This chapter actually centers a little more around Yuri, but does feature a nice Dorothea/Edelgard moment.

Chapter 106 – Missed Opportunities (Pegasus Moon)

Edelgard sighed as she slumped into her chair late in the evening. She had spent hours speaking with the ministers regarding upcoming reforms to the Empire, an effort that left her exhausted. She now sat in her room after having stripped off her academy uniform and putting on a nightgown, but despite her fatigue, she wasn't yet sleepy.

The doorknob to her room creaked as it turned. Edelgard let out a groan. It was probably Hubert needing something of her again.

"Hubert, I am in no mood for any more talk of policy tonight," said Edelgard.

"Oh, I'll bet," said Dorothea as she entered the room, surprising Edelgard. The singer was dressed in a red nightgown of her own.

"O-Oh, Dorothea. What are you doing here?"

"I couldn't sleep."

"So, you just decided to wander around the palace?"

"There's nothing wrong with that, is there?"

Edelgard sighed at this. She knew it wouldn't be right to reprimand Dorothea for having a bout of wanderlust.

"Actually, Dorothea, there is something I need to speak with you about."

"What is it, Edie?"

"Dorothea, now that I am emperor, you must understand that I may not have time to see you like this anymore."

"What, in nothing but a nightgown?" Dorothea winked playfully at this.

"Dorothea, please, be serious."

"Sorry, I couldn't help teasing you."

"Though I may rule the Empire now, in order to change the world as I have envisioned, I will need to devote myself to that cause. I doubt I will have any time for a social life, and I doubt the ministers or officers would approve of you being here. That means…"

"Oh, don't be like that, Edie!"

"Dorothea?"

"It's like you said, you're the emperor now. Doesn't that mean you get to make the rules? If so, that means you get to decide when you get your free time and who you spend it with, right?"

Frowning, Edelgard said, "It's… not that simple, Dorothea."

"Hey, what have I said about frowning, Edie?"

Dorothea walked up to Edelgard at this moment and, to the emperor's surprise, began gently pinching her cheeks.

"D-Dorothea?!"

"I told you, you're gonna get wrinkles all over your pretty face if you frown like that."

"W-What is with you tonight?"

"You're just so cute, you know that?" Dorothea said playfully. "That face, that hair, those eyes… You might be emperor now, but that doesn't change how adorable you are."

Edelgard was now blushing bright red.

"D-Dorothea, please! Stop that!"

Edelgard then gave Dorothea a small push, separating herself from the diva.

"Edie?"

"Do you really think it's appropriate to do that to your new emperor?"

Dorothea was silent for a moment, but then smiled and said, "You'll always be Edie to me."

Edelgard was stunned at this statement. She turned away from the brunette and walked toward her bed.

She then heard Dorothea let out a yawn before the diva said, "Why am I so tired all of a sudden?"

"You should get back to your room, Dorothea," said Edelgard. "We both need to get some sleep."

Edelgard then slid under the silky covers of her bed, lying on her side as she waited for Dorothea to leave the room.

But then she felt someone slide up behind her under her covers, and her face went pink.

"D-Dorothea?!"

"Edie, let me sleep here with you, okay? I'm too… too tired to go back to my room."

Edelgard could not bring herself to protest as Dorothea cuddled up behind her in her bed. The emperor knew she had to be red-faced by this point, especially as she felt the diva's bountiful chest against her back. Edelgard felt her face go hot as Dorothea sleepily wrapped an arm around her. She fidgeted in Dorothea's grasp, but the diva would not let her go.

"Mmm… Edie, you smell really nice tonight…"

"D-Dorothea…"

Edelgard's heart was thumping loudly in her chest. She had never been in such an intimate situation with Dorothea before, nor with any other. Her head was swimming with flustered thoughts of the diva. Dorothea gently tightened her embrace, which made Edelgard even more bashful.

The emperor knew what it was she was feeling: love. She couldn't deny any longer that she had feelings for the singer. Her kind heart, her wit, her voice, her looks… everything.

Edelgard wanted her… but would Dorothea desire her in return?

She thought back to the night of the ball. She had seen her dancing with Byleth in the Goddess Tower. She had watched when the two had descended the tower. She saw them as Dorothea fell on top of Byleth.

She remembered the heartache she felt when she saw her best friend kiss their teacher.

Even if it hadn't been intentional, they had shared such a passionate exchange that Edelgard could not help but be jealous. And it wasn't just the kiss; Byleth was always there for Dorothea, even after learning that she had been spying for Arundel. They were so close, even closer than Edelgard was to Dorothea.

Edelgard had thought to share her own secrets with them. She thought to tell them the truth. But would they still side with her if they knew what she had done? No, they would never. The path she had cut was one they would never follow.

Still, Edelgard wanted the diva to be with her, even if she would hate her. Maybe, in time, she could convince Dorothea what she was doing was right. Maybe if she told her the truth, she might be willing to listen.

She knew it could jeopardize everything she had worked for.

Edelgard turned her head to look at the diva.

"Dorothea? There's something I want to tell… you…?"

The brunette was already fast asleep.

Edelgard's heart continued to thump in her chest as she looked at the sleeping singer until weariness overwhelmed her, and she too fell asleep.

…

Yuri moved silently through the sewers of Enbarr. Despite having been away for so long, he knew the tunnels like the back of his hand. And thanks to some information he had picked up from his old gang, he knew Arundel was meeting someone here tonight.

So far, the rogue had not been able to get into Arundel's estate. The regent had been hard to track down, and Yuri knew a direct confrontation with him would be disastrous. This meeting was perhaps the one chance he'd have to learn what he was up to.

The light of torches ahead told Yuri that someone was there. He stalked silently down the tunnel, listening for voices.

"…thing's ready at the monastery, my lord," said a familiar, vile voice.

Yuri recognized the voice. It was that of the assassin who had fought alongside Dorothea's brother during the incident with Aelfric. Yuri hadn't learned the assassin's name yet.

"Excellent," came Arundel's voice. "Thanks to the girl, I now know where you will find the Holy Tomb. The entrance is located under the cathedral through a hidden passage in the Holy Mausoleum. In a chamber below is a pedestal that opens the entrance to the Holy Tomb. Place this on the pedestal and it will allow you to access it."

Yuri peeked out as Arundel took out a small metallic cube with numerous glowing lines running across it and handed it to the assassin. There were two other figures with them, both in black robes akin to Solon's followers.

"Ooh, interesting little thing…" said Metodey as he inspected the cube.

"Do not lose this device, Metodey. With it, you will be able to plunder the Holy Tomb of its treasures."

"Of course, my lord." Metodey stashed the cube in a pouch on his belt as he asked, "Out of curiosity, if I should run into that girl, what would you have me do to her?"

"The Arnault girl has outlived her usefulness. Kill her. I hate to leave a loose end."

"Ohh, that might be a problem. You see, Entei gave me some very different orders regarding her. He wants her alive, you see."

"You will defer to my orders, Metodey."

"Heh, I wasn't planning on following Entei's order on her anyway."

A small clattering sound caught their attention. Arundel and Metodey looked at their feet to see several small grey bombs rolling up to them, their fuses lit. The bombs exploded, releasing a dense cloud of smoke. The four men choked on the fumes.

"W-What the hell?!" Metodey hissed as he tried to see through the smoke.

Suddenly, the assassin felt someone slam into him, knocking him to the floor. The sound of footsteps running away from them alerted him, and he scrambled to his feet. He then felt his belt was quite a bit lighter than it had been before. Alarmed, he looked to see the pouch he had stashed the cube in was gone.

Arundel then shouted, "FOOLS! Find him! He has the cube!"

Yuri darted through the tunnels with the cube in his hand. Admittedly, this hadn't been the most elegant plan of his, but it had worked, nonetheless. He knew he had to get back to Garreg Mach as quickly as possible with this device.

The rogue was completely unaware, however, that someone was watching him.

Cleobulus watched as Yuri darted through the tunnels, her eyes glowing and allowing her to gaze through stone, tracking the rogue's heat signature.

The Arcus drew her bow and began making her way across the rooftops of Enbarr's slums.

Minutes later, Yuri decided to catch his breath as he exited the sewers and stood before the canal. He knew he wasn't out of the woods yet; he had to get out of Enbarr.

He stepped out of the tunnel and began to check his surroundings. Something was leaving the usually calm rogue on edge, and it wasn't just the thought of what Rhea would do once she learned of Arundel's plans.

He heard the whistling sound of an arrow flying toward him and jumped to the side just in time to avoid it. The black arrow embedded itself in the canal wall behind him.

"Good reflexes," said Cleobulus. "For a beast, that is."

Hearing her voice, Yuri looked up at the rooftops to see the Arcus readying another shot. The woman's pale grey skin and glowing eyes were all Yuri needed to know she was trouble.

"Do try and give me some sport, little mockingbird."

Cleobulus released her second arrow, this one flying at an astonishing speed thanks to her composite bow's construction. Yuri dodged to the side again as the arrow tore through his capelet, narrowly missing his arm.

Yuri knew he couldn't reach her from where he was, and he didn't know if Arundel's goons were right behind him. That left him with only one option.

Yuri dashed as fast as he could down the canal. As she drew another arrow, Cleobulus gave chase along the rooftops, moving with extraordinary skill as she leapt from building to building. She released another arrow at Yuri, one that would have struck him in the head if he hadn't drawn his blade and slashed it out of the air. The rogue continued to sprint toward the nearest bridge, knowing it would provide him with some cover and force the archer to come down if she wanted a shot at him.

Cleobulus had drawn her fourth arrow as Yuri made it under the bridge. The Arcus's eyes glowed again as she accessed her enhanced vision, allowing her to see through the stone bridge. Yuri had stopped to catch his breath, and he was now glancing around, expecting her to come down.

Cleobulus smirked. He had no idea how wrong he was.

Yuri continued to look from side to side, wondering when the archer was going to try and get at him. There were no tunnels underneath the bridge that went into the sewers, so he couldn't escape that way. And he knew if he tried to run out from under the bridge that she would have a clear shot at him. He couldn't gamble on dodging her forever.

He let out a loud, shocked gasp as a black arrow suddenly pierced into his chest.

Stunned, Yuri looked at the arrow. From how it was stuck in his chest, it had to have come from above. But the bridge was between him and the archer…

The cube slipped from his hand and clattered to the ground as Yuri toppled over and plunged into the canal. Blood began to spread across the surface as he sank into the water and out of sight.

Cleobulus sighed as she said, "How disappointing. I thought you'd be smarter, little bird."

The Arcus drew another arrow, this one with a thin wire attached to it, and fired it at the opposite wall of the canal. She lashed the other end of the wire to the rooftop. Then, folding her bow, she rappelled down to the canal.

She turned to where Yuri had been. The cube was still glowing on the ground. She then glanced to where Yuri had fallen into the water and activated her thermal vision. She saw his body drifting in the water lifelessly.

She pulled out her communicator and activated it. Cornelia's visage appeared before her.

"Target eliminated," said Cleobulus.

"Excellent work, Cleo," said Cornelia.

"The bird got his hands on a Control Cube. It's been recovered."

Cleobulus scooped up the cube as she said this.

"No doubt Thales will want that back," said Cornelia.

The sound of approaching footsteps caught Cleobulus's attention. She turned and said, "Speaking of which…"

Cleobulus shut down the communicator. She knew Cornelia wouldn't want to talk with Thales anyway.

"Where did he go?" snarled Metodey. "And who the hell are you?"

"Be silent, Metodey," said Arundel as he walked up behind the assassin. He then turned to the Arcus and said, "Cleobulus. I was not aware you were in Enbarr."

"My lord," Cleobulus said as she gave Arundel a bow. "I believe this is yours."

She then held up the cube, allowing Metodey to snatch it from her grasp.

"The one who stole this from you is dead."

She gestured to the blood in the canal.

Metodey could only laugh and said, "Serves him right!"

"If one of Rhea's rats knew of our meeting, then we cannot delay our plans further," said Arundel. "Metodey, you will make for Garreg Mach immediately. Ensure no one else survives to warn the Archbishop of what is coming."

Metodey bowed to Arundel and dashed off.

Now alone with the Arcus, Arundel said, "So, you are here on Bias's behalf?"

"She knew the mockingbird could become an issue, Agastya," said Cleobulus. "Now, if you will excuse me…"

Cleobulus turned and strode away from Arundel, who frowned at having been shown up by one of Bias's underlings.

…

Byleth and Dorothea stood before Edelgard in the courtyard as a carriage pulled up for them. They both wore expressions of disappointment.

"You're not coming back with us, Edie?" asked Dorothea.

"There are some things I need to attend to before I can return to the monastery," said Edelgard. "But I swear I will return in time for the ceremony in the Holy Tomb."

"Good luck, Edelgard," said Byleth.

"Safe journey, my teacher. And to you, Dorothea."

The two nodded as they turned and entered the carriage.

As she watched them leave, Edelgard felt her heart tearing away at itself.

She knew the next time they saw each other that it would be as enemies.

…

You start always smiling

Ever quiet, ever tender

And I, a lost child

Always frightened, I remember

That you came and found me

Blinded by unshed tears

The tears we cried are echoes

That tell what tomorrow will hold

Brigitte had more than a few onlookers as she sang while walking along the canal. They didn't say anything or praise her, but she knew they had to approve.

And I wept

In your arms

And I heard

Bells ring out across the land

Bringing peace at last

To your heart my dearest friend

And now, the love that you gave me

Blooms and will live on

Through the tears in us all

Without end

Brigitte stopped as she finished her song and looked out at the west side of the canal. It seemed the capital was far more lively than usual. She wasn't quite sure what was going on.

She was about to continue her walk when something caught her eye. She looked down and, to her shock, saw a familiar lavender rogue struggling to pull himself out of the canal. He was covered in blood.

"Yuri…?"

Yuri was about to slip back into the water when Brigitte jumped down and grabbed his arm, pulling him ashore. He turned over as she did, and Brigitte gasped in concern as she saw the arrow still stuck in his chest, and the fetter on his hand glowing crimson.

I bet anybody who knows where that song comes from is going to start having flashback tears.

Writing the scene between Dorothea and Edelgard was hard to come up with. I had to find a way to have a scene where Edelgard wants to confess her feelings, but either can't spit it out or she completely flubs it. I decided on having her miss her chance because Dorothea dozes off. It's gonna make what's coming hurt a lot more.

As for the scene between Yuri and Cleobulus, told you Yuri was in the shit. Cool as he is, he wasn't up for winning a battle against an expy of Sylvanas.