Chapter Text
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“Thank you, Jakob, for all you do. You've always been there for me when I needed you. I want you to know that I consider you one of my closest friends and hope to always have your support," Corrin said with a forced smile. "I really can't thank you enough."
Jakob swallowed hard, his eyes becoming glassy as his steely resolve weakened from the inside. But, just as he always had, Jakob found the strength to remain professional and cleared his throat. "It has been an honor, milady. You never need doubt my loyalty. I'll always be there for you, at your beck and call," he replied stiffly, repeating the words he had said so many times before. He then bowed and brought her hand to his lips, reveling in the sensation.
The butler held her hand longer than what was considered respectable, yet in that moment, he couldn't bring himself to care. The woman he had loved and devoted himself to since he was a child was marrying someone else. He had to lock this moment away; the final few moments when she was still his alone to care for and when Jakob finally tore himself away, he missed the pained expression on Corrin's face as he gave a curt nod; a melancholy smile gracing his lips before turning towards the door with his heart in his throat.
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Corrin watched longingly as Jakob exited her chamber, the door closing with a sense of finality. This was it—Jakob was no longer within her reach. The wheels were in motion, and she felt powerless to stop them. Finally, she let the tears she had held back fall.
It wasn't that she didn't love Xander or thought him unattractive... Quite the contrary actually. She recalled the days of her youth when she was still unaware of the truth about her identity, when she would gaze at Xander and find herself silently jealous of the woman who would someday steal her beloved big brother away from her. She never dreamed that it would be her whom Xander chose to be his bride.
But all things aside, no matter how handsome or kind Xander was, those qualities paled in comparison to the bond Corrin had forged with a certain servant boy with shining silver hair.
Late night chats over tea and cakes, walks around the fortress' small gardens, nodding off together as they read the latest novel for their book club; all of those precious memories had made Corrin fall hopelessly for her butler. Jakob was there for her when no one else was. She recalled a time long ago when she had convinced him to sneak into the kitchen with her to bake some cookies. A bittersweet smile graced her lips as she remembered how they laughed; flour dusting faces and hair. Wasn't it only natural that she would feel more for him than just simple fondness and that those feelings would bloom into something greater?
Then there were times that she thought she had seen a glimpse of something like longing in his eyes as he brushed her hair in the mornings or when she practiced her dance lessons… Her breathing shallow and his body so close to hers, his hand pressing against the small of her back. She could have sworn he felt more for her than he let on but when Corrin would look again, she saw nothing more than admiration reflected in his eyes. And that was why she had reluctantly accepted Xander's proposal.
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On the other side of the wall, Jakob was having similar thoughts of bitterness as he leaned against the door and slid down to his feet. He choked out a silent sob; his tears finally allowed to fall as the emotions he had been holding back threatened to bubble over. ' This is your own fault, ' a voice inside said. ' You brought this upon yourself by loving her.’
He felt jealous. Angry. Corrin was his lady to serve and protect. He had made that decision long ago. It was she who had saved him from being beaten and thrown out into the streets to starve; she who had said the first kind words to him in what could have been years; and she who had made him feel more than just a failure... She had been his only friend. But that was where he made his mistake, by crossing the line between master and servant.
As the pair grew, Jakob realized that Corrin was the only person he ever wanted to serve. He devoted himself to becoming the best at everything he could, hoping to become her most personal servant, reasoning that he only desired to express his undying gratitude and loyalty. But with each touch, each lingering glance, he found it harder to keep his feelings in check. It was only now that he realized the truth. He wanted so much more than just to be her butler, no matter how he denied it. He had loved her from the very moment she first held her hand out to him.
Jakob had to pull himself together. It would not do for someone to find him in such a state, least of all his mistress. Nor could he let himself ruin her day. Despite everything, he had to put her first. If he could not love her the way he did in his dreams at night, he would continue to dedicate his life to making her happy. And so, he once again locked his feelings away and picked himself up off the floor, hastily wiping away his tears as he disappeared down the hall; praying no one had seen.
Unbeknownst to the dejected butler, someone indeed had seen his uncharacteristic display of emotions...
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Hopefully to be continued...