More than once, Astrid Von Rusalka has longed to go back home to Enbarr, where it's actually warm and has the opera house she adores so much. Even after several years, she can still recall the singers' magnificent voices, and the way the swordplayers danced across the stage in the theater.

It's too late to go back now. After all, not only does she feel partial to her husband, but she also has two sons, one of whom will eventually inherit House Fraldarius.

But she can't help but long for the times when life was simpler. She didn't have to worry about noblewomen watching her every move or disapproving in-laws…

She still isn't fully accustomed to the pressures thrust upon her. Even now, as she sits in the gazebo in the Fraldarius courtyard, she can feel two other women staring as they sip from their teacups. One is a minor noble: the plump countess of the Galatea territory. The Countess can only dress modestly, for her family has too little money and too many mouths to feed at home. Still, the look is pleasant nonetheless. Her large, green dress and hair ribbon tastefully compliment her eyes while acting as a contrast to her gray-streaked, brown bun. It is a simple look, but quite tasteful as well.

The margravine, on the other hand, clearly indulged herself when buying clothes in the city, opting to wear bright red clothes with sequins and jewels. Her hat is large and fanciful, a bit of lace dripping over the hat's brim. She is a flamboyant woman, and she is not afraid to show that off.

Between the two of them, Astrid feels more comfortable around the countess… but with the Margravine nearby, any wrong move she makes would become gossip for the next week. As much as Astrid doesn't want to invite the margravine ever, she knows she has to. After all, their husbands work together far too often, and their sons have become friends as well.

That particular morning, their husbands left with King Lambert to discuss politics, leaving the women with nothing to do but run around in the courtyard. Fearing the margravine's sharp tongue, Astrid dresses herself perfectly for the occasion. Her red lips match her ruby hair, which is tied into a ponytail running over her shoulder. Her dress is frilly and fur-lined, fitting for the chilly breeze while also matching the Fraldarius family's turquoise color scheme.

"Hey, Mama! Watch this!" Her younger son, Felix, suddenly calls out, his amber eyes wide with excitement as he waves his wooden sword in the air, "I'm going to beat Glenn today!" he calls out.

Astrid raises her eyebrows and turns to her older son, Glenn, who lets his hair down for a brief moment to retie a ponytail. Upon seeing his wavy hair down, Astrid can't help but see his father in him for a second. It's only natural, after all. They have the same hair, eyes, and facial structure… and that is not to mention their shared interest in knighthood. To be frank, she can't help but wonder if Glenn has any of her traits instead.

Glenn silently shrugs, gesturing instead for someone to give him a sword. Countess Galatea's daughter, Ingrid, skips forward with her small brown boots, proudly offering her wooden sword. Her emerald eyes shine with admiration the moment they make eye contact. "Glenn! I have a sword here, for you!" she excitedly whispers.

Ever since the day she was born, Ingrid had seen Glenn with nothing but admiration and respect. The whole ordeal made sense- after all, she had been betrothed to Glenn since she was a baby.

While Astrid had her misgivings about the arranged marriage, she can't help but grow attached to the girl, much as if she was her own daughter. The girl's dreams to break the mold and become a knight are especially endearing, and they reminded her of Astrid's own dreams that remained unattainable. Ingrid would certainly not be the average duchess, and Astrid will love her all the more for it, no matter what the dissenters say.

What's most important in the arrangement, though, is Glenn and Ingrid's happiness. And in her mind, they did seem happy. She always saw them, smiling together and exchanging tips about battle and weapons. Their connection even made little Felix jealous, who accused Ingrid of stealing his brother away.

But much to her surprise, in recent times, Glenn and Ingrid's interactions seem… different, at least from Glenn's end. Now, Glenn maintains some distance from her, opting instead to go to the training grounds with a few guy friends or take a walk alone. Even now, when the young maiden plops right in front of him with a bright smile, Glenn avoids her gaze while taking the sword, only giving her a brief nod in return.

Astrid's smile fades.

It may mean nothing. It may mean nothing at all…. But something told her that it, in fact, meant something after all.

Why does she feel that way?

The two brothers clash their swords much like the performers she so fondly remembers in her hometown's opera house. Felix dances across the field with his stubby legs, sliding past Glenn's swings before lunging forward for a strike. But Glenn is quicker in this case. When Felix swings, Glenn pulls his arm back quickly, catching the boy's sword with his own.

Felix's dark, straight bangs flow in the wind as he tries to pick himself up. He skids around as his brother goes on the offensive, now more or less done with going easy on him. And from there, it is not long before the boy falls on his face, his sword knocked out of his hand.

The duchess can hear Felix's whimpers as he reluctantly concedes defeat. She instantly travels to his side, quickly falling to his side to collect the tears from his cheeks. Meanwhile, the countess and margravine all quietly applaud before approaching, ready to sing his praises once they reach him.

However, no one's reaction compares to Ingrid.

"Hooray, you did it! I knew you could do it!" she cheers as she rushes to his side. Glenn stiffens slightly. He edges back from her and nervously smiles, holding up his sword in front of him. "I… have to put this sword away first." he quickly remarks, "You know… for safety reasons."

The margravine huffs upon eyeing him. For a moment, her eyes soften…. Just for a moment. "Well. The Galatea daughter may be a fool… but I will concede that if nothing else, she will support you to no end."

"I agree," the Countess happily chimes in, eyeing Astrid as she speaks, "Our children… they will make a handsome pair, I am sure."

"Yes, especially considering the fact that she's just drooling all over to him and clinging to his shoulder," the margravine snaps, her words turning to ice once again, "I suppose that's what any man wants: A woman who drools over them to no end."

Glenn nervously laughs, before Ingrid happily cuts in, "I don't drool over him," Ingrid retorts, her face softening when she looks at him, "But I do love him. He's the ideal knight, and I look forward to our future together."

Glenn gives Ingrid a faint smile before turning the other way. "I… yeah… um," he flusters, wrestling his arm out of Ingrid's grip, "She is a suitable partner. I enjoy her company very much."

The words satisfy the teenage girl, who is lovestruck beyond words. But Astrid sees something else in him. Instead, she sees somberness, worry, regret…in truth, there is everything but happiness in his navy blue eyes.

Ingrid notices now, the smile having disappeared from her face. "Glenn?" she asks, "What's wrong?"

Glenn snaps back into reality for a moment. "Hm? Oh, it's nothing. I just… have a lot to think about right now. But it's fine, really."

Astrid can tell he's lying.

Things are not fine for Glenn at all.

"You don't need to tuck me in bed, you know." Glenn grumbles. He sullenly folds his arms with a childish pout on his face… one that she can't help but recall seeing ever since he was a baby.

Still, Astrid shakes her head and ignores him. She straightens his blanket and puffs up his pillow. "Absolutely not. I will not have my beloved son sleeping here in discomfort, you know."

"I'm a grown man, Mother!" he groans, "Tomorrow, I'll be heading off on my first mission to Duscur, you know. I'm becoming a true prodigy in Faerghus's royal guard, you know!"

"You can be the greatest knight in all of Fodlan for all I care," Astrid coos, playfully tapping his nose, "But at the end of the day, you are 16, my love. I can baby you for at least two more years."

Their little squabble can't help but make the mother smile, though; perhaps the stubbornness, if nothing else, is one thing they have in common.

She takes a seat at his bedside, finally ready to get to business. "So… seems like you'll get married in a few years…" she starts, eyeing his expression, "You must be excited… for marriage. To Ingrid."

Glenn's angry expression falls immediately. It is replaced by hesitance, cluelessness… and certainly not happiness. "Ingrid?" he starts, a crack appearing in his voice, "She's fine."

"You don't love her, do you?" she asks.

Silence follows.

Glenn stares, his blue eyes wide with amazement. "How did you…"

"Mother's instinct." Astrid quips with a confident grin on her face.

"It's not that I don't like her." he insists, but Astrid knows better than that.

"Darling, you don't have to pretend." she replies, "You've gotten into a fight with her, haven't you? It happens all the time, you know."

"Mother." he mumbles.

"But I know that you can tough it out and come stronger on the other side. That's what any marriage is like, really!"

"Mother!" he says louder than before.

But Astrid knows she's right. "You don't have to cut me off, darling. I am your mother, after all. And it's my job to give you guidan-"

"I don't think I can be with Ingrid." he confesses.

Astrid pauses, unsure of what to say, hoping he will keep talking.

"Uhm...What I think I'm saying is, I don't like, uh… women… I just like men."

Astrid freezes. Oh.

"You… don't… like women…"" Astrid replies, with large pauses in between.

Glenn buries his face in his blanket. "Yes."

Astrid stares blankly, her orange eyes round with surprise.

Glenn likes men. Glenn doesn't like women.

And that means… Glenn can't like Ingrid.

"Don't tell Father." she hears him say through the sheets. For the first time in her life, she hears Glenn's voice with a quiver, his confidence broken down instantly. It breaks her heart, it really does. "I don't… I have to go through with the marriage. I will go through with it, and I promise to treat her well."

"What?! No!" she yells.

Glenn picks himself up from the blanket. How, his eyes are wide with surprise, just like hers were a few moments before. Silence returns.

But Astrid cannot, will not let this conversation become awkward… not when her child's happiness is at stake. "Glenn, mark my words. Your father and I may disagree sometimes, but we both care about your happiness first and foremost. And believe me, when I say that it's not worth living a life you don't want to live." Her voice cracks at the statement. She recalls the moment she had to set down her sword to become a lady, leave the home she loved to listen to when her husband unexpectedly became the Duke. She recalls the moment she bowed her head to her in-laws, pursing her lips forevermore.

To live a life you wouldn't want to live… she wouldn't wish such a thing on anyone. Not on her child.

Glenn shrugs, "I guess."

"You don't have to tell him if you don't want to." she whispers, tightly gripping his sleeve, "But please, please believe me when I say that it's not worth it. It's not worth living a life you don't want to live. And if being married to Ingrid doesn't make you happy… then it's not worth it, my darling. That much I can promise."

The words start to sink in for him. She sees his shoulders relax as he lifts himself from the blanket. His expression isn't happy, but it's not devastated either. It's… okay. "So… what now?"

What now indeed. There would be many steps ahead, for sure. They would have to tell Rodrigue and Felix, as well as Ingrid and her family… and that's simply not to mention what they were going to tell everyone else. "Let's… take it one day at a time. After you come back from your mission in Duscur, we will start with your father."

Glenn tenses. Astrid squeezes his hand in return. "It's okay…" She sincerely whispers, "You will always be okay."

"After I come back…" he manages to say.

"After you come back…" she coos, "Everything will be okay."