Chapter Text
“A ship,” Edelgard says with a slight hint of bemusement. “It is clever. I can appreciate that.”
“A merchant ship,” Hubert offers with his signature smirk. “The ship was hired under a fictitious name at the beginning of the war, most likely as an exit plan for the duke,” Hubert's mirk turns even more sinister. “Loaded with a considerable portion of the duke’s fortune, no doubt it will set him up nicely in some faraway land should the war effort fail.”
“One last piece of the puzzle, but nevertheless it provides the much-needed assurance to the mission’s success,” Edelgard says as she caresses the rim of her wine glass, “ And the rest of the operation shall be carried out as we have previously discussed.” Edelgard looks at Hubert intently.
“I will mobilize some of the assets tonight according to the plan. A detailed report will be ready tomorrow morning,” Hubert gives a slight bow. He then turns to the other side of the room where Dorothea is currently sitting on a lounge chair with some extra depth and says, “And I must thank you as well, Lady Dorothea. Thank you for everything that you have done for the empire.”
Despite the lounge chair appearing to be soft and comfortable, Dorothea shows no sign of comfort; rather, she sits only at the edge of the lounge chair with a considerable distance between her back and the back of the chair. A glass similar to which the one Edelgard is drinking from was held tightly in her hands, the gesture makes her back appear to be more stiff than usual. With what seems to be her best effort, she gives a sweet yet overly polite smile and says, “Everything for the empire, Hubie.”
“That would be all, you may leave now,” Edelgard tells Hubert while her gaze darts to Dorothea as well.
“I wish the both of you a pleasant evening.” Hubert bows again before leaving the chamber.
The sound of the heavy door shut seems to have turned a switch in Edelgard. Her previously held-together fingers dip as she rests her forehead against the back of her hands. Edelgard slowly releases a long breath.
The plotting of an insurrection is no trivial matter, the history of the Insurrection of the Seven still scars the empire till this day. That is why Edelgard’s attention had been entirely focused on the counter-measure discussions with Hubert. However, deep inside of her, Edelgard can feel her focus is desperately wanting to crawl towards the other side of the chamber, towards the Songstress.
Edelgard forces herself to finish what little wine is left in her own glass. She then takes to her feet, her gaze falls on Dorothea. The Songstress appears to be exactly the same as eight months ago, given the effect that an eight-month-long covert mission could have on one’s psyche, Edelgard considers this as a good sign.
The blood was trickling down on one side of Edelgard’s head. She wipped at the side of her head before it could reach her eye.
Using her axe as a crutch, Edelgard slowly made her way through the battlefield. Empire soldiers ran past her, busy with attending to the wounded or carrying the bodies of the fallen ones. No one had stopped for her since she clearly did not require urgent medical attention.
A band of Church’s cavalry had managed a successful ambush. The heavy-armored band tore through the defenseless empire mages with superior close-combat force and mobility. Furthermore, the loss of firepower from the mage battalion had also tilted the balance for the frontline force which Edelgard was leading the charge. To save the mages, as well as to prevent the frontline units from being flanked on both sides, Edelgard was forced to diverge a noticeable amount of the frontline force backward. Edelgard recounted the harrowing battle scene as she continued searching for Dorothea through the battlefield.
Dorothea was sitting on a supply crate, mindlessly picking the dried blood from underneath her fingernails. As if she had sensed someone’s gaze, she lifted her head and saw Edelgard. Her emotionless eyes lingered on Edelgard for a few moments before she lowered her head, resuming picking at her fingernails.
Finally making her way through the chamber, Edelgard takes in Dorothea’s delicate features, though the Songstress’ cherry charm has since long been lost. Edelgard’s right-hand twitches involuntarily, yearning to caress Dorothea’s cheek but stops herself from doing so when she sees the icy smile from the Songstress. A smile that is overly polite, overly formal, and familiar to Edelgard. She had seen more than a dozen times where Dorothea had used such a smile to deter any unwanted pursuers, she just could never imagine herself being on the receiving end of such a smile.
“I have reassigned you to infirmary duty,” Edelgard announced as calmly as she could. “Manuela has been briefed and she will fill you in with the details tomorrow.”
Dorothea stared at Edelgard with her mouth agape. Her face was full of doubts, as well as a sense of deep sadness.
It had hurt Edelgard to see Dorothea like this. “I truly believe it would be good for you to take some time away from the battle,” Edelgard added hastily. This is true, Edelgard, as the commander, could not allow a distressed Dorothea to lead the mage battalion onto the battlefield. But also, Edelgard was letting her own sentimentality slip through just a little. Edelgard had always known that Dorothea was not one made for committing cruel action, on the battlefield or elsewhere. This is enough, Thea. You have done enough, Edelgard thought to herself.
To this, Dorothea simply nodded her head a little. Her head bowed low and her gaze focused on her own twisted hands. Suddenly, without a word, Dorothea had stood up and left the room.
That had happened eleven months ago.
For a moment, Edelgard is lost in her memories, and the moment quickly passes. She sighs silently and slowly takes a seat next to the Songstress on the lounge chair.
“How…how are you feeling now?” Edelgard carefully asks .
Maintaining her alienating smile, Dorothea shakes her head slightly before saying “I’m doing fine, maybe a little bit tired. But this wine has done a good job relaxing me.”
Edelgard can feel her mouth turning dry, every word she says feels like it has to be hauled across her tongue before it reaches her lips. “Do…would you like a refill then?” Edelgard points at Dorothea’s half-full glass. She steals one glance at Dorothea’s face then quickly averts her sight.
“Uh…thank you but no. I will resume my work at the infirmary tomorrow. I better not overdo it tonight.”
Edelgard shifts uncomfortably on the lounge chair, feeling less confident and more unsettled as she considers what she is about to say. “Dorothea, I..I have missed you.”
Maybe it is Edelgard’s own mind playing tricks on her, or perhaps it is because of the flickering candlelight casting additional shadows on the Songstress’ face, but Edelgard is sure that Dorothea’s face had dipped a little before quickly returning to the icey smile.
“Oh Edie, I have missed you too.”
Edelgard nods stiffly. The familiar despair she had experienced eight months ago once again sneaks on her like a ghost.
“I will not allow it,” Edelgard shook her head resolutely. “It had only been three months since her mental breakdown, and now you want to put her on a covert operation? Investigating a potential insurrection plot? It is simply too risky even from a purely strategic point of view.”
“With all due respect, Lady Edelgard, given the urgency and the severity of the situation, we simply do not have a better option than Lady Dorothea,” Hubert responded politely. “The economic interest of the nobilities had been dealt a heavy blow due to the war. Their trading activities had been cut back severely since the war started. The populous dissatisfaction toward the war has also been running dangerously high amongst the commoners. If we fail to provide a swift response to the insurrection plot, we may even find ourselves facing a commoner uprising simultaneously.”
“Edie, are you feeling unwell tonight? You have been having that absent-minded expression since Hubie left.” Dorothea’s voice pulls Edelgard back to the present once again.
“My apologies, Dorothea, I was simply lost in memories for a moment.” Edelgard refocuses her attention back to the woman next to her.
“Oh, Edie, I shall not keep you up too late. You still have that report to review tomorrow morning. How about we part ways for now?” Without waiting for a response from Edelgard, Dorothea takes to her feet.
Call it intuition or call it an illusion, but a thought flashes through Edelgard’s mind. At that moment, Edelgard knew if she allowed Dorothea to leave, it would put an end to their relationship.
I have had this wrong. Eight months away from me is exactly what Dorothea needed, Edelgard can feel her thoughts are slipping toward the familiar dark corner of her mind, but she can do nothing to stop it. She had finally seen me for who I am. Someone just keeps taking and taking from those who are close until there is nothing left to take. Just like my siblings, like my teacher.
Edelgard does not know when she had reached out her hand, but now she can feel Dorothea’s slim wrist being held loosely by her own calloused hand.
Feeling ashamed by her own action, Edelgard lowers her head trying to maintain what little dignity she has left with. “Thea, please don’t…” Edelgard mutters quietly.
Edelgard can feel a slight movement from Dorothea’s wrist, but instead of removing herself from Edelgard, Edelgard can tell the Songstress is turning to face her. With a small amount of reluctance, Edelgard raises her face.
Edelgard almost lets out a weep, seeing the icy smile had since been replaced with the familiar concerned expression that Dorothea had given her countless times before.
“Edie…” Dorothea says softly, her voice is filled with genuine concern.
Feeling like a boulder has been lifted from her chest, Edelgard pleas breathly. “Dorothea…”
Maintaining her concerned gaze, Dorothea sits back onto the lounge chair next to Edelgard. Her wrist is still being held by Edelgard.
The silence fills the space between the two of them. They gaze upon each other’s faces under the flickering candlelight.
No longer able to suppress her own unsettling emotions, under Dorothea’s surprised expression, Edelgard slowly draws the Songstress’ hand toward her.
Edelgard plants a soft kiss on the back of Dorothea’s smooth hand. She then gives Dorothea’s ring finger a kiss. Gazing intently at Dorothea’s emerald eyes, Edelgard draws the hand onto her left face.
When Dorothea’s hand makes contact with Edelgard's face, Dorothea instinctively curls her fingers, fitting the entire palm onto Edelgard’s face. Her thumb moves downward, caressing Edelgard’s bottom lip gently.
Edelgard closes her eyes, letting herself get lost in the loving touch of Dorothea.
A sweet scent becomes more prominent and Edelgard knows that Dorothea is drawing herself closer.
The next moment, Dorothea’s soft lips replace the touch of her thumb.
The chaste kiss between the two does not last long. Edelgard releases Dorothea’s wrist, reaching for the back of the Songstress’ neck, fully embracing the taller woman. Meanwhile, Dorothea’s tongue glides at the crevice of Edelgard’s lips, seeking access.
Edelgard lets out a small moan, giving Dorothea the access she was seeking.
Once inside Edelgard’s mouth, Dorothea wastes no time, massaging Edelgard’s gum, circling the tip of Edelgard’s tongue, the way that Edelgard enjoys.
This is very different from our first kiss, Edelgard thinks.
Their first gentle and hesitant kiss happened on the first anniversary of their teacher’s disappearance. The two of them were having tea in the garden, trying and failing to suppress the sadness both of them were feeling.
It was more difficult for Edelgard than before. The recent, consecutive losses on the battlefields were weighing deep on the young emperor’s mind. On top of missing her beloved teacher, which was also coming back to her on that particular day with vengeance.
When the aroma of her teacher’s favorite tea rushed into her nostrils, something finally snapped inside of Edelgard. No longer could she contain her sadness, tears started to rush out of her eyes.
Dorothea shifted swiftly to an empty seat next to Edelgard. The Songstress threw both her arms around Edelgard, holding her tightly.
This has been far from the first time that Dorothea needed to comfort a distressed Edelgard. In fact, Dorothea seemed to have made it a personal mission of hers to provide Edelgard the comfort she needed.
Edelgard loved her teacher, there was no need to deny such feeling. That eccentric yet kindhearted woman seemed to have taken a great interest in Edelgard ever since they first met. Back in their academy days, her teacher would fill her calendar with tea time invites or give her some sweet small presents. Not to mention the invaluable knowledge her teacher had passed onto her.
Then, there was the event in the Holy Tomb. When her teacher had chosen to believe in her, when her teacher had chosen her, when her teacher had chosen to raise the Sword of Creator toward Rhea and by extension the Church of Seiros, what choice did Edelgard have but to fall in love with her teacher?
Hence, Edelgard’s heart would ache for her beloved teacher since she disappeared underneath Rhea’s wrathful flame. The sadness would strike Edelgard unannounced, it would strike upon Edelgard while she was swinging her axe on the battlefield. It would strike upon her while she was in the war room. Or it would strike upon her in the depth of the night, and Edelgard would clutch the toy bear her teacher once gifted her in one hand while biting down on her other hand which she had squeezed into a fist, not daring to let her sobbing be carried away too far, safely away from those who depend on her as their emperor.
Sometimes, part of Edelgard wishes this ache will never go away. In a twisted way, it symbolizes her own victory. After all the suffering and experiments Those Who Slither In the Dark had put her through, she is still human after all.
And that is why Edelgard found herself being hopelessly drawn to Dorothea. It is not only because Dorothea would warm Edelgard with her embraces during these moments of despair. More importantly, Dorothea is a constant reminder of the new world which she fights so hard to build. Dorothea is so… Human, painfully so. The years of living on the streets of Enbarr had not reduced the Songstress to a bitter mess but rather it had given her insights into the commons. Whenever Edelgard, in her pursuit of grandeur goal, threatened to cross the line, it was Dorothea’s firm rebuttal that reminded her of what lies in the center of all the suffering that they have created.
And Edelgard loathed herself for that. Because Dorothea is not and should not be a replacement for her teacher. Dorothea is amazing in her own ways and so much more. That is why, when she was surrounded by both Dorothea’s lilac scent and the aroma of her teacher’s favorite tea, when she tentatively placed a kiss at the corner of Dorothea’s mouth for the first time, she felt like she had betrayed them both.