A

Morgan's eyes shot open to the sound of some sort of heavy pounding. There was an ominous thud, and another, and another, and they were growing closer and closer with every passing-

"Rise and shine, Morgan!"

It's like my very own Cynthia.

"I'm already rising and shining, Princess Kana," Morgan groaned, stretching out his back and wincing at the pain that came with such a maneuver. "No thanks to your suspiciously loud footsteps. Do you always walk with hammers on your feet or are the floorboards just made of pans?"

"Eh, our house tends to echo like that," Kana reasoned, kidnapping Morgan's blanket and hauling it towards a pile of other laundry. "Unless it's haunted. Y'know, it could be haunted."

"In that case, I'd best make a living for myself and move out of here," the Plegian vowed with a mocking smile, rubbing sleep from his eyes and rising to his feet. "No offense," he added quickly.

"None taken."

"Speaking of work, I'd like to repay your father's generous hospitality thus far. Have any thoughts of jobs I can take up?"

"He said he has something planned for you later on, so don't you worry. Though, he didn't say when specifically, so I hope you don't mind boring housework for now."

"Well, as long as I'm living under this roof, I'd best clean up whatever's beneath it," Morgan reasoned.

"True, that," Kana agreed. "Hmm, maybe you can help me with something? Gotta start you off somewhere."

"Just point me in a direction and I'll get to it," Morgan said through a stifled yawn. "I'm not one to complain, especially now."

"Well, you can start by helping me then! Papa doesn't wake up until well after sunrise, especially after a rare full night of sleep."

"You were monitoring?" the King asked incredulously.

"Have to," Kana sighed. "Gotta watch him for night terrors and all."

"Oh," Morgan quickly excused, nodding nervously in understanding.

"Anyway, could I bother you into helping me prepare breakfast? Kaze and Silas are training and later they'll be heading to town for reasons not yet disclosed, so it's up to us... well, me, to prepare breakfast for everyone when they get back!"

"I don't remember the last time I've cooked anything," Morgan realized. "But like I said, I'll do as I'm told."

"Great!" Kana yipped, skipping down the hallway, her footsteps sounding hollow thuds off the wooden floor. "Right this way then!"

"So, what was Lucina like?" Kana began, starting a small fire underneath her pan.

"Huh?"

"Your sister? Her name's Lucina, right?"

"Yeah, but what do you want to know about her?"

"Was she mean? She sounds mean."

"Mean? No... not really. More like strict," Morgan decided after a pause. "Everything a princess ought to be, if fairy tales are any indicator of character. She was courageous, strong... and right."

"Right?"

"I knew I had no chance of beating her, nor did I have the resolve to do so. And yet... looking into her eyes on the day I died, I knew it was already over. Even with the walls of my home burning around me, I knew I already lost."

"You seem to have a lot of respect for her nonetheless," Kana noted.

"Of course," Morgan added quickly. "She was the best big sister you could ask for. I think she'll make a wonderful Queen, now that I'm gone."

"It's not too late to see her reign first-hand," Kana offered.

"No," Morgan agreed. "But I made my own decision to leave, despite the few voices saying otherwise."

"Do you even have a way back to your home?" Kana asked, causing Morgan to nod, pulling out a necklace with a crystal as its ornament.

"I wonder why I still wear this, even now. I should have thrown it away the moment I found myself here."

"But you don't want to."

Morgan paused, before nodding sadly.

"No. Not at the moment, nor the foreseeable future."

"Well, if you change your mind, you should tell us right away!"

"Y'know, Princess Kana, you're awfully nosy."

"Well you're awfully broody!" the Princess retorted, sticking her tongue out.

She paused, looking back to her companion.

"Well, come to think of it... I guess you're right. Sorry, I didn't mean to be insistent like that-"

"...I don't want to go back," Morgan sighed, pouring rice grains into a pot. "I'm no King, no Prince, no Brother. Not anymore. I lost the right to all those titles the moment I betrayed the people who trusted in me."

"Well, I can't help you with that. Now, you're a Hoshidan!"

"Ha. Well, I suppose I am."

Kana hummed nonchalantly, nodding along as the crackling of fire and the sound of Morgan measuring water were the only sounds audible.

"What was Shigure like?"

Kana lowered her spoon, immediately closing her eyes.

"On second thought, never mind. I'm overstepping," Morgan realized, backing off.

"He... He kept to himself, mostly. He loved to paint... I have one of his paintings in my room..."

"Princess-"

"N-no, it's fine!" Kana attempted, picking up her utensil and resuming her cooking. "It's... fine."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I asked about your sister, it's only fair you ask about my brother..."

"I have no right. I'm a guest here, and it wasn't my place to ask."

"He liked animals. Always found him in the woods somewhere, with deer or birds around him. It was almost... serene."

Another pause.

"Luci loved horses and Pegasi- you call them Tenma. She always loved being in the stables after a day of training."

"We liked them too. Still do, but we don't really have many Tenma here, ever since the war. They sense the fear in the new riders, and not many of them fly around anymore."

Kana hummed again, noticeably darker than before. Morgan capped off the rice and ignited a fire beneath it using his hand, nearly incinerating the pot before he toned it down in time. Kana laughed and pointed at the purple flames that were fading orange.

"How do you do that?"

"My mother taught it to me, before she died."

"Is it a dragon thing?"

"Regrettably. It's called Ignis, or Fell Breath. I probably shouldn't do that here."

"I can't remember the last time I've used my dragon powers for anything," Kana realized, hiking her right hand into her pocket and looking at the dragonstone within.

"One of my old friends had a dragonstone," Morgan recalled, images of Nah flashing for a brief moment. He closed his eyes, letting the memory fade into the back of his head.

Kana shrugged, flexing her arm and shifting it into a spear-like appendage, then back to her humanoid form. "Nothing useful ever came from it."

"Hm," Morgan nodded, relaxing in the kitchen chair and waiting for the rice to finish. "Dragons weren't meant to coexist with a peaceful life, it seems. Maybe it's a human thing."

"That's what everyone says," Kana sighed. "But I believe that in history, there's a place and time where dragons helped humans instead of subjugating them."

Morgan scoffed, quickly reeling it in when Kana glared at him.

"What?" he asked innocently.

"It's my honest view. I looked up to dragons. Still do."

"Do you honestly believe that they have benefited humanity? While mankind sat around banging rocks together and throwing sticks, the dragons corralled us like sheep to a slaughter. We... were just pawns in their games."

"I'd like to think otherwise," Kana replied softly, recalling Morgan's promise to Lucina. "They have hearts too. Even if they don't beat the same rhythm as ours."

"Humans have hearts. We have hearts," Morgan corrected. "Dragons... they don't feel, they don't regret. What you feel, what I feel... that's our human half doing that."

"That means dragons need humans."

"No, it means humans are better off with humans and only humans. We... I... didn't need the meddling of dragons in my life. All they've ever brought me is heartbreak and loss."

"But dragon blood flows within you, doesn't it?" Kana asked softly.

"Pumped by a human heart."

"Papa hates dragons now, and I'm under the slight impression that so do you. But I still have to believe that they're not out there just to make our lives worse."

"Why?"

"...I grew up reading stories about dragons and how they've helped humankind throughout history. I have to believe at least one of those instances... were true."

"Those were myths. Delusions of grandeur by people too simple to explain human nature to themselves. Even if they've ever helped us, I doubt it will ever happen again."

"I'm starting to think that you're right," Kana sighed. "But looking back on it now, I loved the stories about dragons the most out of all my books, because I thought they were... better. Better than us."

"Humans aren't too great either, if that's where you're going."

"The most wonderful things in the world are thanks to humans. But some of it... had to be from something other than us."

"Why?"

"Because humans... are forgotten way too easily."

"Huh?"

"When M-mama died, it's like she was taken from our memories. Barely anyone talks about her anymore except me and Papa. It's like... she's forgotten! I," Kana stifled a sob, but Morgan didn't make any attempt to comfort her. "But I look back on stories that have to be hundreds or thousands of years old... and those people are immortalized. Why?"

"I... can't tell you."

"In ten years, maybe twenty, no one will even remember that my mother, Azura, Princess of Hoshido, sacrificed her life and saved her country! All they'll remember is war. War and death, and not the martyrs who ended them."

"Humans weren't meant to coexist with war either, we both know that much."

"Mama saved the world! Why doesn't anyone realize it? No one even remembers she existed!"

Footsteps echoed into the kitchen, forcing the conversation to stop abruptly. A few steps later, Morgan and Kana were greeted with a very tired Kamui.

"Breakfast? Is it almost done?" the Hoshidan prince asked, oblivious to the two cooks arguing.

"Y-yes, Papa. Almost."

"Thank you," Kamui greeted to both Kana and Morgan. "I'm oddly hungry this morning, and we're going to be expecting guests soon."

"Oh?" Kana asked, feigning focus towards her pan.

"Sister Camilla is coming along with her retainers. I haven't the slightest idea why."

"It's just like riding a Pegasus!" Selena taunted to the assassin behind her, flourishing the reigns confidently. "I got this!"

"Wyverns do not share flight patterns with Tenma," Beruka noted without influction, "Which explains why you keep putting us into extended dives and climbs instead of simply flying straight."

"Aw, shut up, you," the redhead scoffed, veering right towards Camilla. "Any idea if we're close? We passed the chasm-thing a few minutes ago!"

"Be patient, dear Severa," Camilla laughed, causing the rider to blush.

"D-don't call me that!"

"It's your fault you let your true identity slip," Beruka joined, her face hinting at a smile.

"S-still! I'm Selena! It's a prettier name."

"Severa suits your personality more. I... what's the word? Prefer it," the copilot added, with a small laugh. "Yes. It sounds fitting for someone like you."

"Ugh. There isn't anyone like me."

"Severa sounds like a name someone like you would have, in the event that there was."

"'Ruka, have I mentioned that your jokes aren't getting any better?" Selena asked teasingly at the assassin.

"Your insults have no effect on me. Like poisons and disease, I have built up an immunity to your sharp tongue over the years, inoculating myself in your company-"

"We're here," Camilla called, pulling Marzia in for a dive across a small Hoshidan hamlet. Beruka promptly took the reigns, setting her wyvern on a similar course to her liege's.

"And not a moment too soon," Kamui mused, seeing two familiar wyverns land a few hundred feet away from his window. "Morgan, be forewarned; you might not uh... agree with Big Sister's er, disposition. It's alright though. She's nice. Mostly."

"If you say so," Morgan nodded, watching as the purple-haired princess dismounted from her wyvern. "Whoa."

"She gets a bit scary, especially if you're not Papa," Kana added in.

"Scary is something I can handle."

The second wyvern landed, with two women dismounting in a less-graceful fashion. Their shouts could be heard all the way from the house, causing the trio inside to brighten.

"Ouch," Kamui laughed, watching Selena trip over Beruka as the latter held onto the saddle to prevent from joining her partner. "Those two are always at each other's throats."

Sev?

"So, Camilla... S-she's the purple-haired one, right? Who's the one with red hair?"

Kamui and Kana turned towards Morgan, the exile currently wrapped in limbo between confusion and disbelief. Answering his question, Kana kept an eye on her friend while Kamui just shook his head.

"That's... uh, I forgot. Beruka? No, that's the blue-haired one," Kana guessed, scratching her chin.

"Se... Se... something," Kamui offered. "She's a snarky one."

"Severa?" Morgan offered.

"What? No, that doesn't sound right. Why, do you know her?"

"I'm afraid so," Morgan gulped. "I might need to make myself scarce. She's likely to make a mess using me and her sword. Hmph, just when I'm starting to like this place."

"She's no joke with the blade," Kamui added. "I'm afraid I have nowhere to hide you, if that's what you're suggesting."

"Great," Morgan sighed, looking at his cloak suddenly. "This shabby thing is going to be a dead-giveaway. I hate to ask, but can I-"

"Kana, take Morgan upstairs. I think I have some regular clothes. It might be a bit big, but it'll do."

"T-thanks!" Morgan nodded rapidly, running upstairs with Kana.

Kana pulled a pale set of clothes from her Father's drawer, tossing them at the exile.

"Well? Hurry up and change!"

"I'd prefer you not stare."

"I'm not staring."

"Then why are you facing me?!"

"B-because..."

Kana trailed off, confused at her own situation.

"You have a good point," she corrected, promptly leaving the room. "Call if you need me!"

Morgan only laughed, relaxing a bit. It was a sensation he hadn't felt in a long while, and to be honest with himself, it felt wrong to do so.

I don't deserve all this.

The door quickly opened again, but only Kana's arm peeked out.

"I have a feeling your hair is rather distinctive. Here."

In her grip was a dark blue bandana, the same one Kana wore around her neck during the festival. Morgan had seen enough to know that it was meant to be worn over one's head.

"Thanks?"

"Don't lose it," Kana warned. "I like it. A lot."

She waited long after Morgan grabbed the piece, her arm propping the door open even though she was still outside.

"Well?" Morgan asked.

"What?"

"You can't stare with your arms, so what are you doing?"

"J-just making sure you don't lose that bandana!"

"Then shouldn't you be watching?"

"I guess I should. Right- Oh. I'm not supposed to..."

"You catch on quick."

"I'll... be downstairs! Papa's gonna need help!"

The door shut, leaving Morgan alone once more in Kamui's room. Slowly, the king took off his only sign of royalty, replacing his Ylissean-Plegian clothes with the loosely flowing garb of a Hoshidan farmer. Liking the feel of coarse, simple fabric, Morgan let out his stress in a sigh, going back downstairs and tying the bandana over his head to cover his Exalted blue hair.

Severa? This is where you've been?

Morgan gulped and maintained a clear line of sight with Kana as he meandered around his old childhood companion.

"...would be nice if you could visit the orphanage some time, little Corrin."

"I wouldn't mind," Kamui responded, not reacting to his Nohrian name. "Kana, how about it?"

"I've never been to an orphanage before," Kana admitted. "I'd like to go visit!"

"I'm sure you would enjoy it, little princess," Camilla laughed, before turning to Morgan. "Oh, who's this?"

Upon hearing Camilla's question, Severa and Beruka turned to the exile, the former immediately raising her eyebrows.

"Milord, your laundry is all sorted and that gap in the window should be sealed," Morgan said with a sharp bow, eyes glued to the ground.

"Ah," Kamui caught on, Kana not too keen on what was happening. "Thank you. Oh, seeing as you've never met them before, I'd like to introduce you to my big sister, Camilla."

"An honor, milady," Morgan said with another bow, shying away from eye contact.

"You found yourself another retainer?" Camilla wondered to Kamui, ignoring Morgan for the time being.

"Just someone to handle the occasional housework, considering all the times Kana and I are away in the capitol now," Kamui reasoned. "Kaze and Silas can't be trusted with simple chores."

"I see," Camilla responded slowly, eyeing Morgan up and down before nodding. "What's your name?"

...

"Marc, milady."

"Marc. Hm. These are my retainers," Camilla announced proudly. "Beruka, and-"

"Selena," Severa responded quickly, not wanting her identity to be revealed once more.

"Pleased to meet you both," Morgan said with yet another bow.

"Yeah, likewise..." Severa muttered, keeping an eye on 'Marc.'

"Well, shall we go, seeing as the day lies young before us?" Camilla asked to Kamui, prompting the prince to nod.

"Sure. You three wouldn't mind Kana and M-Marc joining us, right?"

"My two darlings and yours? That'd be wonderful! After all, it leaves me and my dear Corrin together!"

"So it would seem. Marc, if you don't mind, Camilla and I are going to Shirasagi to handle some... politics. You and Kana can wander the capitol when you decide on joining us. Keep her out of trouble, okay?"

"Of course, milord," Morgan said with a nod. "I will protect her with my life."

Kana looked over to Morgan with a wry smile, and it took a surprising amount of effort from Morgan to not return it lest he blow cover.

"Selena, Beruka, do as you please until sundown. We should be done by then," Camilla ordered, opening the door and allowing Kamui to head out first, following right after.

"Of course, milady..." Selena trailed off, waiting for Camilla to leave before turning to Morgan. As the door closed, she slowly took its place, blocking the way out.

"So, Marc, where're you from?"

Gods damn it.

"Excuse me?" Morgan stammered, buying some time.

"Oh, drop the act, man. Where're you from? Not from Hoshido, I'm guessing..."

And to think I liked you and your cooking once upon a time. You're too clever for your own good.

"I was born in a small village outside of the capitol, but it was destroyed after Faceless razed it during the war. I worked in Shirasagi for a time, but-"

"That's great, that's great," Severa interrupted, circling around Morgan. "Have any... family?"

"Not anymore," Morgan replied without missing a beat. "I lost them during the war."

Technically, not a lie.

"Hey, I don't know you that well, but stop picking on him! He's coming from a bad time in his life, and you've no reason to be like this!" Kana warned, standing up for her friend.

"It's fine, milady," Morgan laughed nervously, "I don't mind making... idle conversation. Especially with such charming individuals."

"I am not charming," Beruka clarified.

"Well I am, and I smell something fishy with you, 'Marc," Severa growled, poking Morgan in the chest, causing him to flinch slightly.

"I was tending to the fields this morning, so I suppose my hygiene is a bit offsetting," the farmer suggested, causing Severa to glare daggers at him.

"Can you stop?" Kana pleaded, physically standing between Morgan and Selena. "I don't want you two fighting, especially since you've just met!"

"Well, that isn't the case, is it? You recognize me, don'tcha?" Selena goaded, watching the exile for a reaction.

"Unless you were there when my parents died, I can't say I do."

"Maybe I was," the red-head suggested, stepping closer towards the slightly taller farmer. "I've watched a lot of people die."

"That's enough!" Kana interrupted, grabbing Morgan and pulling him back. "Get away from-"

"Princess. I insist that this is fine."

"Nuh-uh! She's going to hurt you!"

"We both know I deserve that," Morgan sighed. "Sorry for all this, Princess. She's got sharp eyes."

"So what's it gonna be, Marc?" Selena teased, "Don't you remember me?"

He glanced quickly to Kana, nodding slowly before she backed away.

"I know a girl who looked like you. Her parents died in the same war that mine did."

"A-and what else?" Selena stammered, struggling to maintain the act.

"Her name was Severa. We were good friends, once."

"S-so what happened?"

"I betrayed her trust," Morgan replied simply, lowering his head in shame.

"..."

"I'm afraid that's all I have, miss Selena. I'm sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear."

"So I was right, then. You survived."

"If you're here to kill me," Morgan sighed, taking the bandana off, "just don't do it in front of Kana."

"What's stopping me from doing it right now?" Severa yelled, drawing her sword. Beruka and Kana both flew in to stop the redhead, disarming her instantly. "Hey, lemme go!"

"Do you have a way back to Ylisse?" Morgan asked, pacifying Severa instantly with his question.

"N-no... Not anymore."

"Can we talk?" Morgan asked to Kana and Beruka, the latter nodding blankly while the former looked at him in question.

"She's going to kill you!"

"Maybe. But not yet," Morgan promised, giving the bandana back.

"Not yet," Severa affirmed.

"Inigo was killed. Died with Prince Xander, in the final day of the war."

"...Dammit."

"Why are you alive, and not him?" Severa asked, more to the gods than to Morgan himself.

"I don't know. I don't deserve it," the prince admitted, kicking the sand before looking back to Severa. "But Ylisse is at peace. That's why I'm here."

"What, to ruin this country too? It's seen enough-"

"I'm here to fade into history as a nobody. I'm done trying to resurrect my parents and save Ylisse. Lucina handled the latter just fine."

"Lucina's... alive?"

"Yes. She misses you. All three of you."

Severa faltered, looking skyward and letting a long sigh out.

"So Ylisse... is green again? Are there graves for all who've fallen? Flowers for every destroyed in the war?"

"That's oddly specific."

"Answer the question!"

"Yes."

"And Plegia?"

"She'll find a better king."

"And you?"

"If you're going to kill me, now's a good time. Kana's not here to see it."

"Are you and Kana..."

"She's the closest thing I have to a friend, actually. I haven't been here long."

"And yet the three of us have been here for almost three years," Severa mused, fiddling with her sleeve. "Owain must've gotten home safely. I gave him my way home for his daughter, leaving me here. And Inigo, well..."

"If you want to go back," Morgan offered, taking off his necklace. "This necklace should plant you right on Ylisstol's doorstep. Anna gave it to me in the chance I had a change of heart."

"It was meant for you? Oh... If you ever wanted to return to your sister," Severa realized.

"I'm not."

The mercenary took the necklace, pinning it around her own neck before shaking her head.

"My duty is to Lady Camilla. I am not Lucina's retainer, not yet. Not... ever."

"That necklace looks better on you than me," Morgan sighed, turning away. "If you ever change your mind, at least you have a way again."

Severa slowly drew her sword, twirling it before leveling it towards Morgan. The exile didn't bother moving, instead looking up at the sky.

"Before you do your thing, if you ever talk to Luci again, can you tell her that I couldn't keep my promise?"

"What? Are you trying to distract me?"

"Yeah. Just tell Lucina that I broke my promise, and I'm not coming back. That's all."

"What promise?"

"Don't worry about it! Just... just do it."

Severa lowered the sword, groaning in exasperation as she sat back down on the crates where she previously was.

"You always were a weird kid."

Morgan cocked an eyebrow, lowering his gaze just in time to see Severa drop her stance.

"..."

"But I don't think you were a bad one," Severa admitted, sheathing her sword. "If anyone deserves a second chance, it's you."

"W-what?"

"Back then, before everything happened, you think we didn't catch onto your plan? Honestly... when you first set out, I was hoping you'd succeed. You seemed so determined, so driven... it seemed right, what you were doing. At least before you started the war."

"But that's-"

"IF, and that was a big if, you did manage in finding a way in reviving our dead parents to save Ylisse, I wanted you to do it for all of us. I wanted my mother and father back, and you could've done that. You could've..."

"That wasn't my promise. That was Grima's, and look where it got us. Where it got me."

"Yeah... but here you are, starting over to live a seemingly peaceful life. I should kill you, but I just can't bring myself to do it. I can't remember seeing you smile at home like the way you did at Kana. Lucina would never forgive me if I ended you now. She already went through that pain once, from what you've told me."

"Should I thank you?"

"I'd like that."

"Then thanks, Severa. I suppose you need something from me in return-"

"Oh, don't you worry your blue-haired head. You have quite the infamous reputation with promises, and I'll come asking for favors. But for now... I think you should join us as we go to Shirasagi. It's a gorgeous place this time of year."

"You're right about that," Morgan agreed. "You seem to like this place."

"I've bled for it. I've bled for her people. You'd understand, right, 'King?''

"Hey."

Kana turned to see Morgan standing in the doorway, Selena right behind him. Beruka raised her eyebrows at seeing the otherwise pristine condition of Morgan's body, though the blue-haired man only smiled back.

"You're not dead," Kana stated matter-of-factly.

"He tends to do that from time to time," Selena chided, sneaking in past Morgan and entering Kamui's house. "Let's head to the capitol, 'Ruka."

"I would prefer you not use our designated nicknames in public," the assassin requested while handing Selena's bag to her. "What about them?"

"They'll follow. He likes to walk."

"And Princess Kana?"

"He'll take care of her, won't you, farmer boy?"

"Lord Kamui is my liege, and that wasn't a lie," Morgan vowed, standing next to Kana. "He ordered me to watch his daughter, and that I'll do."

"Oh. Very well. Milady, we shall see you in the capitol," Beruka briefed, turning to head outside.

"Y-yeah," Kana replied, waving the two off. "Well, I guess it's just you and me then."

"I wasn't under the impression that you considered me a friend," Kana began, walking alongside Morgan on the trail to Shirasagi.

"I wasn't under the impression that you were eavesdropping," Morgan countered. "But I do, nonetheless."

"Never had many friends growing up, especially with my father being so closed off. I'm glad to have met you, King Morgan"

"And I you, Princess Kana."

"We've got the whole day here," Selena exclaimed, twirling around and spinning a less-enthusiastic Beruka around her.

"I suppose Princess Kana and Marc are not to join us?" Beruka asked even after being spun about.

"Of course not. I can't stand them. And it's Morgan, not Marc."

"Lady Camilla will not be pleased-"

"She won't care. C'mon. We're gonna go shopping! For them, of course!"

"Huh. I thought for sure they were going to wait for us," Kana sighed, looking around for the Nohrian duo. Morgan shrugged, still in his simple garb.

Typical of Severa to bail.

"Guess it's just us then," the farmer observed, looking around the entrance to Shirasagi.

"Uh... yeah," Kana laughed, not disappointed in the slightest. "So, what now?"

"Hm..."

"How about you decide?" Kana suggested, taking a seat on a nearby bench. "Your treat."

"You're asking me, Princess. I just got here yesterday. You know this place a little better than I."

Kana pondered for a moment, stretching out her legs on the bench.

"Well, we just ate, and the market stalls don't open until after lunch anyway. Though... I know another place."

"Lead the way."

"I'm not sure you'll fully appreciate it," Kana explained suddenly, "but I always go here when we visit the capitol. Maybe you might understand us a little better after this."

Morgan followed Kana across Shirasagi square, finally walking through a pair of scarlet gates into a vast field of cherry blossoms. It stretched nearly to the horizon, with each tree arranged in its respective row and column. All in all, there had to be thousands of them.

"Whoa."

"It's... pretty, isn't it?" Kana asked softly, walking between the trees. Morgan noticed symbols etched onto each one's trunk, but kept quiet.

"I've never seen anything like this before," the King admitted quietly. "It's quite the sight."

Kana hummed her agreement, running her hand along each tree as she walked by.

"Hoshido and Nohr have been at an on-and-off war for hundreds of years. Each tree you see here represents one or two people who've lost their lives in this conflict."

Morgan stopped, realizing what Kana was about to show him.

"Y-you don't have to do this. I-"

"Is this too selfish of me?" Kana asked suddenly, making Morgan realize her eyes reddening. "I know I'm pressing myself on you like this, but..."

"Lead the way," Morgan replied, nodding his approval for Kana.

"T-thanks."

Hundreds of names unreadable to Morgan blurred by as he and Kana walked further and further into the cemetery, finally ending near the far side. A simple lance of Nohrian design stood upright in the soil, its owner's name freshly engraved on the Sakura's trunk.

She doesn't want her mother to be forgotten.

"Hey Mama. I... brought someone."

Morgan stayed quiet as Kana knelt beside the tree, wiping the tears from her eyes as she placed her forehead against the base in reverence.

"His name's Morgan. He's helping Papa in the house and... he's my friend now. You always said I'd make a lot of friends..."

The sky seemed to darken in response, and Kana stifled a sob as she turned to face Morgan.

"Thanks for coming. This means so much to me..."

"This is what you meant," Morgan realized, his fingers trembling at the thought. "I'm glad you showed me this."

"How many people walk by this tree, I wonder?" Kana whispered, stroking the surface with her hands. "How many people read 'Azura' and have no idea who that name represents?"

"One less, now that you've shared this with me."

"C-can you say her name?"

Morgan almost raised his eyebrows, but kept them stable out of respect for both Kana and her deceased mother.

"Huh?"

"I know this is... weird. But Papa said once that people don't really die until their forgotten. I was hoping that you, someone who never knew my mother, could well... you know..."

Morgan nodded, looking up at the plaque which was engraved with both Hoshidan and Nohrian characters, the latter of which he could read.

"Azura; Gentle Princess, Loving Wife, Dutiful Mother, Honorable Hero."

Kana instantly smiled, wiping away the tears that came with that gesture.

"Thank you."

"Can I ask you a favor?" Morgan asked, his eyes closed.

"Of course."

"I never properly buried my parents, and the war I incited must've trampled whatever dignified rest they had... but..."

"What were their names?"

"Chrom and Robin," Morgan whispered, the names foreign to him.

"Chrom and Robin," Kana repeated, each syllable precise and heartfelt.

Morgan looked skyward, a deep frown lining his lips.

"I don't deserve any of this, knowing what I've done," he sighed. "I'm dishonoring your mother just by saying her-"

"Stop it."

"But-"

"If you keep holding onto your past, how do you expect to make a future for yourself?"

"What if I don't want to anymore? I should've died and let the history books portray me as the villain that I am."

Kana narrowed her eyes, shaking her head angrily.

"...Then leave. We've met for a day- not even that. But if you honestly don't feel the same emotions that I do towards you, then I can't do anything for you. No one else has bothered to talk to me the way that you have, besides my immediate family. My father and I see so much good in your heart, despite your past, that we agreed to keep you with us and help you recover. If you don't realize that..."

"Kana..."

"I can't thank you enough for coming with me to visit my mother, but I was hoping you'd realize something within your heart by coming with me. If you're going to keep jumping between believing in yourself and wishing you were dead, then you're only wasting the opportunity you were given!"

Morgan paused, before nodding sadly and rising to his feet.

"So that's your answer? To leave!?"

Morgan didn't need to turn to see that Kana's tears were renewed.

Pathetic and worthless is what I am. What kind of scum makes his only friend cry next to her mom's grave?

The king didn't reply, only walking away and reaching for the crystal at his-

Severa.

He stopped a few feet away, and Kana noticed the silence when he halted his steps and turned hopefully.

"I have no right to hurt you like this."

"What?"

"You lost a brother and a mother. But as long as my heart beats, you'll always have a friend. I swore an oath to serve your father, and I'll do the same for you."

Kana lit up, rising to stand face to face with the exiled prince.

"You promise?" she asked, smiling.

Don't you dare break this one.

"I promise."

"I figured I'd find her here," Kamui whispered, watching Kana and Morgan sit by Azura's grave. Camilla, Beruka, and Selena were with him, keeping quiet as the two seemed to be napping.

"Looks like Morgan's finally himself again," Selena noted, shaking her head at the boy she used to know. "You'll like him."

"Oh I do," Camilla observed. "And so does little Kana."