Chapter Text
Marigold
Vignettes of the private engagements of Marquis Vestra, Duke Aegir, the second son of Count Bergliez, and the heir of Count Hevring.
Hubert, Marquis Vestra — Surmount
The men of House Vestra were said to be immovable. However, there are still some things that can unnerve Hubert. The "little power" his wife holds over him is still every bit thrilling to him.
"And I can't talk to you
when you're like this.
Staring out the window
like I'm not your favorite town.
I'm New York City.
I still do it for you, babe.
They all warned us
about times like this
They say the road gets hard
and you get lost when
you're led by blind faith."
☆
"There might come a day
when you feel that I'm not who I was.
You might find a better one and end it for us.
So I wrote our days on our kitchen table
if you ever forget that you love me."
"House Vestra has no lands to speak of. So at the end of his duties for the day when he becomes Marquis Vestra, it is you who will be his home."
The Minister of the Imperial Household had a storied friendship with your father and what better way to culminate that friendship than tying their respective heirs to the promise of marriage once they have come of age? It was a solemn pledge made by your fathers in your childhood, sealed with nothing but a standard handshake. And Hubert, well… The boy was hardly the prince charming your father initially described to you. He was a little bit older than you were. But you liked that he was tall for his age even though he barely graced you with a smile when you first met him in your home on Goulding lands.
"—She will be nothing but second best to him!"
"Then she will have to live with it!"
Your mother disagreed with the arrangement. Your father tried to shield your ears from her remarks, but you heard everything clearly. Your parents never argued about your betrothal ever again afterwards, but your mother, your dear, sweet mother, spoke to you ahead of another of your betrothed's visits at home.
"Hubert is a special boy. He will be the princess's right hand in the future and he will have to do all sorts of things for her. The princess will come above all else, my little bird, even you, who will be his wife in the future."
It meant whatever affection or adoration Hubert had for you was carefully measured, for he cannot give you more than what he offers Princess Edelgard. You didn't mind at all. At first.
When you came to Enbarr in the summer of your sixth year, Hubert introduced you to Princess Edelgard, whom you became fast friends with. She was around your age, her flushed round face framed with chestnut brown hair she kept in neat pigtails. In her hands were two of her younger siblings, their necks craned as they tried to catch anyone's attention.
It's her. The girl who will have your future husband's undying loyalty even to the ends of the earth.
But Edelgard warmed up to you as quickly as a puppy would to its new master. She pulled you everywhere, from her personal quarters to her older siblings to the palace gardens, where a delightful spread of freshly brewed tea and newly baked sweets awaited. The girl was a gracious host, even offering to pour you tea as you sat at the table. For all its grandiosity, the courtyard had very few flowers blooming this time of the year save for the gorgeous Enbarr carnations.
One in full bloom caught your eye, the edges of its white petals tinged with a soft pink hue. When you stood up to admire it, Edelgard followed suit, beaming brightly when she saw it as well. You turned to Hubert, as though signalling to him that you want it. He stood ever dutifully behind the girls, listening closely to the princess's rambling. He caught the crestfallen expression you tried so hard to conceal when he plucked and handed the bloomed carnation to the princess, who was all smiles as she received it from him with both hands.
You managed a small smile and a quiet 'thank you' when the princess handed the lovely bloom to you. She once again linked her arm to yours and led you back to the table where your tea awaited.
Oh, how could I possibly dislike her? You chided yourself. She's so kind and warm and I wish to be in her presence for as much as I can…
In Imperial Year 1171, a few moons after Edelgard's departure from Enbarr with her mother Lady Anselma and her uncle, Lord Arundel, Marquis Vestra sent Hubert to Goulding lands in an attempt to distract his son from the incident. It was an irony, in fact, for it was his father who instilled in him that the princess's safety was of utmost importance. But he couldn't protect her now. Prior to his arrival in Goulding, he tried to give chase to her carriage as it left the Imperial Capital. The guards his father sent were beaten back, but he was only ten and he could only accomplish so much.
That was the devotion you will never ever be given, you thought to yourself as you mended his wounds with magic.
Hubert scarcely left his room, only coming and going for mealtime with your family out of respect for his hosts. He agreed to spend time with you, though, and your common love and aptitude for the arcane arts drew you closer. Magic tied you together. The more time you spent with him exchanging spells and tomes, the more you swore he was finally warming up to you.
A moon passed before his father summoned him back to the capital. He promised to visit as often as he could for as long as he could.
"I believe my body has acclimated to Goulding's balmy weather. I quite like it here."
"I'm so happy to hear that."
Apart from magic and the arcane arts, you also spoke of Edelgard often, and while he had dealings in the capital that granted him answers, you were left to muse about her.
In Imperial Year 1174, when word of the princess's return to Enbarr reached your house, the boy was quick to pack his belongings to return to the capital. He kissed your hand and left, your affection for him rippling as the tides dared to touch the glowing moon in the night sky.
How could you feel so much for someone you could never fully have?
When the princess summoned you to the capital, you answered her call, only to be met by an Edelgard changed beyond recompense. Changed by what, you didn't know. Her beautiful chestnut hair was now a stark snow white.
"I apologise for leaving so suddenly. But I am back now and there are things I want to change. Some of them may not even be good once you hear them. Even so, will you still be my friend?" She asked, her voice as clear as the day she was lost to you. With her consent, you held a lock of her hair in your hand, still silken to the touch but devoid of its vibrance. In her lavender eyes was the same clarity she had when you were but children running in this very same garden. Whatever unspeakable agony she underwent pulled at your heart. I cannot refuse my future Emperor. I will not, not when she only has us.
You brought her hair to your lips in reverence to her unyielding will. "Always have and always will be, my lady."
You joined the Officers Academy at the same time as all of the other noble children of the Adrestian Empire, forming the Black Eagle House under Edelgard's leadership.
"Like everyone else in this class, you are a potential asset to the Empire and to Lady Edelgard—"
"Like I need you reminding me," you uncharacteristically scoffed at him, your surprising bite catching him off-guard.
"Come now, you two. That's hardly how an engaged couple speaks to each other," the princess said with a sigh closely followed by a small laugh. "We must prepare for our mission."
You backed your new mercenary friend as they sped through the bandits' hideout with nary a care. You were there when he found a prisoner in the basement, a head of familiar crimson hair reminiscent of red roses in bloom. There was no mistaking it— That girl was Monica von Ochs, the missing daughter of Baron Ochs. You heard of the pains he went through from your own father, who could only hold you close to his chest as he listened to his fellow noble's tale of loss.
With Monica's rescue, you were sure the unanswered questions would receive their respective conclusions, but her return only seemed to open a can of worms. And unsettling as it was, the Black Eagles could only press forward into the truth you long sought, about who was truly running the show in Enbarr.
— ☆ —
Upon the closure of the Officers Academy and the Emperor's declaration of war against the Church of Seiros, Hubert, who was now Marquis Vestra, thought it was the most opportune time to fulfill a sacred promise, one his father made on his behalf when he was only five. He was no longer obliged to keep such a promise, but it was one of the very few things he was actually thankful to his father for.
When he asked you to marry him, you thought it would be at the war's end. However, you found yourself dressed in white ahead of a skirmish that would kick off the Empire's conflict with the Kingdom in earnest. Dorothea presented you with an ornate box that contained a headdress for the wedding.
A crown of Enbarr carnations in full bloom.
There was also a scented letter addressed to you and Hubert from a certain Heloise that made you smile through tears.
"𝓒𝓸𝓷𝓰𝓻𝓪𝓽𝓾𝓵𝓪𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷𝓼… 𝔀𝓮𝓭𝓭𝓲𝓷𝓰 𝓭𝓪𝔂… 𝓗𝓸𝓻𝓪𝓬𝓮 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓘 𝓪𝓻𝓮… 𝓱𝓪𝓹𝓹𝔂 𝓽𝓸 𝓯𝓲𝓷𝓪𝓵𝓵𝔂 𝓫𝓮 𝓪𝓫𝓵𝓮 𝓽𝓸… 𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓼𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓮𝓻… 𝓣𝓮𝓵𝓵 𝓫𝓲𝓰 𝓫𝓻𝓸𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻… 𝓫𝓮 𝓰𝓸𝓸𝓭 𝓽𝓸 𝓮𝓪𝓬𝓱 𝓸𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻… 𝓗𝓸𝓹𝓮… 𝓢𝓮𝓮 𝓾𝓼 𝓼𝓸𝓸𝓷. — 𝓦𝓲𝓽𝓱 𝓶𝓾𝓬𝓱 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮, 𝓗𝓮𝓵𝓵𝓲𝓮 𝓿𝓿"
The encampment's chapel erupted in applause when the simple ceremony concluded, congratulations pouring from the Black Eagles and the soldiers in your unit.
"Thank you, everyone," you smiled and sighed in defeat. "But surely your time would have been better spent preparing for our next skirmish rather than— Ack!"
Edelgard, who was one of your self-proclaimed bridesmaids, gently poked your side to cease your complaints. "We all agreed to this celebration. This was meant to be a surprise for you. We know it's hardly the wedding you had in mind…"
"Oh, no, I am truly grateful to all of you. It's just that I thought… with the war still ongoing…"
"What is it? Do you finally find the idea of marrying me repulsive? After all the time we've spent together?" Hubert remarked, a gloved hand on his chest in a mock display of hurt. With your hand still in his, you couldn't evade his questions, rhetoric as they were.
You knew exactly what you were getting yourself into. Your parents made that perfectly clear to you when you were a child. You adored your childhood sweetheart though he was hardly sweet, admired the complexity of his mind despite your own simplicity, and raced to reach him as he rose to his role as the Emperor's right hand even though he was supposed to be your other half that made everything whole.
Hubert was standing right before you… but not really, at the same time.
"Of course not," you replied to him, gently taking your hand back from his hold. You gave him a low and reverent bow, holding your crown of flowers in place as you did so. "I will do everything I can in my power to uphold your most honourable name, which I now bear."
Nothing will change much, you thought to yourself as you raised your head to meet his gaze once more. You may be Lady of House Vestra now, but you were still resigned to the fact that you will only be the second priority in his life.
But Hubert, poor Hubert, was left wondering why his own wife avoided his presence like he was the shadow of a plague that has yet to wreak havoc. It seemed like you were always on opposite sides of the encampment whenever he wanted to see you. And why was it you were assigned as everyone else's healer in battle except his? You always dined with Constance, trained with Monica and contentedly lazed around with Hapi, but you hardly spent time with your actual husband.
…Which was the only plausible reason the Black Eagles could attribute to his even snippier behaviour as of late. When the Emperor called on you to be her sparring partner, it was only as a pretence. Edelgard wasn't having any more of it.
"Your invitation came at the perfect time, Your Majesty! I'm just about to master this, uh, Master Class the commander instructed me to."
"Actually, I've been meaning to talk to you. This may seem… trivial to you, but it has bothered us nonetheless," Edelgard planted her axe Labraunda on the ground, more intent on talking rather than trading blows with you.
You swallowed. "I apologise for whatever inconvenience I may have caused—"
"It's not just you. Hubert has been more… overbearing as of late. And you have been avoiding him. It's quite obvious you two have some issues to discuss with each other."
"We haven't argued about anything at all, Your Majesty." That's true, you told yourself. We haven't spoken much since our wedding. Not that it should bother him one bit. "I've surely proven my usefulness to our cause. Whatever it is that's upsetting him—"
The Emperor's eyes widened in surprise at your response to her.
"No. You clearly underestimate his feelings for you," she shook her head. "When we were children, Hubert made it perfectly clear to me that he would be at my disposal so long as he was able to keep his heart."
Your brows furrowed at her remark. "His what?"
"Hubert told me all about the time he spent in Goulding with you, how you saved him from his own powerlessness, from such a wretched existence. We both know how he hates being indebted to anyone, but he certainly didn't mind owing you so many favours," Edelgard stated. "You may not be aware of this, but the affection Hubert holds for you is unlike any other, and you hold power over him that even he is terrified of."
"I… see," you could only nod at her, dumbfounded at the unknown facts the Emperor laid at the table for you. You could only blame Hubert for his feeble excuse for affection.
"Please talk things out with him before our last war council this evening. You'll be there, yes?"
"Of course, Your Majesty. Expect us."
And you were set on appearing at that war council whether or not you spoke to your husband.
"You're going to be late for the last war council."
You hardly had any time to react when you heard the flap of your tent rustling open. The figure in black froze in his tracks when you came face to face with him, a shawl clutched to your chest as though trying to protect whatever little chastity was left of you.
"Wh—! H-Hubert! What are you—!"
The dancer's ensemble was both elegant and distasteful. While it allowed for better movement on the battlefield, it certainly left very little to the imagination. Yours was newly tailored to fit your current physique, the silk still so soft to the touch and the golden accessories still gleaming in the dimming candlelight in your tent.
"So this is the Master Class our mercenary friend had you take?"
You had to admit you weren't entirely thrilled at the concept of being a dancer, but the commander did say they believed in your versatility. With your speed and skill in magic and swordsmanship, the new class now enabled you to blaze through the battlefield while sufficiently taking care of yourself.
"Yes," you sighed in defeat, finally dropping the shawl on your bed. "I was certainly set on being a Gremory, but…"
But Hubert was frowning. Not that it was anything new since he was always frowning, but he seemed genuinely upset. How you came to that conclusion is simply the result of the years you've spent together. He broke his silence not long after moving from his spot.
"I promised Her Majesty that we would talk things over ahead of our war council."
Of course, of course, he did. "Of course you did. As did I," you absentmindedly nodded at him as you slipped off of your sandals. "But what is there to talk about, really? I have been doing my duties to this army exceptionally well, I haven't caused you any trouble, and my good conduct allows me to uphold your most honourable name. Now as you said earlier, we're going to be late—"
"Tell me," he started, his voice low, demanding you to meet his eye. "What was on your mind the moment we got married? I was expecting things to remain the same between us, the only thing that changed is… that you now carried my name. Perhaps you truly didn't want to marry me."
"That's not it," you replied, turning away from his gaze. "I'm… I'm sorry. I've resigned myself to the fact that I would only be the second priority in your life. And our marriage… It only seemed to solidify that belief."
"So this wedding ring I presented to you…" he stepped into your space and gingerly took your left hand, the silver band with a finely-cut amethyst twinkling in the candlelight. "Became a shackle rather than a symbol of my affection for you."
He took your silence as confirmation, but that didn't stop him from drawing you close to him. "I was certain you were already aware of my duties and the sacredness of it all. Her will is mine, and so is her path. I understand the pains you have undergone to follow our road as well, so allow me to apologise, then, if you felt my affection has been measured in a way that didn't consider your feelings. I am well aware of my limitations as a man and as your husband. I can only give you so much devotion and yet…"
"Hubert…" You sighed, no longer resisting his touch. You rested your head on his chest. "I chose this path, much like you, as everyone else did. But know that I won't ask for anything you cannot give me."
"No. Things don't have to be that way anymore. You have only to seek me out, to call out my name, and I will be there," he raised his gloved hands to your cheek, lowering his forehead to yours with a newfound gentleness you still weren't accustomed to. "To the best of my abilities."
"I apologise as well. I've forgotten my most sacred duty to you," you raised your arms and encased him in your embrace, or at least you attempted to. "To be your home. To be the place where you can rest your tired bones."
An uncharacteristically soft laugh left his lips as he savoured the closeness you shared. "If you wish to make it up to me, now would be the most perfect time. I've always had this inexplicable feeling clawing at my chest whenever I seek you out and find you in the company of another."
"Hey," you attempted to poke his side, only to be met by layers of his dark clothing. "You make it sound as though I've been cheating—"
"I'm sure you haven't, but if the thought ever occurred to you, then I suggest you abandon all hope," he said with a chuckle. "Now, if you would allow me the honour of gazing upon your—"
"Eugh, stop. Being poetic just isn't you," you playfully thumped his chest with a fist. "If you wish to look at me, please do so respectfully. Or not. Either way, I really don't care."
Hubert stole the laugh that was about to escape your smile, his warm lips on yours as he closed the irritatingly short distance between you. He was certain now, that he wanted to adore you the way you deserved to be. And though you've kissed before out of childish curiosity, you never went so far as to exercise what little power you had over him to get what you want.
The men of House Vestra were said to be immovable. However, there are still some things that can unnerve Hubert. The "little power" his wife holds over him is still every bit thrilling to him.
"Oh—" You suddenly broke off your kiss. You were worried that your tent flap might flip open, but you found a dark yet permeable barrier blocking your exit. "Ah, but Her Majesty is—!"
He shifted his position, settling on the edge of your bed with your hands still in his. "Lady Edelgard will understand. After all, she insisted we talk things out."
Hubert received you with rapt anticipation you haven't seen in his eyes before. You tenderly brushed up his hair as he hoisted you onto his lap, all eyes closed as you dove in for another kiss.
All mine, you selfishly thought. He'll forgive me.
"In case you're wondering in that pretty little head of yours," he said, his hands now sinking dangerously deep under the silk you wore, as though claiming you and everything else exposed to him. "These affections are reserved for you alone, my dearest heart."
—
When Ferdinand and Monica volunteered to look for you and Hubert when you were the only ones not present at the war council, Edelgard dismissed their attempt with a small smile on her face.
"Leave them. I'm sure they have much to talk about. Now, let's begin this evening's war council."