Alright time to get back into the swing of things with our next chapter. This time it'll be with a Hoshidan retainer. Anyways, enough with the intro, it's time for the chapter

Chapter 17: Loyalty (Corrin x Hana)

"No, I'm not leaving lady Sakura."

"Bu-"

"I'm her retainer. Do you know how dishonorable it would be if I left her so suddenly?"

Corrin internally sighed. Truth be told, he was expecting this sort of reaction from his wife, he just underestimated the severity of her anger. Regardless of that, he felt as though he should tell her about it before she found out from a second-hand source and got even angrier.

It was simple really. Corrin had decided that, after the war, he would stay in Nohr for half a year to both spend time with his adopted siblings and to help with its reformation in any way he can, in which afterwards he would stay in Hoshido with his other siblings.

The first thing Corrin knew would be troublesome was trying to bring Hana along with him. He went ahead and asked Sakura for her blessing, which she happily agreed to, but he knew that wasn't going to be the most troublesome part. No, the most troublesome part was trying to convince his tenacious and loyal wife to part ways with her most treasured friend, even if it's temporarily.

And so here they stand in the training yard, with about the expected result in Corrin's head. He eyed the training sword in her hand, hoping she doesn't get the idea to use it on him. Even if it has been a while since she actually did that, Corrin remained cautious.

Thankfully all she did was huffed and turn her head to the side to avoid his pleading look. Deciding to not push the issue further and simply let things simmer down, Corrin sat down on the grass while she continued her training, though with a noticeable difference for Corrin.

Her swings were much more frantic and her stance was a bit shaky. To anyone else, it wouldn't really be that much of a difference, but for Corrin, who fought with her so many times, it was very noticeable. She was hesitating, and though Corrin wasn't going exactly one to connect minute details like that, he wondered if she was silently considering her offer.

Still, he decided to not bring up the matter until she was done taking out all her anger on the training dummy, and decided to simply watch her. The rest of the day passed before finally, tired and panting, she stopped her training to turn at Corrin.

They both walked together back to their quarters, a deep silence between the both of them. Once they entered the room and Corrin closed the door behind them is when he decided to finally confront the issue.

"Are we just going to be silent with each other or are we actually going to make a decision?"

"What decision? I'm staying with Lady Sakura and that's final."

"Hana…"

The young samurai took a deep sigh before pulling Corrin into a hug, burying her head on his chest. Corrin was surprised at first, but soon returned the hug as well. They stayed like that before Hana finally spoke up, her voice more calm and soft than usual.

"I love you, Corrin. You know that more than anyone that I love you. But I've pledged my loyalty to be with Lady Sakura above all else. I've trained most of my life to be the best retainer possible for her. You'll be fine in Nohr without me, and we'll only be apart for a few months."

"That's just it. I don't want to apart from you…I can't."

Hana looked up at her husband, and saw that his eyes were both determined and somber. He let out a deep sigh before continuing.

"I know how devoted you are to Sakura; it is probably the thing I admire you most for. And I feel like, as your husband, I should be just as devoted to you as you are to her. I can't imagine a single day without you by my side, or a day where I don't come home back to you."

Hana blushed, but still remained silent to let him finish.

"So if you're not coming with me, then I'll stay with you."

Much to Corrin's disbelief, Hana giggled once his speech was done. She gave him a quick peck on the lips, leaving the young lord even more confused.

"I…uh…wha…?"

"You can be so silly sometimes, you know that?"

"I…suppose?"

Hana only giggled louder at the response, taking a short while to compose herself. Once she did, she looked Corrin in the eyes.

"You know what? You convinced me, I'll go to Nohr with you."

He would be excited by her decision, if only he wasn't so befuddled at why she suddenly did it. Hana walked away from him and sat on the bed, a wide smile still on her face. Corrin decided to sit beside her, still slightly confused.

"W-why the sudden change of heart?"

"Well…after that little speech of yours, I decided that you'd need someone to take care of you while you're in Nohr. After all, from what you said, you'd be pretty helpless without me there."

Corrin didn't let his internal groan show. He got the answer he was looking for…just not exactly for the right reasons. Whether Hana truly meant what she said or was just teasing him, he couldn't really tell. He hoped it wasn't the former.

"B-but what about Sakura…"

"Well considering the war is going to be over when we leave, I'm sure Lady Sakura will be fine. She has Subaki with her, and I'll think he'll protect her as well as I would. You did say she approved, right?"

Corrin silently nodded.

"Then it's settled. Whew, today has been tiring."

Hana laid down on the bed, with Corrin doing so beside her. They looked up at the ceiling for a while, not knowing exactly what to say. As they were getting sleepier though, Corrin decided to ask her one final question.

"Did you really mean it when you said you'd think I would be helpless?"

Hana let out a loud yawn before responding.

"What? No, I didn't mean that. I just wanted to mess with you a bit. But if you really want to know why I did well…"

Hana crept up next to Corrin and laid on top of him, a blush on her face.

"I wasn't really sure at first whether I want to leave Lady Sakura. It wasn't an easy choice honestly, and even when I said no I was thinking about it. But then you made that speech, and when I realized that you were so committed to me, just as I've been to Lady Sakura…well, it's hard to say no to that."

"Hana…thank you."

"Thank me with training tomorrow. It's been a while, and I want to make sure that my statement about you being helpless doesn't come true."

With one last chuckle for the both of them, they fell asleep in each other's arms. Corrin was glad to have a wife like Hana. Eager and brash she may be, but she has an immeasurable amount of loyalty, to both him and his sister, and he wouldn't trade that away for anything.

And that's the Hana chapter done. Man that was a pain in the ass to write. Regardless I hope you Hana fans don't shank me for writing this chapter wrong (I tried my best I swear ~). Anyways, next time we'll be hoping into another Nohrian chapter. Until then folks -ArcanaHermit