April 2022 Authors Note: I've worked on revamping and improving this story for months. Many new chapters have been added and large portions of the story's mid-section have been totally reworked. Do enjoy this remastered work, and I look forward to reading your feedback.
I also recommend you follow my DeviantArt page for regular updates. It's CrystalMoonlightIII'.
Lastly, I'm currently in the process of reworking the first twelve or so chapters of the sequel Shadow of Nohr - the sequel - so that it better fits with the slightly changed and improved continuity. I'm nowhere near finished with said rework as of yet.
Anyway, do enjoy the story!
A Night with Corrin
Your simple life is far more exciting all of the sudden. You finally feel as though you're somebody important. Nohr is at war with Hoshido, and your biggest concern is your duty. Lord Ryoma's instructions are simple. You're to escort his sister Princess Corrin around camp and make sure she doesn't come to any harm. Assassins from Nohr snoop in the shadows, and the crown prince wants nothing more than to defend his younger sister.
Hard battles and even harder tribulations pushed you toward self-imposed seclusion some time ago. You believed it best to keep a healthy distance from others and focus on training individually, outside of the communal commitments that come with being a samurai. Well, save drinking with Subaki, of course.
Now, however, you have a chance to make a difference. You want to. And you have Princess Corrin to thank for that.
She makes you smile, even when dreary grey clouds loom overhead. Yes, she may be royalty, but she treats you with kindness and respect. Protecting her is an order, true: you're content with it though. Her Ladyship talks to you on the way to her tent on the cold winter evenings. Likewise, she greets you with a groggy smile each morning as she fixes her messy bed hair. Sharing idol chatter with her has become something of a quiet joy for you.
In some ways, you see a side of her that nobody else does. The rest of the army envisions her as a brave dragon fighting to free the innocent. You? Nope. You see her clumsy side. Once, you even stopped her from falling as she left her tent for an early morning war council.
You were but a common soldier in the years before the Hoshidan army advanced into Nohr proper. Young, but one of the more skilled swordsman out of the rank and file warriors. You served as a member of the small garrison tasked with protecting Lady Sakura while she oversaw healing duties at Fort Jinya.
An eternity has passed since then," you reflect with a sigh. "In more ways than I dare consider."
Thankfully, your duty to Corrin makes the letters you write home to mother far more exciting nowadays.
Only a handful of the everyday men and women rise through the everyday army to serve the royal family directly. After all, that's usually the role of a retainer. Now, however? You eventell jokes every morning with Miss Felicia. You also help her carry Corrin's breakfast to her tent because she's so clumsy. And you even keep her company while she fumbles her way through laundry.
These pleasant moments serve as welcome distractions from your single-minded objective: playing a part in defeating Nohr. You have strayed from thoughts of love and romance in order to focus on that goal. Also, because the risk of losing somebody you love is too great a pain.
Corrin's is fast becoming an exception to the rule, however. Recalling her precious smile makes your heart race. For better or worse, the time you spend with her makes you feel special in a ways you haven't for a long time.
Sighing thoughtfully, you recall an event from just the other morning.
You waited at the foot of the pathway from Corrin's tent. Still groggy and half asleep, the princess tripped on a stone.
"Hold on milady," you said with urgency, darting over and catching her.
Her hand held in yours as you helped her get steady, Corrin blushed. "T-Thank you."
Your face likewise glowed red-hot. "You're quite welcome, milady."
It's all you've thought about recently: the way she looked at you in that single fragile moment. It has colored everything a shade of romantic red. Unfortunately, you know the truth: the only outcome for your feelings - anybody else would tell you the same if you shared the encounter with them.
Corrin is a princess. Royal blood flows through her veins. Her powers are the stuff of legend. She can morph her body into the shape of a mighty dragon. Someone as powerful and regal as she would never look at a simple swordsman lovingly. You're smart, yes, one of the few in your family who can read. You've even captured the hearts of a few pretty tavern girl's in your time, and even Miss Hana at one point. This goal, however? The love of a princess?
It's out of your reach. You know that. Worse, yours and Hana's relationship ended badly. Since then you have been rather afraid to share your feelings.
"There's no sense in dwelling on it," you tell yourself, exhaling glumly. With your duties done for the day, so you might as well get some sleep. Your tent on the edge of camp awaits. It's probably for the best, too. You have to wake up early tomorrow to escort the princess anyway.
Sleep doesn't come to you tonight. No matter how much you want it to. It feels like you've been gazing upward forever, looking for answers to a question. One that you may never find. It's frustrating, true but there is little you can do about it.
"Hello?" a soft, feminine voice whispers by the flap of your tent. One you know all too well.
Corrin: your beloved princess.
"I'm entering, okay? Sorry to disturb you at this late hour. I'm just... in need of some company right now."
Here, before your very eyes, with no warning and even less time to prepare, stands your mistress. No armor. No fancy battle attire. Nothing like that. Just a simple, short nightgown of white cotton. She's barefoot, too, the same as always.
It's hard to find the words for this sudden visit. You stumble for many a long minute before finally plucking up some courage.
"How are you feeling, milady?" you ask gently, wanting to be certain the princess is alright.
"I'm not-" Corrin stalls, hiding her face nervously, "I carry a heavy heart tonight, I must confess."
The lovely lady plops down at the edge of your simple mattress bed; twiddling her toes dejectedly. The springs slump slightly under the extra weight. She appears lost in thought. Part of you wants to offer her a gentle word or the comfort: a pat upon her dainty shoulder. You decide against it though.
"Takumi lost a friend in the last battle, one of his retainers," Corrin tells you with a deep, gloomy exhale. "Oboro... she's gone. I looked away for a second. A Nohrian fighter swung his axe and... I couldn't do anything." Corrin looks at you with quivering eyes of silver. "I couldn't think of anyone else to speak with. True, I hardly know you personally... but I get the feeling you always listen when we talk in the mornings..."
If only her ladyship knew the truth. You offer Corrin a hand. She appears surprised for the moment, her brow raised. "Are you sure?" she asks cautiously. "If I'm imposing it is within your right to ask me to leave. I'll not order you around like my brother."
"It's not an issue," you answer kindly. "And besides..." you smile faintly at the thought of Lord Ryoma, "your brother isn't hard on me, all things considered."
Corrin flashes you a look of thanks; knotting her fingers with yours. Shuffling across the bed, she sits beside you.
"Tell me about yourself, won't you?" the princess requests, laying her head against your shoulder. "Anything to take my mind off my feelings."
What is there to tell? Your life is far less flush than hers is. You imagine Lady Corrin spent lived an exceedingly comfortable life eating only the finest of foods. Your family wasn't poor, no. They had just enough money to send you to a swordmaster sensei before you joined the army, but they didn't have land or vast swaths of property.
For better or worse, you'll be honest about your lot in life.
"I suppose the most special person to me was a lass I once cherished: a lady samurai. We seldom speak these days, though she still serves in the army. We used to spend most of our free time together - between our soldiering tasks. We faced everything side by side… as a couple. She was always with me - in love and war."
As plain as your being about everything, Corrin seems thrilled by the conversation.
"Wow... You had the freedom to wander the city as you pleased? Such a simple luxury sounds wonderful."
"Only during our leave together," you explain. "We were stationed at Fort Jinya together."
"Regardless, being able to go where you pleased at times sounds wonderful!" Corrin expresses with starry eyes. "If only I'd been given the freedom to see the world before now. I didn't go anywhere when I was a little girl, you see. Father kept me in a fort near the Nohrian border, so my servants were my only company."
You weren't expecting to hear that, not at all. It makes you feel a tiny bit sad, in fact.
Corrin appears content with her lot regardless. She's not looking anywhere near as withdrawn as she did when entering your tent, either. She giggles, even. "You don't talk much, do you? Well... apart from right now. It's somewhat sweet, really. Mysterious, even."
"Talking has never really been my thing," you tell her with a shy smile. You've dedicated much of your life to combat mastery. "I prove myself with a sword, not through chatter. Such a thing doesn't end wars." Especially since the kingdoms of Nohr and Hoshido won't get around the negotiation table to talk.
Corrin's smile brightens the smallest bit. "Well... You may not talk much, but you're a good listener."
"Thank you, milady. I try." You bow your head gratefully. "And I suppose I could tell you more of myself... If you're interested?"
"I'd like that very much," Corrin says excitedly, squeezing your hand.
"Very well then."
You open up about your feelings regarding the struggles between Nohr and Hoshido. Corrin listens intently to your story. She seems especially enthralled when you tell her of your decision to fight on the frontline when not escorting her - despite the risks. That's when her grip upon your hand tightens further, and your heartbeat quickens.
"Please be careful, won't you?" the princess asks sincerely. "I know you want to be brave and all... but-"
The lady's abrupt silence makes you nervous beyond words. She looks lost in thought.
After a time the princess nods to herself, as though she's decided on something. She locks eyes with you again, her cheeks flushing a darling pink. "If word reached me that you'd died then... it would hurt me to no end," she confesses. "I do so enjoy you greeting me each morning when I rise for the war council. I've become quite accustomed to it. So please, I ask you kindly," Your heart skips a beat as Corrin leans in and loops her arm through yours. "Stay safe."
A request that you'll endeavour yourself to carry out from this day forth. To know that Lady Corrin is concerned for you is something of a gift, though it would be hard to tell her that. "I'll do my best to be careful. That's something I can assure you of."
"I'm glad." Corrin sighs with relief, resting her head of long silky white hair upon your shoulder. "Because... In my short time of knowing you, I've become very fond of your company, as small as it sometimes is. In fact..." Corrin releases you from her gentle grasp and edges back, her breaths hitching nervously. The low light of the moon shines through the opening to your tent, basking the room in a mystical glow. The princess gazes into your soul. Her pinkened cheeks darken to a shade of empowered crimson. "I like you very much..."
Your heart skips a beat. Corrin cups your cheeks and presses her mouth to yours. Seconds pass, and then she leans in and deepens the exchange. You close your eyes as she coils her arms around your middle. She's so very warm, and her rosewood perfume is delightful. Moment by moment you feel yourself falling under her spell. Her taste. Her touch. The sweet scent of her flowing hair. All of these amazing things hold you in a trance.
Corrin parts from you, inching back and breathing shakily. A moment passes. Two. Three. With the sweetest chuckle, she nudges you down to the bed. Holding you against the sheets, the princess presses her two smooth hands against the vest shirt of your nightclothes.
Your face is washed red hot, and your heartbeat is as though a drum within your head.
Again, Corrin joins her lips with yours: this time with passion. Her eyes quiver with emotion when you part from her the second time. "Can I stay here tonight... with you?" she asks. A question both tender and the slightest bit fearful.
Without so much as a thought, you sweep Corrin into your embrace. Holding her against your chest, you tighten your arm around her middle. There's no need for words. The single loving tear in your eye tells her all she needs to know. For the first time in so very long you feel truly special.
"But first..." Corrin utters lovingly, placing a gentle peck against your cheek. "Tell me your name... Weeks by your side and you haven't shared it with me."
If Corrin wishes for your name then you are more than happy to oblige. "Keiji. It's not the fanciest of names, but my mother gave me it, after my uncle."
"Well, Keiji, you'll be happy to know that I quite like it." Corrin inches her face nearer yours. Her breaths tickle your cheek. "Thank you letting me speak with you... I mean it."
"Think nothing of it, you need not thank me." It's your distinct pleasure. Anything to see her smile.
You join your lips with those of the lovely dragoness once again.
Deep down you feel like the luckiest man in the world.
To be continued...
Did you enjoy the chapter? Feel welcome to leave some feedback and share your thoughts.