Corrin could feel the eyes on her as she made her way to meet up with the rest of the shepherds; apparently someone had seen her leaving Chrom's chambers and had spread the rumour that they hadn't slept, while she made her way through the palace she came across a peculiar sight a young man who reminded her of Hayato, he had red-brown hair and a tall pointed hat on that seemed comical on him, he wore blue and grey mages robes and carried a wind tome, Corrin was glad she had learned how not to offend people like him through her interactions with Hayato she looked down "Might I ask what's wrong?" Corrin had no idea why she spoke in such a refined fashion but it seemed to get the young man's attention.

"Ah! L-lady Corrin I didn't see you there" His cheeks were slightly red meaning he had probably heard the rumour "I-it's nothing" he avoided her gaze quickly looking towards the floor.

"It doesn't seem like nothing, why don't we start with your name?" She smiled glad she had practiced faking it for so long.

"My names Ricken" Ricken kept his eyes firmly in the floor.

"Well that's a nice name, so tell me what's wrong I can't very well leave you in good faith knowing I could have helped you" Corrin smiled and took a seat nearby.

"The captain won't let me join you to save Maribelle" Ricken sounded even more dejected.

"Why not you look perfectly capable" Corrin knew the reason but didn't want to say it.

"He says I'm not old enough for this mission. Which is wrong I'm not that much younger that all of you" Ricken pouted and folded his arms which Corrin found adorable.

"Well sometimes people just don't see the potential, maybe… follow us quietly and don't do anything stupid" Corrin smiled as Ricken's eyes lit up.

"I was thinking about it but are you sure?" There was hope in his eyes.

"Yes but as I say be careful and make sure you have plenty of food and water and…" As Corrin began mothering him Ricken waved her off.

"I'll be fine Lady Corrin… but thanks for worrying" Ricken smiled before heading towards the barracks, as he did Corrin really hoped he wouldn't do something stupid.

Within the hour the Shepherds and a small retinue of Pegasus knights were en-route to the border where Gangrel awaited; during the trip Corrin could still feel the looks of the others They don't trust you… They think your just power hungry… You don't need them you have all the power you need… She could feel the familiar madness clawing at her; she felt the primal urge to change her form but it felt different it felt more… monstrous… as she bit her lip in an attempt to suppress she could taste copper the minute she did a voice cut through the whispers "Corrin!" it was Chrom's he had a look of concern on his face as he gently gripped her biceps "Are you okay? You just stopped walking then… well…" He ran his gloved fingers across her lips then showed them to her "You have very sharp teeth" He smiled but she could see the concern in his eyes.

She giggled a little before responding "I was hoping you'd find out my teeth a little later…" Why did I say that! She didn't feel like herself…

Chrom's cheeks turned a light shade of red "Well… uh… that's certainly an idea…" He seemed to zone out for a second before he focused once more "That's something for later definitely, just tell me are you okay?"

She nodded "I'm okay but… I'm not myself as far as I know… something isn't right but it's something I need to deal with" Her heart ached as she said those words but she knew she couldn't risk him getting hurt if something was wrong.

Chrom sighed heavily the others were slightly ahead leaving them in some semblance of privacy "I trust you Corrin and I hope you trust me" He smiled as she nodded "And I hope you can forgive me for this selfish act…" With that he kissed her, his lips were soft and welcoming the action caused Corrin to close her eyes and loose herself for a moment the swirling chaos of her pounding heart seemed to still her thoughts were silenced and all she could smell was him, he smelled of leather and cleaning oil mixed in with this was the scent of the days travel, they could both taste the copper of Corrin's wounded lip neither seemed to mind though, Chrom wrapped his arms around her and Corrin responded in kind holding on as though he were about to disappear, just as she was losing herself there was the sound of someone clearing their throat nearby.

"Chrom care to explain" Emmeryn was smiling but the way Chrom tensed seemed to say there was more to it.

Chrom abruptly pulled back and turned to face his sister as he did both him and Corrin turned red in the face "Emm… uh…" Chrom seemed at a loss for words, unfortunately for them Lissa decided to speak up "I can explain!"

"Oh please no…"Corrin spoke quickly and quietly as she closed her eyes.

"Well Corrin travelled through time when she was young and fell in love with our dear brother, and unable to be apart from him she ventured back to our time to use her mature womanly wiles to bewitch and…" She was thankfully quieted by Emmeryn raising her hand.

"Well thank you Lissa but I think I'll let Chrom and Corrin explain themselves." Emmeryn was still smiling but had a hand placed to her temple.

"Emm… I am in love with lady Corrin… I did not realize it until recently however judging by what she has told me the affection she has for me caused her some heart ache over the years so I ask of you do not judge her for her actions and do not believe whatever rumours are being spread about her, she couldn't sleep so…" He trailed off waiting for his older sister to speak.

"I believe you Chrom I don't think you are the type to take advantage of a Lady in need and I don't believe that Lady Corrin would do anything so… un-lady like, I just wish you would have told me sooner." Emmeryn smiled sweetly, as she did Corrin was wondering if she ever frowned.

Over the next few days they found their way to the border and the Shepherds got their first look at the enemy of the Halidom the Mad king of Plegia Gangrel, a pale grey skinned man with a lithe physique he wore an elaborate yellow and black outfit that had a short cloak and he held a Levin sword in his right hand he cackled as he laid eyes on Emmeryn "What's this, then? The exalt herself, in all her radiance? I fear I must shield my eyes! Bwa ha ha ha!"

Emmeryn looked unfazed her usual smile shifting to a neutral look "King Gangrel, I've come for the truth of this unfortunate incident between us."

As she finished speaking a breath taking tan skin woman stepped next to Gangrel every motion was there to intoxicate and manipulate Corrin had seen her type before and she resisted the urge to growl as the woman spoke with a voice like honey "The truth? I can give you the truth." Corrin felt as though they had stepped into the spider's web.

Emmeryn turned her gaze to address the new comer she looked clam "Perhaps milady might first share her name?" there was a fierceness that Corrin could feel emanating from her she felt like a bulwark against the darkness and Corrin felt invigorated knowing she was there.

"You may call me Aversa." There was venom in her words she could also sense Emmeryn's resilience.

"Very well, Aversa. Is Maribelle unharmed?" Emmeryn continued speaking calmly there was just enough volume to her voice that all might hear her.

"Who? Oh yes, that little blonde brat." Gangrel suddenly looked bored and waved his hand in the direction of two Plegian bandits who was holding a young woman wearing an all too familiar pink attire.

"Unhand me, you gutter-born troglodyte!" Maribelle kept her dignity as best she could as she struggled against her captor.

"Maribelle!" Lissa stepped forward only to be stopped by Fredrick placing a hand on her shoulder and giving her a reassuring look.

Maribelle looked shocked "Lissa? Darling, is that you?" she stopped her struggling and looked to be holding back tears.

"This girl crossed the Plegian border without our consent. And what's more... She wounded the brave Plegian soldiers who sought only to escort her safely home." Aversa's silken honeyed voice was almost believable.

"LIES! You speak nothing but lies, hag! Did they not teach the meaning of the word "truth" in wretched-crone school?!" Maribelle spoke with a surprising amount of venom in her words.

"...You see? No manners at all. Such a nasty little bird simply had to be caged." Aversa waved dismissively at Maribelle.

"Such a violent temper speaks to her guilt. This will call for a weighty punishment. And if she were to later confess to being an Ylissean spy? My goodness! It would take an act of CONSIDERABLE good faith to repair our relations." Gangrel smiled and it was sickening to watch.

"I have done nothing wrong! It is they who should confess! They are the ones who invaded Ylisse. They razed an entire village! When I attempted to intervene, they took me and dragged me across the border. Let the plundered shops and charred homes of that village serve as my proof!" Maribelle spoke with zeal barely holding back her anger.

"That would only prove Ylisse has a bandit problem—something I hear oft of late... But indeed, tonight I shall weep salty tears into my pillow for your dead villagers." The King seemed to be trying to hold back another sickening grin as he spoke.

"Your Grace, please!" Maribelle looked to Emmeryn for the first time showing fear.

"Peace, Maribelle. I believe you. King Gangrel, I request that you release this woman at once. Surely you and I can sort out these affairs without the need of hostages." Emmeryn continued to speak calmly although she seemed to be wavering slightly.

"Without so much as an apology? Why should I even bother with parley? I'm within my rights to have her head this instant and be home in time for supper." Gangrel's sickening smile returned.

As Chrom yelled and the conversation continued Anna stepped next to Corrin and Whispered "You know I could just kill him now free of charge" She smiled playfully but Corrin could see in her eyes that she meant it.

"I have a better idea" Corrin smiled and stepped forward drawing the eyes of everyone.

"Oh? And who is this stunning little snowflake?" Gangrel's attention shifted to Corrin watching her with some interest.

"I'm simply someone who has observed a Mad King and you barely qualify for the title, in fact you barely qualify for the title of tyrant or King all I see is a coward and his pet harlot trying to play villain and failing." As Corrin finished speaking the jaws of all fell slack, she simply smiled and awaited the kings response.

"I… You…You insolent worm! I am Gangrel the Mad King of Plegia you would dare say I am a failure!" Gangrel seemed infuriated his eyes never leaving Corrin as he yelled.

"Funny that you mentioned wyrms… although I prefer the term dragon" With that she half transformed spreading her wings and taking to the sky positioning herself above Gangrel.

"My goodness its not fair to bring a dragon to a peace meeting your exaltedness!" Gangrel looked at Corrin with awe the look causing a jealous hatred to form in Chrom's chest,he then turned his attention back to Emmeryn "Now then, Your Graceliness. Perhaps we can arrange a trade? You give me the Fire Emblem, and I return Mari Contrary here in one piece."

Emmeryn, Corrin, Chrom and Lissa looked at the King in shock as he spoke.