When the head count was finished there were 26 people in all living in the sewers. Besides the three they had already met, there were only 3 or four other able bodied adults, the rest were cripples or old or children.

Farnese and Schierke woke up around the time almost everyone else fell asleep. Roderick filled them in on everything discussed. Schierke went to rest some more, quoting Guts of all people on how precious sleep was, but Farnese couldn't sleep.

What she had done before, she'd never felt anything like it. She had simply willed the fire into existence and it burned with the might of hellfire. She really was a witch now, not that she wasn't before, but causing something, even if it was a horrible rat monster, to spontaneously combust was a very witch-y move. And she was so out of control, so powerful in that moment she would have gladly burnt up to truly be one with the magic. It was terrifying, and she couldn't go to sleep yet, not when the dream world was so close to the magic one. She may fall back in.

Farnese spotted Roderick sitting next to the wall, his head in his hands. Almost unconsciously she made her way over. Minding Casca had given her some sense of how to comfort someone, but Roderick's situation was totally different. Still, he was kind to her and as his fiancee it was her duty. That was strange to think of… Herself as a fiance, a future wife. And along with future wife came the thoughts of future kids.

Woah.

Where did that come from?

She was standing in front of him now and decided to sit next to him. He didn't look up; perhaps he was asleep? But she could see his eyes were open.

"Roderick?" She asked gently.

"Hmm?" He tried, lifting his head and trying for a winning grin, but it fell flat.

"Do you, do you want to talk about it?"

Roderick shook his head but said, "I- I feel like I should be crying, or feeling worse, but I just feel hollow inside, like nothing matters." Farnese could relate, while admittedly not losing her entire family and home, when her entire life had turned out to be a lie she knew the loss. "I just keep replaying my last moments with them, and- I wonder if I could've done anything. I know I probably couldn't, but, just…"

Farnese placed a hand on his shoulder, "You're saving the last of Ith, aren't you. This must be what you're meant to do. How it was all meant to be."

"Fate, then?" A small smile came to his face, "Do you suppose fate brought us together too?"

Farnese didn't know how to respond. She had never been asked her opinion on these sorts of things before. "...Perhaps." She replied at least partially earnestly. Fate wasn't something she thought of now that day by day was as hard as it was.

"I'm also, if completely honest, thankful that you took me on your journey, which just makes me feel like a coward you know?" He sighed, "I ran away when my kingdom, my family needed me most."

"We're all cowards or we're crazy." She said. "The will to survive is a strong one."

"Farnese." Roderick said suddenly, "How do you feel about our betrothal?"

"... well… I…" She started.

"You can be honest. I've tried my best to be good to you, but women's hearts have a way of staying a mystery. I won't have any hurt feelings, especially with all that's," He exhaled, "With all that's happened."

"I feel… it is a very good match. But…" She closed her eyes, "I don't love you."

"I figured as much." She was surprised at his non-reaction. Were men normally so understanding?

"I don't hate you by any means." She said, "I'm rather fond of you, and I'm sure I could-" Why was she talking? To make him feel better? Well, he had lost everything, now possibly a fiance as well.

"I had hoped we could've grown fond of eachother, and maybe we still can, but right now…" his eyes focused on something across the room, "You only have eyes for a certain swordsman."

Farnese blushed, she couldn't deny that. Even if Guts and Casca were- were close, that didn't mean- She was a horrible person wasn't she.

"Serpico." Roderick said.

"What?" She asked, surprised, "No- He's-" Farnese loved Serpico, yes, but being in love with Serpico? She could only cringe at the wrongness of it. Not that he was ugly or anything, he was quite handsome, but just, they weren't like that. It was then she saw the teasing glint in Roderick's eyes.

He let out a small laugh, "You're cute when you're flustered." Her face turned more red, "But seriously, I know that they don't want to go back on the boat, that there's some place further in land they need to get to, and I know you want to go with them." Was he saying what she thought he was saying? "No." He corrected, "You need to go with them, just as I need to stay with my people. So what I'm trying to say is, our betrothal doesn't have to stand."

An out? He was giving her an out? What was she feeling? Relief? Sadness? "I-" She started.

"Even though, at this point you'd be a queen if you did marry me." He said bittersweetly.

"Roderick." Farnese started, "I can't pretend I was excited to get married, but there was a deal, you let us on your boat, so it's only right I marry you."

"This adventure was payment enough, and you've saved my life." Roderick said, "I- I won't hold you to anything, it hardly matters at this point."

"I, I still don't like going back on a deal, so maybe… maybe we compromise?"

"Compromise how?"

"Well, we're leaving each other and the world is rather chaotic right now, what if, our betrothal is on pause until we meet again, but only if we haven't met anyone else yet."

"Farnese that sounds like a marvelous plan." His normal personality shown through, "Goddess of Luck? More like Goddess of Diplomacy. You sure you don't want to be queen yet?"

Farnese blushed at that, but rested her head on his shoulder. It seemed she still wasn't fully recovered yet either. "Maybe someday." She replied as she nodded off, finally tired enough and secure enough to fall asleep.

Roderick didn't seem to mind, and whispered, "Thank you, my lady."