AN: Ello! Long time no speak, aye guys?
Anyways, here is a brand new chapter to feast on! Some Dimigard angst, a bit of fluff coming from the side characters, and of course, unraveling secrets!
Firstly, reviews!
Dragon Lord Syed 101: They will certainly have a Crest convo very soon, and I'm hoping for the GD to be important next chapter, thx for reading!
Just a fan of fics: Thank you! And yup, the relics are OP af, trust and believe my friend!
ElecFlameFox: I'm glad you look forward to reading this! And I'm hoping things aren't too bad with you family, hang in there, yeah?
Matt Rogen: Thank you! And yes, Rhea's pride often makes her think illogical things, a big flaw of hers! And thanks, yeah I did need a break, ha, ha!
Klaw117: I'm glad I could deliver and inter-house ships? Um, hell yes! I have some in mind but if you guys got any ideas I'm all ears!
Random Fan: Thanks for the enthusiasm! I'm back once more as well :D
Guest: Thanks!
Pansu: Thank you!
Guest 2: Thank you very much! :3
Ice Cream: Yup, you got it right! The Crest was indeed Fraldarius and also yes, neither Felix and Rodruige are behind the crow mask. And yes, yes, Ingrid's letter will also be explained soon!
1: Thank you! And sorry about the errors, once Part I is complete I'm certainly going back to polish everything up!
Now, finally, after your patience, here is the next chapter! Enjoy!
Chapter XVII: The Role of the Expendables
Edelgard stared at the flickering candle on her vanity table as she lay on her side. Her body was weary from fighting insane bandits and battling monstrous beasts, but her mind kept replaying her conversation with Dimitri and thus refused to let her sleep.
How could she tell him the full truth now? Would he listen to her if she tried to explain or would he try killing her like he was certain he would. She was The Flame Emperor after all—an entity he had sworn to kill at the price of his very own humanity.
Could she make him stay?
No, better question; why did she want him to stay?
She furrowed her brow and rolled onto her back, watching the dancing shadows caused by the candlelight as she mulled over that question for the thousandth time that night. Was it past emotions from the alleged history they had? Was it how he'd comforted her after she shared her past? The other conversations leading up to those moments?
All of the above?
The candlelight dissipated immediately and left her in darkness, followed by the sound of an impish giggle.
Edelgard gasped softly as her weary muscles immediately tensed in alert, hairs rising over her skin as she snatched her dagger from under her pillow and sharply twisting to the side. Her dagger went soaring through the darkness, but instead of the sound of the silver blade slicing through flesh, there was the sound of more laughter and the creaking of a chair.
"You're really off your game, Edel," a voice mocked as she stepped from the darkness, twirling Edegard's blade as she stalked forwards.
Edelgard narrowed her eyes and snarled, "Kronya."
Konya's smirk broadened as she slowly slid her tongue up the length of Edelgard's dagger, causing the princess to recoil in disgust. "Long time no see, Edelgard," she said against the blade before pulling it back from her mouth and tossing it.
Edelgard tensed as it sliced cleanly across her cheek and stabbed the wooden wall behind her.
"How long's it been?" Kronya continued, plopping onto the bed and causing the mattress to bounce and then sink under her weight.
"Not long enough," Edelgard responded coldly. "What do you want from me?"
Kronya crossed her legs and leaned back on her palms before asking, "Enjoy your lil' adventure by the way?" and completely ignoring Edelgard's sharp inquiry.
"So I suppose you're aware of Miklan trying to kill Dimitri?" Edelgard questioned, apprising Kronya with narrowed eyes.
"Yuuup! Thales is pretty pissed and we're all betting Solon will either be dead soon or excommunicated—what do you think? My money's on 'dead!'"
"You didn't come here to make bets with me, Kronya," Edelgard snapped. "Tell me what you want so you can leave my presence."
Kronya placed a hand on her heart and gasped in false horror. "Whoa! You haven't seen me in months and this is my welcome back? That's cold, Edel. Even for you!"
Edelgard narrowed her eyes further and Kronya rolled her eyes dramatically.
"Yeesh fine! Thales says he's getting bored of you dicking around saving princes from proverbial dragon guarded towers instead of doing important things like...oh, I dunno...finding the Crest Stone of Flames?"
"Arundel needs him," Edelgard said firmly. "Saving Dimitri from Miklan and correcting Tomas's foolish act of insubordination was important."
"You know damn well we would've handled it, Edel," Kronya said with a scoff.
And trust them to keep their claws off him? Trust them not to strap him to a table and torutre him or some other manner of evil? No. There was no way in any realm she would permit that.
Kronya leaned towards Edelgard, a sly smile reappearing on her lips and as if reading her mind uttered, "But you don't trust us, do you?"
Edelgard smiled bitterly and said, "I'm assuming that question is rhetorical?"
Kronya giggled and leaned away with a shrug. "No hard feelings! We don't trust you either, and that's why we're kicking your thumb twiddling ass into commission with a little poison!"
Edelgard didn't think it was possible, but her already sprung tight muscles tightened further. "What?" she demanded.
Kronya grinned and tilted her head towards the dagger stuck in the wall. "You saw; I gave your precious stabby toy a little poison kiss."
Edelgard swallowed thickly, pressing a palm against the lightly bleeding stripe across her cheek.
"It's slow acting," Kronya continued. "So it'll take a bit before it fully kills you. A couple of hours should do the trick. And don't bother asking these loser healers for help—ordinary Healing spells and simple potions won't do jack!"
"You...you're bluffing," Edelgard hissed. "You people need me."
Kronya snorted. "Get over yourself. A valuable expendable asset is still an expendable asset you know. Besides, you know Thales; he's not a 'what if' kinda guy and he knows you." She winked and stood up with a stretch. "You'll be up for the challenge. Better start cracking, yeah?"
Edelgard looked away, trying to slow her rapidly beating heart and hide the panic that was no doubt consuming her face from Kronya's cruel gaze.
A couple of hours? How could she…? No. She had to do this, she would do this. She couldn't die, not now, not when—
"Oh! And Edel!"
Edelgard turned to find Kronya by the door, hand poised on the knob and head peering at the princess over her shoulder. "Thales told me something else." She turned fully around and smiled brightly. "He warned you not to get too attached."
Edelgard's whole body froze. It was only a split second of pause, a quick intake of breath, an almost unnoticeable widening of her eyes, but Kronya caught it anyway if her broadened smirk said anything.
The princess turned around to fix Kronya with a gaze of steel. "Ask him if that's a threat."
Kronya giggled. "It's from Thales, Edel. You know what it is." And with that she opened the door and stepped out, not leaving and shutting the door until she whisper-shouted, "Goodnight!" before another agitating giggle.
Expendable.
The hand pressing against her cut curled into a tight fist that fell heavily to the bed.
-o0o-
"Are you certain of this, Dimitri?" Seteth repeated for the upteenth time as the prince stood in his office. "Certainly you'd much rather rest and regain your strength after the experience you've gone through."
"I am certain, Seteth," Dimitri said with a firm nod. "They saved my life; it's the least I can do to make it up to them."
Seteth steepled his fingers and sighed. "I still don't think this is a good idea...but it seems I can't stop you."
Dimitri smiled and dipped into a polite bow. "Thank you, Seteth. Tell me what I must do and I will do it."
Opening the front of his desk drawer, Seteth took out a sheet of paper and slid it towards Dimitri, forcing Dimitri to step forwards to glance at it properly. "This paper shows where I've assigned the different can choose whichever chore you feel like or whichever group you feel more comfortable with—they've all checked in with me and are all accounted for except for Lindhart and also Edelgard, curiously."
Edelgard? Late? Dimitri frowned and looked up at Seteth. "That isn't like her."
"Indeed. Although I suppose she had quite the ordeal as well yesterday," Seteth said with a slow nod.
"She has," Dimitri agreed swiftly. "Edelgard had reached me first and twice Miklan nearly killed her. I—maybe if you could pardon her—"
"You know I can't do that," Seteth cut him off with a frown as he leaned back in his seat. "Rhea's orders have already been disregarded once; another time—and by her advisor no less—would not bode well for anyone, I assure you."
Dimitri opened his mouth before closing it just as promptly. "Right," he sighed. "I...understand."
"Besides, Edelgard is a strong young woman; I'm certain she'll be fine," Seteth added.
That was like Edelgard too—she was strong, so perhaps this wasn't about her wounds at all and was in fact due to him and they're conversation on the tree?
Dimitri bit his lip and looked away as he pondered that theory in his worrying mind. He'd once more insisted he was a monster—or at least inevitably becoming one. And when he asked her to kill him when the time came she'd said—
"I promise."
With those...sad wistful eyes…
But he'd wanted that! Yes, he needed to be put down and he was glad she agreed—but for another saddened part of him that was just it:
Edelgard has agreed he needed to be put down.
It was utterly silly he knew, he'd asked her and she'd accepted. It was as simple as that. But...but at the same time—had she finally believed it too? The one person who had known his true darkness and cared anyway?
"All you have is us," Patricia whispered in Dimitri's ear, causing him to to jump and gasp. "All you must fight for is for us."
"Prince Dimitri?" Seteth said, tugging Dimitri out of his thoughts with his name and a concerned furrow of his brow. "Are you quite all right?"
Dimitri blinked and forced a smile. "O-of course."
"You've gone pale," Seteth observed. "And you're sweating—perhaps you should rest after all."
Dimitri quickly shook his head and pressed his shaking palms on either side of the sheet of paper showing the working students. "I-I'll work in the kitchens with Ingrid and the other students there if that's okay."
Seteth gave him one last concerned looking before nodding. "As you wish." As soon as the words left his mouth, the door was knocked before being promptly opened.
Seteth sighed heavily before peering over Dimitri's hunched form to give a disapproving frown to the intruder. "Flayn, you must knock and wait for an answer before entering my office; I've told you this before."
Dimitri stepped out of Seteth's path and turned to find the cheerful girl closing the door behind her and turning around with a parcel in hand. "Sorry, Brother but I just needed to give Dimitri something! Dedue said he'd be here and luckily it seems he was correct."
"And what if I was doing something private and he wasn't here?" Seteth pressed with crossed arms.
"Come now, Brother! What private things would you be doing here? You and Lady Rhea usually converse in the Audience Chamber and all you do here is look at schedules and read letters. What private affairs would you have in here? Intercourse?" Flayn refuted.
Seteth balked and spluttered, "F-Flayn!"
Dimitri quickly changed the subject and offered her a bow. "Good morning Flayn," he said as he stood straight once more.
"Hello, Dimitri! I am elated the Goddess returned your safely to us," Flayn said kindly as she handed over the parcel. "I made my fish tacos for you!"
"O-oh Flayn," Seteth said, standing sharply upwards. "May I remind you, Dimitri is—"
"Thank you, Flayn," Dimitri said earnestly as he accepted the gift, and he needn't have turned around to know that Seteth had a look of sheer bewilderment on his face. "I did miss breakfast—this will be a lovely substitute."
Flayn beamed and clasped her hands together. "You're so very welcome!"
"I must be going now," Dimitri said, stepping around the girl and turning around to smile at her one last time. "But I assure…" his voice trailed off, eyes lowering to the ground where he'd left bloody footsteps in his wake.
That...that hasn't been—
And then blood started dripping onto his wrists. Dimitri let out a strangled gasp as he let go of the parcel with one hand and touched his forehead with a hesitant finger.
Blood was on it when he pulled it back.
"Dimitri? Is something the matter?" Flayn asked but Dimitri could hardly hear—how could he when blood was clogging up his ears, his nose, his throat?
He coughed, desperately seeking oxygen as he collapsed to his knees, bloody tears dripping from his eyes and the taste of iron burning his throat.
They were punishing him—they were killing him for disobeying but he couldn't say a word to calm them because he was choking on too much blood and their agonized screens were ringing too hard in his ears.
"Please!" Dimitri managed to desperately choke out as he squeezed his eyes shut to stop the sight of pooling blood. "I'll do it! I'll do it!"
A burst of bright white light burned through the darkness of his eyelids and Dimitri's eyes snapped open as a gasp was forced from his body.
There, kneeling before him was Flayn. Her eyes closed and his face cupped tenderly in her ethereally glowing hands.
It felt as if warm hands were caressing his most hidden wounds, rubbing them as gently as a mother applying balm. Dimitri inhaled deeply, feeling the magic warm his very soul and mind and bring attention to the lingering fatigue he hadn't quite slept away yet due to nightmares.
All too soon, Flayn opened her eyes and removed her hands, kind turquoise eyes watching him with concern. "Dimitri. Are you alright now?"
Dimitri looked down from her face to his hands. No blood.
"Flayn, please take Dimitri to rest," Seteth said firmly.
Dimitri looked up and opened his mouth to argue but Seteth held up a silencing hand. "This is not a request."
"Here," Flayn wrapped her arms around Dimitri and aided him onto his weary legs. "Come, let's go to your room."
Seeing as how arguing was futile, Dimitri nodded subduedly and allowed Flayn to lead him out of the office and into the hallway.
"You don't need to help me all the way there," Dimitri said as they rounded the bend towards the upstairs. "I-I can walk now. Truly."
"Just in case," Flayn smiled up at him. But it didn't reach her eyes.
Dimitri swallowed and looked away. "I'm sorry."
"Sorry? Whatever for?"
"I let—I must've looked positively insane...screaming at them. I terrified you and Seteth."
"You did...but we were terrified for you, not of you," Flayn assured him gently as they reached the stairs and began steadily climbing it.
Dimitri turned back to Flayn, gauging her expression and finding nothing but sincerity in her eyes. He nodded slowly before asking, "That light...the light you used to make the ghosts go away—what was it?"
"My Crest of Cethlahean," Flayn said, nodding and smiling to a curious group of passing by students. "It increases my faith magic exponentially—most notably my healing. That's the spell I use to get rid of nightmares."
"I see...so you get bad dreams often I presume?" Dimitri asked.
"Those are not the nightmares I speak of," Flayn said solemnly. "I speak of people seeing and hearing horrible sights in their waking hours, sights that don't exist."
Dimitri furrowed his brow in confusion as Flayn continued. "I've treated many men and women who had the very ailments you do, Dimitri—mostly soldiers but also survivors of village raids and orphans, all seizing in panic over things that weren't there."
"They are there," Dimitri said sharply. "My family they—they haven't rested in peace yet, I must—I'm not mad, Flayn!"
Flayn looked at him sadly. "I see." It was the same look Edelgard had given him last night; a look of saddened resignation.
When they finally reached the bedroom door and Flayn opened it, the sight of his bed sent fatigue racing through Dimitri's body all over again. "Thank you again," he muttered tiredly through a yawn as he was led to the bed and laid to the rest.
"How do you feel?" Flayn asked.
"My...my head hurts but I'm fine otherwise," Dimitri said, sighing and closing his eyes.
"Rest. And feel better alright?" Flayn said. Dimitri heard her footsteps move across the room, the door open and close, and finally the sound of those steps retreating before he opened his eyes once more.
He couldn't rest. The ghosts had never tried to drown him in blood before, which meant they were getting restless.
Dimitri rolled to his side and sat up, pushing himself off the bed with a weary groan. Flayn and Seteth meant well, certainly. But they didn't understand the gravity of what he needed to do—they couldn't.
And so with a deep breath, Dimitri left his room and purposely strode towards the library.
-o0o-
She was running out of time, and the sharp stabbing pains granted to her by the poison wasn't helping in the slightest.
Edelgard stifled another yawn with her palm as she closed yet another worthless book and pushed it aside, opening another.
The Crest of Flames was the most destructive Crest out of all of them, it had the strongest weapon created for it and it was once wielded by Nemesis—that was all the information she was getting out of these blasted books after using up her entire night and now morning blearily reading their contents.
Another pang of pain twisted deep within Edelgard's chest and she gasped in discomfort, clutching at her heart.
Perhaps she could question Lindhart? But no, he would be cleaning right about now, wouldn't he? She didn't know where he was and the longer she spent searching for him throughout the Monastery the higher the chance that Seteth would drag her to start cleaning as well.
And she didn't have time.
More pain, this time seizing and cramping her arm and Edelgard gritted her teeth, squeezing her aching bicep firmly. Perhaps she had no choice, she wasn't getting anywhere with these obnoxiously vague books.
Slamming the book shut and pushing it in a pile on her bed to return to the library later, Edelgard moved to open the door and was met face to face with a scowling Seteth with his arms crossed.
Edelgard's eyes widened as she took a quick step backwards. "Seteth."
"Edelgard. Please enlighten me on why you felt you were above your punishment?"
"No. It isn't like that I—" Edelgard's words were cut off with a grunt as her muscles seized once more. Her knees buckled and Seteth swiftly lunged forwards to catch her.
"What's the matter? What has happened?" He demanded urgently. But Edelgard just pushed him away.
"Nothing, you can't—I'm merely under the weather. Lindhart, where is he?" Edelgard said, stepping around Rhea's advisor and awaiting his answer as she briskly walked down the hallway.
"Edelgard! Stop this instant!"
If there was anyone other than Rhea and Seteth who knew how to find a Crest Stone it was surely Lindhart, and seeing as how Seteth wasn't about to help out she'd just have to find him on her own.
Edelgard descended the stairs as Seteth continued to follow in hot pursuit, just about to ask the nearest knight of the students' whereabouts when her heel made contact with a puddle.
Frowning, she looked down to find sudsy water pooling around her boots and slicking the marble flooring. Edelgard turned her confused expression to the knight standing guard, and he simply shrugged before pointing towards the cathedral.
"Edelgard!" Seteth barked as he got to the bottom of the stairs. "You must—!" Seteth slipped on the water with a squawk of surprise as Edelgard splashed gingery through the mini lake to the cathedral.
"Now look! Seteth told us no magic for a reason everyone!" Ferdinand cried, throwing up his hands in exasperation. Beside him, the Blue Lions mage, Annette covered her face with her hands in shame as Caspar gingerly rubbed circles on her back. "H-hey it's okay, Annette! I forced you to do it."
"But she ultimately decided to listen to your foolishness, did she not?" Hubert drawled with crossed arms.
"Stop it!" Ashe said. "You're making her cry!"
"Oh, no. Don't cry, Annie! It's okay—" Mercedes began before she was cut off by Seteth exclaiming, "What in the Goddess's name?!"
Edelgard glanced wide eyed at the watery mess surrounding the area. The pews were all destroyed and dripping water and at least a half dozen toppled statues decorated the ground in rubble along with them. Behind that, the glass stained window was destroyed, and a waterfall was trickling out. She then turned to the quaking mage.
She had done this?
The poison sent a sharp pain through her arm again, successfully spurring Edelgard back into action. "Lindhart," She called, splashing through the ankle deep water towards him and stepping past Seteth who seemed to be in a state of furious shock. "Is Lindhart here?"
"He refused to contribute and decided to waste his time in the library, as per usual," Hubert said sourly.
"Believe me, we tried to tell him," Ferdinand sighed. "Unfortunately he didn't take too kindly to—"
"How did this happen?!" Seteth screeched in horror as he stormed forwards, kicking up waves of water.
"Uh, better run, Edelgard," Caspar advised. Edelgard quickly left the future murder scene and speed walked down the wet hallway towards the library, hearing Seteth's booming angry voice from behind her.
"Lindhart," Edelgard said as she strode into the library purposefully, stumbling with the feeling of another burst of pain. She didn't know how she was going to find that Crest Stone—but perhaps self proclaimed Crest researcher Lindhart would.
The boy did not answer as Edelgard neared the table he was sitting by, his back was turned to her and he was mumbling under his breath about whatever it was that he was reading.
"Lindhart," Edelgard repeated, crossing her arms and standing behind him. He still did not answer, continuing to hum and mutter and flip pages.
Sighing heavily, Edelgard removed one of her gloves and slapped the back of his head with it.
"Ah!" Lindhart exclaimed indignantly as he spun around. "What was that for?"
"I was trying to get your attention," she said cooly as she quickly put her glove back on. "Yet, you insisted on ignoring me, as usual."
Lindhart rolled his eyes and went back to his book. "Did you consider that I simply didn't hear you? Goddess, you're annoying."
Edelgard ignored the slight and instead rounded the table and sat in front of him before saying, "I need your help."
Lindhart glanced up from his book and gave Edelgard a funny look. "You want my help?" he repeated incredulously.
Edelgard nodded in affirmative and said, "That's right I—"
"Nope. Goodbye," Lindhart said as he returned to his book.
Edelgard reigned in her frustration and took in a deep calming breath. "Will you at the very least hear me out?"
Lindhart scoffed and looked up to give Edelgard a glare. "Edelgard, the only times we've ever spoken is when you've nagged at me for my 'complete negligence,' my 'disrespectful idleness,' and...what was it that Hubert liked to say? Oh yes! 'Disgusting lack of self-awareness!' Which, by the way, one, is completely wrong, and two, pot kettle to him. So forgive me if I don't feel particularly motivated to do any favours for you."
Edelgard felt a slight pang of guilt at Lindhart's declaration, before stating, "I...apologize that that is the extent of our interactions, but I'm afraid you're the only one who can help."
Lindhart returned his eyes to the book in his hand and flipped a page before asking, "Yes? Why's that?"
"Because it has something to do with Crests, and with Hanneman gone there isn't anyone else I can think to ask," Edelgard responded, and as she hoped, the boy perked up slightly.
"Crests?"
Edelgard nodded. "That's right. What can you tell me about Crest Stones?"
"Well that's simple," Lindhart said, closing the book he was reading and pushing it aside within the mound of other books. "Crest Stones are what help charge up the Hero's Relics."
"And does it let off any aura?" Edelgard asked. "Any...magical signature that could be tracked with a spell?"
Lindhart tilted his head to the side and frowned, thoughts creasing his forehead before he stated, "Hmm. I'm not sure. Let me see..."
Lindhart turned to his book pile and his hand hovered over it, mouthing the words of titles before finally settling on one with a nod. Edelgard waited patiently as he flipped through the pages before saying, "Well, they do let off an aura but there's nothing here that speaks of tracking them with spells," he said and Edelgard felt her heart sink.
"I mean it's to be expected really—Crest Stones come with the Hero's Relics and they haven't left since they were first created as far as I know," Lindhart said musingly. "There's never been a Hero's Relic without one...why do you need to find a Crest Stone? Unless my research is false, the Royal Family of Hresvelg don't have a Hero's Relic to pass down."
"No," Edelgard agreed. "But I was looking for a particular Relic—one lost to time. This one doesn't have a Stone and I—"
"Wish to use it?" Lindhart asked skeptically. "You do realize that you can't use a Hero's Relic to its full potential unless you share the Crest it was made for, right?"
"I'm not—never mind," Edelgard stood up with a sigh and said, "It seems I'll need a different tactic. Thank you anyway, Lindhart."
"Yup, sure," Lindhart responded, and just like that the air of nonchalance that persistently emanated from him returned full force.
Well, this proved to be a problem. If she couldn't track the stupid thing she'd have to guess its location. Her best bet was the Holy Tomb but she unfortunately had no idea where that was and she highly doubted her chances of getting in anyway, after the Rite of Rebirth shenanigans that left—
"Edelgard,"
Edelgard stopped and looked up to find the voice's source, Dimitri's familiar form atop a library ladder and balancing a stack of books on the crook of his arm.
"Dimitri," she greeted simply as he stepped down and placed the books on a nearby desk. "Faring well, I hope?"
"I am thank you. I just...in light of last night..." he paused and drummed his fingers against his thigh in thought before shaking his head and picking up his book stack.
"What?" Edelgard questioned with a frown as he walked passed.
"It's nothing," he smiled over his shoulder. "I—you're wounded!" His pleasant smile immediately became horrified as he placed the books down once more and walked towards her, tilting her chin up and moving it to the side.
"Oh, that?" Edelgard frowned as Dimitri ran a finger down the thin scar on her cheek. "That's nothing, Dimitri. I got it from our climb last—"
"No. It's too clean and too deep for it to be a scratching branch. I know a blade's cut when I see one," Dimitri said, shaking his head. He then turned to Edelgard, concern and simmering anger brimming in those ice blue eyes. "Who harmed you? Tell me."
Edelgard pulled back out of his grip. "Nobody. It was a training accident—"
"If that was true you wouldn't have lied initially," Dimitri said firmly. "Edelgard...what happened?"
Edelgard opened her mouth to deny his claims once more when the poison sent painful waves slicing through her entire form. She cried out in pain and fell against the nearby bookshelf, squeezing her eyes shut as she waited for the wave to pass.
"Edelgard!" Dimitri said, gripping her shoulders and attempting to help her stand. "What is this? Poison? Edelgard!"
The pain subsided and Edelgard breathed out a sigh of relief, opening up her eyes and gently pushing Dimitri away. "There's nothing you can do, Dimitri."
"Who did this to you? Edelgard, please—"
"Enough!" Edelgard snapped, causing Dimitri to flinch back. "I don't need your help."
"I…" Dimitri reached for her and then stopped, letting his hand fall. "I see," he said quietly as he looked away, seemingly mulling something over in his head. "I see." With a bow, Dimitri stood once more and picked his book stacks up once more.
Edelgard watched him leave, inexplicably asking herself why she didn't just tell him.
"Okay, so it turns out I was wrong," Lindhart said from behind Edelgard's thoughtfully frowning form and she squeaked embarrassingly in surprise before spinning around.
Thankfully, Lindhart seemed too busy reading over a book. He gave the open page a once over before turning it around to show Edelgard. "There have been records of people who hunted down Hero's Relics using rituals, pentagrams and artefacts to try and hunt them down and wield their power and give them a political edge."
Edelgard took the offered book, eyes darting over the diagrams as a smile slowly made its way onto her face. Yes, this was certainly getting her somewhere.
"Thank you, Lindhart," she said sincerely as she memorized the page number and shut the book. "This is helpful."
Lindhart sighed longingly and slumped his shoulders. "Not just helpful, fascinating. Unfortunately…" He gestured glumly to the library entrance as Seteth strode in, eyes searching the room. "I'm done for. My freedom is over."
Edelgard tucked the book under her arm and edged her away across the wall in an effort to avoid Seteth as he breezed past her beginning to snap, "Lindhart von Hevring if you don't carry yourself to the cathedral this very instant…!"
Would this be enough? If she simply sent this book to Arundel and labeled the page number would he send an antidote and would this mini nightmare finally—
Edelgard cried out as while she was ascending the stairs, another twist of pain sent her to her knees. 'Almost there,' she told herself, picking up her book and struggling to her feet. The pain blurred her vision as she stumbled forward semi-blindly, hands reaching towards any form of purchase.
The noon bell sounded, sending the sound reverberating through her bones and making her body shudder in discomfort.
'Almost there,' she repeated to herself. 'Almost there. Almost there…'
Finally, she collapsed against her door, staggering in and slamming the door shut with her back.
The pain subsided once more, giving Edelgard the chance to quickly make her way to the bed and sit with a deep calming breath.
Focus. She just needed to warp the book and—
The book slipped from her grip and fell to the ground with a thud just before Edelgard crumpled to the ground once more.
"No...no I need to..." she breathed before her eyes slipped shut and her head too thudded against the wood.
-o0o-
Edelgard needed his help, he knew she did. But she clearly didn't want it. So he should just forget about it, and respect her wishes.
Dimitri re-read the same page he'd been staring at for the longest time now, leg bouncing and eyes darting to his door periodically. But if she was truly in danger, if he was right and somebody had tried to kill her...was killing her now with poison…
He slammed the book shut and stood sharply. He didn't care if Edelgard hated him forever, but if she died he knew he would never forgive himself. Ever.
'Besides,' he told himself as he stood and exited his room and briskly walked down the hallway. 'When Edelgard respected my wishes the night prior, a part of me hoped she would refuse. What if this was the same thing? What if—?'
"DIMITRI!" A voice barked from the bottom of the noble dorm steps.
Dimitri jumped and spun around to find Seteth, fingers twisting Lindhart's ear and eyes glaring up at him. "What are you doing out of bed? Goddess what is wrong with you children today?! Why can't you just follow orders!?"
Dimitri winced and swiftly continued on his way. He didn't have anytime to lose if he was going to determine what was going on with Edelgard and help her in time.
"I will come back for you, young man!" Seteth snapped in the distance as Dimitri reached Edelgard's door and knocked it.
"Edelgard? It's me. I-I know you told me you didn't want my help but...I'm worried."
No answer.
Dimitri swallowed nervously. Maybe this was a mistake? Perhaps he should simply…
There was a crash and the sound of laboured breathing, sending panic swimming through his veins.
"Edelgard!" Dimitri threw the door open and found Edelgard slumped over her vanity, forehead pressed against the wood while the stool lay haphazardly on the ground next to an open book.
"Dimitri…" she uttered weakly, as Dimitri closed the door behind him and swiftly knelt beside her. "Edelgard...Edelgard look at me. Please, what's wrong? What's happened?" Gently, he lay her against his chest and thankfully, she complied with the motion and allowed him to appraise her.
Edegard's skin was far paler than usual,the healthy flush gone from her cheeks and her silver hair was plastered to her cheek with sweat. "Hold on, I'll take you to—"
"Nobody can help," she murmured against his shirt. "Only…"
"Only what, Edelgard? Tell me, quickly," Dimitri said, holding her tighter. He couldn't lose her too—he couldn't.
Edelgard's eyelids fluttered open and she turned to the book. "I need to...Warp it."
Dimitri didn't understand how in Fodlan's name warping a book would help her, but he didn't question her, simply nodded and reached over to retrieve it. "Here. What do you need me to do?"
Edelgard slowly sat up, grasping the book with two hands before taking in a deep breath. Dimitri watched as she shakily flipped through the pages and bent the edge of a particular page. A moment later, the book exploded in a flash of violet light and Edelgard collapsed against his chest once more.
"Now what, Edelgard?" Dimitri murmured urgently. "Tell me what to do next."
"Now...now you leave me," Edelgard said, pushing away from him using the vanity to stand once more. "I should be fine now—"
"No, not that. I won't leave you," Dimitri said firmly. Edelgard tensed, brow furrowing before she turned to him with a frown. "I told you—"
"And I don't believe you," Dimitri responded. "I won't risk you dying, Edelgard you're worth too much to me."
Edelgard's frown became a look of confusion...confusion tinted with, sadness, hope? He couldn't tell. And he didn't get to figure it out because another flash of light brightened the room, and this one brought a figure with it.
"Oh my!" The girl said. She was odd looking—skin pale with a sickly gray undertone, and orange eyes framed with stripes of what appeared to be face paint...and that wasn't counting the peculiar outfit she wore. "Well, well, what's going on here?"
Dimitri narrowed his eyes at her. "Who are you?" he questioned warily. He looked up at Edelgard and found she was no longer looking at him but now standing as she pressed her weight against the vanity wood, gaze locked on the strange girl.
"Well?" Edelgard questioned coldly.
The girl hummed, narrowing her eyes at Dimitri. "What'd you tell him?"
"Nothing. Now, the antidote?"
The girl stared at Dimitri for a long uncomfortable moment before shrugging and holding out her hand, a vial appearing in her palm. "Here you go! Thales says good job, by the way," she said as she dropped the red liquid into Edelgard's waiting palm, spared Dimitri a smirk, and then vanished as quickly as she came.
When she'd dissipated, Edelgard pulled the cork off with her teeth and drank its contents, slumping in relief when she'd finished.
"Edelgard," Dimitri said, standing up and frowning. "Who was she? Who's Thal—"
"Nobody," Edelgard answered abruptly, migrating to the bed and lying down with a sigh. "Don't worry about it."
"She was the one who poisoned you, was she not? Why? What's going on with you, Edelgard?" Dimitri said, sitting beside her and placing a hand on hers.
She pulled it away and looked to the side. "I told you—"
"We're friends now, Edelgard," Dimitri cut her off, and she tensed, but he pushed forwards. "Friends care and look out for one another, and I want to care and look after you—so please. Please don't lock me out, I can't help you otherwise."
Edelgard slumped and Dimitri heard her laugh softly. "I understand now," she said softly. "I understand why I want you to walk with me."
Dimitri frowned in confusion. "I don't…" Dimitri's words died on his tongue when he noticed the slow rise and fall of her chest and the full relaxation of her muscles.
He stood up and sighed, making his way towards the door and leaving Edelgard to sleep as thoughts swam through his head.
Corpse like girls blackmailing her with poison? Thales? Would Hubert know of any of this? What—?
At the corner of his eye, Dimitri saw Lambert staring at him from across the hallway, eyes narrowed disapprovingly.
Right now though...he had other duties to attend to.
AN: A small little chapter to feed you guys after the long content famine. Next chapter should be up soon, but you can get it sooner if you become a Patron! *wink, wink* "Fantasy's Writing Shop" is the name ;D
Anyways, I'll be seeing you next time!
Fantasy Fan OUT!