"That bad, huh?" Laslow leaned back in his chair outside a small diner as he met with his contact. Or rather, the intermediary for his contact.

"I'm afraid so," The mage adjusted his glasses, "Bart as he's taken to calling himself, said, and I quote, 'Some dame has the royals wrapped around her little finger.' We are looking into her past, but so far we have little to show for it. All we know is that she is an outsider who quickly worked her way up with her impressive strategic acumen."

"Sounds kinda familiar," Laslow deadpanned, "This isn't good. If they keep this up, there will be war. It's just a matter of what will finally set them off."

"I am well aware," The mage closed his eyes, "But remember, stopping the war is not our primary goal."

"No, but you gotta admit that it certainly wouldn't hurt."

"Perhaps, but the tensions were boiling under the surface long before we arrived. It would be-"

"Get down!" Laslow whisper yelled as he pulled the redhead under the table.

"Are we under attack?" He reached for his tome.

"Worse. Look."

Following Laslow's gaze, the mage was quickly able to deduce the cause of his turmoil, "How are they here?"

"I don't know, but let's not find out."

"Indeed. You have a cover to uphold after all. Very well, we'll have to just sneak around them."

"Easier said than done…" Laslow muttered as his true liege and her husband sat down across the street for lunch.

"Ngh," The drowsy princess rubbed her eyes, "What is it?"

"Your siblings are due to arrive any minute now, and you're still in bed," The butler informed her as the maids poured her tea and opened the curtains. Not that the latter did much in this perpetually gloomy climate. "That is 'what is up.'"

"Wait," The princess shot up in her bed, "That's today?"

The twin maids nodded and the princess hurriedly jumped out of bed, "Oh, I overslept! Xander and I were supposed to spar. He's going to be so disappointed if I'm late."

"Yes, well," The blue haired maid cleared her throat, "That's no reason to pull a lord Leo and go with your clothes on backwards. They won't be here for a few hours yet."

"Oh," She stopped and offered a sheepish smile, "Whoops."

"'Whoops,' indeed," The butler began making her bed, "Gunter would still like to see you beforehand, so let's not dilly dally, hmm?"

"Don't mind Jakob, Lady Corrin," Felicia nodded after nearly dropping a plate, "I'm sure today will be the day you finally beat lord Xander."

"I don't know about that, but I would like to finally see the capital soon."

"To that end, I shall prepare your morning meal," Jakob bowed, "I trust you will make sure the princess is on time, yes?"

"Of course," The more collected maid nodded.

"Very well. I will see you at breakfast, Lady Corrin," The butler left the room providing a curt, and to the untrained ear, dismissive, "Flora. Felicia."

"I don't know what you see in him," Felicia sighed as they got to work picking out Corrin's clothes for the day.

"He is a respectable butler and not nearly as bad as you think," Flora replied as she helped with Corrin's hair.

"Oh, don't pretend it's just professional respect."

"I, uh…"

"Flora?" Corrin moved her head to peek at her maid as she stopped brushing, "You and Jakob? Congratulations!"

"It's not like that," Flora blushed profusely.

"That's just because you don't put yourself out there. I bet if he knew he'd jump at the chance!"

"I don't know about that…"

"Might as well try!" Corrin jumped up, "Let's go tell him now!"

"W-what?" Flora blanched as Corrin darted out the door, "L-lady Corrin! Wait!"

After nearly giving her maid a heart attack, Corrin was talked into not doing that. Her brief pouting fit was cut short though by the sound of a trumpet heralding the arrival of her siblings which had her practically vibrating with excitement in the main hall.

The door had barely opened before a short blonde ran for her and tackled her into a hug.

"Corrin! I'm so happy to see you!"

The princess laughed as she set her sister down, "Me too, Elise. It feels like it's been ages since your last visit."

"We would have come sooner, but life has been hectic these past few months," A different blonde answered, "Though that's no excuse for such a childish display."

"Oh, hush, Leo," Their older sister smacked him lightly on the top of the head, "I think we could all use a good hug."

"Later, Camilla," Xander walked up to Corrin, stern-faced as usual before breaking out into a smile, "It is good to see you though."

"Likewise," Corrin beamed.

"So, are you ready for our duel? It is the official reason for our visit."

Corrin steeled herself, "I'm ready to earn my freedom."

"Excellent," Xander smiled, "Well, then, come, Little Princess, let us see if that resolve holds true in combat."

Corrin slid backwards from the sheer force of Xander's swing. How he could so nonchalantly push her back like that, she had no idea. Still, she could not give up. This was her freedom on the line. She would just have to get creative.

"Come now, Little Princess," Xander had not so much as broken a sweat, "It will take more than that to survive in combat." The breeze at the top of the spire had both of their capes billowing in the wind as Corrin tried to find some way to best her brother. He was a titan though. What could she possibly do to best him?

Looking around, she was at a loss for what to do. Backed up against the ramparts, she looked down at the considerable distance below. However, something caught her eye. Looking over to Xander with determination in her eyes, the princess charged.

Xander readied himself and prepared to parry her blade, but the strike never came. Instead, Corrin ran around him and, to his surprise and horror, vaulted herself off the side of the fortress tower.

As he went to peer over the ledge, Corrin vaulted back over the side using a pole displaying one of their banners. Using the element of surprise, she managed to land behind Xander on his own horse with her sword to his back.

Surprised, but nonetheless impressed, Xander smiled, "I yield."

"Really?" Corrin's eyes widened as she hugged him from behind, "Finally!"

"Impressive ingenuity," Leo congratulated as her siblings approached from the sidelines where they had been able to at least see Corrin go for the flagpole, "But I must ask, what was your plan if you fell?"

"I wasn't worried!" Corrin beamed, "I knew Camilla would come rescue me."

"I appreciate the confidence you have in me, dear, but please avoid such recklessness in the future."

"Besides," Leo interjected, "Elise with a rescue staff would have been far more effective. If she had one."

"You bet I would be," Elise puffed up, "I'll have to get one of those."

"Questionable tactics aside, Corrin won," Xander smiled, "That's exactly the kind of dedication Father was hoping to see. I'm sure he'll be pleased."

"Does that mean…"

"Yes," The crown prince nodded, "Pack your things. You'll be joining us in Windmire."

The halls of Hoshido's Imperial Palace were usually quite calm. The only usual exception to this rule was the royal training grounds where the royal siblings could often be found honing their skills. To this end, the guards were also usually used to seeing the royals at their least composed.

Today was no exception to this exceptional place. The youngest Hoshidan son had a tendency to go all out in his training. It was no wonder why, but most knew to keep their distance while he was engrossed in his training as he lacked the fine control of Ryoma, but did not lack for reflexes.

"At ease," A calm voice told the guards as they saluted. Prince Takumi, however, was not one to fear his brother. In fact, he smirked as he tore the training dummy to shreds. The younger prince practiced with Ryoma, but the way of the samurai did not fit him as well. He had formed his own style that to most people looked quite animalistic. There was a method to the madness though.

"I think you could really use a better opponent," Takumi smirked against the wall as his brother did not stop to address him.

"There aren't many. Most of the guards are no match for me."

"But you still can't beat Ryoma." His brother gave him an annoyed glare forcing Takumi to chuckle, "What about that new retainer you got. She humiliated you."

"She didn't humiliate me," The younger brother did stop that time, "It was a draw."

"Yeah, but, come on, she had not even broken a sweat, unlike that sickly looking guy. Now, he humiliated you by sheer virtue of winning."

"They're strong, and that's what matters," He stepped towards his brother, "But they're out for now. Caeda is on leave, and Bart is running errands."

"Fair enough, I'd offer a spar, but I know better than fighting up close with you."

"Heh," The younger prince smirked, "Just like I wouldn't dare challenge you to an archery competition."

"We have different strengths, that's for sure."

"Don't be modest. You're the best shot in Hoshido, and I'm sure you're better than anything Nohr has. Perhaps that's why Fujin Yumi picked you as its wielder,"

"Hey, don't feel bad," Takumi pushed off the wall and put a hand on his brother's shoulder, "There are only so many of these things to go around."

"Right. I just think a legendary weapon could help me get her back."

"You may not have a legendary weapon, but you have us."

"Thanks, Takumi."

"Don't mention it. Now, Mother wants to see us about the upcoming festival."

"Right, it's close. I had entirely forgotten."

"That's because you get so wrapped up in your training, Kamui. Now, let's go."

"The local cuisine is definitely unique," Robin set the fork down, making sure to look directly at Lucina and indirectly to the side, "A bit too much garlic, but filling."

"Really? Seems fine to me."

"I guess anything would after what you've been through. Sorry, guess I should be more considerate with my food critiques."

"No," Lucina gently dabbed her lips with a handkerchief reminding Robin she was still of noble blood despite her hardships, "It's fine. I have not been a hungred for some time."

"Well, now that lunch is over, what say you we end this charade?"

"Yes," Lucina nodded and stood, having noticed his focus on the restaurant across the street, "Let's."

Likewise, Robin casually rose from the table and almost casually walked across the street. Once close enough, he used his little telekinetic trick to levitate one of the tables, revealing two men hiding underneath. Robin raised a brow at seeing the two.

Their cover blown, the two made to run, but they did not get far since Lucina had flanked them. Seeing them, she was shocked initially, but that wore off quickly as she folded her arms.

"Inigo. Laurent. Explain."

A/N: So, as you can see, I made some changes. Outside of the obvious, I also decided it wasn't really that feasible to make it literally nighttime all but one day a year in Nohr, so instead I settled on making it really gloomy weather for the most part. Pretty much stereotypical Britain as far as weather is concerned.

Food also took a bit of inspiration from European peasant fair with the garlic being a reference to that. If you don't know what I'm talking about, look it up. Garlic was apparently a big peasant spice.

For the more obvious, you probably saw it coming, but, yeah, the others tagged along here. I originally had Inigo/Laslow name drop Cynthia in the prologue. As for where they all are, well, most of them are revealed soon. With two main exceptions.

And for Fanfiction specifically, no, I'm not looking for someone to commission art from, please stop asking. Not that it'll help.