"I don't know what you two spoke about, but Hubert seems to be back to his old self again," Edelgard said with genuine relief as she brought the teacup to her lips.

"Yeah, we managed to clear the air," Byleth replied, taking a sip of her tea in kind. It tasted a bit off, though she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

"I'm glad." Edelgard smiled. "Ah! The full moon is just beautiful tonight, don't you agree?" she said, gazing up at the sky.

"Yes. It's a sight to see."

Byleth mused for a long moment, wondering why they were having tea at such a late hour. But before she could ponder more a strange feeling crept through her throat. She clutched at her neck, finding it difficult to breathe. She wheezed, falling from her chair, each breath getting tighter and tighter until she began choking. She desperately looked around for any sort of aid. The dining table had disappeared, and the darkness of the night's sky had drained into the earth. Leaving her alone in a strange, delirious void. Then, someone familiar caught her eye: green eyes, and a vengeful grin staring from the shadows.

"AH!" She sat bolt upright in bed, skin drenched in a cold sweat as she took a huge gulp of air. She breathed freely, collecting her thoughts. Just a dream she mused, of course, Hubert wouldn't poison me… Surely. She led back down, trying to calm her frazzled nerves. It had been a long time since she was last woken by a nightmare.

She'd managed to avoid Hubert after the incident earlier that day, no doubt he had been looking for her. She smiled to herself, wondering how he had managed to get out of the council room. Imagining him shimmying down the rafters using the drapes brought a smile to her face. Of course, he had more self-respect than that. But at least the thought of it amused her.

She tried to get back to sleep, but her mind swam. Hubert, her injuries, the battle; everything that had happened recently haunted her, collecting into an unavoidable crescendo that refused to give her a moment's silence. She began to miss the old days when she could block everything out without so much as a thought. She sighed heavily and got up out of bed. Judging by how dark it was outside the sun had yet to dawn, but she couldn't lie sleepless and troubled.

She lazily changed her clothes, all the while wondering what to do with herself. The most meaningful option was to whittle away the rest of the night in the library. At least then she wouldn't be disturbing anyone. She dressed simply, just a pair of black shorts and a white blouse; getting fully attired at this time felt like overkill.

The candlelight flickered over the stone walls as she made her way up the steps to the library. The fresh early morning air helped to clear her mind, and now she absent-mindedly pondered on what reading material would be the best choice. As she came to the door she arched an eyebrow, noticing it was already open.

Was someone already in there?

She stepped gently, peeking around the door frame.

Before she could adjust her sights to the library she jolted in response to a sudden change of air pressure and the swift sound of a blade in the dark. She moved reactively as the threat shot through her veins, adrenaline controlling her instant movements. She quickly dodged the strike. Through the glint of candlelight, now knocked to the floor, she saw the flash of a dagger. She disarmed her attacker, spinning on her heels and pointing her newly acquired weapon in their direction. She stood unwavering, noticing they brandished yet another blade in her direction. There was a curt moment of realisation as each had a blade just inches from each others' throats.

"Oh. It's you," Hubert said, taken aback. Byleth could see the fleeting panic on his face. He gained back his composure. They lowered their weapons just as quickly, she flipped the dagger, handing it back to him by the handle.

The charge in her muscles quickly dissipated and her mind took over again. "Who were you expecting?" She asked, now even more perplexed.

Hubert sheathed his daggers back into concealment, taking a few steps further into the library. He pushed a hand through his hair. "I'm not sure…" he said pensively. "Some low life has been coming here during the early hours and making a mess of the place. I thought it best to have a friendly chat."

Byleth quickly picked up the candle holder, placing it on a nearby desk as Hubert began relighting the other candles. Her eyes wavered on him for a moment. He wasn't as generously dressed as usual, wearing black pants and a dark shirt with subtle patterning. It had just occurred to her that this is one of the rare few times she had seen him without gloves or a cape. The way her mind wandered, coupled with his nonchalant attitude, almost distracted her from what he'd just done.

"how long have you been waiting behind the door?"

He turned, giving her a critical eye. "Not long," he said, deflecting the question.

"For a moment, I thought this was your way of getting revenge for leaving you in the council room," she said with a smile, still pleased with herself. She leaned over to the side, watching him light the candles with a swift flick of fire magic.

"As you just proved, crossing blades with you would not end very well for me. Taking care of you would require more… subtle tactics."

"So, you have contemplated it…"

"As you well remember, coming up with ways to assassinate you became quite a fond past time in my younger years."

"So… You're not mad at me?" she asked, leaning against one of the tables.

"When I realised what you'd done, I was rather livid, yes." He turned to face her. "Though, without much to distract me, it did give me time to ponder over many things."

"Oh?" she replied curiously. "What like?"

"If you feel we really must have this conversation, how about I make us some coffee."

He rolled up his sleeves, walking over to one of the counters across the room. She bit her bottom lip, cursing herself for finding him so attractive. Anytime they were alone together it ignited a deep yearning within that made it hard to think clearly. He then turned his head, expecting an answer. "Well?"

"Yes, please," she said, scooting over to sit at the small table. "It's just… well, I'm not so used to seeing you so casually dressed."

"Heh. Likewise," he smirked.

Was this the first time he had seen her bare legs? She felt her cheeks burn and saw a satisfied smile upon his face. She was usually so unshakeable, but he had this creeping power over her that turned her into a stuttering mess. It vexed her so, but she could hardly deny it.

He gently placed the cup in front of her, joining her on the opposite side of the table. She eyed the cup gravely. The memories of her dream coming back to haunt her.

"Oh, come now." He sighed. "I already told you I'm not angry." He brought her cup to his lips, taking a sip before placing it back. "Better?"

Byleth laughed sweetly. "Yes, much better. Thank you. Being attacked is never a good precursor to a friendly chat."

"Heh. Need I remind you that it was not my intent?"

"That's a strange way to apologise... But I'll take it."

"Hmph." He relaxed in his chair before changing the subject. "I feel I need to explain myself to you. Properly. I feel, in my haste, I have gone about things in the wrong manner. Much to you and Her Majesties' displeasure."

Rather shocked at this sudden turnaround, she leaned forward in her seat. "Are you saying that – "

"I want you to listen, and then answer me truthfully. These past few weeks have been akin to torture."

"I know I've put on a brave face, but it has been difficult for me as well…"

"Yes, you said as much the other night." He smiled to himself and Byleth narrowed her eyes. What else had she said?

"All right, I'm listening," she replied, trying to divert the conversation back. She took a sip of coffee; the aroma was beautiful and tickled her senses.

"I am aware that Lady Edelgard has shared with you the story of when she was abducted as a child. Forced to go through unthinkable experiments by Those Who Slither In The Dark. Even back then I was just as devoted to her as I am now, and the fact that I could do nothing but accept that she had been taken was not short of agony. Never had I felt so weak." He glanced down, almost as if he were reliving it again. "To lose someone whom you care about so deeply, whom you have dedicated every fibre of your being to protect. The only thing that kept me alive was the fact that she may have been, too."

Byleth sat in silence, waiting on each word.

"When we finally reunited, I swore to never leave her side. To protect her with my life in all aspects. Even if that meant doing many… unsavoury things. I decided then that there would be nobody else in my life but her, nothing to distract me from this path I chose to walk. Lady Edelgard herself was… different afterwards. Closed off. Steeled. Troubled. It was just the two of us for many years."

His green eyes then snapped to hers, like he was studying her. "And then you came along," he continued, "I despised you for an exceedingly long time. How you managed to slide in through the cracks and get close to her so promptly. How she treated you like an equal, even looking up to you as a mentor. It disgusted me."

She swallowed hard, suddenly seeing things from his perspective made many things click into place.

"Then… I suppose I began to feel certain affections for you. You proved yourself as an ally when you followed her without question. Supported her and helped her achieve her long-lived dreams and aspirations, just as I have." He paused, trying to collect himself. He raked his fingers through his hair. "That day when you fell. It reminded me of that moment when Lady Edelgard was abducted, and how powerless I was to prevent it."

"You didn't want to go through that grief again," Byleth said softly.

"No," He replied quietly. "Though I remembered something earlier. I recalled the moment Lady Edelgard confronted me about our relationship. It was… the happiest I had ever seen her. After I decided to end it, she had never scolded me so fervently before." Gently, he placed his hand on hers from across the table. "And even after that – it changed nothing. I still would have gladly died in your place. A frightening thought."

She turned her palm to hold his hand in turn, placing her other on top of his.

"You know; a wise, drunkard of a woman once said to me, as she laid upon the grass like a creeping viper, that the only person I was punishing was myself."

"Ah, she sounds very wise indeed," Byleth smiled.

"And, she was also correct in saying that I couldn't have it both ways. And so... I have decided to ask her to marry me."

Byleth stammered the realisation of what he had just said sinking in. She quickly stood to her feet in shock, "What?! Don't you think it's a bit soon?"

"People marry for a lot less. Titles. Land. Crests. But they matter not to me." He stood with her, still having a firm grip on her hand. He moved over to her side, bringing her into a clutching embrace.

She buried her face into his shirt, feeling his intoxicating scent and warmth.

"You caught me off guard." She smiled, a cacophony of emotions running through her, unable to pin them down into a coherent thought.

He gently kissed her hair before pulling away slightly leaning his forehead against hers. "No need to answer me right away, think about it. It is my way of telling you I'm serious. I cannot guarantee I would make the best husband, but surely you're aware of that."

She felt a wave of desire inside, whatever she was feeling right now, she wanted more. She wanted to explore it and understand. She tilted her head upwards to kiss him. He responded instantly, bringing a hand through her hair and deepening the kiss. He held her so tight that she feared she'd lose breath, but she pushed closer into him nonetheless. It was as if the last few weeks of pent up frustration had suddenly erupted, they staggered backwards and he quickly caught her, picking her up and placing her on the table beside them.

Her head spun. Even though the wound at her side screamed with pain, her body willed him to continue. "Your chambers, or mine?" she whispered into his ear.

He quickly broke away from her, his face still close enough to feel his breath. He looked incredibly flustered, his raven black hair messy and his complexion reddening.

Before he could answer the sound of a war horn boomed over the monastery. They both stood immediately, knowing exactly what it meant.

"This only means one thing," Hubert said sullenly, keeping a firm hold of her hand.

"It couldn't be the Kingdom," Byleth mused desperately as they both moved towards the stairs. "The church must have finally decided to retake Garreg Mach."

"What perfect timing... I fear the goddess is mocking us."