So in case, you hadn't noticed, I was doing a thing with the chapter titles … yeah, I gave up on that as it was way too hard. If I had more time, I would keep trying the theme with the titles, but maybe I'll try that for another project in the future.

The Princess's Dragon Bride

Chapter 4: Reading Between the Lines

Corrin sat up as she felt a presence in the room. "Good Morning, Corrin"

It was Pyra; despite being in a far-off land, some things just didn't change. Corrin sat up and adjusted her sheets so Pyra could rest the tray on her lap. "Good Morning"

Pyra watched the Princess begin to eat her food before a knowing smirk crossed her face, "so I wasn't able to find you yesterday. Where did you run off to?"

"R-run off?" she tried not to panic. What could she say? she had snuck out of the castle; she knows if Kamek found out, he would lock her in her room without hesitation. "I didn't"

"Don't start," she waved dismissively and smiled, "I won't tell, His Majesty." when she saw her words had no effect, she added, "or Kamek."

"I was," Corrin knew her, and despite how much she trusted Pyra, there was still a chance that she could still get in trouble, "in the garden."

Pyra gave her this look that told her she knew she wasn't sincere, "Alright." then she gave her a smile, "did you have fun?"

"Yes," Corrin couldn't entirely hide her smile, "I had a lot of fun."

The look became a knowing smile, "Well, I'm glad to see you're getting along with the nobility here."

Corrin blushed shyly as memories of yesterday played in her mind over and over. "Yes, it's quite lovely here." she shook her head, realizing that at some point yesterday, Pyra must have been looking for her. "oh, was there a reason you needed me?"

"Oh right," Pyra reached behind her to grab something from the table. "I wanted to show you this." She held out a book with a lovely cover,

"Shulk showed it to me yesterday." the cover image was of a young woman standing underneath a tree on a hill. "it's really quite amazing. I'm always a sucker for these kinds of stories."

"Oh," Corrin tilted her head to the side, "what's it about?"

"Oh well, it's about this boy on a quest to-"

Then there was a knock on the door, drawing both of their attention. it opened not too long after. "Sorry, am I interrupting?" Shulk stood at the door, and he looked worried. "Pyra, I was asked to come get you."

"Oh," she stood from her chair, "did his Majesty need something?"

Shulk let out a long sigh, "Yeah."

"Alright," she turned her attention back to her Princess, she placed the book on the table to her side, "give it a read and tell me what you think later."

"Alright," was all she was able to say as the young woman left the room right behind the other attendant.

Corrin looked down at the elegant script of the title; it was an absolutely breathtaking script. Perhaps too much for her to understand. Nevertheless, she opened the book and, with mounting horror, realized that this wasn't a language she was used to.

She paled but wasn't quite ready to panic. Perhaps there was a translated copy in the castle library. She would have to finish her breakfast, get dressed, and set off to find it. She did know where the library was, after all.

She would have to thank Lucina; the next time she saw her.

Lucina stared a hole into the paper in front of her. A mess of symbols, erratic curves, and slashes holding no meaning, and yet there was a meaning behind them.

Marth looked up from his text to cast a concerned glance at his sister. "Luci," he could practically see the smoke coming from her ears, "are you sure you don't need help?"

With a pained noise, she slammed her face into the papers, "I give up!" she rolled her head to the side and looked up from her spot of agony. "how do you do it?"

"Well, first off." He tried to hide his ever creeping smirk. "You're holding two different subjects." He separated the mess before her into two semi-neat stacks.

"Secondly," he reached forward. Then took the paper out of his sister's hands, rotated it, and handed it back, "you hold it this way."

"Ah," she felt absolutely ridiculous, "it makes a little more sense now." she held back the "thank you" as she was sure it would go to his head.

He gave her a smug look anyways, "This is what you get for not reading through your assignments."

In a moment of pure spite, she stuck her tongue out at him, her pettiness getting the better of her.

He winced, "Oh come now, we're not children."

"Well ..." she leaned back and pretended to be deep in thought. At that, Marth swatted at her, and when she dodged, he returned her petty gesture. "not so mature now, are you."

She tried to hold back a laugh as Marth looked away, his Royal Mask breaking completely, and he refused to meet her gaze. As his facade shattered, leaving behind a flustered young man ashamed for his own behavior.

Then out of the corner of her eye, she noticed a bit of movement amongst the shelves. A familiar shift of silver and dark reds, she couldn't hold back her smile now.

"Corrin!" she waved over the other princess.

"Luci!" there was a bright tone in her voice as she darted off towards her friend. She came to a sudden stop as she recognized the other person at the table. She put on her best smile, "and Prince Marth."

"Oof," Lucina winced at that, "I think she's still mad at you" she elbowed him in the side slightly. Instead of playing along, he decided to bury his nose in his book again. His quill scratching away as if alone. He was choosing to ignore them, rude.

She turned back to her friend and smiled, "So anyway, what brings you here?"

"Right well," Corrin was suddenly shy.

She held out the book her attendant had left her. "Pyra told me that I should read this book, but I'm unable to, as I haven't quite gotten used to your Kingdom's script."

"Hmm, well, I can help you look for it." Lucina stood; her studies could wait; this was her guest.

Bowser let out a slow and malicious growl; he reached out towards the other king. Picked up his piece and moved it. The ale hadn't even gotten to him yet, and yet the board wouldn't lie to him. "Your move."

Chrom took hold of one of the pieces, far too clumsily to be even remotely capable of scheming. He stared at the board momentarily, grumbling something to himself—a voice playing through his memories guiding his placements.

Bowser stared at the board, watching the way Chrom's piece moved as it was as if he was watching a man alternate between master strategist and drunken fool. Then when the final piece hit the board, it took everything in the Koopa to keep from flipping the table. "How are you this drunk and still manage to win!"

Chrom flung himself back into the plush couch, "I was taught by the best." a deep longing surged in his chest, and if he wasn't so drunk on the victory, he would have started to cry.

Corrin made a dejected noise as they regrouped by the tables. Luci didn't need to ask to know her side of the quest had been fruitless. Instead, she turned her pleading gaze towards the blue-haired princess. Luci bit her lip; whatever book Corrin had didn't seem to have a translated copy in their library, but if she was to tell Corrin this, she was sure it would break her heart.

Her silence must have answered Corrin's silent question as she visibly deflated. "Oh, I know" Luci tried to salvage her friend's mood.

Corrin peered back up at her, "Hmmm?"

"I'll read it to you." she had recalled memories of her father doing the same for her and her brother when they were first learning.

"and maybe we can get started on teaching you how to read Ylissian while we're at it."

"Truly?" there was a light that started behind her bright cherry eyes. "I wouldn't want to burden you" her cheeks pinkened at the thought, "I've asked so much of you already."

"Nonsense," Luci smiled back, "it'll be fun" she held out a hand to the other, an offer to guide them towards the plush chairs so they could begin.

"If," Corrin took it, allowing the other princess to lead the way. "if you're sure about it." Lucina only gave her a bright and excited smile as the two made their way back to the sitting area.

Marth must have made a run for it while they searched as the table was empty when they got back. She chose not to bring it up as it was apparent Corrin didn't seem to have the best impression of him. Although, it wasn't as if he was helping his image by giving her the cold shoulder and running off any chance he got.

She chose the largest of the plush chairs as it had been the comfiest. Corrin plopped down beside her, eagerly leaning against her to stare at the book in her hands. Lucina cleared her throat and began to read.

AN/ well, I hope you enjoyed that. Just a quick heads up, I'm going to be gone for a bit, and I don't just mean a week or two, like at least a whole month. With any hope, I'll have the next few chapters done while I'm away … hopefully.

~ S. Rosey (5/21/21)