DISCLAIMER: Fortunately Shuumatsu no Izetta doesn't belong to me. So all rights are reserved to Ajia-do Animation Works.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: This one ended up being lighter in context then I thought it would have been. Also I spent the last three or so weeks stuck on how to do the scene right below this note section. Or it's better to say that I finally found were Muse was sneaking off to and had her maids dog-pile on top of her. Bonus points if you can find the Easter eggs.

Sweet Child in Time

(Plateau: 12 years ago)

The light breeze of the night gently caressed both Finé and Izetta as they sat upon the plateau.

"It's okay, close your eyes." Finé said as she touched her lips to Izetta's chin

Light touches guided warmth between Izetta and Finé as the two of them looked at the world inside of one and another. This would be the last night, the last chance.

"I don't want to. I have to see this coming. Please, I'm scared." Izetta uttered as her hands glided across Finé's shoulders causing her nightgown to give way. It was just enough for Izetta to see Finé's trembling chest.

"You're not the only one who's scared. But are you sure you want this Izetta. If we do this, things will change." Finé said as she looked away.

"I don't see how they'll be different. Tomorrow is still going to happen. I might not..." Izetta trailed off while shaking her head.

"I feel bad about all of this, everything, but I want to give you strength."Fine stated as she allowed her nightgown to pool at her waist.

"Finé...you are beautiful." Izetta said as she gently grasped Finé's sides. "But I don't think this is very archduchess like."

"I think it's a little late for that." Finé said with a fit of giggles.

(Palace: Finé's study: Present)

"Lady Finé"

Finé's eyes slowly opened as she realized that she had fallen asleep reading again. In front of the fireplace. Ironically she would have balked at such a thing a few short years ago. Finé went to gently crease the top of the page only to find she didn't make it very far from the last time.

"Not unusual." Finé sarcastically quipped under her breath before closing the book and setting it on the small table beside the chair. "Yes what is it?" Finé asked as she sat up in the chair.

"You have a telephone call." The maid said before excusing herself. Finé stood from the chair and stretched for a moment before walking out the doorway and into the next room. As she walked over and picked up the receiver she had a fair idea of who it was.

"This is Finé."

"Lady Fine." a familiar voice said on the other end. One that Finé had been anxious to hear from.

"I was thinking about calling if you hadn't called soon Lotte." Finé said with a smile.

"Lady Izetta has been becoming more and more of a night owl. I find it hard to keep up with her as it is." Lotte replied.

"Things are going well then. Izetta has forbidden her doctor from telling me anything. Is she not well?" Finé asked as the concern twinged in her voice.

"I think that the doctor would tell if anything was seriously wrong with Lady Izetta. Though she has been rather secretive lately." Lotte said as she looked across the room.

"Perhaps she's just decided that her progress is a personal matter. In any case I trust her to tell me if anything was wrong. To that end, is Izetta eating well? Is she sleeping well? Has she been ill? Has she hurt herself doing anything?" Finé's questions fired out quicker then she could rein them in.

"Are you sure you don't want to come out and stay with us sooner Lady Fine?" Lotte seemingly chided.

"I would love that more then anything. Despite how I feel though I still have a country to look after and many people who look to me. I would love to spend all of winter with Izetta, just the two of us. But it's just not in the cards right now." Finé felt the longing echoing though her voice and somewhat wished she could tell Izetta to her face.

"I'm sure that Lady Izetta feels the same way. I will not keep you any longer Lady Finé just know that Lady Izetta is well and looks forward to seeing you again. I must tend to the cleaning. Good Evening." Lotte said as she hung up and turned off a nearby speaker.

"Are you at ease now Lady Izetta?" Lotte said as she looked across to Izetta who was already scribbling away.

[She sounds very lonely Lotte. I wish I could go to the capital.] Izetta wrote.

"I'm sure the Archduchess would like that. But your rehabilitation comes first." Lotte said with reassurance.

"Now will you eat Lady Izetta?" Lotte asked and received a soft nod. "Very well, I spent a lot of time on tonight's dinner. But I still let you shanghai me into being your accomplice." Lotte said with feigned disdain.

[You wanted to make that call as much as I wanted you to make it Lotte. You're fooling no one.] Izetta quipped.

"That's not important. Dinner would still be getting cold if I hadn't covered it." Lotte said as she pushed Izetta's wheelchair as Izetta's wit was not yet satisfied.

[Maybe I should tell …] Izetta started to write before the large notepad was taken from her.

"Lady Izetta won't be telling anyone anything if she does not eat. Come, come." Lotte as she pushed Izetta along.