Wow, you guys are really into this, huh? The support for this story's been absolutely awesome. Most appreciated. So I figure I'll step things up a notch. We'll raise the stakes and put some serious focus on our leading ladies. How will they respond to Rolan's struggle? Are you ready?

Let's begin shall we?

Dedication

Dorothea and I needed to collect ourselves after such a heartfelt confession on her part. She insisted upon returning to the teahouse - mostly so I could get some proper food inside my groaning stomach. Food that she insisted on paying for no less. I politely refused time and time again: all in vain. Once this young lady has her mind set on something, she doesn't back down. She's headstrong beyond compare - the total reverse of Hilda. I appreciate it. If it weren't for her being insistent I wouldn't be enjoying this lovely slice of chocolate cake.

I've never eaten something with such glee in my whole life. Every forkful has a slightly bitter aftertaste; wonderfully balanced by the richness of cream.

Between bites I notice a hazy look in Dorothea's eyes. It's almost as though she isn't here - a hundred miles away, even.

"Is everything alright?"

"Uh-huh," the brunette answers briefly, "I'm thinking; that's all."

"About what? If you don't mind my asking..."

"Ways I can help you stay here in Garreg Mach."

A weighty topic - one I'd hoped we wouldn't address again tonight. While wrapped up in our emotions we weren't thinking. Now we're calm again, the issue remains. I have four weeks. That's all. And in that time I've gotta sort matters of love with two women - all while helping one of them pass her exams. The cards aren't stacked in my favour. I'm clueless as to what I can do.

"Hmmm..." Dorothea ponders. "What to do." She snaps her fingers, perking up. "Got it. Here's a good start. How much did it cost you to come study here? Sorry, I know it's personal, but it'll help us form a plan."

I wasn't privy to much in the way of details. Pop sorted most of the money-related side of things. But I do know how much the first semester cost with donations to the church included. "About four-hundred gold, plus a charitable gesture for the Knights of Seiros."

"Four-hundred. Okay. Let me think."

Dorothea begins counting on her fingers. "With a donation for the church we're probably looking closer to five; five-hundred. Three semesters in a year; your first one's paid or you wouldn't be here. We're halfway into the second semester... You'll need about half the money for this semester; plus full payment for the next. Let's add up those totals now."

I'm struggling to keep up with her. I'm fine with numbers, but she's throwing herself at the issue a bit too hard.

"I'd say around eight-hundred," Dorothea concludes. "That should be enough to keep you here - come what may. Do you have any family who can help? The Alliance are good for their merchant guilds, right?"

I shake my head abruptly. "No. Sorry. My family owns the largest bakery in Goneril; we have several shops. But we're not the Victor Treading Company. We'd need to fulfil a food order for a whole garrison of Duke Holst's men to get a hold of that sorta money."

Dorothea sighs deeply, "Oh darn. I thought we were on to something there. Think, Dorothea. Think." She returns to her planning full force, tapping her fingers anxiously against the table top. "There has to be something we can do..."

I can't bare seeing the songstress so stressed. I reach over, placing my hand atop hers, "Calm down. We still have time. For the moment let's relax. We'll think things through. If we're hasty it'll only make things worse."

She hides her eyes, threading her fingers with mine, "But I can't sit here and do nothing while you go away. I-I'm happy with you taking the time you need to sort through your feelings with Hilda but-" She brings her eyes closed, "I finally have someone to spend my future beside; I can't lose you."

The serving girl behind the teahouse counter rings a shiny golden bell. "Alright everyone. It's twenty-past the hour. It's already dark. We're closing in ten minutes. Finish up your food 'n drinks."

Whatever we decide to do, out time at the teahouse has come to a close. I get up from the table. Dorothea and I depart the lovely venue, and I hurriedly grab the bread I'd been sent to collect in the first place. Our walk up the hill toward the monastery is quiet; subdued. I see the fear written across Dorothea's face. She nervously wrings her hands; she's lost in thought.

We stay together as we enter the monastery.

"Hey there, students," the gate guard greets us fondly. "Lovely evening, isn't it?"

Dorothea forces a smile. "It certainly is."

This young guardsman is something of a celebrity across the monastery. Professor Byleth is especially kind to him, always asking if he has anything to report in the mornings. No matter the mood, you can't help feeling a little bit happier around the guy. He has an aura of sunshine. "You two take care, you hear?"

"We will, thanks," I reply. "See you later."

Leaving the guard to his duty, we make our way through the main hallway and out toward the commoner dormitories. There aren't many students around, given the time of evening. One or two are rushing for the bathhouse before light's out - but it's mostly still.

"I'm won't give up on you," Dorothea tells me with renewed strength. "No matter what. I'll do everything I can."

I've never had a woman fight for me like this before. Deep down, it feels nice. "You're not one to turn your back on people, are you?"

"Those who do right by me? No," she answers - her eyes bright and fiery. "I'd never dream of it."

"Rolan!" I flinch at Hilda's booming shout. What starts as a pink-haired speck at the far side of the courtyard gets bigger by the second. "Is that you?"

"I'll see you later," chuckles Dorothea, "We'll figure this out, I promise." She gives me a swift peck on the cheek, leaning close to whisper in my ear. "And you'd better be gentle when you decide to tell Hilda about us. Don't go breaking hearts..."

With that, the songstress takes her leave. She ducks into her dorm room a few doors down with just enough time to spare. Until now, I had no idea she lived so close. I thought the female dorms were on the opposite side to the men's dorms. How wrong I must've been.

Hilda skids to a stop by my side, barely staying balanced. "It's been hours," she says in a nervy tone, grabbing me in a crushing hug, forcing me to drop the bread I've been carrying all this time. "I was about to send someone into town to find you. I thought something bad might've happened..."

I bring my arms around Hilda's middle, holding her close. "I'm fine; got a little side-tracked. That's all. Totally my fault."

The pig-tailed lass can try as hard as she likes, but the fear in her eyes is way too clear. A guilt twinge squeezes my stomach. The heartfelt stare she's giving me (one of compassion) it's the same as when Dorothea confessed her feelings today. In an instant I'm disarmed. I feel compelled to hold her tighter and protect her.

And above all else, I have to tell the truth about my departure.

I check ahead and behind patrolling Knights of Seiros. The cost is clear - at least for now.

"Hilda..." I bring my lips against her ear. "Do you wanna stay in my room tonight? I'd like to talk."

Miss Goneril shivers in my embrace, "Oooo... A little naughty, don't you think? Who was the one worried about us getting caught the other day?" She giggles, flashing me a teasing wink. "And I've just showered. If we snuggle up I'll get all sweaty..."

"Please?" I ask again; this time with sincerity. My voice cracks despite my best efforts. "It's important."

"Are you-" Hilda pauses, eying me with concern. She squeezes me a bit tighter, "What's up? Did you run into trouble in town?"

"Not really," I answer. It's best I'm honest with her. "Something bigger. I received a letter; a letter from home. My family are having trouble, and I'd like for you to read it. I'm in a bind right about now."

"Me? But why?"

"You'll see."

Hilda sits patiently at the foot of my bed. I fumble through the draws of my desk for the stack of letters. Grabbing the newest of the bunch I unfold it, running my finger across the first few lines to double check. Yes. It's the right one. I take my place beside Hilda, placing the letter into her hands. Her expression falls, turning gloomy the farther down the page she reads. By the end, she's unnervingly quiet.

My stomach ties in knots.

"You're leaving?" she passes the letter back, waiting expectantly.

"As things stand, yes. There's not a great deal I can do..."

"B-But-" Hilda clamps her hands against her lap. "This letter... It's dated three weeks ago. Why didn't you say something?"

"Because I didn't open it up 'till about three days back. I don't reply to my letters as diligently as you. I've focused my attention here recently."

Hilda lays back against the bed. Closing her eyes, she massages her temples. "Well this isn't good. I finally open up to you, and you're on the way out of the door. What a pain..."

"I'm sorry."

"Not your fault," she answers dismissively, "I only wished you'd checked your letters sooner."

Miss Goneril is taking this... better than I thought she would. She's not anywhere as winded as Dorothea. It's almost scary how calm she's being. I'm lost for words. What can I say? What can I do? Is there any way I can make this right?

Not a word is spoken between us for the longest time. Nervy jitters claim me. I feel dizzy.

"Oh well..." Hilda gives a sigh. "It is what it is," she surmises quickly, sitting up and opening her eyes. "Nothing can be done about it; so it's not worth getting upset about. You should enjoy your time here while it lasts."

I hadn't seen it that way before today. Not that I'm given time to think.

Hilda throws her arms around my shoulders, holding me to the bed. She locks her lips with mine almost too quickly to fathom. She's frightfully strong and assertive. Her kiss follows with a second; a third; a forth. She's being so rough it hurts.

I pull away, fighting frantically for a mouthful of air.

And that's when I notice. Hilda's eyes are quivering.

Her pain stabs into my chest sharper than a knife.

I try to speak, only to have a finger pressed over my mouth - hard.

"Don't. There's no need. It's fine," Hilda assures me. Her lips rise into a wounded smile. "It's just how these things go. I suppose we aren't meant to be, are we? Shame too... You know I really like you; I've always liked you - since we were little."

A lump forms in my throat. Knowing how dearly she cares for me only makes this sorry situation hurt even more. I don't want you to walk out of my life, Hilda. Please don't turn your back; don't walk away from me. I know this is going to be hard... but I care about you. Be strong; fight for something for once.

Swallowing my fears, I rest my hand against Hilda's face, caressing her soft skin with gentle fingertips. "So you're going to give up?"

Like an overflowing floodgate, Hilda bursts. A stream of tears cascade down her cheeks. "I don't want to but- It's better I just go. Y-You don't need to help me with my test anymore. A-And I won't- I won't sit with you in class from now on."

Miss Goneril gets off me in a hurry; she bolts for the door, stalling as she grabs the handle.

"Forgive me. I'm not strong like you or Professor or Claude... I'll only let you down. It's been nice spending time with you again though, Rolan. I'll miss you."

Blurry-eyed, Duke Holst's little sister shoves open the door and runs headlong into the night. She doesn't look back for even a second.

I'm left with a shattered heart and a crumpled letter in my grasp. The evening breeze bites me down to the bone.

Swallowing a bitter scoff, I rise from the bed and push the creaky bedroom doors shut with a bang.

"This is great. Just great..."

Alone and winded, I toss the letter to the floor, banishing the terrible thing from sight.

Hilda is gone. Time runs ever shorter. And I'm powerless to change a darn thing.

To be continued...

There you have it. Another chapter comes to a close. Did you like it? Would you like to see more in future? Feel free to leave some feedback and share your thoughts. As always, keep on supporting Fire Emblem and I'll see you in the next chapter. Thanks again!