Work Text:
The sun hung high in the sky as a gentle breeze wafted through the garden’s flowers. Everything, from the lighting to the scenery, was perfect. Ignaz would settle for nothing less. Today marked one year since having wed his bride, the ruler of the United Kingdom of Fódlan. To celebrate their union Ignatz offered to paint her portrait as a gift. There was only one thing he couldn’t quite get right: her smile.
Byleth was a very stoic woman and has been for as long as he had known her. Her face rarely changed expressions, her face an emotionless mask. That’s not to say she never smiled. He remembered the first time he ever saw her smile. It was right after the Battle of the Eagle and Lion, when the Golden Deer were crowned victor. Back then she looked upon her students with such pride. Nowadays, he didn’t need to win a mock battle in order to get her to smile. At this point in their relationship, he had found a much simpler method.
Igantz peered at his model from behind his canvas and said, “You’re absolutely beautiful.” Instantly, her lips turned up in a warm smile at the compliment. Ignatz smiled himself, his cheeks flushing at the sight of her. Quickly and with a deft hand, he managed to render her radiant smile in paint, resulting in nothing short of a masterpiece. His lovely wife was surely a work of art.