Chapter Text
Leo never expected himself to be the King. Never in his life did he thought of Xander falling in the hands of Corrin. Even if Xander did fall, by some mysterious reasons, Camilla is always second to the line. He was always treated as a concubine kid when he was young - no one recognise him until the war has ended. Even then, the citizens of Nohr would still call him a ‘concubine Prince’ and teased him.
He kneels down and receives the crown from an unknown strategist. Iago, Father’s right hand man has fallen in his hands. The authoritative members of the Nohrian family were killed in the war against Hoshido. To be honest, no one expected Nohr to survive. We were so short on resources and Father had terrible illness in the last few months. Moreover, we have never won Hoshido in a full-scaled war. Having such minor casualties seems to be a blessing of what could happen.
But still, Father, Xander and Elise were dead. Odin, Selena and Laslow were gone. Azura has vanished from the Hoshidan family… Those are only a few he could name of.
He receives the dark blade, Siegfried, and faces the crowd. Camilla is chuckling and supporting him, as always. The Hoshidan Royals are sitting in the front, clapping their hands as he declared his place. The nobleman, however, are glaring at him and muttering Xander should have been the King.
Xander could be the king, actually, if he didn’t remain silent about King Garon’s possession. He could have tell him about the mysterious spell affecting his Father all those years. As the best mage of the continent, he might even been able to cure him, so his Father would not make such aggressive choices. Then Xander would not mindlessly attack Corrin and causes Elise’s death in the process of doing so.
If only he could return in time.
“Thank you for joining me, my fellow Nohrians. War always come with casualties, and these precious lives gone, however the heavy cost, are never in vain. We would always honour the sacrifice of King Garon and Prince Xander. Their sacrifice are the foundation of the peace we live in today.” He pauses and glances at the Hoshidan Royals. “Some believe our enemy Hoshidians are to take the blame, that belief extend into a desire for a revenge, for another war. Yet how can we agree to let the sufferings of war continue to our next generation? Had the war not lead to tremendous loss? Are we truly going to live on the centuries of bloodshed between our countries, until the very last breath of our kind?
“I wouldn't assume fully understanding the pain you and your family go through. Yet as the King, it is my duty lead my country to the course of peace, not war. The Hoshidians, despite all the diversities we share, believe in the course of peace as well. I am hereby announcing our alliance with Hoshido. To say we can put an end to the thousands year of bloodshed seemed ideal, yet only when we dream the impossible our world can make prosperity and long living peace. It is before the dawn when the night its darkest, my people, we had live through the darkest era, let us step into the light and embrace the new dawn of our alliance.'
Leo thought at least some of the Nohrians might be clapping and cheering for him, but it’s only the Hoshidan Royals and Camilla. The nobles are mumbling how powerless he is with the defeat against Hoshido. How he could just bow down to the winning country and set a ‘peaceful alliance’. News reporters quicky written down his words and criticise his new policies. The middle and lower class are whispering how Hoshido will control their economy and get all their jobs.
If Xander was here, maybe they would at least believe in him. Maybe they would at least respect him and let him run his new policies.
He walks down the stairs and regathers with Camilla, who hugs him and praises how good he is. The Hoshidan Royals congrat him for being the new King and celebrate their new alliance. But other than that, he is bathed in a sea of hatred and criticism. He is glared by the eyes of Nohrians, covered in a smoke of disgust and distrust.
If Xander was the King, none will question his choice. People would thought the alliance as an improvement, rather than a loser trying to beg for mercy. The nobles will support him and they would influence the Nohrian atmosphere. No one will doubt his capability, and might even praise Queen Katarina and King Garon for boring such a diligent child. He would be able to defence Nohr against any attack… So Nohr would not lose in the first place… And Elise and Xander would not be dead…
If only I have told Xander about the possession.
“Congrats, King Leo.” The Hoshidan Prince groans and drags him back to the reality. “Let’s get this straight: I still don’t trust you after the alliance. You have nearly killed Oboro back in the woods. I’m only saying this only because Ryoma and Corrin asked me to.”
“Thank you, Prince Takumi.” Leo forces a smile and replies. He can see the disgusted face of the Hoshidan Prince, begging him to end this conversation as soon as possible. “You don’t need to force yourself if you don’t want to, Prince Takumi. We need time to understand each other…”
Eyes widened, he sees purple fumes surrounding the Hoshidan’s body. Even though it is much weaker now, he is positive that it is the same spell which controlled his Father. He can never forget how the fumes corrupt his Father’s body, how the purple spell drag his Father into his death. Back in King Ryoma’s coronation, Corrin did mention about Takumi’s possession during their invasion to Nohr. Moreover, If he remember correctly, Prince Takumi did carried these fumes back in the Woods of Forlorn. He wanted to warn the Prince about the mysterious spell, yet the Hoshidan Prince refused to listen to his words. By the looks of it, he should have broken the spell, but the remainants still stays in his body.
“Prince Takumi.” He frowns and changes into a more serious tone. “May I know if you’ve been possessed by a spell lately?”
The Hoshidan Prince scrowls and glares at the King. Insulted, he groans and wipes his hair back. “I’m sorry, but this is none of your business.”
“I’ll take that as a ‘yes’, then.” Leo stares directly into the Hoshidan’s eyes, forcing any useful information out of his mouth. “If I have not mistaken, my Father was possessed by the same spell. You might find this ridiculous, but the spell corrupts one’s mind. A moment you thought you have the control of your body, a moment you realise you are manipulated by the invisible caster. I tried to investigate about the spell back then, but I have no clue about it.”
“That’s a lot to say from the best mage in Nohr. Hoshidan have spent no time breaking…”
“It was only because of Azura.” He whispers, yet quickly rises his voice as he continues. “Azura tried curing my Father with her song as well, if you remember. The results? The spell had already merged with his body and breaking the spell kills the host as well.”
“Azura has already broken my spell!”
“But I can still see remainants in your body!” For a moment, he can see a slight fear in the Hoshidan’s eyes. The fear he tried to manipulate out from the Hoshidan’s mind. The fear that would force him to work together. He grips his wrists and drags him closer. “Azura might have broken most of the spell, but there is still some left in your body. I know, Prince Takumi, that you are by no means weak, that you are able to defeat the demon in your heart. But what if, what if it gets uncontrolled again? You might end up like my Father, and there is no ‘Azura’ to save you anymore!”
The Hoshidan Prince flings Leo’s hand away and sighs. “Fine, fine. So what do you want, King Leo? It isn’t like I can defy your orders anyways.”
“I’ve heard from King Ryoma that you’re going to be the ambassador of Hoshido.” The Nohrian King tilts his lips up and smiles. “I would like to investigate more about this mysterious spell. Now that Father is dead and Azura is gone, you would be the only first-hand source I can find. He gives his hand and his smiles turns into a grin. “As the best mage in Nohr, I am sure that we can expose everything about the spell together.”
“As you like, King Leo.” Takumi grips and shakes his hand. “Ryoma will agree as long as it brings Hoshido and Nohr closer.”
“Thank you, Prince Takumi. Looking forward meeting you in the near future.”