I woke up the next morning with Xander by my side. After we had fixed things between us, he stayed with me for the rest of the night. Which was good considering the nightmare I had. I pray that the events I've witnessed over the past while do not haunt me for the rest of my days.

When Xander and I joined everyone for breakfast I noticed that my mother was there, her grief had stained her face. How long would she be in this pain? I suppose she feels partially responsible for fathers death as he did exchange his life for hers.

What would things look like today if mother was the one who was dead? No, the thought is too dark. I'm very happy my mother is still here. But wouldn't having my father here too heal her pain?

Don't change the flow of time

I need to stop getting these urges to fix the past. What's done is done. I should focus on the present, and the future ahead of me.

There was an empty chair at the table after Xander and I took our places. And I realized the absence of my brother.

"Where's Victor?" I said to no one in particular, more to myself really. Victor has never been late to a meal, well he's just not late in general, very punctual.

"I believe he asked to take breakfast in his room this morning your highness," a server said to me as they poured me a glass of water. That was odd, Victor has never done anything like that before. Perhaps he's just very grief stricken right now.

Then his butler entered the dining hall.

"Princess Victoria, his highness has a message, he has asked that you make the public announcement today," what?

"Why can't he do it?" I asked.

"He believes you are more suited to tell the citizens what happened yesterday, as well as announcing the coronation tomorrow. He has also asked that you mention your engagement," it was very unlike Victor to give me his work. However Victor must have a good reason behind this. Just what is he planning?

With his message delivered the butler left, leaving me to finally enjoy my meal and begin forming a speech in my head.

After I finished and excused myself I headed to Victors room. As I neared the door I could hear giggling. Giggling? In a female voice? I knocked on the door.

"Victor it's Victoria is everything alright?" I was left with silence in the hall.

Then the door cracked open and there was Victor wearing pants and his shirt half done up and his hair in a mess.

"Morning Sis," he said casually.

"What's going on, you weren't at breakfast and you got a butler to deliver a message to me?" I tried to see into his room to find out who owned the feminine voice but Victor was blocking my view.

"Yeah I just you know, time to myself, get things in order for tomorrow." I eyed him suspiciously.

"And apparently you giggle in your alone time," his face revealed that I had indeed heard a voice that wan not his.

"It's alright Vic, she was bound to find out soon anyway," said the voice in the room, my eyes widened in shock, I recognized that voice.

"Ashley?" Victor swung the door open that there was Ashley in Victor's bed with the bedsheet hauled up to her neck.

"Yeah I told Ashely about what's going on and then, well,"

"I do not need any more details than that brother, I will um, see you later," and I hurried back down the hall, I heard Victor chuckle before shutting his door.

Back in my room Nefertari was preparing me for the announcement, which meant a warm bath, my nails done, and everything else I needed done to make me look my best for the public.

"You look gorgeous Vicky!" Nefertari exclaimed admiring her work on me. She had just done the finishing touches on my hair and was now placing my crown in the best spot.

"Do you think my speech is good?" I had rehearsed what I planned on saying while Nefertari pampered me.

"Vicky if its one thing your good at besides magic, its speaking, you always find a way to say what needs to be said sternly like your father, but your words always come from the heart just like your mother."

Then a knock came at the door, Nefertari answered it.

"Tell Victoria its time," it was Alexandros. Nefertari circled me one last time to make sure everything looked good before I followed Alexandros out.

The last time I had been on the balcony overlooking Zeckensaw was when father announced my engagement. It felt like so long ago now, so much has changed since that day. I am not the same Victoria I was that day, I was so upset at my arranged marriage. But now, everything's changed, I survived a war, my previous fiancé is dead and I'm now engaged to someone I fell in love with.

I joined my family in the room next to the balcony where we would wait to enter together. The Nohrian royals also joined us this time, and to my surprise, Ashley was at Victor's side chatting happily away to my mother. While the public knew nothing of my fathers death yet, we all had to wear black in respect for my father.

"You look beautiful my dear," I smiled up at Xander and thanked him. "Nervous?"

"Princess Victoria of Vimore does not get nervous." He chuckled.

"But my gorgeous fiancée Victoria does," he took my hands in his and his the tops of them. "I know you'll do wonderful, you always do," he gave me a quick kiss as the clock struck 11, signalling the start of the announcement.

I heard the guard introduce all of us as the balcony doors swung open and I led the group out. I went to the edge of the balcony and gripped the railing, just like I've seen my father do numerous times.

"Hello citizens of Vimore!" I greeted, and the crowd cheered. "I have returned to Vimore to share with you all very important news, and to fill you all in on recent events that have occurred as it is your right as Vimorians to know any important details about your royal family and your kingdom.

"As you know I have been away in Nohr for quite some time. Part of the marriage agreement my father had done for me, was that my retainers and myself would aid Nohrian forces in their war against the neighbouring kingdom of Hoshido. Nohr emerged as the victor, however not without casualties, King Garon, who was my fiancé was killed at the end of the war. His son, Xander has succeeded him as king. During the war I also found myself falling in love with someone, and after the passing of King Garon, we were able to be together. I can now say that I am happily engaged to King Xander of Nohr and we hope to be married soon!" I looked back at Xander and smiled, he did a small wave and when the crowd realized it was him, their cheers got louder.

"Now to more recent business, there was an evil Nohrian sorcerer that placed a curse upon my mother while she was in Nohr, he was dealt with accordingly. However we could not find a way to cure the spells affect. But my father knew of an ancient spell that would fix my mother, the spell required him to sacrifice himself to save my mother. Which brings me to say that my father, King Italus VI is no longer with us," the crowd cried out, devastated at the news. "Vimore is strong and we will continue on. My brother, crown Prince Victor shall ascend to the throne in his coronation tomorrow." People clapped and began to chant his name.

I looked back at Victor and nudged my head towards the crowd and he nodded. I moved aside as he stepped towards the front of the balcony.

"Hello Vimore!" The people were crazy about Victor, especially the women. "It is true that I shall become your king tomorrow, but I also have more news to share. One thing was father was against was me having a relationship with someone much below my class. But someone's place in society does not dictate who they are. For quite some time I have been seeing someone in secret, and although unfortunate, but with my father no longer with us, we can finally be together. Which is why it brings me great joy to announce that I am happily engaged to the woman of my dreams, Ashley." Everyone clapped and cheered, I was slightly taken aback, I was not expecting that, but of course I am happy nonetheless.

Victor and I signed off and then we all went back inside.

"There's going to be two royal weddings yay!" Elise cheered jumping up and down.

"So was that what I get for not telling you immediately about my engagement?" I asked Victor.

"Nah, we just wanted to keep it a secret," he replied.

"Both of my children getting married, its a mothers dream," my mother said embracing me and Victor.

"Who's getting married first?" Corrin asked. I looked at Victor and then over at Xander.

"Obviously we are, we were engaged first," Xander said coming next to me and placing his hand on my back.

"Nope its gonna be us, we've been together longer," Victor said doing the same with Ashley.

"Boys are you really going to fight over who's tying the knot first?" Camilla said.

"She's right first were gonna focus on getting Victor on the throne." I said

"That's right, there's still a lot that needs to be done for your coronation tomorrow Vic," Ashley said dragging my brother away.

Everyone cleared out of the room until it was just me and Xander.

"But we are getting married before your brother right?" I gave Xander a quick kiss before leaving him there.