War. They were going to War. Sylvain could hardly believe it. He didn't think after everything was going so well that now Emperor Edelgard, or Empress? Ah who cares, Sylvain thought to himself, would start a war with basically the entire continent of Fodlan. It perplexed him to no end and it made him start to worry anxiously about his future, especially in regards to his inheritance and his new relationship with Byleth. Thinking about it, he would feel his heart leap out of his chest. Byleth and himself weren't very vocal about it, but whenever someone asked him about the two of them, he would smile saying "if you want more information, take it up with my lady." and he would walk away.
However, with a war looming over them, Sylvain wasn't sure what would happen. Sure, if an emergency arose in his territory he was supposed to return home, but what would become of Byleth and the rest of the monastery. His friends would probably be stuck here as well, so he dreaded hearing anything from his father. He was pretty sure that Ingrid and Felix and the rest of classmates could defend themselves, including Byleth, but the thought of this war coming to the Officer's Academy and attacking the innocents who lived here? It made his blood boil. What gave Edelgard the right to do this? She thought this was completely necessary? Sylvain couldn't wrap his mind about it.
The whole monastery was in a state of panic, several times a day he'd see a student breakdown crying, wishing to go home as quickly as they could. The staff and soldiers were always in a rush to prepare the defenses even though the Imperial army was a day or two away. There was barely anytime to do any preparations now. He stumbled across the Officer's Academy and wandered into the Golden Deer classroom to find his girlfriend, Byleth sitting on her desk peering out the window in the back. It was lunchtime, but classes had been suspended due to the anticipated attack on Garreg Mach, so no one was inside but her.
Sylvain approached her, he wore an uneasy smile while settling beside her, "Hey Byleth."
Byleth gave a small grin, "Hello Syl, come to whisk me away to lunch?"
Sylvain shook his head, "No, I'm not feeling up to eating anything. Not with everything going on."
Byleth sighed, grabbing a hold of his hand and interlacing their fingers, "I feel the same. I've been going over our defenses with Shamir and Catherine. Shamir says that we have only a 50/50 chance of winning the battle."
Sylvain inhaled sharply, his grip on her tightening, "That's...not comforting at all."
Byleth let out a short laugh, "Well, I didn't go to Shamir simply to feel better about this situation."
Sylvain smirked, "Shamir doesn't make anyone feel better about anything to be honest." His head lowered as he dug a draft of a letter he had created earlier in the morning.
"What's that, Sylvain?" Byleth asked. He handed the paper to her and motioned for her to read it. She unfolded the parchment and read the contents to herself.
To my Father, Sylvestre Victor Gautier,
It seems that I've been neglectful in my letter writing home, so I think now is the best time, considering everything that's happening. I am alright, as of now, but we are preparing for the Adrestian Empire to attack any day now. I'm sure that you and mother are not taking this well, as well as Faerghus. I can't imagine what's going on at the estate, but I know that I will be sure to come home after the fighting is over at Garreg Mach. To what outcome, I don't know. Many of the soldiers are not too sure if this fight will be victorious. However, the Professor has been blessed by the Goddess, so I have some hope for us all.
Speaking of, I'd like to inform you that I've decided to seriously consider Byleth Eisner as a partner in life. She has agreed upon being in a courtship with me. Surprisingly I know. I wish for her to return to the Gautier Estate when the battle is done. I will not entertain the thought of being with another, so if you have any marriage prospects on the table, I will refuse every single one. She has no family left, I'm pretty sure you've heard of Jeralt's death. So I want her to accompany me, and give her some safe refuge should Garreg Mach fall. I hope you're not too displeased of my choice, but I feel like I should have some say so on who may become the next Marquess Gautier.
Say a prayer for us here, and may the Goddess watch over us all.
~Sincerely,
Sylvain Jose Gautier
"What do you think?" Sylvain asked as Byleth passed the letter back.
Byleth smiled tenderly at him, "You're placing your foot down, I see."
Sylvain laughed, "Well, I'm tired of having things decided for me, I want to try and take responsibility for myself.
Byleth giggled, "Who are you and what have you done with Sylvain Jose Gautier? I don't recall him ever wanting anything to do with his duties."
Sylvain smiled brightly, "Ah well, I made a promise to become a better man, and I honor my promises. All of them."
"I see," Byleth hummed, laying her head on Sylvain's shoulder. "Well I'm glad that you believe I'm worthy."
"Why wouldn't I? You've done so much for me without asking for anything in return. I doubt any other girl I've dated can say the same." Sylvain spoke softly, kissing her forehead, and giving her a wink.
Byleth broke free from the embrace, "What about Faerghus and your family?" She changed the subject, "What do you think is going on?"
Sylvain stretched his back out thinking on,"Things must be pretty crazy in Faerghus about now. My father must be beside himself." Sylvian huffed a breath clenching his fists on his lap, "I don't get it. Why did Edelgard make enemies with the nobles?"
Byleth shook her head, "I don't know, Sylvain."
Sylvain exhaled deeply, "Me either… Of course, even if we did get it, what do we do about it?"
Byleth shrugged, "I'm not too sure. From what I gathered from the conversations I had with her, she was always ambitious. She almost reminded me of you."
Sylvain whipped his head to look into Byleth's emerald eyes, "Me?"
Byleth caressed his cheek, a vain attempt to calm him,"Not in the imperialistic way, but more of her attitude towards nobility and crests. In passing, she would ask what ifs about the existence of crests and whether they were necessary. Things I probably should have picked up on, but that hardly matters now. Perhaps the reason why was for the sake of her own ideals."
Sylvain scoffed, "Ideals she believes in so much she was willing to start a war over them? Those must be some lofty ideals, to say the least." He mocked Edelgard, getting off the desk and pacing in front of the window.
"Sylvain.." Byleth started only to be interrupted by Sylvain.
"It's just ridiculous, I hate the crest system just as much as she does! But to kill innocent people and side with the likes of the Death Knight and those people that Solon was a part of? It's inexcusable!" Sylvain shouted in frustration.
"She must believe this is the only option." Byleth reasoned with him.
"That's ignorant and short sighted of her. She should know better." Sylvain spat out venomously.
"And what would you do? If you were in her position, what would you do to change things?" Byleth asked him.
Sylvain frowned, "I'm...not too sure. But war should be a last resort, not the thing you choose before everything else. Too many innocent people everywhere will end up giving their lives for this war if it goes on long enough."
"Do you believe people would change over time?" Byleth pondered out loud.
"About?" Sylvain looked at her questioningly.
"Crests, even through just our words and acts of persuasion? I mean, it's no doubt that those with Crests have some kind of physical advantage over those without. So how does one make Crests obsolete?" Byleth stated.
Sylvain grasped his chin, thinking to himself for a moment. "Perhaps, eliminate the need for them. Most families, such as mine, view it as a necessity. Remember, my home is near the border of Sreng. Every now and then, the land is contested between us. And it's the Lance of Ruin that protects it all. However, if we could establish friendly relations…"
"Is that possible, even after all of the bad blood?" Byleth responded, coming to Sylvain's side.
"I don't know, but like I said, it's better to do this rather than causing warfare or doing nothing." Sylvain mumbled.
"And you said you wouldn't be a great Margrave?" Byleth teased. Her smile was wide, and her eyes twinkled with mischief.
Sylvain smirked, brushing a piece of green hair out of her eyes, "Yeah well, I'm not looking forward to the eyes on me as I probably ruin my entire territory in order to bring peace."
"Don't worry, you won't screw up. I have faith in you." Byleth reassured him.
Sylvain chuckled, "At least I'll have a beautiful and smart woman at my side to be there."
Byleth smirked, "So you say, but you haven't made any proposal."
Sylvain nodded, "Well that's true, but I do have something for you. Don't worry I'm not asking for your hand so don't give me that absolutely adorable pout." Byleth snickered as Sylvain pulled a small chain out of his pocket. "Turn around real quick, I want to put this on you." Byleth spun about, her back facing Sylvain, raising her hair with a sly smile pointed towards him. Sylvain returned her teasing glance with his own and a wink before wrapping the chain around her neck. Clasping the necklace securely, Byleth grabbed the pendant at the end of the chain, inspecting it. It was made of solid gold, and inscribed in the middle was the Crest of Gautier decorated with rubies and garnets.
"What is this, Sylvain?" Byleth asked.
"This, my dearest Byleth, is a medallion bearing the Crest of Gautier. It is awarded to those who have assisted and greatly aided House Gautier. With this, you can freely enter the Estate at any time for room and board. You'll forever be seen as a part of the Gautier family." Sylvain declared with a triumphant grin on his face.
"You've been carrying this around all this time?" Byleth remarked.
"Well, I've been waiting to give it at the right time, and I thought impending doom on the eve of battle seemed a bit on the nose, so lunchtime a couple of days out seemed better." Sylvain joked.
Byleth hummed, "Perhaps. On that note we need at least something on our stomachs as we ponder our own existence."
Sylvain smiled, bowing to Byleth, "Of course, would my lady like to dine with me?"
Byleth returned his expression with her own, taking his arm and linking it with hers, "I would love to."
The battle was looming, the Imperial army was within a day of Garreg Mach, and try as she might, Byleth felt lost and uneasy. Sleep was alluding her and she spent the evening walking around the monastery aimlessly, hoping that her drowsiness would soon catch up to her. It seemed a fruitless endeavor, she didn't feel tired at all. She felt nervous, anxious even, so much so that her stomach turned in knots and made her feel nauseated. She must have been stumbling around for hours in the twilight, that when she somehow ended up at Sylvain's door she was not surprised. The war weighed heavily on her heart and while she was confident in her own abilities, she worried about her students. All of them. She even worried about those who never entered her classroom, such as Dimitri and Dedue, who's behaviors alarmed her, especially the Crown Prince. She shuddered to think what Dimitri was doing in the room next door. She really needed to hear Sylvain's voice, and feel his touch before this battle even started, so she softly knocked on his door and waited patiently. Many moments passed, before she knocked again, a little bit harder this time, perhaps he didn't hear it.
"Waiting on someone?" a familiar voice behind Byleth startled her, a hand raising,settling on the door and entrapping her. Turning about she saw Sylvain's smirk. He wasn't wearing his Officer's Jacket, but he did have his button down and Officer's trousers on.
"Aren't you supposed to be in your dorm at this hour, Sylvain?" Byleth teased.
"Hah, I should ask you the same," Sylvain whispered in her ear, huskily, "After all, I went to see you first but you weren't there."
She shivered under his touch, "I...needed to see you."
"Well that's good, 'cause I was eager to see you." Sylvain chuckled, he moved away from Byleth and unlocked his dorm, allowing Byleth inside. She entered tentatively, looking around the room. His room was immaculately clean, with his bed well made and a few personal belongings on his desk, including brochures to operas he had visited and a wooden chess board on his nightstand. He even had several books of Reason magic on his dresser that Byleth assumed he borrowed from Annette.
"Please make yourself at home, By." Sylvain motioned towards the bed, as he sat on the edge of it. Byleth gave a shy smile sitting right next to him.
"It looks rather...tidy in here. More so than even mine." Byleth commented, her eyes still looking about.
Sylvain snorted, "I try my best to keep it that way, I hate messy places. It drives me insane actually."
Byleth gave a half smile, "It's a welcoming surprise, not that I believe you were ever messy. It's just I kind of expected to see a room as cluttered as Claude's. So many books strewn about, I'm pretty sure there was no floor to step on."
Sylvain chuckled heartily, "Well that's...something to imagine." Sylvain looked at Byleth as she was shaking slightly, playing with her hair nervously. Sylvain's eyes turned to concern, as he cupped her cheek, "Hey, what's wrong? I hope I'm not making you feel bad for teasing the House Leader."
Byleth let out a small laugh, "No, I'm just...I was so worried tonight that the only thing I was thinking about was how I wanted to forget everything for a moment."
"You too, huh? I suppose even someone like yourself, the blessing of the Goddess and all, could be frightened about the war." Sylvain commented.
"Of course I would be. As a mercenary, I never dreamed to be caught up with warfare. I was only concerned with fulfilling the jobs assigned to my father and I. And nothing ever alerted me to the tension growing when I was on the road. Though, once I got here, I understood everything was a lot more complicated. And now…" Byleth trailed off, her hand creeping onto Sylvain's right thigh. Her eyes locked with Sylvain's as his eyes widened by her boldness.
Sylvain gulped, Byleth's touch was not going unnoticed. He could feel his breath quicken and his skin turn aflame, "A-and now?"
Byleth leaned closer to Sylvain's face, her eyes filled with passion and lust, "Now...I want you to help me forget everything. I want to feel you next to me and make me feel alive. Sylvain...please, I need you." She leaned towards his lips and closed her eyes, her lashes fluttering shut. Sylvain on the other hand, so surprised by her actions, instead felt his own passions rising. Before she could connect their lips, Sylvain pounced on her and pinned her below him on the bed. Byleth's eyes widened and pupils dilated, watching Sylvain pant and hold her tightly to himself. The two of them are silent for a moment before Sylvain speaks.
"Is this okay?" Sylvain asks, his voice trembling with anticipation.
Byleth whispers softly, a passionate plea squeaks out, "It's exactly what I want. Please, Sylvain, will you?"
Sylvain lets out a breath, grabbing a hold of her neck firmly, "Gladly." He leans down and captures her lips desperately, like waves crashing on the cliff. Byleth lets out a small moan as their lips share the same dance that they had in her dorm when they first locked lips. This time she felt ready as Sylvain cautiously protruded the entrance of her lips with his tongue. She carefully allowed him in, feeling his tongue brush against her own. He groaned sensually, allowing his hands to explore other parts of her body. He moved his hand to float above the curve of her waist, unsure if he could touch her more intimate areas, until Byleth grabbed his hand and shakily placed it on her chest. Sylvain smiled into his kiss, gently massaging Byleth's breast, and delighting in the small noises she made as he grew more confident in his touches.
Byleth moved her hands onto his dress shirt, fumbling to unbutton it quickly to feel his skin on hers. She was growing frustrated, whining as it was hard to finish this task while still having her lips on Sylvain's. Sylvain chuckled against her mouth, and much to Byleth's disappointment, he disconnects from Byleth briefly, and shuffles to unfasten the shirt from himself. Once he did, he violently tosses the article across the room violently, and laughing with Byleth as he continued his ministrations, pulling Byleth into his loving embrace and resuming to kiss her madly on top his pillows at the top of his bed, moaning as Byleth's hands ran her hands all over his sculpted chest. Sylvain's hands started to do the opposite, tugging on her bits of armor that was on her mercenary gear. Byleth pulled away and tore off the gauntlets, breast piece, and cloak and dropped them on the floor, littering his tidy room with her presence. All that was left of her was her clothes she wore under her armor and her boots. She pulled Sylvain back into another searing kiss, whispering his name lustfully.
Sylvain's hands moved underneath her shirt, pulling on it experimentally, gasping out, "May I?" Byleth nodded, not able to communicate with words what she wanted so badly. Sylvain pulled the shirt over her head, marvelling at the sight of Byleth's half-naked body, her bra the only thing covering her chest, and barely doing a good job since her breasts were spilling out. He looked into Byleth's eyes, asking again if it was okay to remove it. Byleth shyly looked away, blushing madly, and nodded, lifting her body up so Sylvain could take it off. Sylvain delicately took off her bra, as Byleth finally revealed her full upper body to him. His eyes widened as his hands took this time to explore in depth, caressing her breasts and kneading her pink nipples. Byleth let out a moan, a little louder than before. Sylvain moved his body between her own, returning to back to her lips, unable to control his urges. Byleth moved with intensity with him, as their tongues fought for dominance between them.
Sylvain was losing his mind, he couldn't believe this was happening. Sure there were many times he was alone in his room, where he imagined Byleth in his bed, but he never thought it would get to this point this soon. They had been rather chaste with each other for as long as their relationship started, he hadn't dared pushed her. For as much as she was wise about almost everything, intimacy was where she was largely innocent. Sylvain felt his heart pumping, he could feel it in his bones that if he were to ever give himself to one woman, it'd be the one underneath him. He knew he could trust her with all of his heart, and know that he'd never use him.
"Oh Byleth," He moaned, kissing down her cheek and to her neck. Byleth was confused until he gave her a playful nip underneath her earlobe. She gasped, gripping onto his shoulders, her nails digging into his skin. He smirked against her skin, taking another bite of her neck, suckling on her sensitive nerves there. Moving downward he gave light kisses to her breasts before nibbling on one of her buds and using his hand to play with the other. She began to writhe underneath his touch. Sylvain kept his movements up, eventually leading all the way to her shorts. Again, he looks to Byleth, asking her with his eyes and Byleth nods. He tears away her stocking and shorts, to reveal all of herself, bare to the world.
"Do you trust me, my love?" He asked, lowering himself down between her legs, kissing her inner thighs.
She whines, "Yes, please Sylvain." her hand reaches for his own. Sylvain lowered his hand down to her heat and licks the tender bundle of nerves. She reacts by clenching her thighs around his head. He chuckles and slowly brings her legs back down before continuing to pleasure her. She moans and pants, unable to keep her excitement concealed. She had never felt anything like this before, and Sylvain made her feel as though she was a goddess, worshipping her at an altar. She gasped when he tested her by placing a finger inside of her, bringing more satisfaction to Byleth's climbing climax. She felt a tightness in her going all the way down to her loins, as she gripped harder onto Sylvain's hand.
"Syl, please, I'm close…" She gasped. Sylvain tightened his fingers around her as he continued, until finally Byleth unraveled underneath his touch. She moaned out his name, something that made Sylvain shudder, his own arousal hardening at the thought of Byleth finishing under him. He rose himself from between her legs, wiping her juices off of his chin, and landing on top of her again, crashing his lips on hers again. She could taste the remnants of her own self on Sylvain's tongue, but she didn't seem to care, only wishing for Sylvain to continue. He couldn't help himself when he unconsciously thrust his hips close to hers, allowing her to feel his own excitement. She broke away from his embrace, rubbing his cheeks slowly to calm themselves down. The passionate tryst took a quiet pause as the only sounds they heard were each other breathing heavily.
"I don't think we should go further than benefiting each other. I don't have any kind of protection from...well, creating Crest Babies." Byleth spoke softly, still feeling as lustful as before.
"Oh...I almost forgot about that." Sylvain nervously spurted out, "Damn, I nearly lost all my senses there."
"Hehe, I don't look forward to mothering any young during a war." Byleth teased.
"Think you're too good to have my children?" Sylvain retorted back with a mischievous spark in his eyes.
"I never said that," Byleth countered, a genuine sparkle caught in her eye. Sylvain laughed capturing her lips with his own once again, taking things a bit slower. They savored each other, running their hands everywhere on the other's body. Byleth let her touch travel lower, to the waistband of his Officer's Uniform.
He stopped her for a moment, "You don't have to, Byleth, I'll be fine."
She shook her head, "I don't have to, but I wish to. Allow me this?" Her bright green eyes glittered in the candlelight of his room. It was no use, he was entranced by her and he motioned her to continue. He watched as she clumsily unfastened his pants and pulled the pants down halfway before Sylvain helped her remove the last bit of his own clothing, including his briefs. He felt her gaze on him, a bit nervous as what her thoughts were on his appearance, but that was quickly dispelled when she suddenly flipped them over and was now hovering over him. She looked at his length, curiously grasping him as he inhaled sharply at her touch.
"Did I do something wrong?" Byleth asked in concern.
Sylvain let out a short laugh, "No, you're fine, however," He held her right hand, wrapping it around his base and going through the motions that would please him most, "This is the way to do it for me. Unless you already knew." She shook her head, growing shy under his gaze. She steadily moved her arm up and down, pumping him in rhythm. Sylvain groaned over her touch, her hand far more pleasurable than his own. He clenched his eyes close, whispering Byleth's name as if it were a prayer. He could feel his own climax approaching, as he moaned deeply and felt his release spurt out on his chest, panting hard and relaxing suddenly.
Opening his eyes, he saw Byleth moving to grab a handkerchief from one of the pockets from her shorts that was on the floor. He couldn't help but admire her body still even after his clarity from everything before.
She glanced at him, blushing under his stare, "I hope I didn't displease you."
Sylvain let out a sigh, sitting himself up and grabbing his briefs to cover himself, smiling at Byleth, "No, of course not. Why would I think that?"
Byleth came over to Sylvain, using the handkerchief to clean up Sylvain's mess, "Because I didn't know what I was doing half the time."
Sylvain brushed her hair out her eyes, "No one does, not until they do it for the first time." He gave her a reassuring kiss to her temple, while leaning down to grab his Officer's button down, wrapping it around Byleth's shoulders.
"So I did please you?" Byleth asked, her eyes looked pathetically weak.
Sylvain kissed her lips chastely, so much different than what they had experienced before this, "Very much so. I don't think my emotions ran so deeply than when I was with you."
She blushed, "I...thank you. I'm sorry we couldn't go any further."
"Byleth," Sylvain whispered, "Don't worry about that, we will have time after all of this."
Byleth nodded, "Right, of course."
Sylvain pulled her up into his bed, wrapping his arms around her waist and spooning her against him, "I don't want to be alone tonight, and I don't want you to walk all the way back to your room."
Byleth hummed, snuggling closer to Sylvain, "Good, I didn't want to go back to my cold bed after everything tonight."
Sylvain kissed her head and blew out the candle by his bedside, "I love you, Byleth."
Byleth brought his arm up and kissed his hand, "And I love you, Sylvain."
The fighting was worse than anyone could have imagined. The bloodied bodies of soldiers and students alike were littering the cobblestones and painting them a deep burgundy. The Golden Deer Class was taking on the majority of the offensive, with Dimitri and Dedue fighting like rabid animals to assist them. Sylvain would feel his blood pumping as he fought off the Imperial forces, using the lancing techniques that Jeralt had taught him and experimenting with the fire magic that Annette had taught in her spare time.
When Edelgard appeared on the battlefield, Sylvain wasted no time to carry Byleth to her alongside Claude, in order to get some word as to why she would even cause this war. All three of them had to know. It was of utmost importance to do so. Cornering the Emperor to be, Byleth, Claude, and Sylvain demanded for Edelgard to answer their questions.
"Here she is - Her Majesty - looking pleased as a dog with a stick. What exactly happened to make you this way?" Claude shouted at her first.
Edelgard remained calm, resolute in her own actions, "I'm simply seeing through a promise I made to myself a long time ago."
Claude scoffed, "Isn't this much force excessive? Thanks to you, my own long-held ambitions are nearly destroyed!"
Edelgard held onto her own, "If you don't want them to be destroyed completely, I suggest you turn tail and flee."
Sylvain gripped the Lance of Ruin tightly, "We refuse, I will never kneel to an Emperor who fails to see the ramifications of causing this inane war! Too many lives will be lost!"
Edelgard leered at the young Paladin, "You of all people, Sylvain, should understand the cruelty that the Crest System has affected the people in a negative way. Had it not been for teachings of a Goddess, your brother would've been heir to your house and you would've been free to choose your own path."
"My brother was a monster, and while I understand I will never be free of this burden, I will not allow innocent people to die for the sake of my ideals. It's selfish and ignorant of you to think that others would lie on their blades for your own ambitions!" Sylvain retorted, his anger laced in his words.
"And you, Professor, have you no words to say to me?" Edelgard spoke towards Byleth, her violet gaze peering through her soul.
"I know you won't listen to me, Edelgard, but know this: I will not rest until I've quelled this rebellion of yours." Byleth spoke scornfully.
Edelgard's eyes softened, "I wish you were someone whose heart could be swayed by my words and deeds. If it were so, I would have done anything to make you my ally. But I'm afraid our time for chatter is nearly finished."
The trio looked confused as Hubert warped next to his Emperor, "Lady Edelgard, we are ready when you are."
Edelgard nodded as she stood close to Hubert, looking over Claude, Byleth, and Sylvain, "You fought well. But now, your fight is over. Send in our reserve troops, and give my uncle the signal!"
"Edelgard! Wait!" Claude yelled, but it was too late as Hubert and Edelgard disappeared from the battlefield.
"Dammit! What is she planning?!" Sylvain shouted, steadying his horse.
Byleth shook her head, "I don't know, but I need to see Rhea, she likely knows a defensive for us. For now, you and Claude need to ensure the rest of the students get to safety. Guard them well."
"Alright Teach, will do." Claude affirmed, flying off to find and guide the students that were defenseless.
Sylvain grabbed a hold of Byleth, raising her onto his horse and going through the ruins of Garreg Mach, all the way to Rhea and letting Byleth dismount his horse. Before she let go of his hand, she stopped him from galloping off.
"Wait! I have something to give you as well." Byleth said.
"What is it, By?" Sylvain asked. Byleth opened his hand and dropped a tiny object into his palm.
She closed his fingers around it tightly, "Please, keep this safe. For me."
Sylvain nodded, "I will, I promise." She smiled turning away from him. Sylvain felt a sinking feeling in his stomach and deciding to act on his own feelings he yelled from his horse, "Byleth! Return back to me, once this is over!"
She turned around and smiled brightly, "Even if it takes me a hundred years, I will always return to you, my dear Sylvain." And with that she ran off. Sylvain grinned wildly as she made that comment. Looking in his palm he was surprised to see a small ring, meant for a lady. It was made from a beautiful platinum, and glittered with jewels of rubies and amethysts. He stuffed it away in a safe pocket of his equipment bag. Perhaps I can use this later...but for now, I need to get to the students, Sylvain thought to himself. He steered his horse towards the retreating students and proceeded to follow Byleth's orders.
They had barely made it alive, and the battle was lost. Garreg Mach, after almost a thousand years of its existence it had fallen to enemy hands. Ingrid was assisting with clamouring the students who had survived in a small cottage in a farming village nearby. The healers that they had in their ranks to patch the wounds up on any of those who had sustained injuries. Felix was badly injured but still alive, thanks to Annette's intervention. She was humming a soft tune as Felix fell into a slumber to rest his wounds. The rest of the class was also straining and coming to terms with the outcome of the battle. And yet, despite it all, Sylvain was still standing outside, waiting for Claude to return with any news on their Professor.
She had known about their developing relationship for a while now, and she was grateful for it. However, she watched as Sylvain stood out in the rain, impatiently awaiting any sign of the Professor. Anything at all. Ingrid's heart ached for him, she had tried desperately earlier to get him to move, but he had refused. Instead all he did was stand and wait. Minutes turned to hours, and still he stood in the same place.
Suddenly looking up to the sky to see a wyvern flying overhead and finally landing on the ground to reveal the House Leader of the Golden Deer. Sylvain rushed to Claude, his Lance still in his hand as he looked desperately around the wyvern and Claude, desperate to see any sign of the Professor. Ingrid watched closely through the window, horrified by the scene she saw. As Claude looked at Sylvain, she saw him speak to Sylvain with a regretful look in his eyes. Sylvain brushed a hand through his hair, shaking his head violently. Claude then placed a hand on his shoulder looking down to the ground. Sylvain's hands clutched his face as he crumbled to the ground, shaking uncontrollably. She could hear his pained cries as Ingrid's eyes welled up with tears, knowing that she was watching her friend fall apart in a way only she could know. She didn't have to hear what Claude said, it was obvious what had happened.
The Professor, Byleth Eisner, was gone...