A/N

This thing has gone through so many edits and revisions. Seriously, huge chunks deleted, thousands of words added, bits and pieces salvaged, paragraphs re-written, re-worded, completely removed, or newly added. Sentences scrutinized, conversations shredded, dialogue improved. Down to each word, changed, deleted, flipped, tweaked... As much as I edit, I've never re-workedanything as much as I have this one. I've literally been working on it off and on for MONTHS, way longer than I've ever worked on any other fanfiction before.

After all the insanity I went through, I'd LIKE to say that it's now my shining masterpiece, that I've never created anything as perfect and beautiful as this. Alas, after banging and beating and twisting and molding it, there still remains a rebellious sprite possessing this script and laughing at my efforts...

The most I can say is...
I've done my best.
I hope you enjoy ^.^

"Corrin," Jakob's voice stopped her before she could leave.

"Yes, my Lord?"

She smiled softly at him, and that's all it took for him to lose his courage.

The words trembled on his lips, then stopped altogether. His gaze flickered away, towards the window, his hands clasping behind his back. A dozen times at least he had tried to tell her, only to doubt and back out at the last second. "… Nothing. I beg your pardon. You may go." He was frustrated with himself, but… How could he tell her when he was almost certain she harbored feelings for another? If… If Jakob were to be rejected or if she decided could no longer remain at the Fortress because she felt uncomfortable with his too warm attachment, he didn't know how he would forgive himself.

"Oh, before I do," she replied. "I almost forgot to tell you…"

Sensing an undertone of hesitancy in her tone, Jakob put aside his thoughts and spared her a glance. "Yes?"

"Ah." She twisted her skirt in her hands. "I have to go into town for a short while tomorrow, so I asked if Felicia would bring your breakfast to you then... Is that alright?"

Honestly, his first thought was, oh no, not Felicia. But then Corrin going to town caught his notice. "What? Town? Whatever for?"

"Well—I…" Was he mistaken or was that a… a blush rising in her cheeks? "It's a… personal matter, my Lord."

A personal matter…? What could she be—Then it hit him, and his face darkened, a scowl rising. He turned away again.

Her going into town for a 'personal matter' could mean only one thing. She had some sort of plans with Silas.

His maid and the young noble had met years ago when Silas had been brought to the castle to be a companion for Jakob. Silas and Corrin had become friends quickly, but Jakob never could stand him. The fact that he had talked and laughed with Corrin while she worked didn't improve things either, and Silas was sent away soon after. Unfortunately, Silas and Corrin's friendship persevered. She saw him every chance she got. Jakob was certain Silas was infatuated with her, and he often worried Corrin might share his attachment.

Jakob's mood soured when he knew they were together. But he couldn't refuse to let her go. What would he even say to her? What excuse could he give that he hadn't used before and that wouldn't announce to everyone that he was actually… Yes, he admitted, jealous.

He heaved a sigh. "Must it be Felicia? She is graceless. I haven't the faintest idea why she chose a profession in which she must carry things to and fro when she can hardly get through a single day without tripping at least—At least three times!" And breaking every bit of china this castle has…

"Four times, actually" Corrin corrected with a chuckle. "At least four times."

Jakob spared her a small sideways smile. "You see what I mean?" He fiddled with the buttons of his vest. "Are you… sure you must go?" It was a pathetic attempt, he knew, but he couldn't help at least trying.

Corrin's face fell, and he knew he wouldn't be able to say no. "Well it's…" she said. "It's very important to me to go, Lord Jakob, but… only if it's alright with you, of course." The Prince snorted. It wasn't entirely alright with him, no. "But I'll…" she continued after his pause. "I'll return before the book club this afternoon…" Her voice hovered on the edge of hope, her hands clasped in front of her like a prayer.

"Well, in that case…" He sighed again before giving her his warmest smile. "I will just have to count the minutes until your return."

He could be wrong, but he thought, perhaps, that her blush deepened just a little bit… She certainly seemed to find the floor very interesting anyway. "Until then, my Lord." She curtseyed and hurried out of the room, shutting the door quietly behind her, and leaving Jakob staring at it with something like longing in his eyes.

The next morning, Corrin was in town by the fountain, anxiously looking up at the sun peeking through the ever-present Nohrian clouds. Where was he? It was getting late, and if Corrin was ever going to get Jakob's birthday present and return to the castle before the book club, she had to go now. She searched the faces of the crowd, but Silas's gray tuft of hair was nowhere in sight… She started thinking, perhaps, that maybe she should go without him… She hated the thought of disappearing without even telling him why she couldn't stay, but…

Hands covered her eyes, and Corrin flinched with alarm. But then a playful voice murmured near her ear, "Guess who."

Relief swept through her, and she laughed. "Silas!" She pulled his hands from her face, turning to look at him, and he grinned and hugged her briefly. "You're late!" She chided. "I was just thinking about leaving without you."

"Aw, I'm sorry. I was held up at the temple. A man's leg was crushed under his cart, and it took just about everyone's help to repair what we could of the damage."

Corrin grimaced, guilty. All she was trying to do was get back to her prince for a book club while Silas was dealing with tragedy and heart ache. She touched his arm. "I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have been impatient. That was thoughtless of me."

"Nonsense." Silas's warm hand slid over hers. "You could never be thoughtless. In fact, I've never met a more caring soul."

She smiled even though he was only trying to assuage her shame.

"How are you enjoying life at the temple?" She asked after a moment, drawing her hand back into her lap. "I know it was difficult at first... Has it gotten any easier?"

He considered, his head tilting side to side. "In some ways, yes, but in others… Well, I don't think it will ever get much easier." His expression clouded briefly with sadness. Loss filled his strangely darkened eyes, eyes that Corrin had never seen dark when they were younger.

Then it passed, and he was smiling at her again. "I have to say, though—no other work is more rewarding, and I still think you should give up life in that cold castle and come join me in the temple." His lips curled slightly, and he reached forward to brush his fingers lightly across her cheek. "With your tender heart, you would be an amazing cleric."

Corrin looked away, a blush rising in her cheeks. She was trying to hide it, but she was discomfited by his comment and his tender touch. This wasn't the first time he had recommended a change of position, and it was never painless to turn him down… As much as she tried to pretend she didn't, she knew, in this proposition, there was a… a deeper question, a more meaningful offer…

He cared about her, but she couldn't return the feelings he sought. Not when she was in love with someone else, even though she knew that love was inappropriate. "That's sweet of you, Silas, but I could never leave—" the pause was microscopic "—the castle."

"With that overlord?" Silas teased, a sharp smile cloaking his words in humor. He had probably caught the slight hesitancy between her words.

Her face warmed further, and she took a breath to quell her irritation. "He's not an overlord, Silas. He can be cutting sometimes, I grant you, but that's mostly bluster to disguise how much he really cares." Silas gave her a skeptical look. "Trust me," she told him. "I know him better than anyone."

He grunted, his hand sliding through his hair and doing nothing to tame it. "Well, enough talk," he said. "We were going to find a birthday present, weren't we?"

Corrin almost sighed, happy the previous subject had been dropped. "Yes, but, actually, I already know what I'm getting him. I just couldn't afford it when I first saw it." Her heart picked up at the thought of it… of getting it… of giving it to him… Gods, she hoped he liked it.

"So it's something expensive?"

"Well, a little bit, yes… It's a brooch. A green brooch. I just saw it in a window, and… I don't know." She stared off into the distance, her lips twitching. "I just thought he would like it."

"…I see." His words broke her slight trance, and she glanced down at their hands as he laced his through hers. "What are we waiting around here for then? Let's go get it."

She swallowed and nodded, forcing a smile on her face. "Yes, of course. It's not far. This way." She could probably have dropped his hand anytime she chose, but somehow… she just couldn't bring herself to do it. He was her friend, a dear friend, and she really didn't want to hurt him more than necessary. Besides, it wasn't far, and as soon as they arrived outside the shop, she had a better excuse for letting go. "This is it."

Silas stared up at the building with surprise. "Golly, you're buying something from here? This place is for the rich. How on earth can you afford it?"

"I've been saving up." She answered, a little defensively. "I wanted to get him something nice this year."

He shook his head at her in amazement. "The Overlord doesn't deserve you."

"Shut up, you." She punched his arm and tried to ignore his laughter. "I'm only a maid, but he's… he's always treated me like family, ever since we were little. I just wanted to show him I appreciate it all, ok? Stop calling him that!"

He raised his hands in surrender, and she pointed the brooch out to him. It was a gold-rimmed oval with some kind of green stone in the middle. Silas thought, perhaps, it was jade. In any case, it was very beautiful, and also appeared very expensive. "Do you think he'll like it?" She asked, butterflies rising in her stomach.

Silas smiled. "If it's from you, I think he'll love it." But his words didn't register. She was staring at the gift and thinking of Jakob and wondering… wondering what he would say.

When they went inside, the owner, a tall, thin, sneering sort of man, peered down his nose at them both, his eyes scanning their modest clothing. But once Corrin placed her coins in front of him and told him what she wanted, he suddenly grew much more courteous.

He carefully took the brooch from the window, packaging it in a small white box with soft cotton and tying a black ribbon round it. Corrin thanked him and left the shop with the box clutched in her hands, a grin of excitement on her lips.

"Well then," Silas commented when they were back on Main Street. "There goes half a year of savings at least."

"If Lord Jakob likes it, then it's worth it." The words flew from her mouth without an ounce of hesitation. She really did mean it. All this time… All these years… She had never met anyone like Jakob… and she would do anything to make him happy.

They reached the fountain again and paused there. "Now that you've gotten what you came for," Silas murmured. "I suppose you have to get back now."

She glanced up at the sky and sighed. "I really do. I'm already late." She turned to him. "See you next time I'm in town?"

"Mm," he grunted in what Corrin took as an affirmative.

"Thank you for coming with me today…" Although, after all, perhaps it had been a bad idea on her part. She had just hoped to spend a little time with her friend while she was there.

"It was my pleasure…" Silas smiled. "And… Corrin." He glanced awkwardly away. "If you thought you might ever change your mind… You know, about joining me in the temple—I-I just wanted to tell you that…" He took a breath and looked her in the eye. "I could wait for you."

She was biting her lip. Hard. It hurt, and she found she liked the pain. She shifted her feet, regret wallowing in the pit of her stomach. How could she—? What could she say? She searched for an answer to give.

Silas was a good man… So very good and kind. He would love her forever if she let him, but how could she? How could she even give him hope when someone else possessed her heart so fully and completely? Silas deserved someone who would love him more than anyone… Someone who would love him like she loved Jakob. "Silas…" It was hard to speak, but she had to tell him the truth. She had to tell him now. "Thank you, but you have to know... I-I won't change my mind. I really—I-I never will, I'm so sorry."

He shook his head like it was nothing, but his face was reddening with embarrassment, and Corrin hated herself. "I understand," he said. "I do." He laughed ironically. "Probably better than anyone, actually." He combed his fingers through his hair and coughed slightly. "I didn't think you would, but I just—if there had been any chance… But I—I understand."

Her heart ached. "I'm sorry Silas."

"It's ok. It's ok, Corrin." He smiled, but it was a sad smile, and Corrin only hurt all the more to see it.

Unable to speak further, she wrapped her arms around him in a hug, and, surprisingly, he returned it. Then she pulled back, managing to say, "I'll see you later, Silas." She saw him nod once before she turned and walked away. She could feel his eyes boring into her back, but she didn't look back. She couldn't. As much as she loved her friend, she loved Jakob so much more, the sorrow in her heart couldn't match the confidence in her step.

Felicia's foot caught on a stack of books. She lost her balance, stumbled, tripped, fell onto a book case, and collapsed onto the floor with most of the books crashing on top of her. A moan escaped her lips just as a sigh escaped Jakob's.

Biting back a reprimand, he snapped his book shut and helped her and her sister re-shelve the books, ignoring her stammering apologies as he did so.

It had been a long, long day, and Corrin still wasn't back. She was very late, and night was descending outside. Jakob's distaste for Silas was was only tempered by his anger for keeping Corrin out so late that she had to return home part of the way in darkness.

If Silas had had to see her so badly, the least he could have done was let her return to the castle at a reasonable hour. A true gentleman would have, Jakob scoffed.

Then there was the question of what they had been doing all this time… A question Jakob did not like to consider.

Sitting again at the window and forcing his clenched fists to relax, Jakob looked out at the road. What little twilight that remained was nearly blocked by the clouds. Thunder rumbled threateningly in the distance. If she doesn't return in the next ten minutes, he decided, I'm going out to find her. I won't have her caught in this storm.

'Private matter', she had said. 'It was very important to her'… What kind of day did the two have planned? She must have known something special was happening, and she didn't want to tell me about it. Perhaps… Jakob mused. Silas finally decided to propose to her.

HIs frown deepened subconsciously, his eyes freezing on a speck of dust in the glass.

Corrin. Engaged to Silas. It wouldn't even surprise him if she came back with a ring on her finger. He had been half expecting it for some time. However, that didn't stop the hopelessness or jealousy or even the terrible sensation of his heart splitting into bits at the thought.

The prince heaved a soulful sigh and rubbed his eyes wearily. For what could he do? Tell her she wasn't allowed to marry the man she loved? What right did he have to command that injustice? He had neither claim on her person nor hold on her heart, and she would only hate him if he tried to force them apart… And he could never, ever let that happen... Besides, he couldn't deny her the happiness she deserved all because he wasn't entirely sure how he could go on without her—her soft smiles, without her laugh, her flowery fragrance, her determination, and her never-ending positivity. Could he? Of course you can't.

Gods, but that didn't stop him from wishing on every star in the sky that she wouldn't say yes.

Please, Corrin. Don't marry Silas. I'll be happy if I can just… have you nearby. He stared out of the window, eyes searching, both longing and fearing to see her appear. More than anything, he just wanted her back home, safe and close.

The door swung open as if she could hear his thoughts, and Corrin appeared like a blessed genie from her bottle. Jakob found himself on his feet, fighting to urge to run to her and wrap her in his arms. Instead, he shut his eyes and took a slow breath of relief. She was safe.

"Oh!" yelped Felicia, startled by Corrin's sudden entrance. And then, "I'm so glad you made it back before the rain!" Flora mildly looked up from her book and nodded, a welcoming smile on her face.

"As am I." Corrin briefly returned Flora's smile before turning her eyes to Jakob. "I am so sorry I'm late. Everything just… took a little longer than I thought it would."

Jakob sat again and retrieved his book like he hadn't been bothered at all. He glanced at her. "Oh, that's alright. We were taking this time to read our own choices. Of course, now that you're back, we'll return to The Cursed Life of Mr. Williams… After all, we must find out what has become of his fiancé, mustn't we?" He winked teasingly.

Corrin's face slackened, relieved he was sure, that he wasn't angry with her. She took a seat at a table nearby and replied, "Ever since last book club, I've been dying to know." She ran her fingers through her wind-blown hair, and Jakob leaned on his hand, his eyes caught in the motion, his mind thinking how nice it would be to do the same.

He blinked. He cleared his throat, glancing down at his book, and dared the subject. "So… How did everything… go… in town?"

"Oh, it... It went fine," she answered.

It went… fine. What did that mean?

"Mm." He only then remember to search her hands for a ring, but somehow he noticed his book was upside down and quickly flipped it, flustered. "So, no… news of any sort then?"

"News?" She looked up, and Jakob flinched, ducking behind his book and feeling completely foolish the moment he did. "No. there's no news. Nothing… new. I just—I saw Silas for a little while."

The prince's knuckles turned white on the cover of the book. This revelation was, of course, unsurprising, but that didn't make it any less unwelcome. "Ah," he grunted. "And how is that… What is he? A monk?"

"Priest."

"—Priest, then. No wife yet?" He wasn't entirely sure he kept all the malice from his tone.

"…No…" she mumbled. "No wife… unfortunately." Jakob froze, his heart sinking low. He stared sightlessly at the blurring words on the page before him, dissecting the tone of her voice. There had been sadness… regret. She was… sad Silas hadn't asked her to marry him. Jakob swallowed thickly, his Adam's apple bobbing past his suddenly tight throat.

He took a breath and regarded her over the top of his book… She was depressed, maybe even… wistful. And his eyes shut, his body curling in on itself, his stomach roiling with unpleasant emotions.

She is in love with Silas…

Jakob had known this. He had known. So why was he finding it so difficult to breathe? Why did it feel like his heart was breaking in his chest?

He. Had. To stay. Calm. He couldn't… couldn't break down here, now, with Corrin only feet away. You always knew she couldn't stay with you forever… No matter how much you wished she would. He put his nose in the book and took slow breaths, the musty, woody scent steadying him.

Then a sorrowful sort of sound from Corrin drew his attention. His pain sharpened but in a different way.

Jakob was in love with her. Beyond any shadow of a doubt. He had been for… Well, a very, very long time… But she… She was in love with someone else. Silas. And he hasn't proposed yet. Why hasn't he proposed yet? Jakob saw the pain in Corrin's eyes, and two, suddenly very strong realizations knocked the air from Jakob's lungs.

First, his beloved Corrin was meant for another.

Second, Jakob would do anything to make her happy.

A/N

I'm trying to mix Jakob's personality with princehood and vice versa for Corrin. so I did my best to take the CORE of each of their personalities and change them just enough to fit their new roles. Not exactly easy, so, of course, they ended up a little OOC... Did it work ok?

Also, Silas. I figured-well, if he didn't have to join the army to see Corrin again, what would he do? What would he become? He likes helping people so much that I figured Healer would suit him best. So... priest?

Anyway, thanks for reading! The second chapter will be out soon just after I edit it a bit more.

Comments are extremely appreciated 3 Let me know what you think or how I can improve!