Author's note: I was originally going to head right into the interview at Castle Krakenburg, but a couple of readers asked to see more reactions to Niles and Corrin's engagement. So, in this chapter, I have endeavored to kill two birds with one stone: I included a bit more NilesXCorrin time (which other readers were asking for) as well as some more humorous responses from their allies. Enjoy!

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

Chapter twenty: My Lady's Honor

Niles and Corrin sat on the bank of a river, not far from their most recent campsite. Niles was sharpening his arrows, while Corrin washed and rewashed the same shirt over and over again; in the past few weeks, they had spent very little time together, and had only been able to procure some time today by putting up the appearance of doing chores.

Despite their false pretenses, no one had offered to join them by the riverbank. Corrin did wonder whether that meant no one had been taken in by their fiction, but she didn't care either way. Friends and family had been popping in and interrupting their time together too often, lately; so often that Corrin's trusting mind sometimes suspected her allies of intending to interfere in her relationship. But she always laughed the idea away, deciding that everyone had far better things to do than to make sure Niles behaved himself.

She watched out of the corner of her eye as Niles rubbed a stone against his arrow's point. He grimaced as he worked.

"That's an awful noise," Corrin commented.

Niles nodded. "Every time I have to sharpen these," he shook the arrow in his hand fiercely, "I consider learning the sword."

Corrin smiled. "You would still have to sharpen a sword!"

"Not a thousand of them, though." Niles paused, looking thoughtful. "How come I've never seen you sharpen your sword?"

"The Yato is different — it's a legendary blade, like Leo's tome and Xander's sword. They're more enduring than the weapons everyone else uses, so that even the smithy's hot furnace won't melt them."

Niles scoffed then swore as the stone skid off the arrow and over his knuckles. He threw his work down and shoved his scraped hand into the river. "No offense to Lord Xander's sword," he muttered, "but I think a legendary tome sounds more interesting. And there's definitely nothing to sharpen on a book."

"That's true enough," Corrin agreed, "but you would have to be proficient at magic to be able to wield a tome, and you would have to be a master in order to wield Brynhildr."

Niles grinned. "I don't claim to be a master," he drawled, drawing his hand from the river, "but I am more than 'proficient' at magic."

Corrin stared. "You are?" she exclaimed. "You can use magic?"

"Why so shocked? Aren't I magical enough outside of battle to be the suspect of at least a little witchcraft?"

"I'm sorry, I don't mean to be shocked. I just can't believe that you're a magician!"

Niles frowned. "Sorcerer, Corrin. Sorcerer."

She smirked. "Okay, sorcerer then. Does Leo know?"

"Lord Leo was my first teacher. I knew I had the ability to wield magic even before I met him, but I rarely had the opportunity to practice. Exploding magic is not as efficient for assassinations and heists as is a whispering arrow."

Corrin nodded. "Then, why don't you use magic now?"

"Because I'm obviously better at shooting. If I took the time to practice magic, however, Lord Leo said I could be very good."

"Then you aren't more than proficient!" she accused.

Niles smirked. "All right, no — but I could be."

Corrin laughed. "I never imagined you could use magic as well. There's still a lot I don't know about you."

"Does that frighten you?" Niles asked, again picking up his arrow and flint.

"No," Corrin answered firmly. "Actually, I feel excited! I feel like we've taken another step forward."

"Excited, huh?" Niles repeated, grinning.

Corrin blushed. "Niles!" she reprimanded. He cackled in response.

"So! I've laid out new information for you — now you share something with me. Something more juicy than your favorite color."

Corrin paused, thinking. She didn't consider herself the most interesting person; she had spent practically the first nineteen years of her life living in an isolated fortress. She had long since shared what few unique secrets she had — she was a princess of Hoshido raised in Nohr, she was wielder of the legendary Yato blade, and she could turn into a dragon at will. Except for those little details, Corrin thought she was bland and ordinary, especially when compared to her siblings.

"I can't think of anything," she admitted. "I'm not interesting."

Niles sighed. "You've done that from the beginning of our relationship! I tell you something and then you skip out of your turn with an annoyingly humble retort."

Corrin laughed. "I'm sorry! I could tell you about the past few weeks, I guess. There were a few interesting happenings that I wasn't able to tell you before."

Niles nodded. "Fine, I'll accept that. What happened during our weeks apart?"

"I was proposed to."

Niles scoffed. "Yeah, I know. I was there."

Corrin smirked again. "Actually, I wasn't talking about your proposal. I was talking about Kaze's and Silas'."

Niles dropped his work again. "You were actually proposed to — twice?" he exclaimed.

"Yup!" Corrin shrugged her shoulders. "I guess when it rains, it pours."

"Corrin! You're engaged to me!"

"I know that! And they do, too. That's why they proposed."

Niles stared at Corrin. Slowly, he began to grin — but it wasn't amused. "Tell me the story." he demanded.

Corrin laughed. "If you really want to hear it — okay! It was the same day that Elise told everyone…"

Corrin sat on her bed, surrounded by piles of clothing and blankets and unworn shoes, pouting. She hated packing; while it was one of those new experiences that Corrin had only known since leaving her fortress, it was not one she enjoyed. Over the past few months, she had tried countless ways to get out of packing — from having Felicia pack her bags to wearing the same set of clothes over and over again. But Felicia had ripped every other pair of leggings Corrin had owned, and her siblings had quickly stepped in when Corrin stopped bathing.

Corrin picked up a pair of socks (a birthday gift from Leo) and tossed it across the bed, sighing as it bounced off her pillows and onto the floor. I'm so bored… she thought. I've napped, I've eaten, and it's only noon! At this rate, I'll actually have to finish packing.

Corrin's gaze went to her window. She watched her allies stroll here and there, from the dining hall to the ruby mine to the hot spring. Xander had said when everyone was finished with their personal preparations, they would be free to enjoy the rest of the day. It seemed Corrin was the only person who had not rushed off to her chore.

Her attention perked up when she noticed Silas and Kaze nearby, whispering earnestly over a patch of wildflowers. She smiled and jumped from her bed, rushing towards the door. I'll invite them in to keep me company while I pack, she thought. Maybe they'll even offer to help!

Corrin threw the door open and called, "Kaze! Silas! Are you done packing?"

The men bolted up, grimacing. Corrin was startled by their expressions — they looked guilty.

"We have, Corrin," Silas answered for them both, his voice level. "How about you?"

"I'm almost done…" Corrin lied. "But I'm lonely in here all alone. Will you come in and chat with me while I finish up?"

Kaze glared at Silas. "Both of us?" he asked Corrin.

"Um, yes." Corrin frowned. "Why not? I thought you two were friends, now."

"We are." Silas answered, refusing to look at Kaze. "It's just… I had something to talk to you about, Corrin. Something private."

"I as well," said Kaze.

"Really?" Corrin exclaimed, feeling flustered. "Should I be worried?"

"No!" both men replied. They glared at each other.

"Actually," said Silas, "I don't mind if Kaze sticks around to hear — I have nothing to be ashamed of."

Kaze's gaze narrowed even further. "Neither do I," he retorted. "Stay if you wish, Nohrian, but know this: I am speaking first."

"No way!" Silas shouted. "I've been Corrin's best friend all her life — I deserve to go first!"

"Hah! Lady Corrin forgot you even existed until a few months ago."

"Well…" Silas faltered.

"I, on the other hand," said Kaze, his cool disposition returning, "have been her intended retainer since birth. It was her mother's wish! In colloquial terms, I win — you lose."

Corrin stared at the men. She noticed that their loud bickering had called the attention of a few passersby. She felt herself the center of attention again, and colored.

"Guys, can we take this inside?" she whispered. But neither Silas nor Kaze seemed to hear her.

"Lady Corrin is my responsibility!" Kaze affirmed. "I am her only tie to Hoshido in this foreign land — it is only right that she accepts me!"

"Racist! racist!" Silas screamed. "What's more, Corrin chose Nohr over Hoshido — so why should she choose you over me?"

"Because I was hand picked by her own mother!"

"And I kept her sane while she lived in isolation for all those years!"

"Her family entrusted her to me!"

"You're in Nohr now, Kaze. Get over yourself!"

"Guys!" Corrin exclaimed, finally catching their attention. "What is wrong with you two?"

Kaze glared at Silas; in one fluid movement, he bent over to retrieve the wild flowers Corrin had seen them arguing over, and laid them graciously in Corrin's stunned arms. He bowed low before her, a hand on his heart.

"My Lady Corrin," he began.

"That's not fair!" Silas shouted. But Kaze continued anyway.

"My dear lady," he said, "as you know, I failed many years ago to warn King Sumeragi of the Norhian soldiers who would later murder your honorable father and kidnap you from Hoshido. For years, I lived in tortuous, silent grief and regret. But now, after so long, I have found a way to make up for my mistake! Lady Corrin, would you please do me the honor of allowing me to not only be your retainer, but also your husband?"

The crowd gasped in response. Silas pulled his hair. Corrin stopped breathing for a moment. "… Huh?" she squeaked.

"That's not fair!" Silas shouted again, pushing himself in front of the nearly prostrate Kaze. "Those flowers were mine, as was this duty! Corrin, please," now Silas bowed, though not to his knees as Kaze had, "would you consider marrying me?"

Kaze jumped up so quickly, Corrin felt whiplashed. "How dare you interrupt my proposal!" he shouted, outraged. "I worked so hard on that speech!"

"You should have spent more time on it!" Silas retorted.

"No!" shouted Corrin, a bit late. The men whirled around to face her, both appearing extremely surprised.

"No what?" Silas questioned.

"No, I won't marry you!" Corrin exclaimed.

Kaze smirked. "See? It is as I thought — my lady desires a peace-loving Hoshidan man at her side, not just another Nohrian soldier."

"I'm not marrying you either!" Corrin screamed. Kaze's smugness deflated. Corrin threw the flowers on the ground, panting. "What kind of game is this?" she asked. Then her eyes widened. "Is this about Niles?"

As soon as his name was mentioned, both Silas and Kaze cringed. Their disappointment turned to anger, which was put into words by Silas. "Corrin, don't worry — I don't think any less of you for falling victim to his unique charms."

Kaze gave Silas a frightened look. "You find him charming?" he asked.

Silas' cheeks turned bright red. "No! I… I was just trying to make Corrin feel better!"

Kaze turned to Corrin. "I think he's simply despicable. I don't care if he is prepared to own up to his crimes against you — the damage is done, and I will not sit by and watch as you are thrown down to his level, my lady." Kaze took a deep breath. "The child may be his, Corrin, but do not become his wife. I shall be honored to marry you and support you and your baby."

Silas tried to wiggle his way in front of Kaze. "I'm prepared to do the same!" he exclaimed. "On my honor as a knight, I shall become you and your child's protection!"

The specters to the scene burst into sound. Some clapped and cheered for the honorable young men; a few jeered the "performance", saying there were too few prat falls to be funny; most laughed, which Corrin hoped meant that they knew the truth — Corrin was not pregnant — and the gallantry of her friends brought her no comfort, only further embarrassment.

Corrin burst into tears and ran into her house. She locked the door, pushed her chairs and table in front of it, closed the windows and drew the curtains. Finally, she collapsed on her bed, thinking of Elise.

"She is so punished when we get home!" Corrin screamed.

"The end," Corrin finished, sighing.

Niles shook his head, still laughing. Corrin pouted.

"I don't see the humor in the situation," she muttered.

"You thought it was funny enough to share with me."

Corrin couldn't deny that. She smiled, despite reliving her embarrassment, and laughed a little with Niles. "I don't think it's funny," she repeated, "but I am glad that the misunderstanding is all cleared up now. I was upset at the time, but I'm also grateful I have friends who love me enough to defend my honor."

Niles scoffed. "You would take that to be the moral of the story. I was thinking we have to come up with a way to make you less likable to people. Honestly, it would have made this whole engagement thing less of a hassle."

"I'm blessed with loving friends and family," Corrin responded softly. "I'll never regret that."

Niles smirked. "I'm not asking you to."

They stared at each other for a moment. Slowly, Niles leaned forward.

"Hello!" Selena exclaimed, causing Corrin and Niles to shoot apart. Corrin stared at the party who had snuck up on them — Selena, Beruka, Peri, and Laslow were being led by a smiling Jakob, carrying a basket of laundry on his hip.

"Good evening, my lady," Jakob said, plopping his basket down between Corrin and Niles. "I saw that you seemed to be having trouble cleaning that shirt," he pointed to Corrin's decoy, "and thought you would appreciate some help. I brought back up, in case there's anymore dirty laundry that causes trouble."

Niles grinned dangerously. Corrin resisted the urge to cringe.

"Thank you, Jakob," she muttered, standing up. "But if you don't mind, I'm very tired and would like to go back to my tent and rest."

Laslow and Peri stepped forward. "We'll walk you home," Peri volunteered.

Niles stood up and took Corrin's hand. "If it's all the same to you," he said, stepping forward to tower over Peri, "I'll walk her home."

Peri glared at Niles, licking her lips at his challenge. Corrin intervened, saying, "Thank you, Niles. If you don't mind, I accept."

They walked away, ignoring the protests of the retainers. When they were out of earshot, Niles began to laugh. Corrin stared at him. "How can you be so calm about this?" she exclaimed. "It's a miracle to me that you haven't given up and bolted, yet!"

Niles stopped laughing. They had almost reached her tent. He walked slower, and Corrin followed his lead.

"They've pulled some crazy stunts," Niles admitted, whispering now that they were in camp, "but I've experienced far worse. They're not chasing me away, Corrin. Lord Leo said we'll reach Krakenburg tomorrow. Then it will be over."

"Don't say 'over'," Corrin replied quickly. "It will be decided."

Niles nodded. He reached his free hand into his pocket and pulled something out. He opened Corrin's hand and dropped her engagement ring in her palm.

"Whatever happens," he murmured, "will you wear it for me? I'm not asking you to become a nun or anything — I mean, you can always get together with good ol' Silas or Kaze. But maybe you can wait until after an appropriate mourning period."

"Niles, no." Corrin said, giving him back the ring. "I won't take it, not now! Everything will be fine — you can give me the ring tomorrow, when we're officially engaged, again."

Niles frowned. Corrin forced her smile to grow wider. "We should hurry back to my tent," she said, "before one of my siblings sees us holding hands."

Slowly, Niles smirked. "Back to your tent? Is that an invitation?"

Corrin started. "If you came inside, Azura and Mozu would have simultaneous panic attacks!"

Niles sighed. "This whole sharing-a-tent-thing would have been better without that same-sex rule."

Corrin shook her head, smiling. They had reached her tent.

She dropped his hand. "Good night, Niles."

"Good night, Corrin." They parted, wearing smiles to hide the anxiety in their hearts.

Ending note: Thank you, Elise, for making this chapter possible. Now, onward! to Castle Krakenburg!