Xander's pov

About half way through the meal King Italus lightly tapped his wine glass with his spoon and we all turned to hear what he had to say. Only then did I notice that Victoria had barely eaten her food. I doubt that it was because she didn't like it, Jakob makes excellent meals.

"I want to start by thanking King Garon for inviting us into his kingdom in a time of war and for allowing our agreement to take place," everyone clapped at his words. "Now king Garon I believe it is time we reveal to the children why we are here," and he handed the attention off to my father.

"Ah yes, thank you Italus. Now Italus has given us three of his finest fighters. The dark knight Nefertari, the wyvern lord Alexandros and Princess Victoria who in a months time will become my wife!" We all clapped only because it was necessary. Victoria, with her wide eyes put her head down and continued to pick at her food.

The rest of the meal was silent but once Victoria was pretty much done she excused herself and left the dining room. Then slowly did everyone else. Once I returned to my quarters the once quite tower that only had my room and other empty ones, was now filled with endless sobs of what I can only assume belonged to the princess. I then heard a knock at my door I opened it and it was Laslow.

"What brings you here Laslow?" I asked my flirtatious retainer as I invited him into my room.

"Well it's the princess my lord, we must end this marriage arrangement. Just listen to her cries, there like knives to the heart with each weep," he dramatically said.

"Why? So you can scoop her off her feet right after?" I joked. "But I do think that ending the arrangement would be in her and our best interests," I said regaining my usual composure.

"Indeed milord, are you aware that you two are the same age?"

"No, how did you find out this information?" I asked to see what else he knew about her. Not that I'm nosey or anything, just to know some background information.

"Well when me and Iago arrived- and never send me alone with that creep anymore- they had a big meal announcing that Victoria is engaged and then after there was a social then of course there was the boat ride over so I've had plenty of opportunities to get to know her. And listen to this, one of her retainers, Nefertari told me that Victoria though that it was you that she would be marrying and that she seemed pretty content with that," Laslow can be worse than a bunch of gossiping women.

"The three of them seem like good additions to the army, but family, I'm not so sure," I said sternly and then Laslow took his leave. I then headed to the library as I had a feeling that my siblings were waiting for me.

Of course once I entered the library I saw the circle of my siblings as they crowded around a map. I joined them.

"I had a feeling that you'd all be here," I said as I sat down between Camilla and Azura.

"That poor princess, being forced into marrying King Garon," Corrin said with a sigh.

"We have to help her!" Elise begged as she was half on a cry. Camilla lended over and gave her a hug

"Indeed, but what can we do? We can't defy fathers wishes without serious reprecuptions," Leo spoke as he looked up from the map he was studying. Then the door opened and we all turned to see who it was.

It was Victoria she looked at all of us. She no longer had teary eyes and a depressing look on her face. She only wore her expressionless face with her head held high, as if she has accepted what her fate is. After a moment she swiftly disappeared into the library shelves.

"And as I was saying I believe that this route in through Hoshido will guarantee us the advantage and a quicker win. Your opinion Corrin?" Leo said just to make Victoria think that we were talking about War strategy. Then out of nowhere a voice spoke.

"Well actually that way seems like the more tiresome way for your troops. I think that it be more beneficial to send a few the way your saying, but send the bulk and your strongest troops this way. Because judging by this map they will anticipate an attack over here but since you can enter over here, it'll give you the element of surprise," it was Victoria. Leo jumped when she spoke up beside him. We didn't even hear her walking towards us. I looked at the map and thought over what she said.

"It seems Victoria has a very good point Leo, could you rethink your original plan and include what Victoria has said?" He nodded with a sigh. That's when I noticed the rather large stack of books Victoria was carrying. I also noticed that her hair was down now. It was mostly straight but the ends had a slight natural curl to them. "Do you need any help princess?" I asked her.

"Am I allowed to take these books back to my room?" She said as she adjusted the books in her hands.

"Oh yes of course, just be sure that they are returned before we head to castle Krakenburg." She nodded and started to walk towards the door. "Do you need a hand carrying all those books?" I then asked as I noticed her struggle to see around and over the large stack.

"No" she firmly said and continued walking. I turned back to my siblings when I heard the door open but then a large clunk followed by many smaller ones. Quickly I turned around to see Victoria on the floor surrounded by books and Victor standing in the doorway. He quickly got on the floor to see to his sister.

"Are you alright sis? Thank gods I found you Vikky. What in Zeckensaw's name are you doing with all these books?" He paused to look at one of the books. "Romance? Really? You'd think that, this would be the last genre you'd read now." Victoria quickly gathered up the books.

"I'm fine as always, I'll read what I want brother. Now if you'll excuse me," and she quickly left the library as the door closed right behind her. Victor sighed as he ran a hand through his hair before rushing towards me and my siblings and sitting down.

"Please excuse my sisters behaviour. This is all new to her and she's not that happy about her marriage arrangement." He said apologetically.

"It's no problem, we all understand that this is a huge change in her life and that it'll take some taking use to," I replied.

"Indeed, I just don't understand why she has to marry someone who's so much older than her. Hell, your the same age as I've heard." He scrunched his eyebrows together in frustration. Victor clearly was worried for his young sister, and I can understand somewhat how he feels with how many times Corrin has been in trouble. Seeing Victor in a stage of rage, Camilla, Leo, Elise, and myself excused ourselves to retire for the night.

Corrin's pov (probably the first and only time)

"If your willing to listen and believe us, I believe that there is a way to dissolve this marriage arrangement," I blurted out once Xander closed the library door. What have I done dragging a foriegn prince into all of this.

"How so young princess? Our fathers have all the paperwork done, all that's left is the actual service and then it's done," Victor snapped.

"Corrin, are you sure you want to tell him about this?" Azura questioned.

"Yes, I believe he has a right as a worried big brother to know what his sister is marrying," Corrin regained her composure after Victor snapped at her. "You see, Garon as he is now isn't the real Garon. Some evil water demon has completely corrupted him and we need to defeat him. Which we can only do by revealing the beast by having him sit on the throne in Hoshido." We looked to Victor to see his reaction.

"Is this information actually true?" Victor replied with a mixed face. He seemed astonished but yet depressed.

"Of course we have no reason to lie you after you've expressed your concern for your sister," Azura said comfortly

"I-I don't know what to say. In a way it hurts that you children will have to kill your own father. But still I'm so happy that if you succeed my sister won't be in this arrangement. You know she and her retainers will be of great help to your fight. I'm sure if you inform her of this she'll gladly aid your cause. My sister has a love for being on the battlefield." He nervously laughed at the end of his last sentence.

"I'll be sure to secretly inform her, our siblings don't even know the truth. We can tell Victoria, rigth Azura?"

"If it was anyone else I would advise not to, but because of the situation, we can reveal our secret to her to try and garuntee her assistance".

"I can assure you that Vik wants absolutly nothing to do with king Garon. Since the announcement earlier all she's done is cry and look more stoic than usual. Mother and I are worried that she'll only get worse. You have to help Victoria, please, I just want my sister to smile again." Victor looked at all of us before stopping at Azura. "I didn't notice it before, but my mother has a pendent similar to the one you have," I turned to Azura and she picked up her pendent and admired it.

"I believe I seen it when you all first arrived. But I was told that a few of these pendants are in existence," Azura softly spoke. Victor stood up.

"Well I have some things I need to attend to. It was revealed to me that tomorrow myself, my father, and king Garon are going out so excuse me, and goodnight," and Victor took his leave as we replied back 'goodnight'.

"Well that went well," I said letting out a deep breath. It had been silent for a few minutes. I decided that as nothing more needing to be discussed I stood up.

"Well I'm retiring for the evening. Goodnight Azura," I left the library. But not heading to my quarters right away.