Being retainer of the Crown Prince of Hoshido was a tough job as retainers were expected to follow orders until their death without so much as a mutter of grief. In spite of all her experience protecting Lord Ryoma Kagero always became slightly nervous when her charge asked her to start a pre-sunrise meeting without his other retainer, Saizo, present.

"Kagero, I have a request" Lord Ryoma dictated oblivious to his retainer's whirring mind.

"Yes milord?" Kagero replied automatically.

"I wish for you to keep watch over Corrin. My...our little brother has just come back into our lives and I do not wish him to be taken again so easily."

Before she could respond Ryoma, seemingly having a mind reading tome answered as many of her questions as he could in one long breath. "Do not fret for my safety Kagero, this assignment is not because you are failing in guarding me, rather I trust you more than Saizo in your ability to keep my younger brother safe. I asked Corrin earlier if he would mind Kaze, the ninja he rescued from King Garon, protecting me in your place for an indefinite period and he agreed. Besides that, Kaze is Saizo's kin and although he would not admit joy at his brother's safety to me I have no doubt I will still be in capable hands. This decision was made without your personal history being overwhelmingly considered"

Kagero nodded not wanting devote a second of thought to her illfated decision to date Saizo those many moons ago only offering an absentminded "I will execute your wishes milord".

That conversation had been shortly after Lady Mikoto's assassination. Kagero recounted these details to herself every morning. At first she had done so to prevent her instincts to go check Ryoma's tent on the astral plane but now she did it for an entirely different reason. Over the hellish months of the war in addition to seeing the depths of Nohrian cruelty, Kagero had gone from seeing Corrin as some sort of punishment duty to seeing him as a friend to...Kagero took a sharp breath, feeling her cheeks get colorful. This wasn't supposed to happen, this was a cruel trick of the gods. Kagero had grown to accept being friends with one's charge was perfectly acceptable, in fact through watching Corrin she had actually grown closer with Ryoma and had come to value the trust he placed in her with this assignment, but this was different than how Sakura was with Subaki and Hana or Hinoka with that useless clown Azama or the ditzy Setsuna.

This feeling was forbidden and in spite of wanting her dear friend Orochi to be wrong in her tarot readings Kagero knew she was right in the same way a ninja knows the difference between being seen and being heard. She desired her liege and it potentially threatened her livelihood as a royal retainer, the faith Ryoma had in her, the honor of her memory of Lady Mikoto and hardest of all to stomach, her friendship with the white haired prince, who was dreaming about better things in the bed only a few feet from her cot inside of a quaint treehouse on the Astral Plane. It had been Ryoma's suggestion which both Corrin and Kagero went along with to have her live with him, although Kagero bemoaned not so purely, that it would expedite her mission simply to share a bed. Her cheeks grew more flushed at the thought of snuggling up to Corrin. Breathing his scent, having him finally see her without her scarf, in only a thin nightgown before taking the straps down...Kagero snapped out of her fantasy before it got more heated. Aside from the moral reprehensibility of desiring Corrin it was logistically impossible for her to enjoy her fantasies, lest she make a noise to disturb his sleep. "He's never seen me wearing less than my full body armor and I cannot sacrifice my mission for such desires" Kagero told herself quietly. She didn't sleep in her armor, the nightgown of her carnal fantasies was very much being worn, she just took care to change before he woke up. Whilst she was doing this she recalled the next few days were scheduled rest days and that everyone would be left to their own devices which meant Corrin would sleep in for another hour or so. She smiled and, putting use to her years of training, pushed her desire for Corrin to the back of her mind and set about making some tea for her, and her still sleeping charge.

To her surprise Corrin woke up a few moments after the tea was finished brewing and Kagero had transferred it to a pot.

"Good morning Kagero." Corrin yawned out in a manner far too disarming for the ninja's liking.

"Whatcha cooking?"

"Salutations Lord Corrin. I've taken the liberty to prepare you some mint tea." Kagero replied ever formally, earning an amused groan from the prince.

"Kagero we're friends. You don't have to use bullshit titles, call me Corrin." Corrin answered, a small smile betraying the playfulness of this routine.

"Today is an off day, in order to keep my reflexes sharp I shall be training..." Kagero trailed off upon seeing Corrin's disappointment. "What troubles you milord?"

Seeing no point in lying Corrin replied "I was hoping to play chess with you this evening, Silas carved me a set."

"Are you ordering me to do this?". Kagero regretted asking nearly immediately seeing a mix of hurt and annoyance briefly cross Corrin's normally smiling face.

"Not at all." Corrin deadpanned.

"I see" Kagero whispered suddenly feeling meek.

"I offered to gather ingredients for dinner tonight, so there's still time for you to train. Of course if you'd rather hone your skills through the night per usual I totally understand that." Corrin offered, failing miserably to keep the disappointment out of his tone.

"I shall be there Lord Corrin. After all, there is a point to resting" Kagero answered.

"Great! I'll see you then. Ill see you around sundown. After I help Ryoma I have to go into town for a couple supplies." Corrin hastily replied, cleaning his tea mug before disappearing behind his changing station.

"That gives me about seven hours to train assuming we both bathe. Yes that should work." Kagero replied before bowing and heading out to the training grounds to meet with Saizo, Kaze, and presumably Lord Takumi, as well as his retainers Oboro and Hinata.

Kagero, stepped out, nodding as she passed Lady Sakura and her retainers Hana and Subaki, who seemed to be showing the youngest of the Hoshidan royalty the finer points of fishing with Subaki managing to catch a beautiful salmon which Hana began to filet for lunch. Overhead the eldest princess Hinoka could be seen practicing aerial combat with the Reina, their steeds fluttering in the morning air.

The training session progressed as well as it could on a rest day after a grueling battle. Saizo and Kaze turned their shurikens towards cutting apples out of the trees for the pegasi with Oboro practicing her agility by attempting to catch them before they hit the ground. Takumi and Hinata were shooting targets at a snails pace, preferring to hold each others hands quietly than to practice serious archery skills. Kagero wondered briefly about asking Hinata if he felt wrong being his liege's lover but decided against it. "He makes Takumi happy, which is no small task." Kagero noted to herself. She wondered if she could do that for Corrin before refocusing on her own training obstacles.

On the other side of the Astral Plane, Corrin and Ryoma gently tugged at the ripened Daikons which would be used tonight for stew.

"Ryoma can I ask you something?" Corrin grunted as he stopped for a water break.

"What is it little brother?" Ryoma replied, taking care not to crush any Daikons before laying down in the soft soil.

"It's about Kagero, She's told me about her brother but something seems off about her. It's a rest day but I know as well as you do she's probably training as seriously as ever. That's not unusual but I asked if she wanted to play chess and she asked if it was an order."

Ryoma made a noise of exasperation before assuaging his concerned sibling.

"It's not personal Corrin, she's just very professional all the time. If she's told you about her brother than make no mistake she trusts you. She works regardless of what's on her mind."

"I just wish she would relax a bit. You would think with you being her liege she wouldn't be so uptight, it's not like you're Takumi. I'm sorry Ryoma that was impolite I know I shouldn't talk behind Takumi's back."

"Peace, Corrin I know you mean no offense. I've known Takumi his whole life, he is known to be a dragon's ass sometimes. Hinata has helped that a lot you know. It's really mellowed his temper, I think they'll wed soon. That's besides the point though, and I appreciate that you think I'm so relaxed."

"Living with King Garon and Xander made me appreciate when people can just breathe without needing permission first. Could you talk to Kagero for me please? I want to know if I'm upsetting her or something."

"I am certain you're fine Corrin but I will if it would put you at ease little brother."

"Thanks Ryoma, now let's finish picking these, Mozu is on cooking duty tonight and we both know she makes the tastiest food in camp."

"I didn't know she was but that's probably the best news I'll get all day."

The brothers laughed in unison as they resumed picking.

Kagero gasped slightly as the hot water from the baths hit her tired muscles. It had been a wonderful training session, productive but not so strenuous as to wipe her out completely. Now alone in the bath house she could relax, more importantly since she was alone she could fantasize about Corrin. She had caught glimpse of he and Lord Ryoma working. Ryoma was the more physically imposing but Corrin's svelte physique, dotted in the sweat of hard labor when he could be disengaged from such peasant work struck her as noble. The fact that he had been shirtless was an added bonus she would never admit to Orochi, or anyone else, on pain of death.

"Corrin." Kagero whispered gently as she started to lightly touch herself and her mind began to fill itself to the brim with thoughts of Corrin if the most crude variety as she imagined lovemaking every which way with the prince. She started to groan more audibly when a familiar voice broke her out of her risqué fantasy.

"Enjoying yourself Kagero?" Orochi asked in a tone that could've been used when discussing the weather but a mischievous grin that betrayed otherwise.

"Orochi!" Kagero all but yelled, the sound magnified by the walls of the bath house.

"I'm a girl too you don't have to cover up. Aside from that you're simply too well endowed for that to work well." Orochi giggled as her friend now a hue as red as Ryoma's armor, slowly removed her hands from her large breasts.

"How long were you standing there watching me...in a private moment of weakness.." Kagero finished lamely, not truly wanting an answer.

"A couple minutes, you seemed really into it. A better question is why you insist on denying yourself?" Orochi countered.

"I am his defacto retainer, not his true retainer" Kagero hastily adding the qualifier so Orochi couldn't back her into a corner by bringing up Hinata and Takumi.

"Ryoma trusts you with his life, surely he wouldn't blame you for getting attached that way to Prince Corrin. He's quite kind for someone who grew up in Nohr.I know if you weren't so head over heels for him I'd whip up a love potion to see if that dragon inside him comes out under the sheets."

"Be quiet! Someone may hear us." Kagero whispered harshly, her face hopelessly red.

"Kagero honey, if you can't tell him you're into him I will find a way to force it out of you." With that Orochi walked out of the baths, leaving her friend to simmer.

It was only after another twenty minutes that Kagero was sufficiently calm to leave the baths. However upon exiting the building a familiar boom of a voice rang out.

"Kagero, I've been looking for you. Follow me please to my quarters.". It was Lord Ryoma.

"Yes milord. Is something the matter?"

"Quite, it is something concerning Corrin." Ryoma explained unaware.

The words hit Kagero as though he had taken out Raijinto and slashed her with it, and as such she was only capable of a curt nod.

"Lets go to my quarters, less chance of Orochi interrupting with a riddle."

Kagero immediately felt a surge of anger. That wench had sold her out and now she was going to lose her position with Corrin, worse still Corrin would find out the awful truth. The walk to Ryoma's tent might as well have been a death sentence and Kagero could feel the anger beginning to build up. Nevertheless she kept her composure until the tent flaps closed.

"Now concerning Corrin.." Ryoma started calmly before Kagero interjected.

"I don't know what Orochi told you milord." Kagero choked out her last monotone sentence before the dam broke.

"Since you assigned me to be his bodyguard, I have built a friendship with Lord Corrin. I trust him as much if not more than I trust you my liege and..and" the tears which had been threatening, trickled out slightly now.

"And I believe I am infatuated! I have remained chaste with him milord, never allowing my feelings to interfere with my work as his guard, I know my station. Because of this milord I must beg you..I must beg" Kagero gasped for air now as months of suppressed emotions escaped at once.

"Kagero!" Ryoma bellowed snapping her out of her hysterics but not eliminating her fear.

In a more characteristic and indeed sagely tone he continued "Orochi did not tell me anything in detail, all she's said to me today is that you are overexerting yourself and I see she's right. I most certainly have no plans to punish you for having feelings, I'm not King Garon. The reason I asked you here is because he's worried about you. He thinks you are upset with him."

Kagero blinked dumbly "how? How could I...anyone get mad at him?"

" He wants you to be yourself around him, and I'm sure he'd be open to the idea of you as his lover Kagero. I have no desire to police my siblings in that way either before you ask about appropriateness. If Corrin reciprocates then that too is your business. I will miss having you as my retainer but Kaze will serve admirably in your place.". Ryoma offered a handkerchief to help Kagero wipe her eyes which she took.

Once she processed everything Kagero's cheeks were once again tinged with embarrassment at her misunderstanding. "Apologies milord, I misread the situation I will not do so again...and I will go talk to Corrin. Thank you Ryoma." and with that Kagero cracked a smile.

"We are friends as well as soldiers in the same army, Kagero, do not forget this. I must ask though how long you've harbored feelings for my brother."

"Since that time when I was in the infirmary tent for ten days milord. He is kind even to our enemies in battle. He does the labors of a common man, despite his royalty, some even you wouldn't do like gathering manure."

Ryoma laughed "you like my brother because he scoops Pegasus shit?"

"I wasn't finished! Apologies milord I did not mean to snap but it's more than that. He wishes to truly have peace with Nohr, not to conquer them. He is so curious about the world, and his smile is enough to disarm all but the most sadistic combatants. He never shies away from battle, but he does not seek violence. He cares about me, who I am and why I work the way I do and it's scary to be so vulnerable to another human but if I must be...I want it to be Prince Corrin."

"That was beautiful Kagero now tell him that" Orochi interrupted, surprising both Ryoma and Kagero before continued. "Two things, I was about to tell Ryoma you caught feelings for someone but I see you already did, and dinner is almost ready so let's head there yes?"

Both Ryoma and Kagero nodded and Orochi sauntered off.

"Lord Ryoma, can I pursue Prince Corrin as a romantic suitor?" Kagero stammered out, her momentum gone.

"I told you I give my blessing Kagero. Just promise to keep him safe."

Kagero blushed and bowed in thanks. "I promise no harm shall befall him...May we head towards the mess hall sir, my emotions have left me peckish.". Ryoma nodded and the pair walked to dinner. Inside the mess hall with Mozu's expertly crafted daikon stew freshly served, Kagero started approaching the man she wished to be her lover before realizing Hinoka was cuddling him. Not a sisterly arm around the shoulder hug, but sitting down arm around his waist putting her head on his shoulder cuddles. Cuddles that Kagero, still self-conscious despite Ryoma's blessing, realized she wanted.

"Hello Kagero." Corrin called her out of her own head which snapped her back to reality.

"Lord Corrin, Lady Hinoka." Kagero responded taciturn, trying her best to conceal the angst gnawing at her belly in a way hunger never could.

Before Corrin could ask her about her day Kagero hurried away.

"Hinoka, do you ever upset your retainers without knowing exactly what you did to upset them?" Corrin asked his sister, praying that she had the answers.

"Azama is an asshole Corrin, if I've upset him it's usually his fault" Hinoka replied, adjusting her head.

"I see, what about Setsuna."

"She's the one who riles me when she gets lost. It's really nothing serious, people always disagree."

"Right, thanks Hinoka.." Corrin tried his best to sound convincing and even though he didn't feel like he'd been, his sister adjusting her head on him let him know she was placated. He contemplated asking Ryoma to intervene again but he decided he'd rather be alone to think about it after dinner.

Kagero noticed Corrin had eaten two bowls of stew quickly without any of his usual chattiness. Even before he excused himself early Kagero knew that her nonresponse had probably upset him and she scolded herself mentally for it. He always asked about her training no matter what and she'd brushed him to the side in jealousy. Suddenly the portion of stew she had seemed less like the fruits of a hard day's work and more a burden to her sorting out a self-inflicted mess. However, Kagero had no idea what to tell Corrin and found the idea of wasting tasty food abhorrent so she was stuck eating quietly, angst from earlier now consuming her as fast as she consumed her food. With each step full of dread, she walked towards Corrin's treehouse. Kagero had barely walked in before she saw Corrin with an upset look on his face.

Before she could ask for answers she already had concerning what caused his usually handsome face to contort in such a manner Corrin started rambling. "I don't know what I did Kagero. I really don't, but we're supposed to be friends. But sometimes you still treat me like I am just another noble instead of a friend and I am sick of it!" Kagero quivered now, knowing that this couldn't end with the status quo being maintained.

"Lord Corrin…all of my life I have been told to maintain a professional demeanor with the royal family of Hoshido."

"Either ask Ryoma for reassignment or stop hiding whatever it is that makes you short with me because I am at my wits end…One day I think you are the best friend I have in all of Hoshido, the next I feel like you would rather have nothing to do with me. I want us to be friends, but every time you tell me something that might indicate that like about your brother, or your friendship with Orochi or stories about my mother…then you turn around and ask if an invitation to play chess is an order. Or you brush me off when I try and ask about your training, I am just trying to relate to you.."

"I can't take it Corrin, I have failed! I am not strong enough…"

Corrin was about to fire a quick response back when he heard Kagero catch a breath in her throat. "I'm not strong enough…at I want to tell you things. I want to be your friend like the other royal siblings are with their retainers. Then in Cheve…I got hurt"

"I remember" Corrin added tentatively "You could have died from that Mjölnr blast.."

"I should have. But you shielded me from further damage with your own body Corrin and you carried me to safety, giving me your ration of vulnerary to stave off death so we could find Azama who finished healing me."

"I didn't shield you with my own body.." Corrin was now looking abashed.

"Orochi said you would've gotten your head taken off by a Mjölnir blast yourself if you hadn't stuck your hand up, you risked permanent magical damage to your hands to save me…and that's not all you did. I don't remember a whole lot from the ten days that followed being that I was still suffering from painful residual shocks..but I do remember that you stayed by my bedside and would hold my hands gently…and that is where the problem stems…Lord Corrin you made me trust you. What's been bothering me is I am in love with a man I don't think loves me back"

"I..what?" Corrin was now blushing.

"He made me fall in love with him Lord Corrin…I find it is no longer reasonable or purposeful that I hide this from you. Since it's gotten worse I have been scared to talk to you as much but I can't just keep myself away from telling, you draw me in Lord Corrin. When I see Lady's in town or other women in our army cuddling him so close I get jealous and I get quiet. I want to be the one who got held tenderly. Now, I understand I may have compromised my mission and if you never wish to…"

"Kagero."

"I'm certain there is another woman in his life be it Orochi, Hana, Rinkah.."

"Kagero."

"And I know this is very sudden but I couldn't keep it away from you any longer and if you like I can start packing up and…"

"KAGERO!" Corrin finally shouted to stop her babbling any further. Before she could react fully to his shout Corrin hugged his retainer.

"Lord Corrin…"

"Please, don't do this out of pity." Kagero mumbled her emotions exhausted.

"I'm not, I am surprised you feel the way you do Kagero, but If I was this guy I would find the idea of dating a badass ninja artist appealing."

"How do you know about my art?"

"Orochi of course, she actually gave me the idea at dinner to clear the air with you."

"Oh is that so Lord Cor-"

"Kagero, just call me Corrin."

"S-sorry. I just didn't think you'd even humor me like this."

"Kagero, please relax. Would it help if I gave you a back rub?"

"A backrub?"

"Sakura told me one of the things she learned becoming a healer is most stress is stored in your back muscles. There's a massage area in the bathhouse."

"But then I'd have to be naked.." Kagero looked at the ground.

"You could wear towels and I'll keep my clothes on." Corrin asserted with a practical tone.

"That wouldn't be fair, you'd sweat to death in your armor. Just a towel is fine and if it's okay with you I won't be fully naked." Kagero was suddenly very much okay with this strange proposition.

"Of course, I'm not a voyeur Kagero. Just let me pack some shorts for the spring after."

The pair walked quickly enough to the bathhouse without much conversation until Kagero piped up "Thank you Lord Corrin…I'm sorry I am letting my emotions affect my job performance so badly"

"Kagero, we're friends and friends help eachother, I'm sorry I yelled earlier, I just worry that I am the cause of your woes." Corrin replied, unaware of how much worse his politeness was making Kagero's predicament.

"I will meet you at the little bath in the far back, they have massage supplies there according to Sakura." Corrin said as he walked to the men's changing room.

Kagero wordlessly proceeded to the women's changing room and was half way undressed when she heard footsteps which caused panic. What if they asked why she was there? What if it was Hinoka, Naga forbid? However once they got closer and beyond the layers of steam emiting from the hallway the figure revealed themselves to be Orochi.

"Did you tell him yet Kagero?" Orochi asked, not bothering with small talk.

"W-well I did tell him I am infatuated…" Kagero replied worried her friend would force the issue.

"Why are you here then Kagero? Did he reject you? Do I need to curse him!?"

"No Orochi! I didn't tell him who I liked only that I was infatuated and it was stressing me. S-so he proposed giving me a backrub. Please don't use a love curse on him, if he likes me even a little I want it to be real…."

"Kagero, you're my best friend. But you've forced my hand. I will not curse him but you will thank me for this later."

Without another word the Diviner walked up to Kagero and as dexterously as she could, struck her on the back of the left thigh aiming for her hamstring. Kagero immediately yelped with pain.

"Why would you do that Orochi!" Kagero was hopping around in pain now which made undressing difficult.

"Ask him to massage the area, it was a superficial blow, or are you afraid to show him those sculpted legs?" Orochi challenged.

"You know I'm wearing a thong for training!" Kagero replied still hopping about.

"Excellent, you'll either be in pain or my best buddy will solve the issue."

"Orochi, I am going to kill you!" Kagero fumed.

"Not if Lord Corrin kills that pussy first." Orochi replied as if she was discussing the weather.

"If you two lovebirds need a third person for your sexcapades you know I am at the top of your list." Orochi then laughed as she changed and left leaving a very pained Kagero who knew Corrin was waiting on her.

"Wench." Kagero cursed to herself as she finished undressing. She then grappled with a towel and hobbled to the massage area Lord Corrin informed her of.

"What took you, are you having second thoughts?" Corrin inquired with a worried tone once she finally made it.

"Apologies Lord Corrin, I slipped but I am okay. Ah!" An awkward step sent her tumbling towards Corrin who like her was also wearing nothing but a thin towel.

"I can work on your leg, later first can you lay on the table with your head resting in the portion that looks like a horse shoe?"

"Yes milord, just allow me to cover my legs all the way…" Kagero replied, thankful that the steam was concealing her blush.

"Tell me when I can turn around." The assuredness with which he replied made Kagero feel a spike of jealousy. Had Hinoka done something with him here too? Kagero nearly cursed out loud at the thought. Lady Hinoka was his sister and secondly she doubted she was the only Corrin got all hot and bothered.

"Kagero? Are you still adjusting?"

"Just a moment Lord Corrin. Apologies, distraction"

With that Kagero situated herself, the massage table surprisingly comfortable, no doubt because of magic. All coherent thoughts were lost however when Corrin's hands began kneading at her tense back.

"A-ah! Lord Corrin…that feels good." Kagero whimpered quietly to herself.

"Your shoulders are so tense, has the man you're interested in really caused you that much stress Kagero? Do I need to talk to him on your behalf" Corrin whispered not wishing to break rhythm.

"I don't see how you would talk to yourself." Kagero replied too consumed by relief to realize what she had just done.

"Excuse me Kagero, what do you mean talk to myself..? I thought you liked a man, would you like me to talk on oh…."

The gravity of the statement hit the both of them at the same and Kagero with as much agility as she could muster attempted to flee from the massage room. The embarrassed ninja only made it off the table before her injured hamstring caught and she hissed in severe pain and she was forced to crawl. When Corrin attempted to scoop her up she began thrashing.

"Please Lord Corrin, let me go! Let Me Go!"

"Kagero stop thrashing or you'll…" as Corrin attempted to finish that sentence the towel that had been mostly secure around her legs fell daintily to the ground and Kagero realize she was totally naked. Gods she hated Orochi.

"Please Lord Corrin. Let me go. Forget what I said…I'm sorry"

"Kagero, am I really who you've been crushing on?"

Rather than respond verbally Kagero decided she had nothing else to lose and spun out of Corrin's grip making Corrin lose his balance. Before he could regain it or a grip on her Kagero pinned him down and with her emotions too taxed to show further restraint kissed him as hard on the lips as she could. To her surprise, Corrin leaned into the kiss and instead of trying to restrain her held her as you would somebody you were trying to cuddle.

"Lord Corrin."

"Yes Kagero."

"Are you just satiating my desire or is this real, do you really want to kiss me. Because if you really want to kiss me then by all means continue, but I would rather you reject me honestly than kiss me in pity."

Corrin responded by kissing her on the forehead. It wasn't a lusty kiss like the one they had just shared, but Kagero loved it all the same.

"There's only two things Kagero, one if we're to be lovers you must drop the honorific as best you can. Two is I do not care that I am a royal we are equals if this relationship is to work."

"Have you ever thought of me this way before Lord Corrin?"

"I have thought you were a pretty woman and I have cared about you as a friend before. However, this doesn't mean I find the idea of being lovers unappealing."

"I want to believe you Lord Corrin, but you're not looking at me and I may not be a feelings expert but I don't want you to lie to keep me comfortable because I am infatuated."

"Kagero, You're completely naked…I just don't want to seem lewd."

At this chivalry Kagero smiled. "Corrin, I appreciate the sentiment but I want…to give myself to you in soul as well as my body. I want you to touch me and I don't mean just in massages." Kagero looked away stunned at her own forwardness.

"First let me fix that tweaked leg with some Vulnerary? After that would you rather head back to our home so I can get to know why you feel this way about me?"

"Yes, Lor-er Corrin…I apologize for the suddenness"

"It's fine, I am not opposed to being lovers but I want to know why you feel as you do. Certainly I deserve that?"

Kagero was having a hard time believing this was Corrin's first experience with romance so before saying yes to his requests she had a query of her own.

"Who taught you how to respond this way to a woman interested in you Corrin?"

"My sister Camilla…she liked to read me romance novels and tell me how she would like more realistic princes…and such."

It was Corrin who was now blushing.

"I see..well the reason I am interested in you Lord Corrin is because of what I told you earlier about Cheve…also your eyes…your smile…your kindness… and the fact that you've always been accepting of all of us Hoshidans getting to trust you at our own pace."

Corrin nodded and after they got dressed and packed they proceeded back to the treehouse, both unsure of how best to proceed.

"Corrin?"

"Yes Kagero?"

"I may not understand how best to romance you further…but I just want to hug you tight when we go to sleep tonight if that's okay? I know I told you in the spa that I wish to be touched more.."

"Kagero, I am perfectly content to take this relationship slowly as we both adjust from being friends to lovers."

"I'd like that Corrin."

"You shall receive my dear."