As the sun rises on a new day. It began with a fond, but tearful farewell. As Alois, former Knight of Seiros, now a retired member of The Emperor's Black Eagle Strike Force, had boarded a carriage to Remire Village.

Byleth had been crying ever since they had their fond farewell, that very morning. Edelgard wanted more than anything to remain by her side and help Byleth with Alois's departure, but Hubert spoke to her that General Karma had an urgent update to report. Reluctantly, Edelgard left Byleth in the capable hands of her friends.

Byleth was being quiet. Even for her, this was unusual. Only muttering a few words to Manuela after her check-up and nothing more.

After her check-up, Byleth remained in her Infirmary room and just sat in silence. The others were worried about her.

Byleth had only just started to come to grasp with her emotions and feelings, this was a step to far for the former Professor.

This feeling...

This pain...

Saying goodbye to someone...

How did the others cope with these feelings?

This hurt...

A knock at the door pulled the recovering war survivor from her thoughts.

"S-Sister... Is everything a-alright?" Bernadetta asked from beyond the door. "E-Edelgard said you looked a little o-off after A-Alois left, so I wanted to check up on you."

Silence from Byleth.

This struck something in the archer, as she summoned up her courage as she grabbed the handle for the door.

"I-I'm coming in, S-Sister."

Bernadetta nervously swung open the door and saw the sorry state Byleth was in.

Tears were cascading down Byleth's, though her former Professor did not move to wipe them away. She just sat dejectedly; her head downcast as she sat on her bed.

You have to do something for her Bernie. Looking at her like this is almost sending me to tears. Think Bernie, think. What would Byleth do?

After coming to her decision, Bernadetta slowly approached her sister, to not alarm her, and carefully rested her hands onto her shoulders.

"S-Sister..." The archer stuttered out. Hearing her sister talk, caused Byleth to raise her head.

Bernadetta could see the extent of the hurt Byleth was going through. Her eyes looked so devoid of life, while her expression was a mixture of hurt, sadness, but also confusion.

"Bernie..." Byleth muttered softly as her eyes drifted towards her sister.

Bernie carefully and slowly, wiped away the tears running down her former Professor's face.

"Sorry." Byleth took one of Bernie's hands into her own. "I must look like a complete mess. Seeing your Professor like this, must be humiliating."

Bernadetta wasn't having any of Byleth's insults on herself.

"T-That's not true." The archer placed her other hand atop of Byleth's head and rubbed her head. Just like her Professor did to Bernie all those years ago.

"Y-You're hurting, and you're just starting to get to grips with your emotions, but you are far from being humiliating. You are kind and caring."

Bernadetta pulled Byleth's head into her chest as she stood over her, stroking her head.

"You were there for all of us during the war. We needed someone to keep us all together. We all ate together. Fought together. Cried together. Yet, there you were helping us all." Bernadetta let her own tears start to fall. "There's nothing humiliating about feeling sad or helpless."

Bernadetta moved her hand underneath Byleth's chin and raised her head up. Byleth locked eyes with her little sister. The former Professor sighed as her eyes drifted away from her former student.

"You're right, sorry." Her teacher's face fell as her eyes latched directly to the floor below.

Bernadetta forced Byleth to look at her again.

"You have nothing to apologise for Byleth. You're not used to your emotions yet." The archer dropped her hands on her sister's head and sat down right beside her.

Gradually, a small smile appeared on Byleth's face as she held tightly to her sister's hand.

" I-I thought it would be easy. Something so human as understanding how you feel. I guess that learning to control my feelings will take a lot longer than I thought." Byleth sighed as she glanced at Bernadetta as the shorter woman leaned on to her shoulder.

"We'll help. We all promised to help."

The archer then squeezed tightly to her former Professor's hands.

Byleth was about to open her mouth, but the two heard a knock on the Infirmary door.

"Byleth? Are you feeling alright?"

The quiet voice belonging to the Emperor of Fódlan spoke from beyond the door.

Without wasting time, Bernadetta left her sister's side and opened the Infirmary door.

Within a moment, the Emperor of Fódlan walked in carrying a tray of food. Each dish contained something that Byleth greatly enjoyed. Seeing the fresh and juicy stakes and chicken had Byleth's mouth-watering. Though before the former Professor could dig in, Edelgard held and interlaced her hands while Bernadetta return to Byleth's side.

"Byleth... How are you feeling?" Edelgard held tightly to Byleth's hands as her former Professor glances at Edelgard with a small smile.

"Yes, my love. I'm feeling a bit better after talking to Bernie bear." Byleth patted the head of the woman in question.

Though with her small smile, Byleth noticed that her love still looked a conflicted.

"I'm sorry, Byleth. I should've been here for you, but there was that damned meeting." Edelgard growled as her face scrunched up in disdain.

"I-Is everything a-alright, E-Edelgard?" The archer nervously spoke as she glanced at the Emperor.

"No but... I'll brief everyone later today. It's... Something personal." Edelgard bitterly sighed but would not go further. Instead opting to change the subject entirely.

"You must be getting tired of these walls, my teacher." Edelgard said with a small smile growing on her face as she saw Byleth's eyes widen at the mention of going outside.

Byleth nodded her head eagerly something that Bernadetta giggled to.

"I thought so." Edelgard smirked at her love's eager reaction.

The Emperor then stood up, dropping Byleth's hands and exiting the room, bringing confusion to both Bernadetta and the Professor.

Though as quickly as she left, Edelgard returned with two wooden crutches as she handed them to Byleth.

"Here, Manuela gave me these. They're to help you walk for the next couple of days." Edelgard said as Byleth stood up giving them a go.

Byleth looked a little uneasy, not used to her feet not touching the floor, but still pushed herself to make this work.

"I can work with this."

"Okay, just don't push yourself, my love." Edelgard spoke as her gloved hand cupped Byleth's cheek and reached up, on the tips of her toes, to press a kiss onto Byleth's own lips.

A knock at the door drew everyone's attention. The door opens revealing both Hubert and Ferdinand. When they saw their former Professor up and out of the bed, they both wore warming smiles.

"It's so nice to see you out of that bed, Professor." Ferdinand spoke as he joyfully saw how close Byleth and Edelgard were. Both had their arms around each other.

"Yes... Quite." Hubert sighed as he began to... tolerate their newly found relationship. "As much as it is good to see you, we require the Emperor. The Lords and Ladies of the council require you back in the Council Chamber."

The Emperor sighed as she leaned into Byleth's embrace only for a little while longer before pulling herself apart from her love. "Yes, you're right, Hubert."

Edelgard turned towards Bernadetta. "Please keep an eye on her, Bernadetta."

The archer nodded her head nervously, not liking being put on the spot. "O-Of course."

The Emperor smiled at both at her lover and at the Archer. "Thank you." Edelgard pressed one more kiss onto Byleth lips. "Bring everyone to the Council Chamber after dusk. I'll explain more there."

Byleth nods her head. "Of course, Edelgard."

With one last smile, Edelgard mouthed 'I love you' to her Byleth.

With her heart now beating rapidly, Byleth now understands and likes this feeling.

Love.


It didn't take long for Byleth to master how to use these crutches, relatively at no time at all. Even Bernadetta was surprised at the Progress Byleth had made, though she used to live her life as a Mercenary, so maybe she shouldn't be surprised.

Though what Bernadetta definitely should not be surprised about was their first destination. The training ground.

Once there, the two spied a number of their friends spending time together or in Felix's case training on a practising his sword play on a dummy.

Alongside him in the training ground were, Dorothea sitting eating small pastries with Petra, while the future Queen of Brigid laid in her lap. Leonie splitting a double layered with white frosting cake with Lysithea and Marianne. Catherine flexing in front of a blushing Shamir. Jeritza was training with a Lance alongside Sylvain, as Jeritza's older sister Mercedes watched on lovingly. Caspar was sparing with Raphael to determine who had the strongest punch though going from how exhausted it's safe to say that they'll be there a while, though with a sleepy Linhardt and cheerful Ignatz, cheering on their respective significant others, they both refused to back down. And finally, a tea set was laid out on a table with the occupants being Ingrid, Annette, Ashe and Lorenz.

Overall, seeing all of her friends having fun by spending time with each other brought a new feeling to Byleth. A feeling that she likes.

"Professor?!" A quiet voice that belonged to Annette called out.

Shortly, everyone's attention was drawn away from what they were doing and instead followed where Annette was gazing at.

As soon as they all made eye contact with their former Professor, most of them ran to her engulfing her in tight embraces or shoulder pat while other offered kind words.

For Byleth it was all a bit overwhelming. She wasn't prepared for the smiles on their faces as they were having fun with spending time with each other, not thinking about the war. As tears started to well up in her eyes warm and Comforting hands fell onto her shoulder.

As soon as the tears stopped falling and mostly everyone had left her with warm and comforting hugs, they all went back to what they were doing, save for Petra, Dorothea, Catherine and Shamir.

"Where's Edie? I thought she wouldn't want to leave your side?" Dorothea asked as a teasing smile appeared on her lips.

Byleth was quick to dash her friend's fun. "Unfortunately, she had an urgent meeting with the Ministers and her council. Though she did say she wanted all of us to meet up with her after Dusk. She wants to explain everything."

Catherine stepped forward with a hand over her heart and a smirk growing on her face. "Meaning we have some time to spare." Her eyes latched onto the soon-to-be Queen of Brigid." Wanna spar Petra? Maybe I can learn a few things from a Princess of Brigid."

Petra glanced over towards her love. With one teasing head nod, Petra accepted. The two made their own way to gather the dulled, practise swords as Bernadetta helped Byleth find a seat to watch alongside Dorothea and Shamir. Catherine took off her heavy armour, only leaving her in a loose black top and baggy shorts.

"Don't take this the wrong way Dorothea, but I don't care who wins, I'm only watching for one thing." Shamir spoke as she was inspecting the owner of Thunder brand's muscled arms and chiselled stomach.

Dorothea glanced over to Petra who held her practise sword backhanded getting into her stance. Though Dorothea couldn't help but stare at the future Queen's arms and stomach. "Yes. I agree."

As Catherine and Petra clashed swords, Byleth took in everything and everyone around her.

This is what why we fought. To achieve this peace across all of Fódlan. Now we all have to work together to maintain the peace. Not just in Fódlan, but with Brigid and Almyra. Every continent needs to be at peace with one another, if not then Those who Slither will tare us apart.

"Everything a-all right, Byleth?" Bernadetta asked snapping Byleth from her thoughts.

She nodded her head and rubbed Bernadetta's head. "Yes. Just... I'm grateful. For everything. For everyone."

Dorothea gleefully giggled. "Getting all sentiment on us, Byleth. Still you're not wrong. After everything, there's no words that can describe it."

The three then settled into a comforting silence. Dorothea was studying her love, intently as she sparred with Catherine. Bernadetta on the other hand was working on one of her drawings. As Byleth peered over, she noticed that it was from the sparing match right in front of her. Both Petra and Catherine clashing. Wooden sword against wooden sword. It looked incredible.

A small but proud smile grew on Byleth's face as she took pride in Bernie's artistic work.


As time passed in the training courtyard, the time seemed to fly by as the bright colours of the sky turned to night. Though their evening was far from over as everyone from the Black Eagle Strike Force made their way towards the Council Chamber.

Once inside, Byleth noticed the members of the council were not occupying the room, only Edelgard, Hubert and Ferdinand remained.

"Thank you all for coming everyone, please take a seat... It's going to be a long night." Edelgard spoke exasperated from the day's meetings.

To help sooth her, Byleth took the seat next to her and held onto one of Edelgard's gloved hands. She rubbed her Emperor's fingers with her own. It seemed to have worked as Edelgard squeezed tightly to Byleth's hand before Shortly after letting go.

With mostly everyone seated apart from a few exceptions, Edelgard began her meeting.

Edelgard started off thanking her Allies for helping her achieve her dreams of a united Fódlan. Creating the foundation of a fair and balanced Fódlan. She thanked them from the very depths of her heart for helping her grant her one wish. Her one goal. Though with all congratulatory from the war, The Emperor moved things along onto their next stage of their plan. The eradication of Those Who Slither In The Dark.

"With the war with the Church at its end, we must now turn our attention towards my uncle and Those Who Slither In The Dark." Edelgard spoke as she glanced towards her trusted retainer and her Prime Minister. "Hubert, Ferdinand. Please share with everyone what you found out."

Ferdinand nodded his head at the Emperor as he glanced with a small smile at Hubert before speaking to the large group.

"Cast your minds back to the siege of Arianrhod. When Thales ordered it to be destroyed when he used pillars of light to disintegrated Arianrhod."

"How can we forget; they butchered an entire city. Wiped out a third of our men in an instant." Felix spoke up with distaste in his mouth.

"Precisely. Hubert proposed the idea that the magic they used must come from a close source. Like one of their own Mages perhaps." Ferdinand explained as he glances at all of the members of the Strike Force hoping they're catching up.

Thankfully, the others were listening... Well mostly everyone, as Caspar kept on nudging a sleeping Linhardt.

Ferdinand sighed noticing his sleeping friend, but still carried on.

"Yes, well Hubert noticed a few, let's say... unsavoury people hanging around the Professor's Infirmary room. Though they were quickly dealt with and are now in the dungeons awaking questioning. Though Hubert quickly identified that they are in fact apart of Those Who Slither."

Hearing that there were some of her Father's killers lurking around near her, a new feeling started to bubble away in her chest. As she clenched her hands into tight fists as something rushed up throughout herself.

Memories of the words Rhea growled at her in the Holy Mausoleum.

When Thales stopped her attack that was heading to kill Monica.

Then when Rhea ordered the church to burn down a village full of innocent people not involved in the war.

Those memories merged into one, then into this new feeling. She didn't like this feeling, but she couldn't help it filling her.

Edelgard noticed the anger building up in her lover so she placed her gloved hand over one of Byleth's. She saw the building rage in her light's eyes, slowly ebb away.

Byleth smiled softly at her love, before glancing back to Ferdinand and Hubert.

"With some... persuasion, I'll receive the information we need of any plans those animals are currently planning." Hubert spoke with utter disdain as he mentioned their enemies.

Every single person inside that council chamber shared Hubert's sentiment. Even the recently joined Catherine shared her feelings. Those Who Slither In The Dark need to be wiped from the world. Their existence jeopardises the Peace everyone has worked so hard to achieve.

"Once we have this information, we can plan ahead with General Karma to mobilise the army with any spare soldiers we have." Ferdinand continued.

"The reason why we called you all for this meeting is because we need everyone's support." Edelgard spoke as she stood from her Throne. She garnered everyone's attention. "Mark my words, we are trying to avoid a full-scale war. I do not want more unnecessary blood on our hands, but to achieve that we need all the help we can get."

Edelgard left her love's side and made her way towards the council chamber door and knocked on it. "That is why, earlier this month, I sent a letter and extended an olive branch."

The Emperor opened the door and revealed two individuals' that the others were not expecting.

"Envoy from the King of Almyra, reporting for duty." The wyvern-archer mock solute to Edelgard, before his eyes glanced the rest of his former classmates. A smile upon his face, seeing that they made it safe and sound. His eyes then turned to the former Professor. "Hey Teach!"

The axe welder searched throughout the room until they settled on a certain special friend that holds dear to her heart. "Mari!"

The two former students entered the council chamber. There was enough tension in the room that it was almost suffocating.

That was until a certain blue-haired healer ran into the arms of the axe wielder.

"Hilda!" Marianne cried out.

She nuzzled herself in Hilda's neck as Claude watched on with a small smile on his face.

Marianne did mention to Byleth during one of their little tea sessions that her and Hilda were together, though they wanted to keep it a secret, mostly for Marianne self-esteem issues.

Marianne apologised, with tears cascading down her eyes, for her actions over the Battle for Derdriu. Hilda didn't care, she was just so happy to see her secret lover again.

The former students of the Golden Deer were the first to approach their friends. Each exchanging a few words of welcoming them to Enbarr to Claude. Marianne and Hilda however did not separate from their tear-soaked embrace. Then the other members of the Strike Force warily approach the new arrivals, with idle chatter. Just like they used to before the war.

Pride rushed through Byleth's heart as she glanced at her love. Reaching out her hand for hopefully allies, instead of letting old wounds fester.

Carefully, and with help from Bernadetta, Byleth managed to get to her wooden crutches and made her way towards the two former students.

"I bet you weren't expecting to see us, eh Teach?" Claude smirked. "Still, her Majesty offered a treaty of good will and a pretty sweet trade deal to boot. My father was a bit hesitant, but I managed to smooth things over."

"While it is tentative. It is a start. It's the very least we could do for the families that got caught up in our war... They deserve that much." Edelgard spoke, her head lowered.

Claude's smirk then fell into a more serious frown. "Though I won't lie, while I'm glad everyone is alive and well, I just wish we could have a lot more familiar faces."

With the clacking of Byleth's crutches, she made her way towards Claude and Edelgard. "I promise you, Claude. We tried to get them to stand down peacefully, but... Dimitri, Rodrigue, Dedue, Rhea, Cyril and Gilbert... they wouldn't listen."

Small tears appeared on Byleth's eyes, but she quickly wiped them away as her gaze drifted from Claude to Hilda.

"Thank you... Thank you both for listening." Byleth thanked as she pulled Claude into a warm embrace, though this did take him by surprise.

"Okay, what's with the Professor? She was never this feels'y before in the Monastery."

Byleth pulled away from her embrace with Claude and placed his hand onto her chest, though it caught Edelgard off guard as she blushed a deep crimson red, something Claude's devilish smirk took notice of.

"After the battle with Rhea, the Crest stone in my heart broke apart. I have a heartbeat. I can feel things just like everyone." Byleth spoke cheerfully, as Claude quickly retracted his hand from Byleth's chest.

Claude smiled at Byleth, and then turned his attention back to the embracing Hilda and Marianne. The two not wanting to be apart from each other.

Claude sighed as h tapped Hilda's shoulder. "Come on Hilda we should head back. Holst will be getting worried."

Both Hilda and Marianne broke away from their hug but were still connected by their hands. Hilda nodded her head and moved to shake The Emperor's and the Former Professor's hands, but she could not move as her hand was still interlocked with Marianne's.

"N-N-N-No, you just got here. I-I can't say goodbye yet." Marianne was on the verge of tears as she held tightly to Hilda's hand.

"Mari..." Hilda mumbled. "I wish I could stay. Goddess believe me I do. I love you Marianne. I would want nothing more to spend the rest of my life with you, but I have to meet with my father and Holst. They need me."

Marianne was touched. She didn't expect Hilda to confess that she loved her so openly. Marianne placed her ha d over her racing heartbeat as a smile appeared on her face.

Fresh tears were falling down Hilda's cheeks. Though they were interrupted as Claude set his hand on Hilda's shoulder. "Shouldn't you keep your uh... love life away from public ears." Claude's smirk present on his face.

Realisation hit both Hilda and Marianne as they both glanced at everyone in the room. Everyone was busy not looking like they were paying attention to the teary-eyed two.

Hilda pouted. "Could you guys butt out of our business. Seriously Mari, who do they think they are?"

Marianne giggled into her hand.

"Still, I can explain things to Holst if you want to stay. I'm sure he'll understand." Claude spoke again though this time his teasing smile was gone.

"No, Hilda's right." Marianne spoke squeezing Hilda's hand. "Hilda needs to do what she must. Her Father and Brother need her. With Holst ill, Hilda's Father needs her until he recovers." Marianne then turned towards Hilda with a small smile. "And when everything has settled down, we can be together."

"Mari..." Hilda smiled sweetly as she pressed her lips to Marianne's cheek. "That's for being so sweet." Hilda said with a teasing smile. "Come along 'Claude', Father and Holst need us." Hilda glanced once more at Claude before turning towards Byleth and Edelgard.

"Professor... Edelgard, thank you for giving us this chance. You won't regret it." Hilda bowed towards Edelgard.

Edelgard raised her hands wanting her to stop. "Hilda, there's no need for that. I want us all to get along."

"Fine then how about this."

Before she could do anything Edelgard fell victim to one of Hilda's crushing hugs. As Edelgard struggled to breathe, everyone started laughing, a total contrast to the seriousness of this meeting.


As Hilda and Claude departed back to the former Leicester alliance territory, everyone seemed to be in higher spirits. Though with the recent additions of Hilda, Claude and potentially the Almyran army, it was hard not to see the downside. Even Marianne seemed happier after wishing safe travels to her dear 'friend', something that Dorothea, Leonie and Lysithea teased her endlessly.

With everyone deciding to move forward with Ferdinand's, Hubert's and Edelgard's idea, everyone had departed the council chamber, well all except for Edelgard and Byleth. She had dismissed Ferdinand and Hubert to further discuss their plans for... persuading the Those Who Slither Mages to give up their plans. Only the Emperor and her love remained inside the Council Chamber.

Though what Byleth wasn't expecting was for her Emperor to invite her to her private Chambers. This sent Byleth's heart racing. So fast that it felt it was going to explode.

As they both left the Council Chamber, a torrent of embarrassing thoughts filled Byleth's head as her crutches echoed throughout the Palace. But there was one thought that tried to calm her down.

They were together, so it's natural to feel like this. Just like Dorothea and Petra. Just like Hubert and Ferdinand. Just like all of the others that have found a mutual bond with each other.

As Edelgard and Byleth reached the Emperor's private Chambers she bid goodnight to the guard outside of her room as the two entered.

Edelgard quickly hung up her Cape around the back of the chair next to her desk. The desk was stacked with letters and requests for supplies from the capitals Fhirdiad and Derdriu, so they can be redistributed through the rest of their own individual cities and small towns.

Though those can come later, for now Edelgard wanted to get Byleth off her feet. She linked the arm of her love's and steered her towards the sofa in front of the fireplace that was already roaring with a burning log fire.

"Here, sit down. You must be exhausted." Edelgard said taking Byleth's wooden crutches and setting them to one side.

Seeing Edelgard's own private room took Byleth by surprise, but also instilled nerves in her. She was in Edelgard's private quarters after all. Where she sleeps. Where she bathes.

These thoughts turned the former Professor into a blushing mess.

Something that tickled the Emperor.

"It's a bit big, isn't it?"

Byleth smiled as Edelgard held onto Byleth's hands. "Sorry, I was just taking it all in. Not used to things in the palace yet."

Edelgard chuckled. "Yes, it did take me a while to get used to the Palace growing up. Hubert has spent more times tracking me down when I had gotten lost."

This time Byleth was the one to laugh. "That does sound like you."

"And what is that supposed to mean?" Edelgard pouted, but she couldn't hold it as they both burst out laughing uncontrollably.

It took a moment for the two to collect themselves. Byleth did find this feeling quite odd, though not quite odd to get her to stop. She liked this feeling.

"You are ridiculous." Edelgard spoke covering her laugh with her hand as she moved to rest her head on top of her love's chest. "I never thought I would laugh quite like that again."

Byleth sighed happily as she rested her hand on Edelgard's hip. "I wanted it to be my goal to make you happy. You have all of Fódlan resting on your shoulders and I want to be there alongside you every step of the way to share the burden. You're not alone anymore."

Edelgard was astonished as tears filled her eyes. Edelgard tried her best to fight them off, though Byleth beat her to it as she wiped them away.

As Byleth touched her cheek to wipe away her tears a small blush appeared on both of their faces. Before Byleth could retract her hand, Edelgard held onto it and squeezed it though she then started to avoid eye contact with her as she stumbled over her words.

"U-Um... I asked M-Manuela to bring some spare clothes. S-She said t-they were in y-your size." Edelgard motioned towards the pile of clothes. "I-I want you to stay the night. O-Of course t-that is if you want."

Byleth smiled at her love as she pushed back her own blush. "Of course, El. Umm... Could you help me? I don't want to mess with Manuela's and Linhardt's bandages."

Edelgard's cheeks yet again blushed a deep crimson colour. "U-U-Umm o-okay." Edelgard's hands nervously moved to her love's shirt.

Steady your heart Edelgard, you can do this. It's just Byleth. Someone that you have had a stupid little crush on her since you two first met. Someone that you thought would leave you along with everyone else. But she... she decided to stay and fight by your side. She's helping you to achieve your goals. And she... fell in love will you and reciprocated your feelings. Just be brave Edelgard. You can do this.

As Edelgard carefully lifted up Byleth's shirt she pushed away the ever-growing blush and avoided the bandaged covered chest of her love. After a few rather tense and embarrassing moments, Byleth had her new shirt and shorts on.

Unfortunately, for Edelgard's sanity and embarrassment, it was a bit short on her arms and stomach, which were already on full display in all of their glory.

"Thanks El." Byleth smiled as she pressed a kiss onto Edelgard's forehead. This sent the poor woman into a more embarrassed state.

"I-It is q-quite alright my l-light."

Though Byleth was enjoying her embarrassed state, there was one thing that caught her interest.

"Aren't you gonna get changed for bed, El? It is getting late."

This one question snapped Edelgard out of her embarrassed state, but also into one where she looked like she was panicking. Her eyes avoiding her gaze and instead focusing on the wall behind Byleth, while also trailing off whenever she tried to speak.

Every time she did try to speak, she looked like she was frightening about something and looked towards her glove covered hands.

It only took a moment for the former Professor to figure out what El was frightened to talk about.

"I can turn around, so I don't see, if that makes it easier for you, El."

"I... I... I... Y-Yes please."

Edelgard was speechless. She was so scared to approach it, yet Byleth was completely understanding.

You deserve her. You do.

As Edelgard moved to her bed and discarded her Emperor regalia and into her nightgown, her eyes glanced towards her love who had yet to turn around. It was heart-warming at the level of trust Byleth was giving her.

Something that Edelgard could return.

"Okay, you can turn around now."

Byleth took a second to give her Emperor time to compose herself before she turned around to look at the beautiful sight in front of her.

Edelgard had discarded her crown and let her hair loose. She was wearing a red coloured nightgown that covered her entire body, all except her hands and feet. Though what caught the former Professor by surprise was that her hands uncovered and without her usual gloves.

Heat erupted in Byleth's heart as she carefully made her way towards Edelgard's bed, unassisted with her wooden crutches, as the younger Emperor took steps to try and hide her scared hands away.

Once Byleth reached her love's bed she reached for one of El's hands. Hesitation clawed its way into Edelgard head, but as soon as her light intertwined her fingers with Edelgard's own, she relaxed a little.

"You're so beautiful, El."

Byleth dipped her head and pressed her lips onto Edelgard's scarred hand. Edelgard immediately blushed and tears started to fall down her eyes.

No one has ever called them beautiful. Disgusting yes, but not beautiful.

"B-B-Byleth... I-I-..." Edelgard tried to speak but her tears cut her off.

Byleth pulled Edelgard closer and laid her hand on top of the Emperor's head.

"Shh, now El. We can talk more tomorrow, but you need your rest." Byleth motioned for Edelgard to lie down in bed and rest her head near Byleth's own chest.

Edelgard relented and followed on with Byleth's request. As she rested her head onto her light's chest, she felt arms wrap around her back.

"Is this okay?" Byleth asked.

Without saying a word, Edelgard buried her head deeper into Byleth's chest and nodded her head.

Assuredly, Byleth placed her arms comfortably around Edelgard as the Emperor slowly drifted off to sleep.

"Goodnight El."

Byleth placed a kiss onto her Emperor's forehead before she too, drifted asleep.