Chapter Text
Ferdinand - Epilogue
It was so sudden, in spite of their married status they… never really acted like a married couple. They didn’t even share a bed, although their room was right next to each other and left it to others’ imaginations. It was not like he was not attracted to her at all, contrary to what most people thought of him before his marriage to her- he was still a man and Veronica had not beaten attraction to women out of him.
At the very least he found Rozemyne desirable, she was beautiful, kind, odd and accepted him for who he was. So how could he not- however… she was oddly childish in that way, like a young girl trapped in the body of a grown adult. It could be seen from her great desire for skin contact, demanding gyuu whenever they were alone. Yet she expressed no desire for anything further.
It was a constant dilemma and confusion to him, and in spite of his desire he couldn’t ask her to give herself to him.
“The goddess’s aura is fading, I am glad.” Ferdinand brought up during their dinner.
“Eh, oh yes…. But why is Ferdinand happy? I mean my mana recovery is slower now and all…”
“Because it’s harmful to you, Rozemyne. Now that we have recruited more loyal knights to serve you there’s less reason to rely on divine mana to protect you,” Which was a great relief, it was an uncontrollable weapon of destruction when handled carelessly, and there had been several close calls over the past year caused by late or damaged books. Fortunately, Ferdinand or Eglantine were always nearby to intercede.
They were always working side by side so she was rarely away from him, which also provided extra protection. It was still a constant concern since after the reform, the royal academy became a busy place even outside of winter. Many students took off season classes and exams, especially archduke candidates.
“Zent Ferdinand, may the Supreme Couple and all the pillars blessing be with you.” A group of ladies knelt as she passed, sending him a flirtatious gaze they quickly withdrew when their eyes met Rozemyne’s.
They never gave up, the wannabe mistresses… while greater duchies gave up on sending him a lady, it didn’t mean offers for mistresses to enjoy the grace of Efforeflume ceased.
Rozemyne giggled, “Ah, young ladies in full bloom, a shame they directed their affectionate gaze at Ferdinand.” She spoke to him under an eavesdropping proof tool. “Is there no one catching your eyes, Ferdinand?”
He frowned at her, “You are my wife and under no circumstances you may entertain those ladies they would ever get my grace.”
“Hm…I see…”
She had been… listless lately, did she miss her family? He had promised to look for them, but at this stage of reformation it was still unsafe. Perhaps he could speed it up a little; Ferdinand wished to greet his in-laws himself even though he could imagine… Gunther would not be… too kind to him for marrying Rozemyne without a father’s blessing.
Their routine of working, eating, and resting together with her by his side with a book went on and Ferdinand deluded himself into thinking these peaceful days would be the pattern their threads created, monotonous, perhaps, but beautiful.
One night Rozemyne opened the door connecting their room, and he wondered if it was another demand for gyuu or something else. “Ferdinand… would you let me sleep beside you?”
What? Now? There had been no indication of this.
There was no time to prepare.
Well, Rozemyne rarely gave him time to prepare for anything. “That is fine, Rozemyne. I am your husband.” Usually unshakeable, Ferdinand’s palms grew sweaty. Not ideal.
He went to the washroom to deal with his uncooperative hands, and when he came back she was curled up on his bed, the perfect image of a shumil, except that her hair was spread slightly in a messy, gleaming halo around her head. “Shouldn’t an angel be a bit more dignified?”
She pouted up at him. “You know I don’t like being called that. Don’t you think it suits a graceful beauty like Eglantine much better?”
Well, he couldn’t disagree that Eglantine was more graceful than she was, but that was the only point he’d concede on. “I do not think so.” A single stray lock of hair had fallen across her cheek, and he swept it back with the rest, marvelling in the silky texture.
Rozemyne patted the bed beside her and he lay down, slightly unsure of what to do with himself despite having imagined this very scene many times before. But before it was an issue, Rozemyne huddled up against his chest. She was warm and, with the goddess’s aura nearly completely faded, it was no longer uncomfortable to have her so close in the real world- not like it had been when she’d first asked for hugs outside their dreams. In fact, her presence was very comforting.
Well, this was rather like a hug, wasn’t it? That much he could do. He put an arm around her, taking the opportunity to stroke her hair.
Rozemyne was very still. Perhaps she was regretting coming to him? That was fine, but… he hoped she would stay. In her dreams, her family had slept together like this. He called her softly, “Rozemyne?”
No answer. He pulled back just enough to get a look at her face. Her eyes were closed and she was totally slackjaw, drooling away like an idiot. Graceless indeed.
He sighed and brushed his lips across her forehead.
If he was honest with himself, his relief was probably greater than his disappointment. Just barely. Right now, they were family. He knew how to be her family. As long as he was her family, she would stay right here with him.
It was perhaps around first to second bell, when the goddess of light emerged from the Dark God’s cloak. The curtain should not yet have been opened by an attendant and Justus knew he should request permission before touching the curtain anyway, so… where was this light coming from?
Ferdinand’s eyes snapped open as he looked down, his wife was still deep in Scraltraum’s realm but her whole body was shining in pale yellow light. “Rozemyne?” And then- her comfortable weight on his chest disappeared and only his own warmth and her faint floral scent remained. She was… gone.
In outskirt of Ehrenfest city, in an abandoned hut a young girl with eyes of moon woke up.