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Leicester was magnificent in the summer along the coast. The sun's reflection across the sea could brighten even the longest of days. Ten years ago, Mari would have shunned the suffocating heat and constant presence of boisterous beachgoers. There were many things Mari disliked back then, but those years, and those worries, were now distant.
It was rare for Mari to have a weekend of rest. Ever since the war ended five years prior, Margrave Edmund had been preparing Mari day in and day out to take his spot as orator of their territory and orchestrator of trade. But the expedition Mari had been sent on had ended early with excellent results, so Mari had decided that rather than returning home prematurely, he’d use the rest of his time to get to know the local villagers and enjoy the scenery.
For almost as long as the war had ended, Mari had been living his life as a man. When he first broke the news to his adoptive father upon his return home from the newly-reclaimed Garreg Mach, Mari had expected to be rejected and expelled from the Edmund family name. He was pleasantly mistaken. Although it took Margrave Edmund a while to fully understand, he had come to accept Mari's new identity, offering funds for his son to make any necessary changes to feel more comfortable.
The changes were small, at first. Mari had gone through several different names, including Maurice, before he finally settled on Marion. He cut his hair, but quickly discovered he prefered it longer, and now, after years of regrowing it, he wore it loosely in a braid draped over his left shoulder. He had changed his entire wardrobe, too, donating his old dresses to local orphanages and replacing them with dapper new suits and robes. Eventually, he finally worked up the nerve to begin herbal hormone treatments, and the results were much more astounding than he'd ever imagined.
Mari was a whole new person, now. It was almost ridiculous to think that a little more than five years ago, Mari would have balked at the idea of living openly as a man. So much of his identity as a child, and even a young adult, had been tied to the perception of others, and Mari had lived so long trying to appease them in hopes that he could erase the curse he once believed the Crest of Maurice placed upon him. But it was because of his Crest, because of the Forgotten Hero, that Mari had finally found the courage to reach inside himself and free the little boy he’d kept locked so deeply within. Now they were both free, Maurice from the curse of the demonic beast, and Mari from the mental prison of a false identity.
But Mari wasn’t the only person or thing that had changed since the war. Leicester was no longer an alliance of several territories, but a part of the United Kingdom of Fódlan under the singular leadership of the bold and fair Byleth Eisner. No longer were the nations’ decisions made by blood and nobility, but by the voices of the people most virtuous and good-hearted.
Oftentimes, Mari wished that his former friend, Claude von Riegan, had remained to see Fódlan take shape the way he’d always dreamed it could. But shortly after the war ended and Byleth took the throne, Claude returned to his homeland of Almyra, and scarcely an ear had heard from him since.
Claude… In truth, Mari had been thinking about his old friend a lot, lately. Although he had a feeling Claude knew about his identity long before Mari told anyone, he still hadn’t had the chance to formally reintroduce himself before Claude left. If Mari had any regrets about his transition, that was the greatest. How he longed to hear one of Claude's silly stories or enjoy a feast with him and the rest of their rowdy group of misfits.
As Mari walked through the small seaside town, greeting friendly villagers who waved in his direction, he began to think about what he’d say if he were face-to-face with Claude once more.
Where would I even start? he pondered, his boots clicking heavily on the cobblestone street toward the inn. Hello, Claude. It’s me, Marianne. Except I go by Marion now. But just Mari is fine.
He shook his head with a smile.
I guess you’re probably wondering why I look so… different. Or maybe you already knew. But who I was back at the monastery, even during the war… that wasn’t really me.
Do you remember that story you told me all those years ago, about the little boy who ran away? I finally understand what you were trying to tell me. If I’m ever going to overcome my burdens, I can’t keep running away. So I stopped running, Claude. I showed the world who I really am, and the world has been taking it surprisingly well.
Mari stopped outside the inn he and his traveling companions had been staying at during their expedition. Their first night in town had been anything but pleasant. Many of the villagers were not thrilled about Margrave Edmund’s trade agreement with foreigners from Sreng, and Mari and his comrades were met with many unwelcoming and aggressive comments from locals. But after a pep talk from Leonie, with whom Mari spent much of his time traveling, he went to bed freshly determined and ever grateful to have his friend at his side.
“Just be yourself,” Leonie’s words echoed in Mari’s mind as he’d walked into the center of town the next morning. “If you believe in what you’re saying, they’ll believe in you.”
The following events were a bit of a blur. Mari had cleared his throat, finally drawing the attention of the passersby, and began to address them with courage and grace. He’d assured them that his adoptive father had the best interests of Leicester in mind, and that Mari would be the first to offer his sword should something go amiss. Somehow, his words had reached the people, and they’d all agreed to cooperate with the exchange. The arrangement went off without a hitch. Mari had spent the remainder of the evening celebrating — drinking — with Leonie and his new allies.
From the entrance of the inn, Mari could see the sea, the sun high above it in the early afternoon sky. Birds soared across the blue, their graceful wings flapping in the distance. Mari closed his eyes, basking in the warmth of the sun’s rays, and wondered what the weather was like in Almyra. Was Claude riding his wyvern through the clouds, enjoying the feeling of the wind through his hair? Perhaps one day Mari would find the nerve to accept Hilda’s offer to take him for a flight. But until then, he was plenty content with his feet on the ground.
Opening his eyes, Mari turned back toward the inn’s entrance, navigating through the busy hall to his personal quarters. It was much smaller than his room back home, but it was quaint and cozy, and he found the smell of sea salt wafting through his window quite pleasant. In the corner across from his bed was an unfinished, child-sized desk, the chair a bit creaky when Mari sat. He withdrew an empty scroll and pen from the desk drawer, and began to scribble down his thoughts in the form of a letter to his dear friend.
Thank you for telling me that story, he continued. Thank you for talking to me when it seemed no one else wanted to. For accepting me even before I was able to accept myself. I think you’d be proud of the man I’ve become. I know everyone else is. They’re all doing well for themselves, too.
I’m not sure if you’ve heard, but Leonie has become quite the renowned mercenary. Actually, she’s been traveling with me and my adoptive father quite frequently. It can be a bit expensive keeping up with her tab at times, but it’s a small price to pay to be able to share so much of my life with good company. She certainly makes the more boring parts of my job more interesting.
Lorenz has assumed his father’s position over House Gloucester, but that must hardly be news to you. It may surprise you just how much he’s changed for the benefit of the common folk, though. Even Leonie occasionally sings his praises, but you’ll never catch her telling him personally. He, Hilda, and I often meet for tea when our schedules allow it. I owe a lot to Hilda for my new wardrobe; I’m not sure I’d be half as confident in my appearance today without her advice.
As for our other friends, I last saw Ignatz a few years back. He painted a wonderful portrait of myself and the Margrave when I first announced my new identity to the public. I know it’s silly, but I can’t help but smile every time I see it hanging in my adoptive father’s palace. I’ve heard Ignatz has been traveling all over Fódlan in search of a new muse. Perhaps he’ll make his way to you someday…
I regret to admit that I haven’t heard from Raphael or Lysithea since that day we’d all parted ways. Leonie has said Raphael returned home to take care of his grandfather and sister, but I’ve yet to venture to that corner of Leicester. I look forward to the day our paths will cross again, and I hope the same for you.
A lot has changed since you returned to Almyra . Byleth has truly begun to make Fódlan a more hopeful place. Though there are still many nobles with contempt for the new policies, there are many more in support of the open borders and inclusive laws. Trade has become more stable and robust than ever, and my adoptive father thinks I will be ready to take his place in a matter of years.
I wish you could see this new Fódlan.
Mari sucked in a deep breath, rereading the last sentence he’d scrawled. His shoulders dropped slightly as he pondered his next few words. Would Claude think less of him for speaking his true thoughts, or would he simply laugh at Mari’s newfound boldness? He exhaled, fixing his pen to the scroll before he could second-guess himself.
I miss you. We all do. Please visit us soon.
Your friend, Marion von Edmund.
He rolled up the scroll and carried it over to the nightstand so he would remember to pass it to a messenger the next morning. He crossed his quarters to the large open window, smiling as he lowered himself to the sill. He still had a few hours before he was supposed to meet Leonie for supper, so he leaned back against the window frame, looking out at the vast sea below.
Once upon a time, the world was a frightening place. The sun burned too hot and the sea was dark and endless. Once upon a time, Mari hid from the world and ran from everyone in it. But time passed. The world began to change. The sun became softer, and the sea more inviting. Mari opened himself up to the world, and the world opened up to him.
Along the shores, crowds of people gathered, greeting each other and sharing their goods. Children laughed as they splashed in shallow waves. A woman smiled lovingly as her partner presented her with an impressive seashell. Birds chirped and cawed as they flew freely through the skies, occasionally swooping down to pick at something in the sand. Mari admired the scenes playing out before him, wondering fleetingly what he had ever been afraid of.
When the world opened up, it wasn’t so bad after all.