Chapter Text
A week before the wedding, Byleth couldn’t find Khalid anywhere. He was in none of his usual places in the monastery, and she had checked his hiding spots. Had he left without telling her? She was heading to the gates of the monastery to ask the gatekeeper if he had seen her fiance when she spotted him in the entrance hall, talking to a man she didn’t recognize. The mystery man was Almyran, with dark brown hair that was streaked with grey. He had dark eyes, almost black, and he held himself with authority. Khalid noticed her and waved her over.
“By! There’s someone I want you to meet.” The man turned and bowed in the Almyran style.
“My lady.” His deep voice had only the slightest accent.
“Byleth, this is my father, Mendel. Father, this is Byleth.” Byleth was taken aback. Khalid hadn’t mentioned his parents would be attending the wedding. Now that she knew who he was, she could see the resemblance. Apart from their eyes, they looked very similar. She bowed slightly in return, crossing her arm over her chest.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” she said.
“The pleasure is mine.” Mendel said. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“I’m sorry to have to leave right after our meeting, but Khalid and I are late to a meeting.” Byleth said.
“Of course.” Mendel said. “Perhaps we could have dinner together?”
“That would be great.” Khalid said. Byleth nodded her agreement.
“Very good. I will see you this evening then.” Mendel bowed again. Khalid and Byleth began to walk towards the cathedral.
“You didn’t tell me your parents were coming.” Byleth said.
“I didn’t know.” Khalid said. “I only found out this morning. Nader sent a message.”
“Will your mother be coming to dinner too?” Byleth was especially curious about Khalid’s mother. From what he had described, she seemed like a force of nature.
“Ah… no.” Khalid said. “She… didn’t come.” Byleth noticed that he withdrew slightly, his walls going up.
“That’s too bad. I suppose I’ll just have to wait until we go to Almyra to meet her.”
“Yeah.” Khalid said. She could tell he was upset but they reached the cathedral before she could inquire further.
“There you are!” Hilda said, rushing up. “We only have a week and there’s so much to do!”
“You know, when I said that I looked forward to the day that you would try your absolute hardest, I didn’t think it would be my wedding.” Khalid said. “But I was right, it is something to behold.”
“If you put a bit more effort into planning your wedding, I wouldn’t have to work so hard.” Hilda retorted.
“Hey, I’d be happy with a small ceremony attended only by our friends, but that’s apparently not an option.”
“Of course not!” Hilda said. “You’re the King of Almyra, marrying the Ruler of Fódlan!” Hilda ushered them into the cathedral.
“Now, let me show you what I’m thinking for the flowers…”
One week later, Byleth woke with a start. She had been dreaming about Nemesis. Since Khalid had returned her nightmares had decreased, but , they were always terrifying. It didn’t help that she and Khalid had been forced to spend the night apart. They had both protested, but Hilda and Seteth had insisted. It was tradition.
Byleth got up and looked out the window. It was just before dawn. The stars were growing faint in the light grey sky. She dressed and left her room, waving away her guards. She made her way to the graveyard and stopped in front of her parents’ grave. She stood silently for a minute, watching the stars disappear as the sky lightened.
“I’m getting married today.” she said. “I gave Khalid mother’s ring, just like you wanted me to.” She paused. She had often come to this spot, but had never spoken before.
“I doubt you’re surprised it’s Khalid. Sometimes it seemed like you knew my feelings better than I did.” Byleth realized that she was thinking of Sothis as well as her father. Sometimes she still missed her voice.
“I wish you were here.”
“I am here.” Byleth started, confused. It couldn’t be.
“I am always with you.” Sothis said. “We are joined as one.” Before Byleth could respond, another voice spoke.
“Hey.” She jumped again and turned to find Khalid watching her.
“I didn’t mean to startle you.” he said. She shook her head.
“Khalid… I…” she said, still processing hearing Sothis’s voice again. He walked up and embraced her.
“You’re wishing he was here.” he said. She nodded into his chest, grateful for his warmth.
“Yes. But also… I heard Sothis.” Khalid drew back and looked at her, surprised.
“You said she was gone.” he said.
“She was. Or at least, I thought she was.” Byleth shook her head. “I don’t know.” Khalid placed his hands on her shoulders.
“We’ll figure it out.” he said. “But not today. Today is about us.” She smiled up at him.
“You’re right.” she said. He kissed her forehead.
“Let’s go celebrate us.”
Byleth stood in front of the cathedral doors, taking deep breaths.
“Alright Byleth!” Hilda said. “It’s time!” Byleth nodded, not trusting herself to speak. She took her bouquet from Marianne and readied herself. Lysithea and Cyril led the procession, followed by Leonie and Raphael, Marianne and Ignantz, and Hilda and Lorenz. Finally, it was her turn.
“You look beautiful.” Alois said. “Jeralt would be so proud of you.” He held out his arm and Byleth took it. They stepped through the doors together and began to walk down the aisle. As they walked, Byleth kept her eyes straight ahead. She knew if she looked at all the people who were here, she would panic. She just had to focus on the person at the end of the aisle.
Khalid was facing away from her. When they reached the end of the aisle, he turned and his face lit up. She smiled at him. She kissed Alois, who was already crying, on the cheek before accepting Khalid’s hand and moving to face him.
“You look… radiant.” Khalid said. She squeezed his hand and turned to face Seteth, who had a rare smile on his face.
“We are gathered here today to witness the union of Byleth Eisner and Khalid von Riegan.” Seteth began. Byleth barely heard what he was saying, instead focusing on remembering the vows she had written. In what seemed like no time, it was her turn to speak.
“Byleth, would you begin?” Seteth asked. She nodded and turned to face Khalid.
“Khalid… when we first met all those years ago, I could never have imagined that it would lead me here. To us. You helped me learn how to feel. You were there when I first smiled and when I first cried. You supported me not only through my joy and pride, but also through my sorrow and anger. You caused me no end of confusion for many years as I tried to understand what you made me feel. You believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. You never gave up hope that I would return to you. And when I did… I realized that what I had been feeling all that time was love. When we met… I never imagined that I could ever feel as happy, as full, as loved as I do when I’m with you. I love you with all my heart, beating or not, and I want to spend the rest of my life by your side, watching the dawn rise over our new world.” Khalid had started crying halfway through her vow. He took a moment to compose himself.
“Teach… Professor… Byleth… My guiding star. Without you, my brilliant ambition would still be just a crazy pipe dream. Now, I have the chance to see my dream become a reality. You are the one I want to stand with me, to see this new world where no one is an outsider. If we’re together, no one can stop us. We can do anything. I know that, no matter what happens, you will always return to me. You are the stars that make my dreams seem achievable. You are the tactician that makes my schemes come to life. You are the light that guides me through the dark. I, too, never imagined I could feel this way. You fill me with hope and with love. You are my star, and I love you with everything I am. With you, I am not an outsider. With you, I belong.” It was Byleth’s turn to cry. She hadn’t cried from happiness before. Another new feeling Khalid had stirred up in her.
“Do we have the rings?” Seteth asked. His eyes were shining slightly, although his cheeks were dry. Flayn came forward, carrying a pillow with the rings they had exchanged on the Goddess Tower. Khalid took one and placed it on Byleth’s finger.
“With this ring, I thee wed.” he said. Byleth took the other ring and did the same.
“With this ring, I thee wed.” she replied.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife.” Seteth said. “You may kiss.” They turned and shared a short, gentle kiss. When they parted, everyone was standing and clapping. Byleth and Khalid exited the cathedral, hand-in-hand, ready to face the world together.