Night had fallen over Fhirdiad. The darkness should have brought about tiredness and the will to sleep, though tonight that had all been staved off by the restlessness that plagued him. He would have set out to leave the capital even after dark, had the king not insisted he stay another night to ensure his full recovery.

As the order had come from his Majesty, he would abide. Still, the wait was killing him. His heart had already set out for Garreg Mach. Now, it was just his body that was left behind.

Dedue was in his quarters—a small little room tucked away in a far off wing of the palace. Still, it was leagues better than the cramped, privacy-less bunker for the on-duty knights and squires.

The top drawer of his dresser was open, though his hands hesitated on the drawer's edge. Inside were bits and bobs arranged neatly—some he needed for everyday use, like his shaving blade, and some were trinkets he had held onto throughout his years out of nostalgia. Of course, with Dedue not being very materialistic, the latter were few in number. But there was one thing among those now that had found its place on the forefront of his attention. Though his eyes were glued to it, it remained hidden in plain view beneath the old cloth it was wrapped in.

His father had been the blacksmith for their village in Duscur. Unlike the one in the marketplace outside of Garreg Mach, his father made very few weapons. At the time, the need had never been great enough. Instead, his father had made his trade forging horseshoes and various tools. He had, at first, expected his son to pick up the trade after him. However, it eventually became evident that Dedue's heart wasn't set on smithing. And he considered himself truly blessed by the gods that his father accepted that with such grace.

"You've a strong mind, so you don't need to rely on your hands," his father had once told him. "If you work hard, make yourself known, maybe you'll find work in Fhirdiad. Imagine that—my son, the Duscur ambassador for the Kingdom!"

"What of the shop?" Dedue asked.

"It still has me, doesn't it? And one of these days, I'll take on an apprentice. Plus, if he proves to be a fine young man, perhaps he'll make a suitable husband for Alinah."

"Perhaps. She deserves only the best."

"I'm right there with you, Son. And speaking of marriage…" His father motioned for Dedue to follow. They went to the back of the workshop. There, his father produced a key and opened the lockbox that usually held the shop's earnings. Dedue watched as his father reached in and took out a small object wrapped in cloth.

"A miner gave me the gem in exchange for the repair of his pickaxe," he said as he held the cloth in his flattened hand and delicately unwrapped it with the other. "I thought it a fine centerpiece, so I bought the silver myself."

The last fold of cloth was lifted away to reveal a ring. The fire of the forge reflected brilliantly from it. A simple design ran around the ring's circumference, wrapping gently around a small green gem set within the center. "It's nothing fancy, but holds all the elements of home. I hope you'll appreciate it, and I hope your future bride does too."

"My…!"

"It's still early days, my son, but I wanted to give this to you to hold onto. And when you find her, I hope she's the kind who isn't afraid to call you out and set you straight, like your mother does to me." His father laughed. Dedue was silent, still embarrassed at the idea of marriage.

If he was being completely honest, his thoughts had immediately gone to the girl that lived further up the road. But his feelings then had been nothing more than that of whimsical childishness. It could hardly be described as love like the one that he would feel later—beautiful and unbearable.

The ring disappeared back within the cloth. His father tied a piece of twine around it to keep the wrappings secure. Then, he held it out for Dedue to take.

It was in his hand now. Time had bleached the color out of the cloth and worn the edges threadbare. As he shifted it between his fingers, Dedue could feel the small, hard object within.

This had been one of the few things he had taken from Duscur with him. The elements of home, his father had once told him.

I never became the ambassador you wanted, Father, nor did I ever achieve peace for our country. But… I think with her, I can. At the very least, I'll finally find happiness and… and I hope that's what you would have wanted for me.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Dedue quickly placed the cloth back into the drawer and pushed it close. Who could it be at this hour? "Come in."

The door opened slowly. It took a while for the young woman standing outside to finally come into view. "I… I am sorry if I woke you. I just came by to check on how you were doing."

That was a very familiar voice indeed, and what was more familiar was the way her eyes stayed timidly on the floor. Dedue admittedly didn't know much else about her, especially given that she'd been part of a different house during their academy days. Despite that, he recalled that she and Dimitri had shared conversations on a few occasions.

"I am fine, thank you. Although I must admit I am a little surprised to see you here. I thought you returned to Margrave Edmund's territory after the war."

"I did… for a while," the young woman replied. "But I was called here to Fhirdiad."

"May I ask why?"

"Well… because of you."

"Me?"

"His Majesty sent for me after you were wounded. He told me he needed my help to heal you."

"I… see." He recalled that this one had been a talented healer in her house. "So you were among those who tirelessly allowed me to recover. I cannot begin to express my gratitude."

"There's no need, really." He saw those eyes lift to briefly meet his. The smallest of smiles flickered on her face before her gaze quickly dipped back down like a rabbit fleeing to the brush. "I'm glad to see you finally well. During those days when you wouldn't wake, I never saw Dimitri look more distraught. He really cares for you and… well, I'm just happy to see both of you doing so much better."

Dedue watched her as she spoke. There was something in her voice, the look on her face, that told him she was feeling more than happiness. And she was on first name terms with the king. Perhaps there had been an ulterior motive behind his call for her aid.

"Your Highness, you seem to be in a good mood today."

"Hm? Oh, well…"

"Have you spoken to that girl? The one with the blue braids."

"Marianne? Well… yes, I have. Was it that obvious?"

"Pardon the intrusion. I am just glad to see you happy."

"Marianne, was it?"

Startled, the young woman looked up again. "Y-yes. You remember me?"

"His Majesty used to speak fondly of you." He smiled, hoping it didn't show any of his sadness. "You'll take care of him for me when I'm gone, won't you?"

"Oh!" Marianne's eyes widened. "Are you leaving?"

"I have resigned from his Majesty's service. Tomorrow, I will depart from Fhirdiad."

"Where are you going?"

"I am not so sure myself." But I will know once I have reached the top of the tower and said what needs to be said.

The next morning, he took Cerro out of the palace stables for the last time. The knights there bid him their farewells and wished him luck. He accepted their well-wishing with stoic nods. At the gate, Dimitri was waiting for extended a hand out, only meaning to shake his. The king, however, had other plans. Dedue suddenly found himself being pulled into a tight hug.

"We have seen each other through the worst times of our lives and celebrated our greatest victories together. While it saddens me to see us part ways, I cannot express how proud I am of you. I will not say goodbye, my friend, but thank you. Until we meet again further down the road, however long it may take."

Dedue had always been one to hide away his emotions, but there was no way he could've suppressed the tears that welled up in his eyes. And when they spilled down his cheeks, they felt warm. "Your Majesty… Dimitri… Thank you, for everything."

"Give the archbishop my regards." They parted from the embrace, and Dimitri gave a dip of his head. "Safe travels, Dedue."

The road from the capital to Garreg Mach was one he had not taken since the archbishop's enthronement. As it was now Lone Moon, the frost of winter was just starting to be herded away by the warmth of spring. From the branches overhead, Dedue spotted the young, fuzzy heads of newborn leaves budding from the bare wood. Within a few days, these roads would be lined with wildflowers.

And those hills would once again be rolling with color.

That color occupied his thoughts often throughout his journey. When they bloomed, he would be there. He remembered telling the Professor of them—and that promise both of them made to live through the war to see them. Once he had said what needed to be said, he longed to take her there.

And even if cruel fate had his feelings unrequited, he would still go. It had been too long, and that voice was calling to him.

No matter what happens, we never truly lose home, do we?

It was nightfall by the time he and Cerro broke through the woods and saw the monastery perched like a king upon its throne of rock. The shrill of crickets rose up in his wake as Dedue rode through the bordering town. The world was just starting to settle down for the evening. Candlelight flickered from windows. A few youngsters were still out playing, though the darkness corralled them close to their front doors.

The night gatekeeper was far less friendly and talkative than his daytime counterpart. He stopped Dedue to ask for the nature of his visit. "I came to see the archbishop," Dedue replied.

"At this hour? I don't think she would be so keen to receive anyone."

"Permit me to go find out for myself." But the gate remained closed. With a sigh, Dedue reached down and unhitched a small metal plate from his belt. He held it out, letting the moon illuminate the intricate design engraved in the metal to prove his heraldry. "I hail from Fhirdiad as the hand of his Majesty. I would like to see the archbishop." A smidge of force punctuated his last sentence.

The gatekeeper leaned closer to inspect the plate. Finally satisfied, he stood back. With a curt wave of his spear, a small door by the metal gate opened. "Very well."

"Thank you." Dedue fastened the plate back to his hip. Technically, it was null since his resignation, though that was a detail he kept to himself. He dismounted and led Cerro by the reins through the door.

The monastery was quiet. The soft clanging of his armor, Cerro's steps, and his own were the only sound to be heard as they walked around to the stables. They passed door after door—behind each, the dark, slumbering shapes of horses with their heads lowered to the ground. Finally, they came across an empty stall.

Cerro gave a content flick of his tail as he settled into his new abode. As soon as the tack was removed from his body, he wasted no time in settling into the straw. He turned his head as Dedue crouched by him, his round, dark eyes watching his rider with silent patience.

"I can hear the pounding of my heart in my ears," Dedue admitted softly to the horse. "And yet I cannot wait until morning. This is a breath I have been holding onto for a long time, Cerro. I wonder if I will finally resume breathing tonight." A deep, rumbling nicker came from Cerro's throat. Dedue gave him one final pat and stood. He exited the stall and headed deeper within Garreg Mach.

As he walked, he found his eyes drawn to it. A bridge stretched before him, and beyond it the grand shape of the cathedral loomed. But it was the narrow tower next to it that pulled in his gaze—often had it lingered in his dreams. But tonight his head was clear and his feet felt firmly planted to the ground as they carried him towards it. And there was a pain that lingered in his chest, yes, but this was different. It was as though his heart was trying to pound itself out from within his ribcage. The ring he carried with him, wrapped in that faded cloth, felt like an anchoring weight with its small, small gem.

The cathedral was empty at this hour, of course, and the echo of his steps reverberating across the empty space sounded as though they could go on forever. Dedue's eyes swept across the cavernous nave. The cathedral seemed to take on a different look in the night. The light of the moon pierced the darkness through the tall windows, cutting in like shards of bright white. The altar of Seiros sat alone at the head of the room. The day's offerings had already been cleared away, leaving behind only the stumps of burned out candles. Those, no doubt, would be promptly replaced before the morning prayers.

But the details of the nave's interior were quickly swept from Dedue's mind, replaced by a memory. He remembered when he was last here. Densely packed with the eager faces of those waiting to watch the new archbishop enthroned, the nave had felt so much smaller.

He remembered standing with the royal guard near his Majesty as they all beheld her. When she had sung, those first notes pierced him like an arrow. He realized in that moment that he'd never heard her sing before. No one would have labeled her as a songstress, but whatever notes she may have hit would've always sounded beautiful to him.

He had shared in the pride that they all felt for her. At the same time, sadness had gnawed at Dedue—one that he found himself unable to ward away. He had watched her, and she seemed so inaccessible.

He'd hoped that fate would bring them together again. He had tried, and just when those words would have been spoken, the doors to the Audience Chamber had opened. The sight of Lady Rhea had reminded him of his place—of just how unimportant he was. Never before had he a problem with that. He never needed it to serve the king.

But for once, he had wished he could be just as important to her as she was to him.

The open walkway between the cathedral and Goddess Tower allowed for the gentle night breeze to grace Dedue. He stopped, looking up at the tower and the tree that seemed to lean against it like a gentle lover.

His eyes lowered. From the pouch, he took that small, bundled bit of faded cloth. He stared down at it in his open hand. I cannot leave them unspoken, he reminded himself. Whatever may happen tonight, I cannot.

With a sigh, he closed his hand and walked into the tower. Inside, it was dark. Still, even without the aid of moonlight, Dedue found himself climbing the staircase with ease. He had done so countless times in his dreams

And countless times he had awoken before he could reach the top. Tonight, however, he was not dreaming.

How many times… How many times would she return here? How many times would she treat this place like a refuge from her troubles when it was anything but? The view of the stars here had grown dim like a candle reaching the end of its wick. And just like the ones that sat in front of the altar of Seiros, she knew she would eventually burn out if she continued on like this.

Nadine closed her eyes, letting the view of the stars obscure to black. She lowered her head. Stupid, she called herself. Stupid, stupid.

It had been an excuse. On nights when sleep was stolen from her, she had never come up here with the intention of peering up through the roof. It had never been about stargazing.

It had been about that night—that cold, cold night when the twinkling lights of the ballroom had driven her here.

And what was she doing now? Coming up here, night after night, with the hope of recreating that single one? Hoping that her waiting here would bring him here like a magnetic pull? Stupid.

Nadine bit her lip, refusing to let her defeated sigh escape into the still air. No more, she told herself. You're not waiting—there's nothing to wait for. You're clinging onto something that's no longer there. Come on, Nadine, you speak of change and growth and moving forward in your speeches, but then you go and pull stunts like this? Why?

Because I love him.

Her eyes flew open. It had been a small voice—a rogue answer. And yet it had still come from her.

Nadine paused. Then, slowly, she shook her head. "Come on, Archbishop, it's time for bed," she mumbled to herself as she turned back towards the stairs. "I need sleep. I need sleep. I need—." She froze. Someone was coming up the steps.

Eyes locked. He too stopped. And then he was the first to move again, taking those final steps to reach the top. Closer, he continued, until he was just a few paces away.

They regarded each other in silence for a few seconds. And then…

"It is a fine night, is it not? Much like the last one."

The last one. Instead of answering, Nadine looked down.

"Are you alright?"

Nadine reached up, briskly tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. She was startled at how flustered she was becoming. "Yes, I—." I love you. "—I thought you were in Fhirdiad."

There was a pause. "I needed to come here. I needed to see you." Her eyes lifted, returning to his.

"What do you mean?"

"His Majesty and I have parted ways. I have left his service."

Now that was the most bizarre thing she had ever heard. "I never took you for the joking type."

"This is no joke. Nadine, please listen to me." Her heart jumped at the mention of her name. There was something about the way he said it… she could almost feel it on her skin. "I cannot leave things the way they are. There are words I have left unspoken… but I will no longer. So, will you listen to what I have to say?"

"Always."

His eyes flickered to the ground for just a moment, and then Nadine saw him firmly lift his head up. "I… When I first arrived at the academy, I was prepared to be entirely insignificant…" As his words flowed out, they reminded Nadine of the speeches she had given during the darkest times of the war—straight from the heart. This stoic, reticent man was telling her things she never thought she would hear… but always yearned that she would. "I loved you then, and I love you now. That is what I have always wanted to tell you."

His hands came together, moving as though to unfold something. Then, one rose to hold up a ring. A brilliant green gem glinted from the centerpiece. Nadine felt her breath catch. "I have come here to ask for your hand." The glitter of moonlight upon the radiant emerald and gleaming silver wavered. Nadine realized that the hand holding the ring was trembling ever so slightly. And that flush on Dedue's face was growing by the second. "I know that as archbishop, you cannot take marriage lightly. Though I have never stood out to you as anyone important, you have become the world to me. Even so, I will accept whatever answer you give me."

Whatever answer? There was only one that she could give. Nadine lifted a hand. A finger curled to beckon him closer. "I need to tell you something," she said. Dedue took another step towards closer. He lowered his head to her, tilting it to bring his ear to—.

Hands clasped either side of his face to pull it back so she could plant her lips tightly over his. She could almost feel the shock that seized his body like ice. And then she felt him move, sliding his arms around her waist and across her back. They pulled her closer.

She stayed, pressed to him, and only parted when her breath ran out. Nadine pulled back, noticing how Dedue still seemed awestruck. She smiled gently, her hands still holding his face. "Yes, I'll marry you."

"You… You'll…?" The dark skin underneath her fingertips felt very warm. Dedue cleared his throat, as though stalling for time as he tried to regain his ability to speak cohesively.

"You don't have to say anything," Nadine teased. "Just kiss me again."

He obliged, this time tucking a gentle hand underneath her chin and tilting her head up. Nadine felt herself grow light-headed as their lips touched again, hoping fervently that she wouldn't find herself waking up from this.

She didn't. Nadine's eyes were still closed when they parted, though they fluttered open when she felt Dedue take her hand and lift it. A cold, metallic touch met her finger. Nadine watched as the emerald twinkled from her hand. "I love this design," she whispered, using her other hand to trace the ring.

"It comes from my home," Dedue said. Nadine looked up at him. "I know this is a sudden request but… might I ask that we depart on a journey?"

"Where are we going?"

"I will not keep you from Garreg Mach for long. The monastery needs you. However, do you remember what I told you as we spent time together in the greenhouse during the war?"

Nadine's eyes widened as the memories resurfaced. "Do you mean…?"

"Yes. Now is the time when the buds will have opened all across the hills and the stretched fields of Duscur. I promised you that I would take you to see them—either as friends traveling together, or as…"

His fingers laced between hers. As Nadine looked down at their intertwined hands, she caught sight of the shimmering emerald again. "I can't wait to see them." Her eyes lifted to his, bright with excitement. "And I have something for you too. Come with me." She grasped his hand tight and led him towards the stairs.

"Another foal?" Dedue joked.

Nadine shot him a look over her shoulder. "Only if you leave Cerro unsupervised around any mares," she retorted. They hurried down the stairs and escaped from the Goddess Tower into the open night air. Nadine led Dedue by the hand as far as the second floor of the monastery. Just as she took her first step up towards the third floor—reserved exclusively as the archbishop's quarters—she felt his hand pull out of hers. Nadine looked back to where Dedue stood, hesitant.

"Forgive me," he began quietly. "I think perhaps it is best if I wait here. I wish not to sully your reputation if it were ever to be discovered that you brought a man up to the third floor with you after sunset. Though we are engaged, the announcement has not yet been made public."

Nadine let out a soft huff. "You're no fun," she teased, stepping back down. "But I know you're just looking out for me. Have I ever told you how sweet I've found that?" She reached out and cupped his cheek. The shy smile that appeared as a result of her words was something she rarely saw grace his face, though she couldn't help but notice how well it fit. Nadine turned and headed back to the stairs. "Alright, I'll just be a sec," she said over her shoulder. "Don't you go disappearing back to Fhirdiad on me."

She ran up the stairs and into her bedchambers. There, dresser drawers flew open and were subsequently slammed shut as Nadine hurriedly searched. Then, she paused. It came back to her. She turned towards the nightstand and opened its only drawer. Her hand slid to the very back, feeling around until they touched soft leather. Fingers closed around it and reemerged with the small bag. Nadine loosened the drawstring and tipped its contents out.

A platinum-white ring fell into her palm, adorned with iridescent purple gems. At the sight, she recalled her father's words when he had passed it down to her. Nadine pressed her lips together, fighting to suppress the surge of emotions that rose up from the memory. She turned, leaving the bedchambers and heading down the flight of stairs.

Dedue had his back turned to her as he gazed out a nearby window, taking in the view of the monastery that it provided. At the sound of her approaching steps, he turned. When their eyes met, Nadine couldn't hide the giddy smile. Goddess, I must look like a kid, she thought. But this is happening… really happening. So can I be blamed, really? Aloud, she asked, "So are you going to strip yourself down, or shall I?"

Dedue blinked. "S… sorry?"

Nadine chuckled as she lifted his left gauntlet and started undoing the clasps. "Let me see that beautiful hand of yours."

"Are you…?" Dedue let his sentence trail away as he helped Nadine pull his forearm free from the gauntlet.

"Now I have a question for you," Nadine said, intertwining their fingers to feel his bare hand on hers. "I know this might be coming out of the blue, but will you marry me?"

"Yes."

That should have been it. She should have been happy to hear it. But at that moment, the black claws of doubt had reached out and sunken themselves into her. A sullen looked crossed Nadine's face. "Even though I'm the archbishop? Even when marrying me will never allow you to live a life of quiet solitude? Even if it means being kept away from the king?"

Nadine suddenly felt his other hand rest over the small of her back. She was pulled closer. Dedue lifted their interlaced hands to his face. Nadine held her breath when he closed his eyes and kissed the back of her hand. Those black claws quickly retracted. The brilliant blue of his eyes returned when he opened them, and he told her, "I left Fhirdiad and came here because I could not live another second without you. Come what may, every joy—every challenge—I want to share with you. I promised you that I would not drift away, and I never will."

Nadine felt her eyes burn. Once again, she pressed her lips together, but this couldn't have been fought back. Tears spilled out onto her face. She hastily brushed away the first few with her free hand, still closed over the ring. "You should have saved that for the vows," she said, trying to sound cheery despite the crack in her voice.

Dedue pulled his hand away to drape it over the side of her face. Nadine's hand rested over his. Then, she took it and held it between them. It was then that she showed him the ring.

"You had one?"

"My father gave it to me a long time ago, before he…" Nadine paused, and then continued, "He told me to give it to the one I love." She slipped it over his finger, noticing how the pale platinum contrasted beautifully with the darkness of his skin. "And now I finally can." Suddenly, in a much louder voice, she stated, "Right! Don't you think I've forgotten that you've spent the whole day traveling! Let's go downstairs and find you a room—the dormitories are all vacant right now. How about a bath? Some food? Shh!" she quickly shushed, preempting the protest she saw about to arise from Dedue as he opened his mouth. She lifted her hand and gave her finger a wiggle to emphasize the emerald adorned over it. "You signed the contract. As your woman, I'm allowed to fuss over you without a peep from you!" Taking his hand, she gave Dedue a playful wink.

The pieces of parchment had been neatly arranged in a stack and in order of the documents he would need to go over one-by-one in the interviews. As Seteth picked them up and tapped them against the desk to align their edges, he wondered if one of these parchments would correspond with a good candidate. That Master Zephyr from a few days ago was promising as a professor for the magical arts, but the Academy was still in the search of various weapons experts as well. And certainly they had met with plenty, but none with what it took to be good teachers.

Well, that meant today would be another long one. Seteth tucked the stack underneath his arm and walked out of his office. As he turned towards the direction of the Audience Chamber, he spotted Nadine rounding the corner. She was carrying something bundled… was that bedding?

"Oh, Seteth! Good morning!"

"Same to you, Archbishop," the advisor replied, finally meeting Nadine's eyes. She, of course, had noticed where his gaze had been previously.

"I presume you've heard that Dedue arrived at the monastery yesterday?"

"I have," Seteth affirmed. "Has he explained why his Majesty sent him here?"

"No, because he came of his own accord. I'm… Well, I will need to leave the monastery—just for a short while!" Nadine quickly added. "Dedue's here to keep a promise. During the war, he told me he would take me to Duscur."

To… Duscur? Well, technically there was no longer a Duscur. After the unfortunate genocide of its people, the peninsula's status as an independent country had been stripped away. The land had been awarded to Lord Kleiman of the Kingdom, and it remained part of his feudal estate to this day.

"And how many days constitutes a 'short while?'" Seteth asked.

"Maybe… three or four days?"

That was a lot of time in which Garreg Mach would be absent of the archbishop's presence. Already, Seteth was mentally rearranging their schedule to assess the impact of that absence. It would certainly set them back—not only with work on the Academy, but with matters of the Church as well.

Even so, Seteth couldn't bring himself to voice this. That look on Nadine's face was brighter than he had ever seen. He could tell this trip to Duscur was so much more than a simple journey. The schedule be damned, he wouldn't let that happy glow fade from Nadine's eyes.

"Of course, Archbishop. I will pray to the Goddess for safety during your travels."

"I appreciate that, Seteth. Take care." She flashed him a smile, and then continued past him. Seteth too resumed walking towards the Audience Chamber, and then suddenly stopped in his tracks.

Wait… had that been a ring he'd seen?