Dreaming.
Such a simple experience, and yet it had been plaguing Bylass for most of her life. From the raging war between massive armies to the bloody duel between Nemesis and Seiros, her dreams were filled with scenes that felt like a distant memory, coming back to haunt her as if they were trying to convey something important. But even so, she quickly got used to them despite their intensity and frequency, believing them to be nothing but mere illusions, as her father had told her.
But suddenly, they stopped. In their place came another dream - one that stirred something deep within her despite her confusion.
The silver-haired man stood before her; his features strikingly similar to those of Nemesis. She couldn't help but wonder if they were related somehow. Like Nemesis, he was a fearsome warrior with a blazing sword, ready to strike down any enemy without hesitation. With each strike, he demolished walls and torched cities, leaving nothing but destruction in his wake. But unlike the bloodthirsty Nemesis, this mysterious man's expression remained unchanged, no matter the circumstances.
As the dream shifted, Bylass found herself in a village consumed by flames. The heat was palpable, scorching her skin as she breathed in the acrid scent of smoke. Distant screams echoed in the air, adding to the chaos and terror. House after house crumbled as villagers fled for their lives, creating a nightmarish scene straight out of hell.
Even though she knew it was just a dream, Bylass couldn't shake off her intense emotions as she witnessed the destruction before her eyes. And then she heard another cry, urging her to run towards it. Without hesitation, Bylass followed the sound until she reached its source - only to be met with a horrific sight. It was him again, ruthlessly throwing aside the lifeless body of a villager as he set his sights on his next target. Each step he took left behind nothing but destruction - buildings reduced to rubble and lives snuffed out in an instant. Even the flowers and trees wilted in his presence and the ground cracked under his feet.
Bylass stood frozen, her eyes wide with horror as she watched the silver-haired man's hands dance in a flurry of destruction. His movements were swift and deadly, like a masterful dancer orchestrating a macabre symphony. The once peaceful village was now engulfed in chaos, the screams of its inhabitants ringing loudly in her ears. She could see the expressions of agony on their twisted faces as they fell before the merciless onslaught.
But what struck her even more was the lack of emotion on his face. It was as if he saw this destruction as nothing more than a mundane task, his cold eyes betraying no hint of remorse or hesitation. And to her shock, even children were not spared from his wrath.
Amidst the flickering flames and the echoing cries, a pair of green-haired father and daughter emerged from the smoke, his face a mask of terror. He stumbled forward, his arms outstretched his leg with desperate pleading.
"Please!" He sobbed, clutching his leg tighter "Take my life if you want but please spare hers. I beg you!"
But the man's expression remained as cold and impassive as marble, unmoved by her cries. His piercing yellow eyes showed no hint of compassion as he raised a hand, fingers curling into a cruel grip. With a swift and merciless motion, he silenced the father's pleas, snuffing out the flame of hope in his eyes with a single stroke. He fell to the ground, his body limp and lifeless, crimson blood seeping into the earth beneath him.
The child, frozen in fear and shock, let out a strangled scream before she too was struck down by the man's brutal hand. As she crumpled to the ground beside her father, the flames flickered higher and danced in a macabre celebration of death. The only sound that remained was the haunting whisper of the wind carrying away the father's final plea for mercy and the cries of the fallen villagers. Bylass became frozen for a while until he turned back and left as his hair flew in the wind.
Who are you? The question echoed in her mind, a persistent whisper that she had been asking herself ever since these visions began. Yet, they remained unanswered, leaving her with a haunting sense of uncertainty and confusion. She longed to speak, to reach out and make a connection with the figure before her, but her voice failed her as if held captive by some unseen force. Was this all just a dream? Why did she feel that way toward him? It felt familiar and strange at the same time as if those feelings did not belong to hers. But even in the depths of her subconscious, a strong pull tugged at her heartstrings, urging Bylass to extend her hand towards him. It reminded her of the overwhelming emotions she felt when witnessing Byleth's vulnerable moments. Suddenly, a groan pierced through the silence, shattering her thoughts and bringing her attention to the green-haired man lying on the ground. Despite his ragged breaths and agonizing pain, he managed to crawl closer to the figure looming over him and spat out bitterly.
"Tell me, was it all worth it?" His words were laced with bitter pain as he stared up at the one responsible for this destruction. "All this madness. All this destruction. Are you not satisfied with what you had? Is this world not enough for you?" His fists clenched in frustration, but the other man remains passive, unfazed by his outburst.
"You once said that you would do whatever it took to protect your family and those important to you. Though our paths already diverged a long time ago, I still owe you for saving her life. Despite everything that happened, she could not even bring herself to hate you, believing that you only did what you had to protect your family."
"…."
"And what would your father think of this? You betrayed everyone who mattered to him- even yourself. Seiros trusted you. Everyone trusted you. My daughter trusted you. I trusted you." He coughed up more blood before raising his quivering gaze to meet the other's cold eyes.
"Because of your actions, my brethren had been tormented for all those years. The vessel of the Goddess, entrusted with the Sword of the Creator chose to betray the one that trusted him with everything she had. And now here you are- following in the footsteps of that murderer. Answer me, what did my daughter do to deserve such fate- to die by the blade of the one that she chose to believe until the very end?" Suddenly his eyes twitched as Bylass felt the air turn cold, before hearing him speak for the first time.
"Does it ever matter anymore?" His voice was dripping with exhaustion and hollow. "There is nothing left that is worth saving in this wretched world anymore. My mother, my father, my family- they are all gone. All that's left is the end. For it is my destiny." He turned back to the confusion of his victim who still looked puzzled,
"The end? What do you mean?" The silver-haired man stared at the sky before clenching his fists once more and turning back around. But this time, there was something different in his expression- a twisted smile and malicious glint in his eyes that sent shivers down Bylass's spine. Before she could fully comprehend what was happening, she jolted awake from the nightmare, haunted by the final words that echoed through her mind.
"At last, it has begun."
10th of Horsebow Moon, 1179
Bylass winced, rubbing her temples as she tried to shake off the intensity of the dream that had jolted her awake. It left her feeling unsettled and disoriented. Despite the early hour, she quietly slipped out of bed and tiptoed out of the room, not wanting to disturb the other mercenaries still asleep. The cool morning air greeted her as she stepped out of the inn, and she was slightly surprised to see her father already there, a small smile on his lips as he held a steaming kettle in one hand.
"It's rare to see you up so early. Can't sleep?"
"Yeah, the dream was more intense this time," Bylass replied, rubbing her forehead.
"Was it about that battle again?" Bylass shook her head.
"No, it was that same man. Standing there amidst all the chaos, motionless." Jeralt gave her a skeptical look as she clarified, "It wasn't about Byleth, in case you were wondering."
"That's straightforward. I won't blame you if have such a dream about your "friend" so there is no need to be defensive, kid."
"His hair was silver, not blue. But the resemblance was uncanny - especially his eyes. And there was..." Bylass suddenly winced in pain.
"Maybe you should put that thought on hold for now. Here, have some tea." Jeralt handed her a kettle and she gratefully took a sip.
"Thank you, Jeralt. Is this… chamomile?"
"Yes. Quite effective in calming your nerves and heightening concentration. I must admit it helped me with the hangover just like he said."
"I can't argue with that. He does know his tea." Bylass nodded and took another sip.
"Speaking of Byleth, is there something going on between you two?" Jeralt suddenly asked firmly, and she rolled her eyes in response.
"Why do you think so, Jeralt?"
"I've noticed that you two often hang around, whether we were having missions or free time. It doesn't look like what friends do to me if I must be honest." Jeralt replied awkwardly, and Bylass still gave him a stunned expression.
"That's what friends are for, isn't it? To help each other learn and grow. And he's a talented teacher who knows everything about combat and strategy,"
"Is that what drew you to him?" Bylass stopped drinking and stared at Jeralt incredulously.
"I don't follow, Jeralt." Her father sighed and explained again.
"Let me rephrase it. Are you perhaps having… romantic feelings for him?" The air suddenly became quiet and Bylass still gave him a stunned expression despite the troubles in her eyes.
"I don't know." She replied hesitantly. "But I feel at ease and comfortable when I'm around him. The lessons we had together. The memories we shared. They were fun and exciting -something which I've never experienced before." Jeralt took a moment to process her words before sighing.
"You've changed, haven't you?" Bylass blinked in surprise.
"How so?"
"Before that fateful day, I've never seen you bear emotions like that, let alone let someone touch you like the way he did. Not once."
"Is it strange for me to act that way?"
"No. I'm just surprised since you never went to such an extent for anyone before. Let alone risking your own life just to make his wish come true." Jeralt sighed as Bylass looked away. "Don't worry, I'm not bringing it up again to blame you. I'm just trying to say that I'm glad to see those good changes in you. You seem happier now, don't you?"
"You might be right." She nodded. "It's all thanks to him. He is a good friend- one that I don't think I deserve sometimes." Her mouth curved upward slightly.
"Then perhaps it was a good idea to have him join us if only I could see your face lit up more often like that. By the way, I noticed you started sewing recently?"
"Yes, is there a problem with that?"
"No, I just happened to see Byleth doing the same thing. I thought maybe it was one of the things he taught you." Bylass tapped her cheek in deep thought.
"What are you sewing anyway?"
"It's personal," Bylass replied flatly, causing Jeralt to look at her for a moment before letting out a fond laugh.
"Looks like some things never change. Well, it seems like the day has already begun." They both looked up as the sun began to rise in the sky. "Shall we go eat something then?"
"Yes, let's."
14th of Horsebow Moon, 1179
Despite being constantly on the move, Byleth couldn't deny that life had been good to him in the past year. They traveled from continent to continent, taking on contracts and completing missions. But no matter where they went, they always found their way back to Remire, a small town where Lydia always waited for them. It was the only place he could call home in this new life of constant change and uncertainty. As he sat by the river, writing in his diary, Byleth couldn't help but feel grateful for this one stable aspect of his life. The sound of rushing water and chirping birds created a soothing background for his thoughts, reminding him of the simplicity and peace of nature.
If it were not for a certain someone who had been sitting behind him for a while.
"Bylass." He asked incredulously, and she gave him a blank expression. "What are you doing?"
"Cutting your hair. It's getting too long," she replied bluntly, continuing to inspect his locks.
"Thanks for the concern, but my hair is fine. And it's not like it's interfering with combat or anything."
"Didn't you miss a target because your hair got in the way?"
"…."
"And it's already reaching your waist. It'll be a pain during battles, so I'd rather just cut it now. Don't worry, I won't make it too short." She spoke determinedly, causing him to sigh and resign himself to her decision.
"You do have a point. I'll leave it in your hands then." He nodded and returned to writing in his journal, earning a curious glance from her.
"What are you doing?"
"Just sketching the river. It's part of my diary." He showed her a page filled with notes that matched the scenery before them.
"Oh, you like drawing too?" Byleth paused and looked at her curiously while she snipped another strand of hair.
"Yes, I find it relaxing and fun. How about you?"
"Same here. I enjoy taking notes on important and interesting things, like details about our mercenaries' combat abilities or their roster." Byleth gave her an incredulous look.
"That doesn't sound like a diary," he replied bluntly. "And it also seems kind of invasive."
"Is it? But it helps me strategize better and gives me something to do when things were slow before."
"Do you have any other hobbies? Something more enjoyable?" She was silent for a moment before replying softly.
"Yes. I always do, spending time here with you."
"…"
In a sudden movement, Byleth turned away from her and returned to his diary, leaving her feeling both confused and worried. She couldn't help but notice the nervous glint in his eyes, a small crack in his otherwise stoic facade. Was he feeling embarrassed? With a satisfied hum, she returned to her work, carefully trimming away at a thick mane of hair that looked as though it had not been touched for years. Neither of them spoke, but their mutual understanding and contentment were palpable, as they basked in the tranquil atmosphere around them.
"Your handwriting…" She began. "They look nice. And the sketches too. They look just like the flowers in Lydia's garden."
"Thank you. It is one of the few things I am good at. Mercenary of talents, remember?" Her mouth curved upward slightly at the fondness of his tone.
"Keep it up and maybe Jeralt will give you a raise." Byleth shrugged and continued flipping through the pages of sketches. The towns they had passed through, the vibrant flowers they encountered, and even the small primrose she had given him were all captured in intricate detail on the pages. But when she reached the next page, her movements froze in surprise.
It was a sketch of her.
That armor. Those features. There was no mistaking it - He had drawn her.
Bylass had never been one to care about appearance. Growing up with rough and rowdy mercenaries, makeup and fashion were foreign concepts to her. She had always assumed there was nothing special about her looks, despite some compliments from everyone.
And she detested looking at herself in the mirror - a constant reminder of what she was.
But as she gazed at this portrait of herself, caught in a moment of pure joy and warmth, something stirred inside her heart.
"Why did you draw me?"
"Are you bothered by it?" His voice dropped suddenly, but she quickly chimed in.
"No, I just don't understand why. Why would you take so much time drawing someone like me? I'm...nothing special."
"Why not? You are beautiful."
"…"
There was a silence following them before she gave out a small hum, which he took as an answer and continued his work.
"Thank you."
"For?"
"For everything. For not giving up on me when everybody else did."
"That's what friends are for, right? And to be honest, you have a beautiful smile." He shrugged casually, making her heart flutter again.
"Your smile is pretty too." She blurted out, catching his attention and causing his lips to curve upward.
"I'm not sure about that. But thank you." He replied softly as she nodded.
"Hey Byleth, when is your birthday?"
"Why take an interest now?"
"Just curious. I saw some kids celebrating one the other day and it looked fun. Maybe we can do something for you."
"You've never had a birthday party before?" She shook her head.
"Not once. Jeralt would only say happy birthday and give gifts to each other then call it a day." Despite not being able to see it, he could sense the sadness in her voice now.
"That was… unfortunate. But at least you had someone to celebrate with. As for me, I can neither even remember the last time I did such a thing with my family nor even my birth."
"I'm sorry, I should not have asked that." Bylass's voice was laced with guilt. "But we can pick a day if you want. How about the day that we first met each other."
"I'll think about it. Thanks for cheering me up. And yours might be coming up soon..." Byleth suddenly stopped, as if realizing he let something slip, causing her to look at him curiously.
"Is there something you need from me?"
"No, nothing. By the way, are you finished?" She nodded and put down the scissors.
"Yes, it looks much better now." She hummed in satisfaction at his hair now reaching his back.
"Great. Shall we go get back to training then?"
"Couldn't agree more."
20th of Horsebow Moon,1179
With a crate in her arms and sweat trickling down her forehead, Bylass jogged back and forth between the warehouse and a nearby cart where a villager helped load supplies. As they finished their task, the villager thanked her gratefully, to which she simply nodded and bid farewell before setting off on her own. She had originally planned to assist Byleth and Lydia, but they suddenly claimed to be busy, leaving her to wander through Remire. It wasn't until she stumbled upon a few villagers struggling with heavy goods that she found purpose again. Just as she was about to decide on her next move, Jeralt appeared behind her with a wave.
"It's good to see you, kid. Just finished training?" She nodded and replied.
"No, I was helping some villagers stock up the warehouse. And I had some free time so I figured why not?"
"I've noticed you've been lending a hand to other villagers besides Lydia and Byleth. Do you enjoy it?" Jeralt asked curiously.
"I don't know if like is the right word, but I find myself helping people almost reflexively. It's quite fun, to be honest."
"Well, that's unexpected. But I'm glad you're enjoying it. Although, it's strange to see you doing this without your friend around."
"What does Byleth have to do with this?" Bylass rolled her eyes while Jeralt looked at her with interest.
"Nothing. You two just seem to be joined at the hip no matter what. At least he taught you how to relax during your free time in he gets busy."
"Speaking of Byleth? Have you seen him?"
"Yeah, I ran into him earlier. He and Lydia were..." Jeralt paused before catching himself and continued, "Well, let's not worry about that now. It's been a while since we've had some alone time like this, why don't we take a walk?"
"That sounds nice. Lead the way, Jeralt." They walked in comfortable silence, taking in the peaceful atmosphere of Remire Village together.
The village bustled with life, the streets alive with the chatter of villagers and the clatter of carts. Bylass moved through the crowds with a calm grace, offering polite nods and greetings to those she passed, making Jeralt blink in surprise.
"Good day, Bylass! Are you having a day off now?"
"Yes. I'm currently taking a walk with my father." Jeralt gave an awkward nod as the woman chuckled. "Is there anything I can help you with, Maya?"
"I was wondering if you could help me out. Business has been slow today, but I'll keep you in mind if anything comes up. Thanks again for your assistance last week. Oh, and please give Byleth my regards."
"Duly noted. I'll see you later, Maya." Bylass bid farewell before noticing her father's slightly incredulous expression.
"Is there something wrong, Jeralt?" Before her father could speak, another group of children walked past and smiled cheerfully.
"Bylass, will you play with us today? And where is Byleth?"
"Sorry, kids. But maybe another time." She ruffled their hair gently. "And he is busy now so how about next week?"
"That's great. I'll see you later then." The kids ran off and left the father and daughter alone as the former was getting more confused.
"I did not expect from you at all. What is going on you two and the innkeeper?"
"The cooks were sick, and we happened to pass by. Fortunately, Lydia's cooking sessions seemed to pay off as no one complained about the food." Bylass explained matter-of-factly.
"And the kids?"
"They saw us training once and begged us to teach them again. Next thing we knew, we were teaching them sword fighting."
"Never would've thought you'd be good with kids. And what did your friend think about it?" Jeralt chuckled.
"He seemed to enjoy it. It was one of the rare moments I saw him smiling." Jeralt looked at her incredulously as her mouth curved upward again. "And the children somehow adored us, saying that they would follow our footsteps one day."
"Look at you. Having your cult already. I guess we are more similar than I thought." Jeralt said amusingly as if he was recalling something before murmuring weakly. "If only you were here with us."
"My mother?" Bylass asked curiously as Jeralt replied hesitantly.
"You might not be aware of this, but you remind me of her a lot. Back when we started to… get together."
"How so?"
"She had the same quiet composure as you when we first met. Barely had any reaction whenever we conversed with each other. Until she began to warm up to me and that was when I saw another side of- a kind woman who was eager to help everyone around her."
"That was good to hear. And is there anything else?" Bylass inquired eagerly.
"Well, she also had a habit of nagging me about my love with alcohol ." Jeralt laughed. "Remember how she dragged Lydia into this as the latter somehow convinced the local bar to ban me from visiting for a few months."
"I had no idea but thanks for letting me know, Jeralt." She took out her note and began to write it down.
"Don't tell me you're planning another one of your stunts," Jeralt sighed.
"It may not be as effective as our usual methods, but it's worth considering, "Bylass replied bluntly as Jeralt sighed again. "You know you never used to talk about her but you've been doing it a lot lately. Why?"
"Oh, I don't know. Maybe I'm feeling a bit of regret for dragging you into the mercenary life. You never had a place to call home and you never had friends your age. It's been only one bloody battle following another one as day went by." Jeralt recalled sadly. "If she were here with us, things might have been different. You'd be with her, and things could have been …peaceful."
"Was that what you and Maria were about to tell me before that fateful day? About how you might have settled down with her." A look of shock crossed Jeralt's face.
"How did you…?"
"I heard you talking in your sleep after a night of heavy drinking in the Alliance. I couldn't make out everything, but I heard her name and how you blamed yourself for not being able to save her." Bylass's voice faltered as she remembered the sadness in Jeralt's words. "You were also wondering how happy I could be if she finally could become a part of our family- something that I've always been craving for." There was a heavy silence between them as they both let the weight of their shared loss settle in.
"It's been a while, hasn't it? As if it was yesterday, she just joined us." Jeralt spoke slowly as Bylass gave him a weak nod.
"Last month, when we passed by Hyrm, I visited her grave. Luckily, it was still there." She said with a heavy heart. "It may sound silly, but I spent hours talking to her about my life. About my new friends and passions. For some reason, it brought me peace and lifted a heavy burden from my heart."
"She would be delighted to hear that from you, knowing how her little devil had grown up," Jeralt interjected with a light tone, trying to lift the somber mood. "You might not remember but a week after she passed away, you sometimes came to me and said that you dreamt about her with that blunt expression. But even so, I could see it in your eyes- the agony and pain that no words could describe."
"Is that why you never hired any female mercenaries again? To avoid getting attached?"
"To protect you, my daughter." Jeralt clenched his fists as his voice was cracking. "For a long time, I've always questioned that decision of mine, knowing that it was selfish of me and unfair to you. And it only got worse as time grew by and people began to fear you. And you never showed any emotion regardless of the circumstances. Not when those kids bullied you. Not when the people shouted in fear. And not even when I saw your hands bleeding." She looked away as her eyes narrowed sadly. "Until Byleth and Lydia came into your life."
"For the first time in years, I saw a different expression on your face- not just that stunned look. Days turned into weeks and then months, and I could see that you were looking forward to each day. You were so at ease helping Lydia with her garden and excited for every lesson from Byleth. And that smile you had when you gave me flowers- it made me so happy to see you finally finding joy again." He paused, his voice heavy with emotion, before realizing that Bylass had hugged him and was patting his back gently.
"You don't need to say more, Father. Believe it or not, I've never blamed you not once. And you don't have to worry because this time it won't happen again since Lydia is safe at home and Byleth can take care of himself."
"I can't argue with that, but thank you, Bylass. For putting up with this old man." Jeralt returned the hug and they enjoyed a moment of silence before parting ways. "Anyway, it's getting late now. Shall we go visit Lydia?"
"I thought they were busy?" She cocked her head.
"Who knows? But maybe they're finished with whatever they were working on." Jeralt shrugged nervously, piquing Bylass' curiosity even more.
"Alright. I don't see why not. Lead the way."
As they approached Lydia's shop, Bylass noticed an eerie silence and covered windows. Jeralt knocked on the door and Lydia greeted them with a friendly wave before whispering to Jeralt.
"Is it ready?" Jeralt asked,
"Not yet. The cake didn't turn out as planned, so you should take her somewhere for a few minutes,"
"What? But I thought…"
"I know, I know. But there were some accidents and we had to start over. Just take her somewhere and come back later, okay?" Before either of them could respond, Lydia chimed in again and raised her hand.
"Am I not allowed to visit you now?"
"It's not like that, my dear. We are just busy with… researching the new seeds. The merchant had a new type today."
"I thought you said you were baking." Lydia fell silent while Jeralt gave her a nervous look. "Jeralt, is there anything I need to know?"
"What are you talking about? She said she was busy cooking, right?" Jeralt covered his mouth as Lydia kicked him lightly.
Bylass wasn't buying it.
Slowly walking towards them, she calmly opened the door they were trying to keep her away from.
And what she saw made her freeze.
"Oh Lydia, it's done now. You can…" Byleth stopped mid-sentence as he made eye contact with her. Neither of them said anything as Byleth stood in front of her wearing an apron and holding a freshly baked cake. Despite his stoic expression, she could see the shock in his eyes. After a few minutes of awkward silence, she looked around and became even more confused by the scene.
The dining room was simple, with plain white walls and a wooden table set for four. On the table, there were two worn cardboard boxes, one taped shut and the other open with neatly stacked papers inside. As Byleth carefully placed the homemade cake in the center of the table, Bylass noticed twenty lit candles sticking out of it like tiny torches. Each candle had been pushed into the moist chocolate frosting with precision and care.
"What…is…this?" Bylass stuttered, barely knowing how to comprehend what was happening before her.
"I guess we're caught," Lydia sighed, nudging Jeralt and Byleth to mimic her gestures. "Happy Birthday, Bylass!"
Bylass stood frozen, her face betraying no emotion.
However, her eyes flickered nervously as she tried to make sense of it all.
"Did you do all of this?"
"Yes," Lydia answered sheepishly. "It took us a while to plan but I can't take all the credit. It was Byleth's idea."
"Byleth?" Bylass looked at him incredulously, and he replied calmly.
"It was a group effort. And I merely suggested that we could do something for you."
"That's not how I remember it, boy." Jeralt chimed in teasingly. "Didn't you keep asking me for her birthday despite my initial hesitation?"
"…." Byleth looked away despite his stoic expression which Bylass had to admit was entertaining and cute. The last thought seemed to be wrong as she realized.
"Byleth, got anything to say?" She asked softly as he fell silent for a while before replying with a stuttered voice for the first time.
"You said you've never had a birthday celebration before, so I thought it would be nice to have a small party like this."
"And the cake? Is that why you were busy today?"
"Yes. It took us some time to finish it and I didn't want to ruin the surprise. Sorry for keeping it from you, Bylass." But before he could finish, she impulsively hugged him tightly, surprising both Jeralt and Lydia. They all remained silent until Byleth spoke up again. "Do you like it?"
"I love it." She replied quietly as he gave him a small nod. Their embrace continued the warmth of his body and the gentle rhythm of his breathing soothing her. Suddenly, she felt another pair of arms wrap around them - it was Lydia, joining in on their hug. And then, without a word, Jeralt also joined in, completing their little circle of comfort.
The four of them stood there, quietly enjoying each other's presence and the warmth that radiated between them. Bylass surrendered herself fully to these newfound feelings, reveling in the sense of belonging and love that surrounded her.
These precious moments. This familiar warmth. It had been so long since she had experienced it. Little did she know, a heartful smile crossed her face as a drop of tears streamed from her eyes.
For the first time in her life, she had never felt so at ease as now.
As the birthday party drew to a close and the last crumbs were swept from the table, Bylass offered to help with the cleanup. But Lydia insisted on cleaning up herself, determined to make sure everything was spotless. Jeralt, true to his stubborn nature, refused any help as well. With the chores taken care of, Bylass and Byleth decided to take a leisurely walk toward their favorite spot by the nearby lake. The moon shone brightly overhead, casting a beautiful glow over the surrounding landscape, while stars sparkled like diamonds in the night sky. It was the perfect ending to a wonderful evening.
"Did you enjoy it?" Byleth asked calmly, to which she nodded in response.
"I loved it. It was just like how I imagined," she replied truthfully, causing him to hum in satisfaction.
"I'm glad you liked it. It may not be as luxurious and grand as others, but it's the best I could come up with for now. Maybe next time, we can invite the kids and some of our acquaintances."
"Next time?" She inquired curiously.
"Yes, next time," he answered bluntly as she unknowingly fidgeted with her hands. "So, did you like the presents?"
"I did. Jeralt gave me an owl feather while Lydia gave me a bracelet. I wasn't sure if I deserved such expensive gifts from them."
"Don't worry about it. It's your birthday after all. It may have put a strain on our budget, but we managed to make it work," he assured her before realizing she was gazing at him intently. "Bylass, is everything okay?"
"What about you? Did you get me anything?" He suddenly glanced at his back, making her notice that he had been hiding something.
"Can you close your eyes for a moment?"
"Why?"
"Just trust me on this. You'll understand soon." Despite feeling confused, Bylass closed her eyes obediently. She heard rustling as he took something out of the bag until she felt something soft placed into her hands.
"Okay, you can open them now." Slowly, she opened her eyes and widened them in surprise at the gift that lay before her.
It was a doll- one that resembled Byleth himself. Not completely accurate though, as its lips were curved into a gentle smile instead of the usual stoic expression of the mercenary.
"So, what do you think?" After a moment of silence, she finally spoke up unsurely.
"It's soft and comfortable. And it looks just like you. Did you make this yourself?" Byleth nodded.
"Yes, it took me a few months to finish but I'm happy with how it turned out. Do you like it?"
"I think so. But why did you make this for me?" He glanced at her before sitting on the ground, motioning for her to join him.
"Bylass, do you remember how you said you had nightmares sometimes?"
"Yes. But what does it have anything to do with this?"
"Seeing you wrestle with those nightmares, it's...difficult. I feel powerless to help. Then I found this book, it spoke of dolls that could keep the bad dreams at bay. So, I took it upon myself to create one for you. It's a small gesture, considering the lengths you went to fetch those primroses for me."
"And you used yourself as the model?" If he didn't know any better, Byleth would think she was teasing him as she hugged the doll tightly.
"It's easier that way. And you will have something to remember me by if I'm not around here anymore." Suddenly her eyes narrowed, and she asked in concern.
"Byleth, what happened? Are you alright?" After a moment of hesitation, he spoke with a heavy voice.
"After everything I've been through, I realized that no matter how much beauty life holds, it can all disappear in an instant. And with what happened to my family...I can't push those thoughts away. That one day, all of these peaceful days will cease to exist suddenly." She watched him silently as his voice grew heavier.
"Nothing lasts forever! That's why… we need to embrace this moment. Before we lose it."
"Nothing lasts forever! That's why… we need to embrace this moment. Before we lose it."
"Byleth, is there something bad happening to you?" She shook her head, trying to ignore the vision.
"Sorry. I guess I'm getting sentimental again. Anyway, shall we go back now?"
Bylass was silent for a moment before placing the doll back behind her and holding onto Byleth's hand to his surprise.
"Bylass?"
"Just a little longer." Despite his initial surprise, he soon relaxed under her touch. His body molded to hers as their fingers intertwined, and she couldn't help but steal glances at his serene face, that small twitch in his lips the only indication of emotion. The night passed in a comfortable silence, both reveling in the warmth and comfort of each other's presence.
As her heart raced and her mind swirled with confusion, Bylass knew one thing for certain: she loved it- every moment that they were sharing now. And everything about him.
Even if these moments were fleeting. Even all of this happiness would fade one day. She would never give up, knowing that the future was not set in stone.
For she would do anything to protect him.
Even if it were against the will of fate.
