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Chapter Text

“You have to live,” the young Mikoto pleads to the strange man lying beside her. “You must.”

She pours healing magic into the wounds pierced into his side and temple. Both injuries bleed profusely, matting the grass and his odd sapphire hair. Luckily, the gash on his head looks worse than it is.

His injuries are severe enough that the skin does not fully knit back together from the magic. Yet thankfully, the bleeding has stopped, and the man’s breathing has stabilized. Now that she has the opportunity, Mikoto studies her patient. His features are difficult to distinguish between the dark blood and the dim moonlight. His wet hair sprawls across the garden. The soft running of the nearby artificial creek matches the chirping of the cicadas. This scene would almost be tranquil, if not for the circumstances.

Mikoto hears the alarmed barking of nearby guards. They must finally have spotted her.

“Princess!” a stern bear of a woman calls.

An equally large man quickly follows, “Back away from this intruder, Your Highness!”

“He is wounded!” Mikoto half pleads, half scolds. “Take him to a healer!”

The female guard speaks, “But he—!”

“Now!” the princess yelps.

The woman slumps the strange man in her arms as the male guard grabs Mikoto’s arm dragging her back inside. She hears the woman grumbling about the queen’s displeasure as they head off in separate directions.

Arete glares at her, “Queen Ikona’s company will arrive by the evening. See to it that you’re ready to receive them by then.”

“Of course,” Mikoto sheepishly nods.

“I mean it,” Arete asserts. She draws her tea to her lips before continuing, “No making excuses this time. You cannot put off suitors forever. Her Majesty is bringing Lord Sumeragi’s second cousin who has been asking after you. If two royal families should wed and pool their dragon’s blood, that would be a great boon for our kingdoms. Valla needs strengthened alliances now more than ever.”

Mikoto, slightly indignant, keeps her composure, “I promise you, sister. I will meet with them.”

“And you will seriously consider this proposal. You just turned seventeen, Mikoto. You must start acting like it.”

Mikoto can only imagine the queen’s fury as the guard brings her to Arete’s chambers. The princess had rather indelicately cut the meeting with Sumeragi’s cousin short when she happened to spot mysterious lights out the window in the direction of her personal garden.

The Hoshidan queen, true to her sweet heart, only expressed concern as Mikoto hurried out of the meeting. Though Ikona’s in-law seemed significantly more offended.

Arete’s chamber door opens, granting Mikoto a view of the Vallite queen glaring into her fireplace, drumming her fingers across her personal table.

“Do you know how long I spent organizing that meeting,” Arete sighs. “And you disrupt it for a stray.” Mikoto opens her mouth to speak, but Arete cuts her off, “You could have sent guards to look. But you simply had to investigate yourself. Dammit, Mikoto! You put yourself in harm’s way and upset one of the most viable suitors willing to meet with you.”

“A man was in danger. I couldn’t simply do nothing,” Mikoto defends.

“As I said, you could have sent someone. You are not a child anymore,” Arete turns and glares. “My husband will not be back from dealing with Anankos for another month. I find I don’t share his optimism that the mad god should change for the better. We need options sooner rather than later.”

Mikoto snaps, “People are not simply your pawns, sister! Someone needed medical attention. That takes precedence over being some stranger’s… brood mare.”

Arete simply stares with cold affront, “You live a life of privilege and comfort. This is the sacrifice expected of you. Is it fair? No. But this is the lot of noblewomen. And the lives of our kingdom hang in the balance. Your asinine petulance won’t change that. I have granted you leeway for the past few years, but at your age, you must commit.”

Mikoto clenches her jaw as her fists ball up her gown.

Arete sighs, letting the tension out of her shoulders, “I am not trying to be cruel, Mikoto. I am genuinely attempting to find you quality suitors. Men who are kind with respectable lineage. Many of them might well be your friend if you give them the chance.”

“Will that be all, sister?” Mikoto finally says.

Arete furrows her brow before answering, “Yes. That will be all.”

Sunlight glitters over the dissipating morning mist and dew as Mikoto paces down towards the stables. The guards and stable hands give her dutiful bows as she finally finds her quarry. The strange man shovels horse manure as she approaches. He sheepishly bows once he notices her, and she giggles.

His hair is tied into a bun; a shame with how flowing and beguiling it is. She had never seen such a shade of blue on someone before. She’s also noticed that he quickly took to wrapping cloth around his forehead and ears, concealing the bizarre red gem burrowed into his brow alongside the points of his ears.

“Y-Your Higness!” he calls to her as she meets him. “I’m sorry I’m not better dressed! The stable master has been running me around, and the queen has had guards keeping a constant watch on me. I don’t think that she is fond of our meetings.”

“Please don’t be so formal,” Mikoto smiles. “And Arete is simply being an overprotective mother bear.”

“Even so,” the man nods. “It wouldn’t be wise to cross her.”

Changing the topic, Mikoto asks, “So have you thought of a name?”

The man shrugs, “I still haven’t been able to remember mine. But I’ve been listening to some servants read fantasies to their children, and the name ‘Hydra’ sticks out to me.”

Mikoto cocks her head, “As in the river dragon? Is that truly what you wish to be called?”

The man nods with a glimmer in his eyes. Mikoto smiles as she looks into those eyes. Like garnets, she thinks.

“Very well,” the princess tilts her head thoughtfully. “Now then, are you ready for your lesson today, Hydra?”

He nods, “I am. But I’m not certain how much longer your sister’s — I mean the queen’s guard will entertain this.”

“Teaching commoners to read isn’t a sin,” Mikoto giggles again. “Even if some nobles would disagree. Besides, at the rate you’re learning, it almost feels as though I’m simply reminding you how to be literate.”

Hydra bows, “Well, as long as you all tolerate it, I would be grateful to continue accepting your lessons. Please, Your Highness, lead the way.”

“I will,” the princess grins. “And just call me Mikoto.”

Chapter Text

“Is it true?” Hydra asks in a panic as Mikoto lets him into her room. “Are you really off to Nohr to meet with a suitor?”

Mikoto solemnly nods, “Three suitors, actually. My sister is relentless, and there is no way I can talk her down from this.”

“Do you think she knows about us?”

Mikoto furrows her brow as she sits down, “I don’t know. Gods, I hope not. She hasn’t indicated one way or the other. She simply ordered me to do this without question.”

Hydra looks out a window, “So is this it then? For us?”

“I don’t know,” Mikoto says. “I don’t want it to be.”

He approaches her and kneels by her side, “Mikoto, you well know how much I care for you. I won’t ask you to commit adultery for my sake. If this has to be the end, please be honest with me.”

Her heart swells when she looks into his shimmering, begging eyes. She leans forward and kisses him. He reciprocates, and all at once she can feel his conflicting yearning and hesitation.

After a minute of silence, she finally speaks up, “Is one night too much to ask?”

“Anything for you, Mikoto,” he somberly smiles. “What would you ask of me?”

She shakes her head, “No, I mean…” she blushes and sighs, “One night. Together. I-is that too forward?”

“O-oh…!” he burns red. “I-I… not at all… if that’s what you wish of me, I mean. Gods, this isn’t coming out right…”

“I know this is… fast,” she says. “But I want to feel you. To feel someone I love before I have to entertain the bed of strangers.”

Hydra winces, “I’m sorry. Nobody should have to endure such things.”

Mikoto looks at him sternly, “Hydra, I want you to be honest with me. Do you want to do this? I know this is sudden, and I won’t force you to do anything that…”

“It’s okay, Mikoto,” he smiles as he caresses her cheek. “It’s okay.”

He leans in for another kiss. This time, he feels less rigid, more open to what’s about to happen. Before she realizes it, her hands are snaking up his back to his hair, undoing the bun and letting it all fall free. She also undoes the cloth hiding his brow and ears. She never understood how so many could mock the appearance of a man so beautiful.

“I want to see all of you, my love,” Mikoto breathes.

Taking her words as a command, Hydra steps back. He removes his shirt and trousers, granting her a view of his toned, slender body. She forces herself not to gape at his muscles. But then her eyes quickly dart lower to his undergarment. She feels her cheeks running red as she notes the obvious bulge twitching beneath the cheap cloth.

“S-sorry…” he apologizes.

“For what?” she tries to sound confident. “This is the point, I suppose. Please. Don’t be embarrassed.”

He swallows and nods. He hooks his fingers around the final piece of modesty and pulls down. Mikoto silently gasps as she sees his erection spring free. She gawks, seeing a penis for the first time outside of diagrams.

A half moment passes before she speaks up, “Is it strange that I find it oddly beautiful?”

He blushes, “Um, I don’t know. But I’ll take that as a compliment.”

Mikoto then promptly stands, “Alright. Fair is fair.”

She takes a breath before she starts removing her modest nightwear — a set of samue left by her mother. Hydra attempts not to stare too much as she rolls the clothing off. As she drops the top, she sees his eyes glancing to her breasts. She feels a bit self-conscious as she’s not as perky as some of King Garon’s concubines. Though she is capable of recognizing that she is somewhat buxom, even if not as much as her sister.

Next come the bottoms. She feels even more embarrassed, exposing her lower half this way. Mostly because she hadn’t thought this night through, and the bush above her womanhood isn’t as trim as she wishes it to be.

And yet, Hydra seems not to care, “You’re beautiful, Mikoto.”

She shyly, wryly giggles, “Not as much as my sister.”

“Don’t say that,” he murmurs. “You’re graceful. You’re a natural beauty. You… y-you have curves…” He sighs, “Sorry. That sounded better in my head.”

“Don’t be sorry,” she smiles. “I appreciate your kind words. Now that we’ve had a moment to… adjust, should we get started?”

“Right,” he awkwardly nods. “I guess we do what comes natural.”

They lock hands and walk to her bed. They sit and spend a few moments kissing before she finally works up the courage to ask, “May I touch it? Your, um, p-penis?”

“Yes,” he nods.

She lightly touch the tips of her fingers to his manhood. She feels it twitch and throb, almost as though it’s ticklish. He sits, unsure of what to do with his hands.

“It’s so warm,” she observes. “I can feel your heartbeat.”

“Y-yes,” he squirms.

Sensing his tension building, she decides to start pleasuring him. Her fingers wrap around his length as she begins stroking. She smiles when he exhales, clearly enjoying the feeling. As she stimulates his erection with one hand, she uses her other to take his hand and guide it to her breast. His eyes suddenly lock with hers.

“Please. Gently,” she instructs.

He nods as he softly gropes her tit, which barely fits into his large, calloused hand. At first, he just gently squeezes and massages, but after a moment he begins rubbing over her nipple. Her breathing starts becoming a bit erratic, matching his.

They sit there, fondling and stroking each other for a minute. Then she begins rubbing the tip of her finger over his urethra. His cock suddenly throbs with more force as he groans. She smirks as she ascertains his sensitivity.

“Mikoto…” he groans. “It feels good.”

“I’m glad,” she kisses his neck.

As she touches him, it dawns on her just how much heat has been building in her core. And how much slickness has been dampening her folds and thighs.

She releases him, then kisses him, “My love. I’m ready for us to be one.”

“Alright,” he smiles into her kiss.

He gently lowers her on the bed, and hovers over her. She feels his erection twitching against her stomach as he looks into her eyes.

“There’s no going back after this,” he says.

“I know.”

He aligns himself with her, and she helps guide him inside of her. Both of them gasp at the feeling, her tightness and his fullness. Once they adjust for a moment, Mikoto moves her hips. A silent instruction for him to begin.

The princess sharply inhales as he gently rocks into her, matching her pace. She barely registers her own fingers digging into his back once he hunches forward and peppers her with kisses. His lips meander along her collar, her neck, and her jaw. All the while, she feels him push deeply into her.

His movements are slow, rolling. But when she speeds up her hips, he follows her lead. For the first time that night, Mikoto unintentionally moans as she feels him quicken, his cock probing into her insides. She feels him breathe harder, a sign of his own mounting pleasure.

Mikoto steadily speeds up her hips over the next several minutes, and he matches her pace. Their movements become messier as they lose themselves, rutting into each other. Chasing the climax of their first time.

Finally, he whimpers, “Mikoto, I need to pull out soon…”

“Please don’t,” she shocks him as her orgasm begins rushing over her. “I want to feel it. Please, Hydra. Let me feel all of you. Just for tonight.”

He isn’t able to argue long enough to hold out. He groans as he buries himself into her. Mikoto grabs him and kisses him as fervently as possible. She feels their bodies’ full union as his seed spills into her over and over.

Once they catch their breath, she speaks, “That was lovely. Thank you for doing that.”

“Anytime,” he pecks her cheek. “But are you sure it’s going to be safe?”

She cups his cheek, “Please, my love. Don’t worry about that tonight. Don’t worry about any of that. Let us just be one. As many times as we can.”

“Very well,” he relents. “Just for tonight, we’ll only focus on us.”

Chapter Text

Sumeragi’s voice startles Mikoto as she stares into a fountain fixed in one of the many courtyards of the Hoshidan castle, “Is everything alright, Princess?”

“Oh!” she grabs her chest. “Of course, my lord,” she says with a deep bow.

In truth, nothing had been well. Aside from Arete’s fury at Mikoto still dodging commitments to her suitors, the princess had been missing her period for the past few months. The growing softness on her belly, tenderness of her breasts, and predictable bouts of nausea all added to one thing. She is with child, Hydra’s child. There’s no telling what damage this will do to her reputation. Or to her sister’s plans of courtship and political alliances.

“Are you certain you feel fine?” Sumeragi presses further. “You have been distant this entire trip. More so than usual.”

He is kind to care, Mikoto thinks. Though she wonders if he might have ulterior motives. He never says or does anything untoward, remaining polite to the princess and loyal to Ikona. But the princess can’t help but notice how his eyes often scan over her own royal kimono, and how it hugs around her chest and hips. Or how he pays special attention to her over any other visiting noblewomen.

She answers, “I… thank you for your kind observation. In truth, I am feeling under the weather. Perhaps I am simply overwhelmed by all the courting my sister bids me to entertain.”

“I’m certain it must be exhausting,” he nods. “Having your whole future decided like that. But, you are a beautiful princess. You undoubtedly have your pick of men. Had I been ten years younger, I certainly would have taken the time to court a kind soul like you.”

Mikoto blushes, more from slight discomfort than flattery, “Your words honor me, my lord. Yet Ikona is such a splendid match for you. Her kind and fiery beauty is worth far more than I.”

The king chuckles, “It’s true she is more than a worthy queen. Don’t mistake me; I don’t deny it. But our marriage was arranged by her father and mine long ago. For whatever beauty I’ve seen in her, she doesn’t seem to see me as more than a friend.”

“That’s too bad,” Mikoto says. “Still, she is quite generous and loyal to both you and your people. From what I’ve seen, she is also a splendid mother towards Ryoma and Hinoka.”

Sumeragi smirks, “You are certainly right, and Ikona would appreciate hearing those words. Though I could say the same of your sister. Speaking of, how old is little Azura?”

Mikoto hums, “About eight months. She’ll be a fully fledged toddler before long. Between the kingdom and my niece, Arete has much on her plate.”

Sumeragi’s expression darkens, “And what of Valla’s missing god?”

Mikoto frowns, “He still hasn’t shown himself since… that fire. Arete’s husband spoke with him once to no avail. The king is to ride back out and try again by the end of next week.”

“And if he doesn’t succeed?”

“Well…” she stares solemnly back at the fountain, “that’s why Arete is so intent on seeing me married with children. The more who carry our blood, the better. And we need the alliances.”

“I see,” Sumeragi strokes his beard. “I had no idea it was so serious. In that case, I will do everything in my power to expedite the process.”

“How… kind,” Mikoto bows.

Castle Gyges grieves. Its king is dead. The scout confirmed the charred remains of his royal entourage on the perimeter of the mountains. The commoners gather in mourning, offering their gifts and condolences to the royal court. Though Mikoto senses their fear of a mad god far outweighs any sincere sadness.

Nobles visit from all over the continent offering their sympathies to the queen. Queen Ikona and Queen Katerina have been spending time with her sister, helping her with her duties and Azura while keeping her busy with activities. Mostly drinking in Katerina’s case. Garon had the audacity to not-so-subtly flirt with Arete as he offered his condolences. Sumeragi spent a bit more time offering his to Mikoto, then the two men disappeared to do… whatever it is men like that do.

Despite their attention primarily focused on Arete, the visiting queens attempt to include Mikoto as well. As they share tea, Katerina offers Mikoto a small flask immediately after adding its contents to her own tea.

“A little something extra?” the Nohrian queen grins.

“No thank you, my lady,” Mikoto declines.

“Come now,” she insists. “A little excitement hurts no one. You seem like you could use it.”

“I appreciate your concern, Your Majesty,” Mikoto says. “But I don’t feel well enough for drinking.”

“Your loss,” Katerina shrugs. “And don’t be so formal, girl.”

Ikona slaps Katerina’s shoulder with a fan, “And you quit pestering the poor thing. She’s trying to be polite. Her sister will have her head if she isn’t.”

Ikona then winks at Mikoto.

Arete interrupts, “You make me out to be so strict.”

“Well, if the boot fits…” Katerina drinks her entire cup of tea in one swig. “In all seriousness, Arete. Please, tell us how you feel. Truly. No pretenses or courtesy.”

Arete sighs, “Overwhelmed. My husband and I… were not as close as we should have been. But with him gone, the people are ready to riot against a god. And Azura will grow up never knowing her father. The king leaves, and everything falls out of place.”

Ikona says, “You’ve done well to keep order. And you’ve been handling Azura splendidly.”

“Yes, but even so… It’s trying.”

Katerina nods, “Nohr may not have much, but I will offer whatever assistance I can.”

Ikona adds, “As will Hoshido.”

Arete gives a tired smile, “Your kindness honors us.”

Mikoto reluctantly steps into Azura’s nursery as Arete plays with the girl. Two handmaidens look on as Azura innocently and quietly giggles next to her mother.

“Well?” Arete asks while focused on her daughter. “Why so stiff, Mikoto? What did you want to tell me?”

“M-may I speak with you? Privately,” the princess glances towards the maids.

The queen sighs, “Very well.” She looks to her servants, “You may wait outside.”

The two women leave as a silence hangs between the sisters.

Finally, Mikoto bluntly states, “I’m pregnant, Arete.”

Arete quietly puts down a ball she and Azura were fiddling with. The babe continues as Arete simply sits stiff.

Then she asks, “Is the father that… whatever he is you’ve been seeing?”

“Hydra is a person!” Mikoto raises her voice.

Arete glares at her as Azura startles, “His features… he clearly isn’t human. And you let him into your bed. You let him defile you. And now we’ll be lucky if any nobleman is willing to take you after this.”

Mikoto senses the furious chill composed just underneath Arete’s surface, “But I am having a child. That’s what you wanted.”

“A child and marriage with an ally,” Arete’s voice drips. “A union. To strengthen our nation against Anankos. Not only have you potentially cost us that, but your escort’s inhuman seed might well dilute the dragon blood in our veins.”

Mikoto frowns, “I have to spend my entire life in the bed of a man I will never love. Was I not allowed even one night with one I care for? Before my whole life was signed away?”

Arete’s jaw tightens, “Not when all it takes to cost us everything is one night. I knew I was being too lenient by letting you befriend that man, and yet I allowed it against my better judgement.”

“Isn’t that being melodramatic? How are my… my loins responsible for all of our people?”

Arete stands, “You still don’t see. I have been trying to make you understand for years, and you still don’t see. Time and again your foolish daydreams undermine our needs. I have sacrificed so much for your sake, but you keep spitting over those sacrifices. Even to this day, you act like a spoiled child.”

“That isn’t fair, putting it all on my shoulders like that,” Mikoto retorts.

Arete continues glaring, “And it isn’t fair that I was responsible for both you and our kingdom since I was little more than a teenager. It isn’t fair that we must spread our legs for noblemen. But that is our lot in life. We have a duty to our people. These are our sacrifices, Mikoto. And you still don’t see that.”

“Just because I—”

“Get out,” Arete interrupts. “I tire of this conversation. I will finish dealing with you later when Azura isn’t here.”

Mikoto gapes, “I… that isn’t…”

“Leave.”

Mikoto purses her lips, “Very well. I will take my leave.”

Chapter Text

“So you told her?” Hydra sighs as he brushes Mikoto’s hair.

“Yes. She was as livid as she’s ever been. She kept her composure in front of Azura, but… I fear what comes next for us.”

As if on cue, Arete and two guards march into Hydra’s room next to the stables. Both he and Mikoto startle to their feet as the guards grab Hydra.

“Sister!” Mikoto shouts.

The queen approaches the man, “It’s been a while since we’ve last seen each other. My sister tells me you go by Hydra now.”

“Yes. Your Majesty,” he squirms in the guards’ hold.

Mikoto bellows, “Sister, let him go!”

Arete continues ignoring her, “Well then, Hydra. You certainly have a pretty face. I can see why you’ve earned my sister’s favor.”

“What will you do with me?” Hydra’s strange eyes narrow.

“I’m tempted to flog you. Other rulers have even been known to kill men who sleep with their women out of wedlock. You better thank the gods that I am no such ruler. But I cannot allow this offense to go unpunished. Take whatever meager possessions you have, and leave this castle by nightfall. I expect you to be gone from the capital within the week.”

“Arete!” Mikoto screeches, her voice hoarse.

The queen finally turns to her sister, “This man has cost us dearly. I am being merciful, Mikoto. I don’t expect you to understand that for a long while.”

She motions to her guards, and they drag Hydra out of the stable. Mikoto drops to her knees sobbing.

Arete simply glares down at her, “I hope this stint of yours was worth it. You will spend the rest of your life raising the consequence of this. Not to mention you’ll have to deal with the murmurs the nobility will spit at our family. At you. It will take time, but I’m certain Ikona and Sumeragi will know of a nobleman willing to take an unmarried mother.”

In the coming months, Mikoto’s belly begins noticeably swelling. Thus far, only one suitor had entertained meeting with Mikoto. A polite older Nohrian widower who was then bedridden due to stroke only a week after, much to Arete’s frustration.

Mikoto breathes in relief as she avoids another suitor, especially one so withered. But she also grows desperate to soothe Arete’s vexation with her. Contemplating, she examines herself in her chamber mirror.

Her aching breasts have swollen. Her nipples have darkened. And her stomach stretches. She’d be more excited at the prospect of this child if the father could be here. Mikoto’s breath hitches as she think of Hydra.

She sits on her bed and rubs her unwieldy belly. With her eyes growing wet, she replays every memory of her lover. Every kind word. Every touch. Every kiss. Her mind goes back to that night they spent together. The only night of bliss she’s felt her whole life.

Remembering his feel, his manhood reaching into her, Mikoto’s hand wanders to her folds. She quietly cries as her fingers push inside. With quiet whimpers, Mikoto touches herself. Her fingers pump into her core slowly at first. She thinks back to the leisurely gyration of Hydra’s hips.

She imagines her fingers as his cock from that night, joining with her body slowly and lovingly. As she heats up, her other hand goes to her clitoris, rubbing the bud. She ignores the indignant squelching as she masturbates. Soon, her fingers speed up as she remembers the increase in Hydra’s pace. His body moving faster and faster in their shared heat. After a few moments, she senses her climax nearing.

“Mikoto, we—” Arete begins as she barges into her younger sister’s room. “Oh!” she startles as she sees the princess touching herself.

“A-Arete!” Mikoto cries in embarrassment. Still, the young woman is too near to completion to abruptly stop. “Just… a moment…!”

Mikoto shamelessly fingers herself in front of her sister as Arete crosses her arms and glares. Mikoto’s naked body heaves in full view of the queen as she climaxes. Her pleasure stains the bedsheets by gushing out while Arete furrows her brow. The queen strides to some nearby drawers and pulls out a towel. She silently offers it to Mikoto as the younger woman apologizes.

“Sorry…” Mikoto burns red as she places the towel between her legs, using her hand to wipe the tears she forgot were staining her face.

Arete sighs, “A woman… has needs. I suppose I should have knocked. But look at you. You’re a mess. When will you learn to have some dignity?”

Mikoto sits in quiet shame as she cleans herself.

Arete continues, “You’ve been crying.”

“Yes, well,” Mikoto says, “my sister hates me. And I’ll never see the father of my child again.”

“I don’t hate you,” Arete rolls her eyes. “I simply want you to grow up. You’re almost eighteen. If you weren’t with child, I would have half a mind to work you to the bone.”

“Don’t you understand how alone I feel?” Mikoto grabs a robe to cover herself.

“If anyone understands, it’s me, Mikoto,” Arete answers. “I’ve been alone in taking care of this kingdom for most of my life. Even after I married, our king saw fit to try befriending the mad god over prioritizing his people. I’ve done nothing but take care of others. So yes, I understand feeling alone. It’s not easy. And it might never get easier.”

Mikoto simply stares at the floor.

Arete reassures, “Even if you feel lonely, you aren’t in this pregnancy by yourself. I’m not heartless, sister. I’ll make sure you and your child are taken care of. As long as you promise never to do… that in front of me again.”

“S-sorry. I was… it was at the point I couldn’t stop… and…”

“That’s enough. I don’t need to hear anymore,” Arete holds a hand up.

Mikoto ponders, then asks, “Why did you not turn away?”

Arete shrugs, “You’re my sister. It’s nothing I haven’t seen before. Still, you’d best be careful about that sort of thing in the future.”

Arete’s mind races back to her sister. Alone in her chambers this night, there are no expectations placed on the Vallite queen. Not by the court, the nobles, or the people. No watchful men. No pretend affection for a distant husband. Just her hidden feelings.

Her younger sister was frustrating but admittedly gorgeous. Seeing her so shamelessly like that… the only woman she was ever allowed to be so close with…

Arete’s own fingers wander to her soaked folds. She knows this is wretched sin. She knows this is repugnance far removed from the image she’s carefully cultivated. But she gives in.

She rubs over her clit and folds, vividly remembering the way Mikoto’s pregnant body shook as she finished herself off. Those large breasts of hers jiggling as her soft fingers pushed inside herself. The gush of her womanhood all over her room. Even the unshaven damp, dark pubic hair.

Arete had masturbated to memories of her and her sister bathing. But seeing her in so sexual a situation… Well, she would be lying if she denied that a part of her always wanted her sister to experiment with her when they were younger. She had always wished her sister shared in her feelings for women, even if it made her life harder.

An unhealthy fantasy, of course. But still. She imagines kisses stolen. Inappropriate touches behind closed doors. A part of her even imagines that Mikoto’s child is hers — what it must have been like to impregnate her younger sister. Her mind races to fantasies that the two of them run away as forbidden lovers. Leave it all behind to raise Azura and the new baby as siblings.

That night, Arete moans all her sin into her pillow. And the next morning, she carries herself in front of the young woman she loves as though none of it happened.

Chapter Text

Mikoto had studied childbirth in her practices as a healer. She assisted with Azura’s birth as well as the labor of one of her handmaidens. She knew it would be painful. Excruciating. Still, no amount of preparation could have warned her that it would be this excruciating.

She screams as Arete stays by her side. Her older sister holds her hand reciting affirmations that Mikoto barely hears. Servants dab sweat off her forehead. The head midwife hunches between Mikoto’s legs, the most vulnerable the princess has ever felt. The castle’s lead healer watches on, prepared with healing staves and instructing the servants.

For seven hours Mikoto has been trapped in this room, the pain growing worse. She’s been pushing, screaming, breathing, and crying. She’s long stopped caring that she soiled the bed three times. She knows they’ll change the bedding out when she’s finally done.

At last, she hears a piercing cry that makes all the other noise go quiet. Intense relief washes over her body as she looks down to see the stout midwife holding the babe — a boy.

“You did it!” Arete tightens her grip on the young mother’s hand. “You did it, Mikoto!”

The midwife says something, but Mikoto’s sudden lightheadedness prevents her from fully understanding. She sees a servant take the child to be washed as her sister’s voice muffles in her ear.

And she certainly didn’t remember falling asleep. Mikoto suddenly wakes to the sound of some squeaky fussing. She sees a wet nurse feeding the newborn as Arete turns to her.

“Hey, you’re awake,” the queen grins. She strokes Mikoto’s cheek, “How are you feeling?”

“Tired,” Mikoto’s hoarse voice rasps out.

“Understandable. Have you thought of a name for the baby?”

Mikoto meekly hums, “Kamui. He’s Kamui.”

Arete nods, “That’s a lovely name. Very… divine. Do you need me to do anything? Fetch anything for you?”

“Sleep… I think I need sleep,” she murmurs.

Once again, Mikoto can’t recall actually falling asleep. But when she wakes Arete is gone and dawn is flittering through the window. The queen must have finally needed to respond to her duties. Or sleep. A wet nurse with the baby sees her and walks over.

“My lady,” she smiles, “would you like to hold your son?”

“Yes,” Mikoto gasps in delight. “Yes, very much.”

She eagerly takes the child. Her Kamui is still asleep and full of wrinkles. She quickly notices the points of his ears. There’s certainly no mistaking who his father is.

“Hello, little one,” Mikoto grins. “It’s me. Your mama. I don’t know how good of a mother I’ll be, but I promise I’ll always love you. I’ll do everything I can to make sure of that.”

A soft knock at the door draws the attention of both the princess and the nurse.

“Come in,” the nurse calls after Mikoto gives her a nod.

The door opens, and Mikoto gapes as she sees Hydra awkwardly rush in. The nurse takes a moment to recognize him by his features, but it quickly occurs to her who this is based on reputation alone.

“Y-you’re not supposed to be here!” the nurse tenses.

“Just, please. It’s only for a moment,” the man begs in a slight panic.

Mikoto calls to the nurse, “Would you leave us?”

The nurse looks to her princess unsure, then leaves in a rush.

Hydra dashes to Mikoto’s side after closing the door, “I’m not certain how long we have.”

“Hydra, how did you get in here?”

“It’s a long story, but we—”

“Hold a moment,” Mikoto glares. “After all this time, I’m holding our son. Please, slow down and see him.”

The jittery man answers, “We don’t have the time. Please, Mikoto. I’m sorry I got you wrapped up in this. In all of this. I should never have…” He gathers his breath as he pulls out a glowing blue stone, “He’s going to need this.”

“Wait, Hydra. What is this?” she asks. “What are you raving about?”

“It’s a dragonstone. He’s going to need it one day if he’s going to control his powers.”

“What powers?” she nearly shouts. “What the hell are you talking about? Make sense!” The noise causes Kamui to start crying as Mikoto cradles him, “You show up after all this time, only to start raving madly. I don’t know what you want from me.”

Before Hydra can answer, Arete rushes in with guards.

“You! You were warned!” the queen shouts as they grab him.

“And I’m trying to warn you now!” Hydra shouts. “You need to run! Anankos is coming!”

This is one of the only moments Mikoto has ever seen Arete look taken aback. But before she can respond, they hear faint rumbling. Like thunder, but constant and slowly growing louder.

“Please!” he shouts. “You need to run!”

As if summoned, another guard approaches the queen in a full sprint, “Thank gods you’re both still here! My ladies, we need to flee the castle! Now!”

Quick on her feet, Arete has her guards release Hydra to grab Mikoto and the baby before the princess even fully understands what’s happening. They rush out of the room, clearly no time for debate as Mikoto looks to Hydra.

“What is this? I don’t understand!” she cries out.

“Take that stone!” he shouts running after them. “I can’t tell you why Anankos is attacking now. I won’t burden you with that! But you need to protect our son. You need to escape Valla!”

“What about you?” she shouts back.

“I have to stay! I have to help! I owe it to you. To everyone here!”

At that, he peels off into a separate hallway.

“Wait!” she calls. “What is all this about?!”

Arete finally interrupts as they run, “We can’t stop now. We’ll figure out what he meant later.” Another servant meets them carrying a sobbing Azura. “Oh thank gods!” Arete takes her.

By the time they’re out of the castle, Anankos is already upon the city. His searing roars, his massive form repeatedly crashing into the earth, blasts of magic, screams, roaring fires — Mikoto feels the world shake with the most deafening clamor she’s ever experienced.

She sees pegasi and wyverns soar to meet the beast, only to be swat like gnats. All the military might of the capital reduced to nothing as a god’s fury screams towards the castle.

“Almost there!” she hears Arete call out as they sprint towards the lake behind Gyges.

“Blasphemous wretches!” Anankos’ voice manages to even pierce through the shaking world around them. He tears into the earth with his claws, and masses of land and buildings float up into the air. “I curse your name, Valla! For your vanity! For your sacrilege! I curse your name and memory to be forgotten and trapped! Even the mere mention of your home will be your undoing!”

He looses a blast of light right for the royals as they enter into the lake to escape out of the country. The ball of burning heat crashes into the shore, and everything is upended.

“Mikoto!” the princess hears Arete screaming as they tumble into the glowing water.

Mikoto prays that her sister and niece are not dead as she curls Kamui into her chest. She sees light even as her eyes shut tight, and feels herself barreling through a tunnel of magic in the water before everything comes to a crashing silence. A silence that lasts only for a second.

“What the fuck?!” she suddenly hears a woman swearing.

The princess opens her eyes as she washes up on a foreign lakeside shore. Kamui screams their lungs out as the princess takes care not to drop or crush him.

The woman rushes up to them, “Oh holy shit! Are you okay?!”

Mikoto notes the woman is middle-aged and a bit matronly. Her clothes are that of village commoners in Hoshido. She must have been fishing before Mikoto appeared… wherever in Hoshido this is.

“I-I’m fine,” Mikoto stammers as the woman helps her to her feet.

The woman pelts her with questions, “Where the hell did you come from? Who are you? What is this?”

Mikoto looks down at herself. Her child is crying. Her gown is singed, soaked, torn, and muddy. How is she even supposed to begin explaining what just happened?

“I…” she begins formulating her story only for a sharp pain to course through her brain.

She stumbles and the woman helps catch her, “You appear outta nowhere with fancy clothes an’ that weird water magic! You a noble? I don’t recognize that dress from Hoshido or Nohr. You from Nort Sagees?”

Notre Sagesse, Mikoto wants to correct.

But she just cradles her baby, desperately trying to soothe him, “I… can’t say. I’m sorry, I can’t say…”

“Hey hey hey!” the woman reassures. “It’s alright! Whoever you were running from, we’re not gonna let ‘em get ya. You’re gonna be safe here.”

The woman hugs her, and Mikoto starts sobbing.

Chapter Text

“Relax. You’ll do fine,” Kiyo reassures Mikoto as their wagon approaches the capital city.

“I know,” Mikoto steadies her breathing. “I’m still nervous.”

Daichi, Kiyo’s husband, drives the wagon as their newborn daughter, Mozu, sleeps on her mother’s lap. Two year old Kamui quietly bounces in restrained excitement as he stares out the window. His eyes are wide as the city draws nearer.

Mikoto is truly grateful to Kiyo’s family for helping her get back on her feet and take care of her son. Some of the village had been a bit wary of Mikoto’s unspoken past and Kamui’s appearance. But no one ever pried, and Kiyo did everything she could to keep them off her back. Mikoto also provided them healing magic and taught them medicine and a bit of how to read and write. Over time, she even managed to make a few friends who had seen her off on this ambitious trip.

Kiyo and Daichi wave goodbye once they drop Mikoto and Kamui off at the city gate. Kamui waves, undoubtedly unaware that he’ll likely not see them again for quite some time. She then carries him over to the line at the entrance as guards evaluate all newcomers.

Once it’s her turn, a stern scarred samurai asks, “Business with the capital?”

Mikoto notices how his eyes instantly started scanning over Kamui’s features, “I’m here to apply as a healer at the castle. I’m not confident in many things, but my healing magic is one of the few refined skills I possess. A position at the castle would pay well enough to keep my son and me secure.”

“Hmm,” the guard’s firm expression doesn’t change. “If you’re going to the castle, you’ll need to apply for an escort. Then a guard will accompany you. Who is this child’s father?”

“Some mage or something from Notre Sagesse,” she lies. “I… didn’t know him too well. My boy isn’t a danger, I assure you.”

The guard scoffs, “A well spoken peasant woman who knows magic? One who has… whatever that child is?”

She glares at him, “I wasn’t always a commoner. And I didn’t grow up in Hoshido. My house was a small one in Izumo. I… laid with a foreign mage, and was cast out by my family. Now I’m paying for it, but I wish to be of use. This is the best way I can help others and support my son.”

The guard opens his mouth to protest, but a commanding officer bellows out from a distance, “What’s the hold up?”

Both Mikoto and the gate guard look to the line behind Mikoto full of glaring, hot, hungry travelers.

He sighs, “Fine. You see the post behind me? Go in. Apply for that escort I mentioned.”

He hands her a slip with a pass inked onto it.

“Thank you,” she bows.

“I think I recognize you,” Sumeragi hums before Mikoto even has a chance to explain her story properly.

“My lord,” she holds a deep bow. “I was cast out of a minor house in Izumo. This is my son—”

“That must be where I know you from!” he claps.

“Be polite,” Ikona slaps his shoulder. “Miss Mikoto, we appreciate your interest in serving your new nation. Despite being a foreigner, you show exemplary initiative. Would that some spoiled natives here in Shirasagi showed your loyalty.”

Mikoto smiles and gasps in relief, “Thank you, Your Majesties.”

“Now hold on,” Sumeragi raises up his hand. “We won’t turn you away. But your circumstances are suspicious. You may serve, but you and your son will be under strict observation.”

Mikoto frowns slightly, “I… understand. I will obey. Though I want to assure you he means no harm. He is only two and hardly capable of evil.”

Ikona laughs, “I have son who is nearly two, and I promise you they are plenty capable of evil when they don’t get their way. But we see your point. Don’t worry, Mikoto. As long as you follow our laws, you are welcome to serve. Under supervision.”

“Thank you, Your Majesties,” she bows again.

After a friendly but uncanny kinshi knight named Reina shows them to their room, Mikoto promptly sits on her new bed. She sighs in relief from her aching legs. She then looks over to Kamui who has contented himself snacking on a peach gifted to him by this Reina.

Mikoto already expected to be forgotten just as Valla had been, but finally seeing her friends after these two long years, only to have been treated as a suspicious stranger still hurts. Of course, they hadn’t forgotten her completely. Some part of Sumeragi still remembered her, and that likely helped her get along so smoothly.

She’s a little less fond of his eyes still roaming over her figure, trying to be subtle. But at least he’s a far cry from Garon who would act on such things… regardless of whether or not his future “concubine” wanted the position.

Mikoto wept the night she heard the news of Katerina’s assassination. Yet Garon, the late Nohrian queen’s own husband, was busy churning out more children with various women. And now there’s rumors of him already being engaged to another woman less than a year after the tragedy.

“Mama, I’m tired,” Kamui toddles over to her.

She grins, “We’ll get you washed up. Then we can take a nap. How does that sound?”

He complacently nods, absentmindedly rubbing his eyes with sticky peach juice.

Chapter Text

Ikona’s funeral is a nightmare. Ryoma sobs quietly while Hinoka and Takumi openly wail. Their cries set off newly born Sakura’s too. Even Sumeragi’s eyes are wet as he stands firm. It’s hard not to be swept up in the emotion and join their tears. Luckily, no one is suspicious of Mikoto’s grieving as half the castle staff weeps. The ones who didn’t initially weep for Ikona started once they heard the children.

Mikoto is just glad Kamui doesn’t have to be here. Saizo the Fourth’s youngest son, Kaze, babysits him along with Orochi while she attends the wake. And she is certainly not looking forward to explaining to the boy why he’ll never see Ikona again. He was inconsolable after he realized he likely won’t see Kiyo and Daichi for years, and this is far, far worse.

For a few hours, everyone says their condolences to the king. A few even attempt to offer condolences to the children, to no avail. To make matters worse, the Nohrian royal family is late, which seems to put the castle staff in an even worse mood.

It’s nearly dusk before the neighboring king arrives. Garon’s eyes are dark and cold, much worse since she last saw him. His hair is receding and whitening, and he’s far less boisterous. Mikoto is certain his new queen will be disinterested in the whole affair, knowing Garon’s lazy taste in women — which is practically any woman under thirty-six that he can get his hands on.

Mikoto immediately eats those words when the new Nohrian queen then steps out of the carriage to stand with her husband in greeting Sumeragi. She recognizes that light, shimmering blue hair anywhere. And those golden eyes which sternly pierce to the heart of any matter. Arete.

Forgetting all decorum, Mikoto runs to the two royal families. At first they don’t notice, but when the guards make a commotion in stopping her, both kings and the queen turn to see the rude intrusion.

Sumeragi glares, about to demand an answer for her outburst, but Arete interrupts.

“Mikoto?” the new Nohrian queen gaffes. “Mikoto!?”

“Arete…!” the healer begins sobbing.

Arete practically shoves aside the guards to reach her younger sister as the two embrace.

Both kings look at each other as Garon bluntly speaks, “Arete, you know this woman?”

Arete looks back at her husband, for once looking at a loss for things to say.

Mikoto stands, bows, and apologizes, “Forgive me, Lord Garon. Lord Sumeragi. I am a disowned noble from Izumo, solely responsible for a young son. Arete is… a distant cousin. We were friends in childhood.”

“A cousin?” Sumeragi tilts his head. “Well, if this cursed day can bless someone with something good, then we must accept it.”

Garon, substantially more pessimistic, continues to be blunt, “It seems the women in your family have a habit of ending up single mothers.”

Arete glares at him as Mikoto bows, still only being a commoner. Of course, Garon’s remark also implies that Azura yet lives. And thus Mikoto can’t help but smile through her tears.

Arete then looks to Sumeragi and offers a bow, “My apologies, Lord Sumeragi. This is our first official meeting, and matters are already… chaotic.”

The Hoshidan king smirks, “Don’t be sorry for good news. Take this blessing. Why don’t you and your cousin catch up while I speak with Garon?”

“You are very generous, Lord,” Arete gives a second bow as she and Mikoto step to the side.

A quick moment of reuniting has turned into a night of drinking in the guest chambers whilst Garon galavants at the brothels. At first, Mikoto worried over her impropriety. Yet Sumeragi seemed glad to give her the night off. She suspects doing something good for someone else is helping his grief.

“Gods,” Arete wipes her eyes. “At the risk of sounding tedious, I never imagined that… I mean seeing you here like this? It’s all so much. Losing Ikona and Katerina hurt so terribly. But getting you back…”

“It’s okay,” Mikoto hugs her. “I feel the same way. It doesn’t seem real.”

Mikoto is fully aware that both of them smell of sake and wine. She doesn’t care.

“How is Azura?” the healer asks.

“She is… struggling,” Arete solemnly replies. “She is doing well in her studies, but Garon’s other children bully her relentlessly. There’s only three or so who actually treat her with respect. The eldest princess, surprisingly enough. And little Leo’s too young to know why everyone seems to hate her, but he’s at least kind to her now. I’m just thankful that Xander is one of those three. Having Garon’s ‘legitimate’ child defend her has helped. A little.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Mikoto says.

“And what of Kamui? How are they treating him?”

The healer purses her lips, “Ikona did a wonderful job with her children. They protect him. As does a girl named Orochi and a boy named Kaze. But… everyone else… They are suspicious of his appearance and origin. We keep him apart from most other children as they will bully him when given the opportunity.”

Arete places her hand on her sister’s, “I’m sorry. He shouldn’t have to go through that. Neither of you should.”

“Thank you.”

Arete continues, “I’m serious. You’ve been through so much. In hindsight, I… wish I was a bit kinder to you. I didn’t realize how close—” she winces from a sharp pain in her head, “how close that monster was to attacking home at the time. I should have spent our time better.”

“That means a lot, Arete,” Mikoto says. “I’m sorry for trying your patience so often.”

“Yes, well,” Arete smirks, “you’ve done some growing up.”

Mikoto returns her smile, “Anyway, what’s the story with you and Garon? Pardon, Lord Garon. I understand why he enjoys your beauty, but I’m surprised he married you so quickly.”

Arete rolls her eyes, “He spotted me dancing in Macarath and summoned me. I told him my mother’s side was from Hoshido. I don’t know why he chose to marry me over his other concubines. Perhaps it’s because I was one of the only women he knew who possessed confidence but no ulterior motive. Still, Azura needed the protection. Macarath is no place to raise a child. Especially a young girl.”

“But is Nohr’s capital any better?”

“I don’t know,” Arete sighs. “Katerina evidently hid how bad the so-called ‘Concubine Wars’ actually were. And they’ve only gotten worse with her passing.”

“Do you wish to leave?”

Arete shakes her head, “We’ve only been recently married. Running would make things worse for us. I just keep my head down and focus on training Azura.”

Mikoto furrows her brow, “At her age?”

The queen nods, “She needs to learn the song. Once she’s old enough, it would be best if she knew how to defend herself as well. But enough about that. How are you after Ikona’s passing?”

“It hurts. She took a great risk giving birth to so many children,” Mikoto answers. “I pray every day that Sakura won’t grow up to blame herself for what happened.”

“Those poor children,” Arete says. After an awkward pause, she continues, “Not to sound too forward, but you should expect Sumeragi to propose within the next year or two.”

“Sister!”

“I’m serious,” Arete says. “I’ve seen the way he looks at you. Both back when he first knew us. And even now, today. He’s been in love with you for quite some time. Though, I imagine he’ll wait a more appropriate amount of time than a certain lecherous oaf I know.”

“I can’t pretend I haven’t noticed,” Mikoto admits. “But even so, why me?”

“Why not you?” Arete exclaims with surprising casual flair. “You’re a kind, beautiful woman with noble bearing. You’ve got a good face, amazing hair, and a nice figure.”

Mikoto blushes, “Sister! That is…! I don’t often hear you speak like that.”

Arete shrugs, “It might be the liquor.” She scrutinizes her wine, “I don’t often drink this much. But I’m serious, you’ve always been more attractive than you realized. It always drove me crazy.”

Mikoto chuckles, “Oh heavens, there’s no way you were jealous of how I looked. You’re so much more exotic, poised, graceful, and…” she leans in with embarrassment, “you have better curves.”

Arete waves her hand, “Please. I didn’t say I was jealous.”

“But you said I drove you crazy.”

Arete begins blushing and even sweating a bit at her accidental faux pas, “W-well… I… hmm.”

“Is everything alright?” Mikoto asks.

“Can you keep a secret?” Arete hushes.

Mikoto nods, finally realizing just how drunk her sister is, “Of course.”

The Nohrian queen huffs, “You see, I have… difficulties… bringing myself to find men attractive. I marry for my kingdom. I marry for my daughter. But it’s all duty in the end.”

Mikoto gasps, “Arete, you’ve never told me any of this. You mean to tell me this whole time you’ve only—”

“Only been attracted to the fairer sex,” Arete takes a swig of wine. “But I was a good woman. I did my damn duty. Again and again. Hell, I did it on the carriage ride here since His Majesty demanded it.”

“Sister…” Mikoto strokes Arete’s hand. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.”

Arete looks down at Mikoto’s gentle touch and sighs, “Then there’s this. This is what I mean when I say your beauty drives me crazy. Trust me, I understand why Sumeragi finds you attractive. I’m a terrible older sister with disgusting, unholy thoughts about her one and only sibling. I guess that’s what happens to a sexually repressed and socially isolated fool.”

“Oh?” Mikoto cocks her head. “Oh! Ohh…” The healer’s chest tightens, “W-well, one cannot help how they feel. How they act is what matters.”

“How demure,” Arete wryly laughs.

Mikoto takes a breath, “You truly have feelings for me? Despite being your sister?”

Arete nods, “Yes. I’ve been in love with you since we were children. That night I caught you touching yourself? I know I scolded you, but in truth, I was a hypocrite. That was the most sexual excitement I ever felt. That memory kept me warm through many nights with Garon.”

“I see…” Mikoto blushes as she fails to make eye contact. “S-so… you wish for… y-you and I to…”

Arete then shrugs, “Relax. I’m not going to demand you run away with me or anything. I’ll deal with my feelings as I always have. I’m just glad you were willing to listen. It’s one more burden off my shoulders. And it’s… nice to finally admit that after so many years.”

“Between Hydra and raising Corrin, I’m not in the habit of judging,” Mikoto says. “Though I must admit, it’s a lot to take in. And yet I find it oddly flattering. I’m sorry to say I can’t return your feelings.”

“Ha! We wouldn’t be able to do anything even if you did,” Arete grins. “But I appreciate the token.”

Mikoto smirks, “I’m simply glad you finally felt comfortable enough with your feelings to trust me with this.”

“Mikoto…” Arete leans, cheeks flush red with alcohol. “As I said, I will deal with these feelings on my own. However… if you feel comfortable… and it’s completely acceptable if you don’t… would you perhaps permit me… one kiss? Just to know what it’s like.”

Mikoto tenses, “Arete. You have been drinking quite a bit. We both have. I’m not certain this is a decision we should make inebriated.”

“Yes. Yes, you’re absolutely right,” Arete looks down solemnly. “I apologize for bringing up something so inappropriate.”

Mikoto frowns as her guilty heart tugs at her. Her sister had sacrificed so much and ended up so lonely. And perhaps it couldn’t hurt to experiment with her own interests.

After a beat, she relents, “Oh, never mind. One kiss.”

Arete lights up, “Truly? Gods, forgive me for this.”

Mikoto closes her eyes as Arete leans in to kiss her. She feels bad for tensing as much as she does, but this is more for Arete’s sake than her own. And to her older sister’s credit, the queen is a gentle and tender kisser. Her lips are soft, and her tongue is warm once she slips it in.

She knows that letting her sister probe her mouth like this, lips starting to smack, is considered sin against the gods. But if the gods end up like Anankos, she doesn’t much care for how they feel.

After a moment, Arete breaks away, “That was… something I’ve dreamt of for a long time. Thank you, Mikoto. I know you can’t reciprocate my feelings, and I often seemed cruel back home. But I do mean it when I say I’ve always loved you.”

Mikoto smiles, “And I love you, sister. Even if I can’t love you in all of the ways you desire.”

Chapter Text

True to Arete’s prediction, it had only been about nineteen months until Sumeragi proposed. Mikoto, not wanting to bite the hand that fed or disappoint her sister again, accepted. While she can’t say she loves Sumeragi, she feels pleased that he’s so ecstatic about the ordeal. The man had been wanting this for longer than even he realized.

Ryoma and Hinoka are understandably touchy about the subject. Ryoma hasn’t spoken to her, and Hinoka wouldn’t stop her tantrum. Takumi, on the other hand, is too young to understand what’s happening, and chances are he’ll barely remember Ikona. As for Sakura, Mikoto will be the only mother the poor girl ever knows

“Don’t mind them,” Yukimura smiles as he wrangles the eldest children for their lessons. “Castle Shirasagi welcomes you once again. This time as its future queen, Lady Mikoto.”

It had been some time since she’s been addressed by that title.

“I appreciate your positivity, Sir Yukimura,” she gives a shallow bow. “But many in the castle do not feel the same as you. I already drew suspicious glares even before the engagement.”

“Please pay no mind to the riffraff,” he keeps smiling. “Your kind heart will make for a wonderful queen! And the children need a graceful mother such as yourself.”

Hinoka kicks him in the shin as he says this. He winces but continues to smile at his future queen.

“I see,” Mikoto frowns. “I hope to rely on you from now on.”

“Certainly, Lady Mikoto,” he bows.

The wedding is a far gaudier affair than she would like. Her kimono is decorated in golds and scarlets. The crown running through her hair strains her neck. And the makeup takes hours. She swears she’s going to sweat her adornments off before the day is through.

Many people roam the streets, likely more eager for the feasting than the actual ceremony. Countless nobles and visiting dignitaries gather in their finest garbs. As do her new stepchildren, who are considerably more uncomfortable wearing such things.

The highlight of the whole day is when the Nohrians arrive. Garon brings Xander and Azura, who are so much bigger than the last time Mikoto saw them. Seeing Azura walk and talk fills her with pride. Then, there is her sister; Arete greets her with a firm hug as the two visit in Mikoto’s private dressing room.

“You look fantastic,” Arete smiles. “I am very proud of you, Mikoto.”

“Thank you,” the younger woman self-consciously smooths out her wedding kimono. “I’m absolutely terrified.”

“You will do wonderfully,” the elder sister reassures.

Mikoto then awkwardly asks, “Um, about tonight… What should I expect?”

Arete’s face straightens out, “Honestly? Not much. Sumeragi is a nice man, so he’ll likely be gentle and attentive. But do not count on anything amazing. If you can, let your mind wander to fantasies. It won’t be as bad that way.”

“I see,” Mikoto hums.

“Don’t worry,” Arete follows up, “men of that station typically spend themselves quickly. Once he’s tired himself out, you’ll be able to get a decent sleep.”

Mikoto nods. The consummation is the one part of this ordeal she’s actively been dreading. Sumeragi is an honorable and generous man. But Mikoto simply doesn’t possess any form of love for him other than platonic. Being asked to sleep with a respectable friend is still quite humiliating for her.

Oddly enough, kissing her own sister felt less uncomfortable than the idea of waking up next to Sumeragi. At least she and Arete cordially parted ways after, knowing that was the end of that. Yet with her new husband, she’ll be expected to yield her whole body over and over. At least until he’s too old to continue.

The events of the day distract her mind from these thoughts. Arete sits next to Garon, quietly cheering her on. Kamui stands next to his new siblings, fussing with the first bit of fancy robing he’ll have to wear. The now four year old is decidedly not eager for such things. She smiles at him as she walks down to her groom, and Kamui smiles back.

The boy shouts, “You’re pretty, Mama!”

This causes some guests to guffaw and others to whisper judgmentally. Sumeragi, adorned in his full battle armor, is one of those who laughs. She is grateful that he’s already taken to being a positive father figure for Kamui. According to him, Kamui is nearly as natural with practice swords as Ryoma was at that age. Honestly, it’s a more concerning thought for the young mother, but she appreciates that Sumeragi meant it as a compliment.

Yukimura, being the only man Mikoto knows in Shirasagi as a friend, is the default choice to give her away to the king. As she strides towards her groom, the advisor whispers, “Remember to breathe. You’ll do well.”

Sumeragi hums, “Your son is right. You look lovely.”

“He’s going to be our son now,” she murmurs back.

Sumeragi simply smiles as the ceremony begins its most important moment.

Chapter Text

The wedding night is here, and Mikoto takes a breath. Sumeragi stands before her, having undressed first. She supposes it’s to make her feel more at ease that he’s chosen to bare all first. But even so, she must steel herself.

She respects that he’s still quite fit at his age. And his erection certainly seems spry. Yet he still has an intimidating glint of expectation in his eyes. The servants have already assisted her in undressing out of the garish ceremonial kimono, but she still has her fancy silk robe, a gift from Arete, covering her modesty.

With an exhale, she undoes the robe and drops it to the floor. She blushes profusely as Sumeragi stares at her bare body. His eyes meander over her exposed breasts and freshly trimmed Venus mound.

“You look breathtaking, my dear,” he compliments. “Even better than I could have imagined.”

“Thank you,” she politely responds.

She then sits on the bed and lays back. Soon, he’s hovering just above her. He doesn’t ask to enter so much as inform her as his cock slides into her folds. Thankfully, he had the foresight to lubricate himself. Something he undoubtedly learned to do from Ikona.

As he bottoms out, she grunts. He takes this as a sign of her pleasure, and she simply goes along. She closes her eyes and pictures Hydra as much as she’s able. She tries to relive the memory she’s kept to herself on many a lonely night, when all she had were her own fingers.

With each thrust, Mikoto tells herself that it’s Hydra, not her new husband. After a few moments, she begins imagining that it was Hydra whom she had married up there. She concocts a world in which he was elevated to nobility and allowed to wed her. This is their wedding night, and he can finally lay with her yet again.

His movements are slow but stiff, not waiting for any response from her own hips. The king is clearly trained in the art of women who simply lie there and take it. She can mostly imagine it as Hydra’s body pressing into hers — his cock joining her body. His manhood and her womanhood uniting like fate. The illusion is broken up by the occasional loss of rhythm, or Sumeragi bucking his hips just a little too hard.

The fantasy comes and goes, enough to feel herself get a little wet. And a little more sensitive. She absentmindedly moans to the imagined sensation of Hydra hitting a particularly deep spot as her husband pushes inside her. Sumeragi interprets this as encouragement and speeds up.

Mikoto grunts as her partner hammers into her. She conjures an image of her and Hydra becoming lost in their passion. Both young lovers carried away as he has his way with her in the old Gyges stables. Her breaths become heavier as she finally settles on this more effective fantasy. Sumeragi grinds into her more and more as she approaches her climax.

Mikoto bites her lower lip to stop from calling her old lover’s name, and she finishes. Her hips role to the feeling of her orgasm, not even realizing that Sumeragi had also finished. At least not until she feels the warmth of his seed spilling into her.

The king pulls out and lays next to her. He’s out of breath as his flaccid penis hangs.

“Gods, Mikoto,” he huffs. “I’ve been waiting for this moment for so long. I’m glad to see this was worth it for both of us.”

“…Of course, my dear,” she turns on her side to face him.

“In all the excitement, it might take me a while to fall asleep,” he smirks.

“I beg your pardon?”

“Relax,” he chuckles. “I’m not saying you bore me. More like you have quite the vigor!”

She then realizes he’s done already.

“I’m glad you enjoyed it,” she politely smiles.

The next morning is a blur of servants waking her up. The king had already risen, and now maidens are urging her to get dressed. Even now that she is their queen, they still treat her as someone to be ordered.

“Why the need to rush?” she asks one of them.

“Lord Sumeragi is wrapping up some early business with the council. Once he’s done, you two will depart on your honeymoon to Izumo,” the servant giggles. “I hear you have some disapproving family there. Perhaps showing them your new rank will be cathartic for you.”

“Perhaps…” Mikoto sighs.

A trip might do her some good. But she hates to be away from Kamui for so long. Or to feel obligated to hang onto the king’s arm the whole while. She’ll also have to invent an excuse as to why she doesn’t wish to see her “old family”, should he ask.

Chapter Text

The only thing Mikoto hears is her heartbeat pounding in her ears as she drops to her knees. Sumeragi and Reina kneel next to her to console her. Yukimura offers his apologies at the news, but she doesn’t take in a single word.

Her heart free-falls as she processes the news of Arete’s sudden demise. Nobody knows the circumstances. Garon, in response, has left the country on some unknown mission, and he hasn’t been seen in days. Many houses across the continent are in a state after the news. Arete wasn’t particularly well liked or well known, but the sheer mystery behind these events alarms everyone from the east to the west.

But Mikoto suddenly feels she can hazard a guess as to what is responsible. She was a fool. All this time she thought that Anankos would leave them alone, content to stew in his bitter hatred within the ruins of Valla. Yet even knowing the truth, there’s nothing she can do. At least not now. Corrin will train once he’s old enough, however the boy is only five. It would be years before he had any true martial capabilities. Let alone the power to fight a god.

Sumeragi once spoke of the Rainbow Sage. Perhaps that will be a start some years from now. But at this moment…

The queen grips her gown nearly tight enough to tear it. Sumeragi helps her back to her feet as she seethes, eyes tearing.

“I will be in my chambers,” she chokes out.

Yukimura protests, “My lady, I am not certain if that is healthiest—”

Mikoto ignores him as she paces away.

Reina speaks, “Let her be. I suspect she needs time to process this.”

The next year drones on for Mikoto. She fills her duty as queen as best she’s able. She’s stopped protesting Sumeragi’s insistence on a stricter studying and training regiment for Kamui. Everything flies by in a world of sapped color and grays.

Her son seems to have noticed her lack of energy, often hovering around her anxiously and at a distance. Mikoto regrets this, regularly comforting the boy. But she cannot let go of the rage and grief ripping at her heart. She has to focus it upon something, even having gone so far as to order Reina to train her in the yumi.

Reina often comments on the awkward and unfocused power behind Mikoto’s shots. More than once, these sessions end in tears.

Her true test comes when Sumeragi informs her one night over dinner that he must leave the throne to her for more than two weeks. The children naturally complain as he announces this.

Mikoto simply asks, “What’s so urgent?”

“Lord Garon has sent correspondence. He claims to have found evidence into the matter of Queen Arete’s…” he looks over the faces of his youngest children, “…passing.”

“What?” Mikoto nearly leaps forward. “What did his letter say?”

Sumeragi shakes his head, “He doesn’t trust written word. He insisted on meeting in Cheve to discuss this personally.”

Mikoto settles back down, “…I see. Very well. If it gets us any closer to understanding what happened.” And perhaps understanding the true evil buried under their world.

Sumeragi nods, “I promise to avenge your cousin’s death. But there’s more. Ryoma and Kamui are old enough that they need to see how our men handle diplomacy with other countries. This is a good opportunity for them to learn engagement with a steadfast ally.”

Mikoto almost instinctively protests, wanting to cite Kamui’s still young age, but she’s desperate. Kamui and the other children must be prepared to deal with Anankos when the time comes.

“And what of Hinoka?” Mikoto asks. “Will she attend?”

Sumeragi shakes his head, “No, she is to remain here.” He then side-eyes his eldest daughter, “Besides, she’s grown into a bit of a tomboy. She could stand to spend more time with you learning some grace.”

Mikoto decides it’s not worth arguing over dinner, so she assents, “As you say.”

This earns understandable protests from Hinoka, but her father shuts her down quickly.

Mikoto is ill for days. Servants whisper outside her door. Reina, Yukimura, and Orochi try everything to get her out of bed. But she hasn’t the strength. She misses Sumeragi’s funeral. She misses council meetings. She misses Sakura’s first birthday. Everything from commerce to politicking stalls.

She should never have agreed to let Kamui go. And now so much grief constricts around her chest like a python. Once again, Anankos destroys what she loves. This time taking nearly everything she cared about. She wonders if his spite is directed at her specifically. If so, she has no idea what she could have done to offend him so.

Then again, gods prop themselves up as absolute beings. She’s likely nothing more than part of a mass to him. A vague notion of humanity needing to be punished.

After days, she hears raised voices coming from a distance out her window. She moves to close it, only to look down into a courtyard. Hinoka, next to a crudely made training dummy, argues with Yukimura and Reina as they scold her.

She then notices the girl having obviously stolen a training naginata that is far too big for her. Reina becomes frustrated, grabbing Hinoka by the arm. But the girl, against all odds, manages to wrestle even from the kinshi knight’s iron grip. She picks her practice weapon back up, and she poises herself for a fight.

Mikoto cannot discern what they’re yelling about. Yet she can imagine it well enough. Even against one as frightening as Reina, the girl is willing to fight.

Suddenly, Mikoto finds herself crying. She believed herself to have run out of tears. But she weeps seeing this child insist on training, no matter what her obstacles.

By the time, Reina finally subdues the first princess to bring her inside, Mikoto meets them at the courtyard gate.

“M-My lady,” Reina and Yukimura both bow as they hold Hinoka. “It is nice to see you out. Are you feeling well?”

Mikoto simply looks to Hinoka, the girl attempting to bite her captor.

Reina stammers nervously, “Pay her no mind. She is grieving in her own way.”

“Yes. She is grieving too, isn’t she?” Mikoto ponders aloud.

She then steps towards Hinoka and commands Reina to put her down.

“What?” Hinoka nervously but defiantly asks.

“Do you wish to train?”

Hinoka stays silent, and Mikoto sighs.

Then the queen speaks, “If you want to learn to fight, you need to start with a more appropriate piece of equipment.”

Hinoka lights up as Yukimura interjects, “Your Majesty, is letting her train wise?”

The queen nods, “Stewing on anger won’t help. And I’ll not sit by and let anyone else be a victim to…” she stops herself before saying too much, “the world, I suppose.” Yukimura seems hesitant, but Mikoto continues, “Summon the council for an emergency session. I’ll… clean myself up.” Her advisor and retainer both look at her expectantly. “Many are eager to call for war but that is not an option as of now. Nohr’s military might currently outpaces our own.” That, and she’s certain Anankos is manipulating this. She doesn’t want to destroy the innocent Nohrians caught up in this hidden conflict. “We bide our time, and we draft plans to take back the prince.”

Chapter Text

Mikoto rushes to the throne room. All accounts of the Nohrian prince Corrin captured by Kaze and Rinkah fit Kamui’s description. Pale hair, pointed ears, red slit eyes. He’s also the right age. The one and only discrepancy is his name, yet the name change would explain how Garon could believably hide the boy amongst the handful of survivors from his many children.

She hears the familiar voices of Ryoma, Rinkah, and Kaze once she reaches the door. Taking a second to compose herself, she also hears the voice of a stranger. Upon entering, her eyes snap to a curious figure who looks like the same boy she lost, now grown into a comely young man. This young man, this Corrin, stares at her.

She steps forward, “I cannot believe it is really you…”

“I’m sorry, do we know each other?” Corrin asks.

Barely registering the question, she firmly embraces him, tears in her eyes, “Oh, I've missed you so much! Come here, Kamui, my sweet child!”

He gently pushes her off with a blush, “Your child?! What are you talking about?”

He didn’t remember. Her boy didn’t remember. A part of her twitches in hatred for Garon, knowing he had a hand in repressing Kamui’s memories, whether by magic or trauma. She and Ryoma attempt to explain Kamui’s true history to him. The young prince battles between denial and recognizing that there are holes in his memory.

Even then, he still insists the surviving Nohrian royals are his siblings. The conversation is cut short, however, when a scout brings a report of Hinoka and Sakura tracking faceless near an exposed village in the north.

Mikoto laments this misfortune. Reunited only to be shortly cut off yet again. It’s nearly a week longer before all her children return to her. Kamui, or rather Corrin as he made it clear he wishes to be called, seems to get along with most of his siblings aside from Takumi.

Hinoka and Sakura already speak to him rather naturally by the time they arrive from the north. He seems amicable, though still a bit estranged. The only one he truly opens up to is Azura, likely due to their similar backgrounds. Mikoto is still thankful that she was able to rescue her niece from Nohr, even if she couldn’t retrieve her son at the time.

The budding songstress helps Corrin feel more comfortable, especially at dinners. He’s entirely forgotten how to use Hoshidan utensils, but she aids him. Slowly, Corrin responds to his new family. Though he still seems lost.

One night, Mikoto brings him to his childhood room in the hopes that he would remember something. They wander around the dusty space until he spots some aged parchment on the floor.

“And what’s this?” he asks.

She beams, “Oh! That's a picture you drew when you were a little boy. This is your father, this is me, and that's you. It's so cute!” Mikoto then adds, “We couldn't bear to touch a thing in this room after you were taken. If we put your things away, it would have felt like giving up. You've grown so much. I can't believe how handsome you are!”

And her son has grown up to be handsome. He possesses those same shimmering garnet eyes his father had. The same kind smile leading them to wear their hearts on their sleeves. Even the same athletic but slender frame. Just this simple reminder from her son’s appearance makes her miss Hydra’s soft warmth.

His face turns red at her compliment, “I'm afraid I still don't remember anything. I... I just don't know how to respond to your stories. I do believe I could be your child... But most everyone here simply feels like a stranger to me.”

She solemnly nods, “I understand, Corrin.” It still stings using his Nohrian name. “But please, don’t force it.”

Corrin’s head droops, “I'm so sorry. Here you are, likely my real mother, and I feel… so awkward around you.”

Mikoto clasps his hands, and he blushes again, “Please. It makes sense. You spent your whole childhood in Nohr. I'm sure you were quite sheltered. You will need time to think all of this through and search your soul. But I hope that someday we can be a family again. For now, continue making yourself comfortable. You are safe here.”

It will take work, but at least she finally has her son back.

Chapter Text

Over the next several days, Corrin’s siblings help him adjust and slowly open up. As he learns more of his family and Hoshido, Mikoto can’t help but notice so many of his mannerisms are similar to Hydra’s. His awkward gentleness. His innocent smirks whenever he succeeds in learning something. Even the unnecessary apologies when he inconveniences someone.

Most warm up to him, other than Takumi. Though Corrin still seems lost, he is certainly personable and slowly finding his footing. And he never treats his siblings as though they’re anything less than equals. Garon’s cruelty hasn’t tainted him.

One afternoon, Mikoto asks about those who looked after him in Nohr. He excitedly glows as he describes the remaining Nohrian children, and she is reminded of why Arete loved them so much. He also recounts shenanigans from his retainers, laughing as he thinks of them. Though Garon was ruthless towards him, it’s clear to Mikoto that the other Nohrians surrounding him still loved him. This simply reaffirms her ambition to topple Anankos without hurting Nohr, and so she doubles her efforts.

As such, Corrin one night finds her asleep in her study, researching the Rainbow Sage. She groggily startles awake as he rests a hand on her shoulder.

“Oh my,” she looks up at him. “For a moment I thought you were someone else.” She thinks of Hydra. “It seems I fell asleep.”

“Are you alright, Mother?” he asks with innocent concern.

She smiles, “Do not worry yourself. I am fine.” She hums as she stands up, “That tender nature of yours… so much like your father.”

“You mean Sumeragi?”

“Ah… Yes, I suppose so,” she says.

It’s neither the time nor the place to tell him of Hydra. Especially after upending his whole life once already.

“In truth, it aches my heart a bit,” she admits. “To be so frequently reminded of the man I love when I look into your eyes.”

“Sorry…” he apologizes.

“No! You have nothing to be sorry about! This is not a bad thing. It simply means he lives on in you.”

Mikoto still can’t help but stare at his features. Hair aside, it is so like having Hydra stand in front of her yet again. Even down to the shameful, girlish fluttering inside her heart.

That fluttering… Guilt pangs through her heart. Her son is not her lost lover. But he almost could be. Mikoto gasps as she suddenly realizes this must be what Arete felt for her. This absolute failing as an older relative, sworn to guide the younger. Having such a repugnant longing in one’s soul for the vulnerable family one must protect.

“Are you certain you’re alright?” Corrin notices her odd behavior.

“Yes, I am… quite fine. Simply dueling with many emotions. The joy of having you here, but also being reminded of my lost love. As I said, it is difficult. I see so much of him in you that I’m almost tricking myself.”

“Tricking yourself how?” he innocently cocks his head.

She really wishes he didn’t ask that.

“Never mind. It’s nothing. Just my sleepy mind confusing my emotions,” she dismisses.

“Please. Maybe I can help,” he insists.

Mikoto sighs, “I merely want him back here with me. You are so like him that my heart sometimes deceives itself.”

“You really miss him, huh?” Corrin, bless his heart, still hasn’t picked up on her implication. Perhaps that’s for the best. But then, “You know, you’ve also been confusing me, Mother.”

“Oh? How so?”

He sheepishly admits, “I’m only just starting to adjust to you being my family. When I first arrived here, having a beautiful woman I didn’t know suddenly embrace me like that… It overwhelmed me. I didn’t know how to appropriately respond to you. Oh! But now that I know we’re related, I’m not going to be weird about it or anything! Sorry, I just don’t do well around attractive people…”

Mikoto blushes, “Don’t worry, sweetie. I don’t think any less of you for it. I’m just flattered you thought I was beautiful at my age.”

Corrin tuts, “That’s ridiculous. You’re only what? Thirty-three? Thirty-four? That’s hardly old.”

Mikoto giggles, “That’s kind of you to say, dear. I’ll be thirty-five this year.”

Mikoto suddenly chastises herself for falling into this. Letting him flatter her looks. He’s a much younger man and her son no less. He shouldn’t be seeing her in such a manner.

“You keep acting strangely,” he points out her distraction yet again.

Mikoto sighs, “Corrin, I appreciate that you thought I was good-looking. But… I would ask that you refrain from such compliments.”

“Why?” he again asks in innocent concern.

“When I said that seeing you tricks my heart…” she gathers her thoughts. “At the risk of sounding redundant, you remind me of the only man I ever loved. Sometimes too much. When you say that I am young and beautiful… It might give me the wrong impression.”

He blushes, and she suspects he’s finally understanding, “H-how so?”

“Must you ask me that question?” she delicately scolds. “This is a door we must not open.”

Full realization finally dawns on him, “Mother… I… As I said, you were a stranger to me at first. Seeing an affectionate and gorgeous woman who later turned out to be my mother… I still have confusing thoughts about it.”

“Corrin,” she cautions.

“Mother, answer me honestly,” his pretty eyes plead. “Do you have feelings for me? Because I think… I might have feelings for you. Are we drawn to each other in a forbidden way?”

Mikoto’s chest pounds and pounds, “Corrin, must you tell me such things? I am… scared. Scared that the answer is yes.”

“I see,” Corrin ponders.

Mikoto takes a deep breath, “We must never speak of this. I am responsible for you. I will not use you like that. I will not burden you when you should be courting a fine young woman like Azura. The two of you have already been spending so much time together.”

Corrin waits for a moment, then speaks, “I’d be lying if I said she wasn’t attractive. But then so are you, Mother. I see two possible routes. We hide these feelings and agonize over them. Or we embrace them but hide our relationship forever. Both roads seem difficult.”

“Corrin…” she warns. “You shouldn’t entertain being with a woman nearly twenty years your senior. Especially not at such risk to yourself.”

Corrin frowns, “Why not? Younger nobles marry much older ones all the time. And you’re a perfectly lovely woman who is still relatively young. You’re worth breaking a few rules for.”

Mikoto struggles for breath, “You keep saying these things. You keep making my heart long for you. Corrin, you are my son! I birthed you. Maybe if we were siblings, equals, I might consider risking the idea. But to cross the line between parent and child… I can’t do that to you.”

“The fact that you are so concerned over not hurting me tells me I can trust you,” he retorts. “I’m grown now, Mother. We are two people who simply find each other attractive. Must we overcomplicate this?”

The queen huffs, “You make saying no to myself nearly impossible.”

“To yourself? Not to me?”

She nods, “You have no idea how much I want this, Corrin. But… I must be strong and resist. Shouldn’t I?”

“Only your heart can answer that,” he replies.

All her life, Mikoto was taught that the gods delineate between highborn and lowborn. Between races and cultures. Between man and woman. But Anankos, her own people’s god, lost himself to madness and pride. And Arete, her own sister, spent her whole life repressing her feelings. All because of assumptions. Because of the gods’ say-so. And so many people have judged her for her love towards Hydra, for her status as a single mother, for her loss of a title, for her mixed race son. If these are the superficial judgments of gods and those who worship them…

“My heart…” Mikoto clasps at her chest. “My heart says yes. I want this with you, Corrin. I want to love you as both a mother and a woman. Forgive me my sin.”

“There’s nothing to forgive. We sin together,” Corrin smiles.

The two embrace. A hug. Then she tries a chaste kiss. It’s so like kissing Hydra all those years ago. The quiet smack of his soft lips. The hand coming to rest on the small of her back. And so they lose themselves to their modest embrace.

Chapter Text

Mikoto easily spins her privacy with her son as catching up on lost time. She meets with Corrin for tea everyday, dismissing Reina and Kagero to stand guard. The two mostly talk, exchanging stories and interests. They occasionally hold hands or even cuddle. She isn’t shy about giving him soft kisses either.

It’s clear to her that he’s never been in a relationship or even been courted. Which is to be expected with how Garon “protected” him. The boy simply has no experience, so she helps him gain his footing in their relationship.

One particularly awkward situation occurs on an afternoon in which they decide to snuggle. She leans into him in such a way that she feels an obvious erection. She isn’t going to embarrass him by speaking of it, but he immediately apologizes. And with too much fervor.

“I-I’m sorry!” he pleads. “That isn’t…! Gods, this is mortifying!”

“Easy,” she chuckles. “There’s nothing to be ashamed of, dear. It’s a perfectly normal reaction to stimulation and intimacy.”

Corrin’s panicked breathing eases, “Maybe. But I don’t want you to feel like I’m just lusting after you… like… like some degenerate who only wants one thing!”

Mikoto smiles at him, “My dear, it’s my responsibility to guide you. I’m old enough now to have sexual experience. I simply don’t wish to pressure you into anything. Please take your feelings at your own pace.”

“I…” he blushes.

Mikoto gently encourages him, “Do you want to take things further? If you’ll allow it, I’d prefer to teach you.”

His heart pounds, “I think I’d like that, Mother.”

She pecks him on the cheek, “Then come to my chamber tonight. I’ll take care of things.”

The sun sets as Mikoto summons Reina and Kagero.

“What is it, Lady Mikoto?” they ask.

The queen very pointedly instructs them, “I shall be blunt. I am going to call Lord Corrin to my chambers late this evening to…” she takes a breath, “…to claim his virtue. As you can imagine, I need your discretion. And to guard our privacy both tonight and tomorrow morning.”

Both women blush but bow in loyal assent, “Of course, Lady Mikoto.”

The queen knows she can trust them to do as they’re told with no judgment or rumor mongering. And it’s substantially easier to truthfully command them upfront rather than try and fail to sneak around them.

Though Reina does ask, “My lady, might I inquire as to why? Bedding your—… pardon, laying with the second prince carries some risk.”

Mikoto supposes it’s a fair question, “He has grown into a handsome man, and I have grown lonely. We get along and keep each other’s hearts. Thus, we have decided to see one another romantically. Whether others consider it wrong is irrelevant. Do you disapprove of our relationship?”

“No, my lady,” she bows. “As long as it brings you happiness, that is all that matters to me. I will keep your secret with my life.”

Kagero adds, “As will I. It is not uncommon for royalty to keep their bloodlines pure. It is not my place to judge.”

She knows they’re just making excuses for her, but she appreciates their solidarity all the same. Then, a knock captures their attention.

“Come in!” Mikoto beckons.

Corrin awkwardly meanders inside, nervously looking towards his mother’s retainers, “You wanted to see me, Mother?”

Reina smirks as she and Kagero leave, saying to Corrin, “I hope you two have a wonderful night, Lord Corrin.”

Corrin then turns to Mikoto, “Did… you tell them?”

She nods, “I did. You can trust them. And believe me, it’s easier this way.”

“I see,” he nervously shuffles. “So… what should I do?”

Mikoto laughs, “You poor boy. Nohr truly offered you no experience in this regard.”

“Well…” he blushes.

“Easy, my sweet child. I am your mother. I am sworn to protect you, and I will not fail again. So relax. Let me take charge. This is a place of learning and safety.”

“Okay,” he exhales.

Mikoto pulls at her obi as she begins disrobing. Her son occasionally gawks, occasionally looks away with needless shame. Soon, she stands before him naked. Admittedly, despite her projected confidence, she worries about his impression of her body. Her otherwise full breasts have gained a slight sag, and her stomach has grown a faint roll of softness from the years. She awaits his response as his eyes first lock onto her dark brown nipples, then focus on the clean black bush at the peak of her vulva.

“You’re… wow…” he blushes as he takes her in. “I really am lucky to have the most beautiful mother in the world.”

She smiles, truly happy for the first time in a while, “Now it’s your turn, my love.”

“R-right!” he vigorously nods.

He clumsily peels away at his shirt and trousers. Soon, his toned body is revealed to her. His excited manhood throbs already — red, firm, with pronounced veins. Just above is a trim bush of platinum curls, and just below is his soft pair of testicles. Seeing the full nude form of her lithe but athletic son heats both her cheeks and her heart.

“You’ve grown quite handsome, so much like your father. Truly you have. And with such a… well kept manhood,” she smiles at him. “Now please. Sit on the bed.”

He does as instructed, eagerly anticipating her next move.

“Corrin, there is no undoing this once it is done,” she explains. “Though I dare take your virginity, I still think of you as my son. Promise me you will still think of me as your mother once we do this. I am not some acquaintance you fancy from afar, nor some strange noblewoman with whom you’ve been arranged in marriage. I still want us to be a family, even after this.”

“I promise,” he agrees.

“Good,” she grins as she sashays over to him. “Now, let’s begin.”

Chapter Text

Mikoto tastes her son’s lips as she straddles him. The two moan into each other as she sinks down onto him. This is the point of no return — her son, her own flesh and blood, penetrating her the way lovers do. She wraps her arms around him and hugs him tight as she rolls her hips against his.

“O…oh…” she breathes. “My sweet child, it’s been so long since I’ve been held this way.”

“Mother…” he whimpers as his hips move to match her own. “Gods, this is… this is incredible.”

She looks him in the eye and strokes his cheek, “I’ve missed you so much.” She bucks into him more erratically, “My son.” She kisses him, “My beautiful boy.”

The queen hasn’t clung to someone this tightly since Hydra. Her softer figure grinds into his toned body, and her core envelopes his shaft over and over. She clutches onto him as she makes love to the very body she carried and birthed. She loses track of time rutting into him, feeling several minutes fly by as though it were mere seconds.

As Mikoto loses herself in her son’s touch, her mind wanders. What would her sister say if she saw this — her desperate grinding against the son she missed so dearly? Her happily getting off to her own dear child’s erect penis reaching inside her? Her willingness to soon receive her offspring’s seed like his father before? Would Arete berate her for her perversion and selfishness? Or would she accept them for embracing something she herself always wanted?

Her attention is called back to Corrin when she hears his voice.

“Mother, I…” he whimpers.

“Are you getting close?” she asks.

“Yes…!”

She begins humping him faster, “It’s okay. You can ejaculate when you need to.”

“M-Mother!” he cries out.

She swallows as she fully sheathes herself on him, and the young man releases himself into her. The queen simply holds her prince as she feels his cock pulsing ropes of seed. Once he finishes unloading inside his mother, she pulls off of him and sits next to him.

“That wasn’t bad for your first time,” she says.

“Did you finish?” Corrin asks in concern.

“Not quite, but I’m a bit older, and I—”

He catches her off guard by kissing her, and taking his fingers directly between her legs. A primal urge to satisfy her takes him over.

“Mmm!” she delightedly moans.

Two of his fingers push inside her, and she gasps. She takes one of his hands, and guides it to her breast, having him massage the plump flesh and her dark nipple.

Then she instructs, “My clitoris, Corrin… please.”

As he fingers her, she snakes her other hand down to his. She guides his thumb to the bud at the peak of her folds as he continues to pump his index and middle finger into her. She’s drenching his hand, and she doesn’t care.

The queen’s hips rut into her son’s digits like an animal in heat. With no grace or dignity to be found, she gives herself over to her pleasure. She bobs her hips up and down on Corrin’s hand as he reaches hungrily into his mother’s vagina, and his thumb rubs out her clit. It only takes a moment more before she finally comes undone.

Her orgasm gushes all over his arm and the bed, “Kamui! My sweet Kamui! Gods, Mama loves you so much!”

She barely registers that she’s used the wrong name until her hips slow down. But he doesn’t say anything. He only kisses her, this time with the same slow tenderness he uses during their tea dates.

She apologizes, “I’m sorry for using the wrong name. I simply lost myself…”

“It’s okay,” he smiles. “I… don’t mind it if it’s just us. Like this.”

She grins, “Thank you.” Then she thinks and asks, “Where did you learn to try that?”

He blushes, “…One of Camilla’s raunchier books. She insisted on it for book club, saying it’s important for men to know what women want.”

Mikoto laughs, “Well, it felt good, Corrin. It felt very good.”

He smiles, “I’m glad!”

The queen then rests her hand on his knee, “And thank you, dear. For trusting me with this. I know one’s first time can be overwhelming, and this is certainly a big risk, both emotionally and politically. It certainly isn’t typical for one to lose their virginity in such a way… It’s a big step for both of us.”

“I’ll always trust you, Mother,” he says. “And thank you for being patient with me.”

She chuckles, “You’re already better off than most noblemen. I can help you learn to last a bit longer, but outside of that, you have already done well.”

“Do you want me to do more?” he smirks.

“More?”

Suddenly, he’s on his knees, face between her thighs. His gentle lips plant kisses on her folds before he starts licking along her womanhood.

Before she gathers her wits, the queen moans out, “Oh…! K-Kamui! This is…! Oh!”

Mikoto’s retainers have clearly done as commanded. No servants come to bother them this morning. Thankful for the time to sleep in, the queen looks over her son as he slumbers. She giggles, noting how he always slept in ever since he was a child. But now, he’s grown. And they’re both as naked as they day they were born, making for an excellent opportunity to closely study her son’s fit form in the nude. There’s certainly no going back after last night’s taboo.

Her fingers wander down to her sensitive cunt as she stares at Corrin’s body — the steady rise and fall of his chest, his soft penis resting on his thigh. She rubs along her labia, staring at her son’s now grown body. A subtle and quick knock then interrupts her self-indulgence.

“Who is it?” she cautiously asks.

Reina answers, “It’s me, my lady. It’s urgent.”

Mikoto covers Corrin with the bed sheets and quickly slips on a yukata, then slides the door open. She hurries her retainer inside who glances in Corrin’s direction.

Taking note of the situation, Reina whispers, “Lady Mikoto. It’s a report from the west. A force of Nohrians are gathering at our border.”

“What? Why now?” She looks to her son, “Could this be because of Corrin?”

“It’s unclear,” the knight answers. “But we must mobilize now.”

“Yes. Right away.”

A peaceful, wonderful thing tarnished by Anankos’ scheming once again.

Chapter Text

Fate’s wicked hand yet again toys with Mikoto. For weeks, both her son and niece have gone missing, refusing to take a side in the brewing conflict between Hoshido and Nohr. After a brief encounter with Yukimura’s forces, they had only once been spotted claiming some golden sword from the legendary Rainbow Sage. While she understands her son’s love of both peoples, many in Hoshido see him as a traitor, calling for his head. Their hatred and his disappearance, as well as the subsequent disappearances of Sakura and Takumi, have wracked her heart with worry.

So, when the queen and her eldest children, Ryoma and Hinoka, are informed of her son’s location near the Bottomless Canyon, they cannot travel there fast enough. Though the only reason they could be there is if they were involving themselves with Valla. Could Azura be teaching him of their hidden nation? Or rather what’s left of it.

Much to Mikoto’s astonishment, her party arrives to find Corrin and Azura accompanied by both Hoshidan and Nohrian forces — including Nohr’s princesses. Had her son and niece truly convinced such staunch enemies to cooperate? Ryoma, Hinoka, and Mikoto waste no time in offering their assistance.

Then, in not much time at all, crown prince Xander and his brother Leo appear to lend their aid as well… in fighting other Nohrian commanders. The entire battle is a quick blur against two of Nohr’s most corrupt generals, Iago and Hans.

Mikoto heard countless stories of their cruelty against their own men and civilians. And their evils against Hoshido were unspeakable. It endows her with great hope to see Hoshidans and Nohrians unite to erase such vermin.

And judging by the things Prince Xander and Prince Leo say about their father, it seems that both sides are piecing together that something far larger is in place. Though she does pity the boys for witnessing their own father’s corruption. She can’t say he was ever a truly good man or father, but twenty years ago he certainly hadn’t been this malevolent force who stole children.

Then, as her children discuss with the Nohrian royals, she hears Corrin say it.

“It's true, Leo. I haven't lied to you. Our real enemy is controlling King Garon.”

Then he does know. She isn’t certain if that is good or bad. Though if they stand any chance at saving the rest of humanity from Anankos’ wrath, then they must risk this resistance. With the others now willing to listen to the truth, it isn’t long before Ryoma and Xander join hands.

The sight fills Mikoto with nostalgic warmth for days long gone by. The days when Sumeragi and Garon were friends, and the world existed in balance. Before Anankos appeared to lay waste to everything her family and friends were sworn to protect.

“My dear Corrin!” Mikoto calls in relief as they take a much needed break for camp in the Astral Plane.

Their first battle in Valla was sudden and pitched. They had already lost that girl Scarlet who had been one of Ryoma’s friends. Such brutality is to be expected of Anankos.

“Mother!” Corrin calls back.

The two of them embrace in the hall dedicated to treating their wounded. A few soldiers and other royals glance their way, but most are too occupied to care. Once their hug ends, she holds firm onto his arms.

“I wish you would stop disappearing, dear child,” she says.

“I’m sorry, Mother. I wish there had been a better way.”

“Now that you know of our true enemy, how are you feeling?” she asks.

He thinks for a moment, “I know he should be terrifying, but I can’t help but feel relieved. If we have a common enemy, then we can achieve peace between our kingdoms. I’d rather face this than fight my siblings.”

She smiles, “You always were a sweet soul.” She scans around to all the witnesses, “Perhaps we can finish our reunion somewhere calmer?”

His room is inside a bizarre treehouse of all things, yet it does offer them some very convenient privacy.

She looks around the space, “This Astral Plane of yours is quite handy. I wish I’d known of it years ago.”

“It is,” he nods. “But I doubt you would have been able to access it. Lilith is the one who opens the path here. She’s a small dragon who used to be one of my retainers. It’s a long story…”

“Lilith, eh?” Mikoto muses. “Corrin…” she turns, “I have missed you so terribly. Every time you leave me, I worry so. You mean the world to me, and I can only stand to lose so much in one lifetime.”

Corrin rests his hands on her shoulders, “I promise you, Mother, I am done leaving your side.”

She looks up at him, “Do you mean that? You haven’t reconsidered in all our time apart?”

“Why would I?” he chuckles. “You are still the most breathtaking woman I’ve ever known. Even if I can’t remember my childhood with you, I’m glad I got to know you all over again as a man.”

She stares into his eyes, “I’d very much like to kiss you now.”

He tilts her chin up, and they both lean in. His taste is just as sweet as she remembers. The world rendered her alone time and time again, but now she has a happiness worth clinging to. Even if it’s from an unconventional source, she has learned to seize what she can.

His lips linger on hers, full of love. So much of their time spent apart now pours back into their kiss. Their contact deepens as their lips begin smacking together. Their embrace slowly becomes more passionate and less graceful.

Then, she pulls back, “I’m sorry. I lost myself.”

“Don’t be,” he smirks. “We love each other, and we’ve already done worse.”

She grins at him with a hint of satisfaction, “I know. But I don’t want to be rude or crass.”

“Mother, I will never find your touch rude,” he reassures. “That’s why I want to stay with you forever.”

“Forever…” she hums. “I wonder what the future of our relationship will hold.”

“Hopefully happiness.”

She nods, “I believe so with all my soul. But there will also be difficulties. Will we hide what we are for the rest of our lives? What about children? You need heirs, and though I don’t mind being the mother—” she blushes. “Forgive me. I am getting ahead of myself.”

Corrin blushes in turn, “You… want to have children with me? You’d have to bear your own grandchildren.”

“I’d like to one day. I want to experience being able to properly raise a family with the man I love, assuming you don’t mind fathering yet another sibling for yourself. And I would love our child with all my heart, inborn or not. But having to keep our relationship a secret our entire lives… What excuse could we possibly invent for my hypothetical pregnancy? Especially if it’s a surprise? What could we say as to why you never take a wife and bear children?”

“Hmm,” Corrin pinches his chin. “I don’t know. But we will figure it out. We must take charge of our own happiness.”

“I suppose you’re right,” she says. “We’ve both come too far to let this go. Perhaps that is a matter for another time. I am tired, and I think I’d like very much to take a nap with you.”

Corrin smiles, “I won’t argue with that.”

Chapter Text

As Corrin enters his room at the end of the day, he finds Mikoto yawning and pinching the bridge of her nose. She sits at his table staring down at a cup of cold tea.

“Is something the matter, Mother?” he ask as he sits beside her and cups her hands.

“I’m not certain,” she admits. “Takumi confronted me today. He was upset by how much time we’ve spent together.”

Corrin frowns, “Yeah, he’s gotten mad at me about that too. I wonder if he’s still jealous and fears that he’s not good enough for your time.”

She continues, “Most days, I wouldn’t think twice of it. I love him so, but… You know how he struggles with comparing himself to others. Yet this time, he seemed more suspicious. I don’t know if his accusatory tone was borne of envy, or if he’s genuinely becoming suspicious of how much time we spend together.”

“You think he could be catching on?” he asks.

Mikoto hums thoughtfully, “I wonder about such things. And I question how our relationship can blossom if we hide it all our lives. But what else can we do?”

“Is it acceptable to confide in Ryoma and the others?” Corrin suggests. “Hiding our love wouldn’t be nearly such a terrible task if they knew.”

Mikoto shakes her head, “I’d trust Ryoma and Azura to be accepting, but Hinoka and Takumi would be deeply upset. And I fear poor Sakura would faint. Moreover, if we tell them, it wouldn’t be long until Azama and Hinata knew. Then everyone would discover our secret. Still, I must admit, I dislike hiding this from them.”

Corrin thinks for a moment before suggesting, “What if you didn’t? You’re queen. Everyone has to listen to you.”

She offers him a defeated smile, “The thought already crossed my mind back in Hoshido. I’m afraid being queen only offers me so much, especially since I’m merely the consort. Besides, Ryoma is wisened enough that I plan to abdicate the throne to him once this war is over.”

“I see…”

She then sits up, “Do not worry, dear. I still wish to spend my life with you. To have a family with you. I haven’t given up on that dream.”

Corrin nods, “I haven’t either. No matter how long it takes, we’ll figure it out.”

Mikoto is flabbergasted to learn that Nohr’s crown princess is pregnant by an unknown father. And yet, Camilla can’t be bothered by the crude whispers surrounding her or the mysteries of the father’s identity.

What’s more, Lilith teaches them of the Deeprealms, a place outside of natural time. Indeed useful for taking a much needed break and raising a child. Though the pregnancy was announced only a week ago, Camilla already returns to show off a swaddled babe. A boy with wispy blond hair she named Forrest.

Every Nohrian royal and even a few of Mikoto’s own children hover around the child. And she must admit she understands why; despite the controversy of his birth, he is unfathomably adorable. Camilla is positively saturated with nothing but warm love and excitement, as is the rest of her family. Though, Leo admittedly seems a touch nervous.

Even so, all this cooing and coddling of the babe makes her chest tight. Simply put, she yearns for another baby now more than ever. Camilla thankfully lets her hold the child for a time, only a day or so before she returns him to his Deeprealm. Perhaps this could be a useful method of handling her future child with Corrin?

She envies the princess’ ability to simply have a child and ignore the controversy. With everything that has happened with Nohr and Garon, Mikoto supposes such things must not be as big an issue for their courts. Or Camilla is simply used to navigating it.

Now, to Mikoto’s surprise, she’s joining Camilla for a “private tea date” as the princess called it. The curvy woman dresses up in frilly finery which shows off her rather bouncy cleavage.

“Thank you for agreeing to meet with me, Lady Mikoto,” she bows and guides the queen to her seat.

“Thank you for hosting me, Princess Camilla. To what do I owe the honor?”

The young woman grins, “I simply wish to speak with you. As one maternal figure for Corrin to another.”

“I see,” Mikoto replies, a little tense, considering the legends around Camilla’s jealousy.

As if reading her mind, Camilla giggles, “Relax, my lady. I’m not here to start something. I simply wish to confide in you.”

“You do?” Mikoto tilts her head.

“Yes,” she nods. “But first, I want you to confide in me. You have been sleeping with my dear Corrin, have you not?”

The queen’s face has never burned brighter, “I-I beg your pardon?!”

Camilla smirks as she sips tea, “Don’t deny it, my queen. He smells of your perfume whenever I hug him. And I mayhap spied a bit of your lipstick smeared just under his collar. Then there’s the great amount time you two spend together. As well as the looks you exchange. I know my sweet Corrin is smitten with you, and you with him.”

“You… have quite the eye for detail,” Mikoto reluctantly admits.

“When it comes to Corrin,” she beams, “no detail is too little nor too great for me to notice.”

“What will you do with this information?” Mikoto scowls.

Camilla shakes her head, “Oh heavens, nothing! I happen to think such love between a mother and her son is beautiful. After all, no love is as pure as family’s. Who else knows the heart better than one’s own flesh and blood?”

Mikoto hesitates to answer, “Your attitude to such things certainly seems… permissive. Though I might argue that my romance with Corrin does not reflect what is right for most.”

Camilla continues, “As I said, we are confiding in each other. See, I also noticed the light in your eye when you held my son. You love children just as much as I do. And I’m willing to bet you want one with Corrin.”

Mikoto apprehensively nods, “It would be dishonest to claim otherwise.”

Camilla then asks, “Have you taken the leap? Has he spent himself inside you?”

Mikoto nearly protests the invasive question, but she simply answers, “Only twice. More often, we ensure he… concludes matters elsewhere. Though we desire a child, we are uncertain of how to proceed.”

Camilla hums, “I thought as much. Okay. My turn. Forrest’s father is Leo.”

Mikoto’s many years of practiced decorum are the only reason she doesn’t choke on her tea.

The queen attempts not to gawk too much, “Truly? This isn’t a cruel jest at my expense?”

“Not at all,” Camilla says. “He and I have been secretly wed for some weeks now. Corrin and Azura aside, my other siblings and their retainers already know.”

“They know?!” Mikoto now gawks. “All of them?”

The princess nods, “But of course.”

“And none of them are upset? What of sin and social expectation?”

“Well, Xander was a bit distant to the idea,” Camilla admits. “But he still accepts us. The others care not one wit. Especially not my loyal girls, Beruka and Selena! Things in Nohr… have been different for some time. What with Father and his advisors being so focused on conquest. No noble of any rank in Nohr’s courts seems to care for our personal lives anymore. They are all too self-affixed.”

“That is a lot to take in,” Mikoto says.

“I tell you this to encourage you, Your Majesty,” Camilla sips her tea. “I will confess, I am a bit envious of your relationship with Corrin. As I mentioned, I love children. I want many of them, and for some years now, it was my dream to have at least one child with each of my dear brothers. Gosh, I’d have one with Elise and Azura too, were it possible. All my precious siblings are so lovely… But Xander, while he’s come around to accepting my relationship with Leo, he does not wish to bed me. I suspect Azura will be the same way. And Corrin… I was so hoping that I could be with him once he returned to us.” Camilla sighs, “But I could tell he already held someone special inside his heart.”

Mikoto’s mouth hangs open for multiple reasons. She’s shocked, but genuinely impressed, by Camilla’s confidence in simply admitting her attraction to her entire family, and her rather bizarre dream of inbreeding with them all. She also notes that the crown princess neglected to specify whether or not she and Princess Elise have slept together.

The queen then meekly says, “I… apologize. It was never my intent to steal him away from you.”

Camilla giggles, “Don’t be sorry! You are a lovely woman. And one of the only souls I trust to protect my dear Corrin. While I might be a touch jealous, I’m glad it was you.”

“Thank you, Princess Camilla. Your words mean a great deal,” Mikoto gives a relieved smile — though now she’s a bit concerned for Nohr’s royal family.

The young woman smiles in turn, “Anytime, Your Majesty. Those of Nohr stand ready to support your relationship, and I hope those in Hoshido will soon have the same faith in you. So please, pursue your life at Corrin’s side with no regrets. I wish to see him happy.”

Chapter Text

The night following Mikoto’s conversation with Camilla, the queen finds herself snuggled alongside Corrin in his treehouse as they listen to Azura practice her singing from out in the courtyard. As the evening slows to a lull, she speaks up.

“Yesterday,” she begins, “I had a very interesting conversation with Lady Camilla.”

“Oh?”

Mikoto looks up at her son, “I don’t want to recount all of the details as some of them are quite private, and I sense she’ll tell you herself when she’s ready. However, she did say some things you’ll want to hear.”

Corrin raises a brow, “You’re keeping me in suspense, Mother.”

She pecks him on the cheek, “Did you know that the Nohrian court has grown indifferent to incest?”

“What?” Corrin balks. “How did you come to discuss this with her? You didn’t tell her about us did you?”

Mikoto sighs, “She pieced it together on her own.”

Corrin rolls his eyes, “She was always skilled at being invasive. She… wasn’t mad?”

Mikoto then smiles, “Not in the least. As I mentioned, there are things I cannot say in deference to her, but she was understanding of our plight. She also explained that Nohrian court had changed considerably in the last several years so as not to question incest. She claims your siblings and their retainers are already supportive of those who participate.”

“Really? I wasn’t aware,” Corrin says. “Then again, Garon never let me leave the fortress. So I wouldn’t know.”

Mikoto nods, “I suppose not. Regardless, she seemed more than accepting and wishes the best for us. Perhaps a day is coming in which we might not need to hide our love.”

“Perhaps,” Corrin ponders. “Mother…” he starts. “Azura told me that if we defeat You-Know-Who, she plans on abdicating the throne of our homeland. When we rebuild it, she has no interest in ruling. As I am next in line, that means I’ll be king. I think… if you’re willing… that would make a good opportunity for us to announce our relationship to the wider public. We would be introduced as future king and queen. Plus, I wouldn’t mind someone with experience helping me run the place.”

Mikoto’s eyes widen, “Truly? I’d be your queen? That is much to think on. But we’d be able to solidify our rule together. A clean slate with no legal precedent against us.”

“Does this appeal to you?” Corrin asks hopefully.

“Yes it does,” she chuckles. “It does very much, my dear and wonderful child!”

“Thank you, Mother!” he smiles. “We still have to tell the others beforehand. Even if the broader public won’t know about it, it’s best if the rest of our family and retainers know.”

“You’re right,” she notes. “Doubtless, many of them will not be happy. But now we know the Nohrians will support us and help them adjust.”

The Hoshidan royals, their protectors, and several of their servants gather in the dining hall. They mull over the message that their queen had sent them, promising an announcement and instructing them to keep an open mind.

“This sounds big,” Hinoka says to her siblings. “I wonder what Mother wants to say.”

Sakura answers, “W-whatever she wishes to d-discuss, it’s making me a little anxious.”

“I have no idea what it could be,” Azama smirks. “I can’t help but be curious.”

“That’s enough, everyone,” Ryoma interrupts. “It’s our responsibility to listen and stand firm. No more, no less.”

“Thank you, Ryoma,” Mikoto’s voice echoes in from the adjacent hall.

The queen strides in with Corrin at her side. Reina and Kagero trail behind for support. All eyes land on them, waiting for their liege’s edict.

“Thank you all for coming,” Mikoto announces to the group. “For these many years, your support has always meant the world to me, and I have done everything I could to be a queen and mother you can take pride in. For all my faults, you’ve been patient with me. Which is why I feel guilty in asking you all to be patient with me yet again.” She looks to Ryoma, “I want to start by declaring my retirement as your queen following the end of this war.”

Her proclamation is met with startled and befuddled whispers until she holds up a hand, “Ryoma is more than capable of inheriting his father’s throne by now. I have absolute faith that he is going to embody the best of both Sumeragi and Ikona.”

“Are you certain, Mother?” he asks in astonishment. “That is… a substantial responsibility.”

“I am, my dear,” she smiles. “It is your time. However, there is more to this announcement than my abdication.” She looks to Corrin, takes a breath, and steps forward. “Though I will no longer be queen of Hoshido, I will become queen of the land we liberate from our unseen enemy.”

This earns somewhat perplexed but approving murmurs from the crowd. Though Azura stares in confusion, believing that Corrin agreed to take the position.

“I still have more,” Mikoto sighs. “I know some of you expected my son, Prince Corrin, to be its new king.” She breathes deeply, “And that is still correct. I take great risk in pursuing this path, but… Corrin and I, we have come to announce our engagement. We are to rule together as husband and wife.”

The room quiets for a half-beat. Then several voices erupt out in disbelief. And Azama’s in amusement. Takumi and Hinoka are the first to speak back.

“What?!” Takumi’s voice raises. “Is that why you spend so much time together? For something as disgusting as incest!?”

Hinoka simply gapes, “Mother! Corrin! That is…! How could you do something so wrong?!”

Sakura’s face scrunches in concern from the commotion as Azura stares in shock. The room bickers for a few more seconds before Ryoma bangs the hilt of Raijinto against a table.

“Enough!” he commands. “This is your queen’s decision! It is not our place to raise our voices against her.”

Hinoka sighs as Takumi argues back, “How can you say that? This crosses so many lines!”

Ryoma turns to Corrin, “Brother, does being with our mother make you happy?”

Corrin lights up and stands confidently, “Absolutely! I know many people won’t understand it, but we care deeply for each other. This isn’t just about keeping bloodlines pure or succession. Even if the world never understands, we want to be together.”

Ryoma nods, “And you, Mother? Are you with Corrin out of duty or love?”

“Love,” she smiles. “It’s been so many years since I felt this way. Corrin has helped me heal the loneliness in my heart, and I want to take this chance to be with him.”

Ryoma then smiles, “Then I see no reason to condemn this. We are already fighting to slay a god. This sin is nothing in comparison.”

“Well said!” another voice bellows out as Camilla enters the room, followed by her retainers and Elise.

The eldest Nohrian princess speaks out, “We of Nohrian blood have learned to live and let live for our relationships. I’m proud to say that Nohr stands in support of the future king and queen of…” she pauses, “that place!”

Takumi scoffs, “Of course Nohr would be okay with this.”

Hinoka, now reconsidering, elbows her brother for his retort and looks to the Nohrians, “Are so many of you truly accepting this?”

Ryoma assents as Camilla continues, “If you wish to judge Lady Mikoto and Corrin for their relationship, then you must judge me as well. I’m happy to announce that Prince Leo is the father of my son.”

“Yeah!” Elise exclaims. “Camilla and Leo have been secretly married for a while now!”

The Hoshidans stare at this revelation.

Azura’s meek voice finally rises, “Regardless of the Nohrians’… proclivities, I’ve seen Lady Mikoto rule well for many years. And Corrin is strong, wise, and thoughtful. I trust them both to rule with their people in mind. That’s all that matters in the end. It will take some getting used to. But if you want this, I have no objections.”

Corrin grins wide, “Thank you all for understanding! It truly means the world to us that so many of you are willing to accept us as we are.”

Hinoka finally smiles, “If this is what truly brings happiness to you and Mother, then I can’t in good conscience stand in your way. It still feels a little weird, but I think… that you two will make a great couple.”

As the majority of the room lightens up, Mikoto takes her son’s hand, “This is it, my love. We can finally marry! We can truly and openly start our new life together.”

Chapter Text

More tragedy accrues as Mikoto curses Anankos. A grueling, hard-fought battle has led to this — Azura cradles her mother, a dying former puppet of Anankos, in a stagnant and lonely field as Mikoto hunches next to them.

“Mother…” Azura’s eyes well up.

“Azura... You've grown so much,” Arete caresses her daughter’s cheek. “And Mikoto… It’s been so long since I’ve seen you, sister. You’ve grown so distinguished. So lovely.”

Mikoto’s throat catches, “We’ve missed you so much.”

Arete frowns as she tries not to slump her head, “I'm sorry for leaving you both. You've been suffering alone for so long.”

Azura shakes her head, “No, we were never alone. We have the royals from Nohr and Hoshido by our side. And others have joined to help our cause, too.”

Arete smiles, “That's wonderful... I wish I had more time... I can feel myself slipping away...”

“Mother! You can't! I just got you back. Don't go!” Azura whimpers.

The old Vallite queen’s body begins dissolving in fluid light, “Azura... Mikoto… I'm so proud of how you both have grown. Thank you for being my little girl and my precious sister… I'm glad I saw you one last time. I love you two so much.”

Arete then disappears completely as glittering sprinkles of water patter against Mikoto and Azura.

Mikoto rubs her niece’s back, “I’m so sorry, Azura.”

Both royal families look on in helpless rage as Corrin speaks, “I won't forgive him. Anankos will pay for doing this.”

Once Azura had calmed down, she wished to be left alone. And so, Mikoto and Corrin retreat back to their room after this wearisome day. Corrin rubs her shoulders as she sits and wipes her still trickling tears.

“How are you feeling?” he asks.

“Exhausted,” she lets out. “I spent years wishing to speak to her again, if only for a moment. Then he does this.”

Corrin continues gently caressing her back for some minutes.

Then he gently asks, “Mother, if you don’t mind me asking… What was all that about Arete calling you ‘sister’? Many of us are a bit confused.”

She sighs, “Yes, I suppose you would be curious about that. And you’ve a right to know.” Mikoto prepares herself for the explanation, “Many years ago, Arete and I both survived the destruction of our home. But we were cast in different directions for a time. I ended up in Hoshido, and she in Nohr with Azura. Sometime later, after she had become queen of Nohr, we reunited. That story we told everybody of how we were distant cousins? That was a lie. How were we to explain that a lowly peasant was the sister of a queen?”

“I didn’t know,” Corrin says. “So Azura and I are more closely related than we thought.”

“Yes,” she nods. “By blood, you are first cousins.”

“But if that’s true, then wasn’t I born before you left… that place?” Corrin realizes.

Mikoto sighs, “Yes, that’s correct. I know I should have told you sooner, but you were already dealing with so many other life-changing truths and upheavals. All at once, no less. I… didn’t want to confuse you further.” She begins crying a bit harder, “I’m so sorry, Corrin. I’ve lied to you about your father just the same as Garon.”

“I see,” Corrin sighs. “I’ll admit that’s a bit frustrating, but I understand why you did it. It also explains why I never seemed to resemble Sumeragi’s portraits or as the others described him.”

“You are kind to me, even when I don’t deserve it.”

“Don’t say that,” he brushes her hair. “You lost your sister today, and you carried the burden of her first loss all alone for so long. You more than deserve some slack.”

They sit together for a few moments as he lets Mikoto shed her tears.

After a while, he quietly inquires, “What was he like? My real father?”

“Hmm? Oh…” Mikoto sniffles and thinks. “He was very much like you. He was kind, gentle, sweet with animals, self-sacrificing, and a bit awkward, if I am honest. Falling in love with him was so easy. I think that’s why falling in love with you was easy as well. He… disappeared the morning we were attacked. Just like that, he was gone in flames. Much like everything else.” She turns to Corrin, “You look so much like him, you know. You have the same eyes, the same smile. I never got to spend my life with him. But I hope not to repeat that mistake with you.”

“You made no mistakes,” Corrin soothes. “It was our enemy who tore you two apart.”

Mikoto chuckles, “Oh, I made plenty of mistakes. My romance with him strained my relationship with Arete. I never listened to her. I frustrated her to no end. And to make matters worse, she was all alone.”

“She had you.”

Mikoto hums, “Yes, but… not in the way she wanted. Not in the way I could ever give her.”

“You mean she—?”

Mikoto nods, “Yes, she loved me more than any man she ever met. She loved me both as a sister and as a woman. And I spent so long never noticing, never helping her.”

Corrin takes his mother’s hand, “You shouldn’t burden yourself with her choices. Besides, if she wanted to be with you, then she has good taste.”

Mikoto blushes, “You can be such a scoundrel sometimes.”

“I’m serious!” Corrin laughs. “You must truly be ravishing since members of our family keep falling in love with you.”

“I suppose that’s meant as a compliment,” Mikoto smirks as she leans in to kiss her son.

He starts the kiss with restraint and decorum, but after only a few seconds, she deepens it. She slips her tongue into his mouth and they both moan. Her lips become more active, massaging around his as she pushes forward and inhales. She then pulls her lips back with a loud smack.

“W-wow, Mother…” he catches his breath.

All she says in response is, “Corrin, give me a baby.”

Chapter Text

“Haa… haa… hnn!!” Mikoto grunts as she humps her son. “My child! Oh, my sweet child!”

“Mother! Mother, I—!” Corrin thrusts up into the older woman riding him.

Her breasts churn, lightly bouncing up and down as she thrusts her hips harder and harder. Her long, undone hair cascades around them on the bed while they make love. Over and over, his manhood penetrates into the place of his birth.

“Kamui!” she shouts. “Gods, I love you so much, Kamui! My precious boy! Never leave me again!”

Her arousal drips around his cock and thighs. She glances down to see his hard shaft constantly disappear and reappear within her own body. Her trim bush of dark pubic hair repeatedly meshing with his platinum bush. Her modest belly roll wriggles as she bounces herself on his cock.

The bed beneath them has never creaked so loudly as tonight. She feels as though she might break it, plunging into him with such force.

They both groan out as they mutually finish. Her pleasure gushing down onto him, as his unloads up into her womb. She is no stranger to his semen, though most nights they made love, he was careful to empty it on her belly. But this time, she hopes it takes and grows into a beautiful life. Once she feels that he’s finished throbbing within her, she bends down and kisses him.

Once they pull apart, she rasps, “Corrin… gods… that was splendid.”

“Truly?” he smiles as he catches his breath.

“Mmhmm,” she traces his collar. “To put it plainly, that was the greatest intimacy I’ve ever experienced. Not that I have had much beyond you to compare. I made love to your father only once, which is the night I conceived you. It was certainly pleasurable, but we were both inexperienced. And Sumeragi and I only laid together once every week or two for the brief months we were wed. While he was sweet, he was… past his prime.”

He smirks, attempting to hide his newfound sense of pride, “Well, making the baby is the fun part. It’s carrying and raising the child that will be difficult.”

“Believe me,” she laughs, “I know firsthand.” After a few seconds, she asks, “Corrin, my sweet, could you do that thing you do with your tongue? Please?”

He smiles, “Of course, Mother.”

They shift positions. She ends up on her back with her legs spread. Corrin positions his head between her thighs and opens his mouth. Then, with a flash of light, his draconic tongue extends outward.

Mikoto grins in anticipation as her son licks the prehensile tongue along her folds, compressing it against her clitoris. The queen breathes harder as her son tastes her quim. He undulates the tongue up and down her labia, and she starts subtly rolling her hips with his motion.

“I’m ready,” she says.

Her lover then slowly inserts his tongue up her vagina. She gasps as it inches its way up her passage till it hits the length she likes. Her fingers glide through his hair and massage his scalp once he gets to work. His tongue gently writhes against her inside. The wet appendage twists against her sensitive inner walls, probing side-to-side and back-and-forth. He licks along her passage as his lips suckle against her folds.

He plunges his tongue against his mother’s womanhood, feeding off the very spot that brought him into the world. Her hips are already starting to arch against him, but he decides to add to her pleasure by bringing his fingers against her clit. He rubs back and forth with the medium pace that she likes.

By now, she shamelessly grinds her cunt against her own son’s face, seeking the height of her ecstasy. Soon, she finds herself ejaculating yet again.

“Mmmh…! Agghh..!” she incoherently grunts out while her climax audibly spurts against Corrin’s lips and nose.

Mikoto relaxes as she feels his tongue retract out of her body, bringing the back of her wrist to her forehead. She quickly notices the bedsheets beneath them are now thoroughly soaked.

“By the gods, Corrin… Did I say how much I love you?”

“You might have,” he says as he cuddles up to her side.

“You really are such a sweet child,” she muses. She then crawls down his body, “I think you deserve to be rewarded for such loyal service to your queen, don’t you?”

She starts stroking his rehardened erection as her face draws near it.

“Mother,” he modestly responds, “you don’t have to—”

“I want to,” she breaths. “I want to take care of my dear child. Now, let Mama taste you.”

Corrin’s head lurches back when he feels her lips go around his tip. She starts out by suckling at it, until he feels her tongue probe into it.

She draws back, “Do not expect too much of me. I’ve never done this.”

“It still feels good, Mother,” he clings to the bedding.

She smiles and continues. Mikoto leisurely takes more and more of her son’s penis into her mouth. She hasn’t the faintest idea what she’s supposed to do, so she simply massages her lips down the length as she sucks. Once she’s deep enough, she begins licking again.

The queen hasn’t reached her son’s base as she feels the shaft stop just shy of her uvula. This is merely her first time, and she doesn’t wish to make herself sick on her own lover. So she grips the rest of his manhood with her hand and tenderly massages it.

Corrin sighs repeatedly as she slides her head back, then presses forward. In her younger years, she never thought she’d make love to a man in this fashion, let alone her own son. But he is the only one she trusts enough to try this.

Mikoto’s head awkwardly bobs up and down Corrin’s erection while her son lets out shallow exhales. As she gets into a rhythm of bobbing and sucking, her cheeks begin hollowing out. She starts swirling her tongue around his shaft. Her lips softly smack against her prince’s most intimate area while the tip of her nose grazes against his pubic bush.

New to the experience, Corrin doesn’t last long.

“M-Mother…!” is the only warning he lets out just before he finishes.

Luckily, she understands what is about to happen and pulls off of him. She gives her son a couple of pumps with her hand, and then he spills all over her. It tickles, the feeling of his warm seed launching and splattering against her fingers, forearm, and bicep. Then she notices some of it even managed to land in her lengthy hair drooped around her shoulder.

“You seem like you enjoyed that,” she says with relief.

“Yes. That was good. That was so good,” his eyes are hazy.

Mikoto grins up at him, “If that’s how you react when I’ve no experience or skill with such things, then I can’t wait to see how good you feel after I improve.”

“I look forward to it,” Corrin replies.

Mikoto then climbs back on top of him, straddling the young man’s soft cock, “Now then, after you’ve had a minute to recover, I’d like to keep trying for our baby.”

Chapter Text

Mikoto had genuinely forgotten just how painful childbirth was. Corrin waits by her side for hours as Reina guards over her, and healers work in shifts to help her through the labor. Undoubtedly, her other children wait outside, worried for her safety.

By now, a few of them have even started families of their own. Having grandchildren in her thirties certainly felt odd to her. Though not nearly as odd, yet rewarding, as carrying her own grandchild within her. A grandchild she is now in the excruciating process of pushing out into the world.

Her concept of time is lost as everything feels both fast and lagging all at once. This could be a quick birth done in only a couple hours, or it could be taking all day. She’d sincerely believe either scenario.

The birth harshly reminds the queen of last time — voice going hoarse from screaming and the rather unflattering soiling of oneself during the process. It takes an eternity before she finally hears her baby wailing.

This time, Mikoto is more cognizant. She hears Corrin’s ecstatic congratulations. She hears the midwife announce the child as a girl. She sees them take her baby away to clean her up, which oddly pains her heart.

Mikoto and Corrin cannot wait fast enough for the midwife to bring back their baby. Mikoto eagerly takes the child into her arms as Corrin huddles up to them.

“She inherited your ears,” Mikoto laughs.

“She has your dark hair,” Corrin then points out. “She’s beautiful.”

After several hours of resting, family is permitted to join. The royals of both nations offer their congratulations.

“Oh! She’s so gorgeous!” Camilla beams. “What name have you decided on?”

“Kana,” Corrin answers.

“She’s our Kana,” Mikoto then repeats, stroking the babe’s cheek.

“Such a wonderful name,” the Nohrian princess smiles. “I can’t wait to spoil her.”

Over the months they spend visiting the Deeprealm, Mikoto and Corrin see their daughter grow. The young girl is curious and energetic, always ecstatic whenever her parents arrive.

Every day, Mikoto thanks whatever gods have chosen to show her mercy for this life. She thanks them for the innocent girl born to her and her son. She thanks them for finally being able to start a family with the man she loves.

Kana runs, plays, cries, and laughs like any normal child. She asks questions. Some are silly, such as wondering where butterflies come from. Others are a bit more complicated. Such as wondering why her papa refers to her mama as “Mother”. Still, the queen explains it to her in a straightforward way.

Mikoto smiles as she brushes her daughter’s hair on their Deeprealm cabin’s porch, “You see, sweetie, while I am your mother, I am also your papa’s mother. Though he is your father, he is also your older brother.”

“Really?” the girl asks in innocent astonishment. “How? Isn’t that impossible?”

“No,” Mikoto shakes her head. “You see, I had your papa as a baby when I was very young, barely an adult. Then he grew up to be quite handsome, and we fell in love. Some people were upset since we were already family, but we cared too deeply for one another to let that stop our love. Like any loving couple, we married each other, then had you as our baby. And since I had a baby with my son, that makes me both your mother and grandmother.”

“Ohhh…” Kana nods. “You’re Mama and Grandma at the same time?”

“Yes, dear,” Mikoto giggles. “I know it’s strange. But you’ll get used to it.”

“Uh huh,” Kana seems to follow. “But how did you two have me?”

Mikoto blushes, “Well… that’s something best explained when you’re a bit older. For now, it’s enough to say my first child grew up and loved me very much. So much so that he put you, my second child, in my tummy.”

“That’s strange,” the girl cocks her head, “but neat!”

“I suppose that’s one way to look at it,” Mikoto says. She then picks the girl up and says, “Kana, we want you to know, whoever you decide to love as you grow older, your papa and I will always support you.”

Mikoto can’t help but cry as she sees her stepchildren’s desperation. Sakura pours her healing magic into Sumeragi’s broken body — the final wretched trick played by Anankos. Her children all gather around her late husband as he nears his end.

Yet the man smirks as he dies this second time, “Why... why are you crying? You've met and surpassed my hopes for you... As warriors on the battlefield... And as royalty of Hoshido. I couldn't have wished for anything better. Be proud. Be proud of who you've become. And know that I am.”

The old king then apologizes to Corrin, “I'm so sorry that I wasn't able to protect you that day... Your life could have been so different if only I'd been stronger.”

Corrin shakes his head, “Father, don't apologize! They're faint, but I still have memories of my childhood with you. I remember watching you swing your sword... Feeling safe when you patted me on the head. I knew that you loved me. And you gave your life trying to protect me.”

“Hah, such a forgiving young man,” Sumeragi smiles. “Mikoto,” he then calls out as glowing splotches form around his body.

“Yes?” she kneels forward.

“I shouldn’t have left you behind,” he says. “I was your husband… It was my responsibility to stay by your side. I swore an oath…”

“Please, don’t let your final moments be filled with regret,” Mikoto pleads. “Losing you and Corrin hurt, but I am happy now. I have my family. My children. I have all the love and warmth I need.”

“That’s good,” he wheezes. “I’m glad. At least I can spend my last moments with all of you. All of my children, all grown up... I'm so glad we could meet again. Now I can die without regrets. After all... I believe... that all of you... can win this war...”

With that, the old warrior evaporates, leaving that abhorrent glowing water to sprinkle down on them. Guilt gnaws at Mikoto. Sumeragi said he was so proud of them. Yet how would he react if he knew the truth? If he knew his second wife bedded their own son and gave him a child? None of them dared speak the truth to him in his final moments, choosing for them to instead be happy.

But now that he’s fully gone, she wonders if he can see now. If he hates her, if he understands, if he’s forgiven her, if he even cares in the afterlife. She bears no remorse for her relationship with Corrin, but she wishes her final parting with Sumeragi didn’t have to involve such a painful secret kept from him.

Even so, they draw closer now. The final confrontation with Anankos is near, and Mikoto can finally have her revenge. More than that, she can have her peace. As can everyone he’s ever tormented.

Chapter Text

It ends. It finally ends. After all this miserable time, her children have finally slain the beast. Anankos disappears in violent light as they at last lay him low with the power of their divine weapons.

When Corrin and Mikoto hit their bed that night, they immediately sleep. She has nightmares of the fight. She wishes she didn’t, such moments are supposed to be when the nightmares end. Yet she still sees Anankos’ decayed, hulking form descending down on them.

The next day isn’t any more relaxing. They have rescue parties and assessments for the few dozen people who managed to survive in the ruins of Valla. Then there is organizing correspondence with Nohr and Hoshido to arrange for an “official” halt to the war. Nohr particularly is in disarray after the sudden demise of Garon.

The day after, meetings begin on how best to rebuild Valla. Ryoma and Xander debate on how much land and which locations to give to help jump start New Valla. They debate which nobles to keep and lose. They draft new trade routes and temporary treatises to place in effect for the new land. Mikoto begins discussing abdication and coronation with Ryoma.

The list is endless.

The day after, Mikoto and Corrin finally have the opportunity to pick their daughter up from her Deeprealm. It had been a long time since the queen hugged one of her children so tightly. And of course, Kana is simply enraptured to learn that she finally gets to move out of the Deeprealm to permanently live with her parents.

Weeks go by, and now they finally gather for Corrin and Mikoto’s coronation as king and queen of New Valla. Azura reluctantly addresses the crowd as quickly as possible before passing off the crowns to her cousin and aunt.

Applause ring out from their subjects and families. Though none ring out as loud as Kana, who makes her excitement at her parents’ new position quite well known with cheers, claps, and bounces.

Corrin delivers an address thanking the new kings of Hoshido and Nohr, pledging himself to his people. Mikoto blushes when he turns to thank her for her love and loyalty. She’s also surprised to find that there aren’t nearly as many jeers to their incestuous marriage as she originally predicted. Obviously there are several souls who are still upset, but it seems most are merely relieved to have an end to the war.

She also has a sneaking suspicion that many haven’t been following events closely enough to even know that she and her new husband are closely related. They are simply thankful the war is over and stability has been restored.

As she looks for her husband, Mikoto finds Corrin and Azura near the lake where the two had first met. They discuss the song passed down through their bloodline, and Mikoto decides not to intrude just yet.

“It’s a very old song, then,” Corrin notes.

Azura hums thoughtfully, “Yes. I think that it may not have even been written by humans. If I had to guess, I'd say that Anankos was its author. It contains such strong emotions. Maybe he knew that he'd lose his mind one day and wrote the song to help us. A song meant for those to come... Those who would save him with death. At least, that's how I look at the song now.”

Mikoto feels a little loss of breath at those words. She had never much considered the lyrics of the song. She never sang it herself, and its script was so old as to feel like boring history. But Anankos was the god of wisdom. He might well have had the foresight to see his own evil and subsequent destruction. Suddenly, she feels an odd hollowness inside her, and she can’t help but think of Hydra’s light and loss. She wonders why she should feel such bittersweetness over such an evil enemy, or recall someone who was once so important to her.

“Mother!” Corrin suddenly calls to her.

Mikoto snaps out of her contemplation, “My apologies. I did not mean to eavesdrop, but I did not wish to intrude.”

Azura smiles, “Oh, that’s quite alright. We were about to return to the others anyway.”

Corrin takes his mother’s hand, “Would you like to join us?”