Harpstring Moon: Confrontation

Heavy, labored breathing sounded from the room. Ferdinand gripped the table. "I cannot . . . Keep dealing with this . . ."

Dorothea froze. "Is it possible that those people did something to his mind when he was kidnapped?"

"These thoughts . . . Must . . . Stop . . . Hubert . . . Get out of . . . My mind . . . How do I . . . Stop this?"

Dorothea wanted to help him, but was afraid he was an imposter who somehow knew she was there and wanted to lure her in the room. She desperately tried coming up with a reason to convince herself that wasn't the case. "He asked about the orphans! We talked about that before he was kidnapped!"

With that as an excuse, she burst in. "Ferdie, what's wrong?!"

Ferdinand swiveled around. "Dorothea? Why are you not with the others?"

She replied, "I was worried about you. What was happening?"

"Oh. It was nothing. It was just . . . I am sorry. I should not burden you with my problems."

"We're in a relationship, Ferdie. We're supposed to lean on each other."

Ferdinand looked sheepishly at the ground. "You are right. My apologies. I was suffering from some unwanted thoughts. Do you remember before I got kidnapped, and we went near the arch?"

Clarity struck Dorothea's mind. "You had a flashback of meeting Hubert in the battle of Enbarr."

His head bobbed up and down. "I already mentioned this, but the look on his face . . . He wanted to kill me. Hubert wanted to make it slow, and he would have enjoyed it. All of that hate and emotion . . . In just one glance."

Dorothea was still apprehensive about a possible imposter, but just in case, she couldn't let him suffer alone. "I'm sorry. And I know your time in Enbarr after the Battle of Garreg Mach was hard."

Ferdinand painted a forced smile on his lips. She didn't know the half of it. "Yes. At any rate, I thank you for your concern."

As he was about to leave, Dorothea latched onto his arm, unable to hold the horrible fear she had in any longer. "Ferdie, it is you, isn't it?"

He tilted his head. "Yes; why would I not be?"

Dorothea poured out her heart. "Ever since that Gristonne priest said there was a mole, you acted strangely! You killed him right on the spot, and just don't seem like yourself. If you are a fake an imposter and did something with the real Ferdie, I'll stop you!"

Ferdinand blanched. "No! I am truly me; I just made a critical error by not waiting for him to finish. I will prove it by saying something only I would know."

Dorothea cracked her knuckles. "Alright. Ready for a quiz? Where did we meet?"

"Technically it was in Enbarr as children. I mistook you for a water nymph. We formally met at Garreg Mach."

"How did you earn my trust for the first time?"

"I baked you treats! Granted, you took me to Professor Manuela before you ate any because I had a burn . . ."

"How did you become interested in swords?"

"From watching Professor Manuela perform in her time as a diva for the Mittelfrank Opera Company! She did a most spectacular sword dance that I wanted to try! I watched all of her performances from when I was five to eleven."

She fumed. If this was an imposter, he clearly did his research before replacing Ferdinand. It was time to pull out the big shots-naming something they said privately with no one around and that they never spoke of again to anyone. "Say something that you said to me when we were alone and that nobody knows about at the Officers Academy."

"Very well. After the Battle of Garreg Mach, I took you aside and begged you to lie low for the duration of the war because I did not want to see you harmed."

That was it. That was the correct answer. That was what Ferdinand said to her when they were alone, and none of them ever repeated that conversation to anyone. It was truly him. Dorothea threw herself into his arms. "It really is you! I was so worried you were replaced by some Twilighter! I was so scared for you!"

Ferdinand kissed the top of her head. "No need to worry. I am me. I promise."

Dorothea hugged him for a while, and appreciated that her boyfriend let her continue the hug for as long as she wanted. Once she let go, she wondered, "So, who is the mole?"

Ferdinand scowled. "Personally, I do not think there is a mole. I believe he just said that as a disgusting attempt to play mind games with us. Did anyone over the course of the journey venture off on their own? Were we not always in a group? Surely someone would have noticed if a member was kidnapped."

Dorothea contemplated that. "Honestly, I hope you're right. We'll find out soon enough, and we'll face this together."

"Absolutely. With you at my side, I know we can accomplish anything!"

They went back outside. Dorothea tapped Bernadetta's shoulder. "All set, Bern!"

Bernadetta screeched, "I have to go to the bathroom!" She bolted out of the palace.

Ferdinand watched her go with alarm. "Is she alright?!"

Advisor Crebbin bowed deeply. "Your Highness, Emperor Ferdinand, it is an honor to see you."

Ferdinand greeted, "Hello Advisor Crebbin. Do you bring any news?"

Advisor Crebbin rose. "No, milord. Everything has been quiet since you last came. I pray that you will continue shining the worlds Sothis' light."

Ferdinand politely bowed. "I will do my best to help all the worlds flourish under the Divines' guidance."

Advisor Crebbin's nose wrinkled when he gazed at Dorothea. "If only everyone had that peerless devotion."

Ferdinand crossed his arms. "Are you suggesting that Dorothea has less dedication to the cause as I?"

Advisor Crebbin sighed. "I wish I understood how she has deceived you, Your Highness. This woman is not fit to be a future empress! Your time is better spent with a noblewoman."

Ferdinand replied, "I am not in love with a noblewoman. I am with Dorothea, no matter what anyone says."

Dorothea linked her arm into her boyfriend's. It was a wonderful to know that her significant other would have her back through thick and thin. They could handle any challenge together. It really could be them against all the worlds.