Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Fire Emblem.

Edited for typos on August 18th, 2016

Chapter two: An Abridgment of Ecstasy

Corrin was sobbing into her pillow when Niles knocked on the door. "Who's there?" she asked suspiciously.

"A vision of ecstasy." Niles replied.

"Come in." Corrin stood to greet Niles, though she couldn't bring herself to meet his gaze. She felt burdened by the responses of her siblings, guilty — guilty of what, she did not know.

I love Niles — how could I not be pleased to see him? But... how can I marry a man whom my siblings do not approve of?

All thoughts of regret passed when Niles kissed her.

The sensation was still new to Corrin. Until recently, the only kisses she had ever known had been bestowed on her by her siblings. Camilla would kiss her forehead, Elise her cheek, and her brothers had learned to kiss Corrin's hands, like proper gentlemen. Corrin had a vague memory of once asking Silas to kiss her, when they were about twelve, so she could know what it was like; he had promised to do so after lunch, but they had forgotten and played pirates instead.

Niles was her first adult love — the only thief of her heart and lips. Corrin smiled despite her red eyes. I'm so lucky to marry my first love. It's so romantic!

When they pulled apart, Corrin felt momentarily awkward. She wasn't sure what to do now. "... Hello." she tried.

Niles laughed. "Hello." Then he frowned. "Have you been crying?"

Corrin remembered how upset she had been and blushed to think how puffy her face must look. Her gaze trailed to the floor as she murmured, "Yes. I was having a bit of a hard night."

"Is there anything I can do?"

"Like what?"

Niles grinned. "Anything. If you need me to be boring, I'll be boring and talk the problem out with you. If you need me to be manly, I'll go out and slaughter the problem for you. Or we could compromise, and you talk it out while I give you one of my world-famous massages."

Corrin laughed. "Number three, please."

"All right!" Niles kicked off his boots and hopped onto Corrin's bed.

She laughed at his enthusiasm. "Is giving me a massage really that exciting?" she asked. Niles raised an eyebrow but didn't reply.

Corrin had to sit with her back to Niles, meaning she wouldn't be able to see his face while she spoke. This unnerved her, but she didn't want to reject his offer of a massage — she was tense, and was looking forward to it. I guess I should just press on, she took a deep breath and began to relate her story.

"I was enjoying the starlight this evening and talking to myself when my siblings interrupted. Usually, I'm so happy to see them and spend some private time with them, but they happened to come at a time when I was thinking — aloud — about you."

Niles made a short laugh but did not interrupt. He continued to rub soothing circles into Corrin's shoulder and back.

Hesitating for a moment, Corrin continued, "I tried to change the subject, but they insisted on hearing all about the man I mentioned. My sisters made me answer a million and one questions, and then Xander had the nerve to give me a long speech about how healthy and natural it is for me to develop a 'slight crush' at 'my age'! I felt as though I were fifteen instead of a grown woman."

"Where was Lord Leo while this was happening?" Niles asked.

"Leo was struck dumb from embarrassment." Corrin said, forcing a laugh. "… You should have seen how pink his cheeks turned when I told them I was in love with you!"

Niles' hands on Corrin's back slowed to a complete stop. His hands rested on her shoulders, and she could feel his tenseness.

I've confessed this much already, she thought. No sense in trying to shield him now.

"They were all… quite stunned." Corrin said slowly. "I suppose they aren't prepared for me to fall in love. In their eyes, I'm still their little sister, their 'little princess' — not a grown woman who can make her own decisions and experience things for herself."

"Corrin, enough," Niles said with a heavy sigh. "Don't sugarcoat it for me. I know what they mean and so do you."

Corrin turned around to face Niles. His expression was serious.

"You're right," he said, "they weren't mentally prepared for you to love anyone. But no amount of time or warning would have prepared them for you to fall for me, the slum lord."

"Niles!" Corrin exclaimed. But Niles stopped her from saying more by putting a hand on her cheek. He was grinning again — that half-crazy, slightly cruel grin that showed how little Niles really cared for other people. Corrin had once felt heartsick at that grin, believing it to be one of pure hatred. Now, knowing its bearer better, she was comforted in knowing just who was excluded from Niles' hostility; at that moment, it comforted her more to remember how much he really did care for herself and her siblings.

"I love you," he said forcefully, "and I'm going to marry you, as promised. If the world has a problem with that, to hell with it!"

"But, my siblings..." Corrin said.

"They'll come around. I'll make them come around." Niles' face softened slightly. "I won't make you unhappy and come between you and your family. Even if I have to journey to the ends of the earth to make your family pleased with me, I'll do it, for your sake."

Niles was quiet for a moment, then laughed. "Did I just say that? You make me crazy, Corrin!"

"I love you, Niles." Corrin said, smiling. Niles smiled back.

"I know." And he kissed her again.