AN: HOLY HELL. I am so happy right now! 27 follows in less than a week? That is fantastic! Thank you all so very, very much!
Also, a big thank you to the kind followers who decided to leave comments!
I shall be responding to them :3
Klaw117: I'm glad I've peaked your interest! And yeah, it's saddening that these two tragic characters are never truly happy, but I do indeed hope I can scratch that itch!
katlizhan: Thank you very much, and I'm glad you're pumped! And yes, Lord Douche is very much correct. This story was literally made because I mentally wrote this scene in which Dimitri and Edelgard were duelling him in a fight to the death lol!
GirthJohnson: May I just say that I'm absolutely thrilled to have you read my little self-indulgent project? Honestly, I ADORE your story "Love in the Dark"! Anyway, I'm glad you like what I'm doing with Edelgard's memories! Rest assured, I have quite a bit of ideas with this plot point!
Random Fan: Thank you very much! I love Edelgard X Dimitri too and it's a shame it's overshadowed by so many other ships. Interesting way that you bring up Claude functioning within the plot...I was originally going to have him be the character equivalent of background noise but now I can give him something to do, thanks!
Richard Trevelyan: Loving the enthusiasm, and thanks! Edelgard and Dimitri are my favourite in the game too, though I actually used to hate El until giving her character and her actions some serious thought. Anyway, yeah I do understand why it makes sense for them to die in any route they don't win in...it's just sad that's all. Oh and I do have plans for Byleth, not spoiling too much though!
Anyway! Hope you enjoy!
-o0o-
The Feast had ended on a truly high note for Dimitri.
The energy of the Dining Hall had been warm and wonderful, his childhood friends had been a joy to be around as always, and he had even begun some new friendships with the other members of the Blue Lions. A bubbly girl by the name of Annette, a shy and earnest boy named Ashe, and Mercedes, a kind young woman who exuded a motherly aura that Dimitri thoroughly appreciated.
But by far the highlight of the night had been seeing Edelgard again, asking to try once more with their friendship—and having her accept.
With all this happiness in his heart, weariness coaxing him to his bed and (what he assumed was) good food filling his belly, as he found his way to his assigned dorm room Dimitri had been certain sleep would find him faster than it had in years.
How naive he was.
"Get up," A voice sharp and cold spat at him.
Dimitri's eyes snapped open, coming face to face with the unblinking glare of his father staring down at him. Golden hair and blue eyes like his own, once shining with life and vibrancy. Now, that hair hung limp and unkept over his face. Now, those eyes held nothing but disgust and accusations.
"Get. Up."
Dimitri sighed wearily, closing his eyes momentarily before opening them again. "Father...tomorrow I swear to dedicate my day to both training and finding your murderer. But I fear tonight I am too weary to do anything."
"Nonsense. You are closer than ever to finding that monster and you have wasted enough time. Get up now!" Lambert barked, hands slamming against the mattress either side of Dimitri's head. Dimitri gasped and flinched at the sudden outburst, swallowing thickly before responding, "I need rest—"
"Rest?" A feminine voice drawled.
Turning, Dimitri could see his stepmother standing by the bed. She wore the same glassy eyed glare Lambert possessed and like him, her hair—the same caramel brown that Edelgard had once possessed—was unruly and stringy with lack of care.
"What good does rest do us, Dimitri?"
"I—"
"He's making excuses," another voice said from further back in the room.
There atop the dresser, Glenn sat and swung his legs back and forth. "You don't truly care for us, do you, Dimitri?"
"No!" Dimitri cried, throwing off his comforters and staggering to his feet. "No, no, no, that's not true at all! I love you, all of you!"
The ghosts all blinked out of existence and Dimitri let out a sigh of relief, believing he had appeased them for now.
But then he felt a cold finger running down the side of his neck, causing him to tense and shudder in discomfort. "You love us...and yet you rest easily knowing the Masked Man is out there. That sounds like indifference to me, Dimitri," Patricia hissed in his ear.
Dimitri squeezed his eyes shut and gritted his teeth as he vigorously shook his head. "No..."
"We perished for you Dimitri," Lambert snarled, now stepping in front of the quivering prince. "The least you can do is carry out our desires!"
"I-I will, I swear—!"
"But you still want to rest like a weakling?" Glenn asked, Dimitri opened his eyes and turned to the sound of his voice. Glenn's back was turned as he stared out the window. Then he pressed his palms against the cool glass, fingers splayed.
"No! I—" Dimitri took in a deep breath, closed his eyes then opened them again. The ghosts were all at the window now, and they all were facing him, glaring.
"I'll get dressed and go train. Right now." Dimitri clenched his fists and locked eyes with all three of them.
"But please...please don't speak as though I've failed you," Dimitri said, eyes burning with unquenchable resolution and rage as he added, "I swear on the blood in my veins, from tonight onward, I will not rest until you have your tribute. I will have the head of the one who took you from me!"
-o0o-
Edelgard woke up to a grey ceiling. Glowing artificial lights flickered sporadically and caused shadows to disappear and reappear.
"What?" She whispered to herself, eyes darting around the room and taking everything in. A metal table with a multitude of utensils she didn't recognize, a cell door in front of her.
Where was she? All she remembered was her uncle giving her tea before bed like he always did, and then she felt super tired...
But this wasn't her bed. And it wasn't her room.
Edelgard tried to sit up, only to find that she couldn't. Her small arms and legs were cuffed with metal manacles.
"Uncle!" Edelgard's breathing increased and she pulled and pulled at her restraints knowing that it wouldn't work, knowing that she couldn't get free, knowing that this situation was completely out of her control—
"Uncle what's going on?!" Edelgard cried as the squealing of metal could be heard and the cell door swung open.
Two men in bird masks walked in and held her thrashing body down as Edelgard continued to shriek. "NO! LET ME GO! LET ME GO!"
And then her uncle was above her pinned form, smiling. Eyes dead and without mercy.
One of the bird masked men took a needle, flicked Edelgard's forearm in search of a vein, and then painfully stabbed her with it.
Her back arched and she gasped as foreign cold liquids entered her bloodstream and numbed her limbs, sending her body crashing back down. Edelgard's thrashing had stopped and now all she could do was look teary eyed up at her uncle beseechingly.
Arundel clicked his tongue in mock sympathy and slid a hand through Edelgard's sweat slicked brown bangs. "Oh you poor thing. Don't you worry, dear. This won't hurt—too much..."
Edelgard's eyes snapped open and she let out a strangled gasp. A wooden beamed ceiling stared back.
Looking around the room, she felt her muscles loosen as they swept across familiar surroundings. The long mirror by the door, the old vanity where her brushes ribbons, and dagger lay, sunlight pouring out the glistening window and causing the gauzy curtains to glow a buttery yellow.
A nightmare. That was all it was.
Edelgard's eyes fluttered closed and she took in a deep calming breath. This was good, this was a reminder of what needed to be done.
No more doubts.
When Edelgard opened her eyes again, determination had frozen her gaze over with jagged edges of ice. She then slid out of bed and moved to get changed out of her nightgown, wiping away drying tears as she did so.
Yes. No more breaks. No more distractions. The apprehension of the Feast the previous night would never return again. What mattered now was freeing this world of all injustice.
Edelgard had finished changing and was in the process of brushing her hair when she heard a hesitant knock on the door. She paused to ask a curt, "Yes?"
"Edelgard? It's Dimitri. Are you decent?"
Edelgard frowned to herself and turned to the door in confusion. Prince Dimitri? Why would...? Oh. That...agreement she made with him last night. Right.
She sighed softly to herself and continued brushing. Edelgard would have to dismiss him; today she needed to train and map out the Monastery.
Edelgard placed the brush down and reached for her ribbons at the same time she turned to the door again. "I'm sorry I..." her voice trailed off as her fingers brushed not the delicate silk of her lavender ribbons but the solid hilt of her dagger.
She paused, glancing down at the sheathed weapon and running her fingertips up and down its hilt in rhythmic contemplation.
"...need a moment. I'll be out soon."
Edelgard could hear a relieved sigh from behind the door. "Of course, of course! Is it alright with you if I wait out here?"
"If you wish," Edelgard answered, sliding her fingers off the dagger, properly locating her ribbons, and proceeding to tie one then the other.
Talking with the prince wasn't a waste of time—Prince Dimitri may have grand ideas of rekindling their (alleged) past friendship but Edelgard had no such delusions—speaking with him was simply a means to an end, not a leisurely pastime. Yes, like she had figured beforehand, an alliance was unlikely. But she could still evaluate him, see what made him tick, be prepared for the high chance she would have to fight him on the battlefield.
-o0o-
True to his word, Dimitri hadn't slept and it was partially thanks to his Crest of Blaiddyd that he was still standing. It hadn't been fun training tirelessly and having to get by through the night with snatched apples from the kitchens and quick breaks sitting, but he had sworn to his ghosts that he would not rest. So resting he would not do.
But he also had a duty to Edelgard—more specifically their currently non-existing relationship. Dimitri had been the one to initiate this agreement and so it was he that needed to get the ball rolling.
So alas, here he was.
Edelgard opened her door at last and her eyes were already darting across every inch of his face, seemingly analyzing every muscle and pore that it possessed.
Dimitri fought the urge to swallow nervously. Had the makeup not covered his dark circles properly? Was his smile not bright enough? Was his uniform wrinkled?
"Prince Dimitri," she acknowledged finally.
"Please, simply Dimitri is fine. No need for formal titles, we're all students here," Dimitri said with a light smile.
"That is an interesting response."
"I...suppose?"
The two stared at each other for a few seconds before Dimitri was able to steel himself against Edelgard's intimidating stare and make his request.
"Does walking to the Dining Hall together sound acceptable to you?"
Edelgard nodded and closed her bedroom door gently behind her. "Certainly," she said coolly.
As the two began their stroll, Dimitri had to remind himself multiple times that this Edelgard was very different from the one he had known so long ago. The biggest change was that she was quieter; all curt nods, and evaluating looks.
Lots of evaluating looks.
After begging Dedue for ten minutes to allow him to visit Edelgard on his own, it was slightly disheartening to have his efforts be paid back with fascinating conversations such as:
"So, Edelgard. Do you have a favourite colour?"
"No."
"Oh...I see."
"Mhm."
"...I like silver."
"That's nice."
"It reminds me of my father you see—he wore…" his voice trailed off as he glanced at Edelgard and noticed the casual indifference on her face.
Dimitri sighed softly to himself and turned away to frown at the wooden ceiling of the upper floor. This was far harder than he anticipated it would be. Why was she so cold? What had he done already to inspire such apathy from her?
But he couldn't just give up, he needed to work for Edelgard's adoration again. Thus, he turned to glance back at her in an attempt to start another pointless conversation—oh Goddess she was looking at him again.
Dimitri fought the urge to flinch as the cool lilac eyes bored into his very soul. Flickering from his eyes to his posture to the entirety of his face. Once more he felt self conscious.
Dimitri was about to ask if something was wrong when Edelgard said, "May I ask you a question?"
Oh! She was initiating the conversation this time; this was good! This meant progress!
"Yes, of course!" Dimitri smiled, trying and mostly succeeding from hiding the full extent of his relief and glee from his voice.
The two turned a hallway and gave a polite "good morning" to two students passing by before Edelgard closed her eyes and asked her question.
"Say you are in a war and you have valuable information that could cause the fighting to end once and for all," she opened her eyes and glanced up at Dimitri. "But your enemies catch wind of this. They kidnap you and torture you and tell you that they'll let you go if you give them this information. What would you do?"
This time, Dimitri did flinch. He hadn't expected such a...dark question. Nevertheless, he thought for only a moment before answering.
"Well...ending a war could save millions of innocent lives. If this information I possess could do such a thing, I would keep silent."
"And if they threatened your life?"
"My silence would stand. What is one life compared to that of millions?"
Edelgard's expression was completely unreadable as she nodded slowly. And then asked, "What if they threatened someone you held dear? A family member, a friend, a lover?"
Dimitri furrowed his brow as they exited the indoors and made their way across the lawn, passing the commoner dorms. His thoughts were brought to those flames of Duscur—his father's headless corpse, Glenn's melting skin, his stepmother nowhere to be found and that man in the mask...stalking towards him and a young frightened Dedue with a large axe dripping with the blood of a dead king.
Dimitri had cried then, like a weakling. Had done nothing but shake and try feebly to push Dedue behind him because he had to protect someone—
Dimitri clenched his fists tightly, lips twisting into a snarl. "If that were the case...if they had threatened to kill someone I loved, I'd find this enemy of mine...and end him. Slowly."
He heard the steady beat of Edelgard's heels seize. That made him pause and blink twice in shock at the words that had left him.
Eyes wide, he turned to Edelgard. She was staring far more intently at him than before and he felt his cheeks burn. Why would he say something so...boorish in front of someone? Someone he was trying to make his friend no less!
"I-I'm sorry," Dimitri said quickly. "I don't know what came over me, though I'm usually not like this I swear—" He stopped and cleared his throat before saying, "If-if that were the case I would do all I could to get them out of my enemy's grasp and if that failed, well I think I would give them what they wanted."
After a moment in which Dimitri held a deep breath, Edelgard raised an eyebrow and they continued walking. Dimitri sighed in relief at the fact she hadn't immediately left his side in disgust. "Didn't you just tell me that one life was meaningless compared to millions?"
"I-I did. But it's different when it's just your life on the line. I know it is a selfish thought, especially for a future king such as I—but to me, a single loved one is worth more to me than millions of strangers," Dimitri paused to gauge Edelgard's response and saw that her face was still expertly neutral. He was beginning to wonder why she was asking such questions.
They walked up the stone staircase that led to the outside Dining Hall doors and Dimitri staggered, crashing against the stone railing. That cursed fatigue was catching up with him...
"Are you unwell?" Edelgard asked him with a frown.
Dimitri forced a smile. "No. Don't worry about me," he said as he pushed himself back up and soldered up the stairs.
'Slow and steady...' he told himself mentally as he reached the top and sighed softly in relief.
As the duo entered the Dining Hall, Dimitri noticed it was just as it was last night, cheerful chatter and a warm atmosphere, with the differing factor that it was daytime and the smell of butter, cinnamon and eggs seasoned the air instead of the scent of meat and vegetables.
Before either could return to their designated tables though, Edelgard stopped and said, "I have one more question."
Dimitri nodded hesitantly. "Alright, I'm listening."
"If your enemies had no loved ones to hold as leverage against you and you knew it would benefit winning your war, would you risk the lives of your own people?"
Dimitri frowned and shook his head. "No. Never."
Edelgard nodded slowly in what seemed to be contemplative thought before she looked back up at Dimitri and smiled for the first time that morning—it wasn't a warm one however, it was perfectly noble, polite and nothing more. "Thank you for this insightful conversation, Dimitri. I've learned much about you."
Dimitri gave a light bow and returned the smile. "And thank you for humouring me with this little walk."
The smile slowly faded as a thought occurred to him.
"Ah, Edelgard, wait!" Dimitri called to the princess as she was walking away. She glanced at him over her shoulder with a questioning tilt of her head.
"While our conversation was...interesting and I'm glad you've learned some things about me, I realize I haven't much learned a thing about you." 'Other than you evaluating tendencies,' Dimitri neglected to add.
"Indeed. Goodbye, Prince Dimitri," was all Edelgard said before turning her gaze forward once more and continuing to walk.
The use of his formal title made Dimitri's face fall. It reminded him all too much of the distance between them, her insistent formal detachment towards him, the fact that things had changed so much, that things would never be as they were back when they were children ballroom dancing until the day's end.
It also occurred to Dimitri that this was exactly what Edelgard was trying to say.
...then why amuse him? What exactly did she want from him?
Dimitri shook his head as he started walking to his Blue Lions table. Perhaps Edelgard had already given up on ever rekindling their friendship.
But for better or for worse, he had not.
-o0o-
AN: So I didn't watch ALL of Dimitri's supports so I'm not 100% sure if he recognized the Flame Emperor armour from his past or his resentment towards the alter ego was due to the things she had a hand in during White Clouds and later from what he overheard in her conversation with Thales and Kronya but WHATEVER this is how it's going to be for my story's purpose!
Next chapter will be much longer and re-introduce Byleth, Claude, and the members of both the Blue Lions and Black Eagles! Plus, El and Dima will get a cute little moment
Hope you enjoyed!
Fantasy Fan OUT!
NOVEMBER 11, 2020: CHAPTER HAS BEEN REVISED