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It had been about five years since Dimitri had set foot in Garreg Mach.
Taking the last few steps before stepping through the great gates of the monastery, he could not help but think how much everything looked the same, and at the same time nothing was the same. As was he, for that matter.
The forge was in the same place, but the old blacksmith had retired, replaced by his daughter. Anna had expanded her business activities and now owned all the market stalls. Alois had officially recruited Jeralt's old company, and some of his men now ran the mercenary battalions associated with the monastery. They had also renovated the market floor, Dimitri noted. Gone were the old chipped stones from five years earlier.
Those five years had flown by and at the same time seemed like an eternity. After graduating from the Academy, he had soon been officially crowned king of Faerghus. Rufus, his uncle and regent of the Kingdom, had attempted an internal rebellion to oppose Dimitri’s rise. The man had been aided by Cornelia, who had not only turned out to be a traitor but also an accomplice in the Tragedy of Duscur. Soon the truth about the murder of the late king had come to light, and for a couple of years Dimitri had to confront and root out all the nobles of the western regions who had plotted together with Cornelia and Rufus for the downfall of the late King Lambert. After discovering the truth, Dimitri was committed to recovering ties with Duscur, favoring its autonomy, thanks to Dedue’s mediation. In the meantime, Sylvain had become margrave of his household, and had managed to establish peaceful relations with the people of Sreng. The Sacred Kingdom of Faerghus was going through one of the most prosperous periods in its history, and street singers were already praising the exploits of good King Dimitri.
In those five years, Edelgard had ascended the throne as Empress of Adrestia, and had established important diplomatic relations with the neighboring nations of Fódlan. Claude, the new governor of Leicester, had opened the door to trade relations with Almyra. There had been no war clashes for almost three years.
The Fódlan was heading toward a new era of prosperity. Everything seemed to be going well.
So why did King Dimitri's heart feel so heavy as he walked through the gates of the Garreg Mach monastery?
The truth was that Dimitri was afraid.
Afraid of seeing her again.
***
‘Please, do consider returning to the Kingdom with me.’
***
‘Perhaps it would make more sense for me to wish that we'll be together forever. What do you think?’
***
She had never refused, actually. Dimitri had not given her the chance, after all. He had never given her the chance to respond. Too afraid of the possibility of rejection, of seeing that faint spark of hope being mercilessly extinguished. Of seeing his desire- his true, deepest desire- being crushed without hesitation.
Upon graduation, he promised himself that he would ask her. ‘Come to the Kingdom with me.’ He barely remembered the end-of-the-school-year ceremony, for one thought deafened his ears. ‘Come to the Kingdom with me, Professor.’ She was handing each of her students the brooch with the emblem of the Officer's Academy, the symbol of graduation. Dimitri had been the last. She had taken the last brooch and leaned over to pin it to his lapel.
He could still feel the warmth emanating from her body.
He could still smell the chamomile scent emanating from her hair.
He could still appreciate the softness of her fingers.
‘Come home with me, Byleth.’
As Byleth secured the brooch, she had leaned slightly toward him. ‘I will miss you,’ she had whispered in his ear. And slowly, with an agonizing slowness, and at the same time too quickly, she had moved away.
‘Stay with me forever, Byleth.’
But Dimitri's eyes had settled on the new robes Byleth had to wear. No longer her gray mercenary coat, but a long, white and silver robe, echoing the colors of the Church of Seiros.
A sly reminder to the fate that awaited his professor.
A fate of which he could not have been part of.
***
“Sit on the throne, Professor,” Lady Rhea had said in a voice trembling with emotion.
Dimitri had watched his professor sit on a throne, apparently already familiar to her, in the Holy Tomb at the end of the Pegasus Moon five years earlier.
Byleth, hesitantly, had sat on the large throne of clear green stone. And after a few seconds of waiting, the throne had lit up. At that moment, Lady Rhea seemed to explode with joy. “So long I have waited, and long last, the power of the Progenitor Goddess has awakened! Professor Byleth, you are the chosen one, the new prophetess of our Goddess Sothis! May this day be blessed and remembered, for the blessing of our beloved Mother will make these lands shine for years to come!”
Having said this, Lady Rhea bowed before Byleth.
After a few seconds of hesitation, perhaps to digest the astonishment, all the Blue Lions followed the Archbishop's example. Dimitri stood the last, intent on observing his professor, his Byleth, who had just been proclaimed the new prophetess of the Progenitor Goddess.
Byleth returned the gaze.
It might have seemed to anyone else that the woman was as impassive as usual. But not to Dimitri. He knew his professor well enough to be able to see past the apparent mask of inscrutability she always had. At that moment, Byleth was not impassive, not at all.
Byleth's eyes were sad.
A direct message to Dimitri, and Dimitri only.
‘I’m sorry.’
Dimitri bowed like the others.
***
Byleth Eisner’s proclamation as the new Archbishop of the Church of Seiros had taken place immediately, but the woman herself postponed the ceremony until after graduation. “I must finish my year as a teacher,” she had said resolutely to an increasingly exhausted Seteth. But she had agreed to wear the priestess of Seiros robes, at least for graduation.
When Byleth had approached to give that brooch to Dimitri, she was not yet Archbishop. And she was no longer a teacher. When she had whispered to him, “I will miss you,” potentially nothing prevented Dimitri from inviting her back to the Kingdom at his side. For a few hours, Byleth was free. For the last few hours of her life, Byleth could do whatever she wanted.
Potentially.
‘Stay with me forever, my beloved.’
Dimitri had never asked her what she really wanted to do.
Dimitri often told himself that it would be unfair of him to ask Byleth to follow him to the Kingdom. The Church had proclaimed her as the new prophetess of the Goddess. The Church needed her. Fódlan needed her. The world needed her guidance. Only Byleth was capable of implementing those important reforms that had led to the prosperity of Fódlan (those very reforms for which Edelgard had argued so much in favor).
Of course, Dimitri, too, needed her. But what was a man, in front of an entire continent?
It would have been unfair of him to ask her to return with him to Faerghus.
It would have been selfish of him to express his wishes aloud.
What was a man, in front of the whole world?
He had no right to express his wishes.
He had done it once, immediately taking them back. He had missed his chance.
It would have been unfair to all parties involved to ask her to indulge his individualistic desires.
Would it not?
Dimitri was aware that he was a coward.
Of course, in battle, he did not hesitate for a moment if one of his allies was in danger. He had never hesitated to throw himself in front of an enemy, to protect an ally. He was not afraid of death.
He still remained a coward.
If feelings could be dealt with on the battlefield, perhaps he would hesitate there as well.
When he had faced the turmoil caused by Rufus and Cornelia’s revolt, he had never hesitated in cutting down his enemies. He had to defeat them, for that was the role of a ruler. To restore order. To restore peace. Keep the peace.
Slaying whole platoons of soldiers was the only time he could keep from seeing that look of sadness from Byleth, sitting on the throne, on that distant day at the end of the Pegasus Moon.
‘I’m sorry.’
He had bowed.
He was capable of defeating whole armies, but he had not fought against that look of sadness.
He had not fought for the one person who really mattered; he had not fought to see that wonderful smile of hers again.
He really was a coward.
***
“Your Majesty, we have arrived.”
Dedue's deep voice shook Dimitri from his thoughts, and only then did he notice that the carriage had stopped in front of the entrance stairs of the monastery. Dedue was getting out of the carriage, probably to hold the door open for Dimitri or to announce his arrival- Dedue's usual vassal-like habits that Dimitri begged him to let go of.
But in front of the carriage door it wasn't Dedue who was waiting for him.
Waiting for him was the most beautiful smile in the universe.
“Welcome back to the monastery, Your Majesty.”
‘Welcome home, Dimitri.’
Dimitri allowed himself a second to admire Byleth. She was not wearing Lady Rhea's old robes as Archbishop, but a more sober white dress; and instead of Lady Rhea's golden crown, she had only two white lilies in her hair. The only jewelry she wore was a golden belt tied to her belt to keep her dress on, and the old gold medallion she had always worn since he had known her as a mercenary.
And she was always the most beautiful woman Dimitri had ever laid eyes on.
In the eyes of an outsider, the King of the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus knelt before the Archbishop of the Church of Seiros in greeting, and kissed her hand in respect.
The truth was that Dimitri had knelt before his beloved, and kissed her hand because he had been unable to hold himself back.
After settling his luggage in one of the Knights' most sumptuous quarters that had been assigned to the King of Faerghus, Dimitri had accepted the Archbishop's invitation to take a walk through the monastery, under the pretext of showing him the preparations for the Garreg Mach millennium festival.
“Are the quarters to your liking?” asked Byleth as they walked across a courtyard.
Dimitri nodded. “They are more than I would need.”
Byleth gave a slight smile. “Did you think you would sleep in your old dorm room?” she said in a teasing tone.
Dimitri let out a slight laugh. “I admit that in imagining my overnight stay at the monastery I had initially thought of my old room, Professor.”
The woman stopped in her tracks. Only then did Dimitri realize that the old title had escaped his lips.
“I-I’m sorry, Your Grace,” he quickly corrected himself. “It was ... a slip of the tongue, from the past. I didn’t mean to-”
Byleth shook her head. “No problem, Dimitri. In fact, I prefer it. I admit that... I kind of miss it, being called a professor. For a moment I felt like five years ago, when I was your teacher and we were walking around the monastery like we are doing now. I’ve missed this.”
‘I will miss you.’
“I’ve missed this too,” Dimitri let out in a whisper.
Byleth did not respond, resuming walking.
“Has...any other Blue Lions arrived yet?” asked Dimitri after a few seconds of oppressive silence.
Byleth shook her head. “Everyone has written me confirmation of their participation, so they should be on their way. After all, you have arrived quite early, considering that the festival will be in a week’s time.”
Dimitri ran a hand over the back of his head, slightly embarrassed. “I admit that I left early for fear of running into some snowstorm. You know, winter is particularly harsh in Faerghus.”
Byleth observed him out of the corner of her eye. “So you’re telling me it was a fluke, and you’re not still the usual anxious guy who wants to be early for class?”
Dimitri’s embarrassment grew. “Ah! Yes, it’s ... it was a coincidence.” ‘It would be unfair to confide to you that I didn’t want to wait another day to see you, because I have no right to wish to see you.’
They soon arrived at the courtyard in front of the Academy’s three classrooms. At that moment the bell tower rang, announcing the end of classes. A horde of students came out of the classrooms, rejoicing at the arrival of dinnertime.
“That’s more students compared to the year I attended,” Dimitri commented.
Byleth nodded. “After lowering the enrollment fee, we received many mre requests. The first two years were the most complicated, because we still had to finish expanding the dorms... But now the situation has settled down. We have about fifteen students per house.”
Dimitri let a smile escape. “The Academy has made great progress under your leadership.”
“A bright side to this whole thing,” Byleth commented without taking her eyes off the students.
Dimitri looked at her, questioningly, but before he could say anything Byleth motioned for him to follow her. Dimitri silently obeyed.
Part of him expected that the woman would lead him to the Blue Lions classroom; that did not stop his heart from beginning to beat wildly. As Byleth and Dimitri walked, the last remaining students greeted them with a bow. Dimitri noticed that no one looked Byleth in the eye.
The only one left in the classroom was Professor Manuela, who was finishing tidying up some papers on her desk. The sound of their footsteps caught her attention. “Your Grace! And... Your Majesty,” Manuela smiled at them both. “Welcome to the monastery.”
“Professor Manuela,” Dimitri returned the smile. “I see that you are leading the Blue Lion house this year.”
For a moment, Manuela’s gaze went to Byleth. “The new Professor Lysithea has requested the House of the Golden Deer, so old Hannemann and I alternate for the other two. But don’t worry, I am training the young recruits of your Kingdom to the best of my ability. We won the Battle of the Eagle and Lion this year!”
“I had no doubts about your abilities, Professor Manuela, but I still thank you for your efforts,” Dimitri replied cordially.
“Nothing compared to our crushing victory five years ago, though,” commented Byleth with a slight hint of pride.
“How can I blame you, Your Grace,” Manuela replied with her usual mischievous air. “But now I had better get out of your way. Surely you want to linger in some memory of this classroom alone,” she added. Was it Dimitri's impression, or had Manuela winked at him?
Once the professor left the classroom, Byleth went to sit on the professor’s desk. Dimitri followed her example and sat at a student desk.
Dimitri saw Byleth smile slightly. “You used to sit there all the time,” she commented softly.
Dimitri looked around and realized that the woman was right. He let out a laugh. “Coming to the monastery brings back many old habits, it seems.”
Byleth smiled again, then lowered her gaze. “I miss it. Teaching, being with you.” Dimitri dared not ask whether she meant singular or plural.
‘I will miss you.’
“It was only for a year, but ... with you it really felt like my place was in the classroom, that I would teach for all my life,” Byleth continued without looking up.
“You did a great job with us,” Dimitri said quickly. “It was...” ‘The best year of my life.’ “A very exciting year.”
Byleth let a sad smile escape. She looked up. “Why did you never answer my letters?”
Dimitri’s heart sank.
‘Because I am a coward.’
‘Because I don't deserve you.’
‘Because I have to let you go, even if I don’t want to.’
“Forgive me,” Byleth quickly said without giving him time to answer. “Being king is certainly demanding. I understand that. It’s not a problem.” She made to get up from her desk.
“Wait!” Dimitri stopped her. Byleth looked up and looked at him questioningly.
Dimitri smiled shyly. “Professor, I have a few questions about today’s class.”
Byleth looked at him with wide eyes for a few seconds, then let out a slight chuckle. “All right. Today’s lesson...” She shot a glance at the blackboard. “The lesson was about the different types of lineups to be held according to the weather...”
After about twenty minutes they were interrupted by the arrival of an agitated Seteth.
“Your Grace? Are you here?”
Byleth, who meanwhile had gotten up to write on the blackboard, shot a glance toward the classroom door. She put down the chalk. “We should go, it’s getting late,” she murmured slowly.
Dimitri stood up, without taking his eyes off her. “Thank you, Professor.”
Byleth smiled sadly. “No, Dimitri. Thank you.”
***
The anniversary of the monastery was approaching. Within two days before the celebrations, all invited former students had reached Garreg Mach. In that week since the King of Faerghus’ early arrival at the monastery, he rarely left his quarters, too busy with matters related to the administration of the Kingdom, according to him.
It is said, however, that the Archbishop was seen every afternoon at his door, in her hands a tray with a teapot, two cups, and a full plate of saghert and cream pastries. The tray always came back empty.
***
“You were right, Dimitri. The millennial festivities are definitely more magnificent than they were five years ago,” Mercedes was saying with a smile as together they gazed around the large Reception Hall.
“And they have also improved the drinks repertory!” exclaimed Sylvain cheerfully, victoriously raising his glass of sparkling wine.
“Avoid making a fool of yourself, you idiot,” Felix muttered with a scowl, even though he too had a glass in his hands.
Ingrid shot them both a dirty look. “After all these years, you two still can't stop bickering?”
Annette seemed immune to Ingrid's bad mood. “Guys, come on, we should be having fun! Let's go dance, Ashe!”
The newly appointed kingdom knight smiled awkwardly. “Just one song. You know I'm not good at dancing, Annette...”
“I think we should all enjoy the festivities to the fullest,” Dedue said, nodding in Annette's direction.
The sorceress applauded enthusiastically. “Let's go have fun, guys!”
Soon all the Blue Lions (even Felix) headed for the dance floor, except for Dimitri. “I’ll join you in a moment,” the king had justified himself, although he was well aware that he had no intention of dancing.
Dancing with anyone but her.
Dimitri felt a heavy hand on his shoulder. “Your old classmates are right, Your Seriousness,” Claude said. Dimitri turned around, and Claude winked at him. “Celebrating the thousand years of the monastery is a once-in-a-lifetime occasion, heck!”
“Oddly enough, I find myself agreeing with Claude,” Edelgard intervened, standing beside the Leicester governor. “You seems lost in thoughts, Dimitri.”
Dimitri smiled, embarrassed. “Dances are... not my thing, Edelgard. You should know that.”
The Empress of Adrestia merely shrugged, then looked at Claude. “You still haven't asked me to dance. I thought you wanted to ‘strengthen relations with the Adrestia’,” she added, making quotation marks with her fingers.
Claude shot a wink toward her. “So impatient, Empress! I was pondering whom to ask for my first dance. You, or... Teach.”
Dimitri's grip on his glass was so strong that a slight crack was heard. “Don’t you dare. Seteth clearly warned us from asking the Archbishop to dance,” Dimitri said in a reproachful tone. But it was not respect for Seteth’s request that had moved Dimitr’s lips.
Claude and Edelgard shot him a look that implied they knew full well what was really going through Dimitri’s mind. Finally, Claude raised his hands in surrender. “You are right, King of Faerghus. I would never want to be scolded by you again for dancing with her.”
Before Dimitri could try to justify himself, Edelgard intervened. “You really are a bunch of children,” she said, rolling her eyes. “But Seteth is right. Dancing with the Archbishop would signal a preference of the Church of Seiros for one of the three nations. I would like to prevent either of you from triggering a diplomatic incident.”
Dimitri nodded. Edelgard was right; Seteth had been very clear. The Archbishop had to keep herself neutral during this celebration. She could not afford to dance with any of the three Fódlan rulers.
This knowledge did not mean that Dimitri had to be happy about it.
Dimitri turned his gaze to the opposite side of the hall, where the Archbishop was sitting observing the people caught up in the festivities. Although she had not worn lavish ornaments as Lady Rhea used to do, Byleth's beauty was always breathtaking. The more the woman tried to keep her attire sober, the more her beauty stood out. How was it possible for a simple white robe tied at the waist to enhance her form so well? Was it permissible for simple bangles to make her arms look so elegant and candid? How did simple heeled sandals make her partially covered legs so long and tapered? Why did her hair seem to shine more than ever with a simple wreath of lilies between it; and her eyes so large, with just a hint of makeup-
For a moment their gazes met. Dimitri quickly looked away.
‘She does not belong to you.’
‘You have lost your chance.’
‘You have lost any right.’
The air in the room suddenly became oppressive.
“Excuse me,” Dimitri took his leave, deaf to the chatter of Edelgard and Claude’s last few minutes. Without waiting for their response, he quickly exited the building, finding comfort in the cold night breeze of the Ethereal Moon.
‘We are in the middle of winter, yet everything is warmer at Garreg Mach,’ Dimitri thought to himself.
Everything was warmer under her gaze.
Dimitri shook his head.
‘I have no right to have these feelings,’ he scolded himself. He glanced at the courtyard: it was the one in front of the Academy classrooms; the very place where five years earlier he had told his professor about his past and then invited her to the Goddess Tower.
The Goddess Tower.
How long had it been since he had set foot there?
Obviously since that night, that same night of five years ago.
Could he really afford to dwell on such memories?
Dimitri's feet made a decision before his mind had a chance to stop him.
Crossing the threshold of the balcony, Dimitri allowed himself a second to admire the view: the houses and the monastery were rendered by tiny illuminated dots in the background of the mountains, almost mirroring the starry sky above him.
The Blue Sea Star had now disappeared from the sky, ready to make its journey through the night sky and become visible again next summer.
Did it mean that the Goddess herself was not watching him at that moment?
Did it mean that the Goddess had never heard him, that day of five years ago?
What a cruel legend. To tell that the Goddess would listen to any wish made on that tower, when her so-called dwelling was no longer even visible in the sky.
No wonder his wish had never come true.
And, after all, they were just legends.
A sound of footsteps jolted Dimitri, who turned, watchful.
“Dimitri. I finally found you.”
Dimitri opened his eyes wide at the sight of Byleth, feeling his heart sink.
‘So you are watching me, oh Goddess? Are you punishing me for feeling such emotions for your prophetess, or for going back on my words five years ago?’
“What are you doing here?” were instead the words Dimitri spoke aloud.
Byleth's gaze darkened slightly. “I was looking for you. You left in a hurry, I was afraid you were feeling sick.”
If possible, Dimitri’s heart sank even more. His selfish longing was responsible for her worry.
“I'm sorry to have worried you. I needed to get some air.”
Byleth's gaze softened a little. “You remind me of that night five years ago. Remember? You were out for some air then, too, and so was I.”
“I could never forget that,” Dimitri let slip.
Without changing her expression, Byleth approached, also leaning against the balustrade.
“Are you enjoying the festivities?” she asked after a few minutes.
Dimitri nodded automatically. “They are absolutely resounding. I am delighted that you agreed to my request at the time to organize a class reunion.”
Byleth let out a light laugh. “I’m glad you all came. I missed you guys.” She turned back to Dimitri. “I’ve missed you.”
“I missed you, too.” Again, Dimitri's lips betrayed him.
Byleth smiled, although a hint of sadness was perceptible. “Would you like to make a wish?”
“What?” said Dimitri, taken aback.
“A wish,” Byleth repeated. “We are on the Goddess Tower, on the anniversary day of the monastery. It’s tradition. Don’t you remember the legend?”
“Of course,” Dimitri replied with his heart in his throat. “But... I can’t think of anything at the moment.” ‘Lie.’ “You can go first.”
“A wish of mine own...” Byleth brought two fingers to her chin with a thoughtful expression. “I wish...” She turned back to Dimitri; her gaze hardened, inquisitive. “To know what’s on your mind.”
Dimitri almost choked. “What do you mean?”
“I would like to know what the hell has been on your mind all these last years. I would like to know what really dwells in your heart. I’d like to know why the door I left open has never been used, and possibly set my heart at rest.”
Byleth's gaze was penetrating him as if she was able to read everything that was going through his mind; a feeling Dimitri had not experienced in five years.
“I...” Dimitri's apology died on his tongue. Any justification about her position as Archbishop, about Dimitri's role as ruler, withered before her inquisitive gaze.
Was it really right to continue lying- lying to himself, lying to her- when she had used her desire to the Goddess?
Was it really right to keep lying to his goddess?
“I am a coward,” Dimitri said before he could stop himself. “I was five years ago, as I still am today. I want to tell you so many things- forbidden things, and I’m afraid to say them out loud. I know I cannot have you. Yet, I want you. I am a coward, and I am selfish. From the first moment I saw you, my heart belongs to you. And it is not right for me to want as much from you. I have no right to you. So if you really want to know what’s on my mind- I love you, Byleth. I have always loved you. Don’t worry, I know it’s wrong, that I have no right to feel these things-”
“Stop it,” Byleth whispered.
‘Of course she didn’t want to hear this kind of thing. What could I expect? That she would desire the wretched thing that I am?’
Dimitri could not look her in the eye. He lowered his head. “Forgive me. I knew that telling you these things was not right. I can’t-”
“Stop it, Dimitri,” Byleth repeated in a trembling voice.
‘You disgusted her. What on earth did you think you were doing? Did you really think you were worthy enough of her to burden her with your feelings?’
Dimitri shook his head. “I regret having burdened you with my words. I should go.”
“Look at me.”
Byleth's tone firm, the same one she used when she had to give directives to her students- perhaps in an automatic gesture, Dimitri obeyed.
Dimitri looked up at Byleth.
She was crying.
But she was smiling.
She was smiling-
“You foolish, stubborn of a prince,” murmured Byleth. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand, without stopping smiling. “Is that why you have not answered my letters, why you have avoided me these past five years?”
Incredulous, unable to utter a word, Dimitri simply nodded.
Byleth emitted a snort that sounded like light laughter; new tears peeped from her eyes. “I was- I was sure you hated me...”
Dimitri found himself on his knees, and quickly took Byleth’s hand between his own in a gesture of comfort. ‘Not a believer before the deity, but a man before his beloved.’ “I could never hate you, Byleth. Forgive me.” He laid a kiss on her hand. “Forgive me, please. Don’t cry. I hate to see you sad, and I hate even more the thought that I am the cause of your discomfort. Forgive me.”
“Do you really want to make it up to me?” asked Byleth in a broken voice.
Dimitri nodded solemnly. “Anything.”
“Then kiss me.”
Dimitri looked up at Byleth, at his beloved, incredulous, not sure if he had heard her words correctly.
But her gaze swept away any fear.
And who was he not to indulge his goddess?
Dimitri again gently brought his lips to Byleth's hand, but instead of lingering on the back, Dimitri kissed each finger, and then his lips continued down her uncovered arm, all the way to her neck. There, Dimitri left more kisses; and there he could notice Byleth’s panting breath. Soon, but never soon enough, his lips found Byleth’s cheek-soft, and warm, and sweet- was he by any chance tasting her skin? Dimitri then moved to the corners of Byleth’s mouth, perhaps to give her time to pull back, but actually to kiss her all over. Because Byleth had not specified where to kiss her, so Dimitri decided to kiss her everywhere.
And when Dimitri’s lips met Byleth’s, trepidatious and still half-open in a smile, Dimitri was sure he was tasting something for the first time in nine years. The sweetness of Byleth’s mouth could not have been a figment of his mind; everything about his beloved was sweet.
But taste was not the only active sense.
He felt how soft Byleth’s lips were- exactly as he had always imagined them- and delicate- so delicate that he was almost afraid of breaking them. Almost.
And he could feel how warm they were- because everything about Byleth had warmth, the kind of warmth one feels when returning home after a long winter day, in front of a home hearth, with loved ones.
Was it possible to feel nostalgia for something that had never happened, and at the same time for something that was still happening?
‘I’m home.’
Byleth’s fingers sank into Dimitri’s golden locks, pushing him toward her; and who was he to refuse? Dimitri deepened the kiss, first gently caressing Byleth's lower lip with his tongue, immediately having a positive response.
And that sweetness, that nectar, that softness, that warmth- if possible- exploded even more; chaining Dimitri, if possible even more, to the heart of his beloved.
When they both found themselves running out of oxygen, they dissolved the kiss, but without dissolving the embrace. Only then did Dimitri realize that one of his hands had sunk into Byleth’s hair, and with his other hand he had grasped her side to draw her as close to him as possible.
To never let her go again.
“I really am the most foolish man in all the world,” Dimitri whispered on Byleth’s lips. “Five years ... depriving me of this sweetness ... How can I ever make it up to you…”
“Say it again, Dimitri,” whispered Byleth, looking into his eyes.
Dimitri could not hold back a slight smile. “That I am the most foolish man in all the world?”
Byleth shook her head slightly. “Tell me again that you love me.”
His mind silent.
Dimitri’s smile grew wider. “I love you, Byleth.”
Immediately, Byleth pressed his lips to Dimitri’s. “I love it when you kiss me,” she whispered. Another kiss. “I love it when you call me by my name.” Another kiss. “I love it when you tell me you love me.” Another kiss. Dimitri was discovering himself addicted. “I love you too, Dimitri,” whispered Byleth almost imperceptibly, but not enough for Dimitri's ears.
Who had initiated the next kiss?
Neither of them could say.
“I don’t know how I'm going to let you go, my beloved,” Dimitri murmured after a few minutes, when the cold realization that the evening was coming to an end hit him.
Byleth shook her head vigorously. “You must not. Don’t leave me alone ever again, Dimitri.”
Dimitri’s heart sank. He gently caressed his beloved’s cheek. “If it were up to me, my beloved, I would take you with me to the Kingdom tonight. But-”
“Then do it,” Byleth interrupted him resolutely. “I don’t want to be here if it means being without you.” She kissed him on the nose. “I can’t see you going away again.” She kissed him on the cheek. “I can’t let you go again.” She kissed him on the other cheek. “I can’t be without you again, Dimitri.” She kissed him on the corner of his mouth. “I cannot live without you. Nothing makes sense here without you. Take me away from here.”
And who was he to refuse a request from his goddess, when her tone was so pleading, so full of sadness and hope at the same time?
“Marry me,” Dimitri whispered before kissing her one more time (they were never enough).
Unable to speak, Byleth merely nodded furiously.
And again, only the physiological need for oxygen managed to pull them apart.
“I don’t want to be Archbishop. I don’t want to be here without you, Dimitri. Take me with you. Take me with you to the Kingdom, as you asked me when we first met.”
Dimitri nodded vehemently. “Whatever you ask of me, Byleth.” He kissed her. “My goddess.” He kissed her. “My beloved.”
“My beloved,” Byleth repeated with the most wonderful smile Dimitri had ever seen her with. “I love you, Dimitri.”
“I love you too, Byleth.”
***
Seteth watched with a raised eyebrow as the Archbishop and the King of Faerghus re-entered the Reception Hall, both with mussed hair and flushed faces. He decided not to rebuke them at that moment: it would not give a good image of the Church of Seiros.
His disdain grew when he noticed that the King of Faerghus had taken the Archbishop’s hand, and gently led her to the center of the hall to dance. He frowned, hoping the two would sense his disappointment- he had warned both of them of the possible diplomatic complications that a dance by the Archbishop with someone would entail!
But the two did not seem to notice. In truth, the two did not seem to be paying attention to anyone present. From the beaming smiles on both of their faces, it was clear that nothing and no one could distract them from that moment.
Seteth found himself thinking about his late wife. With surprise, he noticed that the corners of his mouth had turned up slightly. ‘After all these years, I am still the romantic man you turned me into, my love.’
The tenderness he was feeling, however, did not prevent him from opening his mouth wide in surprise when King Dimitri kissed Archbishop Byleth, and then announced their upcoming wedding.