Again sorry for the long wait. Hopefully, the next few chapters will be easier to work on. Oh, also, I've been thinking of posting another piece for this chapter. Have fun.

The Princess's Dragon Bride

Chapter 13: Steps in Harmony

Lucina watched the retreating flow of her brother's cape. She was absolutely dumbfounded. She knew he would panic to an extent, but she had expected him to hide behind her like he always did. She hadn't expected him to bolt off like that.

"Is he alright?" Pyra asked as Corrin and her group had arrived.

"I'm not sure" Lucina shook her head to focus on the rest of her guests "he just bolted off like that."

"I'll go after him," Rex said quickly and took off shortly after the prince "Marth?"

Pyra and Corrin stared after Rex, "Should we be concerned?"

"I'm… not sure" Lucina shook her head again, her ears picking up how quiet the party had gotten. We probably shouldn't leave the party entirely. She turned around and overlooked the crowd. Especially since neither Dad nor Lord Bowser are here to distract the people.

She took a deep breath and tried to swallow down her growing worry about her brother. "I think Shulk was going to meet up with us; hopefully, he'll bump into him and bring him back" she frowned. If we all leave, someone will notice. She could feel the tension Marth had mentioned now. We can't afford to go after him, not without Dad here.

Lucina made a vague wave to the band, who had momentarily lowered their playing. The musicians renewed their melody lifting the once oppressive air. However, while the chatter had returned, it hadn't resumed full force.

She directed her attention to the two women at her side. Suddenly taking in all of their preparations for the ball. Pyra, as expected, was in a lovely red silk dress, although Lucina hadn't expected such a stunning red gown.

When Lucina turned her attention to Corrin, she had suddenly forgotten how to breathe. She had seen Corrin in red every day; she hadn't been prepared to see her in silk. The way the shimmering fabric had clung to the other princess's figure had short-circuited something in Lucina's brain without question.

Dark reds contrasting sharply against pale skin and hair had been all Lucina knew of Corrin's attire. However, this had somehow tossed everything Lucina could imagine despite changing only the fabric she wore. The part that made Lucina's face burn the hardest was seeing the butterfly hairpin she had gotten Corrin sitting proudly in her hair.

Corrin tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, "Is it too much?"

"What? No," she must have not been focusing. "no, it's," she cleared her throat, "you look nice," was her face burning? In a small voice, she whispered, "very nice."

"You too" Corrin's cheeks were pink too, and despite her racing heart, she tried to shrug it off as Corrin being friendly. "I don't think I've seen you with that outfit before."

"Not much a use for it, really," Lucina sighed, "I uh," she rubbed the back of her neck, "I don't really get to pick my own outfits for big events like this."

Then with a smirk, she added, "but since my dad just dropped this on us so suddenly, we didn't get time to plan it out all that much."

"Well, it looks amazing" Corrin nodded "you never told me you had a suit."

"It was a gift," she smiled as she made a swishing motion with her cape. "My brother has a matching one with the colors inverted."

"Would either of you like a drink?" Lucina motioned towards the tables. The two nodded excitably and followed Lucina. She led them deeper into the party.

The ball had continued with the three of them eating and chatting amongst themselves. It had been enjoyable at first. However, the oppressive air had returned despite the band continuing their hard work. The polite chatter had all but died down entirely to conspiratory whispers.

Corrin lowered the small glass from her lips "something feels off. Are we missing something?"

Pyra tilted her head to one side in contemplation, "I guess for a party, there hasn't been much dancing."

"Wait, is there supposed to be dancing at a ball?" Corrin's eyes widened slightly, and Lucina couldn't help but smile at that.

"Yes," Lucina sighed, her gaze drifting upwards to the second-floor banister. the last place where she had seen her brother. "however, not until after the First dance."

"What's that?"

"The Royal Family has to take the lead; the First Dance is supposed to signal the ball's true beginning" she returned her gaze to her guests "normally Father, and I would have the First Dance"

Pyra's expression softened in worry. "And without Marth, you would need Lord Chrom."

Lucina pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. "And we don't have either of them at the moment."

Pyra stood suddenly. "I'll go find his highness" she turned away from them. "I think I know where to find them," and with that, she briskly walked off.

Lucina cast a glance at Corrin, who stood too "maybe we should go back to the balcony to keep an eye out for Shulk."

Lucina nodded and followed her. Hopefully, he gets back here soon. The crowd is getting impatient.

Joker had been planning on giving the castle another go. His plan had been to outmaneuver the guards and make his way back to the castle's treasury. At least that was until he found out there would be some kind of party. He had overheard something about it in town today, and what kind of thief would he be if he overlooked a fantastic opportunity.

He decided to stick to the other side of the castle and sneak into one of the enormous windows. He leaped inside and was about to walk out of the room when he heard a loud crash.

He turned suddenly and saw a shattered table just outside the shadows where he had been hiding.

A tall blue-haired man was at his feet, blade in hand, staring at the remains of the table from over his shoulder. judging by his outfit, he must have been someone of high status. "Can you try and not break things"

There was a burst of loud and booming laughter before a beast on the other side of the room scoffed, with the biggest grin, said, "Nah."

Joker weighed his options. He could fight them. No. He could sneak by both of them to get to the door. On any other day, he would have tried, but today he had been exhausted from work and was hoping for an easy heist.

He took a silent breath and climbed out the window. I don't have the energy for this.

I'm going to bed. He'd be back tomorrow.

Chrom took a large swig of his drink as Bowser downed another bottle. Both intensely hiding away in Chrom's study. The plan was to arrive fashionably late. With hope, Marth would offer Corrin the First Dance. He knew this was a cruel underhanded trick.

Marth was far smarter than Chrom was at his age. He saw right through any subtlety he or Bowser had started. Maybe they would grow as friends. Perhaps their marriage would have some sense of love in it.

Chrom downed the rest of his goblet. He really was turning into his father. If Marth didn't detest him, then Chrom would do it for the both of them.

Then there was a knock on the door. Catching the attention of both kings, and while he was sure he had locked it beforehand, it opened regardless.

Pyra sprinted into the room to find both kings lounging and drinking as they tended to do. The only difference was that they were dressed up. Chrom wore a fancy suit and furred cape not too different from his usual furred robes. On the other hand, Bowser was dressed in a stunning white suit; one could have assumed he would be off to a wedding soon. How appropriate. "Pyra?"

"The crowd is getting restless, your highnesses" she bowed despite no doubt being either mat or tired. "We still have yet to have the First Dance."

The First Dance hadn't started yet. The party would typically be in full swing at this time.

Chrom paled, "Oh no."

Bowser raised an eyebrow as Chrom bolted up suddenly. He hadn't known the plan. Of course, this would happen. He was no master strategist; he hadn't thought of the most likely outcome. He had messed up; he'd have to take this loss.

"What is she going on about?" Bowser stood up at a far more leisurely pace.

Chrom swallowed his pride, no harm in a failed plan gone unnoticed, "we lost track of time."

Corrin and Lucina waited at the banister, but as the tensions grew neither, Shulk nor Pyra had returned. Corrin was beginning to worry when she noticed Lucina take a deep breath, "We can't afford to wait any longer."

Corrin was about to ask what she meant when Lucina gathered her long hair. Through some trickery that she didn't understand, the Ylissean managed to tie her hair. She then tucked the long ponytail into her coat.

Had Corrin not been speaking to her but a moment ago, Corrin would have thought she had cut it before arriving. If Corrin squinted, she could almost imagine Marth in her place. The two were twins, after all. Then with her cheeks pinkened, Lucina turned to Corrin.

Lucina cleared her throat, and it could be heard through the room's ever-growing silence. The band turned their attention to the blue-haired royal twin. The other princess then made another signal; this time, It felt as if the room was holding its breath. Lucina held her hand out to her as she made a slight bow.

Corrin's eyes widened as she realized the other princess's plan. Her heart began to beat a little quicker as she took her hand. Lucina guided them to the dancefloor, and while once passing through had been a hassle. Now the guest made way for them, and if Corrin focused on only Lucina, she could almost forget the other partygoers.

They took the center of the dancefloor with one of Lucina's hands on her waist and the other holding her hand gently. Corrin rested her free hand on Lucina's shoulder. She found it challenging to focus on anything but the other princess.

Then as the music started, Lucina gently pulled her close, and Corrin was sure the whole world could hear her heartbeat as Lucina began to lead.

It was as if she was in a dream, Lucina holding her as the two swayed across the dance floor. Corrin couldn't hold back a laugh as they stepped away from each other, so Lucina could spin her before pulling her close again and holding her to her chest.

She was sure of it now; Lucina had pulled her under her spell without even realizing it. If there was ever a soul she could trust, it would be the Princess of Ylisse. I never want this to end.

Shulk and Rex sat in the silence for a while, listening to the softened music coming from the ballroom. Before Marth peeked up from his spot again, he looked a bit more composed, but his mask was still cracked. "I'll be fine," he tried to steady his voice, but Shulk could still hear it's trembling."you two should go back."

"You're daft," Rex crossed his arms. "we're not leaving you like this."

"I'll be okay," Marth tried to fain a smile, but it fooled no one.

Shulk knew what the prince was doing. He was no doubt feeling guilty. He knew pressing Marth like Rex was would only lead to more anxiety on the prince's part.

He looked around the room, hoping for something, anything really. When he noticed a dusty chessboard sitting atop one of the crowded tables.

He stood and could feel practically hear Rex's jaw drop in disbelief as he walked away from the two. He could almost see the other boy open his mouth in protest.

He carefully picked up the old chest set, inspecting it for missing pieces. Thankfully it was all intact, if not a little dusty. "It's a shame, don't you think."

He carried it over to where the young prince was curled up. "Such lovely craftsmanship left abandoned like this" he sat it down for Marth to inspect.

The pieces were, indeed, lovingly crafted, little pegasi for the blue side and tiny wyverns for the purple pieces: small bishops and dark mages for their corresponding sides. Marth seemed to think it was fascinating too. As he almost instinctively began setting up the board.

"What do you say?" he turned the board so that Marth could stare down at his soldiers. "A quick game"

Marth gave Shulk this sorrowful yet thankful smile before giving one quick nod.

This hadn't been the prince's first panic attack; thankfully, Shulk was better prepared for them now. He only smiled as Rex took a spot beside the board to watch intensely.

Lucina pulled Corrin again as another dance came to a close. The party was now in full swing. Still, all Lucina could think about was Corrin's smiling face. Her cheeks a lovely rose, she couldn't help but notice the desperate rise and fall of her chest. "tired?"

Corrin shyly nodded; it was clear she didn't want to stop dancing. "Let's get something to drink, and then we'll come back, okay."

Corrin squeezed her hand gently in approval. "Alright, let's go."

As the two of them took their seats and caught their breaths. Then there was some commotion at the back of the party. Lucina could make out the shape of King Bowser. The kings had arrived a little too late, she smiled to herself.

After a moment, Corrin tugged on her sleeve, and Lucina couldn't help but smile. "Alright, let's go."

Lucina pulled Corrin close to her as they started another dance. Corrin's bright rubies managed to keep her attention the whole night. She's breathtaking in every possible way. There was a tight squeeze in her chest. I would do anything to keep her smiling like this.

AN/ so this chapter has been another one of those repeating images that have been running through my head. Also, initially, we weren't supposed to see Joker for another few chapters. At least until a friend reminded me that he would have been a little more persistent.

~ (1/31/22)