AN: Wanted this posted yesterday but womp, womp life got in the way...again.
This is the first in the last few chapters before of Part One before jump into Part Two and I am excited to show you guys that finale!
Oh! And you'll also be getting chapters everyday until day five so there's that too! :D
I won't be responding to any reviews for quite a bit because I plan on giving the same treatment to all my other stories but don't fret! I WILL respond eventually!
Anyway, hope you enjoy chapter twenty!
Chapter XX: The Living
Edelgard's words were a parasite. A wiggling, writhing, devouring thing that dominated his mind for the entirety of the night.
"...you can't see beyond your hatred and your desire for vengeance…."
"...you will be naught but a footnote in the pages of history because all you'll do is sit on your throne and converse with the ghosts of your past."
"...I pity Faerghus. Their ruler is a mindless, conforming, coward."
Dimitri's fingers clenched his sheets tightly as frustration boiled his blood once more, but just like the dozens and dozens of times he'd felt this exact same feeling from these exact same words, the anger subsided into resignation.
Because Edelgard was right—he was a weapon for his loved ones and nothing more. And he wasn't ashamed of that, he would never be, but he couldn't champion the dead and the living simultaneously, now could he?
But then who was she to call him a poor ruler? She who desired a war, she who was uncaring of the suffering of the masses so long as she reached her goals?
Edelgard wanted Fódlan. Edelgard wanted Faerghus. His people would be ruled under her. How could he accept that knowing now how...heartless she was?
And why did she insist he was mad? Why did she keep downplaying the importance of his loved ones? Not once, not ever had he done such a thing to her family and he never so much as dreamed about it!
And so the cycle continued until dawn had spilled through his windows and showered the room in gold—anger, resignation, anger...
Dimitri sighed heavily as he warily rolled to his side and pushed into a sitting position. There was no point in trying to sleep now.
He spent no time dusting makeup over the heavy circles under his eyes before straightening the rest of himself up and putting on his uniform. Even then, those cursed words followed him just as surely as his ghosts had before they inexplicably disappeared two months prior.
Dimitri didn't even bother with breakfast, his stomach not even remotely desiring food. Instead he went early to The Blue Lions classroom and waited for everyone there.
And sitting alone in the silence, the cycle continued anew.
He contemplated what to do with that revelation—go to Rhea?
As soon as the thought crossed his mind he saw Edelgard kneeled in the courtyard, executioners' axe falling at her neck—
Dimitri hissed sharply and shook his head to rid his mind of that awful image. He was angry with her—angry about what she planned to do to his beloved country, her words against his father and family—but he didn't want her dead, he didn't want to be the cause of her death most of all.
But if he kept it a secret...would that be him instead kneeling in the courtyard? His neck bent and prepared for the executioners' axe?
Did he even care if he got executed? (no)
He didn't know how long he sat there, but soon enough, the Blue Lions filled the classroom.
"Ooh I'm all jittery!" Annette was gushing to Mercedes. "In front of all those people I mean—"
"It's still a week away, Annie, we have time, don't worry!" Mercedes said kindly as Ashe stumbled in with a tired yawn.
"Are you feeling alright, Ashe? Ingrid asked as she took her seat.
Ashe yawned again and said, "I lost track of time in the library and it got late...erm...too late for me so I...slept there. Unfortunately, books don't make very good beds," he said sheepishly with a flush. "Hopefully Tom—ah that's right," Ashe's sheepish smile became a sad frown. "He's…well."
"Are you speaking of Tomas?" Dimitri questioned, turning in his seat to look at Ashe with a concerned frown. "Did something happen?"
"He has revealed himself to be an enemy and powerful dark mage," Dedue said from beside Dimitri. "Everyone was speaking of it in the Dining Hall."
Tomas? An enemy?
His mind then went to Edelgard's seeming distaste with the man, the way she'd been worried about the library being dangerous and how he now had revealed himself as a powerful dark mage...
Tomas had been one of them too—an Agarthan as Edelgard said. He knew it in his bones.
Dimitri's fists clenched tightly atop his lap and he struggled to intake calm breaths. All that kindness and he was nothing more but another bastard.
"I know it sounds mean, but I'm kinda not surprised," Annette said from the very back of the class. "He kinda always creeped me out," she finished as Professor Jeritza strode elegantly into class.
"Hello. We will speak of death today," He said simply as he sat atop the desk and blinked blandly at everyone, eyes locking on Dimitri and flashing like they always did.
It never stopped being unnerving for Dimitri, and it was enough to force his anger to morph into unease and apprehension as he forced himself to sit straight in attention.
"Speaking of creepy guys," Annette muttered and Mercedes quickly gave her a chiding shush.
"By the end of this class...you will have written a beautiful and thought provoking essay on death. Question?" Professor Jeritza said as Ingrid raised her hand.
"Professor, why do we have to write an essay on death?" The blonde questioned with a frown.
"Because without fear of death you are free to battle," Jeritza said as he strode forward, hands clasped behind his back. "And only then can you truly show your true might, dance perfect—"
Jeritza paused, eyes zeroing in on two empty desks before narrowing. "I am missing students."
A second later, Sylvain dashed in with, "Sorry Professor!" Before unceremoniously throwing himself in his seat.
"And the other?"
"Oh, Felix? Training Grounds," Sylvain said distractedly as he dug his writing utensils out of his book bag.
Jeritza made a noise of unamusement before saying, "Somebody retrieve him so we may continue."
Dimitri stood to complete the request with a smile and an assurance, "Not to worry, Professor. I will bring him." Anything to get away from Jeritza's gaze—and his cycling torment wheeling in his mind.
It of course continued to circle his mind as he walked across the expansive lawn and towards the towering building near the dorms, and he sighed forlornly.
At least it completed one of his objectives—Jeritza wasn't staring at him.
Once he'd made it to the Training Grounds, Dimitri called, "Felix?"
Felix was in the midst of a sword fighting pattern, sweat glistening on his brow and sand churning and flying beneath his boots. "What?" He grunted, not stopping his movements.
"Professor Jeritza requires your presence," Dimitri said, stepping further into the Training Grounds as Felix's invisible opponent led him to the other side of the arena.
Felix frowned, spun, and pointed his training sword at Dimitri's throat to finish off his pattern. Dimitri flinched in surprise and stepped back. "I don't care," The swordsman said.
Dimitri sighed. "Felix, I know you aren't fond of him," he said, stepping away from the blunt edged weapon. "But eccentric teachings are still better than none at all, no?"
"Hmph. I suppose" Felix muttered, walking to the weapon rack and returning his training sword. "You can leave now, Boar; I'd rather not spend more time than absolutely necessary with you."
Dimitri flinched and looked away. It wasn't the fist and it certainly would not be the last time Felix called him a boar. But for some inexplicable reason it stung more than usual.
"...a mindless, conforming, coward."
Who was he kidding? Of course he knew why.
"Felix—I...wish—I would prefer if you wouldn't—"
"What? Tell the truth?" Felix demanded, glaring over his shoulder.
All words died on Dimitri's tongue because really, what could he say to that? It was the truth and now even El saw it.
"Just because your Dog—"
"Don't insult Dedue!" Dimitri snapped, sad resignation morphing into angry indignation. "He is a kind and loyal man!"
Felix scoffed and slammed the wooden sword in its rack, back turned to Dimitri. "There's a very, very big difference between loyalty and being a complacent puppet."
Dimitri scowled and shook his head. "Dedue is no puppet."
"Oh of course not just a yes-man to stroke your ego," Felix sneered. He turned back around and strode over to the prince, stopping just before him as he growled, "A man who has no limit of things he'd do for your sake."
"I—"
"I spoke with him the other day. Do you know what he said? He would plow through innocents, and give away his life just because he felt obligated to do it! And you wouldn't do anything to stop it."
"I don't condone Dedue sacrificing anything for my sake, I don't condone anyone throwing away what matters to them for me!" Dimitri cried.
"And that's all you ever do, Boar Prince," Felix scoffed, stepping back and crossing his arms. "You 'don't condone'. You don't challenge anyone's deluded beliefs, you don't stop them, you just disagree."
"It's not my place to tell people how they live their lives," Dimitri said firmly. "I don't like it that Dedue—or anyone would die for me but I haven't the right to stop them if that's what they believe is right."
"And there you go again, acting like your selfishness is noble. Brave, good people have fallen for you and all you can say is 'it's not my business.'" Felix laughed bitterly and gave Dimitri a hate filled snarl. "They're gone, they're never coming back. They're loved ones will never talk or spend time with them ever again and all so a bloodthirsty prince could live and allow the same cycle to happen all over again. You disgust me."
Dimitri opened his mouth, then closed it. His eyes fell downcast to the sandy floor and he swallowed shakily. "Felix—I know this is...Glenn he—"
"Shut up!" Felix yelled, shoving Dimitri hard in the chest and forcing him back. "If you ever say his name again I will—" Felix cut himself off, taking in a deep breath before taking several steps back.
Dimitri squeezed his eyes shut, trying and failing to keep the tears at bay. "I—I'm—"
The large doors opened and Sylvain poked his head in. "Felix? Your Highness? The Professor is getting antsy..."
The red-head paused, brown eyes flickering between the two boys before he winced. "Do you guys—yeah I'm just going to let you sort this out—"
"I was just leaving," Felix said cooly, not even sparing Dimitri a glance as he left the Training Grounds.
"Hey," Sylvain said to Dimitri with a frown as Felix breezed past. "You alright?"
Dimitri wiped away the tears and gave Sylvain a forced smile. "Yes," he lied.
Sylvain clearly didn't buy it if his growing frown was any indication, but he blessedly changed the subject with a sly smile. "How about you tell me how your night with the princess went, in that case?"
Dimitri's false smile slipped and he looked away. "I—let's just return to class. Please."
Maybe Edelgard wasn't the Flame Emperor he was looking for, but what she truly was was hardly better. Edelgard was going to kill millions and she didn't seem to care so long as she had Fódlan in her clutches.
Dimitri sighed softly as he stepped out of the Training Grounds, eyes finding her hunched form from within the Eagles classroom. If she didn't hand her over to Rhea, he would no doubt have to kill her eventually—in the battle field when she tried to pry Faerghus from his fingers.
"Why did it have to be you, El?" Dimitri whispered hoarsely.
Why did the Goddess despise him so?
-o0o-
Heartless.
Edelgard scoffed as she glared at the black board and wrote its contents vigorously down with her quill.
He had no idea what he spoke of, none. The fact that she had looked at Fódlan and desired to heal its wounds proved far, far otherwise from what he was saying! But no, Dimitri could not see past the casualties, he could only see the future orphans and widows.
No. No actually that was giving him too much credit, wasn't it? What Dimitri truly couldn't see passed was his own blasted—
The quill tip snapped and Edelgard flinched in surprise. Manuela raised her head drunkenly from her desk and slurred, "Was gone on?"
"Apologies, My Teacher," Edelgard said, about to reach into her bag for an extra quill, only for one to be thrust into her face.
"Here, Edel! Use mine," Kronya said with an overly sugary smile from the desk beside her.
Edelgard glared at her and snatched the writing utensil, going back to her work as Manuela asked, "Monica why're you not writing the notes?"
Kronya smiled innocently and said, "I don't feel the need to, Professor."
Manuela snorted and rested her head back on the table grumbling, "It's your ed-cation."
As the woman went back to napping, Kronya leaned towards Edelgard with a smirk. "Trouble in paradise?"
Edelgard swallowed thickly but didn't answer.
"Y'know that's why he's a pawn and not a player, right?" Kronya continued while Edelgard ignored her.
But Kronya was right. And Edelgard had known from the very start Dimitri would never join her—and yet she had wanted to get close to him anyway.
She still, even now, wanted to walk with him by her side, with his kind expressive eyes and his caring words and enjoyable companionship.
If he wasn't such a coward—she just wanted him to understand. Why couldn't he just understand what needed to be done? Why was he so willing to just do nothing out of convenience? His flippant attitude was the epitome of everything wrong with Fódlan!
Edelgard closed her eyes and sighed. She couldn't think of him now. She needed to focus on the war, focus on her mission.
The bell rang just as Edelgard finished taking her notes while Kronya sprung to her feet and said, "Lucky day! We get a break from each other." She patted Edelgard's shoulder and beamed as she smugly added, "Thales wants me to do important things for him."
Edelgard rolled her eyes. As if she cared less if Arundel trusted her with anything "important"; Kronya's boasting was sorely wasted and she felt utter relief as the obnoxious girl left, turning to the teachers' desk in attention when Manuela cleared her throat.
"Right so," she said, rubbing her forehead with a pained groan. "The uh...what's that stupid thing called—right, right. Reminder that The Academy Ball is coming as well as the White Heron Cup," Manuela groaned and rested her cheek against the desk as she twirled her flask in her hand. "Someone has to represent Eagle House so please let me know if you'd like to be a dancer—but tomorrow. My head is killing me."
Edelgard sighed wistfully as she exited the classroom. She'd already decided she wouldn't be the dancer—the outfit was far too revealing, something that wouldn't be so much of a problem if she didn't have her prominent scars to worry about.
She could at least dance at the ball however; nothing could be done about the Crest of Flames with Byleth being watched 24/7 by Rhea and there was nothing planned with the Agarthans for this month as far as she was aware. She was, for a few hours, able to—
Edelgard paused when she felt eyes on her, and instinctively she looked to her side.
Dimitri was watching her, an unreadable expression on his face as students milled around him. His eyes, for once, far too muddled with multiple emotions for her to decipher and intern, her own emotions were muddled and conflicting as well.
Edelgard wanted to say something, she wanted to shake sense into him, she wanted to know if they were still friends, she wanted to demand why he wouldn't just listen, she wanted to pretend their argument yesterday had never happened.
They both turned away simultaneously instead.
"So the new girl finally leaves your side," Dorothea commented as she stood beside her and raised an eyebrow. "Strange that it took this long—you clearly didn't like her at all."
"Dorthea," Edelgard greeted with a nod, grateful for the distraction. "How are you fairing?"
"Well. Our librarian turned out to be an insane dark mage and I'm having some trust issues now...also Ferdinand, he—anyway, You?"
Edelgard's lips twitched upwards at the comment with the hint of a laugh as she said, "This year hasn't been kind to us, has it?"
"Nope. But then again, life is never kind," Dorthea resignedly shrugged. "Especially when nobles can't stop making a muck of things for five tiny seconds."
"It won't always be so," Edelgard said without really thinking, and Dorthea snorted.
"Right."
"I speak the truth."
"Even as empress, you can't just fundamentally rewrite the thinking process of every Margrave Gautier, Lonato, Lady Rhea and—I'm not sure what the Death Knight is or who those intrusive bird mages are but it's a high ranking nobles fault, I just know it," Dorthea said.
Well, Dorthea wasn't technically wrong on that front.
"When I become empress, everything will be different," Edelgard told her confidently, but didn't clarify how she'd do it—after Dimitri's poor reception she wasn't foolish to try and pitch her ambitious plot again.
Dorthea laughed softly and smiled. "No more skirmishes and land squabbles? Oh, wouldn't that be bliss."
Edelgard tensed as Dorthea continued with, "Or you could at least make it so they're forbidden to drag us commoners into the mix—I wouldn't mind that. Anyway! I have my choir club to get to! 'Bye, Edie!" Dorthea gave her shoulder a squeeze before dashing off, leaving the princess with her thoughts.
"This is your plan to 'save Fódlan?' To create orphans and widows? To sow resentment with your people?"
That was why he refused the war—not because he agreed with the status quo but because he didn't want to do just what Dorthea was complaining about; drag commoners—his people—into noble business.
But...it wasn't just a "land squabble" this was the fate of Fódlan at stake here! And yes, yes innocents would inevitably be dragged into it but it was what needed to be done!
"I pity Adrestia…" Dimitri's voice responded and Edelgard scowled as she brisked off with clenched fists. "Their ruler is a heartless, immoral, warmonger."
Edelgard shook her head to rid it of those foolish thoughts. If Fódlan needed someone "heartless" to fix it, then she'd be just that.
-o0o-
"You look handsome, Your Highness," Dedue appraised in appreciation, jolting Dimitri from his thoughts.
"Thank you, Dedue," Dimitri said as his retainer straightened the top blouse and adjusted the collar in front of the vanity. "But this is unnecessary—"
"You've seemed fatigued for these past few days. This was the least I could do for you seeing as how you would refuse to sleep if I advised you to," Dedue responded calmly and Dimitri flushed slightly. It seemed everyone was being heavy handed with honesty this month.
Speaking of which…
"May I ask you a question, Dedue?"
"Of course."
Dimitri hesitated, awkwardly pinching one of the buttons holding his blouse closed and rolling it between his fingers. "Why do you...serve me?"
"Because I desire to," Dedue answered automatically as he picked up a comb and ran it through Dimitri's hair.
"Yes but, why?"
"It is my duty and I have no qualms with it." Dedue said as if it were obvious.
"So...that's it then?" Dimitri asked, turning his head over his shoulder to frown at him. "You don't have a reason?"
Dedue frowned back and blinked slowly in confusion. "Your Highness, I have already—"
"Never mind, it's just...what have I done, really?" Dimitri questioned quietly. "To deserve your loyalty, I mean? Or Sylvain's, or Ingrid's, or Faerghus's?"
"You are our prince and future king. That is enough."
Dimitri shook his head in frustration and said, "No. No, it isn't! Not when—nothing."
As Dimitri turned back around with a sigh Dedue had paused, seemingly in contemplation before continuing the task of neatening Dimitri's hair.
He silently wondered why he'd stopped challenging that foolish notion, perhaps because he knew Dedue wouldn't listen to him if he explained why following him blindly was wrong. Maybe he was simply making excuses.
Maybe Felix and Edelgard were right.
"May I inquire why you are asking this, Your Highness?" Dedue asked. "Is something troubling you?"
Dimitri licked his lips nervously and took in a deep breath. "My coronation is fast approaching," he answered. "I—need to know where I stand with my people."
"There is no need. They—we adore you and will be glad to see you take the throne," Dedue said.
Dimitri sighed once more as Dedue finished and stepped back with a pleased smile. "Thank you," he said as he stood and smoothed down his blouse and looked at himself in the mirror. But he still didn't get his answer. He still didn't get an answer to his "why".
What had he done to deserve any of their sacrifice? For all those people to…
"Your Highness," Dedue said gently as he stepped forwards once more with a worried frown.
Dimitri blinked twice, rubbing the back of his hand against his eye once he realized he was crying. "Let's go, Dedue," he said tightly. "It wouldn't do to be late."
-o0o-
In many ways, tonight felt like Edelgard's first dinner at the Monastery; the comforting buttery light and deliciously smelling food wafting from the kitchens. The cheerful chatter and the pit of childish jealousy heavy in her stomach.
Well...she supposed there were some differences—many of the participants of the ball were refugees from Remire instead of students from any of the Academies, the Golden Deer were uncharacteristically subdued, and there was a section cleared away for both dancing and the upcoming performances.
Edelgard sighed and leaned against the snack table, nibbling on yet another butter cookie as she watched students and refugees mill about, either eating, dancing, or all of the above—an example being Caspar as he held a turkey leg in one hand, Lindhart's hand in the other, and tried to to convince his disinterested friend to "loosen up and dance a lil'!".
She vaguely wondered why Lindhart even bothered to show up in the first place when somebody bumped her lightly.
"Oh!" The voice said as Edelgard turned to glance at its owner. "I'm so—"
Dimitri's voice cut off when he realized who he was talking to and he clamped his mouth shut. They stared at each other for a few moments, Edelgard once again wanting to end the speaking strike they'd set up for an entire week and go back to the way things had been before he caught her with that blasted armour.
He wanted to too, Edelgard could tell. She could tell in the way he chewed on his bottom lip, the way his brow pinched slightly in conflict. And yet, and yet when he opened his mouth she walked away, her heart changing its mind on the last possible second once again.
It was better this way. She'd always known, even before he'd wormed his way into her heart.
At the moment, Seteth's voice called for everyone to take their seats and Edelgard breathed a sigh of relief that there was something to distract her until Dimitri grabbed her by the elbow and halted her movements.
"Edelgard—"
"I have nothing more to say to you," she replied coolly, tugging out of his grip and glaring at him over her shoulder. "And for the last time. Stop snatching me."
"I'm sorry," he said. "I shouldn't have—I know—we need to talk. Please."
"As I've already relayed—"
"Please," Dimitri repeated beseechingly, desperation alight in his eyes. "I don't...I can't leave it—leave us like this."
Hearing Dimitri state verbally insinuate that their time together was numbered made the reality all the more crushing. Still, Edelgard agreed; she too would loathe for them to never see eachother again until the battlefield with nothing but cruel biting words left between them.
Edelgard glanced at the center of the Dining Hall as the choir group milled in—Dorthea and Ferdinand in the lead followed by Mercedes, Annette, Lorenze and Marrianne from the Golden Deer and a few students from the other Academies that she didn't recognize.
She wasn't all too keen in hearing Seiros hymns anyway. So turning back to Dimitri, she nodded simply before he smiled gratefully and led her out of the Hall. The sound of a melodic chorus of voices followed them as they walked down the empty halls, footsteps echoing against the walls.
"Do you have a place in mind?" Edelgard questioned.
Dimitri hesitated before shaking his head. "I can't say I do. This was a bit spur of the moment you see...ah, do you have an idea?"
Edelgard paused before an idea came to mind and she nodded. "I do. Here, let me show you." She led Dimitri down another hallway as she heard Dorthea's voice through the walls beginning the song.
"Summer,
Tell me where you have gone my friend
Summer,
Why did our sweet time have to end…?"
"These steps," Dimitri said, stepping into the old archway Edelgard had led him to and staring up at the winding staircase. "This is the Goddess Tower, is it not?"
"Yes, it—what?" Edelgard frowned at the prince as he looked bashfully away.
"N-nothing," he said quickly as he turned his head away and ascended the steps.
"Summer,
Fate deemed you time with me was done
But Summer,
Even so I miss you oh so much…"
Ferdinand repeated the lines Dorthea had just sang and Edelgard found herself mildly surprised that his singing voice was on par with that of the songstress—she wouldn't tell her that, of course.
Once they'd reached the top, Edelgard breathed in a deep sigh as the crisp night air filled her lungs. She stepped towards the stone balcony and placed her palms against it, feeling the coolness spread into her palms.
Dimitri stepped beside her, clearing his throat before stating, "You look...you look ravishing."
Edelgard glanced down at the gown she wore—a black bodice covered completely in dark cloth roses covered her chest and snug velvet sleeves concealed her arms while the layered crimson skirts brushed against the ground. She'd even accepted Dorthea's instance of doing light makeup on her and now possessed brighter lips and bronze dusted lids while her long hair was pulled up into an elegant bun that exposed her neck, one of the few places devoid of scars.
"Thank you," she said, feeling incredibly pleased at the compliment. "As do you."
The white ruffled collar blouse, snug blue pants and dark knee length boots were simple, yet there was something captivating about seeing Dimitri in something other than his uniform—especially the way the light blue of the pants brought out those eyes she oh so loved.
"Without you, my world is autumn,
With changing colours and all these problems…"
The choir downstairs sang in unison as Edelgard said, "You seem flustered."
Dimitri flushed once more as he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Well...you see this place is fairly—well there's a legend that says when a man and woman make a wish on The Goddess Tower, the Goddess will here and grant their wishes." He shrugged sheepishly. "It's always seemed rather...intimate? Amorous? A bit—"
"Romantic?" Edelgard translated slowly, now trying to control her slowly rising temperature.
Dimitri flushed brighter and bowed his head.
"I miss your sun; how it shone brightly,
Now I hug myself, it's far too chilly…."
"Never mind," he said quickly. "I—the talk, right." He closed his eyes and took in a deep breath before saying, "You were right that night."
Edelgard's eyes widened slightly as the mild flustering disappeared, hope fluttering in her heart until he continued with, "About...me as a person...as king, I mean."
"I see," Edelgard said, the hope dimming as she looked away from him and stared into the distance as the light from a dozen shops and houses illuminated the sky and the choir repeated the song's chorus. "But I disagree with you partially."
Even without looking at him, Edelgard knew he was frowning in bewilderment, so she explained. "You aren't a coward. Narrow sighted, overly-hesitant, conforming, yes. Maybe a bit scared but certainly not a coward."
She turned back to him, smiling softly as she placed her raven satin covered hands atop his white gloved ones. "You survived something terrible, remember? We're both strong."
Dimitri returned the smile and twined his fingers with Edelgard's. "Rebels," he said softly, squeezing.
"Without you, smiling is tiresome
My lips tilt upwards, but there's no glee in them…"
"Must you do this, Edelgard?" He said, voice pained as the smile slipped into a sad frown. "Must you sow more pain? After what we've been through—"
"What we've been through is exactly why this must be done," Edelgard said firmly, unlacing her hands from his and placing the back on the balcony. "Future generations will never have to suffer as we did. Don't you see?"
"I do," Dimitri said quietly, looking up at the stars with a sad smile. "You—you want what's best for your people, you want to fix their plights and I admire that. I was wrong as well; you aren't heartless."
Although appreciating the apology, there was a nagging bit of doubt at that comment for whatever reason. But she spoke nothing of it, instead saying, "You as well. I understand you fear dragging your people into a slaughter but—"
"Leave Faerghus out of your war, Edelgard," Dimitri cut her off, looking back down at her with fear and subtle desperation, hands clenching and cracking the stone. "We'll stay neutral. You can conquer and attack anyone you want but please—"
"I can't promise that, Dimitri. You know this," Edelgard said. "In fact...that simply isn't possible."
Dimitri swallowed and nodded slowly, resignation clouding his eyes as he looked away from her again. "That's it, then?"
"And oh! I wish I could go back in time
Save your soul, hold you close, remake you mine…"
"It doesn't have to be," Edelgard said softly, knowing the near futility of her words, much like Dimitri must have known the futility of begging for his country but shooting her shot anyway. "Join me. Walk with me. Together we could—"
"I want to," Dimitri said with a sad chuckle as he shook his head. "And like I said I admire your ideas but—the path you walk is one I cannot...will not follow."
It was Edelgard's turn to swallow anticipated disappointment as she stepped back from the ledge and touched his shoulder lightly. "Then yes...that's it."
She turned to leave when Dimitri called, "Wait!"
Edelgard paused, looking back curiously.
"I...I'd like to dance," he said hesitantly. "Once more." He held out his hand and smiled hopefully. "Just once more."
Once more…
"You...taught me how to dance. Did you know that?"
Edelgard paused before nodding and turning back around and taking the offered hand. "Alright," she said.
Dimitri smiled brightly as he held her shoulders and she his, swaying gently to the choir's singing.
"And oh! I will defy,
Fate's dastardly wishes just so I could see you smile…"
The steps came naturally to them both, steps never faltering, movements constantly in rhythm. During a crescendo in the acapella instrumental, Dimitri spun her outwards and she twirled, skirts fanning out like a flower in bloom before he pulled her back in.
"We've done this before," Edelgard said softly, feeling the simple dance movements beckoning to some long forgotten part of her brain.
"Yes," Dimitri said with a bittersweet smile. "I told you, did I not?"
"Once more," Edelgard repeated.
His bittersweet smile tightened and he swallowed thickly. "Yes," he said once more as he pulled her closer. Her head reached his shoulder blades and their chests were flush against one another, their heartbeats just as in sync as their music and a long forgotten nostalgia washing over her and surely him as well.
All too soon, the song ended and a loud applause answered. The two rulers stood there for a while, simply holding one another.
That childish part of Edelgard was acting up again, and she didn't want to let go, she didn't want her and Dimitri's path to split apart.
She didn't want to kill him.
"Don't do this," Dimitri whispered in her ear. "Please. Please, Edelgard. We'll find another way."
Finally, Edelgard pulled away from him, and she could feel the reluctance in Dimitri's movements as he pulled back as well. "I must. I'm sorry."
She walked slowly backwards, trailing her hands down his, savoring every part of him, tossing crumbs to the longing in her heart, until they were too far apart for her to touch him and it was just him alone, bathed in the light of the full moon. Its silvery light seemed to intensify the sadness in his blue eyes, the unshed tears, the pleading, and Edelgard had to look away, lest she be trapped by their spell.
"Goodbye, Dimitri," She said, and began to walk towards the steps once more.
"Goodbye," he answered brokenly. And then afterwards, as her foot landed on the first step he added, "El."
Edelgard's eyes widened, her body going taut as an invisible fist of iron punched her square in the chest and stole her breath. The night air was suddenly strangling her, apart of her mind tore like an old forgotten scab and memories poured out. They were unyielding, powerful, filled with emotions and sights, and smells, and familiar blue eyes.
Her own eyes teared up, a halted strangled gasp escaping her parted trembling lips as her world violently tilted on its axis—
And then she was falling.
Through the sound of childish laughter and conversation, she heard someone scream her name. But it was too late she knew; her descent was too fast and nothing could stop her from drowning in the flood of long lost memories.
Edelgard landed in a grassy meadow on her back, blinking dazedly before turning her head and finding a boy. He braided daisy stems together, his brows furrowed in concentration and long blonde hair draped over his face like a curtain of sunshine.
He held up his creation, smiling before turning back to her with eyes of such adoration and kindness and—
"Edelgard!"
Her body sank through the meadow, the scene melting to black before those same blue eyes from the memory stared down her, though instead of giddy and adoring, they were horrified and desperate.
"Edelgard," Dimitri repeated feverishly, the one hand not cradling her painfully pounding skull holding up three fingers. "How many fingers am I holding up?" he said urgently.
Edelgard's lips parted to respond, but instead of uttering a number, they let loose a weak, "Dima?"
Dimitri's eyes widened in shock just as Edelgard slipped into unconsciousness.
AN: Did I introduce the choir club just so they could hype my poetry skills? Yes. Yes I did.
This chapter had a couple of alternating titles such as, "Dimitri Realizing he was the Cowardly Lion and Edelgard Realizing she was the Tin Man all Along" but I managed to show some restraint :3
Also! This Partial Week Chapter will include ending songs, and today's song is *drum roll* "Hurts Like Hell" by Fleurie!
See you tomorrow!
Fantasy Fan OUT!