After that terrible banquet I got as from Izana and the Hoshidans as I could. I needed to find Leo, there's something I need to discuss with him.

Finally I found him wandering around the palace, probably looking for a library.

"Prince Leo may I speak with you for a moment?"

"Of course Princess Victoria, what do you need?"

"Well I know that you are quite the mage and have wonderful magically talent. So I wanted to ask you if it makes sense for a peace loving ruler like Izana to be wielding dark magic?" His eyebrows knitted together.

"Now that you say that, it doesn't. Did you sense his magic?"

"Yes. If you didn't notice I was sat right next to him for the banquet."

"Do you think we should tell Xander or Corrin?" Leo asked. This Izana might not be who he says he is or he's just pretending to be peace loving.

"I think it would be best. Even if it is nothing, at least we can be on guard if something does happen." Leo nodded and we headed back towards the dining area to try and find Xander.

Although when we found him it was to late. This weird looking mage was commanding Nohrian soldiers to capture Ryoma.

"It can't be!" Leo exclaimed beside me.

"Who is that?"

"Zola a dark mage that works for Iago and father," of course is was. And as easy as it would be to just let Zola do his thing, Corrin and Xander didn't agree with his methods so then we ending up having to fight Zola and our own soldiers.

As the battle begun I ran out the nearest exit and whistled for Veronica and once I was on her back with my tome out I joined in the fighting.

The battle was over, Leo killed Zola to prevent word from getting back to King Garon and Iago and we found the real Izana. I don't know why I was suspecting him to be different from his doppelgänger, because he was exactly the same.

Then to make matters worse once the Hoshidans were freed we had to have another meal with them... yay.

During the meal I heard Azura make a comment to Corrin about them all being one big disjointed family. Which of course drew my mind to my family. Battle really does keep my mind from thinking about other things such as my family. All of a sudden I got hit with a longing for home and my family. To see my mother smile, a hug from Victor, a praise from my father. That's all I wanted right now. Do these two royal families know his grateful and lucky they are that they get to be together with their siblings? The food in my mouth lost its taste and I excused myself and left the palace.

When I got outside I wasn't quite sure where to go so I just wandered. If I got lost I'll just whistle for Veronica. Eventually I found a nice calm spot. There was a pond with a few trees surrounding it. I went and sat near the edge of the pond. I used my magic to create ice shapes of my family from my memory. I remembered my mother's song and how she told me never to tell anyone her secret song.

Placing my right fingertips in the water I began to sing.
"You are the oceans gray waves," as I sang I pictured Vimore in my head. Soon the water started to move and swirl up creating a mountain. I could see that houses built into the mountain side up to the plateau where the town of Zeckensaw is located and then build off the side of the mountain is the castle. Every detail was perfect. The more I sang the more I saw, my bedroom, the wyvern stables, the castle garden, secret path in the woods where Victor goes to meet Ashley. The balcony where father announced my engagement. I watched as Zeckensaw came to life in the water, it was gorgeous. But I could feel a strain in my arm, almost like a pull telling me to stop and that this isn't my spell. But I couldn't help myself, it was beautiful.

Then a stick cracked behind me. I quickly pulled my hand out of the water and Zeckensaw crashed into the pond. I whipped myself around throwing a spell into the dark forest.

"Show yourself I won't hesitate to attack more," I yelled out into the night. I heard a slight laugh that sounded vaguely familiar.

"I found her, she's over here, Alexandros," Nefertari came into view. "Thank goodness I found you, your highness we were so worried when you didn't come back!" She sat down next to me and sighed out of exhaustion. Alexandros then appeared and sat down on the other side of me.

"You shouldn't wander too far from us princess, you could die," leave it to him to be blunt.

"Of course because if I died then that means death for the two of you."

"Vikky were more than just your retainers, were your friends," Nefertari wrapped her arm around my shoulder.

"And I think now more than ever you need some of those," Nefertari punched Alexandros with the arm that was wrapped across my back.

"I bet you miss them don't you princes," Alexandros said.

"Everyday."

"But your mother and Victor write to you don't they?" Nefertari asked.

"Of course. They write so many letters that the man who delivers them to our camps is starting to get a bit angry with the amount of mail," mother has to write about every single detail of her day, everyday. I swear, she should be writing in a diary instead. And Victor, well he's just about the same as mother. Sure his last letter all it was about was the shapes he saw in the clouds!

"And you reply to them."

"Obviously. Although when I read them I miss them even more."

"You'll see them soon princess," Alexandros said. I could feel Nefertari's cold glare go right through me and onto him. "Maybe I should just keep quiet."

"Yes. I believe I can do the talking for the two of us."

I wrapped my arms around my two retainers. "I love you two. I'm so glad both of you are here with me. I don't know what I'd do without you two."

"You might be dead."

"Alexandros."

"Drop it Nefertari. Things wouldn't be the same without him."

"I suppose your right Vikky. Anyway we should be getting back. The others might start to worry." I sighed, I didn't really want to go back.

"Do you mind if I stay," Nefertari gave me 'the look'. "Just for a few minutes. Then I promise I'll come back to camp." Nefertari sighed.

"Just a few minutes. Then we'll be back to get you if you don't show up. Right Alexandros?"

"O-of course. Please don't die when we're gone princess. Our lives would be very boring without you."

"You wouldn't have a life if I died Alexandros."

"Let's go Alexandros," said Nefertari through gritted teeth. Waving to my retainers as they retreated back into the trees, the image of the two royal families came back into my head, and the family moment the Nohrians had before boarding the boat at the dock.

Next thing I knew I was crying, just how many times have I cried since my engagement announcement? I've lost track. I'd give anything to see my family right now.

I sat there sobbing until I heard footsteps behind me.

"Nefertari knew that someone would have to come out and get you," it was Xander. Quickly whipping my eyes I hastily stood up and adjusted my dress making sure there were no dirt or grass stains.

"Nefertari told me she and Alexandros would be back to get me."

"I asked Nefertari if I could come get you instead."

"And why is that?"

"I wanted to apologize."

"For what? You've done nothing." What was he getting on about?

"I get to spend everyday surrounded by my family, while you and your retainers are left out like outsiders. I promise, going forward I will do better to include you and your retainers, treat you more like family."

"Xander that really isn't necessary."

"I know, but I want to anyway. Now shall we get back to camp." He held his arm out for me to take, and after a second I accepted. While we walked back Xander interrupted the nice silence that we had. "I thought you weren't suppose to go anywhere without a male escort?"

"Xander, do you really think I'm a rule abiding princess?"

"Well that's as my initial impression, yes," I laughed.

"It looks that you have a lot to learn about me Xander."

"It would seem so Victoria." We made light conversation back to camp before leaving me at my tent where Nefertari dressed me for bed and I drifted off to sleep thinking about my family and what my life would look like if I was still in Vimore.