And now for one of the last few Hoshidan girls, and this is probably one of the more obscure ones. I'll do my best :D –ArcanaHermit

Chapter Twenty-Six: Femininity (Corrin x Reina)

"Hmm, do I use this spice…or this?" The kinshi knight spoke in a low tone, seeing the two bottles in front of her.

Her thought was interrupted as Corrin entered the kitchen, and stared at his wife in her ever familiar apron. They exchanged a smile before Reina looked back at the two spices and finally decided on a bottle, pouring it into the boiling pot.

"What are you making?" Corrin asked.

"Just some stew for the army. Everyone else was busy." She said, raising up a wooden spoon with stew. "Would you like a taste, dear?"

"Uh…" Corrin considered her options for a moment. Her track record with cooking had been…poor, to put it lightly. While she has improved, tasting her food was still a coin flip between adequacy and disaster.

Still, he didn't want to disappoint her. Taking the spoon, he took the stew to his mouth and cautiously consumed it. Surprisingly, the taste was actually rather palatable, and he gave her a smile and a nod.

"Good, I shouldn't hear any complaints about the taste then." She said before looking back at her pot and finishing it. Once she placed it aside and took off her apron, she held his hand and they left the mess hall together. As they walked out, Corrin decided to bring up the news.

"So, we're visiting your parents soon…" He said rather nonchalantly.

"Indeed." She replied. "I wonder if it'll go better than last time."

They both mentally recalled the first time child and parents reunited in many years. While both were willing to understand the other, the fact that they've been apart for so long made communication less than ideal. Several small conflicts flared out before they decided to part for now, meeting again once the dust has settled and both parties have cooled down.

It was only until recently when Corrin got a letter inviting the both of them to their family estate for two days. With the date of their departure looming closer and closer, both of them are uncertain about what will happen.

"After what happened last time, I can't really say I'm expecting the best outcome." Reina said dejectedly. "I wonder if we'll ever truly reach a compromise, given the rift between us. Perhaps talking it out is a fool's quest."

"Don't give up hope." Corrin said, trying to cheer her up. "The fact that we agreed to meet up again shows that it's a good sign, isn't it? Just because we have a rough first start doesn't mean it won't end well."

Reina turned around and smiled at her husband, giving out a sigh. "I wish I can be as optimistic as you, but I suppose I have a warrior's pessimism."

"Lady Reina."

The couple turned around to see a soldier approach the two of them, asking about how to deal with a certain spear formation. Corrin watched as the Kinshi Knight instructed her thoroughly about the various ways to deal with that certain situation in battle. After the lecture, the soldier bowed down and walked off.

"Hmm, you really get into instructing people about war, huh?" Corrin said. He was never taught by her, barring a few friendly spars, so he rarely got to see that side of her.

"Indeed. If I can help but one soldier prevent his or her own death in battle, I will do it." Reina said resolutely. "It is natural for me. Why do you ask?"

"Well…it's just, I rarely see this feminine side of you, I suppose."

The kinshi knight found herself unusually nervous, her face turning red. "I-I do not know what you mean."

"Well…" Corrin started. "It's just that everyone sees you as this bloodthirsty knight who revels in killing, but whenever you give advice to people, you always seem to tell them to practice and emphasize their safety. It's rather…. motherly of you."

"I-I do not know what you're talking about." Reina said, her voice growing more unsteady by the second. "People always called me a man in a woman's body. Most of them weren't malicious, of course, but well…I'm not so good at chores, I can barely cook without completely ruining the taste. I could go on and on about how I'm far from the ideal woman, so for you to call me feminine is…perplexing."

There was a brief silence as they neared their quarters, but before they walked in, Corrin answered. "How are you not the ideal woman?"

Reina was considered a calm and collected person, bloodlust aside. Yet those words were almost enough for her to send her reeling. "W-what are you saying?"

"Hmm…how do I put it." Corrin mused, thinking it over. "It's true, you aren't really good at chores, or cooking, or most things that anyone expects out of a traditional woman."

Reina gave him a slight glare before he raised his hands in defense. "But…you always strive to protect your fellow soldiers, you try your best at every task you were given, even if it didn't suit your talents, but most of all, you care deeply for me. You've protected me countless times in battle, you've taken care of me while I was sick, and when we met your parents, you always squeeze my hands when you felt nervous."

Reina's glare softened and turned into a genuine, curious stare. Many people have praised her as being an exceptional warrior, but he is praising her as a woman instead. The young lord slowly got up to her and planted a quick kiss on her lips.

"I can list a thousand little things about you that make me smile. The way you carry yourself, that cute little yawn when you first get out of bed. I wouldn't trade any of those, nor any of the moments we spent together, on any other woman, no matter how feminine."

They both exchanged a weird look with each other, before a smile escaped Reina's face. She grabbed both hands on Corrin and pulled him in for a long kiss, Corrin surprised but returned it once he got passed the shock. They pulled away after a while, slightly gasping for air. Their kisses were rarely this…passionate

"Oh, I'm sorry." Reina said as she tried to compose herself. "It's just I never had anyone complement me in such a way before. Honestly, I never expected anyone ever would. But…thank you. Perhaps you are right about there being another side of me."

They both simply continued to smile at each other, not even bothering to open the door of their quarters.

"I love you."

"I love you too."

They finally decided to enter their quarters and relax for the day. As Corrin picked up a book and began to read it, a question popped into his head. "Still nervous about meeting your parents?"

Reina was sharpening her naginata on a whetstone, but she could hear the question loud and clear. "Mmm…not really. You're going to be there with me, aren't you?"

His response was instant.

"Always." He replied with conviction is his voice.

Now to move on to a Nohrian kid. Get ready for horsie shenanigans :D -ArcanaHermit