Chapter 29 calm before the storm

Mercedes felt two arms wrap around her when she opened her eyes, she saw Sasuke; he had his eyes open. It was their day off.

Underneath the sheets, she was completely naked. This was a regular occurrence. She didn't even think about it anymore. It had been almost a month since they celebrated her birthday. She had his earrings on her ears, which she wore proudly and openly.

She didn't care what anyone said about them; they came from a Sasuke, they were made by him, and to her, that's all that mattered."Last night was an amazing night." Mercedes said dreamily, remembering how Sasuke and she sexually experimented with suggestions from her friends Hinata, Dorothea, and Ino; some would call what she did with her boyfriend depraved, but he was someone she loved; it didn't matter her faith as long as you love someone, it isn't sinful to make love to them outside of marriage.

"You're absolutely amazing, I'm completely powerless by your touch, my angel."

Sasuke said as he kissed her back; she moaned. It was so tempting just to stay in bed and allow him to have his way with her; it would be the first time they made love in the morning.

It took everything she had to resist they couldn't make love not right now they had a date that they had to show up to they agreed to go on a date with Naruto and his girlfriends along with Annette and Felix there were a few other people that were coming like Claude, Hilda, Ino, Edelgard, Monica,Shez,Lysithea and Byleth and his not secret girlfriend Marianne it was a day off for all of them just to have fun.

"If I don't get dressed, we'll be late for our date." Mercedes reminded him.

"They can wait a little bit." Sasuke said in a seductive tone.

"Oh" moaned as Sasuke pressed himself against her; she felt his rod inside of her.

"Oh, I can't win", Mercedes confessed.

"Our friends can wait a little bit."Sasuke said again as he thrusted faster she begged him to go faster she under normal circumstances would want to take her time with her lover but she wanted what he wanted at the moment.

"Fuck me faster, fuck me harder, Sasuke-kun! Oh God, fuck!" She moaned his name as well; it was lucky that the anti-conception jutsu was still in effect otherwise she would have been pregnant by now with the amount of times he cummed in her.

The bed rocked hard when Sasuke made love, he wasn't gentle; she continued to scream louder as he continued to thrust. It was unfortunate they couldn't get to the best of it due to them having to show up for a date." Mercie fuck, you're so tight! God, if we weren't having a date today, I would show you a new technique that I've come up with." He whispered in her ear as he licked her neck; he went even rougher, fucking her like a savage animal. It didn't matter how many times he did this to her, it never got old; he managed to make it feel new every time.

"Cum in me, oh fuck" she screamed as they both came at the same time. The two lovers stopped breathing heavily.

"I have to head back to my room, unfortunately we'll have to cut this short." She said, disappointed that their lovemaking was already over.

"That's just a taste of what we'll do tonight." Sasuke said, with a seductive smile.

"If I don't get out of here, we won't make it to our date. I'll see you in a bit." She kissed her boyfriend on the lips and got dressed before leaving.


Byleth had no idea how he was talked into this; he was trying to keep his relationship under wraps, but it was under the insistence of Hinata, his student, to have fun and lighten up. Edelgard agreed, and with assistance from all of his students, he relented; it was his day off, normally he would spend it with his girlfriend, but considering that this was a chance for them to do something different and have fun without hiding their relationship outside the monastery, it felt relieving.

He felt a pair of arms around him, and then he looked and realized it was Marianne in her naked form against him. Then he blushed and realized what they had done, even though they had done it so many times before.

"You are helpless; that girl has you wrapped around her finger, and she doesn't even have to try. I mean: it was easy for her to talk you into making love with her last night, despite having a date today; you two are lucky you have that anti-conception jitsu; she would have been pregnant by now if you didn't." Sothis said teasingly.

Then he heard a knock. Now aware that his girlfriend and he were not in the best position, he scrambled quickly to get dressed. He was done. He opened the door and saw his father. He hadn't seen him so much since he became a professor. He couldn't help but smile when he glimpsed Marianne, who was struggling to cover herself because she hadn't brought anything but her pajamas last night.

"I could explain," Byleth said, trying to come up with any reasonable excuse that didn't sound like a teenage boy covering up something he shouldn't have done.

"I know what you did, kid. It's not a problem. Though, I would be more careful in the future." He said with his fatherly smile.

"Thank you, I was hoping we could have a chance to talk, but we barely have any time; every time I try, you're summoned on another mission."

Byleth wanted to ask something about his mother, but right now, what concerns him is his feelings for Marianne and he wants to talk to his father about them because of his experience with his mother.

"I'm free tomorrow," his father said.

"What are you doing today, kid? If you don't mind my asking." Jeralt asked, curious.

"I'm going out with my girlfriend on a date with our friends." He answered, which made his father smile.

"Have a good time, kid! We are only young once."

His father bid him farewell and left them alone.

When he looked at her, she was putting on her bra and underwear. He could gaze at her body for hours and not get tired of looking at it. He couldn't help but notice the marks on her neck. He smiled when he thought about what they did last night.

"By the way, I thought it was one of the instructors." She said nervously as she put on the uniform that was worn for the summer, which was white and exposed her legs. He couldn't help but admire her in that uniform. He felt it brought out the beauty in her, but a lot of shy students hated it, especially Hinata and Benedetta.

"You look absolutely stunning." He said as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "Of course you would say that." Marianne smiled. "You look absolutely sexy and beautiful." He whispered in her ear, if they weren't going on a date, he would make love to her right now, but he knew it wasn't the time or place.

"Last night if we didn't have a date I would have done what I read about in Lord Jiraiya's book. It would have blown your mind maybe tonight if we're not too tired."she whispered in his ear seductively.

" You are at her mercy. I don't know what happened. How does a shy girl become such a vexin probably because of Hinata and Dorothea's influence" Sothis said to him with amusement.

He felt Marianne's hand on his crotch.

"Who's the teacher, and who's the student?" he said with a dirty look on his face.

"Who's to say I'm not both?" Marianne whispered.

"Mari," he whispered.

"I've gotten into more appropriate clothing for our date with our friends, something more comfortable." Marianne said, returning to her shy demeanor.

"I wonder where we're going," he said out loud before she left.

"We'll know soon enough. Bye. See you in a bit." She kissed him before leaving.

He placed his hand where she kissed him at which was at his lip, no matter how many times he felt it, it never felt new to him.

"You're so helpless. Get dressed already; this is embarrassing." Sothis said to annoyed.

Then he realized with self-awareness that he was barely wearing anything other than his shorts. He went to his closet and took out casual clothes. He put the first set of them on, which were a pair of gray pants, and then put on the second, which was a blue button-down shirt.

Then he put on the shoes he usually wears when he's on his day off. He made sure to get every part of them right because he didn't want to look like a fool in front of everyone. He looked at himself in the mirror.

"Perfect", he said as he left his room and headed to the entrance where he would meet his girlfriend.


Naruto opened his eyes and saw three pairs of arms around him. He looked at who was there: Hinata, Dorothea, and Ingrid. He remembered what they had done the previous night. Hinata was on his left; Dorothea and Ingrid were on his right. Ingrid was lower than Dorothea, so he didn't understand how they managed to fit four people on one bed, but they had made it work.

He remembered last night vividly when he saw his girlfriend having a threesome with each other; it was quite a show. This wasn't the first time they had done it, but it was the first time they had done a foursome.

Naruto thought that normally he would hear a comment from Kurama, but he was nowhere to be heard. Part of it was grateful that the last thing he wanted was for him to say something perverted.

"I really don't want to get up," said Dorothea, who was the first one of his girlfriends to wake up when he looked at her body; he couldn't help but admire it. "Last night was an amazing night, wasn't it, Dorothea Chan?" Naruto said with a perverted smile.

"An amazing understatement is having three Shadow Clones fuck all of us, a four-way (or eight-way, if you want to be more accurate) even more fun than it would have been normally." She said dreamily.

"How often do you use your shadow clones with Hinaa and Ingrid alone? Because I'd like to be gangbanged by your shadow clones." Dorothea whispered in his ear seductively; he felt something down his crotch.

"Fuck" he whispered in a low voice.

"We just got up, and you can't help but subdue our boyfriend. You don't even have to try." He heard Hinata say.

He felt Hinata's hand on his member.

"It's already hard. We can't have that on our date. Can we? I'll have to help bring it down." Hinata said seductively.

"Our little angel is so hard to resist; I can understand why you two can't keep your hands off each other."

He heard Ingrid say.

"As much as we would like to join in, we have to get dressed or else we'll never leave. We'll see you in a bit, Naru Chan and Hinaa."

Dorothea said as she kissed Hinata and Naruto on the cheek. Ingrid did the same. They got dressed and left, leaving the two alone.

"God, you look so sexy and beautiful, Hinata-chan." Naruto said as he played with her breasts.

"Fuck I don't know if this is the right time but I could use a quick fuck right now."Hinata said as he continued to play around with them.

"Last night's four-way was amazing!" Hinata moaned as Naruto continued playing with her breasts.

Hearing your moans is like music to my ears." Naruto whispered in a low, seductive voice.

"Just shut the fuck up and fuck me, Naruto-kun! Hinata said impatiently."

Naruto stuck his dick inside of Hinata's vagina. Normally, he would like to take his time, but considering they have a date, a quick fuck would have to do. He was on top of her as he thrusted hard, like a hungry animal.

"You love my cock inside of you, don't you, Hinata? You're a slut for my cock!"

Naruto said it was dirty talk; her breasts were bouncing as skin touched skin, mashing against each other. Normally shy, this girl who didn't exist when they were having sex was like a different person altogether.

"Oh yes I love your fucking cock inside of a I want it so deep inside of me fuck me harder faster."she moaned unlike his other girlfriends Hinata was able to keep up with his Pace far better due to her stamina.

He felt himself reaching his limit; it was too soon for his taste, but he knew because of their day together they couldn't do it for long. Though he didn't want to cum before Hinata, he held off as long as he could while resting inside of her deep inside of her. He felt her insides tighten around him.

They were moaning each other's names; it was only 20 minutes, but he was determined to make her cum. He felt her hands grab his back, and he knew what was going to happen before she said anything.

"Naruto Kun fuck"he heard her scream as she cumed hard. He thrusted a little bit longer went until it was his turn he released his seat inside of her if it weren't for the anti-conception jitsu she probably would have gotten pregnant he screamed and they both collapsed breathing heavily.

They stayed there for about a minute before Hinata got up for the bed."I'm going to have to shower." Hinata remarked, as she noticed how much sweat she was covered in.

"I'll have to, too, but I don't think we should go in the same shower." Naruto joked.

"I agree that we'll never get out." She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him.

"I'll see you in a bit, my love." Hinata said to Naruto.

"I'll see you in a bit, my Hime"

The two partners held hands away from each other, and Hinata left.

"So much for a quick fuck that lasted for almost a half hour", said Kurama.

"You didn't watch that, did you?" Naruto asked him suspiciously.

"I keep telling you, Kit, I don't intrude on something sacred like lovemaking, especially when it's your mate's. If she were just a random person, maybe, but no, I draw the line there."

Kurama said defensively.

" you had a four-way kit, I didn't think you could talk your mates into doing that. How did you do it?" Kurama asked curiously.

"It was Dorothea's idea for us to get closer together," Naruto told him.

"Dorothea and Hinata, together, probably pressured Ingrid to agree, after all, they're both sex-crazed. You're fortunate to have three busty females. All the men in the monastery want to be you and wish they could. It seems like you and Sasuke aren't liked by most of the men in the monastery" Kurama pointed out.

"Well, we have the most popular girls as our girlfriends, so of course." Naruto pointed out.

"Not to mention the sexiest," Kurama pointed out.

"I don't know, I wouldn't count out Hilda, Shez, Leonie, Marianne, or Ino." Naruto remarked.

"So you can acknowledge other attractive females even if they aren't your mates. That's progress. Then there are others, but they are more cute. For example, Edelgard and Monica (though only three of them). I would give them about five years, and they will definitely be sexually desirable. Benedetta and Lysithea are unlikely to get together with a man; possibly because they're gay. Annette, on the other hand, is definitely off-limits; she already has a mate."

Kurama pointed this out.

"Well, I think three girlfriends are plenty for me; I don't think I need any more." Naruto said with a cocky smile."

"Very wise, three mates is a challenge. If you want to continue pleasing them, you should stop standing there like an idiot and bathe so you can get dressed for your date." Kurama advised.

Naruto realized he was right and put on his bathrobe and headed to the bath in order to wash himself so he wouldn't smell on his date.


Hinata was waiting for her boyfriend near the entrance of Garreg Mach. She was wearing a long, dark navy blue dress. The dress was modest because she didn't want anyone but her boyfriend and her girlfriends to see her body. She had her hair tied back and was waiting for her friends as well when she saw the first among them, Mercedes, show up.

She wore a red dress like Hinata. She dressed modestly. Her dress was long and she had her hair completely down not tied to a ponytail like she normally does.

"I almost didn't recognize you, Mercie Chan," Hinata said, barely able to get the words out.

"I wanted to look my best for Sasuke Kun. I couldn't really find anything on a short notice so I just wore this what I felt the most comfortable with."her friend answered.

"I don't know, but I think it's a great choice of clothes. The red especially brings out your sexiness. I'm jealous." said Hilda as Ino just arrived.

"I'm not going to lie about Hinata and Mercedes, your men; it doesn't really take that much to please them. You can dress in anything and they'll find you beautiful; you don't have to try too hard." Ino pointed out.

"It's easy for you to say when you don't have a boyfriend," Hinata retorted.

"I have a girlfriend, and I really don't see the problem. I don't have to try; Hilda will find me beautiful no matter what, isn't that right, Hilda?" Ino said to her girlfriend.

"Well, I think you're beautiful in what you wear," Hilda replied.

Then Marianne showed up who, like Hinata, dressed modestly. Her hair was down to her back she wore a long dark blue dress. She doesn't normally dress like this unless they're outside the monastery due to the amount of attention she would get from Men. She is an attractive woman Hinata had to admit.

Then three more girls showed up: Annette, Dorothea, and Ingrid, who much to her annoyance was wearing a dress. Dorothea wasn't afraid to show off her figure; she wore a brown dress that showcased her cleavage, but unlike the other girls, it was more like a skirt than an actual dress.

Ingrid looks like something straight out of a fairy tale, a princess and Hinata could tell she hated it. It was a green dress. It looked beautiful. Her hair was down, but she disliked wearing dresses in general. Annette wore nothing special; she wore a skirt that exposed her thighs and her arms; she had the most revealing outfit of all the girls' except for Dorothea.

Though they came late, it was Shez and Lysithea who started dating recently. Much to the shock of everyone, some people thought she was too old for Lysithea, but the age difference was only two years. Although it was hard to tell that she was 17 due to how mature her body looked.

She, who is being, wears a casual shirt that is orange and black.

Lysithea, the shorter of the two, wore a white shirt with a blue skirt. It was a combination that Hinata had never seen before.

They did things from time to time, but they didn't do anything of note when they went out on dates. However, she could probably ask her friend Lysithea, but she decided to keep her distance. That's not something Hinata really wants to get involved in regarding other people's love lives.

The last of the girls showed up, and it was Edelgard and Monica. Edelgard didn't wear anything particularly special; she wore a short white dress, while Monica's was more modest in its dressing; it was a long pink dress that exposed her upper chest.

Now that all the girls were here, she wondered where all the guys were.

The first to show up was Claude; he wore nothing particularly, it was just a yellow shirt and green shorts. Claude.

Dimitri wasn't too far behind him; he wore a blue shirt with white pants. It looked comfortable to wear like Claude, but he had no date.

"So we're the first ones to show up," remarked Claude.

"I wonder what Sasuke and Naruto were doing last night, or should I say morning, because it might explain why they're late."

Dimitri remarked, looking at Hinata and Mercedes, who both blushed red.

"Oh my" said Annette, blushing herself thinking about what they had done.

"Wow, how typical! Again, I'm not surprised you can't keep your hands off each other? It's a miracle you can even leave the rooms at all." Lysithea said jokingly, which caused Hinata and Mercedes to blush even more because what she said wasn't too far off the mark.

Shez had nothing to say add to the conversation.

"What are you guys talking about? When will those idiots show up?" asked Felix, annoyed like Dimitri. He wore nothing special. His clothing was pretty similar to Dimitri's, except it was black instead of blue.

"Sorry for being late," said Naruto, who was in his orange and black casual clothes that he normally wears on his days off in Konoha. He went towards Hinata, Ingrid, and Dorothea.

"How do you make it work?" asked Dimitri.

"We've been figuring it out as we come along, we're learning step by step. It's not easy, I will admit, but that is part of the fun, isn't that right, Naru-chan?"

Dorothea said in his ear. Out of all the times, why did it have to be here?

She had to resist the idea of another potential four-way.

"Sorry I'm late." said Sasuke, who finally showed up and went towards Mercedes, 3 days ago ever since the seeker was out that they were officially a couple they were freely expressing themselves as a couple. She thought it was cute.

Then the last one showed up. Byleth, her professor who went to Marianne, held his hand. She could see it in their eyes how much they loved each other and how they couldn't express their love openly because of their circumstances. Nobody was shocked by their relationship; it was basically an open secret, just like Sasuke and Mercedes' relationship prior to them revealing it openly a few days ago..

"So everyone is here, so where are you going?" asked Claude.

"I know a place nearby we can go to where we can have fun without being in the monastery. It isn't far from here. I've done it plenty of times."

Dimitri led the way, and everyone was free to be together without judgmental eyes.


Sonia was glad to be away from the abyss, even if it was for a day. She hated staying in that place. It was like a prison. Sneaking out of the monastery was not something that was encouraged, but she had to do it every once in a while to at least see the outside world. She couldn't stay out for long because the archbishop would eventually look for her, and the last thing she wanted was to be hunted.

She was dressed like a normal village girl. She had green-blue hair and blue eyes. She wore glasses because of her difficulty seeing. She was once told that she resembled her late mother by the man who had raised her, but she didn't want to hear about that. She just wanted to see the outside world, even though she did have friends like Yuri. It was still lonely. It felt more like a prison than an actual home. She wanted to be free to walk where she wanted and do what she wanted. The small act of defiance was her way of escaping the monastery, even if it was for a day.

At the age of 20, she had always wondered who her father was. She was told that she had a twin brother, but he died right after she was born. Part of her didn't believe that it couldn't have been her brother; her twin. She knew he was alive. She just couldn't put her finger on it.

She Couldn't help but look at that town that she was walking through with a sense of wonder everything felt alien to her. Eager to look at the new scenery that she had never seen before, the foods that she had never tasted that she was smelling it was overwhelming to her.

She didn't know where to go. She didn't ask Yuri this she bumped into someone who looked at her irritated at her presence."stupid girl watch where you're going. A men said she was not afraid of him by any stretch of the imagination. She wasn't defenseless though she did not want to attract attention."Please I'm not here to cause trouble." Sonia said beggingly not wanting to attract unwanted attention.

"you could make up for it with your body"said a man to her left with a look of a beast looking for prey."keep your fucking hands off of me." Sonia said with disgust as she pushed the man away who was trying to make his advances on her.

"Do you see this girl? She's new around here and she thinks she can deny our advances?" The men laughed. She hated these people; she wanted to wipe that smile off his face. Before she could do anything, a tall blonde-haired man tapped him on the shoulder.

"I suggest you leave the lady alone, as your advances are unwelcome." The man said politely.

"What are you, Prince Charming? This is not your business," said the man behind him.

"Unless you want to be in pain leave, this is not worth the trouble." said the man warningly.

"This prince charming thinks he's a hero, let's teach him a lesson."

The man wasted no time as he lunged at the man he had easily dodged. He then chopped him in the neck, which made the second man try to hit him by surprise. However, he kicked him in the chest, knocking him down. The third man was about to hit him with a club, but Sonia kicked him in the groin instead.

Others tried to charge at him, but they were no match other than the one that Sonia took down. The tall blonde-haired man took out all of them. He was strong; she had to admit she couldn't see his face.

"I thought we were here to relax, Dimitri, not to start a fight." said a brown-skinned man with brown hair.

"A woman was in need. I couldn't just let them have their way with her."

The man, named Dimitri, defended his actions by saying, "She needed help."

"Are you okay?" Dimitri turned around, offering his hand to her. She looked at him and blushed.

"I'm fine," she said, stuttering. She never did this before. It wasn't like he was the first man she saw; she was around Yuri and Balthus on a near-daily basis.

"You'll have to excuse Prince Charming; he can't help but help a woman in need, especially a beautiful one like that." said Claude, causing Dimitri to blush.

"I would do it for anyone." Dimitri said, defending himself.

"You don't need to fight over me. I just wanted to go out, but apparently I don't know this area at all." Sonia said, embarrassed.

"That's not a problem. I've been in this area many times. I could show you around."

Dimitri turned his face away to hide the pink on his cheeks, saying, "I've been in this area many times. I could show you around."

"I'm sorry for causing you an inconvenience." Sonia apologized, saying she was sorry if she had caused any inconvenience to the people around her.

"It's not a problem; we're all just having fun today, aren't we?" asked Claude curiously.

"I guess you could say that," the woman said nervously.

"I could show you around, as I said: all of us came here with dates, except me and Claude." Dimitri said embarrassedly.

"Do you mean boyfriends and girlfriends?" Sonia asked bluntly.

"I guess you could say that," Dimitri replied.

"My name is Dimitri. What's your name, my lady?" he asked her.

"My name is Sonia", she replied.

"I could show you around town if you want, Sonia." Dimitri said, embarrassed.

"I would appreciate it if you could Dimitri thank you." she replied.

"Well, it seems we have another person on our date. If only I had a date." said Claude, complaining.

Dimitri held her hand to prevent her from getting lost. She liked the feel of his hand. It wasn't soft or hard. The feeling was so right to her that she blushed. She didn't know what this feeling was. She would ask her friends in the Abyss later about it; it was a pleasant feeling, but one she had never experienced before.


"The damn boar, what's taking him so long?" Felix said, annoyed.

"He probably found a village girl who needed help. It's so much like Dimitri, such a gentleman," said Hinata.

"I don't mind; I mean I'm not in a hurry to explore this place. I want to take my time. I have never been here before." said Hilda.

"This is the first time we're all out on a date together. It's alright, and I don't have to hide that I'm with Sasuke-kun." She said warmly as she happily wrapped her right arm around Sasuke's left.

"It's refreshing not having to hide our relationship I'm in no hurry."said Marianne who was holding Byleth's hand

"I don't know how I let you talk me into wearing this damn dress, Dorothea. I hate it."

Ingrid complained, saying despite having a smile on her face.

"You do look great! It doesn't hurt to wear a dress every now and then. It suits you. It makes you look like a princess from one of those stories you love to talk about so much."

Dorothea pointed out.

"You forgot that in those stories, the princess was a warrior and a knight. Yes, she dressed like I am now, but those were just stories; I wouldn't want to dress like that in real life." Ingrid complained, hating wearing dresses.

"I think you look stunning in it, Ingrid Chan. I think you should wear them more often. I think it brings out your beauty more." said Hinata, who kissed her on the cheek.

"How do you make it work with two girlfriends and a boyfriend? I don't see how that can work honestly." Felix asked Ingrid.

"We all love each other; that's all that matters. That should be enough." Ingrid answered as if that were the end of it.

"Felix, I don't think it matters if they're happy together; that should be enough." Annette said, coming to her friend's defense.

"I can't see myself ever sharing you with anyone like Annette. That's why I'm asking these questions." He said, embarrassed.

"You two are so cute." said Ino

"I can't help but agree; I cannot see myself ever sharing Edelgard with anyone but it's none of my business what Hinata does. All parties love each other - that's all that matters." Monica said, giving her own opinion.

"If I were honest, I don't know if I would ever be involved in a four-way relationship. It sounds like more than one person is too much. No offense, Hinata, but I couldn't do what you're doing." Lysithea said, not realizing she was holding Shez's hand.

"I have to agree, Naruto. No offense, but I don't see myself ever being faithful to more than one person. I don't think I'd ever be able to do it." Shez added that she ignored Byleth's existence despite her dislike of him; she went on a date with everyone anyway because of Lysithea.

"Shez San, I can understand from an outsider that it's impossible and maybe too much, but I cannot control what's in my heart. Yes, it can be hard, but that's why I do it; they're precious to me, and the people that are the most precious to me are the people that I am the most dedicated to. I think they're worth it, and nobody will convince me otherwise." Naruto replied.

Byleth was starting to get impatient along with everyone else in the group who just want to get to the main event already.

"I'm still wondering where Dimitri is." asked Edelgard, worried about him and Claude and Naruto potentially leaving them while they're on their day off.

"I see them now and I see a blue-haired girl with them." said Byleth, confused.

"You wouldn't have picked up a date while I wasn't looking, would you, Dimitri?" asked Felix.

"I was just helping this woman who was being harassed by the locals here." Dimitri answered.

Byleth looked at the woman, and the woman looked at him. He couldn't help but feel as if something was familiar about her.

"Are you aware that you are holding her hand?" asked Byleth, not realizing what he said made them both blush.

"Seriously, what is wrong with you, Dimitri? You're acting like a blushing schoolboy. You're lucky Sylvain isn't here or he'd be having a field day." said Ingrid teasingly

"I guess it wouldn't be so bad to have another girl on our date. What's your name?" Hinata asked.

"Sonia, I'm kind of new around here, so I don't really know my way around." The woman confessed.

"None of us really does, except Dimitri, of course." Naruto pointed it out.

"Well, it looks like you're the only one without a date, Claude. That sucks."

Naruto joked as he walked beside his girlfriend's.

Byleth couldn't help but notice the girl with Dimitri, was still holding his hand. Did they not realize what they were doing?

"So where are we going, Dimitri? What are we going to do for fun today?" asked Claude, trying to shift the conversation.

In the town square in the evening there is a dance that everyone attends. We all dance with the locals and switch partners." Dimitri answered.

Byleth wasn't sure if he liked the idea of anyone but him dancing with Marianne, but it was part of the customs around here, so he would do anything to make her smile.

"There are also other activities we do around here. I mean many of the monastery residents come here to have fun, so we might run into some of our classmates here." Dimitri said.

"As long as we don't run into that banshee it should be good."said Mercedes, making it no secret her dislike of Sakura.

"I doubt she'd come here, only those who've been to the monastery for a long time know about this place." Dimitri answered reassuringly."

"Does he not realize that he is still holding her hand?" Dorothea asked Ingrid.

"I don't know, but it's kind of cute." remarked Hinata, who was holding Naruto's hand.

"Are you telling me that this is another one of those red threads Hinata?" asked Felix.

"I don't know," Hinata said. Only Dimitri and Sonia would know." Hinata replied.

"The two are talking as if they were in their own world. Ingrid pointed this out."

"You've been known to Ingrid Chan for a long time, haven't you, Dimitri?" asked Naruto.

"We've known each other since we were kids. I know he's had crushes before, but this is different." Ingrid said aloud.

"Well, he had a crush on Hinata once," Edelgard said.

This shocked Hinata, learning this."I never knew." she heard laughing by Dorothea."Oh My Sweet Angel you don't know there were people who had a crush on you? You're cute and you're adorable; of course you have someone who has a crush on you! Mean Dimitri, he had to be no older than 10 or 11." She pointed out.

"Well, I once had a crush on Monica."

Hinata's confession which surprised Monica.

"I have no words for that." Monica said in shock.

"Are we going to spend all of our time talking about past crushes, or are we just going to do something?"

Felix asked, annoyed.

"Look"Annette pointed at a game where someone uses a hammer to get a high score, and if they do, they win a prize.

"I don't know about you, but I'd like to try it." said Claude, smiling.

He asked for the hammer from the person in charge of the game. He asked for money, but Claude paid what was agreed. He didn't go very far; he only got the ball slightly off the ground.

Naruto did a little better, but not by much. Annette did better than anyone else. Edelgard did her part next. She almost won the prize, but she fell short, much to her disappointment.

Everyone else tried, and they all failed. Hinata came close, but she fell short.

Then she noticed the girl, Sonia, who was with them, looking at the prize, which was a teddy bear, with fascination.

"I'll win that for you," said Dimitri with determination. Everyone watched as Dimitri was determined to win. He was compelled to; he wanted to bring a smile on the face of the girl he had saved earlier. It wasn't rational, but Dimitri couldn't explain these feelings he was having.

He just wanted to see her smile; nothing more. He took the hammer in his hands, and decided he was going to try out a technique that he had been taught by Asuma. He put some chakra into his arms to give himself more body strength, and smashed it, which caused the ball to hit the bell, which shocked everyone.

He was given the teddy bear that he had been waiting for from Sonia. Dimitri handed it to her, and the girl embarrassedly and reluctantly took it and held on to it as if it were her most precious possession. "Thank you, Dimitri." The girl said, smiling though she buried her face in the teddy bear to hide her blush.

"Wow, the day has barely started and he already wooed a girl you just meet! You have a lot of charm; you should utilize it more." said Naruto teasingly.

"I just want to do what's right and help those in need." Dimitri said, covering his blush.

"This girl is cute. I don't see any reason why you should pretend otherwise." Naruto insisted.

"Naruto, you should stop teasing Dimitri. He may end up dying of embarrassment." Claude joked.

Naruto went to his girlfriend's place, which relieved Dimitri. He and Sonia were alone as long as they could be. She was walking next to him. She was looking around at the world like it was her first time. She had a childlike wonder as if she had never left the outside world.

This perplexed Dimitri, just who was she exactly, and why was he drawn to her?

"Is this your first time around here?" he asked, trying to start a conversation.

"Yes, I'm not allowed to leave my home, but I wanted to see what the outside world looks like. I'm honestly overwhelmed." The girl confessed.

"You've never been outside?" Dimitri asked her.

"I'm not allowed outside. I was told the outside world is too dangerous. I've been curious for years what the outside world looks like. It feels like a different world from the one I live in. It's not the same in books, like it is when you physically look at it with your own eyes." Sonia said with a sense of loneliness.

"Aren't your family worried?" Dimitri asked her.

"I don't have a mother or a father or siblings, for that matter. The closest thing I have is my friends who live with me." She confessed that she wasn't volunteering any information about the people she lived with. He wouldn't push it; she must have her reasons.

"Well, as long as you're with me, Sonia, I'll make sure you have a good time. I don't have a date myself," he confessed.

"Then why are you with your friends if you don't have one done?" the woman asked him.

"It's because I wanted to be there with my friends, and to increase relations with those outside my house." Dimitri answered.

"Must be nice, I wonder what it would be like to go to a school like yours," the girl said with sadness.

"I wish there was something I could do about that, but at least for today, I'd like to help you have a good time, my lady." Dimitri said in a gentlemanly manner.

"I would appreciate that Dimitri very much." Sonia said, smiling, not paying attention that she was holding his hand; he didn't fight it. It felt soft and nice when he looked at the blue-haired woman's face; he thought she was beautiful.

"Careful at this rate, you may end up falling in love with her."

Claude joked, which caused him to turn around, and the woman blushed in embarrassment.

"Damn it, Claude! What a ridiculous thing to say!" Dimitri said with embarrassment, the girl holding his hand reluctantly letting go and turning away to hide her own blush.

"You always have a way to ruin romantic moments, Claude." Hilda said, annoyed.

"I don't know, but I think they're kind of cute together." Ino added.

Dimitri ignored them and continued on with Sonia.


Mercedes Couldn't help but notice the look in Dimitri and Sonia's eyes; she disregarded it, thinking it was for Dimitri to deal with. Sasuke and her were dancing, even though it was traditional for them to switch partners, but she didn't really want to; in fact, the idea of another woman dancing with Sasuke made her full of jealous rage when she thought about it.

She knows it's harmless, and the women who would dance with Sasuke would only do it because it's tradition, but she doesn't want to. Some may call her possessive, but that's not how she sees it. She is fully committed to Sasuke both physically and emotionally, and she doesn't want to share him with anyone, regardless of who they are.

"Sorry, I'm such a terrible dancer, Mercie," Sasuke said apologetically.

" it's okay dancing with you, is enough."she replied with a smile." Sasuke hold her hand. They weren't doing anything fancy when it came to dancing not that she wanted that, she just wanted to dance with him and him alone.

"I know it's tradition for us to swap partners, but I don't want to." Mercedes admitted to Sasuke.

"Neither do I. The idea of another man dancing with you makes me ill."Sasuke confessed.

"Those earrings I made for you, I'm glad you love them. I'm not proud of how they look; I think you deserve better." Sasuke said.

"I love them because they were made by you. I don't care what they look like. I'd rather have the earrings I'm wearing now than some fancy earrings made by someone who doesn't love or care." She said, revealing how she felt indirectly.

"You are like my sunshine, I'm lost without you." Sasuke admitted as he leaned to kiss her; she returned it. He thought of her as his sunshine. He doesn't even have to try to be romantic.

"You say the most romantic things, Sasuke-kun. I have no words.."

Mercedes didn't care if the whole world watched them. It had been 6 months since Sasuke entered her life, and 4 of them were on speaking terms. She wanted to do something for his birthday, like he did for her.

Despite it being an appropriate occasion, she wasn't ready to tell him "not yet.


"Those two are deeply in love aren't they Dimitri?" asked Sonia, observing.

"It's kind of an open secret actually in the Blue Lions. I mean everyone was surprised that Sasuke was infatuated with her before they started talking. What I know about their past, they deserve happiness, but I don't know what the future holds for them due to the program." Dimitri told her.

"What are you talking about, Dimitri?" she asked him. He was good, but he enjoyed being in Dimitri's arms. She generally wanted to know more about the outside world; she could get lost in his eyes or in his arms as much as she wanted to. That's not why she snuck out her main reason was to learn about the outside world nothing else.

"There's a program that involves foreigners from lands like Konoha to learn about our continent and do a cultural exchange. It's been done for generations ever since the founding of the five nations, but it has been less frequent in recent years, and some have considered stopping the program entirely."

Dimitri answered

This fascinated her, she was sure the program went both ways; she wanted to ask more.

"Does it involve you going to this place called Konoha?" she asked him.

"Yes, I've been there before, but that was a long time ago, and it's not something I really want to talk about." She could tell it had to do with something terrible from his past.

"Enough about me, what about you, Sonia? Where are you from? Why haven't I seen you around here before?" Dimitri asked her, wanting to know generally.

"I'm not really allowed to tell you or anyone for that matter. The only thing I can say is I'm not allowed to venture out. I've been told it's too dangerous. The world outside is hostile and scary. I know she means well but I feel like I'm a prisoner of my own home. I want to see the outside world. I want to meet people outside. I want to experience what others experience: the sun on my skin, the feel of sand on my feet, the cold wind on my face. They're small things I know it's just me. I'm sorry I'm not very good at explaining this, am I?" She asked awkwardly

"Nonsense! I think you're doing good. You're too hard on yourself, Sonia. It's a relief actually to be outside the monastery to meet someone like you. I feel like I met a kindred spirit."

She wanted to bury her face in his chest. She didn't know why she felt safe when she was with him; she felt like she could trust him.

He was kind, she could feel it but she could see a deep darkness inside him. What was this feeling she had?"I wonder if I'd fit in your class, Dimitri?" Sonia wanted to ask, but she couldn't.

They continued to dance in silence as the sun set. She knew she'd have to return soon; she didn't want it to end. She felt like she and one of the stories where she met a prince in a ball and that her very godmother's magic would wear off by a certain time.

Her heart was beating. She didn't know what it meant, and she wanted to ask her friends, but would they understand? Now that she had a chance at a little taste of freedom, she was dreading going back, but she had to.

"I'm sorry Dimitri, I have to go; it's getting late." She said sadly that it was over. "Wait when can we meet again; where can we meet again?" Dimitri pleaded, he didn't want to let her go.

"I" she couldn't get the words out. "I know a place where we can meet," Dimitri said with a smile.

"Really?" she asked in disbelief that he wanted to see her again. "Meet me at the cathedral on Saturday. It's a free day for me. Let's meet in the morning. I know where we can leave from there; nobody will disturb us." Dimitri said, hoping she would say yes.

"I would love that." she said awkwardly. She has no idea how to communicate with Dimitri. Not well; he's a prince far above her station. Why would he have any interest in her, some nobody in the abyss? It's too good to be true: a friend outside the abyss, a way out.

"I have to go." She said sadly, it took all of her willpower; she didn't want to go back there, but she had no choice. She couldn't have Rhea suspect anything.

She will likely let go and run away, leaving Dimitri perplexed about what happened.


Felix was enjoying himself; he took Annette, by the hand, and started to dance with her. It was customary for people to switch partners, though it wasn't required, it was encouraged, but he couldn't see himself doing that even if it was part of the tradition. He always found her beautiful, but rarely saw her hair down. They had been dating for almost a year; people made bets when they first dated that it wouldn't last more than a week. They were silent once they started dating for 6 months.

He didn't care about their opinions; in fact, the only person whose opinion mattered to him was Annette. She made him feel at peace; he could be himself, and he didn't have to be someone he wasn't.

She was one of the few people who were able to bring out the softer side of him. The side of him that he doesn't show, despite what others think who don't know him. He does care for Dimitri. Dimitri is his friend. He's concerned about him because of the eyes he had when he put down a rebellion.

He was initially apprehensive about Sasuke, thinking he was the same, but like Dimitri, he was far more complicated.

"Can we just focus on dancing now," asked his girlfriend."

"Of course," he said. They weren't doing anything fancy; he never cared for those sorts of things. Dancing isn't something he'd ever cared for; he held his girlfriend's waist on her right side with his right hand.

"It'd be nice to hear you sing," Felix remarked.

"Here?" she asked him, embarrassed.

"Why not while we're dancing? I'd love to hear your beautiful voice. I don't care what you say or if you believe that your voice is terrible to me. There is nothing more beautiful than your song."

He rarely voices how he feels about her. He believes you don't tell anyone how you feel unless the occasion is appropriate. He never likes people who constantly tell others how they feel about them. He feels it loses meaning the more people say it.

"As long as you love it, that's all that matters." She smiled and started to sing.

He closed his eyes as she sang the song, which she was singing at that time. It had no meaning, but it didn't need a meeting to him; he just enjoyed hearing her lovely voice.

It brought him peace, and for him, that's all that mattered. Anyone who had anything negative to say about her singing voice would have to deal with him personally.

"They look lovely together, don't they?" Annette asked, referring to Sasuke and Mercedes, who were lost in their own world.

He had never seen Mercedes so happy and content with the idea of her being the one who dims the darkness and Sasuke. It was absurd when he thought about it at first. Then he saw Naruto and Hinata dancing, even though he now has two girlfriends, he knows the woman he loves more than anyone is Hinata.

Even if Sasuke isn't sharing Mercedes with anyone, Naruto and Sasuke are alike in the sense that Hinata and Mercedes are like their own suns.

Annette, when she looks at him, the closest thing he can think of to compare her to would be the Sun.

"Whatever he better not hurt Mercedes, or they'll be held responsible." Felix said Annette giggled and didn't know what she found when he said it was funny.

"That's what everyone said about you when we started dating. Funny, how that turned out to be. I don't believe he would ever do that. Sasuke would rather harm himself than ever hurt Mercie." She said, looking at the couple.

He feels the same way about hurting himself as he would before telling Annette he loves her. He doesn't have the courage to tell her that she's the most important person to him.

One day, he would tell her his feelings, but until then, he would enjoy their company and their status as boyfriend and girlfriend. He would express his love for her in different ways.

"Haven't I told you how beautiful you are, Annette?" Felix asked her.

"I did it for you, I want to look pretty for you." she said with a smile.

Nothing more was said by the couple as they danced, and they didn't pay attention to what other people were saying or doing. To Felix, it didn't matter; what mattered to him was Annette. Today, he was going to make her happy, and he was going to focus on her. Whatever was going on in the future didn't matter at that moment.


Shez was terrible at dancing; she was never good at it, and she hated it. Lysithea was looking at everyone dancing; she felt bad because she didn't want her date to be bored or not have a good time. But she didn't want her to think less of her because she can't dance.

"I can't dance either", she confessed.

"but you look like you want to." She pointed it out.

"Maybe", Lysithea said in denial.

"There are other partners you can dance with, you know." She pointed out, even though she hated the idea of others dancing with her, she was willing to do it if it made her not bored.

"Would you like to dance with me if that's okay?" She turned around, blushing.

She took a deep breath, no, she agreed to one date, and that was it. She wasn't going to think about it, but then again, that's what she said on their first date. This is their third.

She really liked Lysithea. It made her nervous, making her feel intense anxiety. She has been involved with other girls before, but it was never serious. Most of them were just one-night stands before she moved on and forgot about it.

"Well, I guess we'll have to learn as we try and fail to dance" Lysithea said with a red face.

She took her by the hand. She looked at how the other people were dancing and tried to copy them. They didn't do anything fancy; they were just dancing slowly.

Despite not being able to dance, they were able to be in sync with each other. They knew what the other was thinking without speaking. She didn't know why or how they stopped paying attention to their dancing. Instead, they did more erotic moves. How was she able to do that? She didn't know.

They were both in their own worlds. She loved her eyes, she thought they were beautiful, but they had a look of sadness in them.

"wow" Lysithea was said, unable to believe that they were both dancing like this.

"you know this reminds me of a story I once read you know Cinderella?"the girl looked at her her rolling her eyes.

"Yeah, well, I don't remember Cinderella dancing with a girl." Lysithea pointed out.

"Well, I could tell you this much: she isn't as cute as you." This made her blush.

"Are you hitting on me?" Lysithea asked.

"What do you think?" Shez said sarcastically.

"Why me?" Lysithea asked.

"What do you mean? Specify" Shez replied.

"I'm asking why me, you can have any woman who's bisexual or a lesbian; you have a better chance with bisexuals than anyone else; yet why me?" Lysithea asked, generally wanting to know.

"Because you're my type," she answered.

"In what way?" The girl asked.

"I think you are smart and hardworking, which is not the only thing I like about you. I also think you're cute and beautiful. Most of the girls at the academy are stupid bimbos who are spoiled little shits who are spoon-fed, but you're nothing like that. You're special, unique, and I don't know why or how, but I'm drawn to you." Shez admitted.

"oh"the girl said.

"I take it you haven't had luck with girls?" Lysithea asked.

They continued to dance, she held her waist along with her hand. They were like a romantic couple in a story, except it was two women. Their faces were inches from each other; she wondered what her lips would taste like.

She pulled away, resisting; they stopped dancing and decided to sit on the bench, looking at the stars.

"I never had any luck in any relationship in my line of work there was no room for things like relationships it was always the next job. It's been that way as long as I can remember. I have very few memories of my mother, none of my father. All my life, I just went from job to job. I've been a mercenary for as long as I can remember."

Shez close her eyes and thought about the memories of all the people that she once now we're cut down Byleth should an intense look the nerve of him dancing with Marianne smiling at her acting as if nothing was happening nothing happened.

Before she can indulge in her thoughts, she felt a hand on her shoulder. It was Lysithea.

"We should go somewhere else. There's something I want to try." She took Shez by the hand and pulled her. Her hands were so warm and small. Any lingering thoughts and hatred that she had felt in her heart faded almost as soon as she touched her.

No, her priority was making her date happy, whatever her problems she has should put them aside for now. Lysithea is who matters now, not Byleth Eisner the man she wants to defeat.

She could deal with him another day, but the priority was making Lysithea happy and bringing a smile to her face. What mattered right now was nothing else.


Feeling his warm hands, she forgot at least for the moment, the harshness of Haku's lessons and the pain of the past. She felt like a princess in a storybook, and the man she was dancing with was her prince. Her king

This reminded her of a story she had once read about a servant girl who went to a ball in order to meet the prince of the land. She had awful step sisters who made her life hell but, with the help of her fairy mother, she was able to look like a queen for at least a night. She knew it was childish thinking of that story. It always brought her comfort when Hilda used to read it to her as a girl.

She never thought she would experience it for real in the four months since Byleth had come into her life. Things had changed; she almost didn't recognize the woman she was becoming. She was more confident, yet she was still scared of her Crest and even more scared of the power she had awakened two months ago. However, she was able to get through it by thinking about what she could do with it.

Even if it was a curse, she could at least use it to protect the man she loves and to protect her friends. Hinata she has a lot to thank her for; without her encouragement, she would have never had the courage to tell him how she felt. It was happening so fast; it was like a fairy tale. She didn't want it to end.

They were lost in their own world, oblivious to the lights around them, the fireworks being lit, none of it mattering but him; the look in his eyes was like looking deep into his soul. Most in the monastery wouldn't understand; they couldn't comprehend she's going against what her adoptive father wants for her.

This man, who has given her nothing but happiness, she knows she would love nothing more than to spend the rest of her life with him; however, it has happened so fast that it's only been four months. But she cannot see herself with anyone else; she never could. She dreads the time when her time at the academy will end, as she knows things will go back to the way they were before: going back home to her adopted father and her uncle, who hate her and look at her with hatred because of what happened to their sister.

"Are you okay?" Her boyfriend asked, concerned that she couldn't stop crying. This was supposed to be their happy time together.

"I'm fine because I'm with you", she said with a smile.

"You don't have to lie to me; I know something's bothering you."

He can see right through her, but what can she say?

"I don't want to ruin our time together, Byl" she said in a low whisper.

"No matter where we are, my ears are open; please, whether we're on our date or at the monastery, you don't have to hide anything from me." he said lovingly.

"Do you think we could sit down and talk?" Marianne asked him.

"Of course" they stopped dancing and walked to a place that wasn't crowded, so they sat on the bench. He looked at the sky along with her. They could stare at it for hours. She was once told that if a shooting star appeared and she made a wish, her wish would come true. She knew it was a baseless superstition, but that didn't matter.

She laid on his shoulder and closed her eyes; they didn't have to say anything to enjoy each other's company, but she knew she couldn't do it this time. He wanted to know what was on her mind; she couldn't lie or tell him half the truth.

"I don't want this to end. The reason I was sent here was to find a suitable husband. A husband that would benefit the family name."

He looked shocked.

"I had no idea." he said, not understanding that she had to explain it in a different way.

"When I come of age, I have to find a husband, or my father will choose one for me. He wouldn't approve of me being with you. That's how things work when you're born in the nobility: you don't marry for love; you marry for whoever benefits the family the most." She didn't know how he would take it.

"I don't like the idea of anyone marrying you, Mari. I hate the idea." He said, upset.

"I'm sorry I shouldn't have said anything." Before she could do anything, he made her face him.

"I don't want anyone to marry you. I find the idea reprehensible."

Her shoulders tensed as she felt his hands tighten around her own. Their faces were inches from each other.

"You should be able to marry who you love, not who your father says you should Marrying the idea makes me sick, another man touching you you bearing another Man's children. It makes me disgusted with the very thought"The jealousy in his tone and the insecurity she could feel it.

"There is no one I would want to marry, and I wouldn't want to condemn another child to my curse." Marianne said, looking down.

"You're not a curse, Mari" Byleth made her face him, their foreheads touching each other.

"I would do anything for you, Mari. I'd give you the entire world. I would do anything just to see you smile; to protect your smile. Those things are precious to me. I'm not good at it and expressing it; I don't fully understand it myself."

She knew what he was going to say without him saying it.

"I love you, thank you for being patient with me. I don't deserve you." She said, her voice cracking.

"If anything, I don't deserve you, but I love you, Mari." He replied, kissing her without caring if everyone watched. She didn't care either, returning his kiss.

"We still have a lot of time left. Would you like to dance once more?" he asked her.

"In a bit, I wouldn't mind looking at the stars for a little while." She leaned against his chest.

His jealousy over another man being with her made her feel relieved knowing that he loved her that much. Even if he doesn't fully understand it or know why she doesn't care what anyone thinks about her, the only person whose opinion mattered regarding her relationship with the man she loves was Byleth.

The two Lovers remained silent and paid no heed to the comments being passed by people walking by them.


"One of these days, we'll figure out a way for all four of us to dance together." Naruto said with determination.

"You could use your Shadow clones, you know?"Claude suggested."are you kidding me the idea of another man dancing with my girlfriends forget it."Naruto said dismissively.

"They're your clones, and they're technically you. Is it really another man?"

Felix didn't understand.

"No, not really. Shadow Clones have aspects of your personality, but there are differences here and there. And I just don't want them to dance with my girlfriends. It's simply because I want it to be the real deal." Naruto said, wanting to end the discussion.

"Would you like to bet that it will be Mercedes who confesses first?" said Claude to all the guys.

"No, it's going to be Mercie Chan" Hinata said confidently.

"Where's our antisocial professor and Marianne?", Dorothea asked jokingly.

"Over there, they are lost in their own world."

Hilda pointed, with a hurt expression on her face.

"Excuse me," Hilda said as she left everyone.

"Is something wrong?" Naruto asked, not understanding why Hilda looked upset and on the verge of tears.

"Should we talk to her?" Naruto asked his girlfriend, Hinata.

"I'll do it" Ino dismiss herself from the rest of the group.

"Either I'm imagining things or"

Naruto was going to say it, but he was silenced by Dorothea.

"It's best that we not discuss it, Naru-chan" Dorothea suggested.

"But they could simply" Hinata interrupted him as well.

"Not everyone is as fortunate as we are, Naruto-kun. I don't see Marianne or Byleth being able to work things out with all parties being happy like we have; it's just not realistic."

Hinata said she was sad about what Hilda was going through.

"I don't know, I don't like seeing my friends in pain; it's just not right." Naruto finished.

"Not everyone can have Happy endings Naruto as much as I hate to say this it's better that she goes through this now then bottle her emotions up and ruin her friendship with Marianne over it." Edelgard said as if she was speaking from experience.

"You too, weren't you once?" Naruto pointed it out, causing Edelgard to tense up at the mention of her past relationship.

"There was a point where we did, but it's complicated. Things got in the way of us, and it didn't work out."

Edelgard said, not really wanting to elaborate.

"It's unfortunate, but that's how life works: not all relationships work out, and not all of us are fortunate enough to have the people we love return our feelings. That's possibly the worst thing that could ever happen."

Monica said, thinking about what would have happened if it had happened to her.

"Let Ino help her. She's been through something similar in the past." Hinata answered.

"What do you mean?" Edelgard asked.

"She once told me she loved me, but I told her I couldn't return her feelings." Naruto never knew that Ino was once in love with Hinata."

"I thought she was bisexual?" Ingrid asked.

"Ino is though like me, she's more attracted to women." Shocking everyone but Naruto, who already knew that.

"I wish we could help her," Naruto said, feeling awful.

"She'll get through it; she's stronger than she seems." Claude said, believing in Hilda.

"Well, I don't know about you, but I don't sit here. We came here to have fun and relax; let's do that." said Monica, who got up with her girlfriend and everyone else, taking their places.

"Now how are we going to all dance?" Naruto said aloud.

"We'll have to be creative," Dorothea said.

"We'll just switch partners." Ingrid suggested.

Naruto danced with Dorothea first, while Hinata was dancing with Ingrid.


Hilda couldn't watch them anymore. She thought she could accept it, but the pain wouldn't go away with time. It was hard; it was so hard. It was painful for her to see Marianne dancing with someone who wasn't her. She was lying when she said she was happy, but in fact, she wasn't.

She hates Byleth, but she shouldn't. She knows it's not his fault, but she can't help it; he did what Hilda couldn't: make Marianne smile. She was so happy; she always thought it would be her who would do these things.

She put it off; she'll do it tomorrow. She said "every time" and then, when she was about to tell her, it was too late. Her eyes wouldn't look at her lovingly like she does for him; they've only known each other for 4 months, while Marianne and Hilda have been friends for over 10 years.

She thought I was a mistake to go with them. She thought she had gotten over it; she was only fooling herself. She heard footsteps behind her and turned; it was her girlfriend, Ino. She tried to wipe the tears from Ino's eyes. Ino said nothing as she sat next to her.

"I'm pathetic, I'm crying, I should be happy for her, I'm a terrible person."

Hilda couldn't say anything. More tears fell.

Her girlfriend said nothing.

"Nobody says you can't be sad; you love her, don't you, Hilda?" Ino asked. Hilda turned away. "What good will it do? She will never return my feelings." Hilda said, our hands to cover her face not wanting Ino to see her cry.

"How do you know how she feels? have you even talked to her." Ino asked her.

"No and what good would it do? I'd only ruin their relationship, I'd only ruin her happiness. Her happiness should be all that matters."

Hilda's girlfriend didn't buy it.

Don't bullshit me; there's nothing wrong with how you feel, damn it! Hilda, be honest with yourself.

She looked down, not wanting to face her.

"It's ridiculous; it wouldn't work. Our situations aren't the same."

Hilda argued against what she was proposing.

"Let's face it, we will never work with Hilda. You and I are too much alike." She noticed her girlfriend looking at Hinata longingly and then it clicked.

"I have been through the same thing. I fell in love with someone I was too late to tell her and I regret it and I don't see her wanting to include me cuz I wouldn't share her with anyone." Ino said with regret in her voice.

"Marianne still cares a great deal about you you two need to talk, you have barely talked since she joined the Black Eagles. What is stopping you?" Ino said pushing it.

"I'm not sure if I want to share her with anyone." Hilda admitted.

"Well the least you can do is talk. You've known Marianne most of your life. Are you really going to let her slip from your fingers because of fear?" Asked Ino what she was proposing was ridiculous sharing Marianne with Byleth?

"First you have to admit it to yourself out loud: Do you love her Hilda?" asked Ino, but she wouldn't let it go.

She thought about it all the times they had spent together throughout their childhood. Her smile, when she ever did smile, brightened up her day.

She would just listen when she talked about her problems that she was having. When she ever got in a fight with her brother or when she displeased her father or mother, she was not judgmental. She enjoyed her company.

What hurts more than anything is her smile, which isn't for her. It's not her waking up next to her or her dancing and smiling for her.

She had known the feeling she had felt for years, promising to tell her the next day. She had told her so that she would have the courage to leave the Golden Deer House for the Black Eagles after almost three years.

"I love her" Hilda admitted, a huge weight lifted from her shoulders admitting what she had been feeling for her childhood friend for years.

"Then talk to her." Ino took her hand.

"I guess this is how our relationship ends." Hilda said.

"It's fine Hilda, it was fun while it lasted." she said with a smile.

Hilda had no idea what the future had in store for her, but she wondered if she really had a chance. She didn't know if she could share Marianne with anyone else. But she knew her ex was right; she needed to talk to Marianne. They hadn't spoken since she transferred, and she didn't want to think her friend hated her.

For tonight, she would let Marianne and her boyfriend enjoy themselves. Tomorrow, she would talk to her and tell her how she feels, regardless of the outcome. At least Marianne would know.


This was the first time Dorothea danced with anyone other than Ingrid, which was the first time she was dancing with a man in general who wasn't some snob. It was amazing how different things were in the past few months. In two months her feelings had changed too; it was difficult for her to put into words.

"Did I mention you're beautiful?" Naruto complimented.

"All men say that." She replied, even though she had been dating Naruto for two months, it was still difficult for her because of the complicated nature of her feelings for him.

"I do mean it, though, when I say it; I'm not just saying it to compliment you; I mean it in the depths of my heart. You are beautiful, my diva."

Naruto said affectionately.

She felt her heart beat with just a touch. She felt weak. This wasn't the same as Hinata or even Ingrid; it was something different entirely. What did Naruto have that made him so lovable? It was difficult for her.

"I know I've said this before, but I don't think Konoha deserves you, Naru-chan! The more I learn about that place, the more I hate it."

She couldn't help but voice her feelings, which were based on her interactions with Kakashi and her classmates from the Black Eagles and Golden Deer. She saw Naruto in a light that most hadn't.

"I don't know how I feel about my village at this point."

They were dancing, even though they tried to focus on relaxing. Naruto couldn't help but voice his feelings.

"Have you ever told Hinaa any of this?" Dorothea asked him, wanting to know if Hinata knew anything about Naruto's true feelings about his village.

"I don't want to burden her; she's already gone through enough. The way the clan treats her is enough of a burden. I don't want to add to that. She has enough on her plate." Naruto said, not really wanting to elaborate further, but Dorothea pushed.

"She was the first one to believe in you and the first one to love you. Surely she deserves to know Naru-chan, me, and Ingrid. We have known you for only a fraction of the time that Hinaa has known you. You should tell her you grew up in the same village."

Dorothea insisted that Naruto consider what she had said.

"You're right; I just don't want to appear weak in front of her." Naruto admitted.

"Naru chan Hinaa isn't judgmental; she is the kindest and gentlest woman I have ever met. Goddess bless her soul; she's everything that I'm not; there isn't that many Hinaa's in this world who don't have their kindness and gentleness beaten out of them by the time they become adults; she's one of the rare exceptions."

They continued to dance; Naruto was speeding up as the music got more and more intense.

"I'd be useless without you, Dorothea Chan." Naruto admitted. She didn't know how to respond to that. Naruto is a complicated person; the more she spends time with him, the more she understands him.

"Naru-chan, I'd be useless without you and Hinaa without the both of you; I wouldn't have another chance with my first love. I will forever be grateful." She felt her heart beating whenever she ever spoke about Ingrid, Naruto, and Hinata giving Ingrid and her more space.

It was a strange feeling for her to love two women, but what were her feelings towards Naruto? It was complicated. It wasn't that long ago that she hated him because of Hinata and Ingrid, but the mission in the Land of Waves changed her outlook on him. He was a good person who cared greatly for his friends, and if she saw a man like Naruto, she couldn't help but feel like he was one of the rare men she wouldn't mind spending her life with.

She could see in a different scenario that had it been her who had met Naruto first. She might have fallen in love with him, just as Ingrid did. Was this what she felt towards him? She would have to ask Hinata later.

"What we do together in private isn't just sex to me. I've grown fond of you, Dorothea Chan. I don't want you to feel like a third wheel."

Naruto said the passion with their dancing continued; this wasn't like how she danced with anyone before; this was different. It was as if she and Naruto were perfect for each other as dancing partners. It was like Dorothea was in a story that she read as a little girl called Cinderella.

Except Cinderella didn't have two girlfriends and a boyfriend, but the scenario felt similar to hers and even a few other fairy tales she had read. Before she met Naruto, she couldn't imagine loving anyone else but Ingrid. No man she even came close to capturing her heart; most of them were vain, and the ones who weren't weren't the kind of man she would want to be with.

Naruto was kind and considerate, even though he had aspects that irritated her sometimes; he had a good heart. He cared deeply for those he cared about.

He placed his right hand on her cheek, their faces being only inches from each other.

"I'll do whatever it takes to make you happy, Dorothea-chan."

Naruto said with love and affection, the kiss that she was feeling from him this time was different than others; she rarely kissed Naruto on the lips unless they were having sex, but this wasn't the same.

There was love and passion, which she returned with the same passion that he felt for her, and she felt for him. He pulled away; they were both breathing heavily.

Then they both saw Hinata and Ingrid, who were lost in their own world.

Despite her earlier complaints, she looks really happy.

Naruto couldn't help but comment on Ingrid, who was smiling, even Hinata.

This feeling she was feeling towards Naruto, she looked at him and he looked at her; she felt so inadequate compared to Hinata. Even though Hinata loves her and has almost as long as she had loved Naruto, it wasn't the same. She had never felt this way about another man before and she was scared.

She only agreed to this relationship for Hinata and Ingrid's happiness. She didn't expect it wouldn't be. She was just lost in the moment, but she couldn't help having these feelings for Naruto, more than a friend but not a lover. She doesn't know what her feelings are towards him. It's confusing.

She continued to watch Hinata and Ingrid dance, everyone was cheering who were watching in the audience.


Edelgard wasn't into dancing with crowds; in fact, she didn't like dancing in general. She was terrible at it, but her lover wasn't judgmental. He instructed her step by step on how to properly dance. Almost made her forget what she had to do: the role she had to play as the Flame Emperor. The amount of people she could trust she could barely count on one hand (Monica, Hubert, and Hinata).

She dreaded the future that was to come, the amount of blood that would have to be spilled, how many of the people she goes to school with, how many of them would have to die for her dream to become a reality? She shouldn't have doubts, but she did doubt her goals; could there be another way?

"You shouldn't be thinking about that right now. Let's just have a good time. El we don't have many moments like this alone."

Monica said, as if she could read Edelgard's mind.

"I don't know what I would do without you Monica."Edelgard confessed she was one of her few sources of comfort during those years when she had lost her siblings when she had to look over her shoulder when she was forced to deal with the people that have destroyed her family.

Monica was the one person she could 100% trust, and she had almost lost herself had everything not gone right."Whatever you're thinking, don't I don't have any regrets over what we're doing, El. I was prepared to die, and I wouldn't hold it against you if you had let me die." Edelgard did not like that Monica had such low self-worth.

"I couldn't let you die; I've lost too much." Edelgard responded.

"It would have been the strategic thing to do. I know what I was getting myself into. Even if there may be times when you have to sacrifice close friends for your goal, and even people you love. There is no price that's too high to pay to make your vision come true."

Monica spoke with conviction.

"Yes, it would have been, but it would have shattered my heart to pieces. I couldn't lose anyone. I won't sacrifice any more people. I don't care, Monica. I will not sacrifice people unnecessarily unless there is no other option. I won't do it." Edelgard argued, not caring.

"I'm with you till the end, I would gladly sacrifice my life for you because I love you. I always have."

Monica's face was inches from Edelgard's.

Her kiss always felt soft on hers; they have been in this relationship since Edelgard was 16. She felt Monica's hands on her back, the passion they both felt at the moment; it didn't matter if the whole world ended.

Nothing else mattered at that moment; nothing if she could live the fantasy even a little bit longer of her friends in the monastery before the inevitable heartbreak when she eventually has to break ties with those who would not fight alongside her.

"Let's focus on the moment, not the future." Monica reminded herself that she brought her thoughts back to the present. They focused only on each other. Monica and Edelgard didn't care what the world thought of them. Even if she went to hell itself, it would be worth it to have Monica by her side.


Hinata and Ingrid were in their own world. Ingrid hated the dress that she was wearing but she was willing to deal with it because it brought a smile to Hinata's face.

They did not pay attention to anything in front of them; the main focus was on each other; she couldn't help but feel inadequate, though compared to Hinata, she was nothing. She can wear anything and be beautiful, whereas Ingrid has to wear the dress she's currently wearing to be considered beautiful by people.

"I know what you're thinking, please don't think that about yourself."

Hinata said, knowing what she was thinking.

"I'm sorry, but compared to you, I don't feel beautiful at all." Ingrid said. She she was holding her waist with her right hand while holding Hinata's right hand with her left.

"You are beautiful no matter what you wear, Ingrid. Please don't think that about yourself." Hinata said to her softly.

"I'm like a helpless girl in your presence; it feels like a dream. I don't know if it's even real; it's too good to be true." Ingrid admitted it out loud, even if this was a chance for them all to have fun, she couldn't help but think about some of the thoughts that were in her head. Was she good enough for Dorothea, Hinata, and Naruto?

"You don't have to dress like you are now to be beautiful, Ingrid Chan. You're fine as you are." Hinata said reassuringly to her.

"I want to look beautiful for you, Dorothea and Naru-kun." If anyone had told her that she would fall in love with two people seven months ago, she would have laughed in their face, but here it was now."

She was with two women whom she loves and a man whom she loves. It was almost too much.

Her father would not approve, nor would her siblings, but that didn't matter at the moment; it was enough to be in Hinata's arms at the moment.

"Are you worried about Naruto and Dorothea?" asked Ingrid.

"It will take time, but I believe it will work out between all of us. It is what we are doing that many would consider impossible and absurd and impractical. Call me greedy if you want. I don't care. Ingrid, I can't choose between the three of you. It would destroy me if I did."Hinata leaned closer.

"I couldn't bear the thought either. I'm still getting used to the idea even if it's been 2 months. It just happened so fast that I feel like I'm getting everything I've always wanted. There is one thing I do want, but I don't know if it's within your power." Ingrid admitted.

"What would that be?" Hinata asked her

"I want to be your knight. I know it's not possible, considering you're from a foreign land with different customs, but that's what I want." There was no turning back from voicing what she'd always wanted to be.

"Are you sure that's what you want?" Hinata asked of her.

"I can still be your lover and be your Knight. I wouldn't be the first Knight to have a lover be with the person I'm serving nor would I be the last."

Ingrid hoped Hinata would listen.

"Do you have any idea what you're saying? You cannot make an oath like this lightly. Ingrid Chan, things will change between us. It will never be the same as before. You will be honor-bound to be in my service until your death or I release you. Is this really what you want?" Hinata asked, hoping she would consider what she was saying.

"If you swear yourself to me you would swear yourself to the Hyuga clan. Would you really want to serve my clan knowing what you know about them?"Hinata asked her.

"I would pledge myself to you, not to them. You would not just be my lady; you would be my lover. Your enemies will be my enemies; it's what I want, Hinata. I've always wanted to be a knight since I was a little girl. But if I could be a knight and serve someone I love, that would be preferable." She had to show her how serious she was, but she knew this wasn't the time because of where they were at.

"Let's discuss this more later; let's just focus on enjoying ourselves." Hinata said, wanting to drop the subject.

"Okay." Ingrid said, knowing that it would upset Hinata if they discussed it further.

Despite the situation earlier, Ingrid was happy just being in the arms of one of the people she loves. She knows what she's asking could change their relationship. They wouldn't be able to be as open because of how the dynamics work but that's what she wants.

Being with Hinata in private was enough, and knowing that she loves her is enough.

"No matter what your decision is, Hinata. I will always love you." Ingrid said to her, not caring if the whole world saw them.

Hinata kissed her with a passion that was different from before.

They pulled away and Hinata spoke to her softly."No matter what my decision is, I will always love you, my beloved knight."

They danced in silence, saying nothing, no more words were needed."I have a selfish request, Ingrid." She paused. Ingrid wondered what Hinata was going to ask her.

"What would that be?" Ingrid asked her.

"Tonight, I wanted to be just us."

Hinata was surprised when Hinata wanted her to herself ever since Dorothea left for the golden deer.

Hinata and Ingrid got a lot closer; they spent more time together, and the fact that Hinata wants her to herself for tonight, she didn't know what to think.

She loves Naruto and Dorothea, but Hinata it was something different.

They have a bond that she would never have with Naruto or Dorothea; it's something special, but she can't explain it.

"Anything for you, my beloved." Ingrid replied, the shorter woman smiling. They said nothing as they continued to dance for the rest of the time that the festival was ongoing. Ingrid couldn't help but think about the future.

Serving by Hinata's side as her Knight, if she swears herself to her own fate will be tied to hers.

She feels like one of those heroes, and stories; except from the heroine who swears herself to a king and is his secret lover but, unlike the story she was doing it to a princess instead.

They said nothing for the rest of the night.


Lysithea was looking up at the sky with Shez it was almost midnight; they had been friends for quite some time now, so they decided to start heading back, but neither of them wanted to leave yet. They wanted to stay just a little bit longer.

"I really enjoyed these dates, but he didn't have to agree to more than one. You know?" She said the first thing that she said in almost 2 hours.

"Well, maybe I like you, or maybe I just enjoy your company." Lysithea denied what she felt and denied having an obvious crush.

"I wouldn't mind going on another one if you're okay with it." She said, looking Lysithea in the eye.

"I wouldn't mind it, but at this rate, the monastery will think we're girlfriends." Lysithea said, not being opposed to the idea, but she doesn't think someone like her would be interested. She has so much she needs to accomplish and so little time to do so.

"I really like you, Lysithea, and I mean it's not just a physical attraction; I want to spend more time with you. Every single person I've ever gone out with has been nothing more than an idiot for the first time. I could relax and not have to be something that I'm not. Whether it's a creeping man lusting over me or women refusing to even look at me because they think I'm older than I am, it's relieving knowing that I've met you. Maybe I said too much." Shez said, blushing.

"Why would you like someone like me? I look like a child. There are other people who." She was silenced by the older girl, getting closer to her. Their faces were inches apart.

"They aren't you, why would I want a stupid bimbo when I have a smart and beautiful girl right here?" She kissed her; she had never kissed another girl before, in fact, she had never kissed anyone in her life.

She thought her lips would be rough, but they weren't; they were soft. She wanted more after pulling away from each other in order to give each other a chance to breathe for a bit. She couldn't believe that she had just done it.

"that was incredible" Shez said the kiss the second time was even more passionate than the first all rational and reasoning told her to stop, but there was no reason for this; she felt the older girl's hands on her chest.

But then they realize where they both were, and they stopped, both blushing, realizing what they almost did.

They turned away, not knowing what to say, until Shez spoke.

"Do any of the other girls compare to me?" Lysithea asked, genuinely wanting to know.

"No, they were one-night stands; nothing more. You're not like that; I don't see you as a piece of meat." There was an awkward silence between them.

"Okay, I'll agree to be your girlfriend, but on one condition." Lysithea said the older girl was waiting for her to give her her condition.

"What would that be?" She asked.

"Don't treat me like a child," Lysithea said, hoping she wouldn't think it was unreasonable.

She offered Lysithea her hand, which she took. They looked at each other under the moonlight that shone on both of them.

"I would never treat you like a child because I never saw you as one."

For the third time that night, they kissed again. This time, with more passion, and the others she didn't know what was coming over her. She shouldn't even consider being in a relationship, but this girl treated her like an adult, like an equal.

Even if it was superficial, she had a nice body; it wasn't known that Lysithea was a lesbian. She never announced it, she never thought I was important, she never found anyone that she took an interest in until she met Shez. She didn't know what this feeling was, but she didn't mind it. She liked it.

"I'll escort you home, Lys" Shez said, giving her an affectionate nickname.

She wasn't going to fight it; she liked it. Marianne gave one to her boyfriend, and she let her girlfriend do it. There was nothing wrong with it.

"So, what would you like to do for our next date?" Shez asked Lysithea.

They were on their way home. She didn't want this night to end, but unfortunately it did. She thought about it.

"I don't know what I want to do," Lysithea admitted.

"Well, let's go to the nearby bakery." She suggested referring to where all the sweets are sold.

"That's not much of a spot to go on a date." Lysithea pointed out.

"No, but there are places nearby where we can just sit and relax." She pointed it out.

Something simple, why not on her day off, when she's unwinding from her intense studying and keeping her mind off the ticking time bomb that is her life. What it really hurts to have small moments of happiness? She will not live to be 30; she may not live to be 25, even so. This girl is offering her a chance to do something to take her mind off of it.

She doesn't know that she doesn't want any of her friends to know that she doesn't want them to pity her or treat her as if she were fragile.

She knows she'll die young, and she doesn't want to be reminded of it. Would it be such a bad thing? She thought. If she had found love before the end?

She put aside such foolish thoughts as to what she's doing with her girlfriend, it probably wouldn't materialize into anything serious like love. They like each other because there was a mutual attraction that was enough. She told herself.

She escorted her to her quarters, where she looked at her girlfriend one last time and smiled at her before closing the door. She didn't know what she was thinking; however, she wouldn't talk to anyone about it because it was ridiculous. She lay down and closed her eyes, dreaming of a future that could never be.


Sonia was back home, it felt so strange after being out for a whole day; it was like a different world. She was making sure nobody was around before she snuck back in. Nobody in the abyss noticed her as she walked past the residence there and went to her room. She hoped Aelfric didn't find out that she had snuck out. The last thing she needed was to be in trouble and for her friend Yuri to get in trouble for helping her get out.

She heard footsteps and saw her friend, Yuri.

"Did you have a good time, Sonia?" Yuri asked her, just wanting to know.

"Yes, I met someone. It was nice and charming and." Red was on her cheeks when she mentioned Dmitri she wanted to see him again."

"Do you know where I could get out of the cathedral unseen?" She asked him.

"I know plenty of ways to get out without being seen. Why?" Yuri asked, wanting to know why she wanted to leave again so soon.

"I can take you to one of the passageways. What day do you want to leave again?" Yuri asked, generally wanting to know.

"Saturday", she answered. It would be a week from now; she knew, but she could wait a week. It would be worth it.

She wishes she could leave this place and go to the outside world, but she's forbidden to leave."I hate it here"she says looks at her with understanding.

"I understand why it feels like a prison, you've been here longer than any of us." he said sympathetically.

"There's another favor I need to ask of you. There's a man with greenish-blue hair. His name is Byleth. I need to know who he is. I cannot explain it, but he seems familiar."

When she looked at him, he felt familiar, but she couldn't explain why.

"Sure, my contacts in the monastery might be able to figure out who he is, but why do you want to know?" Yuri asked.

"Because I think he's my brother, my lost brother, the one that I was told was dead." she answered.

"You want me to find out if you two have the same last name?" he asked.

"Yes, there's another thing I want you to investigate. My father, Jeralt. I want to know if he's here. If he is, I want to know why I haven't been able to see my family." She was on the verge of yelling; she had to keep a cool head.

She would find out one way or another soon about who her parents are, who her father is, and why the church is keeping such secrets from her, secrets that she has a right to know about.

She will find out about her family. She will find out who her father is and who her brother is. She has had enough of the lies.

Marianne woke up usually her boyfriend was by her side but he wasn't here today he woke up early she looked at it the table and she got up and read a note that he left.

"I'm sorry Mari. I am talking to my father today I don't know if I'll ever have another chance I'll see you at class later."

Love Byleth it said.

In order to not draw attention she made sure the coast was clear before she left her boyfriend's room and headed to her quarters which don't really feel like her quarters due to how often she sleeps in her boyfriend's bedroom. She goes to her room to change her clothes to what would be appropriate for her class.

She couldn't help but think about last night; it was an amazing experience. But she couldn't help but feel sad whenever she looked at Hilda. They barely talked since she transferred. Was it really fair for her to be happy while her friend was miserable? She couldn't indulge in her thoughts when she heard a knock. When she was done dressing, she opened the door and saw it was Hilda.

The look on her face; she knew that look; she wanted to talk.

"After class, would it be alright if we talked to Marianne?" asked Hilda.

"Course", Marianne replied.

"We'll meet at my quarters." Hilda said, and she left, leaving Marianne wondering why she was there.

Something it had to be serious. Hilda's eyes were the way she was looking at whatever she wanted to talk to her about it. It was something serious.

Marianne knew she was putting this off for too long, and she hadn't spoken to Hilda in months. It wasn't fair to either of them; Hilda had been her friend when no one else was there for her, and Marianne felt terrible.

Was it really fair for her to be happy when her friend wasn't? What was this feeling she was having? Hilda is an important person to her, and she never thought about her feelings towards her up until this point.

She had to put that thought aside for the time being. She couldn't be late for her lesson with Haku, as they wouldn't have much time. She left her room and headed to where her teacher would be to teach her the Ice-Crystal Mirror Technique, a technique that would help her be able to protect her friends from enemies who would do them harm.

Class starts at 8 AM, but that doesn't matter to her. She agrees to attend the training and will honor the commitment.


Byleth wondered where his father was taking them. They had not spoken much since he became a professor; they were both busy, but his father was even busier. They would not stop walking until they saw a grave with the inscription.

Here lies Siri Eisner.

Beloved mother

The grave said these things, then he knew what this grave was: this woman was his mother."I figured having the conversation you would want to have would be more appropriate here. I recall when I first met your mother; she was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen in my life. There was no person who could compare. She was the one woman who was able to bring a smile on my face. Her smile was the most precious thing to me; I gave her flowers because that's what she loved and that's what caused her to smile. I told her stories. I can go on for hours about how much I loved that woman." His father said, remembering fondly of their days together.

"What does this have to do with my situation?" Byleth asked his father." You want to give me advice on love, kid? It's not an emotion that I can explain; love just happens. I fell in love with your mother when I first saw her. Like you, the most important thing about Siri was her smile. When she was pregnant with you, it was the happiest I'd ever seen her." He looked at his father, wondering what was going through his head.

"Are you alright?" he asked his father.

"It's nothing", he saw a tear fall down his eye.

"This Marianne lass you love, doesn't she?" he asked Byleth.

"It's happened so fast; how do I know what I feel about her?" Byleth asked him. He heard Sothis sigh in annoyance.

"Describe your feelings towards her." His father asked.

"When I'm around her, I feel like I could be myself completely. I don't have to be anything I'm not. Before I met her, I thought I was a freak, able to talk to animals and understand them. My difficulty in understanding emotions is less noticeable when I'm around her. It feels so much clearer. I feel lost when I need someone to talk to about anything; I can trust her unconditionally. My heart feels warm when she's present, and when she's in pain, I'm in pain. I want to protect her. Part of me feels like she would be better off without me, but when I think about it, the very idea is suffocating."

He finished describing his feelings; his father smiled proudly at him.

"What you're describing is love, kid. There's nothing wrong with it. Love is not something you can rationalize. I'm telling you this as your father. Don't make the same mistake I did. I took your mother for granted, and." He looked at the grave where his mother was.

"I never had a chance to tell her how much I loved her, and how much she meant to me.

Cherish her whenever you do; don't become like me."

He wondered what his father meant by that.

"I was told by a friend to discover love's ups and downs for myself and to stop rationalizing it." His father smiled.

"They're right stop rationalizing it. Love is an emotion that is natural to all of us. We all feel discover its ups and downs for yourself, kid and if you need anybody else for help don't hesitate to ask your friends in the Black Eagles." he knew he had to get to his class soon.

"Thank you, Father. I feel like I know what to do now."

He walked past him and went straight to his class.

Talking to his father had only strengthened his resolve to protect her and everyone in his class by any means necessary.


Hilda knew this was the last chance she would tell Marianne her feelings if this ended their friendship, then that would be that. It was already painful knowing that she was with somebody else and not her, but she couldn't go on like this; she had to tell her about her feelings for her; she couldn't lie to herself anymore.

It felt like an eternity to Hilda, but in actuality, it was only 20 minutes before she heard a knock. She took a deep breath, as this was the moment of truth.

She opened the door and saw Marianne. It felt like an eternity since they'd been this close, but she held herself back. She wasn't hers; it was about her telling her her feelings. They had to talk about this; she couldn't go on like this any longer.

Hilda sat down on her bed, and Marianne sat next to her. She remembered all the times they slept in the same bed when they were children. When she ever spent the night at Marianne's, and when she ever slept over at her house. But this was different; there would be no more of those after this.

"We haven't spoken much lately." Hilda said the first thing that came to her mind.

"I'm sorry, Hilda." Marianne apologized apologetically.

"How's your class going?" Hilda asked, knowing that she was delaying the inevitable, but she wanted to at least know how she was doing in her new class. She just wanted to know if she was happy there so she could feel confident about her decision.

"Everyone's nice, well maybe one person is hard to be around. They're nice people Hinata, Benedetta, Ingrid, they're all good people but they're not you."Marianne said.

"What do you mean by that?" Hilda asked.

"You were there for me when my parents died, and I had no one. My uncle saw me as a curse and a burden. My father kept himself at arm's length after he adopted me. I was scared of befriending anyone, but you persisted. I don't know if I would have been able to get through those years without you, Hilda."

Marianne spoke with more emotion than she had ever shown before.

"I didn't know", Hilda admitted she didn't think she was that important to her; she was angry and jealous of Byleth, despite only knowing her for a fraction of the time he couldn't possibly love her like she does. Marianne doesn't know how she helped her either; she brought out the side of her that she didn't believe existed.

"I'm selfish compared to you, Marianne. I'm a bad person. I don't like doing things for others unless it's for someone I care about. I don't really have much loyalty to anyone else unless it's important to me. I'm jealous; it's not fair. It's not fair."

Tears were dropping; she couldn't hold it anymore.

"Hilda" buried her face in Marianne's chest, crying, not caring how she looked. Everyone assumes that she's a gold-digger, that she's selfish, that she cares about nothing but herself. The pain of holding her feelings for so long suddenly drove her from the Golden Deer to the Black Eagles; she wanted this moment to last forever, but she knew she would have to pull away.

She would have to know the truth, either way.

"Marianne, you are the most important person to me among all the people in the world. I would give the whole world to you if I could. I wish I could be like him. I wish I could be in your heart like he is, but I can't."

Hilda tried to speak, although her voice was breaking.

"You don't need to say any more, Hilda."

Marianne said she was so kind, but she couldn't do that. She couldn't back out now. She removed her head from Marianne's chest and had to face herself. She had to be strong.

This was the moment she had to tell him her feelings and deal with the consequences one way or another.

"I love you, Marianne." Hilda said without hesitation; it was out now.

No matter what the outcome, she said it didn't matter. At least she knew.

Marianne was speechless; she had no idea what to say or how to reply. Her heart was pounding. What was this feeling? It couldn't be. She couldn't know that what she'd say next would change everything.

She needed time to think. She needed to talk to someone. She didn't expect this to happen. She never expected it to happen.

She needed to talk to Hinata about this, and Hinata would know what to do because it stands, she cannot give her an answer not until she can sort out her own feelings.

"Aren't you going to say anything, Marianne?" asked Hilda, her voice breaking.

She could break her heart into a thousand pieces with her next words. She was getting cold feet, so she couldn't just break her heart. Why did this have to happen?

She couldn't say anything; she turned around and looked at Hilda in a sad expression before walking out of the door. She couldn't have known what she may have done, which gave her the wrong message that she can't just tell her her feelings. How could she, when she doesn't even know her own feelings?

She headed to her room, and for the first time in her life since Byleth entered, she had no idea what to do. She couldn't possibly love two people, could she?