Garland Moon: Count Rowe

Shiro added, "The lady said it could burn down a whole enemy army!"

Caeldori's smile lessened at the thought of violence so soon after the cute moment. "Oh . . . That's wonderful."

Shiro simpered. "I knew you'd like it! You can better protect yourself! Now you have a weapon off the battlefield! If you don't have your lance or tomes, you can wear this and you'll have fire magic at your fingers!"

Caeldori watched the gems gleam in the sunlight. "That's sweet. I love it."

Looking at the lovebirds was Sophie, whose heart felt pangs of sorrow at being separated from Siegbert. Ophelia squeezed her shoulder. "I know it hurts when the heart is being chipped away at by a most foul creature."

Sophie's eyebrows crinkled. "What does that mean?"

Ophelia quietly answered, "You're happy for Caeldori and Shiro but are grief-stricken that you are parted from your own love."

Sophie was startled that her emotions were that easy to read. "How'd you know?"

Ophelia commented, "I was the same when you and Siegbert got engaged. My heart danced for you while it was being shredded by the monster of isolation."

Sophie thought, "That's right. Even before the Outrealm troubles began, Ophelia went to Ylisse with Owain while her crush, or boyfriend, I'm not sure their status, stayed in Hoshido. Then once they met again due to the Outrealm Gate problem, he left her again to go back to Hoshido. It must've taken a toll on her. Ophelia missed him so much, and seeing Siegbert and me and Caeldori and Shiro together made her long to be with her guy."

While Sophie always liked Ophelia, she gained so much more respect for her in that epiphany. "You know Ophelia, you're a lot stronger than people give you credit for."

Ophelia sulked. "I have a long way to go before I master the Chosen One Arts. That enemy soldier from a while ago managed to hurl me aside with a single push. I'm still so weak."

Sophie repeated her thoughts to her. "I don't think that's true at all. Even if you think that you're physically frail, you've already proven that you're tougher than ninety-eight percent of all people just from what you've gone through alone."

Ophelia smiled. "Really? You think so?"

Sophie encouraged, "I know so!"

The rest of the way to Rowe territory was filled with merriment and mirth. After much celebrating over the status of Shiro and Caeldori's relationship and Sophie and Ophelia strengthening their bond, the band of heroes made it to the destination.

Soleil took in the landscape. "It's much colder here than in Enbarr. I hope we find the base quickly."

Linhardt said, "To do that we'll probably want to travel to Count Rowe and personally find out where the Twilighters are. They don't seem to be good at hiding. Reports always get out about them."

Severa rolled her eyes. "Whatever! If it makes our job easier, I'm not complaining. Sheesh, try to be grateful!"

Linhardt considered that. "I suppose that's true. It just seems funny. Are they only pretending to be this clumsy at stealth and plan on catching us by surprise?"

Byleth grimaced at the thought. "Let's worry about that later."

They approached Count Rowe's dwelling. Ingrid knocked. When a servant answered, Ingrid explained the issue. The servant hurriedly waved them in to see the Count. Count Rowe grinned widely. "Your Queenship, Lady Byleth. Your Kingship, Lord Khalid. Your Highness, Emperor Ferdinand. To what do I owe this splendid visit?"

Dedue cleared his throat and spoke, "Your Highness, Prince Dimitri."

Count Rowe was taken aback. "Didn't Prince Dimitri perish in the Battle of Gronder Field?"

Dimitri displayed no emotion. "That's what we wanted everyone to think. In reality I was only on the verge of death. Gustave saved me, and he and Dedue secretly brought me back from the brink. Queen Byleth has already informed me that I shall be the proxy for the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus."

Count Rowe brightened. "Beautiful! I'm so glad that you were unharmed. After Edelgard triumphed over Fort Arianrhod, we were in no position to resist. She swept through like a tidal wave."

Inigo interjected, "That's all in the past. We're here to talk to you about any suspicious activity in this area."

Camilla added, "It's awfully important. We're fighting these naughty little servants of evil, and there seems to be some scurrying over here."

Count Rowe frowned. "Evil? Well, the northernmost section did request more soldiers for an investigation. Ah, Ingrid, you're familiar with Rowe land, are you not?" He gave her the instructions to where the backup was requested.

Dimitri's neck stiffened, but he spat out, "I forgive you." Mary squeezed his arm with a proud expression on her face.

Count Rowe bowed. "I am glad. May we begin to start our cordial relationship properly this time."

They thanked him for his help, and Ingrid escorted everyone to the distressed northern territory. Mary turned to Dimitri. "That was a good step forward."

Dimitri shrugged. "If what he said is true, I shouldn't be too hard on him. Dorothea was right when she said he didn't have much of a choice. The Empire did strike Rowe like a tornado with little time to prepare."

Mary shuddered. "I'm thankful that Charon County is far away. We were the backbone of the resistance. We never gave into the Old Empire. Things were starting to look bleak, but Queen Byleth and King Khalid got us out of that jam by conquering the Empire itself and dethroning Edelgard."

The crunch of the grass under Dimitri's feet became louder. "I always thought highly of House Charon, but your presence in it has considerably boosted my feelings toward it."

Mary chuckled. "Thanks, but if you say that in front of Catherine, she may cut your head off for speaking to her little sister that way."

Dimitri chortled. "No; if she gets too aggressive, I'll just point out that she mistook me for a girl when we first met because of my long hair."

Mary shook her head, amused. "Fair enough."