I'm back. Sorry for such a long hiatus, life has been going rather…poorly. I try to update as fast as I can, but it probably won't be as fast as before. Anyways, it's time for another Hoshidan retainer. Rejoice, Birthright fans.

Chapter 13: Legacy (Corrin x Oboro)

"Thank you very much, and remember to come back here if you ever need new clothes."

Oboro was at the counter, seeing another pair of satisfied customers off. Meanwhile, her husband Corrin was quietly sweeping the floor. The army just happened to be in Oboro's hometown, resting from a nearby skirmish with the invisible enemies. Oboro was requested in to replace the store owner, an old friend of her parents, due to his illness, and Corrin offered to help her.

The few instances that Corrin was able to look at Oboro revealed to him that this was her calling, despite her talent as a soldier. Her passion, her drive, her caring attitude were all in full force. Corrin couldn't help but be inspired by her motivation. He needed to make sure to help her open up a textile shop when the war is over, as she always wanted to do.

Those thoughts stayed in his mind all throughout the shift, and even during its end. Oboro was just about done packing up and doing a final checkup of the stock. Corrin was just waiting outside until she was done. Looking around, he was still a bit unused to Hoshidan culture, though he was slowly adapting with the help of his siblings and especially Oboro (at least when fashion is the topic).

After a few more minutes, Oboro finally came out of the store. She was clearly tired, but with a bright smile on her face. He offered his hand and she took it happily, satisfied with how today went.

"You look even happier than usual today."

"Do I? I suppose that figures. I love seeing the happy faces of customers. Reminds me of the time I helped out another store owner when he was sick. It was so much work, but its work I love."

They continued their conversation as they began walking through Oboro's hometown. It wasn't the biggest town, or the most pretty, but it has an odd charm to it that Corrin couldn't put to words. Looking at the streets, the old houses, the kids running around the road, Corrin thought that it would bring up a lot of memories for her, as he's sure the Northern Fortress back in Nohr would do for him.

"I'll make sure to put it some connections when the war is over. I want to see that face more often."

"Hey, just because you're royalty doesn't mean I should get a free pass. I want to show everyone that I'll work hard to be successful…though I don't mind if you manned the counter once or twice."

"You can count on it."

She quietly squeezed her hand, and he squeezed back in return. The atmosphere was perfect, and she was by his side. Though the war may not be over, he can at least burn this memory into his mind, so that he can remind himself what he was fighting for whenever things get dour.

He was fighting for Hoshido and its people. For his siblings, and his friends. But most of all, for her.

"Hey, you've gone quiet for a while there. Anything on your mind?'

Corrin snapped out of his little trance to face his wife, still grinning. He blushes before wondering about where they are headed. It wasn't exactly a direct path back to the camp.

"Nothing, just doing some thinking. Where are we going?"

"Just making a little detour. It won't take long."

"Oh…alright."

The conversation died down, and a comfortable silence took its place. They were soon on the outskirts of town, the stone path given way to one of dirt, the buildings given way to thick trees. Corrin wondered more and more where they were headed, until he saw a line of stones in the distance.

He knew where they were headed now, even if he kept quiet about it. Those stones were headstones, which mean that this was a graveyard.

Specifically, it was the graveyard that houses the graves of Oboro's parents.

Corrin knew about Oboro's painful past, about how her parents were murdered by bandits when she was just a little girl, how that shaped her resentment towards all Nohrians, and how she works very hard at night to avoid having nightmares about her parents. He also knew the purpose of this trip: to ask for their blessing, as she had been talking about it with him for a while.

Soon they entered the graveyard, walking through the rows of graves. Some were here since before he was born, some were here as recent as a few days ago, as causalities of war. Another reason to end the war as swiftly as possible, Corrin thought in the back of his mind.

After a bit more walking, they stopped in front of two graves standing side by side. Oboro knelt down and prayed at their graves, staying silent for a while before finally speaking up.

"Hey Mom. Dad. I'm back. And I brought along company with me. This is my husband, Prince Corrin."

She pointed at him before turning back to the graves, a happy tone in her voice.

"Yeah, who knew I would ever marry a royal, huh? Still, royal or not, he's really sweet, and he's given me a lot of great memories, and I hope…I hope that you may bless our union. And also…I hope that you'll bless the textile shop I'll open up when the war is over, to honor both your memories."

After that, she breathed out a huge sigh and turned towards her husband, a little tear in her eyes but a wide smile on her face.

"Do you want to talk to them? It doesn't have to be long, if you like."

"Oh…uh…sure."

Corrin was unfamiliar with talking to the dead; even if he had seen some soldiers talk to the graves of their families in the past, he never experienced the deed himself. He nervously approached their graves and knelt down beside Oboro.

"Um, h-hello. I'm your daughter's husband. Oboro has been an amazing wife, and I h-hope that I can be a husband worthy of her. I also hope that you would bless our marriage and…"

Oboro patted Corrin on the back, giggling softly.

"Heh, with the way you said it, it sounds like you're afraid of my parents coming back from the dead to haunt you if you aren't a good husband."

Corrin's face turned a bit pale, and Oboro couldn't resist any longer and let out a laugh.

"Haha, to think that you'd be this afraid. Don't worry; I doubt they'd have any objections to our marriage. And if you were a bad husband, I'd be the one haunting you, not them. Trust me on that."

After calming down, they decided to finally walk back to camp. They had a comfortable silence before Oboro spoke up.

"Thanks for coming with me today, it meant a lot to me, to see them again."

"I can imagine, I'll make sure to help you with your textile shop. I want to honor their memories as well, the memories of the mother and father of my lovely wife."

Oboro blushed at that statement, and rested her head on his shoulder, nuzzling him.

"You say the sweetest things, you know that?"

The trip back was uneventful, save for some small talk. But today was an important day for the both of them. They would be leaving the next day, but they nevertheless enjoyed the time they got to spend here.

And done, sorry it took so long. College and other stuff have made me rather tired and a bit depressed, but I'll try to update these things as fast as I can. The next chapter will be a child one. Until then, I bid you farewell. -ArcanaHermit