For Unity
Okay, so let's do some cozy writing just because I want to. Then after that its war time. So, all the fun things, also my second semester of college is going great. Okay, so now without further delay let's move on.
Chapter 29
Drake's POV
It had been a week since that night, I had nearly regained my ability to walk again, i could walk maybe a few minutes but after that my strength would cap out, luckily Edelgard would help me around the monastery and some mornings we would train, if only a few minutes, most of the time I would educate her during training instead of our usual regimen.
The time was almost upon us with the empires troops beginning to move, the monastery had grown very quiet after the blue lions and golden deer houses had left leaving the black eagles and those of the monastery. It was a brisk night, but I still felt indifferent on the temperature. I was working my way to Edelgard's room to discuss a matter that had come up in my thoughts as I was eating my dinner in the dining hall.
*knock knock*
"Come in!" I heard her say from behind the door.
"Hey El!" I said walking in.
"Oh, professor, I didn't expect to see you at this hour!"
"Ya, I figured since I was at the in the dining hall I could stop by." I explained.
"Oh, well do you need to sit and rest?" She asked.
"If you wouldn't mind, that would be lovely."
Edelgard moved around a few of her textbooks that she had placed on her bed to make room for the two of us to sit next to each other.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit, professor?" she asked.
"Well, besides wanting to come see you; I also wanted to ask you something."
"What is it professor?"
"Well, I was thinking about our invasion specifically on the throne room."
"Okay."
"I thought we could bring a few more hands to our fight."
"Were you thinking about asking the Ashen Wolves to join us?"
I nodded, "I figured they could help secure more of a victory, especially with some of their cunning tactics."
"Are you asking for my opinion on the thought?"
I nodded again, "This battle is more for you than it is for me, so when it comes to our troops, I think your say is most important."
"Hmm." She hummed.
She had a very puzzled look on her face as she contemplated my proposal.
"I do believe their help could prove very useful, but would they be willing to help us retake the throne?" she countered
"That is a fair point. They might be willing to fight alongside us, but they might also stay here at the monastery or in Abyss to protect those around the area." I pointed out.
"But I do not see any harm in asking for their help. When did you plan to go and ask?" She added.
"I planned to do so maybe tomorrow morning but making tomorrow the deadline to ask."
She nodded once, "Did you intend for me to join you or were you planning to do this endeavor by yourself?"
"I would appreciate your company, if you would be willing to participate alongside me?"
"Of course, Professor." She smiled, "Is there anything else you would like to discuss?"
"Relating to our preparations; no. But in general, I think I could find something for us to discuss." I smirked.
A couple of hours later
We had been sitting on her bed discussing all manner of things, whether it was our opinions on certain meals that had been served in the dining hall or me answering any other questions El had about my world, when she switched our topic.
"Hey professor?" Edelgard asked.
"What's up?" I replied.
"Did you know what I was going to ask while you were still in the infirmary?"
"You're referring to the one I didn't let you finish correct?" I guessed.
"Yes!" she nodded.
"Not fully, but I think it had to do with us doing something in the future after your graduation. That's what I'm assuming at least." I explained.
"Yes, it was something like that…" she said her voice trailing off.
I turned my head to look at her, she was looking down and her face was flushed with red. "So, what was it you really wanted to ask?" I questioned.
"I… uh…" she stuttered.
"It's fine, just take a sec, compose yourself and just take it bit by bit, okay?" I said trying to reassure her.
She nodded. She took a second to calm herself down and tried to phrase the question in the correct way she wanted.
"Professor?"
"Yes!" I replied.
"After Graduation, and I have retaken my throne…" she paused.
"Yes!" I nodded.
"I was hoping…" she paused again. I continued to nod and gestured for her to continue. "That you would join me in the Empire." She said looking away.
I tried to get a look at her eyes, but every time I entered her field of vision, she quickly averted her gaze. "El, that's leaving it kind of vague." I responded.
She slowly turned to face me after facing me I could see she was very flustered with this question; her anxiety was getting the better of her. I gave her a soft smile and put my hand on her head.
"You know I understand what you mean, but me being cheeky like this is my attempt at getting you past that barrier that's blocking you from asking this question." I explained, "Even if it seems a bit much, this question isn't harder than anything else that you have done this year. Hell, you faced death twice and look at you." I said.
"You are one of the bravest students I have had the honor of teaching, and as your teacher I know this question won't get the better of you." I said flattering her, "That said, as for my personal feelings, I think doing things that make us uncomfortable can provide us with greater skills in communication it means that we can tell each other things without too much worry." I reassured.
I looked at her cocking my head a bit as if to attempt to get her over her stress. I began to move my head and make lighthearted faces attempting to coax her to feel a bit lighter on the mood. She gave a soft chuckle. She laid herself down on her bed looking up at the ceiling.
"You're right, I should be able to ask you this, I just am having trouble trying to relay it to you." She sighed.
"I mean that's understandable, but I'm not looking to turn this into a psychology lesson right now." I replied, "For now, just try it piece by piece, even if it is one word at a time."
She nodded and slowly breathed in. "Professor. I was wondering…" she paused, "If you would join me at my throne…" she paused again, "As… my…" she began to stutter.
"Are you asking what I think you're asking?" I remarked, she gave a small nod. "Wow… That… that is certainly a little more than what I was thinking, give me a moment." I said standing up.
I moved to exit the room. I closed the door behind me and moved over to the wall.
"Wow!" I said to myself, "I had planned for something like this eventually… but… hmm…" I said slouching against the wall. "Hey Sothis?" I called out.
"Yes!" She replied.
"Do you have any advice for something like this?" I asked.
"Hmm…" she hummed, "I do not have much in the way of speaking on this subject, but having analyzed your typical reactions to Edelgard versus what your feeling now from her question, I think your best course of action would be to keep with your previous answer and go with it."
"But that's the problem." I fretted, "If I go through with it, like I'm not worried about my commitment… I'm worried about the possibility that I'll be sent back to my world…" I stopped.
"Yes…" Sothis trailed off, "I can understand your worry, but do you not think that she deserves a straight answer?" she proposed.
"She does, I just don't want to accidentally hurt her by accepting and disappearing or denying and finding out I'll still be around." I whined.
"The best that I can tell you; is to follow your feelings for her… And should the time come where you learn you will be leaving this world you can apologize for having to leave her." She reassured, "Then she at least has some closure."
I nodded. "Thanks, Sothis."
"Now hurry up, I think she is fretting over your little venture to the hall." Sothis hurried.
"Right." I said standing up.
I opened the door, upon opening the door I could hear a very audible sigh. "Sorry, just needed to think for a moment." I said.
"Was it about my question?" Edelgard asked.
"Ya, for the most part." I replied.
"What does that imply?"
"Well, my main concern was trying to base my answer on what should happen to me after we finish this battle… but I decided on my answer, no matter what happens to me." I explained.
"Oh, Drake, I'm sorry I had forgotten about that possibility." She said her face flushing again. "Please forget my question." She mumbled as she covered her face with her hands.
I moved to take her hands. She looked at me. "Don't worry, although it's still a possibility I might return home, you deserve the closure of knowing my answer." I said stroking her covered hands, "Would you mind if I…" I trailed off as I continued stroking her hand as she nodded.
I removed her gloves, feeling the softness of her hands. "I wish I could feel the warmth of your hands more." I blushed, I then shook my head, "Sorry got off topic."
She chuckled softly, "It's okay Drake, please go on."
I nodded. "Ya, sorry. I've chosen to join you, to be yours and whether or not I return home won't change my answer." I answered, "I told you before that should I be forced to return home with or without a way to return to you, I would do what I could to get back to you. And I will stay with my promise… I want to vow that I will return to you should I be returned to my world." I vowed.
"Professor!" she said holding back her tears.
"Hold on… I have something for this, I'll be right back." I said moving back to the door.
After closing the door, I made a mad dash back to my quarters (As fast as semi-crippled man can). Upon reaching my quarters I began to frantically search my study. I opened the second drawer down and found it.
"Got it!" I said to myself, quickly making my way back.
Upon reaching El's room again I knocked on the door, "Come in." I heard her say.
I opened the door and watched her face light up with my entrance, "Drake, your back. What was it you needed to find?" She asked.
"Jeralt gave me something a couple months back, originally he would give it to Byleth, but he figured she and I were one in the same." I explained.
"But what is it?" she reiterated.
"Close your eyes and extend your hand." I said.
She did as I instructed and awaited what I was planning to do in the next few short seconds. Taking the ring Jeralt gave to Sitri all those years ago, I reminisced the time I gave the ring to Edelgard the first, during my black eagles run. Slowly I reached for El's hand and placed the ring on her finger.
"You can open your eyes now." I said holding her hand.
"Oh, professor, it's lovely." She beamed, "But are you sure Jeralt would be fine with you giving this to me?"
I nodded. "He said he wanted me to give to some it to someone I loved as much as he loved Sitri. You are that someone." I explained.
"Oh, Drake." She cheered as she moved to embrace me.
Once again, I could feel her warm embrace along with the sweet scent of her hair as it brushed against my face. She loosened her embrace to look at me, she then leaned in and kissed me. It was a passionate kiss. She was the woman I wanted to spend my life with. Whether it was as emperor and empress or as a husband and wife living a simple life.
"I love El." I professed
"I love you too, Drake." She proclaimed a sweet smile accompanying her statement.
TBC
Okay, so just screw what I said, I thought I should take a break and then… Well I couldn't stay away, I wanted like this, I wanted to do something to make up for not being able to during Valentines day, so ya… I hope you guys enjoy I'll be back some time later with another chapter… all I can say is soon. So, ya later guys.
