Garreg Mach, 1180

The mood at the monastery had been bleak that month. Flayn was missing, Manuela was wounded, and professor Jeritza seemed to be the culprit. There was now, however, reason to rejoice. While Dimitri took Manuela to the Infirmary, Byleth and the rest of the Blue Lions had found Flayn and another missing student. As they exited the tunnel with the rescued students, Dimitri was there to congratulate them. He threw his arms around Byleth and said, "I'm...I'm sorry, Professor. I'm so relieved, I suddenly felt weak. I couldn't be happier with how things turned out. And I imagine no one will be more overjoyed than Seteth. Hm. Hey, Professor. Can you make that expression one more time?"

Dimitri was smiling so brightly, and she suddenly felt a warmth in her chest. She smiled back at him and said, "Like this?"

He put his hand on her cheek and said, "I don't think I've ever seen your face like that."

Suddenly he stepped back and said, "Oh, I apologize. I've forgotten myself and come dangerously close to teasing you. It's just - I've never seen you look so happy before. It's downright mesmerizing. Ah, but this isn't the time for idle chit-chat. We must hurry and share the good news with Seteth!"

They took off together to find Seteth. Byleth wondered why she felt disappointed when he took his hand away.

Crestwood

In one day, Byleth had managed to be deputized, be on the paper's front page, be arrested, and destroy most of the Mayor's rare plants. She was ready to go to bed. Once again, she arrived at her motel room with barely enough energy to change and fall into bed. She was then once again rudely awakened by knocking. This time it was Raphael, looking sad and apologetic. He said, "I'm sorry, Ms. Eisner, but we have a 'no felons' policy here. The Mayor says we have to stick with it or else the tourist will be scared off. You'll need to clear out of here and return your key."

It only took Byleth a few minutes to pack up her things. She was always good at leaving places. When I said, "Your move," tI should have expected that he would actually make another move. She decided to splurge on Sunday breakfast at Ashe's while browsing listings on her phone. Ashe and Dedue were still friendly to her, at least. Hapi quietly congratulated her for taking out part of the Mayor's plant collection. "You are an absolute badass! No one has ever stood up to Arundel for this long!"

"Hapi, I've been in town less than 48 hours," Byleth sighed.

"My point exactly, Chatterbox."

Byleth continued to eat and check the listings. Unsurprisingly, there was nothing available that was remotely in her price range. How is someone supposed to pay the first month's rent if they've already spent all their money on the deposit?

It didn't take long before Claude, and Edelgard found her. They explained that they had checked Raphael's first and had found out about her living situation. Edelgard offered her a spare bedroom. Byleth thanked her but explained that she hadn't had a roommate since her last foster home and didn't intend to have one ever again. Claude said, "Moving along, we came to take you to the hospital. We never did get to take you to Dimitri yesterday. He still won't wake up. The doctors don't know why. We were going to read to him - supposedly, people talking will help."

"Right now, the only person with him is Monica. She won't leave his side and talks nonstop," Edelgard said grimly.

"It might also explain why Dimitri is staying in the coma," Claude added. Edelgard glared at him.

"Who's Monica?" Byleth asked.

Edelgard let out a long sigh. "Her father and my uncle have been close friends since childhood. She's struggling at home to "find herself," so her dad sent her to live with Uncle..."

"And that means when she's not throwing herself at Dimitri, she's following Edelgard around. Fortunately for me, she ignores my existence."

"I think she watches me and reports back to Uncle. She acts very flighty, but there's something deeply off about her. Let's go. You'll see."

Byleth was surprised a town the size of Crestwood would even have its own hospital, but Byleth figured Arundel must have taxed everyone to death for it. They were led to Dimitri's room by a friendly physician, Dr. Manuela Casagranda. Manuela, as she preferred to be called, said that there didn't seem to be an explanation for Dimitri's coma but that hearing his friends' voices might help. When they saw Dimitri, he didn't look very injured. He just appeared to be sleeping. Byleth felt a slight pang in her chest when she saw him in his hospital bed hooked up to machines. There was a young woman in cute clothes with her hair in twin buns at his bedside. She let out a high-pitched squeal upon seeing Edelgard. This must be Monica. Edelgard braced for impact as Monica wrapped her arms around her. Claude winced when Monica made contact.

"Edie!" she screeched. "Look at what they've done to Dima. He won't wake up, and Manuela doesn't know why. Oh, it's terrible. I haven't even slept since they brought him here. Oh, you've brought Claude and...I guess you're that bounty hunter? I should thank you for saving Dima's life. Dima and I are so close. He's taken such good care of me since I moved to town. I'm lost without him."

Byleth felt another pang while Monica was talking about Dimitri. Why do I care who he's with? I don't even know him. She forced a smile and said, "Dimitri is lucky to have you, then." Monica sighed proudly and returned to sit by Dimitri. She leaned over him and Byleth inexplicably balled her hands into fists. "We're supposed to talk to him. Dima - Edie, Claude, and that bounty hunter are here. Do you think you could open your eyes for them, sweetie?"

"I prefer to be called Byleth, thanks," she interjected.

Claude pulled the Varley book, The Teacher and the Blue Prince. He read for a few minutes and passed it on to Edelgard. She read for a few minutes as well. Unfortunately, this did not seem to have any effect on Dimitri. It was Byleth's turn next. She felt awkward reading in front of people, but Claude and Edelgard smiled at her encouragingly. She began to read softly but gained more confidence and expression as she read. She reached the passage where the Blue Prince and the Teacher realize they love each other, "They didn't need words to describe what they felt in their hearts, for it was here, at the Goddess Tower, that their love was born. They knew, no matter how they were separated, they would always…."

Suddenly, Dimitri's arm shot up and grabbed Byleth's. He held on for a few seconds, and then his arm fell limp. Claude took off to get the doctor. Edelgard tried to talk to Dimitri, telling him he needed to wake up. Monica glared at Byleth. By the time Manuela and Claude returned, Dimitri showed no signs of consciousness. Manuela checked his vitals. She explained that sometimes patients had reflexive responses but that it didn't mean they would regain consciousness. She promised to keep watching him for any changes. Disappointed, Claude, Dimitri, and Byleth left.

Outside the hospital, Claude said, "So...I think Byleth is key to helping Dimitri. We need to get her around him without Monica around."

"Agreed," Edelgard said.

"Did you all notice how she acted when Dimitri grabbed me? She was not pleased. A normal person would have been thrilled to see their boyfriend in a coma move - even if it was to grab someone else," added Byleth.

"He is not her boyfriend," Edelgard corrected. "As I said, something is off about her. We're going to have to be very careful when she's around."

At the hospital, Monica checked to make sure no one was near and whipped out her cell phone to make a call. Arundel answered. "You told me to call if there was ever a change in Dimitri. Something's happened."

Arundel listened as Monica explained how Dimitri grabbed Byleth's arm. Arundel disconnected the call and threw a paperweight at the wall.

Garreg Mach, 1180

Byleth couldn't bring herself to leave Jeralt's office. She had never cried in her entire life, and now she couldn't stop. She stayed on the floor, clutching her mother's ring. There were quiet footsteps, and she realized that Dimitri had entered the room. He sat down next to her. She placed her head on his chest, and he pulled her close. "I was... We all were...You've been on our minds. Know that your enemies are my enemies. I will do all I can to help you find justice. There is no one else I can - my strength is yours alone."

She stopped crying but continued to stay in his arms. He noticed something in her hand and asked, "What's this?"

Byleth opened her hand to show him the ring. "Oh, it was my mother's ring. My father gave it to my mother, and he had hoped that someday I would give it to someone I loved. But now he'll never see me find anyone."

Dimitri "I know you will someday, Professor. And I know that wherever he is, Jeralt will be happy for you."

They remained huddled together.

Crestwood

Byleth, Claude, and Edelgard went once again at Ashe's for coffee and to plan their next moves. Obviously Byleth had some sort of effect on Dimitri, but how could they get Monica away from his bedside? They decided that Edelgard would offer to take Monica out for shopping and a pedicure. Edelgard expressed that it sounded like a nightmare, but Claude assured her that it was the best way to get Monica out of Dimitri's hospital room. Edelgard's phone rang, "It's Ingrid," she said. The concern was evident in her voice. She listened to Ingrid carefully and said, "We need to get back to the hospital. Now."

They raced back over to the hospital and found a crowd outside Dimitri's room. Ingrid was waiting for them. "What's happened? Is Dimitri okay?" asked Edelgard.

"He's missing," Ingrid said. The tension in her voice was evident.

Byleth couldn't believe it. She went into the room. Dimitri's bed was empty. Arundel was staring at Dimitri's hospital bed while Monica was wailing. "What the hell are you doing here?" He growled. "From what I hear, your little deputy job doesn't start until tomorrow." Ingrid crossed her arms.

"I called them Mr. Mayor. They can help us find him." Ingrid said.

"Very well," Arundel grumbled. "Don't screw this up, Miss Eisner."

Ingrid filled them in on the details. It was a small hospital with little need for security. Dimitri hadn't shown any additional activity since he grabbed Byleth earlier in the day. Manuela was with another patient. Monica had gone to the restroom, and when she returned, he was gone. His IVs were neatly unplugged, and there hadn't been a struggle. Ingrid had already searched the hospital, and there was no sign of him. "Where does the hospital exit lead?"

"There's a walking trail nearby. It leads to the church…."

"...Where there's the bell tower. That's where he is!" Claude interrupted.

"How do you know that, Claude?" Ingrid asked.

"Let's just say I think he's looking for someone. We need to get to him." Claude replied as he raced off. Byleth took off after him, and Ingrid and Edelgard followed.

They searched the path for any sign of Dimitri. Edelgard watched Byleth closely as she tried to look for clues. "How did you become a bail bondsman?" asked Edelgard.

Byleth continued to look around and answered, "I'm just good at finding people. I've been trying to find people for as long as I can remember."

"Like your parents?" Byleth's head whipped around to Edelgard. "I'm sorry! You mentioned being in foster care. I just thought…."

Byleth continued to walk. Edelgard caught up, "My parents and siblings are gone. Did you ever find them...you parents?"

Byleth stopped and let out a deep sigh. "They're long dead. I keep hoping there's a trace of them somewhere.'

Byleth was getting uncomfortable - her past was always a tricky subject. However, it sounded like Edelgard had experienced more than her fair share of loss as well. She wanted to find out more, but Ingrid called them to look at something. It was Dimitri's patient tag. It had blood on it.

Garreg Mach, 1185

It was sunset at the Goddess Tower. Dimitri had asked her to meet him up there, but she had no idea why. Her father's ring felt like it was burning a hole in her pocket. If I wait any longer, I'll never do it. This was the best time. Dimitri had to know how she felt before they retook Fhridiad and attacked Those Who Slither in the Dark. Dimitri was already waiting for her.

He smiled when he noticed her and said, "Come now, my friend. You must stop staying up so late. Tomorrow is yet another early morning. Then again, I know that matters little. You cannot sleep, can you? Neither can I, of course."

She smiled and looked out the window over Garreg Mach with him. He seemed nervous. " It is a lovely night... Is it not? How many years has it been since I was kept awake by hopes for the future, rather than by nightmares of the past…."

Byleth was still waiting for the right opportunity. I can't bring the ring out now. He's talking about nightmares. So instead, she asked, "Nightmares?"

He looked sad for a moment and said, "I have had the same nightmare for nine long years. A nightmare in which I am constantly tormented by those who have died. They ask me why I have not avenged them. Why did I get to live, yet they had to die. Even now, I can always hear them. I am certain I will be hearing them until the day I die."

Dimitri's smile returned. He straightened himself as he continued, "But I will not cover my ears. I will go on living, and their voices will serve as a warning. As a king - and as a wretch who claimed countless lives. I will build a Kingdom where the people can live in peace. Once a professor and student. Now you've joined three warring rulers, I'll become King, and no doubt you will become Archbishop. How very far we have come."

She smiled while she shook her head and said, "We're still the same."

Dimitri grinned, "That is true. To me, you will always be the one who guided me so kindly—my ally through all. My beloved - " His voice trailed off, and his eyes widened. But he caught himself and said, "Yes beloved."

Byleth was surprised and could only say, "Dimitri…."

He continued, "There is something I wish to give you before the coronation. Give me your hand."

She put out her hand and hoped that Dimitri didn't notice it was shaking. He placed an emerald ring in it. Byleth couldn't stop staring at the ring. Dimitri started to get nervous, "Please... I beg of you. Say something! If you do not wish to accept it, please just tell me. If so, I will face the truth and walk away." Byleth didn't want him to think that she was trying to come up with a way to reject him.

"That's not it at all!" she stammered out. She reached into her pocket and held out her father's ring. "You beat me to it." She smiled at him, "I love you, Dimitri. Marry me."

This time Dimitri stared at her with wide eyes. Then his smile grew even more prominent, and he said, "Yes, I see. Right. In that case, let us exchange them, shall we?" He slid the emerald ring on her finger. She slipped her father's ring on his pinky since that was the only one that fit. They laced their fingers together, and Dimitri said, " Your hands - Now that I hold them with my own, I see how small and fragile they are. These hands that have saved me countless times. Thank you, my beloved. Your kind, warm hands - may they cling to my own forevermore…."

Crestwood

They hurried down to the church. To their horror, they found Dimitri face down in the pond. Byleth raced to him and dragged him out. He wasn't breathing. Ingrid radioed the hospital for an ambulance. Byleth began administering CPR while Claude and Edelgard stood by. Byleth was starting to get teary, and she blurted out, "Please come back to me, please come back to me…."

Thankfully, Dimitri's eyes shot open, and he began to cough. She helped him turn to the side as he coughed up water. Once he was done coughing, Byleth helped him sit up. Her arm was still around him, and he laid his head on her shoulder. He looked at her and said softly, "You saved me." He reached and put his hand on her cheek. Byleth was about to say something when she was interrupted by the ambulance. Once again, Dimitri was rushed off, and Byleth was left feeling confused about why she cared so much for this person she didn't know.

They rushed back to the hospital. Arundel and Monica were already there. Monica gripped onto Edelgard and carried on, "Oh Edie, thank you. You've saved him once again."

Edelgard extricated herself from Monica and said, "Actually, Byleth did the CPR." Monica gave Byleth a sour look but quickly changed it to a smile. Somehow she was able to raise the pitch of her voice to say, "Oh, thank you, Byleth. Your quick thinking has saved Dima again!" She then went back to ignoring Byleth.

Manuela came out. She assured everyone that Dimitri would be okay, but she wanted him to stay a little longer in the hospital to watch him. Unfortunately, Dimitri had no memory of how he made it to the church pond. His memory of the days around the car accident were fuzzy as well. He would need to remain in the hospital a little longer for observation. "I think when he woke up, he tried to get to something familiar - like the church," she theorized.

"I think he was trying to get to someone familiar," Claude whispered. Edelgard elbowed him.

Monica put her hands on her hips and said, "I'm personally taking over his recovery! I'll watch over him here, and then he'll come stay with Volkhard and me."

Edelgard offered to let Dimitri stay with her, but Arundel said, "Oh no, Edelgard. It's kind of you to offer, but Dimitri needs to be at the Mayor's Mansion where he can be closely watched. We don't need a repeat of today."

Monica let out another squeal of delight. Byleth didn't understand why this disappointed her so much. "I realize now I have to tell him how I feel and give him this.."

She pulled out a silver ring with pink embellishments. For some reason, seeing that ring in Monica's hand filled Byleth with white-hot rage. She excused herself. Claude tried to follow her. Arundel called out to her, "Oh, Miss Eisner - I should thank you. Without you, this happy moment wouldn't be possible. It looks like true love won out today, after all. Thanks to you, Monica and Dimitri can soon spend as many moments as they want together. Who knows, they could even be together forever. Because not having someone that cares about you is the worst curse of all, don't you agree?"

Byleth turned around and walked out of the hospital. She waved off Claude and Edelgard and said she needed to be alone - it was her default state anyway. She could clear her head if she walked back to her car. Why am I tearing up right now? Why do I even care if he dates a banshee? Why has that little ring got me so upset ? She continued to ponder these things.

Edelgard was alone in her apartment drinking tea while trying to decompress. Hubert had texted nonstop and she had finally been able to convince him that all was as well as it could be, and that nothing sinister had happened to her while she was hanging out with Byleth. There was a knock at the door. Byleth was there with her backpack. "Is that spare room still available?"