Chapter 1: To The End Of A Dream

The radiant sun settled calmly in the bright sky, signaling the arrival of midday. She yawned softly, not looking forward to the duties that lie ahead. After the fall of the Immaculate One in Fhirdiad, Edelgard spent much of her time in the infirmary of the monastery. Despite how busy the days would inevitably become, she didn't dare remove herself from the chair sitting adjacent to the bed. The reason, sleeping in a near serene grace as his chest rose and fell with each passing breath. She bent over slightly so that she could once again bask in the soothing rhythm of his heartbeat. As she rested her head against him, all the emotions of the battle prior began to come back to her. In Rhea's defeat, Edelgard truly believed she lost Byleth, a sudden fear encompassing her as he would be added to the nightmares that plagued her. She told herself after Tailtean that she would never cry again, not for anything not for anyone, only to then go back on her word and cry for him.

Byleth shifted slightly causing Edelgard to abruptly raise her head in a bashful blush. She carefully pulled herself back, temporarily content with examining his features. Somehow his hair returned to its previous shade of dark teal, and while she couldn't see his eyes as he slept, she knew they too returned to normal. Truthfully she preferred him this way, it was the look that made him human. Upon changing years ago in the Sealed Forest, she felt that he was ultimately lost to the will of the church, ultimately lost to her. She attempted to rest her head against his chest once more before an immediate presence calmly stepped into the room.

"Lady Edelgard," Hubert said in a bothered tone as he slowly entered the infirmary carrying a mass of parchment.

"Hubert, I trust you have all of the documents I requested?" Edelgard spoke in a quiet yet direct timbre.

"Yes, all of them present and accounted for, but… surely you aren't going to do all of this here?"

Edelgard rose to collect the neatly organized stack from Hubert's hands before returning to the chair, sitting quietly as possible so as not to disturb Byleth. She looked down at the papers in front of her, examining the first one carefully, she grabbed an old textbook to use as a surface for writing before dabbing a quill into one of the inkwells sitting on the end table nearby. Following the war, concerns regarding her plans going forward grew abundant. Responding to them all had grown increasingly more demanding, however, it was imperative that she address as many as possible to alleviate future discord.

"That is exactly what I'm going to do, I see no reason this can't be finished here."

Hubert pinched his nose as he heard the disappointing yet expected answer. "Lady Edelgard, surely Manuela or any of the others could be here in your place, I must implore you to accomplish this tedious task somewhere more comfortable," Hubert suggested, attempting to sway her from staying in the room.

Edelgard lifted her head to look at Byleth's sleeping face once more. "I refuse, this room is more than adequate, any other would prove most distracting for me."

Hubert sighed, folding his arms together against his chest before laughing slightly to himself.

"Are you certain nothing here will distract you?"

Edelgard struggled to mask her flushed cheeks as she turned to glare at her loyal attendant. She knew Hubert wasn't lacking in perception, he was undoubtedly aware of her feelings regarding the man before her. Recently he made a habit out of subtly teasing her, an act she didn't detest but simultaneously wasn't very appreciative of either, if only because of how easily it got a reaction out of her. He had become more ambitious with his quips, while she enjoyed seeing him more sociable, joking at her expense left little to be desired. She was still unsure if Byleth returned the feelings she held for him and didn't want to get her hopes up if he had fallen for someone else.

"Of course, as if I could be so easily taken away from my duties. I only wish to occasionally watch over the professor as he recovers at the same time, is that so wrong?" She asked with a furrowed brow.

"I-I suppose not, it would undeniably be far more prudent for you to respond to those letters elsewhere but I won't press the issue any further."

Hubert unfolded his arms, keeping one to his abdomen before giving Edelgard one of his customary departing bows.

"However, please refrain from accidentally detailing how often the professor shifts in his sleep, or the captivating sight of his visage during a restful stupor, I'm not certain those nobles would understand."

Edelgard, taken aback by his comment grabbed the spare inkwell from the table and chucked it at him before he vanished from the room. She was never adept at targeting anything from a distance so she had to at least hope she managed to hit him.

It's a crush Hubert, she thought to herself. Not an obsession, I wouldn't dare.

A few hours went by as Edelgard continued her work, occasionally looking up at Byleth whenever she grew bored or became lost in thought.

Was it when you first protected me? No, it couldn't have been at first sight, could it? Perhaps it was when you first smiled, the sight of it was absolut—

Byleth suddenly began to toss and turn violently in a nightmare induced state. Edelgard quickly dropped the documents and kneeled on the dirty floor below. Leaning on the side of the bed, She clasped his hand, intertwining it with her's as she began to brush her fingers softly against his cheek with the other. After a few minutes, Byleth calmed down, returning to his previous form. Edelgard stood up to brush the dust from her pants before sitting once again, recalling her memories of the past.

Maybe it was that night at the Goddess Tower, shy and mysterious as you were.

The afternoon sun lowered slightly with much of the day being lost to parchment and ink. Edelgard successfully managed to get a significant amount of her workload done. Efficiently and courteously so, whenever she wasn't preoccupied with monitoring the former mercenary. Upon noticing that there was only a few documents leftover, she decided to take a well-deserved break. She grabbed a blank sheet from the leftover stack and began to draw. Beginning with the shape of his head and filling every fine detail in between. After another passing hour, Edelgard looked down at her drawing satisfied.

Was it when you chose to side with me? I recall It manifesting greatly then.

At this moment, she realized just how much Byleth had come to mean to her and wanted nothing more than to stay by his side as he successfully managed to capture her heart. His attentiveness regarding the safety of not only her but all of their allies, the way he treated all of them equally, caring little for station or skill level, accommodating every individual in his class. Above all, however, his willingness to throw caution to Fódlan's wind and choose to walk her fated path alongside her only further cemented those feelings.

No question about it, definitely the moment you chose me.

Edelgard's heart fluttered as she held the portrait up before her to match it against Byleth's image, speaking softly to herself, gaze lost in the drawing.

"I only wish I had the confidence to tell you how I feel. After everything I have done, somehow this remains the most difficult for me to accomplish."

She closed her eyes, the picture still up in the air as she sighed sorrowfully. Pain in her chest as she thought about having to let him go. The days to come would be far too strenuous for her to remain distracted. The rebuilding effort alone would steal away an immense amount of her time, love should be the last thing on her mind. However, as her thoughts wandered she spoke a single question to the portrait in some vain hope for an answer.

"Do you even feel the same way?"

Edelgard opened her eyes, lowering the portrait only to be met by Byleth's watchful eyes as he lifted himself up.

"Eeeek! M-m-my t-t-teacher!" Edelgard shrieked pressing the picture against her chest to hide it from him. "Hh-how long have you been awake?!"

Rather than answer her right away, Byleth reached for the now crumpled paper which she reluctantly handed to him.

"It isn't very good," she said as she buried her face in her hands to mask the growing crimson.

He looked at the portrait of himself with the same look as if he was devising a strategy for an upcoming battle. Glossing over every detail before reaching a conclusion regarding her efforts. His lips turned upward into a smile, he looked back at Edelgard who peeked at him between her fingers.

"It was drawn by you, therefore it will always be good." He said as he handed the portrait back to her.

"Somehow I find that difficult to believe." Looking away from him as he rose to sit at the edge of the bed.

Mere inches away from her, his legs slightly brushing up against hers.

"I woke up once I heard you speaking." finally answering her question.

Edelgard looked down at her legs, heart beating rapidly when she noticed how close he was. "So… she started, ...I trust you heard everything then?" more embarrassed than she had ever been in her life.

Byleth sat for a minute, seemingly thinking about how to best respond to her question."I did." He bashfully admitted, placing a hand over his heart to steadying his breathing. Looking at her with his best attempt at a face of determination.

"At sunset, I want you to meet me at the Goddess Tower, there is much that needs to be said between us."

"T-the Goddess Tower? My teacher, are you absolutely certain?" She questioningly looked up at him with concern."But, you only just woke up, perhaps we should wait until you have made a full recovery?"

"I think I've been sleeping long enough," Byleth said rising to his feet, brushing past her as he walked toward the door, she kept her eyes fixated on him as he did so."Promise me that you'll come?" Turning his head, to face her.

"I promise my teacher, at day's end I will be there. Nervous as I am, you have my word." She smiled widely.

Byleth smiled back at her as he turned to leave the Infirmary, giving her his heartfelt parting gratitude.

"Thank you, El."

Byleth left the room, leaving her alone with her thoughts, she wasn't sure what would transpire at the Goddess Tower but she had a feeling that it wouldn't be disappointing. She looked at the slightly crumpled drawing, smoothing the surface with her hands to restore its previous state. As Byleth's sketched smile became apparent, she developed a wide smile of her own.

You said it, you called me El. Is it truly possible that my previous worries were unwarranted? I suppose there's only one way to find out.

Edelgard returned to her duties as quickly as possible so she could mentally and emotionally prepare herself for an undoubtedly life-altering moment.

He arrived first, as he did all those years ago, his back facing her, head lifted slightly as he gazed at the sky above. She walked these steps before, this time though, it felt more momentous. Her heart pounding faster as she approached him. Placing a hand to her chest, she sighed heavily before stepping to his side. Both of them stood silently for a moment with their hands resting on the railing, gazing upon the purplish hue of the sky as the sun fell.

"It's beautiful isn't it?" asking as she broke the silence.

"It is, it reminds me of your eyes." A sly smile appearing on his face.

The sudden compliment made her blush, as did everything he said to her lately. "M-my teacher, you're only making me more nervous than I already am. Though, I appreciate your words all the same."

"I seem to find myself thinking of you a lot lately." He said finally facing her.

"Is that so? Well...I'd be lying if I said I wasn't doing the same of you." Heart nearly pounding out of her chest as she turned to him in reciprocation.

"Then...may I hold your hands in my own? it will make what I'm going to do next easier."

Edelgard smiled up at him before slowly lifting her gloved hands for him to take. Even without direct contact, she could feel the warmth of his hands providing her with boundless comfort. She continued looking directly in his piercing gaze, lilac eyes shifting from each one of his blue. He smelled of flowers, carnations to be specific, likely spending the remaining hours before their meeting tending to them in the greenhouse. She heard a loud, familiar, rhythmic pounding that in her own excitement made it difficult to ascertain if it was her heart or his. Byleth smiled back at her, holding her hands firmly as he spoke.

"We have been through so much together, you and I. From the moment I first met you, I found myself immediately mesmerized. Your unwavering ambition is what I originally believed to be the sole reason I joined your cause but after every battle, every struggle, and every moment we shared, I now realize just how much you mean to me. You once said that we are like family but... I don't want to be a family in name only, I wish to make it official."

"My teacher…" she said breathlessly as she fought back tears.

"I was without purpose, without passion, without emotion, he continued, it's due to being near you that I can say for certain that I feel more alive than I ever have in my entire life, this new heartbeat of mine is proof of that."

Byleth let go of one of her hands to reach in the pocket of his coat, he drew a gorgeous silver ring with multi-colored gemstones at the center. He held it up close to the hand that remained in his.

"I love you El, would you do me the honor of being my wife?"

The tears that had been patiently forming in her eyes spilled down her cheeks when she heard his proposal. For so long she wanted to hear him say those words, so long she wanted to share her life with him and one day call him her husband.

"Nothing would please me more… she said overcome by emotion. "I love you too, truthfully I always have."

A tear slid down Byleth's face as he placed the band on her ring finger, lifting her hand up to his lips and kissing it, much like a commoner kissing the hand of a noble. Edelgard shook her head, giggling at the sight before wrapping her arms affectionately around his neck, pulling him down into a passionate, longing kiss like a woman in love.

"Mm-hmm." She hummed softly into his mouth, kissing her love with as much adoration as she could give. The sweet taste of his lips on hers induced an addicting feeling of euphoria. Part of her felt like she was dreaming, that she would suddenly awaken to find herself still sitting beside him, documents in hand, unspoken confession in her heart. Her fears immediately vanished when she felt him squeeze her tightly, bringing her body as close to his as possible. He loved her, the way those three simple yet compassionate little words left his lips and the tender embrace that followed gave her every indication that this was real. Edelgard reluctantly pulled away, keeping her arms around him, looking into his eyes as she poured her heart out to him.

"I was afraid my feelings would not be returned, for so long I wished to share them with you. To hear you say those words means the world to me. I love you, I don't think I could ever say that enough." A small frown appeared on her face as she continued. "I'm afraid our union will have to be put on hold until our other enemies are dealt with, but I promise you that when all is said and done, you and I will stand side by side, not as commander and Emperor but as husband and wife. Together we will become the light shining over Fódlan, just as you have shined upon my life." Her frown gone, Edelgard smiled widely with a face flushed with love and gratitude for the man in her arms. "Thank you, for everything my teacher...no, my darling, my darling Byleth.

"I love you."