Italics = Thought

I do not own Fire Emblem.

Cross published on A03

If Corrin was honest, it wasn't exactly the homecoming he was expecting.

There he was, flanked by both Mozu and Azura, Hoshidian soldiers surrounding them, with Rinkah and Kaze at their head. The citizenry of Byakuya applauded them as heroes who captured the escaped prisoner, her accomplice and a Nohrian Prince.

Corrin sighed in vague annoyance.

They think me a prisoner. A trophy of glorious combat…

Good. Let them think that. Let the news reach my siblings back in Nohr. Let hatred and fury fill them and their men. Bring them here to me.

BRING ME AN ARMY!

Outwardly, Corrin had put on a stoic mask, calmly allowing him to be escorted to the palace. He glanced upward, and had to admit, it was a truly beautiful building. Not grim and imposing like Castle Krakenburg, but outwardly showing wealth and power, both a reminder and a challenge to their enemies. It was far more subtly impressive than Krakenburg.

Corrin glanced back to Azura and Mozu, and smiled warmly. He had promised them both that they were under his protection, and had to hope that the Royals would accept it. He had a few ideas about how to escape in they didn't however.

It doesn't matter. Corrin thought, hiding his sneer. We need only wait until she announces my return before the whole Kingdom. Then we can move to the final phase.

When the guards marched into the throne room, only two people were awaiting them. One stood proudly, resplendent in his red and gold armour. He appeared to be about Xander's age, maybe a little older. His wild brown cascaded down his back, and a formidable looking blade hung at his waist.

He's a bloody lobster…

The woman however was far more serene looking….or she would be if she wasn't staring at him, wide-eyed and about to cry.

"Is it…is it actually you?" The woman stammered. "My sweet Kamui..?"

"Corrin." The Black haired Prince corrected cheerfully. "I've been Corrin for about sixteen years now."

"It's not your real name brother." Lobster Lord said. "Your name is Ka-"

All good nature faded from his voice, and he gathered himself, standing tall, his mouth a grim line. "Address me as Corrin if you expect a response, High Prince."

Ryoma grit his teeth. "Fine. If you insist on calling yourself that, I will not try to dissuade you. Yet. What matters is-"

"-What matters." The Queen interrupted. "Is that you are home. Safe."

Corrin narrowed his eye. "Yet the populace of your capital believe that you will be executing me soon. They saw me enter under the…protection of Suzukaze and Rinkah. As a prisoner."

"But you're not-"

"Aren't I? I placed Mozu and Azura under my protection. They are, or were, as I understand it, wanted fugitives. Thus making me….what?"

Neither Ryoma nor Mikoto answered.

"Come on. ANSWER ME!"

"It makes you brave, Ka-…Corrin." Mikoto murmured. "Enduring all the hate, especially after the ordeal you've clearly been through."

Corrin tilted his head. "Which ordeal is that?"

Mozu shivered. She had a seriously bad feeling about what was about to happen.

"Enduring sixteen years of hell." Ryoma said. "You left us in the darkest of hours, and return with a new name and lacking an eye."

"An affront for which Garon executed Iago personally. Do not speak to me as though you know of Nohr. You know one side. The opposing side. Do you know of the common man? The young children? The Farmers and Smiths? Do you paint us all with the same brush?"

Ryoma's voice thundered across the chamber. "YOU ARE NOT ONE OF THEM!"

"YES! I am. I have been ever since you abandoned me! You even stole another child to replace me! You didn't even wait a year!" Corrin raged. Azura edged away from him, for the first time in her life, a little scared of him. "Then you have the gall to insult those I grew up with. So yes, Brother…" It would have made Ryoma happy to be called that, had it not been spat like a curse. "I am one of them."

Silence reigned in the chamber.

With a mere tilt of his head, Corrin wheeled around, and stalked towards the exit, only to be blocked by a cadre of archers.

"I'm afraid you cannot leave." Ryoma said calmly. "You will be kept in a guest chamber until You. Calm. Down….we'll fix what the Nohrian's did to you, little brother. I promise."

I promise.

I promise…..

I promise…..

I remember. I remember your words.

"Those were the last words you said to me before I was taken." Corrin said carefully. " 'I'll keep you safe, I promise.'."

Corrin hadn't meant his grin to look so cruel, but the look on Ryoma's face looked as though he'd been struck. "Didn't really keep that promise, did you?"

"…Just take them to the guest chamber already." Ryoma sighed heavily.

Mikoto rushed forward, and threw her arms around Corrin. "M-My sweet boy….what have they done to you?"

"It is always they isn't it Mother? Are you willing to acknowledge your own failings? In the sixteen years I was gone, how soon did you quit? How long did it take you to give up? How long do you suppose will it take for Nohr to come for me?"

"We can have our armies—"

"Stop them from taking your bastard son? Oh….oh….that's it isn't it. That's it." Corrin let out a harsh, crazed laugh. It filled the chamber and filled the ears of all those in the room. He laughed so much and so hard he was bent forward. "Oh…that is priceless. You couldn't convince the Nobles to march to save your Bastard."

"You are not a-"

"Not a bastard? Were you and Sumeragi married when I was born? No. If I am, as you so openly claim, Sumeragi's son, then I am a bastard. But of course…I'm not his son. So tell me Mother Dearest….."

Mikoto's blood chilled at his next words.

"Where did you meet him? Where did you meet my father?...Where did you meet Anankos?"