It's time for a new chapter. This should be fun; I'm doing everyone's favorite gold digger. Hopefully I manage to get it done right, and I hope you enjoy reading it. As always, favorite, review and follow if you think it's worth it –ArcanaHermit

Chapter 9: Rumors (Corrin x Charlotte)

Corrin and Charlotte were shopping at a market bazaar in a town close to the encampment. Charlotte was walking all around the stalls, constantly looking for something to purchase for herself. Corrin was just following her, happy to let his wife out on a little escapade after weeks of nothing but stressful battles. Having a chance to relax like this was important.

She continued to look around the stalls until she stopped at a particular one selling fine jewelry, Corrin followed her and saw that her eyes beamed towards a particular gold bangle inlaid with sapphires and rubies in a very intricate pattern. The look in her eyes immediately told him that she wants him to buy it. Corrin reached for his purse of gold coins and inquired the seller.

"How much does the gold band over here cost?"

As he was just about to open his purse, he was immediately stopped by Charlotte, which shocked him. Looking at her, he could see that all the desire for that gold band gone from her eyes, replaced by a hint of guilt.

"It's alright, darling. I was just looking at that shabby old thing; I didn't really want to buy it."

Corrin was confused. Usually she would try to sweet-talk him into buying some stuff for her, but now she doesn't even seem like she wanted it. It was definitely odd for her. Still, not wanting to prod, they continued their stroll along the market. She stayed silent throughout, looking rather dour in her appearance.

As they were about to finish their little trip, Corrin was getting more and more worried at her wife's gloomy demeanor, which only seemed to be worsening. Desperate to cheer her up, Corrin looked around for something to buy for her, and spotted a very ornate leather bag.

"Hey Charlotte, there's a very nice leather bag. Would you like me to buy that for you?"

However, this offer had the opposite effect on her, as she gave Corrin a look of frustration.

"No, I don't want that. I don't want anything from you!"

Without warning, she ran off out of the market, shocking Corrin. Despite that initial shock however, Corrin gave chase after her. It took a while, but he finally managed to catch sight of her on the outskirts of town.

She punched a nearby tree out of anger until it fell down. Once she was satisfied, she sat on a nearby stump, not noticing that Corrin had already caught up to her. Soon her anger turned into sadness, and she began to cry a little. Corrin knew that those weren't the fake tears that she would conjure on a whim, those were genuine tears pouring out of her face. Slowly, he approached her.

"Charlotte?"

Finally noticing him, Charlotte turned around to face him. She gave him a grin, but knowing her for so long, that tactic didn't work on him, who quietly sat down on the bench beside her.

"Charlotte, what's wrong? Did I do something wrong?"

Charlotte laughed bitterly despite the tears streaming down her cheek.

"N-no, you didn't do anything wrong. I suppose I can't hide this anymore, huh? Alright, I'll come clean. There are...rumors about us among some of the soldiers, rumors about…you and me."

"What rumors?"

"That I'm…not an honest wife, that I only married you because you were wealthy and that you're from loyalty, and that I only want your money"

Corrin wanted to act surprised at that knowledge, but he knew deep down that something like this was bound to happen, given Charlotte's…history. Still, he thought it was needlessly cruel of them to talk about affairs they had no knowledge about.

"I see. Don't worry about it Charlotte, I'll make sure these false rumors about you are at an end."

"No, it's not those rumors that are making me so mad…well, they are, but not because of what you think."

Corrin was quite perplexed at her statement, but decided that he should just keep quiet and listen to her.

"If those rumors were just slander, I wouldn't have minded it at all. But…what they said was t-true. Gold was the reason I even started to approach you in the first place, and why I acted so nice to you. Even now when I'd ask for you to buy something for me, you'd do it no questions ask. I…feel like everything they said about me was true, that I'm a terrible wife."

She started to cry again, not even attempting to mask her worries anymore. Corrin moved closer and wrapped his arms around her as she cried. Sometimes these feelings need to be all let out before he should say anything. Once she had calmed down slightly, he reached for his pocket and pulled out an opened letter, giving it to her.

"W-what's this letter for?"

"I was going to give you this once we headed back, but I get the feeling you needed a reminder on why you are who you are, now more than ever."

Curious, Charlotte took out the parchment inside and began reading, her face growing surprised once she realized what this is, and who it was from.

"This…is a letter from my parents, thanking me for sending them some gold. But…but I didn't send anything to them, at least not yet anyways."

"I sent them the gold actually. Since we married, they have become my parents too, and I'd like to look out for them. I just put your name because they'd be familiar with you."

Charlotte smiled. It wasn't the type of smile that she would use to charm others, but a genuine smile that she would show whenever she was truly happy, without a mask hiding behind it.

"Charlotte, regardless of why you initially intended to be nice to me, I don't care so long as you truly love me now. I accept you for all of you, just as I accepted your less feminine side before we were married."

Charlotte looked at Corrin, and her genuine smile widened. She tackle hugged him to the ground with her strength, but he didn't mind the dirt so much. She was happy again, and that was all that mattered.

"You always know what to say to make me feel better, huh? Thanks, darling. I love you so much."

"I love you too, Charlotte. So no more talk about these rumors, alright? I'll silence them in due time."

Charlotte shook her head, her smile now twisting into a malicious smirk.

"That's...quite alright, Corrin. I have to deal with this myself; I'll give them a piece of my mind…or maybe a beating or two."

Corrin felt a mixture of fear and relief at the sinister tone of her voice.

"I hope the gods have mercy on their souls then."

They exchanged a quick laugh before picking themselves off their feet, brushing the dirt off them. Afterwards they held hands and walked back towards the market.

"Well, we still have some time. Is there anything you'd like to buy?"

Charlotte had that desiring look back in her eyes. She has finally gone back to her old self.

"Well…there is that bag you wanted to buy for me. And it looked really good too."

"Consider it yours then, my love."

Charlotte gave him a quick kiss on the cheek, making Corrin's face slightly heated. Looking back, they were definitely an odd couple, but somehow they always make it work. Realizing that, he couldn't help but keep his smile for the rest of the journey.

And that's done. Now the next chapter is going to take a while, since I'm doing another story in the meantime. Until then, I hope you enjoy. Like and review if you think it's worth it, and I'll see you lovely viewers next time -ArcanaHermit