Ugh, I know it's been a while, but needless to say, I threw my sleeping schedule out of whack one night after working on a different fic. As a result, my brain has been working painfully slow, and I've been sleeping a lot more too. Don't worry, though; I'll try to get back on it soon.

The Princess's Dragon Bride

Chapter 8: Graceful Radiance

Corrin's eyes sparkled as she darted down the bustling streets. The initial fear that arose when her father's fleet arrived had finally died down, and thus the town was just as lively as it used to be, perhaps even more so. The smell of freshly baked bread drew her attention away from the vendors of north Ylisstol and more towards the central market.

"Slow down a bit," she heard a call from behind her.

Corrin stopped and turned to see Lucina awkwardly squeezing her way through a crowd. How Corrin had gotten through that without noticing, she would never know.

"Sorry," Corrin fiddled with a strand of her hair shyly, "I just smelled something delicious, and I ..." She didn't want to continue that thought. She had to control her excitement.

"Say no more," Lucina caught up to her, a playful smile on her face. "I just didn't want to lose you in that crowd" she glanced at the mob she had just escaped.

Corrin didn't want to cause her any trouble and knew if she got lost, the other princess would spend the rest of the day looking for her. Neither of them wanted to go back to the castle without the other.

"Well, come on" Lucina took her hand, and with one of the most charming smiles Corrin had ever seen her make, she said, "before they run out."

Corrin's heart raced as Lucina cradled her hand in her own. There was something about the other princess that Corrin never tired of; her strength, charm, and kindness. It was all so refreshing.

The months she had stayed here were always so enjoyable, and the idea of ever leaving was beginning to creep into the corners of her mind. Ever since she had arrived, her days have been spent in the company of either Pyra or Lucina. She was never alone. Her restless nights had been few and far between. Lucina was some of the best company she had had in years.

The moment lasted until they reached a building, but Corrin had to struggle to regain her composure.

When she finally came to her senses, she noticed the small but lively restaurant Lucina had led them to. The smell from the food wafted out from the kitchens was almost hypnotizing.

"Oh, Princess Lucina," called the woman at the counter. She grinned widely as the two princesses approached "what can I get for you and your friend?"

"Two specials, please" Luci gave her a warm smile and placed a bag of gold on the table "oh, and some tea?"

"Coming right up," the woman beamed and made a motion, promoting them further inside the building, "go ahead and find a spot."

Corrin followed Luci to a small table in the corner of the building by a large window. Corrin plopped herself down after Lucina took her own seat.

"Do you come here often?"

"Well... I've made it a habit of coming here whenever I'm in town."

The two sat there in comfortable silence; Lucina didn't seem to say much, and Corrin couldn't quite pry her mind to anything aside from the image before her. The way the light seeped through the windows gave Lucina a faint radiance. What drew Corrin's attention the most was Lucina's eyes. While one was a deep blue, the other seemed to give off a soft glow of its own.

Corrin wasn't sure how long the two of them had just been sitting there, but what she did know was that a waitress was calling out to them. This managed to snap them both out of their comfortable silence.

"Here you go" the young waitress placed two warm cups of tea down before turning to gather the dishes from another table.

"Thank you" Luci smiled back at the young serving girl.

The girl's face turned a deep red as she stumbled to carry the platters off. She must have been incredibly distracted as she managed to trip over her own two feet. Then suddenly, the stack of plates was airborne.

If Corrin hadn't been paying attention, she would have assumed it was magic of some kind.

Lucina had managed to dive out of her chair and catch the falling dishes before they had a chance to properly rattle.

"Are you all right?" Lucina placed the stack back on the table before helping the waitress to her feet.

"Oh, me, right," the girl stammered out "yes, thank you."

She got back to work and, this time, was very careful in her quickened attempt at hiding her blushing face from the blue-haired princess.

As the two of them began to enjoy their tea, Corrin's sharp ears started to pick up giggling from a group of whispering girls from somewhere in the restaurant. Corrin couldn't help but smile a bit at the subject of conversation.

Princess Lucina was indeed very much charming, gallant, and dashing.

Chrom ran a hand over his head, checking frantically to see if whatever had happened earlier this morning had faded as Bowser said it would. He wasn't sure why he had made the mistake of playing that game with the other king. He prayed to Naga that he was back to his normal size and everything was the way it should be. No tails, no ears, nothing was out of the ordinary.

He wasn't sure why he had dragged himself over to the library. Although part of his mind reminded him of better days. Back when he would find someone waiting in the library, ready and eager to speak with him whenever his mind was foggy and tangled up as it was now.

The sound of pages being flipped through rapidly sent his heart skittering as memories threatened to break free from the corners of his mind.

He shook his head and approached the sound only to find his son flipping through some lengthy tomes and moving pieces around on a chessboard.

"Marth?" he called, catching the attention of the young prince.

"Oh hey, dad," Marth righted himself and lowered the heavy strategy book, "aren't you and King Koopa supposed to be at some fancy discussion?"

"Er, yes, well," he wasn't sure if he wanted to talk about the incredibly awkward way the drinking game had ended. "What are you doing here by yourself?"

"I asked first."

"We concluded today's meeting early on some ..." the image of the other king's condition surfaced to the forefront of his mind. He wasn't about to explain that to his son. "concerning circumstances."

Marth began to inspect one of the pieces he'd captured. "And those beings?"

Nope, he wasn't about to damage the powerful image both kings had in his son's mind. "I already answered your question."

Marth let out an exhausted sigh. "I'm," he slumped slightly, "trying to understand some of these old strategy plays." Ever so studious the Ylissean prince was.

A nagging feeling pulled at his chest as the words came out of his mouth. By the will of a long-dead habit that had somehow reignited itself, "Do you always lock yourself away like this?" Chrom pushed those thoughts aside "aren't you supposed to be working on your sword technique?"

"I can't find Lucina," Marth began to fiddle with the captured peace again. "She's probably off napping somewhere" he could tell his son was both mildly annoyed and relieved somehow.

Chrom looked down at the board. While he wouldn't say he was a good strategist by any means, he was more than willing to help pull his son out of whatever was on his mind. "How about a game?"

Marth gave a slight nod as Chrom took his seat opposite of his son. The prince set up the board rather quickly. The game began with not much idle chatter, although Chrom could tell Marth was, as he had thought, far more distracted than usual.

"Marth?" he ventured as he made a risky move forward, noting if Marth took the bait, he was indeed not fully paying attention. The prince played right into the obvious trap, and so Chrom pressed further, "Is everything alright?"

Another risky and otherwise newbie mistake was made on the prince's part. "What do you mean?"

Chrom sighed and took one of Marth's more vital pieces. "You've been more reserved than usual" he wasn't going to straight-up admit his son was losing his edge. "this isn't like you."

Marth lowered his gaze "Father," there was a long pause before temporary courage filled the corners of his son's eyes "what are you and Bowser planning?"

"Pardon?"

"Come on," he started grumbling now, "everyone knows there is only one reason a King would bring his young daughter to a foreign land." Ah, so that's what had been nagging him. "You're planning an engagement" that last part was said less like a question and more as a direct call out.

"Marth," while yes, those had been Bowser's intentions, Chrom had done everything in his power to try and keep the other king's mind occupied. He wasn't his father; he wouldn't do this to his own son.

It was clear his son was starting to panic as if Chrom's little response had confirmed his suspicions. "I knew this day would come, but I was just hoping I'd be a little more prepared for this."

He swallowed down the awkward lump in his throat. "I'm not forcing your hand, son."

"Not now" there was a frantic look in his eyes. but everything else about him seemed defeated, "but in time, I'm sure."

"Marth"

"I'm not ready for this," the prince rested his forehead on his palm, a tired and melancholic look in his eyes. "I know it was written that The Hero King was betrothed at a far younger age than I am now, but I just," in what sounded like an almost desperate plea. "I'm just-" it was evident his son was struggling to continue that thought.

"Marth, please," he reached out, placing a hand on his son's shoulder. He would have settled on a different name if he knew that naming his son after the Hero King would bring him such distress. His son was his own man, despite his name. He wished he knew a way to make this right. "you'll have time. We're in no rush."

This was true of everything involving his children. He would never forgive himself if he forced the crown on either of them. Marth must be rushing himself to be prepared for anything to come, and if Chrom had any say in the matter, Marth's preparations would be only that.

Corrin walked alongside Lucina through the town square. When she noticed a group of children gathered around a young man with blueish-green hair. He seemed to be going over something on the board. Letters she faintly recognized. So it seemed this man was a teacher of sorts, perhaps she should ask Lucina if they could stay and listen for a while. When she peeked over at Luci to hope to ask, the Princess was already watching and smiled upon meeting Corrin's eye. "Would you like to stop by?"

She nodded eagerly, and the two made their way and watched from a close enough distance to hear what the instructor and his students were saying. It seemed to be some kind of call and response. He would read a sentence, and the children would repeat after him. He would make a motion to a random student who would read, all be it shakily, the sentence that followed.

The instructor, at one point, noticed the youngsters' growing exhaustion and allowed them a moment to gather their energy and reconvene in a few minutes. Most of the children leaped up from their chairs in that instant and ran off in the direction of a small open area by the nearby fountain.

Corrin wondered if she should come and attend these kinds of gatherings to help improve her reading and understanding of the kingdom's script. Although the faint image of her sitting beside Lucina as the two of them read together seemed far more appealing.

"Princess Lucina!" a childish voice called out, and the two princesses turned to see a group of youngsters gather around them with armfuls of wildflowers.

"Oh my, how lovely," Corrin cheered at the varied array of colors held together by a tiny mob of sparkly-eyed children.

Lucina knelt down and smiled appreciatively "thank you." The kids took their turn, handing Lucina as much as she could carry.

"Are you a princess too?" one of the little girls called, tugging on Corrin's dress.

"Yes, I am," she knelt down too, "I'm Corrin of the Koopa Kingdom."

"Are you and Lucina friends?" she nodded eagerly to the awe of so many wide and cheerful eyes. To that, she too started receiving bouquets of flowers.

Corrin couldn't help but smile, and so she sat down beside the fountain and began to weave the flowers together, catching the attention of some of the young girls.

Lucina smiled as some of the boys tried to challenge her to small duels, and while she was on a winning streak, her mind was focused elsewhere.

She watched every now and then as Corrin and the children weaved flowers together into little wreaths of color. Some of the girls giggled upon being given their own little crowns. While Corrin worked on making little festoons for the children, it seemed the girls were working together to create- a lovely and colorful garland for Corrin herself. They even presented it to her once the last girl received her own.

Lucina wasn't sure how long this had taken. It must have been a while as eventually another man, this one tall with spiky blonde hair, came by and called the kids back to class, as they had kept their teacher waiting.

Lucina watched him lead the children and bring them back to where their professor had started preparing for their return.

When she turned her attention back to Corrin, the other princess was still weaving the remainder of the flowers together in a lovely display of colors.

"What are you working on now?" She took the seat beside her friend now that it was just the two of them.

"I'm almost done" after weaving the last flower into place, Corrin turned to her companion and held out another lovely and elaborate crown, "here."

"Corrin?" Luci's eyes widened at its beauty. "you didn't have to."

Corrin leaned close and sat the crown atop the Ylissean's head. She lingered there for a moment before shyly retreating. "I mean, they were your flowers."

Lucina reached up and lightly brushed a petal with the tips of her fingers. "It's lovely, Corrin, thank you" she didn't have to see it to know that to be true. She couldn't quite pull her gaze away from Corrin at that moment. The way the vast array of colors stuck out so sharply amongst her long silver hair was breathtaking.

The two sat by the fountain as Corrin weaved the remaining flowers into a necklace or perhaps another crown. Until finally, Lucina's curiosity got the better of her. "Where did you learn how to do that?"

Corrin didn't look up from her work, but Lucina could hear the smile in her voice. "Pyra showed me when I was very young" then the smile was gone, replaced with a soft, almost sad tone. "I've had a lot of practice."

The silence stretched on as Corrin worked, and Lucina watched her. The bubbling in her chest had been steadily growing until it finally spilled out of her. "I envy you."

That got Corrin's attention. "Huh?"

"You're so graceful," it continued to flow out of her without restraint. "I've always been a little awkward when that happens."

The other princess only tilted her head to the side, causing her long silvery hair to sway slightly.

"The children, I mean," she continued, "this isn't the first time they've caught me passing through the city." Her mind had cut through her chest's insane ramblings at that moment. "In fact, I'm a little surprised that we've never run into them before now."

Corrin gifted her another radiant smile that started the bubbling feeling all over again. "You seemed to know what you were doing back there."

"Not really" this was the first time she really felt awkward around Corrin. "I just tried doing what Marth always does."

"And you envy" Corrin still looked slightly confused if not a bit incredulous "me?"

"I do" she looked away from Corrin and took note of the darkening sky. "I can handle myself in a fight, so sparring with the kids was nothing new but ..." being graceful was always something she struggled with. At least being graceful in the dainty princess way and not the master of many forms of combat way.

She stood and held out her hand for Corrin to follow; they should be heading home. Corrin took it and pulled herself up. She scooped up the flower garland and waited for Luci to start the trek home.

Corrin cut through the silence of their walk through the forest. "Don't cut yourself short."

"Hmm?"

"You have far more presence than you give yourself credit for" presence wasn't really what Luci had expected would be her strong suit.

"I've been keeping my ears open" Corrin peeked at her from the corner of her eye. A cheeky smile replacing her usual soft one, although Lucina wasn't about to complain. "you've got everyone under your spell."

"Corrin, you know I'm bad at magic."

Corrin stopped and faced her. Her cheeks puffed out slightly in her best attempt at a pout. "You have your appeal, is what I meant" Her cheeks pinkened as she looked away, "you're so ..."

Neither of them knew what to say then, and so they fell into another awkward stillness, and so they continued their walk.

The two continued until they reached the gazebo. "I think my dad would like you," is how Corrin chose to break the silence again, "someone with your strength and skill."

Corrin was trying so hard, "Thank you, Corrin," she couldn't help but smile at her friend. "Your words mean a lot."

AN/ UGH, that scene with Chrom took me WAY too long. Fun fact: initially, I meant to be a funny little moment where Chrom and Bowser play a drinking game in which a lucky block would be used, granting them all kinds of power-ups. I cut it because I realized I wasn't funny and because I wanted to slowly start nudging Chrom's personal arch along, so … sorry.

~ (9/19/2021)