Patreon Reward: Lucina's Crown Jewels

Here's an early-stage corruption vignette of Lucina being influenced by magical jewelry!

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Lucina looked down at herself and sighed in discontent. Her deep blue travel outfit fit perfectly...because she had a tailor and leatherworker at her beck and call to upsize her clothing at a moment’s notice. It did much to disguise the generous paunch growing in at her waistline, and the cellulite that speckled her softened, thickened thighs. She could see the fruits of her post-war lifestyle etched onto her face, softening its almond-shaped contours and creating the beginnings of a double chin. Her chest bulged out against her vest, quivering through the fabric whenever she took a step. 

“And the jewelry...” Lucina groaned, touching the opulent necklace she now wore with her beringed, chubby fingers. Just as her hands moved behind her neck to unclasp it, a thought occurred to her. Are you hoping for more bloodshed? Lucina wondered, blinking at her reflection. “Why am I still dressing for combat?” she asked her reflection, running her hand down her side and squeezing a plump love handle through her clothes. “Ylisse is safe...my goal is accomplished...I saved this realm.” Lucina held up her hands and wiggled her fingers, studying the bejeweled rings slipped upon them. “At what point am I just being ungrateful for our peace?” She admired her reflection, her curves. “I’m not the only one who’s softened a bit...it’s a good thing. Everyone’s safe...” Lucina spun in the mirror, taking a look at her larger, softer buttocks. She grabbed her left rump cheek and let her fingers dig into its plushness. “Maybe a dress would suit me better now...”

“Princess?” called a servant, poking her head into Lucina’s chambers. “Who are you speaking to?”

Lucina turned and thrust her fists into her hips. “Myself!” she snapped, her cheeks going red. “I have much to consider as Crown Princess, you know! Can I not have one spare moment to sort my thoughts out?” she scolded, her hand going to her throat and covering the large pink jewel set in the center of her necklace. 

 “I’m sorry, Princess!” the servant stammered, bowing her head. 

“No...” Lucina’s gaze softened. “I’m the one who is sorry. I shouldn’t have snapped like that...I think I may be hungry...” 

“I’ll have breakfast readied immediately, your highness!” the servant scurried out down the hall. 

Lucina grabbed her hair brush and began stroking her long blue locks, relaxing more and more with each repetition. If I’m going to wear jewelry, I might as well shop about for some hair ornaments...oh, and earrings! Lucina smiled at her reflection, feeling increasingly confident in herself. “What was I worrying about?” she said mirthfully. “I need to unlearn some old habits if I’m going to rule effectively.” 

Lucina exited her room and travelled to the dining hall, her ample bottom rocking to and fro. A hearty breakfast spread was prepared and waiting. “Good, you made extra!” she complimented, sitting down and immediately forking syrup-drenched griddle cakes into her mouth. “I want to visit the market today,” she announced with her mouth half full, swallowing into a low belch. “Mmm...no...” she reconsidered, touching her choker. “Have the best tailors and jewelers brought here. Posthaste. Pay them whatever they ask to transport their wares for a private showing.” She forked a heap of eggs into her mouth, letting out another, louder “-Bwoorph!-” that drew furtive glances from her ladies in waiting. “I must apologize for my inconsistent behavior as of late; I’d let my worries get the better of me!” She grabbed her plate and licked it clean of syrup, wiping her lips with the back of her hand. “-Urrp!-  Seconds, please!” She gestured to the platters directly in front of her, letting her servants go through the effort of shoveling more onto her plate. 

“I’ve come to realize that Ylisse doesn’t need a ‘hero’ anymore,” she said loudly, making eye contact with her staff. “It needs a Princess. A proper one.” She continued to fork her breakfast into her mouth. Her gaze hardened and her brow furrowed. “Which means you will be held to just as exacting a standard as I will now be holding myself!” she exclaimed with her cheeks bulging, spitting bits of saliva-soaked egg out of her overstuffed mouth. “-Houuurrph!- Thirds, please!” Lucina pursed her lips. “You there; what did that glance mean?” she questioned a young servant. “D-do you think I’m overeating?” she asked, tensing up and squeezing her paunch with her ringed fingers. The tension she had felt returned in force.

“O-of course not!” the young woman answered, hurriedly pouring strawberry syrup onto Lucina’s third course. “I was merely surprised at-”

“As if you have the slightest right to critique me, after all I’ve done!” she went on, clutching her necklace again. “I risked my life on a gambit that saved this entire realm, that saved you all!” she gushed. “I am trying to put the past behind me, but you all keep holding me to a double standard! I-I should have you whipped!” she spat. Lucina took a deep breath. “But I won’t...that won’t do us any good, will it? You all need to be more comfortable with change, because it’s a change for the better!”  

No wonder I’m tense...it’s not me, it’s them! Lucina realized. She ran her fingers through her hair, straightened up in her chair, and finished her third course with slow, dainty bites. “Be certain not to mock your princess ever again, or there will be consequences.” Lucina’s broad bottom rose from her seat as she swayed out to the balcony. “Everything makes sense now...” she whispered to herself. “I must stop holding myself to others’ standards. I must be confident. Self-assured. I am the Crown Princess of Ylisse!” She stroked her necklace and checked its clasp, making sure it hadn’t somehow come unfastened. She lifted its jewel and gazed into it, feeling a soothing calm and self-assuredness. “They all will understand how much I’ve done for them in time...I’ll make them.” She cupped her hands together excitedly, her rings clacking together. “But first I must look the part! Are the merchants here yet?” she shouted into the castle.