that….is that you?" Silas said, bewildered. How could this woman be the same shy stable girl that had hidden from him the first time they met?
Lilith smiled. "Of course it's me Silas. Who did you think I was?"
"Not Lilith, to be frank. You're far more confident now. And little Siggy seems to like you." Silas gestured to the babe in her arms, who had taken to sucking on Lilith's braid.
"What can I say? I'm good with kids."
"Good with Kids, good with horses…..how are you with cooking?"
Lilith shot the young Knight a withering look. "How have you three been functioning?"
"With no small amount of hardship." Silas conceded.
Lilith let out an annoyed sigh. "Yes, I can cook. Dinner will be at one hour after sunset."
"Sweet! You're the best Lilly!" Silas grinned, and strode off, leaving Lilith sighing.
"Lilly, huh?"
Several hours later, Shigure safely with Gunter, all sorts of delicious smells wafted from the kitchen.
Lilith was running herself ragged, trying to make dinner using the desperately meagre supplies that were in the cupboards.
She had resolved to make a stew, given that was the easiest thing that she could wrangle.
Dinner arrived, and Gunter and Silas sat at the table, Shigure sat on Gunter's knee. The kitchen door swung open, and Lilith entered in a jet of delicious smelling steam and smoke.
She slammed the stew pot down with a satisfying CLUNK, and took a bow. Both knights offered applause, and started to dish out servings, and contented smile on her face.
"You are coming to get supplies tomorrow, Silas. Understand?"
Silas nodded, and then a thought came to him.
"Somethings been bugging me all day….how did you get in?"
Lilith's smile grew. "Silas please, a woman's got to have a few secrets."
Historical Log: Cornelia II
As the only surviving child of King Garon III, Cornelia was always destined to take the throne. Raised as a boy by her father, she was every bit the warrior by the time she took the throne at the age of Twenty-Seven. At thirty, embarked on a quest where she slew the Dragon Anankos. In her later years, she tried to conquer Hoshido, but was soundly defeated.
She died in battle, putting down a peasant rebellion, at the age of eighty-four.
She was succeeded by her second son, King Xander III.