Chapter Text
“You look like your mother.”
Rhajat shifted at the words, but her father’s expression told her he meant it as a reassurance. The comparison is apt, she thought. Her current black and purple attire covered, but revealed more than she was used to and her apprehension must’ve been obvious. She longed for the comfortable pants and long flowing sleeves from home, but she knew this is what must be done.
“Well,” she muttered, “if I don’t get picked, don’t say I didn’t warn you. I’m no dancer.”
Hayato frowned then leaned close, pulling her into an embrace. It’s strange, she thinks. For so long she wanted to be someone her father could rely on. Now that opportunity has opened that door, she’s worried that she won’t be good enough.
“I know you’ve got to be worried,” he said, reading his daughter like a book, ”but you are in a unique position to be able to help so many people. I’m...I’m so proud of you, Rhajat. I believe if anyone can help us, it will be you. I know what a smart girl you’ve become. I know how talented you are. When I told the Crown Prince that I would trust you with this task, I meant every single word.” He stepped back and looked up at her, his eyes a little misty. “And you might think yourself a monster, but I promise you that you are not.”
He cupped her cheek and smiled. “You are my brave daughter and today you will take the first step towards saving our country. I couldn’t be more honored to say I’m your father, don’t forget that. We both might have to hide the truth, but don’t think I won’t miss you.”
Rhajat hung her head, hoping her long bangs hid the tears that pricked at the corner of her eyes. She thought she’d prepared herself for goodbye, thought that all those years apart while she lived with her mother would prepare her for this. But even so, he’s still her father. And even so, she’ll miss him. She’ll miss home .
“I’ll send what word I can,” she mumbled. “I know, I know. I can’t be caught, but…” She looked at him, her confidence brimming in her smile. “They’ll have to outsmart me to do that.”
“That’s my girl.”
“Rhajat, Hayato?” Azura stepped towards them, her veil already in place. “I hate to be the one to say it, but it’s time.”
Hayato nodded. “I leave her in your hands, Azura.”
He started to turn away and Rhajat caught his hand, giving it one final squeeze. “Take care of yourself, Shorty.”
He bristled at the term, but immediately realized that it’s her way of showing how much she will miss him. “You stay safe. No summoning weird things, okay?”
She nodded, uncertain of her voice. Reluctantly, she let her father’s hand go and he disappeared down the hallway.
Azura placed a hand on her back. “Are you going to be all right? I know we’re asking a lot of you.”
Rhajat nodded sharply. “Yeah.”
The other woman smiled, reaching out to make adjustments to the fall of the costume. As she did, she whispered low and with urgency.
“Okay then, last briefing. The man seated in the middle when we go out, that’s him. That’s King Garon of Nohr. To his left is his royal advisor, Iago. Don’t make eye contact with him and don’t let any of his remarks get a rise out of you.” She reached up and began to fasten Rhajat’s veil over her face. “Behind them is Garon’s personal guard, Hans. He’s smarter than he looks, never underestimate him.”
She stepped back to see how the outfit was coming together and nodded.
“To everyone’s surprise, the mysterious third daughter is indeed here. She’s seated with her siblings to the right. The tallest blond man, that’s Crown Prince Xander. Next, the purple haired woman, that’s Princess Camilla. Although her slip in telling us about the sister kept at the Northern Fortress may have been an intentional request for help, we are still not certain how much she can be trusted. But if needed, she has been in talks to wed Ryoma and you can use what knowledge she has of Hoshido to your advantage. You know Prince Leo thanks to your mother, and hopefully that will ensure that he will help you in dire times. From what information I’ve gleaned in my work as a spy, he’s the most likely to stand against his father. Don’t trust him with everything, but consider him the safest option if it comes down to it. The youngest on the right is Princess Elise, we suspect she’s been kept away from most of the goings on, but you never know. In the middle, between Leo and Camilla, that’s her. That’s the girl we are sending you with. Her name is Corrin and you need to lay low and find out why she’s being isolated from her siblings. You already know how to get in touch with me and how to send messages out. Any final questions?”
Rhajat frowned. There’s so much that she’s certain she’s going to regret not knowing. Ever since this plan began, she’s read whatever she could. Hoshido’s tactician held a meeting briefing her on everything she needed to know about the political climate between neighboring countries. Hell, even Crown Prince Ryoma had asked her the same thing. Any final questions? Yes, thousands. But she also knows that at some point she’s just going to have to trust to herself.
Instead she looked to the one part of the plan she felt the most unease about- herself. Azura’s tactic had been to tell Garon that she had a friend that was also a dancer that she thought would be just the right companion for his lonely daughter. Problem was, that meant she had to play that part and hope that Garon and well, now Corrin herself, approved. Rhajat was not a dancer. She was an onmyoji, her mother was the dark sorceress Nyx and her father was a magical prodigy. So they took the magic she knew and worked it into a dance. It would be showy, Azura reassured her. It would do the trick.
“If you’re worried about them finding out about your ties to Oikaze, I don’t think they will. You’ve spent many years away training with your mother and I don’t think many even knew Hayato had a wife.”
Rhajat shook her head. “It’s not that. I’m just…” She gestured to her outfit, definitely something more like a daring sorceress wore than anything she ever had. “I hope I’ll be good enough.”
Azura smiled, soft and reassuring. “Just remember what I told you. You aren’t dancing, you’re casting a spell. Lucky for you, Corrin is here so you can approach her directly and not have to worry about Garon. Just speak to her without words, let your movements tell her that you are what she needs, that you can help her. Dancing is its own kind of magic. And if she’s as lonely as her father says, a little persuasion that you are the answer to that is definitely going to be the key.”
She rolled her eyes. “Makes me sound like you want me to seduce her.”
“Whatever gets the job done,” Azura replied with a wink.
And before Rhajat could question her further, she was leading her out towards the stage. Through the curtains, she could see the royal family seated just as she’d been told. She was immediately glad it was not Garon she’d be dancing for.
Corrin was being smothered by her older sister, her expression light and kind hearted as she laughed at something just said. Rhajat could only hope that for once appearances were not deceiving.
“You ready?” Azura asked, a smile of mischief hidden behind the sheer fabric of her veil. “I’ll keep Garon distracted so you don’t have to worry about catering to him as well.”
Rhajat took a deep breath. “Y-Yeah. Let’s do this.”
Together, they walked onto the stage.
Corrin had suspected something was up when her father insisted she left the castle. Since she was but a toddler, she’d been raised mostly in isolation in the Northern Fortress away from her family. She’d asked her father countless times why, but he always avoided the question. “To keep you safe,” he’d told her again and again. And although she knew she was only three when her mother was murdered in their own home, it still didn’t seem like that could be the only reason.
If he was so worried, then why did her other siblings get to stay in Windmire? Even her younger sister was able to stay with the others, and she was a newborn when her mother was killed. Why was it she was denied any requests to leave even if it was for a quick jaunt into the closest town? The only times she was even allowed at the main castle were so few she could count them on her fingers. And her siblings had all expressed how much they had to practically beg father for them to be allowed to even visit her. Nothing made sense and although she’d been given the nicest servants to care for her, the older she grew the lonelier she became.
Maybe that’s why her father had caved? “It’s almost your seventeenth birthday,” he’d told her. “I thought it would be nice if we could all go out, enjoy an evening together as a family and celebrate.”
Camilla’s probably been nagging him . Corrin thought to herself as they left Nohr for the neighboring kingdom of Nestra. There was no way after fourteen years that her father suddenly had some change of heart without a nudge from someone . And Iago looked especially pissed off tonight, which usually meant someone wasn’t doing what he liked.
Well screw him. Whatever the reason, I’m going to enjoy every moment of this freedom.
And she had. She’d shopped in the village with her sisters. She’d gone to the blacksmith with her eldest brother and he’d bought her a new sword. And Leo, he’d taken her to a shop filled to the brim with books and told her to pick out whatever she wanted.
She may have gotten enough books that they had to purchase another wyvern just to get them all home, yet her father didn’t seem to mind. Iago had argued about it for almost half an hour before giving up.
Now they were headed to an elaborate opera house,where the audience was to be made up solely of them. Apparently Father loved coming here, said it relaxed him and he wanted to bring the family along. Leo had nudged her as they walked in and whispered, “Tell Father you fancy one of the dancers and he might just let you have one.”
She laughed and whispered back. “Look just because you found your weirdo attendant that way doesn’t mean I have to do the same. I still don’t think what Odin does even counts as dancing.”
Leo smirked and shook his head. “He’s a good friend , Corrin. And as much as we all wish we could be there for you, you know…usually…”
Corrin frowned. “Is something going on? I mean, usually I wouldn’t be allowed to do...well, anything I’ve done today.”
Her brother glanced to make sure their father and his entourage were far enough away before he responded. “Xander thinks it’s guilt. Camilla and Elise think that their pleas for your happiness are finally working.”
She leaned closer. “And what do you think, Leo?”
He sighed, running a hand up through his hair. “I think that something strange is definitely going on so you’d better enjoy it while it lasts. I hate to be a downer but...”
“No, I agree. This is the calm before a storm. I can see it in Iago’s glares at me, something is going on he’s not happy about.”
At Corrin’s heavy sigh, Leo placed a hand on her shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze. “All the more reason to have friends. Especially ones that aren’t under Father or Iago’s influence. I think that’s the only thing that’s kept us all sane some years.”
She gave his hand a pat and offered what she hoped was an optimistic smile. “I’ll see if anyone catches my eye. But if this is where Father likes to go to relax, I’m kind of doubting that I’ll find what I’m looking for.”
He cocked an eyebrow at that and gave her a smirk. “Well then, dear sister, what is it you are looking for?”
Corrin averted her gaze. She was sixteen and Leo probably didn’t even realize that not only was she lonely and in need of friends but...well, she was lonely in other ways as well. Reading books with sweeping adventures and grand romances were certainly not helping the gnawing feeling that she was missing something from her life. And while the adventure part of the story definitely made her yearn to go out and explore, the soft tender moments made her want something like that too.
She’d asked Camilla about what courting the prince of Hoshido was like countless times, but her sister had only somberly replied that it was business . “If you’re lucky, Father might let you marry someone you love. I know Leo and I sure wish we’d found someone like Xander had before Iago put this crazy arranged married plan into Father’s head. But even so, love is...well, I hope it’ll find you someday, Corrin. My darling sister, you deserve it more than any of us.”
Leo must have caught on, because he started her out of her musing with a quiet “Oh.”
“What?” she asked, looking to him as if she’d been caught red-handed.
“Don’t let Father’s plans scare you,” he said, tapping her on the nose. “If there’s a will, there’s a way. Always remember that.”
“Leo…”
But whatever she wanted to say would have to wait. They’d arrived at their seats for the evening and Iago had floated away from her father long enough to hover around them like the most unpleasant fly.
“I hope we can all be on our best behavior since your father is being most kind this evening.”
Corrin really, really wished she could swat him away. But instead, she plastered on what she hoped was a cheerful smile and replied. “I’m most grateful, Iago. I’ll be thankful for this night for the rest of my life!”
He glared at her, clearly trying to see if she was being insincere. But as always, she passed his scrutiny.
“Right. Carry on then. We’ll be going home immediately once this detour is over.”
And with that he slithered away back to Father’s side. The siblings all watching out of the corner of their eyes until they knew it was safe to converse naturally again.
“Jeez, can’t he just let Corrin have fun for once?” Elise mumbled. “He’s been at it all day.”
Camilla tutted. “Now, we all know it’s just his job to be as uptight and un-fun as possible. That’s why he’s so good at it.”
“Really?” Elise said in shock.
Leo rolled his eyes. “Camilla, don’t tease her. She’ll believe anything you say.”
“Not anything!” Elise pouted. “Just...most things.”
Corrin laughed, but stopped when she saw Xander frowning. “Xander?”
He forced a smile. “Let’s just enjoy our evening and put all other matters aside for right now. It’s not often we can all spend this time together, let’s not waste it.”
“I can agree with that,” Leo said.
Camilla put an arm around Corrin and tugged her closer. “Agreed. Let’s just show our darling sister how much we love her!”
Elise grinned. “Yeah!”
Xander smiled over at all of them. Corrin shot him a knowing look. Yeah, he’s worried too, but he also knows how much this means to me. Thanks, Xander.
“Hopefully the dancers here are as beautiful as rumored,” Camilla remarked. “And not as strange as someone’s dear attendant.”
Corrin laughed, her cheeks aching from how much smiling she’d done in the last twelve hours. She could hear Leo beside her attempting to make a retort, but the lights dimming effectively ended the conversation.
Squirming a bit out of Camilla’s protective grasp, Corrin shifted so she could watch the show. And maybe it’s because they were the only ones in the audience but for some reason the whole room suddenly felt like an electric current was flowing through it.
The first dancer stepped forward, her eyes flickering to the king before taking her position. Behind her, the second dancer stood against her back, hidden from view.
As the music began, the first dancer started to sing. Her voice was unlike anything Corrin had ever heard, almost unearthly, beautiful and haunting all at once. The words were not in any language she’s familiar with, but somehow it’s as if she knows what’s being sung.
You’ve heard my call. You’ve answered my plea. Come now, come dance with me.
And although the voice continued to enchant as the singer moved toward the king, Corrin’s eyes stayed glued on the dancer behind her. Her outfit was darker, her hair and eyes too. As if she were the shadow to the singer’s light. Slowly she flickered her eyes across the audience and caught Corrin’s gaze. She smirked. And her spell was cast.
Are you lonely? she asked with a incline of her head, her eyes never once leaving Corrin’s.
A finger pressed to her lips.
Can you keep a secret?
She reached out a hand towards Corrin, drawing it towards herself and placing it against her heart.
I’m lonely too.
Her head rolled back with the music, the slightest glimpse of her pale skinned throat peering from under the veil. She snapped her head back up and met Corrin’s eyes.
We could change that, you and I.
Suddenly, she twirled closer to the table they were seated at, her feet nimble and sure.
Watch me, Corrin.
It was like a magic spell come to life as she danced closer. Each move a crackle of motion, a spark of energy, a burst of strength. The song entwined with her dance to weave their magic.
She trailed her fingertips down her sides and Corrin’s eyes tracked their movement.
Want me, Corrin.
She captured Corrin’s gaze and it was only then that Corrin realizes how close she'd come. Her eyes widened with that knowledge and the dancer smirked.
Have I gotten your attention yet?
She asked with a raised eyebrow, the dark eyeshadow bright against her light skin. Slowly, she sunk to her knees on the edge of the stage.
Can you see yourself with me?
She pulled the veil off with a flourish and wrapped her arms around herself.
And with a spark of fire in her eyes, she pressed a kiss to the fabric and tossed it. It slid across the table stopping as it brushed against Corrin’s hand. She started, glancing down at it then back up at her.
Please. I can set you free.
Languidly, she rose from the floor. Her eyes looked wistful now as she turned away, glancing back only briefly over her shoulder.
Maybe, you can set me free too.
She returned to where she started, the singer moving back to stand in front. The song ended and Corrin stood to give them the ovation they deserved. To the surprise of everyone else, King Garon followed suit. And although it’s only their small group, the room echoed with their applause.
Rhajat made her way off the stage, her heart hammering in her chest.
“Wow, you really did amazing!” Azura reassured her, but her hand stilled when it pressed against her back. “What’s wrong?”
She tried her best to remain calm. “I thought Corrin was never allowed out.”
Azura looked perplexed. “Yes. I may have been a bit persuasive when I suggested Garon find her someone. My singing can...have quite the effect.”
Rhajat shook her head. “Not today. I’ve seen her before.”
For once, Azura looked downright surprised. That’s a rarity, Rhajat knew, so she doesn’t hesitate to elaborate.
“It was years ago, so she probably doesn’t remember,” she starts, wondering if it’s Azura or herself that she’s trying to reassure. “But I do.I could never forget her.”
She looked up to Azura, searching for some sign of understanding.
“If you think the plan has be compromised then we can…”
Rhajat turned abruptly, her eyes alight. “No. I’ve got to do this!”
Should I tell her? Tell this Hoshido spy that I would have died five years ago if Corrin hadn’t been there? That I’ve always hoped that someday our paths would cross again? Will she think I’m unfit for the job now?
Azura gave her a piercing look. She can’t lie to her, there’s no way. Rhajat sighed.
“When I was twelve, my mother and I went to the Woods of the Forlorn.”
“The forest closest to the Northern Fortress?”
Rhajat nodded. “You know my mother’s condition, and she’d heard rumor that something there might help. We were ambushed in the dark, something rose from those graves before either of us had a chance to notice. It was her, Azura. I’m certain of it. The girl that cut down that monster was her .”
Azura pulled her further down the hall and ushered her into a chair, crouching in front her and keeping her voice low. “Rhajat, you were selected for this mission because of your mother and her ties to Nohr. Most people don’t know she married, and even if they did, they don’t know to whom. But if you think there’s even the slightest chance Corrin might suspect your ties to Hoshido, then we cannot risk it.”
Rhajat shook her head. “Mother didn’t want Father to be disgraced by her reputation, that’s why I was raised in Izumo. Close enough Father could visit, but not...not close enough for her misdeeds to bring him harm. She travelled often, and it’s possible Prince Leo may know of me as I know she spoke highly of him more than once. But only a small handful know who my father is. Izumo is neutral, so it’s only because of Oikaze’s alliance with Hoshido that anyone could suspect me.”
Azura frowned, but Rhajat could tell she was thinking it over. Please, give me this chance. Let me thank her for what she did by finding out why she’s being kept imprisoned. Let me help her .
“Just remember, you must do what is necessary to help Hoshido. Even if you feel indebted to her. Can you do that?”
Rhajat looked at her with determination burning in her eyes, hoping it outweighed all the other feelings bubbling underneath the surface.
“I will not betray Hoshido.”
“Good.”
“But…” she hesitated only briefly, before letting herself clarify, “if it seems Corrin is in danger, I will not be able to resist helping her. If Nohr moves against her, I will intervene.”
To her surprise, Azura looked relieved. She reached up a hand and placed it on Rhajat’s shoulder.
“It seems you understand more about this situation than I’ve told you, clever girl.” Suddenly, Azura wrapped her in a hug and Rhajat can’t help but start as she whispers in her ear. “Corrin may very well be just as in need of help as we are, that much is true. I’m happy you have no qualms about stepping in to help a Nohrian Princess, because if my hunch is right, this is by no means a black and white matter.”
She leaned back and smiled at her. “Rhajat, trust your intuition. Help those who need help, no matter who they are, because you never know when you’ll need a favor in return. Don’t let yourself be deceived. That’s what being a good spy is. It’s not about not trusting, it’s about being aware of who you place your trust with.”
Rhajat smiled at that. “It takes quite the person to earn my trust given the way Mother and I have been treated over the years. So no, I won’t give it freely. Even to Corrin. She will have to show me she’s still the selfless girl who saved us that day before I place my trust in her.”
“Then I feel our mission is in capable hands,” Azura replied, giving Rhajat’s hand a squeeze. “Come, let’s get you into something warmer. If we’ve both done our jobs right, you’ll be headed off to a rather chilly new home soon.”
She started to reply when the nearest backstage door swung inward and the king and his entourage filed in.
“I’m telling you, Sire, that girl will bring nothing but trouble.”
“Silence, Iago. It is not your place to decide. If you want Corrin to be a happy bride we’d better ensure she’s happy first.”
Rhajat exchanged a significant look with Azura at their words, but they remained silent.
“I’m aware of that. But she’s already got enough servants, we really cannot risk…”
“Iago, you heard my father, please cease this whining,” Leo remarked as he followed in behind them.
“Prince Leo…” Iago began, but on seeing the look on his face he stopped. “Fine. Gods forbid one of us think with our heads and not our…”
Xander’s hand clamped down on Iago’s shoulder and he silenced immediately. “Thank you for your concern, Iago. But I do believe Father has made his decision quite clear. It’s not as if Corrin asks for much, so please find it in your heart to allow her this.”
His smile is a warning and Iago wisely didn’t rise to object further.
Sensing that it would be best to finalize the matter, Azura stood and walked over to them, bowing deeply before the king. “Your Highness, it was an honor as always to perform for you tonight.”
“Azura! You enchant as always,” King Garon replied inclining his head in greeting. “But tonight it is your partner I wish to speak of. You’d mentioned that perhaps Corrin might need a companion?”
“That I did, Your Highness. Us women do like to have a lady friend to keep us company.”
He laughed at that. “Yes yes, my other girls are much the same. That being said, it seems your suggestion has indeed caught my Corrin’s eye. Do you believe she’ll do the job?”
Azura stepped back to turn towards Rhajat, her smile coy and knowing.
“Rhajat, my dearest friend, can you come here?”
Composing herself, Rhajat stood and walked forward. Iago’s eyes follow her with heavy scrutiny and she has to resist the urge to toss a hex at him under her breath.
Calm now. This is it.
Following Azura’s lead, she bowed before the king. “Your Highness, I am humbled in your presence. To think I would one day dance before you, it’s like a dream.”
The king elbowed Iago at this before nodding back to her. “It has been a pleasure. What may I call you, child?”
“Rhajat, Your Highness.”
“Rhajat, my dear, you made quite the impression tonight on my beloved daughter. Corrin, my precious girl, is rather sick and cannot venture out beyond the castle walls very often. It’s a terrible heartbreak to us all that she cannot even be at home with the family. But even so, I wish nothing but happiness for her and so I ask of you, would you consider offering your talents to Corrin, Crown Princess of Nohr? If the warmth of her smile tonight is a sign of how happy you can make her, I find that I can trust no one better with this matter.”
Glancing surreptitiously at Azura, but holding the king’s gaze, Rhajat bowed again. “Your Highness, I would be honored for the rest of my days to place myself in the service of your family.”
“I’m pleased to hear that. Leo, help this girl prepare then meet us at the stables.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Azura! I hope you’ll find another way to surprise me next time I see you!” The king said as he turned to go.
“It is my hope that I will think up just thing, Your Highness.”
He laughed, Azura and Rhajat both earning another icy look from Iago, and Xander giving them all a sympathetic smile before the group filed back out. This left them with only one royal- the Crown Prince, Leo.
Watching to ensure that the others have indeed left, Leo turned back to them and sighed. “I’m sorry for just barging in and rearranging your life like this. If you need to send home for your belongings, we can arrange for it.”
Rhajat, already liking him better than the king by far, shook her head. “I travel around a lot so the majority of my belongings are already with me. I might want to change into something...warmer, first?”
Leo laughed, his smile genuine. “Certainly. Can’t have my sister’s handmaiden freezing to death. I’ll find the girls and see what they’d like for you to wear and have them send it in. Is that alright?”
Uncertain about being gifted clothing upfront, Rhajat looked to Azura for an answer.
“I’m going to feel left out if you keep spoiling my friend like this,” she teased.
“Ah, well and here I was going to send Elise’s personal guard to bring it in. Shall I tell him to wait?”
To Rhajat’s surprise, Azura’s face went pink. “Ah. Well, that’s...thank you, Prince Leo.”
He chuckled at that and turned to go. “You take care, Azura. Don’t dance yourself into too many problems before we see you again.”
She smiled back. “Please keep an eye on Rhajat for me. She’ll hex you if you neglect her, so don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Leo looked back to her and raised an eyebrow. “A dancer that can do magic?”
Rhajat shrugged. “More like a magic user who can dance. My Mother....”
Azura spared her the worry, cutting into the conversation. “Oh that’s right, you’d know of her I’m sure. Her mother is the sorceress Nyx.”
“I didn’t know she had a daughter…”
“Yeah, well when you look older than your mother, they tend to not talk about you much.”
To her surprise, Leo holds out his hand. “It is my honor then to meet you, Rhajat, daughter of Nyx. Your mother gave me quite the difficult learning curve back when I was a boy.”
Rhajat took his hand. “She always spoke highly of you, your highness.”
Leo laughed at that. “My sister has certainly chosen quite the girl, it seems. I have a feeling you’ll fit in with the rest of the royal attendants quite well. As uptight as Father and Iago might be, the rest of us prefer to do things slightly less formally.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” Rhajat replied. Fitting in? Well that would be a first…
“Well then, gather whatever you need and I’ll send Arthur for you. Azura, make sure to help him to the stables. I’d rather not have to fly home with Elise fretting over his injuries again.”
Azura hid a laugh behind her hand. “Oh, yes. Of course.”
Leo waved over his shoulder and the moment he’s out the door, Rhajat rounded on Azura.
“So...Arthur? Who’s that?”
Azura played innocent, but her pink cheeks betrayed her. “Oh, you’ll meet him soon enough. Better go get your things together!”
Shaking her head, Rhajat went down towards the changing rooms.
Well, I can see why Azura’s more than up for befriending Nohrians. I suppose that having an inside connection like that comes in handy with her work, but her whole spiel about not letting emotions cloud your judgement from yesterday is sounding pretty bullshit right about now.
There are three things Corrin was not remotely prepared for on meeting her new handmaiden. First...was the dress.
It was a long dark purple and black dress, Camilla’s choice, and being such it had a corset-laced top that left the girl’s shoulders bared. Which maybe wouldn’t have been so noticeable if Niles hadn’t practically cornered her as she waited with her sisters about the dancing girl and put far too many ideas in her head. Camilla finally shooed him away, but the damage had been done.
Now her mind was just sputtering out put.something.on.her. in a last ditch effort to spare her sanity. So she pulled out one of the capes she’d purchased earlier that evening and insisted someone give it to her so she didn’t get chilled. Problem one, solved.
The second problem, was getting near enough to formally introduce herself. Elise’s guard Arthur had been sent to escort them to where they’d gathered at the stables to load up for the flight home. Which meant that the moment he finally arrived with her in tow, all the other guards and attendants had to make sure they introduced themselves as well. As much as she loved the strange bunch that her siblings had as personal guards or attendants, sometimes they could be rather...overwhelming.
Or maybe that was mostly Leo’s two, she corrected her assessment as she noticed Odin and Niles in the center of the bunch surrounding the girl. Although Xander’s attendant Lazlow wasn’t helping matters either. Thankfully, the moment Selena noticed the trio of men lingering, she promptly made a scene about it and chased them off, Beruka glaring at anyone who dared think otherwise. As usual, Camilla’s attendant and guard were able to put everyone else in line, Selena once again showing why she rebuffed the idea of being a handmaiden and insisted on using the term attendant like the men did.
So that just left the third problem. Actually talking to her and hoping that her first impression wasn’t terrible. Corrin always felt she was approachable and kind, but the lack of social interaction the majority of her life always made her momentarily wary about it. Not everyone was going to excuse her mistakes like Felica and Silas did, as Jakob was always kind enough to remind her.
Father would just tell me it doesn’t matter what some servant thinks as long as they obey. But, I know that all of my siblings trust and care about their attendants as friends as well. This isn’t something I can just do in some detached formal way.
“If you’re planning a theatrical entrance, I could definitely generate some wind to make your cape flutter dramatically, Lady Corrin.”
She tries not to laugh at the thought. “Thanks Odin, but I’m trying to go for something a little more...normal.”
“Hmm. Normal...not my usual angle.”
She looked over at her brother’s attendant and leveled him with a look.
“What? Surprised that the great Odin Dark isn’t able to pull off normal? It’s not that I can’t, it’s that I choose to live with passion instead!”
As always, talking with Odin was an adventure.
“What’s she like? I mean, it’s probably not fair that I made my decision just on her dancing.”
“True. Although, Lord Leo did select me for similar skills and I’ve been nothing but wonderful.”
“Odin…”
“Right right. The girl. Though the crowd beckons to her, she seeks not its limelight. The darkness caresses her lovingly and she finds comfort in its arms. The spirits rustle as she passes, knowing that she too can call them back if she so desires. Such is your lady, Lady Corrin. I suspect you’ll find her most agreeable.”
And not about to try and decipher the usual strangeness Odin provided, Corrin offered him a smile and replied, “Thanks. I suppose I’ve just got to see for myself then.”
He bowed. “She shall suit you well, Lady Corrin.”
Corrin ran a hand up through her bangs, hoping that she looked somewhat decent. Her etiquette lessons with Jakob echoed in her mind. It’s very important to make a good first impression.
Her brain faltered as the girl looked up at her.
“Uh…” Corrin cleared her throat and glanced aside trying to compose her thoughts. “Hi. I’m sorry I haven’t gotten to talk to you sooner, things have been a little crazy. I’m Corrin.”
She offered a hand and a smile and hopes it’s good enough.
Her eyes, still dark with eyeshadow, flicker down to her hand before rising back up to Corrin’s gaze and settling there comfortably. She stepped forward and took her hand.
“Rhajat. I’m honored to be in your service, Lady Corrin.”
Wow, she’s even prettier up close. Corrin’s brain supplied helpfully. Ugh, get it together. It’s not like you’ve never met a girl before. Sheesh. She’s just...different from most. That’s all.
She takes her hand and feels the rough bumps as she grasps it tight. It’s not like her own, callused from years wielding a sword, but more like Leo’s. It’s as if she can feel the magic pulsing in her veins, the scars left from spells gone awry. There’s not a single woman she knows with hands like this. It’s…enchanting.
Impulsively, she pulls her forward into a hug, Rhajat going still in shock.
“L-Lady Corrin.”
“Corrin,” she corrected, giving her a slight squeeze before pulling back. “I might not be able to get Jakob or Felicia to stop with the formalities, but at least I can keep you and Silas from slipping into it. Consider it one of the very few perks of being way up at the Northern Fortress away from the rest of the family.”
Rhajat blinked, obviously trying to figure out if this is a test or not. Finally, she inclined her chin up and said it. “Corrin?”
She’s rewarded with her happiest smile. “That’s better. Let’s go home, Rhajat. I have so much I want to talk about.”
Rhajat stepped closer and spoke so softly only she can hear it, “I’ll follow wherever you lead, Corrin.”
And something about the way her name rolls off her tongue makes Corrin want to hear it a million times more.
“I’m glad to hear it.”