Months pass, and the school year ends. Proudly as both their teacher, and the head of the school, Byleth graduates her first batch of students. However, once every name has been called, when all of them have been honored as reaching their respective classes, Byleth again takes to the stage (the cathedral since it can fit the most people) and asks Rhea to come up to her side.
"This year was a blessing to myself, my students, and Fodlan itself. We lived through a war and made it to the other side, and as a whole, Fodlan is starting to be in better shape than it has been in quite some time." Byleth sucks in a breath, trying to remember the lines she rehearsed. Rhea subtly whispers through a smile for the crowd,
"Though it has not been long…"
"Though it has not been long since I became the archbishop," Byleth continues, folding her hands politely in front of her lap, "I am afraid I will be changing my stature." Nearly half of the crowd murmur amongst themselves, but the loudest outcry comes from the students who shoot their teacher the saddest looks ever. Byleth just grins at them in a way meant to soothe their worries a bit. "As of tomorrow, I will no longer be the 'Hero Archbishop,' but instead, my wife and I will travel to Faerghus, and I will become 'the Queen of Unification.'" At that, the Blue Lions class erupts into cheer, and so do a lot of the church staff, who first hailed from the Kingdom. "I have chosen two suitable replacements for both the headmaster of the Officers Academy, as well as the new archbishop." The speech continues, and she announces Manuela to be the new headmaster, with Hanneman as her second in command. That also meant hiring on new teachers, and Flayn decided she was up to the task, which made Seteth very happy, since he is now the archbishop who will teach the Seiros religion, with no lies, and he will only have power over Garreg Mach, not Fodlan as a whole (that duty lies between both Ferdinand, Claude, and Byleth from their respective territories). The other two teaching positions are going to Lysithea and Lindhart, who are keeping close to Garreg Mach and Hanneman as they grow a larger and larger database for crests in hopes of curing the girl's condition. Byleth's proud of them for striving to take on so much responsibility.
When it came time to anoint Seteth, it was held privately amongst the church's staff who have been there the longest, and they all seemed so grateful to see him back, since everyone agreed he was a very logical choice. Perhaps someone with a bigger ego would be put off by this, but Rhea admired Byleth for how coolly she handled everything today and for the months prior. Still, she was a bit shocked when at the anointing, her wife asked Rhea to do the honors instead of the actual archbishop.
"We… did not rehearse this," Rhea whispers, glancing at the others in the room.
"It makes sense that while being amongst friends, you would send him off." Seteth groans a bit, burning on the inside knowing how unusual and improper this is, but he expected something like this to happen with Byleth. Rhea takes it in stride anyhow, and she directs both Byleth and Seteth to get on one knee. She knows exactly what to say, having given her title to Byleth just a little over a year ago. It isn't very long, and of course there are no objections, and so on that night, Rhea and Byleth start a new chapter in their lives.
The Next Day:
The ride to the Kingdom capital is not a very exhausting one, but Byleth still stretched it out to a two day trip, planning to stop into a quaint town so she, Rhea, and their royal guards (sent from Faerghus by Rodrigue's orders) will be able to spend the night and some of the morning resting. Byleth really just wanted an excuse to carve out time for her and Rhea to picnic under the stars.
"Alrighty then," Byleth says to Felix who's up front with her and Rhea, chatting her ear off about how stupid reason magic is but why he's actually great at it. Very him. "I think it's time to pull in. It's just up here, right?"
"That's right." He motions for his men to halt their steeds as the group of them wait outside of the town's stone walled entrance. "I will go in first and tell the innkeepers we are traveling nobles, then all of these idiots can walk in behind you two." Byleth grins and nods, realizing that no, he will never change. Felix gets off his horse and she stays perfectly still, watching after him as he goes. When her shoulder is tapped, she looks to see Rhea retracting her hand and blowing her a kiss. Byleth grins as she adjusts her horse to get closer to the Nabateans'.
"How are you doing?"
"Well," Rhea answers, leaning so she can kiss her wife's cheek that's slightly dirty from the dusty roads. She's quick to wipe that off with her knuckles. "Are you turning in early?"
"No way! This is our last night free! I have a whole plan… that I won't be telling you about. Just um, yeah meet me downstairs from the inn after about twenty minutes, ok?" Byleth looks so pleased with herself as she says all of this, and Rhea finds it endlessly charming.
"As you wish, sweetheart. I just hope you did not push yourself too hard for–"
"-Ah come on. Don't worry about that because, I mean of course I did. But it's gonna be worth it. Promise." Rhea smiles and kisses Byleth's face again, lingering there for a moment.
When they do get inside, after Byleth insists on carrying all of their belongings without Rhea's help, she has Rhea change into something "flowy," as she calls it, and then has Rhea follow the instructions from earlier, to meet her downstairs soon. Rhea simply puts on a casual gown that falls partway down her shin, with flat shoes, and her hair up in a neat but loose bun. Outside, Byleth has yet to arrive, but she leans against the brick of the inn, smiling as children passby her and stare before scurrying off to play again. A cool breeze passes, and she crosses her arms. It has always been colder in Faerghus than anywhere else in Fodlan. It's going to take a bit of getting used to. When Byleth does come to her, Rhea takes in her appearance, having chosen her old look of the lace stockings with shorts, her black t-shirt, and the coat Jeralt gave her as a young teenager. We are going to need to get you warmer clothing, love. She is delighted when Byleth pulls out a little gift wrapped in light blue paper from her back pocket.
"Little something for you."
"Thank you," Rhea says, kissing Byleth's forehead as she carefully tears the paper away. In her hands is a precious gold and silver rope chain bracelet with a tiny charm that looks like a shield similar to the ancient shield she wore as Seiros. "How in the world…?"
"I got Anna to find me a jeweler who could craft intricate details like that. You like it?"
"I love it. Help me get it on if you will." Byleth does so with ease, putting it on Rhea's left wrist. The older woman admires it, her eyes shining just like the metal, even in the setting springtime sun. Byleth always thinks of the small things, something everyone who knows her appreciates for being one of her greatest qualities. "Thank you so much."
"Yeah, of course. I have something else though, come with me." She takes Rhea's hand and they make their way through the quiet town, waving to the few people who recognize them outside of their crowns and regalia. The soon to be Queen of Unification guides Rhea through a small garden, east from their inn, and out past the town gate where a small pond surrounded by trees that form a circle around the outskirts. Above them is a lovely view of the sky that's growing darker, changing from pale pinks and cerulean blues, into yellow ochres overlaid with dusty indigos. Byleth seems to have set up a wide blanket with two fluffy pillows, and beside that is a small basket that has two glasses to compliment the pink wine that looks quite expensive.
"A date under the setting sun? You grow more romantic as time goes on, Byleth."
"I try," the younger woman chuckles, waving to Rhea to sit down first and get comfortable as she pours them both a glass. "Oh and, one more thing to celebrate," Byleth drops down, her legs in a pretzel while Rhea keeps hers tucked under her. "Three chapters or so of the book is coming along. I'm gonna send it to Bernadetta soon to proofread and help me figure out where I'm going with it."
"That's wonderful!" Rhea kisses Byleth's nose, both of them clinking their glasses together. "You did well to work on it while you have been busy with so much else."
"Mm, I wish I got more done, but… I've been writing notes and stuff." They smile, but it's bittersweet.
"Are the memories…?"
"Yeah," Byleth sadly says. "They're fading a lot lately." Rhea bites her lip, nodding in understanding. "Anyway, um. Here's to the present, right?" They clink their glasses again and take slow sips.
"Delicious. Where did you find this?" Rhea asks as she turns the bottle by its neck to see the label.
"Felix told me about a place over here and I went right away." They cuddle a little closer, and Rhea adjusts the blanket under them as it bunches and pulls as they maneuver onto their backs. The two of them settle with their glasses up by their heads and with Rhea's forearm slung over Byleth's stomach. "You're supposed to be looking at the sky, not me." The older woman smiles, tucking her arm between her head and the pillow.
"You are much more fascinating."
"But there's no one else like you," Byleth insists, taking a moment to kiss Rhea's nose.
"The same can be said about you, my love. You are so special, from the day you were born." Byleth grins, rubbing her forehead with her thumb.
"It's kinda weird to know that you saw me as a baby."
"Mm. I was so different then, we can almost just say it was not even me."
"But at the same time, I like to know you helped me be who I became," Byleth tells her. "How could I not be pleased that the woman everyone loved had a hand in the start of my life? People would be jealous even now." Rhea presses her tongue against the inside of her lip.
"I am not so sure the people feel so strongly about me. Even if they did before, will they even listen to me now, as your queen, after everything? All I have done… I am not so sure I should even be crowned." Byleth suddenly sits up, looking down at Rhea with a serious expression.
"We talked about this. You're different. You've been suffering for a long time, Rhea. This is something that can help you grieve, help you get away from the church and-and all of that stuff." Rhea rolls onto her back, looking past Byleth and up to the sky. The older woman doesn't say much as a wrinkle forms between her brows and she starts thinking of her past, of her decisions, of so many things she can't go back and change. Regret burns, but the scars on Fodlan that carry forward to this day, scars she has left her young wife to take care of, burn so much more fiercely. "You're getting down on yourself again."
"I cannot help it."
"How can I make it better?" Byleth asks, wearing her heart on her sleeve as the words become passionate in the space between them. The Nabatean simply sits up, taking a long sip until nearly half of the drink is gone.
"I say we indulge tonight." The younger woman raises a brow. "It may be surprising that for once, instead of trying to face things head on, I just wish to let it be. After all of my years I am not quite sure dwelling on all of my faults has done much good." She chuckles self-deprecatingly, reaching over Byleth for the wine bottle again. "There is trust I am placing in you, as always, to make sure I do not get too wild however." Byleth smirks, watching as Rhea pours a hefty amount of alcohol back into her glass.
"Then it's a good thing I have no desire to get drunk. I'll take care of you, just as you say." Rhea grins as best she can while her lips are on the rim of the glass. She clicks her tongue when the taste becomes slightly bitter, though she enjoys it all the same. When Rhea offers Byleth the bottle to take some for herself, the young woman only pours the smallest amount before putting the bottle to the side, within Rhea's reach still. "Do you want to talk about anything else?"
"Mm." Rhea leans back on the pillows again, staring up at Byleth with slightly glossy eyes. "I am not so sure talking is necessary when all I desire are your lips on my skin."
"Hah. Alright then." A bubble of cheer thumps around in Byleth's chest as she rests on one forearm, hovering over her wife. Easily she presses a kiss to Rhea's sharp jaw. It starts chastly, but… it's hard to keep it that way when Rhea immediately gasps and sighs like she's already getting close to an orgasm; it drives Byleth insane, burning her from the inside out in the best way. There is also something about kissing someone she truly loved that added to the experience. And for Rhea, there is the knowledge that Byleth loves her with equal intensity that makes every press of lips that much hotter. So the Nabatean takes Byleth's chin in her hand and coaxes her into a hard set of kisses.
It is not long before Rhea slips her hands under Byleth's shirt, relishing in the feeling of soft skin and firm muscle. In return, Byleth settles between the older woman's thighs and reaches for the hem of her gown, rucking it up so that she could slide her palms up Rhea's thighs to squeeze her backside. Rhea pulls away slowly, taking a moment to observe how swollen Byleth's lips are already, how her breath's ragged with desire. She leans up again, but instead of ravishing her wife's lips, she kisses and nips at Byleth's neck in return. Byleth tips her head back for better access, and each time Rhea uses her teeth, Byleth's hips jerk about, crashing into Rhea's.
Byleth groans when the older woman bites down on her shoulder, and there's a pitch to her voice that Rhea hadn't heard before. Even as she continues to shower Byleth with kisses, the hands that are holding Rhea's hips begin to move up, pushing her gown as they go. Rhea lets out an annoyed grunt when she has to break away from one patch of Byleth's neck so she could scold her wife with her eyes alone. Not out here. Not yet. The irritation though, disappears under Byleth's heated gaze. The queen wrestles with the fabric again, forcing it up to Rhea's navel, wrinkling it terribly just so she can touch her slim stomach while kissing the woman on her lips, her jaw, her neck, her clavicle, her chest. She bites at her breasts over her dress, and the feeling of Byleth's hot tongue, even through clothing, makes Rhea squirm. As Byleth continues lavishing her with her mouth, one of her hands ventures low on Rhea's stomach while her other hand teases at a hard nipple. Skilled fingers push her underwear aside and brush against her damp labia. Byleth stops, eyes dark yet cautious, genuine enough that Rhea's breath catches in her throat and she feels her walls convulse.
"You're extra eager, huh? Just remember we aren't that far from town," Byleth murmurs almost apologetically, coating her fingers in her wife's arousal. She seems content running her fingers between the lips, so Rhea rocks up into it, trying to create much needed friction.
"Mm! In-inside," Rhea gasps. Fingers nudge against her entrance and she tries to guide them in with another jerk of her hips. "Please." As expected, Byleth's sweetness is stronger than her teasing; thus two fingers ease their way into her entrance and Rhea sighs loudly against the younger woman's cheek. She turns inward to capture Byleth's lips in a kiss that says thank you. Soon Byleth asks,
"Will you ride my fingers? Or my mouth."
"I thought you were worried I was already too loud," Rhea replies with a breathy chuckle. A delightful curling of fingers from within her has the Nabatean keening. "Goodness, you may do anything you wish so long as you keep making me feel this lovely."
"Heh. That's the answer I was looking for." There's a playful smirk on Byleth's lips that causes Rhea to relax while also going tense in the legs. Of course, she enjoyed any of the pleasure Byleth would give her… but being taken by her mouth is always, exponentially preferred. Maybe it is because that is the first way she ever took me. And so Rhea placed one hand on Byleth's shoulder as she pushed her over onto her back, all while the younger woman beamed up at her. "You are so cute."
"You are," Byleth replied as her eyes raked over Rhea's body as she pulled herself over the queen's chin. "Bite down on your thumb when you get close. I really worry someone will hear you."
"You are not interested in sharing my voice with anyone, are you?"
"I'll kill them if they hear it and I find out."
"Dramatic," Rhea laughs, sinking down and holding the front hem of her dress up in a tight fist. All thoughts are meaningless outside of the ones about Byleth's tongue now. She starts slowly rolling her hips to keep Byleth's tongue deep between her lower lips, before ramping up her pace. With every one of her movements, she feels that clever tongue circling whichever spot she directs it to, and it's best suited right against her aching clitoris. All Rhea can hear is the slickness, and the feeling of Byleth's breath on her, as well as the slight stickiness of the sweat on her skin makes her twitch bodily with any gust of light wind. As for the younger woman, she equally enjoys the experience despite the ache at the bottom of her tongue; her eyes drift from Rhea's face to her breasts pushing against the dress fabric, and of course she mostly focuses on watching the way Rhea's skin becomes warmer and red with blood (sometimes she's surprised Rhea doesn't just faint).
"You taste amazing," Byleth murmurs, pressing kisses against the insides of thighs just so she can swallow down some of the slickness coating her tongue. Rhea's jaw twitches and she uses her free hand to brush through Byleth's bangs. "I wish I could eat from you all day."
"No-ah-You like your tea far too much." Byleth snickers against Rhea's thigh, pressing one more kiss there before kissing her mound with an open mouth. The tease has Rhea shifting forward uncomfortably. Rhea soon finds herself at that edge of climax. She squeezes her eyes shut, nearly rutting against Byleth's lips that won't open, just to edge her for a while longer. Her senses are overwhelmed in the best possible way, and she gasps for air like she hasn't been breathing this entire time. "My love," she pants, "I need you again." And without further ado, Byleth sucks squarely on her clitoris, biting on it with her front teeth as she pulls away to then squeeze her hand between her chest and Rhea's body to jam two fingers inside of her. "I-I'm going to – ah! Perfect, Byleth–Perfect!" Stars literally explode in Rhea's vision as she cums. Her walls clench and spasm around the fingers inside of her while Byleth continues to suck on her like she's starving. The minute after, Rhea can't do anything but moan and whine. The queen pulls her fingers out, but she continues to press soft, slow kisses to Rhea's entrance.
"Was that alright? You weren't really as loud as I imagined you'd be." Rhea had thought she felt red in the cheeks earlier, but that little comment just makes her so much moreso.
"First you tell me not to be loud, and then you say I was not loud enough." Rhea laughs lightly as she dismounts Byleth's face that's also red (though it's clear she's red because of heart-pounding anticipation and exertion). The Nabatean takes another sip of wine as she leans back on one arm, but it goes straight to her head this time and she grows slightly dizzier than she'd like to admit. Next to her, Byleth licks at her fingers as she stares at Rhea's body with her dress all haggard and her legs tucked up in a way that gives Byleth a direct view of the mess between her wife's legs.
"All I can think about now is how good you could sound. I'm not satisfied yet." It's then that Rhea notices how Byleth is licking between her fingers, her eyes lazy and sedated, wasting not a drop of cum. "Nnr. I want more. Let me have you again."
"R-really?" Rhea stutters, and Byleth grins proudly, knowing how hard it is to ever get Rhea to do that. "It may take a while since I just–Well alright. You look like you may bite into me if I do not give myself over easily."
"You like biting," Byleth says as she pulls Rhea by her hips, something that is a lot more sexy than the Nabatean thought possible, and lays back against the pillows, her core thundering with excitement again. Byleth just about growls as she takes a deep sniff before settling onto her stomach and letting Rhea's legs rest on her rigid shoulders. "Look at this."
"Can't," Rhea jokes, throwing one arm over her eyes. She just wants to feel everything and forget about where she is one more time.
"But you get shy if I describe how gorgeous this looks."
"You are correct. So show me." Byleth bites down hard on Rhea's thigh, and the older woman sits halfway up with a stern look on her face that Byleth has the nerve to smirk at.
"Who's in charge here? Lay down. I don't wanna hear any words unless they're my name." Rhea sighs, giving in so easily… which slightly bothers her but… Byleth's tongue is warm on the sensitive skin she just bit. Rhea squirms, a little overstimulated. When Byleth finally planted a kiss to her mound however, Rhea doesn't bother containing her tired moan.
The way Byleth seems to savor every moment she spends eating Rhea out is overwhelmingly sweet; how Byleth can be so compassionate, even when she's being a bit more rough, gives Rhea this sense of security and makes her feel better about her worth in a setting like this. Sex is something vulnerable they can do together that has the benefit of feeling physically, and with Byleth especially, mentally good. There's a reward every time Rhea moans, everytime Byleth licks her, which sparks an inner sense of accomplishment. Rhea's also obsessed with the way her wife takes her time, using her lips, her nose, even her chin to tease her. She just feels so relaxed too, being on her back and at Byleth's mercy. She loves how one of Byleth's hands always sneaks up to the underside of one breast, how the other holds her hand.
After what seems like an eternity, Rhea places a hand on Byleth's head and gently guides her to where she wanted her to focus her attention. Byleth licks circles around her clit, and Rhea moans louder than the last few times, in appreciation. She smiles as Byleth grins against her thigh before firmly gripping one of the Nabateans' hips to double down on her efforts. It happens so quickly, and Rhea cums with broken sentences that echo through the trees. Even the birds scatter.
"Nice" Byleth snarkily comments, pumping her fist. Rhea grabs that wrist and pulls her wife up as if she's as light as a feather just to pounce on her, reveling in the taste of her own arousal this time. With a hard shove, Rhea gets her wife onto her back with one thigh squarely between Byleth's legs.
"That smart mouth of yours," Rhea huffs between loud kisses. All of their limbs wrap around each other while Rhea struggles to keep Byleth down.
"You don't complain about it any other time."
"You!" Rhea pins Byleth down by her shoulders and rubs brutally in with her knee.
"KKT! Ah, Rhea. Dammit." Her eyes squeeze shut as she finally gives in, rocking herself against the Nabateans' thigh like she's desperate. They continue doing this, blissfully unaware of the footsteps fast approaching.
"Professor?!"
The two women yip as Rhea flips onto her bottom, knocking over her wine glass. She struggles to clean up the mess while Byleth hurries to her feet.
"Felix? Something wrong?" He blinks at her, huffing through his nose.
"Heard your wife yell. Guess it was a false alarm. Bye." He doesn't wait for her to speak before he spins on his heel and runs off. Byleth nervously itches her neck and groans.
"Nice," she bleats.
"You told me to be loud," Rhea reasons, unable to hold back the laugh when Byleth glares at her like a wounded little girl. "At least he can keep his mouth shut."
"I'm surprised you're not more embarrassed. You act like me just pinching you in public is gonna cause a scandal."
"I am very close to being drunk." Rhea says this as she fills her glass with the last of the wine.
"Geez. I didn't realize you could even get drunk from wine. You must be a lightweight."
"...Just lie down. Allow me to finish what I started," Rhea tells her shortly, gulping the wine right afterward. Of course Byleth drops down like a sack of potatoes. "Byleth, you are so silly."
"No, I'm just turned on. Hurry up." Rhea sucks her teeth and sets her glass down, eager to get to work.
Days Pass:
The Holy Kingdom takes to Byleth and Rhea well, mostly due to Byleth's part in the war, being the hero, allowing the Kingdom to get metaphorical revenge against Edelgard, the terrible "monster" who killed their king. Yet two years later, with the help of Bernadetta, Byleth will become a renowned author for her one and only book that she will ever write; Crimson Flower, a "fictional" 1,220 page novel. With one of its characters being so similar to the infamous Edelgard von Hresvelg, it was seen as a bit of a "nasty" read for the citizens of the Kingdom, but still it was published, and will be kept in print for long into the future. While there is a tooth-rotting love story deeply engraved in each paragraph, there is also an anti-war message that some find insulting, having known, again, who the author is. Nevertheless, people both young and old clamber to read it, to route for the couple, to get lost in the battles, to dream of the life they could make for themselves. Soon after it was published, the Middle Frank Opera Company picked it up and turned it into a timeless play that many thereafter based much of their foundation upon.
Then, after twelve years of being the much celebrated Queens of the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus, Byleth and Rhea leave for the Alliance, where few have seen them before, and Rhea becomes a famous quiltmaker, known for her knack to bring back ancient patterns and designs while giving them a fresh, modern take.
Once they have spent too much time in Fodlan, after nearly all of their friends and loved ones have passed, they will move abroad, and discover things they had never been able to imagine in their previous lives, together.