Chapter Text
He couldn’t say why he did it. Hubert was always guided by logic. The means always served his lady Edelgard’s justified ends. But his actions… they served no greater purpose; it only satisfied his selfish wants. There was no way to justify it.
The crash of the door as Ferdinand threw it open made Edelgard jump.
“Ferdinand!” she cursed, quickly wiping the spilt tea from her skirt. “What do you think you are doing?”
Ferdinand ignored her, yelling at the shadowy figure looming in front of the window, “how could you?”
Hubert didn’t turn from his view of the garden. It was so similar to the garden at Vestra manor where he and Ferdinand once walked side by side. He didn’t need to turn as the vision of a distraught Ferdinand was clear in his mind.
“You! This is cold even for you! It’s heartless!” Ferdinand screamed.
Hubert maintained a poised, in control demeanor.
Ferdinand marched across the room. “Say something, damn it!”
Hubert caught a glimpse of his expression in the reflection of the glass panel as Ferdinand grabbed his shoulder, turning Hubert to face him. He knew what to expect, but seeing those burnt orange eyes filled with rage and tears made his stomach drop. Hubert immediately averted his eyes, focusing on some far corner of the room.
“Hubert?” Edelgard slowly rose.
“Goddess, can you not even face me after what you’ve done?!” Ferdinand grabbed Hubert’s jaw attempting to bring their eyes level, but Hubert’s focus remained in that far off place. Disgust coated Ferdinand’s words, “you’ll ruin my life and not even have the decency to look me in the eye.” He pushed away from Hubert as if unable to touch him for a second more.
Hubert felt his heart in his throat, choking him.
“Ferdinand?” Edelgard positioned herself between the two.
Hubert turned towards her and away from Ferdinand. His mind screaming at him. Of course, Edelgard would involve herself. She was good and loyal. Unlike Hubert in every way. She would never have betrayed Ferdinand like this. He knew what the consequences of his actions would be, and yet he spoke to the Duke of Fraldarius anyway.
“What has happened?” her voice was defensive but attempting to sooth Ferdinand.
“You just-!” Ferdinand sighed but it came out as a scream. “Felix has called off the engagement! His father advised him to, after certain affairs came to light. You-!” he pointed to Hubert, “you were the only one who knew about that night! You told me you made sure of it! How could you tell him?!”
Edelgard hid it well, but a lifetime by her side revealed her shock and horror to Hubert. She approached Ferdinand. “Ferdinand let’s talk through this, surely this can be repaired.”
“No, it can’t!” he backed away from them “Rodrigue wouldn’t have a a-” he stammered, trying to find the words to express what Hubert had made him out to be, “a Vestran lap dog as a son-in-law. That’s what you reduced me to.” He looked down, wiping his eyes. “I’ve been working towards this marriage for a year! And all of it is ruined because of you.” He spat the words with venom. “How could I have been so stupid. Of all the people I could have… it had to be you! I never should hav-!”
Hubert’s eyes flicked to Ferdinand just as he stopped himself.
‘Shouldn't have what?’ The question tormented Hubert, and his mind raced filling in the sentence; ‘trusted me? Gone to me that night? Fallen in love with me?’
Ferdinand looked up, and their eyes met. “Do you have nothing to say for yourself?”
Staring into his watery auburn eyes, Hubert let himself fall into selfish vice. For just a moment, he imagined it. Running to Ferdinand, pulling him into his arms, kissing him all over until the tears stopped. Feeling his sun like warmth touch his skin after so long apart. Soothing his cries with sweet promises of devotion and love. Trapping him in an embrace and never letting him go. But… the moment passed and Hubert regained control of himself, banishing those feelings. Ferdinand was right, he should never have fallen in love with him.
Hubert stood firm, “no.”
The raging fire in Ferdinand broke. His mouth closed in a thin line. Silent tears falling as he stared at Hubert’s cold dark eyes. He was searching for something, anything to lessen the pain and hurt caused. For a moment Ferdinand saw it, but with a single blink it was gone, locked away forever. Devastated, heartbroken Ferdinand turned and left without another word.