A Night With Corrin

Chapter XXX (Redshire)

Night has fallen and camp has been erected by the roadside.

You sit with Flora by a small campfire, away from most of the Nohrians. Charlotte's tent however is right next to the one Camilla had prepared for the two of you. Doubtless, your blonde escort is under orders to keep a close eye such important 'guests'. And a close eye she keeps too.

The blonde lassie sits on a rickety wooden stool polishing her axe not thirty feet away. What's more, you notice a slight look of envy about her. A look that wasn't there until just now, when Flora looped her arm through yours and rested her head against your shoulder. While subtle, days at the lady fighter's side have sharpened your awareness to such quirks. The odd scowl here. The occasional sinister stare there.

You're more concerned about Flora right now, however. Fixated upon the fire, she looks a million miles away from the rest of the world.

Sighing, the maid looks from the crackling flames to you. "Why are you doing this, Keiji...?" she asks glumly.

Exhaling a long day's fatigue, you look skyward. It's too cloudy to see the moon tonight. "I don't quite follow, I'm afraid."

"Handing yourself over to them," Flora spells out. "And for me of all people..."

An answer you've reached during your sparse but no less meaningful time under Camilla's 'care'. "Because you deserve a second chance, Flora. A chance I know Corrin will give to you. And also for myself, too," you add. "So I might find answers to some troublesome burdens."

You recall Charlotte's words on the road to Bleakvale. "...you didn't just just surrender to Camilla because you had to. You did it for yourself, because you wan't more than what you have; or what youve been given."

Such words resonate with you now, for they represent the tiny resentful spark that has flicked within you for years. Since the day when you and Hana were subjected to horrors unspeakable. What's more, Camilla's having alluded to a better world has your attention.

"A part of me is content with this," you continue, lowering your eyes to the fire, "... and that same part of me wants to witness Camilla's actions more than words can express. So I may know if there is weight to the charitable acts I beheld while in Bleakvale."

"When you and Charlotte visited the tavern there, you mean?" Flora follows, you having told her about yesterday's happenings earlier.

Minus your making love to Charlotte, of course.

"Right," you answer with a nod. "And to see if Camilla truly intends to help her people beyond token gestures."

"A noble sentiment, Keiji. But still..." Flora looks into you, her eyes trembling with feeling. "You offering yourself as tribute for my safety, if only in part; it just doesn't sit right with me. I got you into this whole mess: I should be the one who gets you out of it."

Your heartbeat rises. A token to Flora's kindness; to her genuine remorse.

"And I'm grateful for your wanting to," you say kindly. Leaning close, you kiss the maid's forehead in thanks. Her cheeks pinken. "However, you've not the means to do so. I don't imagine Camilla trusts you: not after renewing your loyalties to Hoshido as you have. I therefore cannot let you risk yourself, not without certainty of your safety. Which is something we don't have; not without first offering myself in your pace."

Tears well in Flora's eyes and she smiles so very sadly. "...But I don't understand. How, after everything I put you through, can you still be so kind to me?" She chokes out a sob. Then she unloops her arm from yours and winds both around your waist. "...I don't deserve this... I don't deserve you...! And all of this mess only makes me feel lousier with myself. Because I know Sister adores you... and Lady Corrin too."