About a month after finishing the negotiations with Hoshido and Nestra, Leo found that his job was coming much easier to him. There wasn't much war, trade with Hoshido meant poverty and crime were decreasing at a steady pace, and his retainers were doing their newly appointed jobs excellently. Nohr was beginning to recover. Light was breaking through the gloom that covered Nohr for so long. And Leo had himself to thank.

However, Leo still knew what was missing in his life. He would've loved to hear Xander's praise on his growth, even if it wouldn't make sense for Leo to be king with the crown prince still alive. He wanted Elise to see how he had "stopped being such a jerk" and made peace with his nation's most bitter enemy. But he couldn't. Of course, he didn't hide these feelings anymore. But they were still there and still hurt.

The first anniversary of their death was coming soon. And for the first time in a bit, Leo sat on his bed and quietly wept. He told a servant that he was not to be disturbed. As much as opening up had helped to fix his emotional state, there were just some times that he needed to be alone. And he was sure Arthur and Effie were crying just as much as him. Maybe even Odin- and by extension, possibly even Selena. Niles would never have cried, but Leo knew in his heart that even the cold-hearted thief would at least feel some form of sorrow. Even if they weren't together at all times, this was one time they would all be together in grief.

The first anniversary had officially come. Leo had opted against a public event, instead giving workers the day off and deciding it to be a day of quiet mourning for the kingdom. But even so, Leo was not alone. He had arranged for a small private ceremony with a few trusted people. Present in the field of flowers in the Nohr castle where Elise, Xander, and even Garon were buried were Camilla, Beruka, Effie, Arthur, Odin, Selena, Niles, and even Corrin to accompany Leo.

Leo stood in front of the three headstones while the rest of the group let out their emotions in their own ways. He considered giving a speech, but there was nothing to say that would be meaningful for everyone. Everyone present was teary-eyed at best. Corrin was weeping before Elise's headstone. Arthur was trying to keep his composure and failing while Effie cried into his shoulder. Odin and Selena simply sat on the stairs, visibly sad- Laslow had died on this day as well. Camilla was sobbing almost as hard as when she first saw Elise dead on the castle floor, buried in Beruka's embrace. Even Niles stood off in the distance looking slightly upset.

For his part, Leo simply let the tears fall down his face silently. Leo ended up not exchanging words with anyone. But between the displays of emotion and knowing looks, Leo knew he was not alone. No words were needed- or even available- to describe Leo's sorrow, and sometimes talking would just make things worse. Eventually, a few servants quietly brought some tables with food out.

Once the food was gone, mostly thanks to Effie's stress eating, most of the people present left. Corrin was the last to leave before Leo. They didn't say anything. Perhaps it was better that way. Corrin may have been a complete dunce at times, but even he knew when not to pick Leo's wounds. Leo still stood in front of the headstones long after everyone else had retired to their chambers. He wiped his tears away and finally spoke.

"Hello, Xander. Hello, Elise. Hello… father."

The tombstones did not respond.

"I don't know if you can hear me from wherever you are now, but… I just want to tell you that I'm ready to move on now. I'll never forget any of you, but I know if any of you are to rest in peace, I have to stay strong. I can't let everything you worked for go to waste."

There was still no response, but Leo felt a weight lifting off of him.

"And… and father…." Leo's tears were coming back. "I know all those things that happened in the war… they weren't you. And I'm sorry for hating you all that time."

Leo was sniffling and his eyes were beginning to burn from the tears being shed.

"And I know I have to stay strong to do what you couldn't. And… Xa-Xander. I'm sorry for not understanding why you stood by father. I'm sorry I couldn't save him and make us a family again. But I swear to you that I will do right and make Nohr a place to be proud of again."

Leo turned to Elise's gravestone.

"And Elise. I'm sorry for everything. I'm sorry for stealing your toys, I'm sorry for using the age card in all of our arguments, and I'm sorry for not being there for you when you needed me. I should've done something to make you feel like you had a family instead of running off into the woods to cry. But now I will make the peaceful world you always wanted a reality."

Leo grabbed a spare napkin off of the table and blew his nose, then wiped his tears away with his hand.

"I promise to all of you. I promise that I will move forward. I promise that Nohr will move forward. And I promise that the ideals you all stood by won't die. I swear… I swear it on my memories of you. Because even though you're gone now… those memories with you are the best I have. Thank you… thank you for helping me to become someone strong enough to survive all of this."

Leo knew the gravestones would never respond, but he swore he could hear Elise's laugh somewhere on the wind. And for the first time in months, Leo felt truly at peace. He smiled, even as the last tears slid down his cheeks. Suddenly, the crown on his head didn't feel so heavy anymore.

Well, that's the end! I would like to that everyone for reading and reviewing. I couldn't have done this without all of you guys and I really can't thank you enough for making my first experience putting my work up online a good one. I'm not sure what I'll do next, but I have some ideas. Thank you for reading.

-Fur Lined Slime