From here on out, you'll find out how Izetta and Finé will be living their lives now that Izetta no longer possess any magical abilities.
Disclaimer: I do not own Shuumatsu no Izetta.
When Morning Comes
The second you are conscious, you can tell right away that something isn't right.
But it's not an immediate or crushing sort of panic.
Finé lies beside you, breathing softly, still wrapped in the combers of sleep. She is all right, so already, the sense of dread is cut in half.
When you inhale, you can't feel any congestion or pain, so you know you aren't sick again. There are no loud, uninvited noises, no explosions from outside, no yelling - nothing of the sort.
It takes you a long moment to realize exactly what's wrong.
Rather than noisy and active, the world actually seems... a little less lively. Or a lot less, when you really think about it.
Because the magic is gone.
You can't feel it anymore – not even an ounce of it. The ley lines that once pulsed with subtle magical energies are now stagnant and can never be refilled.
You've never realized it until now, but you'd always been able to sense that energy, even when your powers weren't activated. There'd always been something there beneath the ground, like the veins of the earth radiating with life force.
But now it's gone.
That isn't to say the planet is dying, it's just... dishearteningly less magical.
And you knew this would happen. You'd known from over a month ago, when you'd started tearing the ley lines up from the ground and using them as your weapons, pouring out every last drop of magical energy that was left. All except for the bit that had allowed your final flight with her last night.
You'd felt it yourself, watched it yourself, as that final glow of green dust had faded. You just hadn't... actually expected it to be true.
But now, there is no mistake. The magic is gone, and it isn't ever coming back.
Perhaps, that is for the best.
And yet... it feels like a part of you has died. Something that's always been there for as long as you've been alive. Something that's always surged with life and energy. Something that's protected you and the people you love.
It's all gone.
So you don't even make an effort to prevent or stop the tears this time.
They aren't heavy or bitter tears, and they don't call for loud sobs and wailing. You weep softly into your pillow now. The ache that fills you is akin to feeling as though you've lost something that was never really yours to remember.
Softly, quietly, you tremble beneath the blankets.
And of course, it's only seconds before Finé is stirring, turning herself over to face you, her eyes already open and full of worry.
"Izetta?"
Right away, before she can ask, you shake your head.
"Finé... the magic... it's gone..."
And that's all that needs to be said. She understands.
So she opens her arms, and you drag yourself into them, burying your face into the side of her neck as she caresses your hair, hushing you gently.
"I'm sorry..." she whispers, as though it's her fault. "I'm sorry, Izetta..."
You shake your head, sniffle, and cling more tightly to her nightgown.
It's a quiet, fragile morning as she helps wipe your tears away, kissing the warm trails they've left behind on your cheeks.
By the time Lotte knocks on the door, it's hardly discernible that you'd been upset at all.
Together, Finé and Lotte help you into your wheelchair. Once you've been changed into finer clothes, you're brought down the hall for breakfast.
And as soon as you see all of their smiling faces, and hear their familiar voices, you forget all about the absence of your magics.
The next several days and nights pass by much the same as the ones before them have.
When Finé is called away to attend work and business, Lotte steps up and takes on her roll as your official caretaker.
She brings you around the courtyard gardens, letting you enjoy the warmth of the sunlight and the scents and sights of the flowers. Much of the property had been damaged in the war, but over the weeks since you've woken, you've been able to watch things repair themselves bit by bit. The charred grasses and bushes are coming back to life, the little buds and bulbs are beginning to pop up once again.
But today, Lotte has a surprise for you. She stops rolling your wheelchair beside a bushel of plants that are just beginning to regrow.
"Izetta-san!" she chirps. "Would you mind waiting here for just a moment? I've got to go and fetch some things."
You're curious as to what exactly she could need to bring all the way out here. Lotte isn't a forgetful girl, so you can assume she'd been planning to do this all along. So you smile and nod.
"Of course."
With that, she dips her head and scurries off across the grass.
This is the first time you've been left alone outside since the war has ended. You lean back, tilt your face to the sky, and close your eyes.
You can no longer feel the tickle of magical energy flowing around you, nor the flow of it beneath the earth any longer.
But you can feel something else.
There is a different kind of energy.
It's much more natural, much more subtle, but it's there.
It is the energy of growing things, the energy of life itself.
You can feel the plants as they struggle to push their way up from beneath the soil, feel the tiny seeds as they stretch their roots far below the surface.
Everything is in motion, everything is alive.
Feeling as much brings you comfort and relief.
You savor these feelings for a few minutes until Lotte's footsteps bring you to open your eyes once again. She's carrying a bag full of supplies, and when she stops next to you and opens it, the contents are revealed.
Little garden shovels, gloves, bags of seeds and all other tools.
Your eyes widen just a little, and the smile is forming on your lips just as she makes her declaration.
"Izetta-san, how would you like to help me do some gardening today?"
A wave of joy and nostalgia rises up in your chest.
"Yes! I would love to!"
After weeks of being bedridden, and constant professional confirmation that you'll likely be an invalid for the rest of your life, this is exactly what you've needed.
A purpose, a job, something to do. Now you can feel useful again.
Carefully, Lotte helps you out of your chair and onto your knees in the grass. She ties an apron around your back to prevent your clothes from getting too dirty, then hands you a pair of gloves.
You spend several hours of the afternoon sewing new seeds into the gardens. You always feel bad to cut away or dig up the dead plants, but the satisfaction of planting new ones that have a much better chance of flourishing is twice as high.
By the time you've both finished, a good section of one of the gardens has been redone, the soil smoothed out and concealing lively new seeds just inches below.
When your stomach starts to rumble, Lotte helps you back into your chair and cleans everything up, then rolls you back inside. After a bath, you're dressed in your nightgown and brought to supper, where Finé is just arriving as well. A smile lights up on her face instantly as she makes her way to you and sits beside you for the meal.
Rather than talk about the business she's been dealing with, she wants to hear about your day.
And for once, you're more than eager to tell her about it.
She's enraptured by the idea of your gardening with Lotte, and you can tell she's relieved that you aren't feeling upset over having nothing useful to do around here.
But there is a slight anomaly about her demeanor, something even you can't place right away. She seems almost nervous somehow, but it's so fleeting you can't really be certain it's there at all.
You mean to ask her about it later before bed, but by the time she enters the room and lays down beside you, you're already half asleep. You can't be bothered with anything more than pulling her into your arms and pressing close, and it's clear there's nothing else she'd rather be doing, either.
You kiss goodnight, and sleep comes more quickly than usual.
The next few days are much the same.
When the sun is out, Lotte takes you to the gardens to plant. When it rains, you spend most of your time in the library reading books, or in the office once again appreciating all of the gifts the people have sent you.
It is on a rainy day like this when a knock comes on the office door, and to your surprise, Finé steps in. You turn your chair around to face her as soon as you can.
"Princess!"
You still tend to call her by title when other people are around. She smiles back and makes her way over.
"I thought I might find you here. Do you think you could come with me for a while, Izetta? I'm finished with my work for today, and there's something I want to show you."
"Again?" You look around the room at all the flowers and letters. "More from the citizens?" you guess.
But she shakes her head.
"No. This is something very different. Something you'll know right away when you see it."
There's a hint of excitement in her tone and a sparkle in her eyes. It rubs off on you and makes you eager to see what she wants to show you.
"Then yes. I'm not doing anything in particular for the rest of the day."
"Excellent." She walks behind you to grab the handles of your chair, then calls over to Lotte. "Lotte, you're relieved of your duties for today. I'll be staying with her."
"Yes, ma'am!"
With that, Finé begins to push you across the room, then out the doors Lotte holds open for you. As she brings you down the hallways, you try to relax, despite your excitement.
"Finé?" Now that you're alone, it feels much easier to call her by name. "Can you tell me what it is?"
"Hmmm..." She contemplates with that charming little hum of hers. "Nope! You'll just have to wait and see!"
"Okay..." You pout playfully, and she reaches over to pat your head.
She brings you to a door you recognize as Bianca's office. She knocks, and seconds later, Bianca opens the door.
"Please come in."
Finé wheels you inside and stands next to you. Though you haven't the slightest clue as to what's happening, Bianca seems to know. She dips her head respectfully and excuses herself from the room before you can say a word. Tilting your head back, you seek lilac eyes.
"Finé... What's going on?"
"It's just like I'd said," she explains. "I've got something to show you. Well... perhaps now I should say someone." She crosses the room, and your eyes follow her to another door.
"Someone?" you parrot. "A person is here to see me?"
"Mmmm not exactly." She turns back, winks, and then opens the door before her.
You can't see much of what's inside, but it looks very simple. There's only a small couch and a few chairs, but there are plenty of blankets and rugs on the carpet.
Before you can ask more questions, Finé steps inside and out of sight for a moment. You can only hear her now, her voice soft and gentle as she murmurs inaudibly to the supposed occupant of the room.
You can't possibly imagine who's inside. The room is exceedingly humble, considering it's part of the royal palace, and there's no reason as to why Finé might keep any guest waiting in such a room.
Eagerly, you lean forward in your chair, trying to catch a glimpse. You can just see the back of her dress and discern she's kneeling. A few seconds later, she stands once again.
"There we go. I know Izetta will be thrilled to see you, too."
At last, she turns back and approaches you once again, and the mystery is revealed in her arms.
Your jaw drops while at the same time your lips rise up into a huge smile, your eyes going wide as an excited little beat passes through your heart.
A small, chubby, brown-and-white dog sits in her arms, also smiling with her tongue lolling out. Finé walks back over to you, cradling the dog before kissing the top of her head.
You're speechless for a long moment as Finé kneels down in front of you now, cuddling the little old dog just as her name finds its way back into your memories.
"Dorotheé..."
The dog's ears perk up and she yips softly. Finé laughs.
"Yes, that's right! You remember her!"
"O-Of course I do! She was always with you..."
Naturally, you reach out your arms in a silent request to pet her. Finé leans forward and carefully transfers her into your lap. Another surge of joy rushes through you as the little dog sniffs your hands in turn before licking them.
"Dorotheé... I didn't think I'd ever see you again."
"I can't believe it hasn't come up all this time," Finé says. "But there's just been so much else going on until now. That's Dorotheé's room." She nods back to the door in the wall. "We used to let her roam around the palace, but she's getting old, and she likes to sleep. Bianca or one of the maids always take her outside every day, but somehow, in all that's been going on, you two have just always missed each other."
By now, the corgi is rolling over in your lap, and you gently run your fingers over her soft belly.
"Wow... so all this time she's been alive... I'd always thought..." It seems wrong to say it now that you know it isn't true. But Finé catches your eye and nods in understanding.
"I know. But she's a tough old girl! Last month when the Germanians bombed the palace, everyone thought for sure she'd been killed. But after the war ended, and repairs were put into action, someone found her running around the perimeter of the property. She must've escaped somehow and was hiding out all this time until it was safe." She reaches out to scratch the old dog's ears. "I know it's been so long. But I thought you might like to see her. And it's clear she remembers you, too."
"Yes. She's a very smart girl. I'm glad she's all right."
For a moment, you both sit there and spoil the dog, rubbing her belly and scratching her ears as she tries to lick you both at the same time.
Finé soon stands and wheels you over to a nearby couch. You easily slip out of the wheelchair and settle on the cushions as she helps you get comfortable. Dorotheé turns over in your lap and is asleep in minutes.
Finé pulls you in by the shoulders and coaxes you to lean against her for a moment. You close your eyes and let out a sigh of content as your hands lazily stroke through Dorotheé's fur. You feel a kiss being pressed to your temple, then a breath against your ear.
"You know," Finé murmurs. "Dorotheé is getting old. Living in the palace is getting too hectic for her. There are always people moving about, important guests coming over, and there isn't much space for her here. It doesn't seem fair..."
"I'm sure she doesn't mind!" you assure her. "Dorotheé is just happy to be around you and the people who love her!"
"I suppose that's true."
You can't see her face, but you can hear a hint of sadness in her voice. Another moment of silence ensues. You hear her exhale again, and it's shaky. Briefly, you recall the nervous look you'd seen in her eyes before and can assume something is still bothering her. You straighten up a bit, pulling away from her so you might see her face.
"Finé... Is something the matter?"
You know her well enough to expect her to brush it off and deny it.
But whatever's troubling her now must be so burdensome she can't even manage to do that. She flashes you a guilt-ridden look, and it sends an immediate pang of worry through your chest.
"Izetta... Dorotheé isn't the only one at risk staying here."
You feel your shoulders slump; you'd thought it might be something like this.
Finé reaches out to take your hands in hers, tracing the pads of her thumbs over the backs of your knuckles.
"As I said... there will be people coming in and out much more frequently in the future. Eylstadt is going to be making many new trade partners and allies. And we just can't risk people seeing you. Do you know what would happen if they did?"
She leaves it open-ended for you, but your mind can easily fill in the blanks.
If people discovered you now, hiding away in the Archduchess' palace, confined to a wheelchair instead of soaring around using your magics to defend the country, they'd surely take an interest.
Like the Germanians, they'd want to run experiments, find a way to call back or reuse the magical energies you've lost, find out ways to breed more witches and create more weapons for battle.
You hate to think that some of the people of her country might be this way, but you know it's far too likely to be the case. When human beings encounter something they've never been exposed to before - something new and powerful and harboring great potential - their natural curiosity kicks in.
They want to learn about it. They want to use it. They want to exploit it.
They want to show other humans that they are the most powerful.
To some degree, it's a matter of self-preservation and protection.
But it very quickly and very easily becomes something much less understandable than that.
If anyone outside the palace sees you here, there'd surely be an uproar, not only in Eylstadt, but all across the planet. The world would want to know more about the descendant of the White Witch who had singlehandedly ended the war.
All in all, it wouldn't be a very pleasant future for you, for Finé, or for anyone else.
Once you've considered it, the clarity must begin to show on your face, because she soon continues in a quiet voice.
"People would be at our doorstep daily, demanding answers. In fact, it's sort of been this way ever since you ended the war. Until now, everyone has assumed you've been in recovery. We're keeping up the act that you're still in a coma. Only the palace workers and staff here know the truth.
"But the citizens are getting anxious, Izetta. It's a gamble to keep telling them you're unconscious. If you stay asleep forever in their minds, they might take it as a symbol of defeat, that their savior during times of war never woke up. It will cause grief and prove to be disheartening."
She pauses, takes in a breath, and looks down to the floor. "That's why... we've been coming up with something to tell them in order to keep them happy, and to keep you safe."
She stops again, and you know she's troubled simply by considering the idea, let alone saying it out loud. To help her find her conviction, you reach out to squeeze her hands this time.
"Finé. It's okay. Please tell me."
For a moment, she wavers, teetering on the borderline of uncertainty until she steels herself at last.
"We plan to tell the people... that you've finally woken. That you've seen their gifts, and appreciate their support and love with all your heart. We'll take a photo together, you and I, just to prove to everyone that you're really awake and well. That will revive their hope."
That word sinks into your heart. All this time, Finé has been your hope, from start to finish. You'd never really considered that you might've been the hope of the people of Eylstadt. It makes you smile, just a little bit, before she goes on.
"However, after we release the photo, we're also going to release a statement. From you. We plan to tell Eylstadt and the rest of the world that you don't feel it's right to remain here. That you've done what you'd intended to do. That you've served your purpose.
"But you don't want magic to have any influence on humankind any longer. Magic has already interfered far too much in our history than it ever should have, and you don't want to risk it happening again.
"So that's why... we'll tell them you've chosen to go away. Very far away. Somewhere... where magic won't be able to have an influence on human beings any longer. This way, the people still know you're alive. Their hope is still alive.
"But you won't be at such great risk. If they know you – as a witch – have gone into hiding, they won't bother to go through the effort of looking for you. The few who do will think you've gone off far away, and they'll never find you."
She takes another breath, and finally lifts her face. "They won't find you. Because you'll be staying here. On palace property. Just... not within the palace itself."
It's a lot for her to explain, and a lot for you to take it. Clearly, she's been thinking this plan through for a very long time now, and she's gone through such lengths as to fill in every possible crack.
Telling the people you've woken and appreciate their support will keep them happy. Showing them a new photograph of you will prove you're alive and well.
Declaring that you plan to go into hiding makes sense, coupled with the proclamation you don't want magic to interfere with human history any longer. The people won't know you've already lost your magics, that you can't even fly, that there are no magics left in this world. They won't be able to see you fly off; you'll simply disappear without ever being seen in person again.
But you'll still be alive to them, a fleeting mystery, a wondrous heroine.
It's all making sense to you.
All except one part.
You shift a little closer to her on the couch, careful not to rouse Dorotheé in the process. You move in until your shoulder brushes Finé's, allowing her to lean against you a little.
"Finé... That sounds like a very effective plan. I understand every aspect of it. And it really will keep me safe, and keep the people satisfied. But... about that last part... I won't be able to stay in the palace anymore...?"
Your voice is full more of confusion than of hurt or anything else. She doesn't lift her eyes to meet yours when she nods in response.
"Yes. I've discussed it with everyone, and we think it's for the best if you... don't stay here. As I told you before, there will be many people from neighboring countries visiting from now on, sometimes for days at a time. And we can't just lock you in a room somewhere like a prisoner. I refuse to have someone frantically hide you and lock you up every time an ambassador or representative comes here...
"There is a small house located on the property. It's been there for many years uninhabited, but it's still in pristine condition. It was built to be a safe house, mainly for myself if I ever needed to quietly go into hiding for a few days, but still stay near enough to the palace to be able to conduct business. But I think it's best if you were to go there now. I hope you understand, Izetta."
Her words make perfect sense. You wouldn't want to be paraded away and kept in a room for days on end until her visitors left.
Your presence in the palace would always provide a risk that someone might stumble upon you, when you were supposed to have left human civilization. Not only would it cause problems for you and for Finé, but likely for all of Eylstadt as well if the rest of the world found out the small country was keeping you secretly.
Retiring to a small, quiet house that's far enough away to keep you safe, yet close enough to keep you near her, sounds like the perfect solution.
And so you accept.
"Yes. I understand perfectly, Finé. This is what's best for everyone."
Softly, she gasps and lifts up her head, lilac eyes swirling with shock and grief.
"You... Izetta... a-are you sure? You... just like that, you agree to these terms?"
"Yes! If you think this is what's best for me and for everyone, then it must be! You've thought it through for a long time, I can tell. And it sounds like the perfect idea to keep everyone safe and happy. So I'll gladly accept it!"
You say as much with a smile, and squeeze her hands once more.
But she's almost in disbelief, and she's yet to show such happiness.
"Izetta... Are you sure you...? I... I just..." Again, she looks away, and you really wish that she wouldn't.
But you soon realize it's because there are tears dripping down into her lap, onto the backs of your hands.
"I didn't want you to think I-I'm doing this because... y-you're a burden... or because you... you've served your purpose to us, and now you're no longer needed... that's not it, Izetta..."
Her voice tapers off, and the sobs surge up her throat, raking her body. With a whimper, you lift your hands and wrap your arms around her, pulling her in close.
"Finé..."
Obviously, the possibility that you'd think she might be trying to get rid of you, or hide you out of embarrassment for what you've become, has been eating away at her for days. She'd probably meant to make this proposal a while ago, but couldn't bring herself to do it for fear of your reaction.
She's always been putting you before herself and her own feelings. That hasn't changed in all this time.
You stroke through her hair and allow her to hide in the crook of your neck. She stifles her tears and weeps into your clothes for a moment, until you're certain she's calmed down enough to listen to you.
"Finé... I don't think that at all. Perhaps, in the past, I might've felt that way. I might've felt you were trying to get rid of me because I was a burden to you..."
Again, she shakes her head, just to try and tell you that's not how she'd intended it. You hug her closer, soothing her fears with a whisper.
"But now I know that's not the case. I know that, Finé. Because... Because I know that you love me just as dearly as I love you. A-And I know that... you'd never think of me that way, because I'd never think of you that way, either."
This time, she nods against your shoulder, her hands reaching out to clutch at your sides.
"Yes..." she sniffles. "That's exactly it, Izetta. I-I would never want you to think... I was only doing this to get rid of you. I was so scared... you might think that was the case. I was so scared you might... resent me or..."
"Never!" you cry out. "F-Finé, I would never-!"
"I know." She swallows and draws in a deep breath. "I know that now, Izetta. And I'm sorry for ever doubting you. For ever doubting you'd understand. Because I know how much you love me, how much you trust me. I've always known. I'm sorry..."
"It's okay."
By this point, you're sniffling too, and a few tears have slipped down onto the back of her dress.
You both take a moment to compose yourselves, breathing together, chest-to-chest, until your heartbeats match. When you ease back, there is finally a smile on her lips.
"I'm so glad, Izetta. The cabin isn't as luxurious as the palace. But Lotte's been having lessons with our chefs during her free time. She's going to take good care of you. And you'll be able to care for Dorotheé in return."
"I'd be honored to!" you grin.
"And don't worry. You can still go into town. You'll just need to wear a hood or a hat. But no one will suspect who you are, especially once we announce that Izetta the White Witch has gone away. We plan to send out that news on a day when you'll be in town with Lotte, so people will see you when word goes around. The both of you will just be two more surprised, unknowing citizens with bittersweet feelings about the witch's departure."
"That actually sounds like it could be fun," you muse.
"And don't worry. Everyone within the palace who knows the truth about you has been sworn to secrecy. Should rumors start circulating or if anyone betrays that oath, they'll be sent away, and I personally will advise the people to disregard whatever they might have heard. That's how serious we are about this matter. That's how serious I am about keeping you safe."
You're touched by that notion in particular. You know none of these trusted and loyal people by her side would ever betray her or you, especially not with this plan. But to know that, if someone did, that Finé would personally dismiss them without a second thought, even after years and years of companionship...
It speaks to just how much she loves you.
She'd never just loved you because you were the White Witch.
She's always loved you because you are Izetta.
You can't think of any words of gratitude to say to her for that.
So you merely pull her into another embrace. She rests her chin on your shoulder and continues speaking - soft, wistful.
"You may have to stay in that house for a while. Perhaps even a few years until everything has quieted down. This was a stupendous victory on our part, so I know it's going to be the center of political events for quite some time now.
"But I'm not going to keep you in that house forever, Izetta. Once things have quieted down, once we've figured out a way to tell people, we'll reveal the truth to them. We'll show them you've come back, but lost all of your magics, that magic doesn't exist any longer in this world. We'll wait a while, until a time when such news won't have such a major or chaotic effect on people. They'll take it with a grain of salt, but most of all, they'll just be happy you're back, even if it's not as a witch.
"But you'll still be their heroine, and in time, you'll return to them. Until then, you get to relax. To live a quiet life away from all the excitement and politics. You'll be free to do whatever you please, and Lotte will help you do it."
"Mm, it sounds wonderful. It really does..." You sigh into her hair, but your smile soon fades. "It's just..."
You feel her tense up right away at the notion of your hesitance.
"What is it?" she asks.
You let out a timid whimper.
"I'm... going to miss you, Finé..."
Another beat of silence passes, and you assume she, too, is regretting her future absence in your life.
That is, until she starts to chuckle softly.
Puzzled, you sniffle once and pull back, your tone raising with the question.
"Finé...?"
"Oh, Izetta!"
She smiles and tenderly cups your cheeks with both hands. She leans forward and rests her forehead against yours, bumping your noses together.
"Izetta... you didn't think... we weren't going to be able to see one another at all, did you?"
You sniffle again, swallowing it down to try and remain composed.
"W-Well, I... Since you're going to be so busy... a-and I'll have to start living a new life, I thought-"
"Izetta!" She cuts you off by pulling you in to another hug, cradling the back of your head and petting your hair gently. "Izetta. I would never arrange all of this for you without the intention of coming to see you as often as possible.
"When Lotte takes you into town, I'll know about it either from the guards or I'll see you going myself. If I'm free at the time, I'll disguise myself and go as well. How easy it'll be for us total strangers to accidentally bump into each other and spend time together at the marketplace, or at the lake, and no one will suspect a thing!"
As she mentions each thing, it makes perfect sense in your mind. She's disguised herself a million times before when going into town, and only ever had her true identity revealed once by accident.
But she's absolutely right. You two will be able to meet up outside palace property just about whenever you please.
"And," she continues. "As we both now know, my guards will follow me if I venture out. So they'll always be close by. You'll have nothing to fear."
She cranes her head, brushing her cheek against yours to press a gentle kiss to your temple. "And that certainly isn't all, Izetta. In town isn't the only place we'll be able to meet. The house isn't a far walk from the palace. Ten minutes at most. I'll be coming to visit you whenever I have a free moment."
She eases back a little bit more, until you're able to see the determined honesty in her eyes. "And I really do mean that, Izetta. Every moment when the opportunity presents itself, I'm going to come see you. I can promise you that."
Here, she lets one hand drop down into your lap, reaching over Dorotheé's sleeping body to find your hand. She coaxes your fingers apart just enough so she may loop her pinkie around yours.
"I promise," she repeats. "That I will come and see you every chance I get, Izetta."
She seals that promise with a warm kiss, one where you can feel the smile on her lips, but still taste a bit of salt from her tears.
This future she's proposing is a bit of a complicated one, but it's going to be the best option in order to keep the both of you safe.
She will be able to work as she needs to, and you will be able to live a quiet, peaceful life.
As a human. Just as you'd always truly wanted.
Of course, it will be difficult not to sleep beside her each night, or be around her quite as often as you are now. But you believe you can make due somehow.
When the kiss finally ends, she pecks your nose, keeping her voice as light as the contact.
"And of course, you'll be able to visit me here whenever it's possible. While there will be many times I'll be away or when I'll have people visiting to discuss important matters, there will be just as many times when the palace will be as quiet as it is today.
"Of course, you'll be able to come by whenever that's the case. We can still walk through the gardens together and have our meals together. We can still be together, Izetta. It'll just be a bit more of a challenge."
And if there's anything at all the two of you have proven by this point, it's that no challenge can stand between you.
If forbidden magic, political chaos, and an actual war haven't managed to keep you apart, a few lonely nights and a ten-minute walk can hardly be considered obstacles.
She's done most of the talking until now, and you feel it's only right if you respond, to make sure she knows you've been listening and that you agree with her ideas.
"It... almost sounds like it could be fun," you muse. "Going out to meet up in secrecy. Only seeing each other when no one else is around."
When she sees the smile on your face, she allows her own to stay.
"It's rather romantic, isn't it?"
"Yes!"
A mutual chuckle fills the space between you, and before long, your foreheads are pressed close once again.
This time, you initiate the kiss, a seemingly small action, but one that reassures her of your willingness to accept all of this.
She squeezes your hand a little harder, keeping your pinkies entwined as she lifts them up to her chest. It isn't much, but you can just barely make out the feeling of her heartbeat fanning against the back of your hand.
As the kiss comes to an end, she sighs, letting some of her anxieties go with it.
"It isn't going to be easy," she admits. "I'm going to miss you. I'm going to worry about you. Just as much as you'll miss and worry about me, I'm sure."
You bite your lip to keep back another wave of tears, but nod your agreement.
"Yes... But I'll do it. I'll do it... because it won't last forever. And even if it did, I'd continue to do it if it's what's best for us."
"It won't last forever," she reassures you again. "But thank you, Izetta. I'm so relieved you're all right with this, and that you understand my reasoning for doing it."
She lifts your hand from her chest to her mouth, tattooing the creases of her lips into those of your palm. At the same time, you lean in to tuck a stray lock of golden hair behind her ear, kissing her cheek in the process. Her voice reaches your ears once again, reserved and steady now.
"And don't think you'll be spending so many nights alone. I'll let you stay here with me as often as possible. On quiet evenings, you can have supper with me as always, and we'll stay here. Lotte can always take you back to the house in the morning. Or I'll make my way to you whenever I can to spend the night. Even if it means I need to sneak out." She winks a little mischievously, causing you to blush a bit.
"F-Finé, you don't have to do that..."
"But I will!" she assures you. "For you, Izetta, I absolutely will."
"...Thank you."
"And on nights when I can't be there, Dorotheé will keep you company." She pats the dog's head, scratching one of her ears. "We'll make it work, Izetta. And of course, if there's every anything you and Lotte need, all you have to do is send us a call and we'll have it sent over right away. The house may be small, but it'll come with all the same services, benefits, and protection we experience here in the palace. So you won't ever need to worry about a thing."
"I know," you reply. "You're going to so much trouble for me, Finé."
"I'm sorry if I'm repeating myself. I just... I want you to know how serious I am about this, Izetta. I'm going to do everything within my power to keep seeing you as often as possible. I'll do everything I can to make sure you don't feel left out or-"
You silence her with another kiss. Whatever fears and fretful things she was about to address melt away between your lips. She sighs again as you pull her close and keep her there.
"Finé. Don't worry. I know you'd never purposefully do anything to make me feel sad. I know you'd never do anything to make me feel unwanted. You're always trying so hard for my sake. You do everything you can for me, and more.
"And I know you'll always do whatever you can for me. Because I'd do the same. Because... I love you, a-and I know you love me, too."
You feel her draw in a deep breath, then let it back out.
"Th... That's right..." she whispers. "It's because I love you, Izetta. I love you so much. I... should tell you that more often."
"You don't have to tell me," you remind her. "You show your love in everything you do for my sake. Just like this new arrangement. That's an embodiment of your love for me, and I understand that. I can't begin to thank you enough, Finé..."
"You don't ever need to thank me," she murmurs. "Izetta, you've saved my entire country. You've saved so many lives, not just mine. You've done more in a few months than thousands of people could have done in years. You did all of that... because you love me, and because you love Eylstadt. I'm just trying to do my best to show you my love in return."
"I understand. I can feel your love, Finé. Every second of my life, I feel it. Whether you're there beside me or not."
"It's the same for me, Izetta."
Your eyes meet hers, and for a long, long moment, everything you've ever been through together flashes through your minds.
From the moment you'd awoken on that airplane and grabbed her hand...
To the time you'd first stepped foot into the palace...
To the time you'd gone to town and eaten pie with her...
To every battle you'd ever fought for her...
From the first fight to the last.
Everything you've been through together since you'd met so many, many years ago as children, when you'd pranced through those grassy meadows, walked beside those colorful lakes, and danced inside that dusty old barn.
Every painful, sorrowful, fearful memory...
Every magical, emotional, ethereal experience...
Every warm, affectionate, tender moment...
It's all there - if not in her eyes, then in yours.
You feel her palm on your cheek and move yours to her hip, leaning closer until you can feel her breath tangle with yours.
The kiss is strong and certain, setting it apart from many of the others you've shared in the past. You want all of them to feel like this from now on.
At long last, you've finished discussing everything, and conveying all you've needed to. With great care, you curl your arms around Dorotheé's sleeping form and lift her from your lap, gently transferring her into Finé's arms. She dips down to give the dog a brief kiss as well before she gets up from the couch and carries Dorotheé back to her room.
A moment later, she is back by your side to help you into your wheelchair. Once you're settled, Finé lingers, gazing down into your eyes. Her hand comes up to your face, fingertips brushing your bangs to the sides a little. She looks like she wants to say something, but you can read it in her expression easily enough.
Everything's going to be all right.
Once you know what she means to convey, you return her soft, reassuring gaze, hoping she'll understand the same thing.
It's going to be rough at first, getting used to that new way of life without her always so near.
But it's a very plausible prospect, one you'll soon both get accustomed to, by the sounds of it. Time and repetition ensure that even the most foreign of routines can become familiar before long.
But you've still got one night left with her here.
She wheels you back to her bedroom, where she helps you change clothes, and then changes herself. She brushes your hair for you, wets a cloth in the sink, hands it to you so you may wash, then brings you back to bed.
Once again, she helps you up and onto the mattress, where you curl immediately into her side. She strokes down your back, rubs your shoulders, and kisses your cheeks.
Your last night together like this feels the same as any other, only with much more meaning.
You savor it, relish it, engrave it into your very soul.
And then, when morning comes, you'll start heading towards a new tomorrow.
A/N: The next chapter will be the last.
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