"Nefertari I need an outfit for combat," I called when I entered my tent. After giving me a weird look I explained what was going on and in no time I was in a shirt and a skirt with long boots and stockings.

My retainers followed me back to where I last spoke with Xander. He wasn't wearing all his armour, which I was thankful for. He had a shirt that he must wear under his chest plate and if I couldn't of guessed before, this guy is muscular.

"Are you ready Victoria?" He had what looked like a bronze lance in his hand.

" Yes, Alexandros, my axe," I reached my arm out to the side and grasped the bronze axe I asked him to fetch for me. Nefertari stood between us, her and Alexandros we're going to be our referees.

"Alright, begin!" She announced and I hoisted the axe up, it was a little heavier than I remember. I just hope I don't come off balance. Xander twirled the lance around like it was lighter than air. I know I have the advantage with the weapon, but I certainly have the disadvantage when it comes down to pure physical strength.

Finally shifting the axe in my hands I made my move. Who ever fell or dropped their weapon first lost. While I tried to make very calculated swings and aim in certain spots, it must've looked to Xander that I was just swinging with all my might just hoping something would work.

I'm not quite sure how long we sparred, but it was awhile before Xander managed to make me fall. I fell onto my bottom on the dirt with an 'oof' and the axe clattered on the ground next to be.

"Very well done Victoria. For saying it's been awhile, your technique is still quite good," he extended his hand down to help me up, I accepted and once back on my feet and brushed the dirt off of me before whipping the bit of sweat that was on my forehead with the back of my hand.

"Really? I figured that it looked more like I was just swinging away hoping something would work." He chuckled.

"I know your a thinker, you think about every move. But I would never ask you to go into a real battle with an axe, you are incredibly skilled with magic. Don't tell my brother I said this, but you are more talented than Leo is."

"W-why thank you Xander, I'm quite flattered," his compliment made my heart flutter as I stammered out a reply.

"I should let you head back to your tent, we march into Hoshido tomorrow."

"And that's where the real war will begin," all these other battles have just been road blocks, the real fighting is in our sights.

"That's right. I know the chances are very slim, but please survive through this Victoria, I'm sure we'll lose people in the coming days, but I don't want to see your body among them."

"It'll take more than a few Hoshidans to take me down. But the same to you Xander, your family needs you and one day your kingdom will need you." We stood there looking at each other, should I say something more?

"Cough, Princess you should be returning to your tent to rest," I was taken back into reality by Alexandros. Blinking I focused on what was going on, I was staring at Xander, I felt my face heat up. Quickly looking away and smoothed out my skirt.

"Yes, I should be going. I can't wait to be back in a castle to have a proper bath, good day Xander," I waved and then quickly walked away, Nefertari and Alexandros following behind me.

"Vikky can you slow down a little bit, Alexandros is having trouble keeping up," Nefertari said with a slight laugh, Alexandros however did not find it very funny and mumbled a few things under his breath but I did slow my pace.

Back in my tent I changed into another gown and then I asked my retainers to leave me for awhile saying I wanted to rest, my muscles did hurt after that sparring session. As I laid down I thought about what Corrin said to me early and then my interactions with Xander.

It is true that I care about him, I would call him my friend. But my reactions towards him have me thinking more than friends. I'm engaged to a monster, but originally I did think it was Xander. So does that mean I would be happy marrying him? I always listen to what my brain tells me, but now is my heart trying to send me a message?

I thought about it for awhile, only snapping out of it when Nefertari fetched me for supper. But by then I had already come to the realization that I do indeed have romantic feelings towards the crown prince of Nohr. Although, what am I suppose to do now?

Before getting to the Hoshidan capital we need to conquer Fort Jinya first which is where we're headed now.

Seizing the Fort wasn't so difficult and after the Hoshidans had no trouble surrendering to our forces. Everything was going fine until some random bald guy starting killing Hoshidans. Apparently Corrin and everyone else knew who this guy was.

Then to make matters worse Iago shows up. Now granted I do believe things would be easier if we just killed the Hoshidans but besides respecting Corrin's wishes I also don't agree with striking someone down when their tied up and without a weapon, which was exactly what baldy was doing.

Corrin and Xander tried to get them to stop but then  King Garon appeared. I swallowed hard and kept my rigid posture and hardened my facial features. What was he doing here?

Garon commanded Corrin and Xander to stand down before turning to me.

"What were you doing during all of this?"

"I was following Corrin and prince Xander's orders your majesty."

"Did you wish to kill the Hoshidans?" Why was he asking me this? To see if I was loyal to him? I took a quick glance at Xander, he face was like stone I couldn't read him.

"I do yes," I looked directly into Garons eyes, I couldn't directly challenge him but I can't look away.

"They why didn't you?"

"I was instructed not to. The troops surrendered and dropped there weapons. They can't hurt me." Something ticked on his face. He reached out and roughly grabbed my arm pulling me close to him.

"But I can," and he backhanded me in the face. The sound of the hand colliding with my face echoed before I could feel the stinging pain make its way to my cheek. He released his hold on my arm only to place his hand around my neck. "Your my fiancée you don't take orders from my children you take orders from me. Which means that you will kill Hoshidans despite what Corrin tells you," I was losing air, I could hardly breath. He squeezed my throat before throwing me on the ground.

Quickly I propped myself up with one hand while massaging my neck with the other while I coughed and tried to get as much air into my lungs as I could. Garon spat at the ground next to me before disappearing with his forces.

As soon as he was gone Nefertari and Alexandros were at my side.

"Are you alright Vikky? Do you need a healer. Alexandros help me get her up," with the support of the two of them I got back up on my feet. I could feel the eyes of everyone on me. I was humiliated in front of everyone but quickly I heard the footsteps of many leaving.

"Nefertari."

"Yes princess."

"I can't move," I whispered. To tell the truth I was more scared than humiliated. What if we can't defeat Garon in the end or what if Corrin's siblings fight for him instead. Then I'm destined for a life married to that. I'll be destined to a life where I'm treated like this. I wanted to cry so badly but I couldn't let myself be seen like this. I could still feel Garons grip on my arm, the stinging pain in my face and his tight grip around my neck. I thought I might've been killed.

I was so focused on what's going on inside my head and the pain I was feeling that I didn't notice I had been picked up and was now being carried. But when I focused on what I was seeing I noticed the purple like material that's on Xander's chest plate. Why was he carrying me? Once back in my tent he laid me gently down on my bed.

"Victoria you have no idea how sorry I am about what my father did. I should've said something, done something to stop him," he looked upset as he sighed and placed his head in his hands.

"If you had spoken out something would've happened to you Xander."

"I would've preferred if it had! You don't deserve anything that's happened recently to you Victoria. Corrin feels terrible about what happened. And I don't know if domestic violence is alright in Vimore or not, but it certainly isn't alright among my morals," he stated for another moment or so. I didn't know what to say, it hurt slightly for me to speak. Xander got up and left.

Once he was out of my tent I started to cry. Once the true Garon is revealed you can bet I'll be the first to go after him and kill him. I will.