A/N: My poor attempt of expanding the "what comes after" of BL route. It'll be fun trying to write about all of those wedding traditions Faerghians could have.
The basic of Byleth's power combo aside from Divine Pulse comes from MsBlueBell's discord. Thank you, everyone, for and especially ServerMom for allowing me to borrow this.
Updated 16/06/2020, Beta-ed by CuddleWuddlePug.
Chapter 1
The moon shines through the glass window. The air is pleasantly cold. All is quiet, and Dimitri knows if he looks outside, he could see how the moonlight illuminated Garreg Mach, silent and dark in its slumbering.
But, he can't look anywhere else except the woman standing in front of him. Clad in white silk, decorated with gold and jewelry, Byleth is everything that he sees as good and holy in this world. Strong, kind, beautiful, his savior, beloved, most precious treasure—there are not enough words to describe what she is to him.
It had all started this evening when he knocked on the door of the Archbishop's chambers, heart fluttering with excitement and anxiety.
Seteth was there, a strange look on his face as the older man looked at the king. His hand rested on Byleth's shoulder. His professor, when she turned to look at Dimitri, also had a worried frown that prompted him to quickly step forward.
"Professor, has something happened? What is it that bothers you?" Dimitri asked, but Byleth just shook her head.
"Nothing too serious. Seteth was just discussing some familial matter with me."
"Familial?" The king glanced at the other man, who just sighed.
"Well, if she's going to tell you everything then I suppose I should explain it first," Seteth starts. "Byleth is my family, Your Majesty, and I just suggested that she tell you everything before she does what she wants to do. This is something that could affect your whole life, after all."
"Family?" Dimitri didn't know Byleth had any other relatives besides Jeralt, but that could be left to a later time: Byleth first.
When he turned back to the woman he loved, Dimitri realized that the flower vase behind her was quivering. There were no winds in the room, and the blue and white flowers were curling into themselves as if to seek comfort.
Strange things have been happening around Byleth ever since that rainy day. Dimitri could still remember that night clearly—when his dearest took him into her room to comfort him, the flower vase next to her bed only a green bush of small leaves. Yet, the next day when he woke up in her arms, the container was filled with flowers in full bloom.
From that moment onward, the prince had noticed how the greenery around Byleth changed whenever she felt strong emotions. Trees and plants were more vibrant, flowers bloomed even in barren soil. The opposite would happen if she was worried or angered—leaves would drop down from their branches, losing strength and color, turning into a duller green and some even grey. It was subtle, but he had gotten so used to observing Byleth to spot how she was feeling under that stoic exterior. Even the weather seemed to be affected by her moods if they were severe enough, which he theorized was why there was rain that day.
He knew Byleth wasn't quite human, but he didn't care. He wanted to spend his life with her, wanted to give her a promise through this ring in his pocket and more than anything, he wanted to share everything with her. That was why he decided to speak up and give Byleth a way to open up about her trouble.
"Is there… something I can help you with?" asked the king.
"I…" Byleth hesitated and Dimitri knew right away this matter must be very serious for her to act as such. Her eyes flickered to the side before looking at him; lips curve into what's not quite a smile but close. "There is something—well, many things I want to tell you. Would it be okay for us to meet in the Goddess Tower, maybe near midnight?"
It was not possible for him to say "no" to her.
And here he is, pouring his heart out to her. He can't remember how he got to this topic despite the fact that he was supposed to be here to listen to her, but now, with his teacher waiting so patiently for him to finish and knowing that she would want honesty from him, Dimitri chooses to speak only the truth. He feels the words coming so easily with her gentle gaze upon him. It's as if he is confessing to the Goddess, but instead of just talking to thin air, Sothis is actually here to listen to him.
Byleth's eyes lit up at his words, the corners of her lips curling up just a fraction to reveal a gentle, loving expression. Oh Goddess, what he wouldn't do to have that smile for himself for all eternity…
"I believe in you, Dimitri. And I will do everything I can to help you."
He can do this, he can take the ring out now and say what he needs to say. Yet, somehow, the next thing coming from his mouth is, "Well, Your Grace, things will be busy from now on. Our first order of business is tomorrow's coronation. Once a professor and a student, now an archbishop and a king. How very far we have come."
"But our bond is still the same, Dimitri. Fate keeps testing us, but in the end, we're still staying side-by-side, are we not?" She reaches out to grab his forearm, and he curses himself for still wearing his armor, unable to feel her warmth.
"That is true." He takes her hand between his. This time, the thinner fabric of his gloves allows him to feel the softness and heat from her skin. "To me, you will always be the one who guided me so kindly."
My light…
"My ally through all."
My soul…
"My beloved..."
He stops. The word is so simple and yet it says it all.
"Yes," Dimitri smiles, even as his heart is beginning to speed up. "My beloved."
"Dimitri…" Byleth squeezes his hand, a strange glint appearing in her eyes.
"Listen." The prince swallows, his heart drumming too loud for his liking. "There is… something I wish to give you before the coronation."
Pulling out the ring, he gently places it into her palm, all the while, trying his best to control his shaking.
There are no words coming from her mouth, Byleth's eyes simply widen as she stares at his gift to her.
She stares…
…Until tears slip out of her eyes, dropping down like shimmering pearls.
This is too much. He can't believe he has the guts to ask her something so outrageous that it made her cry. The ghosts, which he had ignored until now as they had been silent the whole time, moan and scream from the darkest corners of the mental chamber they reside in.
Disgusting!
How dare you! How dare you ask so much from her!?
You don't deserve this. You should've stayed silent!
Sweat poured out, leaving his body too cold and his head too hot. Dimitri steels himself, mentally chanting in his mind that they're not real, that there is something much more important now than some figments of his delusion.
"Please, I beg of you. Say something." The thundering in his chest is now so loud that it almost drowns out all else. Yet somehow he still manages to talk. "If you do not wish to accept it, please just tell me. If so, I will face the truth and walk away."
"That's not it at all," Byleth sniffles before procuring an object from one of her pockets.
A ring.
A silver ring with petals and colorful gems.
Is he dreaming? Has his heart burst open from anxiety and this is his dying dream?
He breathes in sharply, "W-what is this?!"
Please, don't let this be a dream!
"I love you, Dimitri. I've wanted to ask you for a while now…"
The ghosts stop. The whole world freezes.
This has to be a dream but instead of dying from fear, he is being killed by ecstasy. Yet he knows that this is not an illusion because he would never imagine Byleth crying like this.
Quickly removing his gloves, the prince extends his hands. One reaches under to cup the back of Byleth's hand and the other curls around the ring in her palm. She is warm, so warm and soft, and the feel and weight of the jewelry is as real as the way its sharp petals dig into his skin.
This is real!
Real!
She told him that she loves him. Him. Dimitri the beast, Dimitri the wretched thing that has hurt her one too many times.
If religious experiences are real, then this is it. Barely concealing his joy, the blond man attempt to pull his goddess toward him. "I see, then let's exchange—"
—only to meet with resistance from her.
"Byleth?"
"There is something I must tell you before we do this." There is a nervousness that he has never seen on her face before as she speaks. "And I'll understand if you want to take back your proposal."
"My love." At the endearment, Byleth flinches. Her eyes avert to the side as he asks, "What could possibly be the reason for me to do that? There is nothing in this world that could make me hate you."
She sighs, arms drop to her sides as she straightens up. "Dimitri, have you ever wondered why I can always predict the flow of all the battles we went through? Have you ever found it strange that I always managed to save you and everyone else right at the moment where it should have been a fatal blow?"
He nods. "I have. Your ability to foresee our enemies' movements is absolutely uncanny. I think, and do forgive me, it feels almost abnormal that our entire class could survive this war considered how many times Edelgard almost cornered us."
She looks somewhat tired with a frown on her face. "It is abnormal. This power… it goes against the laws of nature, Dimitri, this ability to stop and rewind time."
It takes him a few seconds to fully register her words. Yet somehow all he says is, "That… was the gift from the Goddess's blessing?"
She gives him a resigned smile. "Yes, I suppose it was a gift but I have it long before that day. I obtain it on the day we first met; that moment when I saved Edelgard."
"Oh…"
Suddenly, there are light winds entering the chamber. The invisible air currents spin around Byleth, making her overcoat flutter like butterflies' wings. "When I was in the Void, I didn't just receive Sothis's blessing."
Her hair starts to glow.
"Dimitri, I was never supposed to be alive in the first place. The only reason I stand here is because my mother wished to save me and my grandmother obliged her last request."
Light is now covering her body, shining brightly in the previously dark room. Dimitri instinctively covers his eyes with his arms but still attempts to catch a glimpse of Byleth.
The Crest between his shoulder blades throbs. It's resonating with something and he can feel power swirling through the air.
"Byleth!" He screams.
The winds soon die down and the light quickly follows, fading until it's just a dim glow. The power remains, even if it had been subdued into a single focal point—Byleth.
Dimitri can only stare, his mouth opened as his arms fall to his sides. His throat closes at the sight before him.
Gone is her usual black outfit, his beloved now clad in a dress of the royal blue. Her whole body is decorated in gold pieces: the crown on her head, the golden strings wrapping around her upper torso to hold up the medallions, and the anklets that cling to her. The ribbons braid into her hair and the ones tied around her wrists float gently in the air. Sparkles of light dance around her, everything on her person helping to accentuate her beauty ten folds.
Am I seeing a goddess…?
Abruptly, Dimitri realizes he has seen her like this before—twice, in fact. The first time was when she cut out an opening in the sky to return to him. The light had been so blinding that he couldn't quite see everything, but for a moment, he recognized she was wearing something completely different than her usual outfit. But, when the light faded away, there was no blue dress or golden crown. Dimitri had thought his imagination was simply acting up.
The second time was when the two were fighting Edelgard's monstrous form. As the two of them running around the room to flank his stepsister, magic and energy projectiles were bouncing in the air by several attacks from Byleth, giving him an opening to the Emperor. Most of his focus was on El, but in his peripheral vision, he once again noticed the clothing on Byleth was flickering between dark grey to blue and gold. And, she was moving almost as if she was floating instead of running.
Dimitri absentmindedly recalls, his eyes continue to glue themselves to the celestial being in front of him. She is, without a doubt, the most beautiful woman he has ever seen, and he has seen many, many beauties throughout his life; he is a prince after all. This is not just his love for her speaking but his conclusion as a man. She is perfect, and the only things that mar her features is the sadness and tears that gather in the corners of her eyes.
"Byleth, why are you crying?" Dimitri whispers in a shaky voice, his hand reaching out to cup her cheek but she evades his touch. "Please, don't cry. Please, whatever that I did wrong, please tell me, but don't cry. Please."
"No." She chokes. Her feet finally touch the floor as the light disappears, the ribbons dropping to her sides. "It's not your fault. Never your fault. But I-I… That day, in the void, I merged with Sothis. It gave me immense power to do the impossible and escape that place to return to you.
"But even with all of these powers, even if I received all of Sothis's power, I still left you to suffer for 5 years. I failed to save Father, I failed to save Rodrigue, but most of all I failed to save you!"
Once again, his mind comes to a standstill, trying to absorb what she just revealed to him.
Byleth merged with The Creator? Received all of her power? Does that make her a goddess—no, the new goddess herself?
The Beginning. The Progenitor God. The Goddess.
The power to rewind time, the strength that could fight any enemy for far longer than most humans, a body that heals too quick for a human, the unearthly beauty...
Everything makes so much sense now and he doesn't know how to react. What could he say?
Should he knee before? No, Byleth will not accept it.
Should he smile and say he doesn't care? That would be a lie for it does affect him and his view of the world.
Should he ask if he could do anything for her? But what could a beast like him do for a goddess?
Then his mind finally gets to the most important part Byleth has said.
"Beloved, what are you talking about? How could you be at fault for anything?"
He gives her a gentle smile. He would love to hold her hands and give her all the physical reassurance that she needs but he has an inkling that would only agitate her. "How could anything be your fault? If anything, things went so well because you were there. Your father, Rodrigue, and what happened to me were things outside of your control."
"I can rewind time, Dimitri." Byleth shakes her head. "With such power, I should have done better. I was weak, and even after Sothis merged with me, I remained weak.
"When Kronya attacked Father, I tried to rewind time again, and again with my meager reservation. Each and every time I turned back, I failed to protect him. Eventually, I ran out of power to do so. Sothis said maybe it was fate, but it was obvious that I was too weak to keep going until I found the right path."
She holds her hands up and fire dances between her fingers.
"The same thing happened to you, too. After the void, I gained more control over my power, my magics are far more powerful and I can last longer on the battlefields. Best of all, I discovered that I can rewind the events twice as much as I had before. I was happy, arrogant even, knowing that I could now ensure the safety of my students. That why I was so reckless to help Rhea, I thought I could just return if something went wrong!"
She pauses to release a sigh before continuing, "I woke up to find I've missed 5 years. When I found you, I tried to rewind everything only to discover that I couldn't. The farthest I could get back was right after I woke up. I was useless, and you were stuck with years of pain that shouldn't have happened had I been stronger and more careful for you."
"Enough!" Dimitri raises his voice, stepping forward and pulling Byleth towards him with his hands encircling her wrists. "Stop blaming yourself. The fault was never yours. No one could blame you for anything that had happened. Goddess or not, you are still one person, and no one can control everything."
Guilt washes over her face. The tears that had been gathering in her eyes are now droplets that wet her red cheeks. Her lips press into a thin line before opening hesitantly, "I can't control everything, maybe, but Rodrigue, I could have saved him, Dimitri. I could, but I let him die! I tried to save both of you but after the tenth time, I knew that it was either you or him, and I chose you. I let him, a good man and a father, die so you could live. Not because I was thinking about Faerghus or Fodland, but because I love you too much to let you go!"
The mention of his father figure hurt, but what was even more painful than that is the anguish in her voice and eyes. The prince yanks the goddess into his arms, his embrace tightening around her.
Stroking her hair, he murmurs. "Byleth, you may be able to rewind time but it was Rodrigue who chose his fate, not you. You had no control over his will. Remember what you said to me? You said that it was his choice—he had even said the same thing—and that I shouldn't let it hold me back, you told me I should live for myself. But my dearest love…"
He pulls Byleth back just enough to frame her face in his palms. "You are such a hypocrite. You told me all those things and yet here you are, letting your guilt burden your soul, even though you have done so much for us, more than what we could ask of you.
"Tell me, my love. How many times have you seen us die? How many times have you turned back time to save us?"
The pain and fear in her eyes is apparent, and so is the way her voice chokes when she answers, "I don't know, I… I lost count. It happened so many times I can't remember them all. But I do try to remember as much as I can."
The prince's jaw tightens as his heart aches at the revelation. To think that Byleth had to go through all of that all alone. He cannot imagine what would it be like for her to constantly watching them die…
Then something hits him—Byleth has endured his abuse for much longer than he thought. Every time she suddenly changed strategy, he would ignore her and charge forward like a rabid animal. Each time, she would try to stop him, only for him to throw insults and shoved her aside, yet Byleth kept persisting until he eventually slowed down to listen to her.
If, from his perspective, it took her that long to get to him, then how long was it to her? How many times had he hurt her with his words and actions?
Even after all of that, she still finds it in herself to love him? Enough to want to propose to him?
What has a wretch like him has done to deserve something so holy? Just what is it, in this filthy beast, that loves him so much?
The ghosts agree with him with their cries and laughter.
Yes, you are unworthy. Let go of her and beg for forgiveness!
You truly are a disgusting monster. How dare you think of tainting Her Divine!
You think you deserve this. You? A worthless failure who couldn't even save us?
If this was a month ago, he would succumb to the noises and beg, but not this time. Not now.
Not when he realizes how much he is loved.
He cannot stop his tears or the sobs that come from his mouth. His chest is going to burst from sorrow and happiness—of being loved by the one he loves, but also being her source of sadness. The two conflicting emotions coil around his heart, squeezing and burning it like fire. His head spins from the sheer emotional whiplash.
Warm fingers slide up his cheeks, wiping away the hot tears. Byleth's eyes, just as full of emotions as the night she saved his soul, never leave his face. "You're crying again… What can I do to make you happy?"
Dimitri presses Byleth even closer to his body. His forehead touches hers as he gazes deep into her green eyes. "These tears are for you. You needn't do anything, my beloved. You've endured countless pains for us, and yet never once asked for anything for yourself. Even if I could live for hundreds of years, I would never be able to repay it. That's why you should be more selfish, Byleth, because you deserve it."
"Truly? Do I, do I have the right to?" Her eyes widen. Once again, he curses himself for all the abuse he put upon her that has made her lose so much faith in herself.
"Of course. Do you remember asking me what you can do to make me happy? I want nothing more than to see your smile. To know that you are unburdened and free is my joy. I am happy when you are happy."
A quiet sniffle comes out first, then several sobs. And just like that, Byleth cries.
The sobbing sounds fill his ears, but instead of cries of despair and agony like the day Jeralt died, they are the sounds of relief. Her tears wet his hands and shoulder when he tucks her head into the crook of his neck. Her nails dig into his skin.
Dimitri continues to embrace his beloved as his lips never stop murmuring words of comfort and love. He sways her gently, rocking back and forth while she curls deeper into his much bigger body.
When her tears finally subside, Byleth looks up to him. Her eyes are red and somewhat puffy, but she remains radiant in the moonlight that slips through the thick clouds above. Her lips curl up into a tender smile and say, "I am happy when you are too, my Dimitri."
His mouth opens before he could think, "I love you. Marry me, my love?"
She laughs between short bursts of sobs. "Yes! Yes! A thousand time yes! Please let me stay with you forever!"
Laughter of joy echoes in the dark room. Dimitri holds up the love of his life to spin her around, the clouds parting to reveal the brilliant moon that seems to share their happiness.
Dimitri's head is dizzy from the sheer excitement and bliss. He could tell that this is real, with the weight of Byleth in his arms and the warmth of her arms around his neck but, oh, this feels like a dream! He has dreamed of this so many times only for it to turn into nightmares, but even in his most beautiful illusions, he had never dreamed of Byleth laughing in his arm with sounds that chime like the clearest bells while her eyes twinkle like the stars.
Placing Byleth down, he grins, "Let's exchange our rings then, shall we?" To which Byleth answers with a nod and shyly extending her left hand.
This time, he doesn't shake when he holds out his ring, which he has somehow managed to hold onto without dropping this whole time. With the gentlest movements, the prince slips his promise onto Byleth's small finger. Once he's finished, she grabs onto his hand with both of hers.
Byleth, oh dearest Byleth. She removes his glove and strokes his knuckles lovingly before reaching for the right finger. The ring slides pass his bony joints to settle at the end, and yet his Goddess doesn't let go.
No, she brings it to her soft lips and tenderly kisses each knuckle of every finger before pressing his hand against her sternum, their fingers interlock. Byleth then reaches out to cup his face with her other hand.
On his part, Dimitri carefully takes Byleth's right hand into his. It's only then that he realizes how his palm could easily cover all of her fingers, knuckles, and more.
So small…
The prince rubs against the rough skin on her thin fingers. It's strange, these callouses are the proof of years Byleth's spent holding a weapon, and yet there are no obvious scars, only a few thin, faded lines that look more like they came from light scratches. There is no evidence of broken and mended bones either. She indeed heals faster than even crest-bearers, Dimitri notes absentmindedly as he tries to memorize her hands.
"Your hands… Now that I hold them in my own, I see how small and fragile they are." He murmurs, fingers squeezing tight around hers. "These hands that have saved me countless times…"
The scarred man looks straight at his goddess to wash away all doubts that still linger.
She loves him, that is the truth, and right now, his joy-addled mind can only find a few simple words to give her. "Thank you, my beloved. You kind, warm hands… May they cling to my own forevermore."
Byleth remains mute, but her affection for him is as clear as day in those green orbs. Unable to contain himself any longer, the blond-haired man leans down, and pushes his lips against hers with his eyes closed…
BOP!
...Only for their noses to collide for he doesn't tilt his head enough and neither did she.
"I'm so sorry! Does it hurt? Are you bleeding?!" Dimitri exclaims, his hands hovering over her head but not daring to touch. He panics when he sees Byleth's holding her nose.
"No, not at all. I was just surprised!" She makes a sound that's akin to a giggle. When she removes her hand, the prince can see her nose is only slightly red, much to his relief. "I'm sorry, too. This is my first time doing this..."
"I understand! This also will be my first kiss!" He blurts out without thinking, again, then stares dumbfound at Byleth.
The two of them stare at each other until they both burst into embarrassed laughter. Scratching his head, Dimitri focuses on the fact that he's made Byleth laugh. Well, not quite the kind of laughter Annette or Sylvain would have, as it's more of a chuckle, but since it's his Byleth, this is a big step!
The blond wants to redo his attempt of kissing her, but remains hesitant. Lucky for him, Byleth seems to sense his timidity. Her mouth splits into a big grin as she asks, "Do you want to try again?"
"O-of cour—I mean, yes, please!" He sucks in a deep breath while his hands grab her shoulders.
Just like before, he leans down while she reaches up, but this time, the couple keep their eyes open and move slow enough for their lips to find each other properly.
Soft…
It's the first thing in Dimitri's mind. He moves gently against her, marveling at the smooth and warm texture. Her hot breaths fan his face as the prince pulls her small body into his embrace once more. The gentle scent of lily and rose fills his nose.
Their movements are clumsy at first—not quite sure about the angles, not familiar with how the other moves, somewhat shy and not sure if they should demand more. But, there is a heat that blossoms in their chests that ask for the kiss to be longer.
It lasts long enough until the two run out of breath. Reluctantly, they part, but still hold on.
Byleth swallows, a red flush on her cheeks. "I… Once more?" whispers the Goddess.
"Yes. Just one more." He nods with a smile.
The second kiss comes and goes, followed by another. Then another one. And another. Each stronger and hungrier than the last as they both get bolder.
It's like time is slowing down, allowing only him and her to move for one purpose.
Dimitri can't stop. It feels too good to kiss her. It feels too right to have her in his arms. He wishes—no, he wants to keep her with him like this, never letting go. He wants to take Byleth into his body and merge into a single being. Goddess or not, he will protect her until the end of time and they will never be parted.
Yes, they will become one.
He will become one with Byleth.
All he needs to do is to kiss her deeper.
Hold onto her tighter.
And have her here and now. Make a claim on her, making sure that when morning comes, no one else can ever touch her.
Spurn on by his greed, Dimitri deepens the kiss. His fingers dig into the back of her head and the bare skin of her forearm. He is clumsy and brutish, but he will be gentle. And he will be patient. He will make her feel good. He will make her happy… He will… he will…
Byleth leaves his lips, a gentle sigh escaping from her. Her face is radiating with bliss and contentment, dusked over with a lovely pink shade. She looks happy, too happy for him to…
Exhaling, Dimitri presses his forehead against Byleth's. He hums, partly to calm beast in him, but also out of the unexpected calmness that fills the more rational part of his mind.
The prince cups her face again. He feels the hot skin beneath his calloused fingers, sees the eyes that look at him with love, and whispers against the mouth that would curl upward for him. He will not ruin this moment just to satisfy his desire. He had waited for more than 6 years, he can wait a little longer.
Yes, Dimitri will wait. He will do right by her. He will perform all the Faerghus traditions that would need to claim Byleth as his wife. At this current state, they're technically only half-engaged and will only be considered fully betrothed if they both pass all the tests. For a few hundred years now, the kings before him have long settled for the easier version that, while costly, would reduce their time and personal effort—either citing the need to give more time to rule or claimed that the old ways were for the common men who lacked material means to prove their ability to provide for their brides.
The only recent kings whom Dimitri knows had performed the rites were the father of his great grandfather, who wanted to prove his love to a minor noble's daughter. The other king being Lambert, Dimitri's father, who went through the trials for his biological mother, queen Emilia.
Patricia didn't get the same treatment—mostly because Lambert had wanted to speed up the wedding to give her proper status and protection within the Faerghus court as soon as possible. Being a foreign woman, she wasn't meant to be public knowledge.
Byleth will not be treated so poorly, though. He will court her properly and give her everything that she deserves.
"What's on your mind, Dimitri?" Byleth inquires.
"I was just wondering, would you want us to announce our engagement tomorrow during the ball? Or any other time you want. As long as I have you by my side, I'm happy." He smiles.
Byleth thinks for a bit before nodding. "Tomorrow is good. But there is something else, isn't there?" She tilts her head to a side and gives him the 'Professor' look.
"Ah, well, I was just pondering what I should hunt for you as one of the courting gifts." He coughs before asking bashfully, feeling a little sheepish at his eagerness, "If you want to, of cour—I mean, would you like me to court you in the old way of Faerghus?"
"I'd love that," Byleth says quickly. She then gives him a shy smile. "I… have read about how Faerghians marry and celebrate… I'd love to do it with you. I don't know much about wine or cheese making, but I promise I'll do my best to prepare them for your quest."
Dimitri's chest once again tightens and grows hot from emotions. To think that Byleth has gone out of her way to research about his country to propose to him… Is she planning to kill him with happiness?
Dimitri attempts to get another kiss, but something catches his attention from the corner of his eye. Byleth seems to notice the same thing because she turns her head to look down at the valley below.
The village suddenly lights up with several bright fires. Dimitri hears voices singing in the distance.
"Have we been up here that long?" Dimitri mumbles, feeling a bit surprised and somewhat disappointed to know that he needs to go back to his room soon. If lights and prayers have already begun, it means that they're around the first hour after midnight—where the procession for a Faerghus coronation begins.
The outer walls of the monastery soon wake up from the night's darkness. Torches and candles are lit and carried around. Hymns and prayers echo from the main cathedral. All are blessing for the future king of this continent.
Dimitri's lips press into a thin line. He doesn't want to leave her but he needs to be present in his room at least two hours before sunrise. And yet… there are still many things he wants to tell Byleth, things that he wants to ask. This is still too new for him and he doesn't have enough patience to wait for another chance to be alone with her like this. He can stay just a little longer and…
"You should go back and get some sleep," Byleth's voice is very quiet. If it's someone who doesn't know her, they would say that she sounds cold and business-like. But Dimitri knows better, there is a slight draw in it that appears every time she is disappointed by something.
Indeed, looking at her face the prince can see how her eyes cast downward with a slight furrow of her brow. A small satisfied feeling comes to him at the realization and he cannot help but be glad that she wants to prolong this moment with him, too.
Cradling Byleth's beautiful face in his hands, Dimitri suggests, "Even if we have to end this here, I cannot stand not being with you for long. I'm so sorry for being so selfish. But, will you… will you meet me again tomorrow? Here, at the same time?"
His beloved let out a relieved sound before giving him a sweet, wistful smile. "Yes, I wish nothing more than that. I'll be waiting for you here."
They share one last kiss. It's a short one, full of hunger and passion but they still part from one another, knowing that if they try to delay this any longer the two of them will cross a line.
"You should go first. It's my part of the chant now, I will distract them for you." Byleth gives his bang a light sweep that reminds him of the way she used to ruffle his hair back when they were still teacher and student.
Dimitri nods. Reluctantly, he steps away from Byleth. Their hands linger on each other until he is too far away. Their fingertips part and hover in thin air, still reaching out for the warmth they crave.
As the prince reaches the stairs, he looks back once last time to see Byleth still watching him. Under the moonlight, her body shimmers, dissolving into hundreds of small sparks that, once disappeared, leave behind Byleth cladd in her trademark mercenary clothes.
His beloved continues to watch as he descends, and when he's finally far enough to no longer see her, he hears a sweet voice singing.
"Sing we the king who is coming to reign,
Glory to the Lion King, the ruler of this land;
Righteousness, peace then his kingdom shall bring,
Joy to the nations when the Lion King comes in glory.
Come let us sing: Praise to our king,
Goddess blessed him, our great Lion King…"
The blond man blushes. His red face heats up against the cold air. His betrothed is singing for him. To think someone like him could receive so many blessings in a single night—
A strangled laugh almost escapes his lips, but Dimitri holds it in as he sneaks around a pair of praying priests.
His giddiness keeps threatening to overtake his brain, but somehow, the soon-to-be king manages to arrive back to his room. His body going through the motions of undressing and preparing himself for bed while his mind continues to replay the whole scene in his head.
Byleth. Byleth. Byleth. Byleth. Byleth.
His heart chants as he lay in bed, eye glued to the ring on his finger. This treasure is real, just as the sensation of her lips on his, or the heat around his back then when she wrapped her arms around him. All was quiet, even the ghosts, and he enjoys the stillness of the room. No phantoms, no sneers and curses, no cries; just a man and his wonderful memory of a promise.
Tears flow out between joyous sobs while Dimitri forces himself to fully settle into his pillow. He needs to sleep and he knows that this time, there'll be no nightmare because Byleth will be there for him. He can already see it, the love of his life pressing his head against her…
Suddenly, Dimitri recalls the image of Byleth standing in her divine outfit, showing off her very gifted body.
Oh no! Stop!
That doesn't work. Instead, his brain shows him a full view of Byleth's cleavage, then zooming out to display her very generous assets. Oh Goddess, why does her divine clothing have to be that revealing!
Stop it!
Still doesn't help. His traitorous mind is now giving him a slow pan from her chest down to her shapely legs cover by sheer dark silk. This leads to him imagine how it'd feel to have those legs wrapped around his waist.
No. No, you beast, you have no right—
Now he's seeing Byleth pressing herself against his front with her reaching for him, her hand wandering somewhere down below.
Think. Anything. Right. Ingrid on top of Sylvain that time in the sauna with that thing between them.
Now comes the image of Byleth above him with a similar toy between her breasts.
No. Abort. Abort! Think about Alois's bare bottom when he fell headfirst in the communal bathroom. Damn it, it's not working!
Dimitri whimpers. He turns and tosses around in bed, desperately trying to find a way to sleep and not indulge in his desires.
Byleth will be the death of him…
xxXxx
Gustave arrives at His Majesty's door along with Dedue. The sun hasn't risen since the main clock has only chimed 4 times moments ago, but the preparations must start now. He had been running between the halls with the Duscan, gathering all the necessities for their liege to begin his ceremony. The two of them haven't had a chance to check the outside, but he has great trust the staff of the monastery already has everything laid out.
Nodding to his king's other attendant, the knight knocks on the door three times. No response from the other side so he knocks again and slowly, there are rustling and grunting sounds.
"Come in." The permission comes out with a groan.
Dedue opens the door for Gustave to carry the tray in. They both see their king sitting on the edge of his bed. Prince Dimitri looks at them as he struggles to smile, but it's clear that he didn't get decent rest with the dark bags under his eye.
"Nightmare, Your Majesty?" Dedue asks.
"No, I just couldn't get a full night's sleep. I was… too excited," the king replies sheepishly with his left-hand carding through his long hair. That allows the two standing men to see a ring on his finger, which definitely wasn't there the night before.
"Ah, I take it that you've succeeded?" Gustave smiles with the pride of a parent.
When Dimitri nods with an almost dreamy look on his face, Gustave has to voice his approval, "My congratulation, Your Highness."
Lady Byleth will make Dimitri a good ruler, for that he can be certain. More than that, she will make him happy, just as she did back when they were still student and teacher.
Looking at King Dimitri now, it's almost like he's seeing His Majesty Lambert again. He wears the same face the good king announced when he had successfully proposed to queen Emilia. Gustave then adds, "Will you perchance announce your engagement during the ball this evening?"
"Hm, no. Both of us agreed that we need a little time for me to settle in my role first. Not long, just a month or maybe less. Not to mention, I shall take on the old rites, so we need some planning to assign roles before the announcement." Dimitri explains before sitting straighter. "Dedue, Gustave, would you want to a part of my groomsmen? Traditions dictate that I must have men my age to assist me in my journey and an older, married man to act as my guide."
"Of course. That would be a great joy for me, my King." The Duscan dips his head in a slight bow.
Meanwhile, Gustave's mouth grins even wider than he thought he could. It's been years since the last time he'd seen a proper wedding. He can still remember that day when king Lambert presented the furs that Gustave and Rodrigue had meticulously helped preparing to his future wife. To think that he would live long enough to witness it again, and even be invited to be apart of His Majesty's entourage!
The knight bows gracefully. "Certainly, my liege. I would be honored."
"My gratitude to you both. Also, Byleth and I have agreed to announce our engagement during the ball tonight. There will definitely a lot of people to keep us busy for the rest of the night, but…" A blush appears on the prince's face. "I wish to spend more time with my betrothed. Will you two help me? I know Sylvain will certainly try to get us alone but I want to be sure."
Dedue looks at Gustave and both men smile. Together, they nod. "Certainly, Dimitri."
The three share a comfortable silence for a moment. The knight then holds out a towel from the stack he's carrying. "Are you ready, my liege? The priests will be here soon for your purifying ceremony."
"Yes, let's get started then." His king stands up and takes the towel.
The whole event goes without a hitch and prince Dimitri is finally ready. Goddess bless him, Gustave cannot help but be moved at the sight in front of him.
Dressed in a ceremonial uniform that can only be fit for a king, hair tied up into a half ponytail with scented oil, nails clean and shiny against rugged scars on his hands—his king is standing tall, regal, and radiating power with a strong and clear look in his eye. Oh, if only King Lambert could see this.
The priests open the door for King Dimitri with Dedue and Gustave, along with the servants in tow. Outside, the first ray of the sun is peeking out from between the mountains on the horizon. The sunlight touches the wall and floor of the long loggia.
It is then that they all hear astonished cries down below.
The servants walking together with the priests, run to the rails to see when they too cry out in surprise.
"What's going on?" Gustave inquires.
The bishop just shakes his head. "You must see this for yourself, my lord, Your Majesty."
The king, with their attendants, comes to the rails and peek down. For once, Gustave and Dedue's jaws actually drop in awe.
The entire ground of the church is covered in flowers. The plants and tree that were once dull and depressing before are now thriving with a vibrant green.
From the water to the grasses, to the bushes and tree branches, all are cloaked in a variety of colors and shades. All petals open at full bloom—even the ones of the wrong seasons. They're swaying gently in the cold morning wind that carries their heavenly fragrances across the whole monastery. Thousands of petals fly in the air, almost as if to rain down blessings from the Goddess herself.
Or perhaps this is a miracle from Sothis because Gustave knows that this cannot happen overnight. Just more evidence that the Goddess is watching over his king.
The monastery staffs certainly thinks the same too, because all of them on their knees, praying and crying at the sky.
"It's a miracle! A blessing!"
"The Goddess has bestowed her favor upon the king!"
"Long live King Dimitri, Second Chosen of the Goddess!"
"Long live the king! Long live the King!"
"Oh my," Gustave mumbles. The king dislikes this sort of attention but it seems that he will have to face even more than they anticipated. The knight turns to reassure Dimitri, "My king, it's—"
The look on King Dimitri's face catches the older man off guard, Dedue also appears to be perplexed by it. The king… He does not look surprised. In awe, yes, but not astonishment. Somehow, there is that dreamy smile that he always has whenever he thinks of Lady Byleth.
Dimitri's attention then turns to a different source. Gustave follows his gaze and sees the Archbishop standing on the loggia across the courtyard. She has changed into her formal outfit, her face as stoic as always, as if she isn't witnessing a miracle.
Yet, if one looks closer and knows her better, they would see that she is watching the king—no, her intended, with tenderness.
The couple stares at one other for a while before Seteth ushers her to leave. When she does so, the Archbishop does not bother to hide the longing in her eyes.
A single tear slips out from the king's eye.
"Your Majesty," Gustave hesitantly starts, not quite sure how to interpret this emotion from his lord.
"You will see her soon." Dedue offers, but their king just shakes his head.
"No, it's not that. It's just…" Dimitri wipes at the wetness on his cheek. He pauses for a moment before lifting his head to look straight at both men.
"Dedue, Gustave, I've always thought that the Goddess simply watches over this world, or that we don't have the ability to reach them, but…" His sigh comes with an almost blinding smile. "I'm glad, my friends, that I was wrong. The Goddess was always there with me from the beginning; she has reached out for me countless times but I was just too blinded by my own despair to see it."
Dimitri caresses the flower ring on his finger, his smile widening in the bright sunlight. "I've been blessed to be the happiest man in this world because even though I'm just a wretched beast, I am loved by the Goddess."
