"Dimitri."

It was a statement, not a question; demanding his attention as they neared the monastery. His name was the first word she had uttered to him since they departed Faerghus. And though he had been acutely aware of her sitting beside him for their whole journey, her voice still startled him.

"Is everything alright?" He asked, turning to look at her with concern. Though she was a perfect stranger, he was still determined to show her every ounce of respect and chivalry.

"We're nearly there," she said softly, tilting her head slightly to look out of the carriage window at the looming mass of Garreg Mach before them.

"Yes." He nodded, noting that it seemed she wanted to say something more.

As he waited for her to speak, Dimitri took the time to finally, truly look at her. She didn't look like anyone from Faerghus he had ever seen with her hair that was even darker than Felix's and her eyes the colour of emeralds. Her stoic face was reminiscent of his new professor at the academy. It didn't appear that she was trying to hide her emotions, but more so that she didn't have any to begin with. But as they drew closer to their destination, Dimitri thought he saw a flicker of something in her eyes. Was it fear? Anger?

"I'm sorry you got dragged into this," she said finally, her gaze meeting his.

"Please," Dimitri shook his head, trying to smile comfortingly, "I am happy to help those in need."

"You don't have to do that." It was her turn to shake her head. "I never meant for anyone else to get involved. You don't have to pretend like this doesn't suck. After all, it's all my fault and now you're stuck with me for life"

She was right, their situation did—as she said—'suck'. But it wasn't as if Dimitri hadn't expected to be arranged to marry someone. He knew that as the future king he wouldn't be able to marry just anyone. However, he didn't anticipate being engaged at the age of seventeen. He had at least thought he would have graduated from the Officer's Academy before he was betrothed to another. But things never did happen as he expected; case in point, he was currently riding to the monastery with his fiancée by his side.

"We may not be able to change the circumstances," Dimitri spoke carefully, trying to figure out the best way to form the complex feelings swirling around inside him into words, "but I'm determined not to let that get me down. If I am to be 'stuck' with you as you say, then I will do my best to make sure neither of us feel that way. I will do everything in my power to make you happy regardless of how we came to be here."

At that, she let out a small puff of air and looked away. Something between discomfort and guilt briefly creased the space between her eyebrows before she met the prince's eyes again. When she met his unwavering gaze, she was surprised to see the sincerity in it. Anyone could say words of comfort, but as far as she could tell the blonde youth before her meant what he said. At first assessment she had thought him naïve and idealistic, but his words and the look in his eyes made her question this initial judgement.

"You're a good man, Dimitri Blaiddyd." She sighed, reaching out to place her hand over his.

"T-thank you." He stammered, unsure of what else to say as a blush creeped over his cheeks at the sudden contact.

"I'm afraid I haven't been very good company." She left her hand over his though she turned to look out the window once more. "I didn't know what I was feeling. To be engaged so suddenly, and to someone I've never met. Surely you feel the same?"

"I think I may understand a little of what you're feeling, yes." Dimitri nodded, looking down at where their hands rested together on the seat bench.

Silence fell upon the two of them once more as they came ever closer to Garreg Mach. It felt as though with each metre travelled the reality of their situation sunk in just a little deeper. As soon as they made it back to the Officer's Academy, their new roles would begin—a prince and his fiancée, madly in love. A simple façade they could only hope they'd be able to pull off.

"Eve."

It was a statement, not a question; a plead for her to look at him as their carriage came to a halt. It was the first time he had called her by name and for some reason it felt foreign in his mouth. But as she turned to him, he saw true emotion in her eyes that had not been there before. And though he still could not place what exactly that emotion was, seeing it gave him the confidence he needed to continue. He turned his hand that hers was rested on over so that their palms met and squeezed lightly, reassuringly. In that simple gesture he hoped that he could convey all of the words he didn't know how to say at that moment. There was no telling what would happen once they stepped out of that carriage, no guarantee they could pull off their elaborate charade.

He watched as Eve closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. After a moment, she gave his hand the lightest, almost imperceptive, squeeze back. When she opened her eyes and met his gaze, he could tell something had shifted. There was determination in her eyes, a determination that fed his own. And as the door to their carriage was opened, the two of them gave each other a small nod.

"Shall we?"