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Dimitri was still unable to react to what he was experiencing.
Seeing his father fight like an enraged lion against the number of enemies trying to hold him back. Seeing the number of knights trying to protect their king and himself; their prince.
Glenn at his side, with Aegis loyally raised.
He had already seen two knights fall, and the wet brown earth was being replaced by a red color, turning the smell stinky.
He had heard his knights shouting in rage and fear ''They have betrayed us! Damn Duscurians!'' and Dimitri could not help crying, for although he was still very young, he knew the crisis Faerghus suffered and knew how much they needed that peace pact with Duscur.
But according to his knights, instead of peace, they wanted blood, and they were ready to assassinate their king. His father.
More knights were falling; by wounds, by death, by exhaustion... and his father was being more and more reduced.
Glenn on occasion tried to come to his Majesty's aid, but Lambert's gaze made it clear to him that he should be there, protecting his offspring.
Dimitri finally hid his face between his knees, letting tears burn his cheeks, helpless in this situation. Terrified of what he was going through and what would come next.
That's why... when he heard some battle trumpets, and Fraldarius' coat of arms waving in the air, he almost lost his breath.
It was as if he knew that what he was about to live was a nightmare.
A tragedy.
But the army of Fraldarius appeared by magic, Rodrigue going straight towards those who were trying to reduce his friend and king.
Although Lambert was wounded and tired, he managed to get up and once the number of people above him was reduced, with a great nervous laugh, he shouted, with a roar of war, and raised Areadhbar.
Dimitri could not help but squeal slightly in happiness. His father wasn't going to die, he wasn't going to die!
He noticed Glenn's arm on his arm, looking at the knight with a big smile ''Come on, Your Highness. Let's get to safety.''
As Glenn led him towards a quadrille where there were knights armed with heavy, large shields, both young men saw out of the corner of their eyes a steed galloping swiftly towards the attackers. They recognized the rider; that small stature and dark hair like a raven's wing.
''Fe...Felix?'' stammered Dimitri, incredulous.
''WHAT THE FUCK! FELIX! COME BACK HERE! YOU SHOULDN'T BE HERE!''
But the young man, the little Fraldarius who idolized his brother and would listen to him in any case, ignored him, and raised his sword, getting down from his steed and facing those people who really wanted to commit a regicide.
Glenn and Dimitri were stunned. They knew Felix was good with a sword, but he had never shown such skill before. Was it the adrenaline?
No. Felix looked very serious but calm.
Glenn sent Dimitri to meet those knights while he would try to grab his brother, by the scruff of the neck if necessary, and get him to safety as well. Felix was no knight. He didn't have to die for the crown yet.
But as Dmitri ran for safety, one of those so-called Duscurians screamed in rage and like a black cloud engulfed him, his appearance changing radically.
His complexion was grayish and the sclera around his eye was black. A demon!? Glenn was alerted when that wizard formed a black, lifelike ball in his hand and hurled it at the young prince.
As quickly as he could, he raised Aegis, managing to protect the prince from the attack. But it was a deadly attack. Out of this world and Glenn was pushed at least five meters away from Dimitri.
He tried to get up, but the effect of the spell on his body, plus the terrible blow, left him breathless.
Aegis was completely shattered, and Glenn thought that the holy shield had not only saved his prince's life, but his as well.
But the strange creature summoned a similar ball again, looking this time, with rage and hatred (and a malevolent grin) at Glenn.
''NO!!!! GLENN!!!'' Shouted the young prince, being stopped by one of the knights.
Glenn stopped his comrades when they tried to go to protect him. If that spell had shattered Aegis, it would surely pierce the shields of his comrades.
He tried to get up, but his knees and arms were shaking, and he felt even dizzy.
It was clear... This was the end for him.
He took one last look at Dmitri, seeing his terrified face, and had to look away.
He did not regret having saved him, but he did regret that the young man had to see his death.
As a final act, he turned his face towards where his brother was fighting, surprised not to see that small figure with a sword almost as big as him fighting again. Where had Felix gone?
''NOOOOO!!!!'' Dimitri evoked a scream that chilled the blood of everyone present. And why less.
The missing Felix suddenly appeared, placing himself in front of his older brother, as the spell shot towards him.
Felix channeled that dark magic, surprising even the dark creature, and forming the same spell, returned it to him, tearing off the creature's head in a fleeting movement.
After that, even though the battle was still raging, there was silence.
Felix was breathing heavily and his small legs were barely supporting his trembling body, both of his arms looked as if they had been charred.
He turned slightly, so he could see his brother, and Glenn didn't understand that look so desperate, sad and... relieved.
''You're...alive'' smiled the little Fraldarius.
And before Glenn could respond, Felix collapsed to the ground, Dimitri breaking free of his knights' grip, even though they said there was still danger.
Glenn tried to get back up as Dimitri cradled Felix, calling out to him incessantly, pleading with him to open his eyes.
Crawling towards the two teenagers, when he reached their side, Glenn cried out at the top of his lungs for a doctor. A miracle.
When the last enemy was impaled, Rodrigue wiped the sweat from his brow. He didn't have time to look around because Lambert gave him a hug from behind ''Rodrigue... my Rodrigue... you have... you have fucking saved me, Rodrigue'' laughed the king with a great relief.
Rodrigue hugged him back, feeling the warmth of his friend, trying to calm his racing heart. His king almost died, and he had not been there to protect him.
''How did you know?'' asked Lambert ''How did you know I would be betrayed?''
''Felix...'' Lambert pulled away from the embrace, looking surprised at his shield and the latter replied with a tired laugh ''Believe me, I'm impressed too. Why don't we look them up and ask them? As you know, when he told me that your life was in danger, I didn't have time to think about it''.
Finally the men found their sons, all the joy they exuded at being spared from death vanished at the sight of the scene; Dimitri hugging a Felix who was bleeding from his nose and mouth, while the prince was crying in a way he had never cried before.
A doctor was trying to cast a spell on the teenager's belly, and when he denied (it seemed that it was not the first time he made that gesture) Glenn grabbed him by the neck as best he could, as his legs were still weak, with an angry expression.
Rodrigue ran to stop his eldest son, as he had never seen Glenn lose his temper like that ''HE’S NOT HEALING HIM!!!'' He shouted in fury and fear '' HE’S LETTING HIM DIE, FATHER!!!''
The healer raised his hands ''Your...Your Grace, I swear I'm trying to heal him...but...but I can't... None of my companions'' he turned his head to show three other people that Rodrigue guessed had also tried to heal Felix ''N...not even I, who am the most experienced, know how to heal him.''
He lowered his gaze to the poor boy who was still breathing heavily ''The spell he has received... has torn him apart inside... and I... cannot heal him'' he said with great regret ''I'm sorry, duke. I'm so sorry.
''YOU'RE FUCKING LETTING MY BROTHER DIE! YOU'VE GOT TO THINK OF SOMETHING! YOU'RE LETTING A CHILD DIE!!!''
"Sir Fraldarius, I'm sorry...
''I DON'T GIVE A SHIT ABOUT YOUR APOLOGY! CURE HIM OR-''
''Glenn'' his father cut him off, firmly.
Glenn finally fell silent, reality finally hitting him, turning his attention back to who truly mattered.
Dimitri was still hugging him as his nose rested in the Fraldarius' dark hair, his sleeves stained red from wiping Felix's face so clean of his blood. As if that would heal his friend.
Rodrigue dispatched the healers, who excused themselves one last time and knelt in front of his son, brushing aside a few strands of his hair.
Lambert had also arrived with Rodrigue, but he was in pure silence, watching the scene with great pain. He called out to his son, for he thought that Dmitri was invading a very intimate moment.
‘’No, Lambert, no. Leave him’' Rodrigue says, seeing his prince's face. Surely Dimitri had not even heard them. His gaze was blank. Dull. Rodrigue stroked his son’s forehead again, making his little boy's eyes tremble and finally, little by little, open.
''Da…d''
''Little one'' smiled Rodrigue regretfully ''Oh Felix... What have you done?''
Felix looked at Glenn, and coughed a happy little laugh, where drops of blood stained the floor ''It had to be like this.'' He let his head rest on Dimitri's chest, closing his eyes again ''It was better that way...''
''Felix...'' sobbed Dimitri in a tremulous voice ''Felix hold on... hold on, please, hold on... No... I don't know what I'm going to do without you...''
''Now you are with the one you really need, Dima'' replied Felix simply.
''But what the hell are you saying?'' asks Dimitri, stunned ''The one I need is you. You know it Felix, you know it'' the prince hugged him again, hiding his face in the neck of his wounded friend. If it wasn't for Felix's life slipping out of his arms, it would have hit him when he noticed a smile on his skin. Why the hell was he smiling?
''Felix no... please... no... nooo'' he mumbled regretfully and incessantly.
''Dima... listen to me, please. Wh...whatever happens, I promise you, I...I swear...my ghost won't haunt you'' Dimitri looked up, wondering with his eyes why Felix said that ''I will never haunt you. I will never make your life miserable. I will not ask you for revenge, nor will I want you to turn into a beast for revenge. I swear to you Dimitri, if you hear me, it will not be me''.
''Felix, you're delirious. Save your strength and-''
Felix turned to his father, quickly, even scaring him. ''Promise me. Promise me you won't let him hear my ghost or obey him. Do it!!’’
Felix looked so desperate because of this delirium of his, that Rodrigue reassured him, assuring him that they would accept that he had gone in peace.
Felix managed to sigh a sigh of relief and finally, he looked at his brother, Felix's first tear, that child's tear, sliding down his cheek ''I love you Glenn'' he said with an emotion that Glenn knew hid something else ''Ta…ke ca…re from them.''' After a big breath of air, Felix closed his eyes, melting into the blond's arms.
Even though he was a child now, even though at that time neither of them still didn't know what they felt from each other... Felix understood that he always enjoyed that warmth. That touch.
Rodrigue took Glenn's hand and placed his own and his son's hand in Felix's small one "We're here, Felix. We're here, little one. It's all going to happen soon.'' He reached up to give him a last kiss on his little son's forehead ''Rest, my little boy. You deserve it.
And after those soothing words from his father, Felix's chest stopped moving.
Carefully and gently, Lambert knelt behind his son, and pulled him into an embrace, forcing him to let go of Felix's body. Dimitri was about to shake with his father when Rodrigue picked up Felix's lifeless body, cradling him as if he were a baby, the man, the Duke of Fraldarius, the shield of Faerghus with no shame to be heard crying. To be heard screaming.
Dimitri was paralyzed; it was a normal reaction but it still hurt to see a man as powerful as Rodrigue collapse like that.
When he felt his father's embrace, the teenager accepted his father's warmth and returned it, his sobs sounding choked and hoarse.
While Rodrigue and Dimitri wept in tears, Glenn remained silent, staring blankly. He tried to get up, rage coming into his eyes.
His companions saw this act and helped him, Glenn grabbing his companion's sword and raised it to the sky ''Duscur! The people of Duscur have done this! They have tried to kill our king and prince, and my brother...'' his jaw tensed ''We must avenge! We must attack!!!''
''Duscur has nothing to do with this, Glenn! Stop this show!'' His father shouted at him, surprising everyone present, including his monarch.
''What are you talking about, father? They tried to kill our king! Our prince and all of us! And because of this attempted regicide, Felix is dead! THEY KILLED FELIX, FATHER!''
''It wasn't them!'' Rodrigue shouted again, still without getting up. Still without letting go of his son's lifeless body ''Felix... Felix told me...'' He rested his lips on his little son's head, kissing his hair, still silky and clean ''Felix told me that Faerghus fell into a trap. A trap generated by several people. People supposedly loyal to the crown. And who would blame Duscur to gain territory and cover up...'''
''Count Kleiman...'' mumbled Lambert and Rodrigue nodded.
‘’I don't know... I don't know how he knew. I don't know how he managed to find out that you were almost killed, Glenn. But before he came here, he made me swear, in your mother's name, to promise that we would not attack Duscur. That they were not the culprits'' He looked up again to look at his firstborn ''You are alive. Your king and prince are alive, thanks to him. He deserves to be trusted. Lay down your weapons'' He said this time, addressing the other knights who had been motivated by Glenn's words of vengeance ''Lay down your weapons and let's stop shedding innocent blood'' He wiped Felix's chin of the blood that was still falling, giving him a last kiss on the forehead ''Enough has been spilled...'''
The Count of Dominic arrived a few hours later, alerted by the attacks, since the attempted regicide was committed near his territory.
He offered his castle for them to rest, and although it was a good idea, Rodrigue refused the offer. He needed to get to Fraldarius as soon as possible. He needed to bury his little boy as soon as possible....
''Rodrigue'' Lambert called him, calmly ''Your son... What Felix has done is worthy to go down in history. At only fourteen years old, such a sacrifice... Without even being a knight...'''
Rodrigue nodded, for he had no strength for anything else ''I have thought...'' continued the monarch ''If you don't mind, bury him in Fhirdiad-''
''His home is Fraldarius, Lambert,'' Rodrigue cut him off weakly.
''Not for the Fraldarius who have died for the crown.''
''He has not died for the crown. He has died for my son. For his family.''
''I would have made that sacrifice for Dimitri as well'' Lambert rejoined.
''Yes, that is possible. But his sacrifice for His Highness would not be for the same reason as if Glenn had died for him'' answered Rodrigue and seeing that Lambert was not satisfied, he asked what his true intentions were.
''I want to... perform a ceremony for him. I think he deserves it.''
''He's not a knight, Lambert, and knighting a dead child-''
''I'm not talking about knighting him before burying him, but... burying him as a martyr'' Rodrigue opened his eyes, surprised ''I think his sacrifice, the fact that he died so soon when he has barely begun to live, deserves such a ceremony. Only... only if you want it, Rodrigue.''
Receiving the martyr's ceremony was such a great honor that it was barely mentioned because it was an impossible goal.
So Rodrigue accepted Lambert's proposal.
They arrived in Fhirdiad two days after the attempted regicide they had suffered, and still had not seen Felix. The duke only hoped that they were taking good care of his body.
The news of the attempted regicide, as well as Felix's death and how they were going to bury him reached the entire Fodlan, and four days after the attempt, almost all of Faerghus, as well as half of Fodlan attended the castle of Fhirdiad to attend Felix's funeral.
Rodrigue watched with sorrow as Sylvain and Ingrid arrived with their parents. He watched in sorrow as Ingrid looked to Glenn for comfort, but he was unable to give it. And how to reproach him?
Sylvain was with a blank stare, coming to himself only when he saw Dimitri, the two friends of the prince trying to cheer him up, but Dimitri did not react to anything either. He returned to his father's side, without even saying goodbye to his friends.
Since they arrived in Fhirdiad, he didn't even cry. He looked miserable, but above all, confused. And why less.
That way of dying, that acceptance in the face of death, the pleas to Dimitri, how immensely happy he looked to see that he was going to die and not Glenn... Why?
One of the undertakers told the duke that the coffin, with his son inside, was ready, and they went by to say goodbye one last time to the boy before he was received to the lands of the Goddess.
Rodrigue suppressed a sob at the sight of his little boy; he looked at peace. Happy.
Why, dammit, why did his almost fourteen year old son look happy, when he had died such a horrible death?
Little by little all the others came in, every nobleman and knight making the sign of Sothis at the sight of the little body and shaking hands or giving two kisses to the duke, saying that they were with him in his feelings.
Rodrigue saw with pain that Glenn did not even enter the room, but he was not going to force him to live that.
He saw Emperor Ionix Von Hresvleg arrive, accompanied by Duke Von Aegir. Von Aegir attended with his son, who looked mournfully at Felix's body and bowed to him, making Rodrigue smile softly.
The duke instead gave him a cold and distant, as well as quick condolence, while fortunately Ionix was closer.
''Losing a son... must be the worst, Lord Rodrigue. I am so sorry'' he said with pain and even Rodrigue was touched by the tone used on the Emperor.
The archduke of the alliance, Von Riegan, also arrived, unlike the Emperor, without the company of his most powerful duke, Gloucester.
He looked with confusion at the teenager and then at the duke, and gave him a brief condolence.
Before the families of Faerghus arrived to pay their condolences to the shield, Rhea introduced herself, making each of the funeral attendees nervous.
If even the archbishop herself had come to say goodbye to young Felix, it was obvious that his death had been a sacrifice worthy of being written about in future novels.
Rodrigue thanked the archbishop for her presence ''When I received the messenger that you intended to give a martyr's funeral to a person, I was curious, but when I learned that it was such a little boy...'' Rhea looked sadly at Rodrigue, taking him tenderly by the hands ''I am very sorry, Your Grace.’’
Rodrigue was grateful for the words, and when she tried to give a kiss on her archbishop's hand, she gently denied. An act that she saw Rodrigue as an equal.
But her calm face was lost when she saw the teenager in his fluffy coffin and rested her lips on his forehead, giving him a tender kiss "Felix... Felix... Felix... Thank you. Thank you for this sacrifice. I know that in the future, we will thank you even more for what you have done''.
Rodrigue was dumbfounded by these gestures of gratitude and affection from the most powerful person in Fodlan towards his son, but he accepted them without questioning anything. That it was strange did not mean that Felix deserved those words.
Count Dominic, Gustave, arrived with his small family. His daughter, Annette, looked at Felix's body, with curiosity in her eyes ''He looks like he's sleeping'' she whispered.
Gustave scolded his daughter severely for that comment and then apologized to the duke, but Rodrigue shook his head softly. The girl was right, after all.
With that smile, that gesture of peace, and how clean the undertakers had left him... Felix looked as if he was having a pleasant dream...
The Count of Galatea arrived, giving Rodrigue a big hug, while Ingrid did not take her eyes off the coffin. The young woman began to cry, trying to silence her sobs and murmured an ''Idiot''.
It was her mother, together with her brother, who took her out of the room, seeing that her condition was getting worse, fearing that the poor girl would have a panic attack.
Gautier arrived, not even at a child's funeral, his regal and firm face leaving him ''I heard that they are not going after Duscur''.
''I don't think this is the time to talk about this, margrave'' Lambert reproached him, as he arrived just in time, placing himself in front of Rodrigue ''But exactly, we want to investigate the reason for this attack before blaming Duscur''.
Gautier simply nodded with a sound of disgust, and turned his gaze to his son, who was looking at Felix with disbelief ''Join us when you say goodbye'' and left his son alone.
Sylvain was still unresponsive and Lambert gave a slight push to Dimitri to go and support his friend, so that they could support each other, and as if he was still sleeping, Dimitri moved to Sylvain's side.
Noticing his friend by his side, Sylvain said between his teeth, with sorrow ''He broke his promise... He broke it, Dima'' Dimitri didn't make any gesture ''Ha...''
Sylvain leaned his forehead on Felix's, giving him a kiss on his cheek ''You're a liar making me that promise, but you know I could never reproach you.'' He looked slightly at Dimitri, who was still staring blankly ''After all, you died for him, didn't you?'' He gave him a last kiss, on his forehead ''I promise I won't let anyone step on my feet. No one, Felix, no one'' he swore fiercely, and his gaze this time turned to his brother, who yawned with boredom.
When they were alone, Rodrigue told Lambert that he was going to bring Glenn, since the burial was about to begin.
Dimitri noticed his father's touch on his back, and asked why.
‘’He was his brother, son. It's understandable that he wanted to give his life for him''.
But Dimitri denied ''How he looked at me... what he said to me... why?'' Lambert sighed pitifully, for no one had any answers for that ''Why, father? Why? Why did he talk like... as if I didn't care about him? As if I didn't love him?''
The prince finally could no longer suppress that misery, his father hugging him to keep him from falling to the ground.
Rodrigue arrived next to Glenn, Lambert looking apologetically at him as he saw that Dimitri, despite being kneeling on the ground, his father's body covering him with curious eyes, did not want to move away from the coffin, and Rodrigue did not accept that apology, for they were both aware of how much their two sons loved each other.
Rodrigue caressed his eldest son's back, so that he would say goodbye to Felix before the coffin was closed.
But Glenn was at a loss for words.
His brother wasn't really sleeping. He was dead.
He was dead.
For him. And he seemed happy about it.
He was not going to see his crying face again, to hug him because he was a cuddly boy, to wipe his tears, to tell him stories....
He wasn't going to see his little brother again....
Glenn's face also contracted in misery, few tears falling from his face but when Rodrigue tried to console him, he broke free from his embrace and left the room.
Rodrigue watched with regret as the undertaker asked if they could close the casket.
With a last look at his son's calm face, trying to memorize every part of his face, Rodrigue nodded.
Although Lambert was at first hurt by everything Rodrigue told him, he could not deny him anything.
Rodrigue suggested investigating Arundel, because according to Felix's words, Lambert would die thanks to a trap set by Rufus and Count Kleiman, as well as Arundel and Cornelia. And he would go to the trap thanks to Patricia.
The first thing Lambert wanted to do was to deny it. Protect his wife. But Patricia had disappeared when the attack began, and her body did not appear.
Rhea also gave all possible help, as well as Ionix, although he could hardly lend his soldiers. The archduke, on the other hand, was neutral to such a position.
Rodrigue told the archbishopess and his monarch everything that Felix had told him before the attempted regicide.
About the experiments that were taking place in the dungeons of the castle of Enbarr to the children of Ionix. About the manipulation that the territory of Lonato was suffering. About the intentions of Baron Bartels about his stepdaughter. About the intentions of Miklan on Sylvain.
Everything.
Rhea was horrified at all that was happening in her Fodlan, while Lambert wanted to ask why Felix knew all that. After all, he was a damn child.
But Rodrigue didn't have an answer either, and the blond didn't press him any further.
They started with the easiest thing, which was to send Miklan to train as a knight of the Church, taking him away from Sylvain but giving him courage as a strategist.
Thanks to the Duke's indications, Lambert managed to discover the intentions of his brother and Cornelia, capturing them instantly. They managed to capture Baron Bartels, ceding his territory to his wife.
They invaded Enbarr, Ionix allowing this invasion, because they managed to save almost all their children.
Rodrigue understood now why it sounded so close...
And when they tried to imprison Arundel and Cornelia, they discovered the truth behind them. The truth behind the near tragedy.
‘’You were right, Rodrigue'' apologized Gautier ''We almost massacred an entire country for the crimes of others''.
Lambert signed a peace treaty with Duscur, while, together with the Church and the Empire, and the Alliance joining soon after, they started a hunt against those creatures that killed Felix.
Dimitri wanted to join, but Rodrigue remembered his son's last words. The desperation asking Dimitri not to become a beast.
And he asked Lambert not to let his son fight, and the king granted his wish.
Dimitri was angry, of course he was angry, but when Rodrigue promised him that this was just what Felix would want, he could not reply to it.
After four years of hunting, Fodlan seemed to prosper, and Garreg March opened the doors for a new course, where this time Dimitri and Edelgard, whose relationship had come together again, and a mysterious grandson of Archduke Riegan would attend.
A few weeks after the start of classes, the three leaders fell into the trap of thieves and were saved by a group of mercenaries, among them a woman who looked at them with curiosity and... relief?
She chose Edelgard's class, but continually visited Dimitri's, making sure all the students were well, as well as helping them with training.
Sylvain laughed at how she kept an eye on him when he was standing next to her brother, looking relieved to see that those two, even though they didn't have the best relationship, could be together in the same room.
''I think she likes me'' Sylvain smiled mischievously, making Ingrid roll her eyes wearily.
''If your theory is true, I think she loves all of us, Dimitri especially'' replied the woman and Sylvain simply replied with a laugh.
''But I wonder... why if she is in Edelgard's class she is always, as if watching over us'' mused Mercedes, as Lambert had accepted the woman, together with her brother, to join her son's class.
''I don't give a damn'' replied Emile ''that means I can duel with her''.
''Is that all you think about, Emile?'' scoffed Annette, earning a dirty look from the albino.
Despite the good vibes the group conveyed, Dimitri rarely joined in.
He tended to stand in the corner, staring blankly. He sensed a short person sitting next to him, and because of his height, Dimitri got nervous, thinking he saw a certain boy with raven-winged hair and intense golden-mud eyes.
But his long dark hair was a short ashen one, and his golden-mud wolf eyes were a cheerful greenish ''Hi Ashe'' greeted him faintly.
Ashe managed to get into his class too thanks to Lambert, for they managed to discover the manipulation that Lonato and his son Cristophe suffered at the hands of Cornelia and Rufus.
Cristophe was in fact an ally of the attempted regicide, but thanks to Rodrigue, and in view of the evidence received and the mental health of the young man, they decided that although he was not entirely innocent, he did not deserve to be tried like the others, and would serve about three years in the prison of Fhirdiad, Lambert swearing to Lonato that he would be well treated.
And to show that he was not seen as a traitor territory, Lambert accepted his adopted son to enter as Dimitri's guardian.
''Are you all right? Do you need to talk?''
Dimitri appreciated the young man's concern, but he never knew what to answer. Not to him, not to Sylvain and Ingrid, not to his father and Rodrigue... to anyone.
That pain in his chest would not go away no matter how hard he tried. He missed Felix so much, and his death hurt him as if it was burning him.
He did not forget the oath Felix begged him to swear, and although sometimes he swore to hear his voice, he ignored it. Although he sometimes wished he could feel anger possess him, he listened to his father and Rodrigue and ignored it.
He was 18 years old and unlike all his ancestors, Dimitri still had no blood on his hands.
And he was proud and happy about it. Not only for himself and his circle, but for Felix. Because he knew Felix would be proud and happy for him.
But he couldn't help but think about that day. That look. That relief.
Those... those damn words.
He tried to think they were his imagination. That Felix had died for Glenn because of Dimitri. That he thought it was better for Dmitri that he died instead of the older Fraldarius. That relief he felt... Why? Why did he feel relief?
Did Dimitri never prove to her that one of the most important people in his life? The most important, perhaps?
True, they never confessed to each other, but they were young. They didn't know what they felt and wanted, but Dmitri never let Felix not feel loved and cared for by him. Never.
''Why then, fuck, why?'' he thought endlessly over and over again.
''Dimitri'' a voice sounded again, and the blond looked up when he saw that it was Edelgard.
He got up from the chair, being helped by Sylvain as his legs felt numb. Edelgard was another person who also cared a lot about him.
When she learned that Felix, the person who managed to get Faerghus and the Church to save her and her remaining family alive, had died, and seemed to be happy about it, she helped Dimitri to find proof of such unreal relief. So strange.
As they never managed to find anything.
Rodrigue's story was also surreal to say the least. The duke told that Felix fainted, and when he woke up, he became very nervous and vomited all that information to his father quickly, while trying to get to Duscur as soon as possible.
To avoid tragedy.
They decided to assume that the Goddess gave him a revelation and that's why Felix knew all that. Why him? Rhea did not allow to judge the Creator.
But Dimitri knew there was something else.
Felix's look... what it conveyed... Felix knew something else. He lived something else. And he needed to know it. He longed to know why Felix seemed to truly believe that he would rather have him dead than Glenn.
Dimitri approached his friend, and knew something important was going on. ''A few days ago... Archduke Riegan summoned the Archbishopess, as well as my father and yours.'' Dimitri nodded, confused. What did that old fogey want? ''He wants to imprison Sir Rodrigue for treason.''
''What?'' Dimitri snorted, pissed off.
The news also upset the whole class, demanding explanations, explanations that the leader of the black eagles unfortunately did not have ''They are in the courtroom. Byleth told me. You should go... all of you.
''All of us? Why?'' Mercedes asked.
''Sounds like a pretty big deal for us to stick our noses in,'' her brother continued.
''That's what Byleth told me'' replied Edelgard, losing her patience, and turned her gaze to the blond ''She and I will be there soon. Just... go.''
And with that said, Edelgard's brown hair disappeared from the lion's hall. The prince's companions were confused, not knowing what to do, but when they saw how Dimitri pressed the pace, eager to get to that room, ready to defend Rodrigue from those horrible accusations by that geezer, they followed him.
When they reached the room, they saw Glenn quite upset, while Rodrigue tried to calm him down.
Edelgard's father was also in the room, along with one of his surviving sons. On behalf of the Alliance, there was the Archduke together with Count Goneril and his son, Holst, plus the heads of the Church; Seteth, Catherine and Rhea.
And as for his Kingdom, there were Gustave, Lonato, Gwendall together with Lambert and of course, Rodrigue and Glenn.
When the students arrived, Seteth sent them all off, including Dimitri ''Edelgard told me that we must be here'' the prince said firmly.
''My daughter?'' asked Ionix, confused.
''Edelgard is another child who has nothing to do with what is happening now. Get out. This is an adult matter'' Seteth spoke again, but Dimitri refused ''Your Highness, I will not tell you again.''
''Dimitri, listen to him. I'll work it out, don't worry,'' his father tried to encourage him but the prince refused again ''Edelgard seemed very serious about what the teacher told him. So we're staying.
''Is it Byleth who told you to come?'' Rhea spoke for the first time and Dimitri nodded. He heard the archduke's voice, and suppressed his urge to punch him in the face ''Why are you listening to a mere mercenary? Come on young ones, get out.’’
''Archduke, you’re in the monastery, and I'm the only one in charge here, no matter how much of an Alliance leader you are'' replied Rhea coldly. The man seemed to lose all the arrogance he exuded and nodded, apologizing only to the archbishop ''Very well. Sit down.’’
The blue lions hesitated at first, for the tension was very breathable in the air, but when Dimitri immediately sat down next to his father, glaring at the archduke, they obeyed him ''What is this nonsense Lady Hresvelg told me?'' asked Dimitri again.
The archduke sighed wearily, massaging his forehead ''I only asked Sir Fraldarius for an interrogation. There is no need for this circ-''
''An interrogation and imprison him'' Glenn growled angrily ''Don't lie now''.
''To do an interrogation you need to apprehend the suspect. You're a knight. I thought you would be smarter'' the archduke mocked and Lambert, together with Holst restrained the young Fraldarius.
Dimitri glanced sideways at Rodrigue, who was behind everything, visually protected by the huge body of his father. His gaze was downcast, lost and defeated. It devastated the young prince to see him like that.
''Why do you want to interrogate him?'' asked Dimitri and the archduke even looked offended at having to answer to a child.
But the cold, fierce look he gave Dmitri was not to be taken in jest, and he replied ''I want to know-''
''HE BLAME US FOR FELIX'S DEATH!'' Glenn shouted, raging.
Just the mention of that name depressed Sylvain and Ingrid, as well as upsetting the prince greatly. ''What?'' asked Dimitri again, feeling his eyes bloodshot.
''I did not say that at all, you bluffer’’ the archduke snorted indignantly ''I'm just saying that it is suspicious that Rodrigue knew all that. About Baron Bartels, Rufus' betrayal, the betrayal that Ionix lived, Sir Lonato's territory... Everything! And he helped us to discover my son's murderer! It is suspicious, Lady Rhea, you can't deny it!'' the archduke snorted, turning his gaze to the woman.
''I do not deny that, Your Grace.''
''Then, you will see no harm in my wanting to interrogate the shield of Faerghus, a VERY important title, in case he has more information willing to use it against my territory.''
''Rodrigue would never do that, you damned runt!'' barked Lambert with hostility, and everyone in the room fell silent at hearing the king speak with such rage ''Don't you dare insinuate such things about my shield''
''Perhaps you resent such insinuations because you too will benefit, 'Your Majesty' '' replied the older man angrily and before Lambert could reply, he turned to Ionex ''Don't you see it suspicious, Ionex? For the love of Sothis, they will dig our grave!''
''You're paranoid'' Glenn mumbled but the archduke didn't answer him. He was waiting for Ionex's answer.
The Emperor, who still looked tired from the internal war he had to suffer, scratched his chin before answering ''I doubt that Rodrigue used his information to cause harm. If so, I would never have gone to help my children'' He looked calmly at one of his first offspring, with joy and relief to see him alive and by his side ''I am sorry, Lord Riegan, but I will not support you in this decision. I owe much to Faerghus, to Rodrigue, and most of all to his youngest son, may he rest in peace.''
''You use the card that he is a child to not really think about how he could have known all that. Now he's dead, and we can't know what his plans were, but his father-''
The archduke was cut off by a punch from Glenn, and the quiet tension in the room was broken.
''SAY THAT AGAIN! SAY THAT AGAIN, YOU BASTARD!''
''Glenn!!!'' Rodrigue shouted, finally coming out of his trance to stop his son again ''STOP IT!!!''
''YOU HEARD WHAT HE SAID ABOUT FELIX!!! I WILL NOT ALLOW HIM TO INSINUATE SUCH THINGS ABOUT MY BROTHER!!!''
''We already know the reason why young Fraldarius knew that. The Goddess revealed it to him'' added Gustave.
''Ha, do you really believe that?'' replied Duke Goneril.
''Are you doubting the word of the Goddess?'' asked Gwendall Rowe with hostility.
''Not at all'' the archduke stood up, wiping his bloody nose, and looked at Rhea ''Lady Rhea still hasn't confirmed any of that 'revelation'. If she doesn't believe in that theory, why should I believe it?'' Before anyone could answer, the man continued ''And we deserve, no, we need to know how a fourteen year old boy knew all that! And I will not have the same old story, Sir Fraldarius. Tell us the truth.’’
''All I have been doing is telling the truth, Your Grace’’ Rodrigue replied, tearing Dimitri up inside at how miserable he sounded.
He was relieved to see that his father would feel the same way, as he stepped back in front of his friend, looking more like Rodrigue's shield than the other way around.
''I don't believe anything. And I know I'm not the only one. And since we deserve the truth, that is why I have requested the arrest'' The room fell silent and Riegan turned again to his archbishopess ''Therefore, Lady Rhea, may I have Sir Fraldarius arrested for allegedly concealing information of the utmost importance to our territory?''
Before Rhea could answer, the door opened, revealing Edelgard, Claude and Byleth. It truly seemed as if the Goddess had entered through that very door at the silence that followed.
Byleth asked, with total impudence, if she had given the arrest order. Catherine couldn't help but laugh at how sullen the mercenary sounded, while Seteth massaged his forehead in embarrassment ''We were about to if you hadn't interrupted'' replied the archduke, clearly angry.
''Lady Rhea, as you understand, I will not allow you to give way to that order'' replied Lambert, glaring at the Riegan.
''And it won't take any of that'' replied Byleth, turning around to stand next to Rhea. They all fell silent at the woman's impudence, but seeing Rhea calm and composed, they said nothing to her ''Edelgard, Claude, take your seats.’’
''My grandson should not be here'' snorted the archduke.
''Your grandson is the only thing you have left if you don't want your territory to finally fall into the hands of the Gloucesters. He should be here'' he replied firmly and the man finally fell silent, sulking, while Claude gave a silent laugh.
"Well? Seteth began, ''What is it that you have to tell us?''
Byleth took a deep breath, preparing himself for the one that was coming ''I know everything. Absolutely everything about what has happened these past four years'' Everyone blanched at that, incredulous, but no one cut the woman short ''How Felix knew all that. How Rodrigue is right, and Felix simply fainted and when he regained consciousness, he knew everything.''
''Wasn't it a revelation from the Goddess then?'' asked Mercedes, shyly.
Byleth bit his lip, shrugging his shoulders ''More or less''' She looked with a mixture of resentment and at the same time, sympathy, at Rhea. She noticed that look and nodded, the blonde taking another breath ''Felix did not receive a vision from the Goddess but it is true that he knew all this from her''.
Dimitri felt his legs shaking too much. He was finally going to know the truth behind Felix's knowledge of these impending disasters and his reassurance of his death. And yet, it was making him very nervous ''Inside me, the Goddess lives. I am... a kind of experiment the Church made with me'' Byleth turned to Ionix, and then to Edelgard and his brother ''As it happened with you''.
Seteth looked terrified at Rhea as she held his gaze high and steady ''And having her inside has given me powers... temporal powers'' She took another deep breath, a few seconds of rest to speak again, which the room took as hours ''I lived a different timeline. A timeline, where Miklan continued in the Gautier territory and almost killed Sylvain'' Sylvain didn't seem surprised at that news ''A timeline where Cornelia and Rufus managed to completely manipulate Cristophe and managed to ally against the Church and the Kingdom'' Ashe and Lonato tensed at that ''In that timeline, Lonato betrayed us too, out of revenge for his son, by ordering his execution.'''
Lonato nodded, covering his face with his large hand.
''In that line, we failed to apprehend the baron, and Mercedes had to flee with her mother, leaving poor Emile with his father, who was also an ally of Cornelia and did the same experiments on him that Edelgard and his brothers suffered.''
Mercedes couldn't help but cry out softly at that, grabbing her brother's hand at once as he seemed terrified at the thought of suffering abandonment by his mother and sister, squeezing Mercedes' hand tightly. ''And as you will guess, we failed to rescue you'' Byleth whispered painfully, looking at Edelgard ''In my line you were the only survivor of all your siblings, your hair turned white and you had no choice but to ally with that scum so they would stop torturing you''.
Edelgard felt his brother's warm hand on his shoulder, as his father rested his forehead against his fist, while helplessly shaking his head.
Byleth looked at Annette and Gustave, those looking confused, for their lives were not at all bad for them to be ruined ''Gustave, you suffered, in your opinion, a great dishonor and abandoned your title and your family, leaving a great trauma and a great lack of affection in your daughter.'''
''What?'' the young girl whispered pitifully and her father denied, for it was impossible for him to abandon his family. Unless... unless he suffered a dishonor ''What kind of dishonor was it?''
''Not arriving in time to save your king'' Gustave paled, as did everyone present, and Byleth smiled ''The place where the regicide was almost committed was close to your territory, Gustave, but the one who managed to save the monarch was Rodrigue, whose territory is much farther away. That was your shame, your dishonor''.
''On your line... the regicide was committed'' whispered Lambert and Byleth nodded. ''The tragedy of Duscur they called it. They killed all of you, except Dimitri, creating in him a huge trauma, where he believed he could hear the ghosts of his loved ones and they cried out for revenge'' Dimitri at every word he heard, felt himself hyperventilating ''Rufus took advantage of the regicide to blame Duscur, and Faerghus committed a genocide. As a result, the Kingdom fell into abject poverty.''
''You say that all but His Highness died in that tragedy...'' Glenn murmured and Byleth nodded ''I-''.
''You would have had to die if it wasn't-''
''-Because of Felix'' Glenn cut him off and Byleth nodded. ''Felix... Felix knew I was going to die?'' Byleth nodded again and the first tears on the knight's face fell, hiding his face between his legs.
''The tragedy of Duscur. A war caused by Edelgard but manipulated by that scum. Families separated. Dead relatives. A king'' She stared at Dimitri ''who did not attend to his kingdom, but to his ghosts, and his kingdom instead of helping him heal him, simply followed him loyally. That was my horrible timeline. Mine... and Felix's.''
''His... wait, what?'' asked Rodrigue, stunned ''I thought... that during the blackout you would visit my son, maybe in a dream or something-''
''Employing all the power of Sothis, I managed to return to the past, taking Felix with me. The Felix who was born and raised in this line is the same Felix as mine, only he had not yet awakened. He would wake up at the right time, and so it happened'' The room was still completely silent and Byleth looked bravely at the archduke ''He may have the body of a child, but I assure you, Your Highness, that Felix was the most brave, courageous and exemplary warrior that anyone has ever known. He accepted that sacrifice so that his family, his kingdom, all of Fodlan would have a chance. Don't you dare stain his name.’’
The archduke nodded weakly, unable to find the words to protest.
After a last sigh, Byleth finished ''And that's what happened. Our line was already... shattered. They, the scum won. And I couldn't allow that. And thanks to him, that dream, the dream that we've all wanted, has come true.'' Byleth looked at each of his former students ''You, Mercedes, you are with your brother and your mother. Your family, Annette, has not been separated, just as you, Ashe, have not had to battle against your adoptive father. Sylvain hasn't had to live through his brother's mistreatment and Ingrid'' she sighed, scratching the back of her neck ''Although I see you don't have a wedding ring, I know your father doesn't treat you like a stud''.
Ingrid bit her lip, helplessly, glancing briefly at Glenn.
Although she and Glenn did not marry in the end, another of the promises Felix made to Rodrigue before arriving in Duscur was that he would not allow Ingrid's territory to starve, so Rodrigue took her as his squire.
After finishing with all the lions, Byleth turned to Edelgard, and smiled ''In my line I couldn't save you. That is why this time I have taken your kind. I have chosen to stand by your side, and make sure you reach happiness'' Edelgard seemed to get excited at that and finally a bit of calmness came to the mercenary's face as she turned to Claude ''And even though I know you the least, I know you hide too much, and I am willing to help you. All it takes is for you to accept it'' she finished, winking at him.
''After knowing that whole story, of course I'll accept it, teach'' the young Riegan winked back.
Silence returned and Byleth took another deep breath ''I know it's hard, and above all hard to believe and assimilate, but it's what happened.''
''Did you know Felix would die?'' Glenn asked quickly.
''It was a possibility, yes.''
Glenn clenched his hands tightly ''Felix warned my father of the attack, but it was he who saved the king, not my brother'' Byleth nodded ''Lambert would have been saved anyway without my sacrifice. Why? Why did he sacrifice himself when he would have had that happy life he deserved within his loved ones?''
"Because you would have died, Glenn.
''Are you trying to make me believe that my brother didn't get over my death? That he'd rather waste his life saving me than live his own, with the people he loves, without a war or terrors in between?'' Byleth nodded faintly and Glenn laughed dryly ''I don't believe it''
''When Felix died...'' whispered Dimitri, everyone focusing their attention on him ''The way he looked at me... how he talked to me... Professor, in your line, did Felix and I love each other?''
''It's complicated, Dimitri'' Byleth replied ''It was obvious that you loved each other, but both of you suffered greatly. At your own hands. You... you turned into a lunatic, listening to some imaginary voices, where one of them said it was Glenn, and killed in a creepy way.''
Dimitri suffered a horrible, cold shiver knowing that. Now he understood... that promise... ''And Felix... well, he hated that part of you, and if he didn't ignore you, he insulted you. After the war, you ran away for five years, because Rufus died and they blamed you for his death and wanted to execute you, so you could run away and you preferred to hide before reconquering Faerghus'' Dimitri denied slowly. No... he would never abandon his beloved Kingdom ''When we met again, you were even worse. You did not hide your side, and when we wanted to go to Fhirdiad, you preferred to fight a battle with the Empire and the Alliance, and although you came out alive, you did not come out unscathed and Rodrigue died to save you from a dagger.''
''Rodrigue also sacrificed himself for me?'' Byleth nodded to the terrified Dimitri, looking increasingly miserable.
''After that, that rage turned to fear, and finally you and Felix opened up. You were... fuck Dimitri, seeing you was a relief. It gave hope for winning the war'' Byleth's smile was infectious and the blond liked to imagine Felix and him, now grown up, together against the world ''But we thought we would win at Enbarr, until they turned Edelgard into a literal monster. You died. Everyone died except for him and me. Edelgard also died from exhaustion and we saw how that damn scum didn't care at all.’’
‘’That's why’’ she continues ‘’while we were still hiding, I suggested to Felix that plan, and he agreed. That's why I went back to the past, keeping Felix's memories intact, knowing that they would appear when the tragedy was about to happen’’ Seeing that neither Dimitri nor Glenn were pleased with that, he added finally ''It was what Felix wanted.
‘’That still won't answer our questions'' snorted Glenn pointing at Dimitri and himself ''Even if he wanted to die for me. Even if he was happy about it, the looks he gave us...'''
''Glenn, your brother fervently believed it was better for you to live. That's why he died for you. That's why he was glad to see you alive.’’ She looks at Dimitri, sadly with a smile ‘’That's why he said those things to you. Even if you didn't understand them, Felix was relieved to know you weren't going to lose your mind. Because he believed that with Glenn dead you'd be worse off than with him dead.''
''No...that...that's bullshit'' he looked at Glenn apologetically but the knight shook his head angrily ''I...Professor, Felix is the most important person in my life, why would he think that?''
''Because as I told you, even though after Rodrigue's death you two reconciled, your relationship was complicated. And talking more with Glenn's ghost than with him, killing people in his name, missing your friend so much, added to the fact that all of Faerghus, friends and his father included, revered Glenn's sacrifice in saving you and demanded Felix to become more like him-''
''SO THAT'S IT!'' Glenn shouted with a scary smile ''IN YOUR LINE THEY MADE HIM BELIEVE THAT HIS LIFE WAS WORTH LESS THAN ME, RIGHT?'' he said pointing to his father and comrades.
Byleth looked apologetically at Rodrigue, but nodded and Glenn laughed again ''Those were mistakes, Glenn.’’
''Those mistakes have brought my brother to his grave!''
"He would have died for you anyway...
"YOU DON'T KNOW. HE KNEW WHAT IT WAS TO BE A KNIGHT. HE KNEW IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO SAVE DIMITRI, NOT HIS ONE.''
''Knighthood was one of the big reasons why Felix fell out with his friends and your father, Glenn. If you say you'd rather be dead than him because of your work, you'd be insulting his memory.'''
"But-
''Even if it's hard to accept'' Byleth cut him off ''If Felix died for you it's because he really believed that life, the life of his loved ones, Ingrid, your father, Dimitri, the Kingdom... would be better if he was dead and you were alive'' Glenn denied, still crying ''I know, Glenn, I feel the same way, but it was his experiences after the tragedy. He was my friend... my fucking friend'' when Byleth also seemed about to burst into tears, even Rhea was shocked at that ''And I wanted him to live. To have his well-deserved happy ending. But if what you say is true, and that he died peacefully, the least we can do is to thank him by having a happy life.''
But Glenn and Dimitri seemed reluctant to Byleth's speech, and the prince stood up, his whole body trembling ''How can I have a happy life when Felix died because he thought I didn't love him enough?'' and before anyone could take that idea away from him, he left the room.
Glenn turned to his father, killing him with his gaze until Lambert stood in front of his friend ''Enough, Glenn'' the monarch scolded him and he left the room as well.
After this, Rhea asked to vacate the room, and allowed the attendees to take three days of rest in order to assimilate all this information.
Byleth reached Rodrigue, the duke receiving her with a sad smile ''Thank you, Rodrigue'' The man tilted his head, as he did not know why he was thanking her ''My greatest fear is that you would not arrive on time. That he would have to insist. That you wouldn't believe him. I'm glad it wasn't like that.’’
''From what you're telling me and what you've said before... I'm guessing in your line he and I didn't have the best relationship, did we?'' Byleth denied with regret ''Well... I'm glad... I'm glad I was a better father this time around to him... even if I couldn't save him'' he finished with a clipped cry, where Lambert hugged him from the side, both leaving the room for some privacy.
Byleth watched the couple leave, sighing sadly. They were at peace, yes, but Felix's death had affected his relatives even worse. And Dimitri... oh, how the poor prince was.
''I told you, Felix... I told you that you were very necessary in his life...'' she replies angrily between his teeth, shutting up when he saw a brown figure beside him.
She never thought she would be so happy to see the young Hvresleg's natural hair ''What’s now, my teacher?''
Byleth placed her hand on her shoulder, caressing her ''Now to live, Edelgard. Let's live, we deserve it.''
The whole monastery panicked when Ashe communicated that Dimitri was not in Garreg March, as well as his mare.
Lambert reassured Rhea, because deep down everyone knew where the young prince had fled, so only those from Faerghus returned to their territory, explicitly to Fhirdiad, where Felix was already buried.
But Byleth suspected that the prince would not be there, so he asked Rhea for permission to leave and headed towards Duscur.
While he was trying to find the blond, he passed by a village, where several children were playing while older children were helping their parents with their work or household chores.
Byleth brought her horse to a halt, stopping completely when she recognized a tall, strong figure.
Dedue stood in front of her, wearing clothes very different from how she was used to seeing him, with no scars on his face except his bruised hands and best of all; a big, calm smile.
He was next to an older man, and both were carrying a sack of, most likely wheat.
Next to Dedue was a little girl who kept jumping in front of him, asking him to lift her up.
The way Byleth looked at his young pupil, seeing that he was living the life he deserved to have had, drew the attention of the young man's father, who was probably scolding her for watching his children.
Byleth apologized and rode on, a big smile on her face as she saw the life most of her students were living. A happy, peaceful life. The one they deserved.
She sighed in relief when she managed to find Dimitri. She knew he would be there.
Near the place where the tragedy almost happened. Where Felix died.
She got off her horse, leaving it next to the prince's mare, and sat down next to her, as the prince had his face hidden between his legs.
‘’I hear him sometimes'' Dimitri whispered and Byleth sighed pitifully ''But I ignore him. Felix's words and promises sound louder than these so-called pleas from his false ghost.''
''It's a relief to hear you say that, Dimitri. Really'' the woman was sincere and Dimitri looked up ''Did I was so horrible in your line?''
''It was complicated... and even if in the end you managed to open your eyes... those were pretty bad years where you ignored us and preferred to listen to dead people rather than the living. Fighting for people who were no longer alive than for your kingdom, vassals and friends''
Dimitri ducked his head again, but this time without hiding it between his legs ''Felix must have hated me...''
''Ha, I doubt it.''
''But what you said-''
''I said that your relationship was complicated, and that Felix couldn't tolerate your presence. He wanted to pretend he hated you, but he was the person who was most attentive to you. The one who watched you the most. And who protected you the most.’’
She remembered in a battle against thieves, how Felix was wounded for protecting Dmitri from a thief. In the war, twice; first before Gronder and then in Derdriu.
They were not serious injuries, and Felix's stubbornness did not force him to rest, but the truth is that Felix would be capable of giving his life for Dimitri.
He told all that to Dimitri, the blond nodding to those words ''And if he had died, it would be for you. For his love for you, for his Dima. Not for your crown or for his family name.''
''I know that'' he replied, relieving Byleth ''But that doesn't take away from the fact that he gave his life for Glenn because he believed I would be happier that way'' Byleth nodded, gloomily ''How could I make him think that?''
''Because you saw Glenn die in front of you. Because you were the only survivor. That guilt led you to such a situation.'' Dimitri went to retort but Byleth stopped him ''Life isn't like a fairy tale, Dimitri. As much as you loved Felix, that love wasn't enough to make those ghosts go away. Not his, not mine, not anyone else's. You must stop blaming yourself for believing that you weren't enough.''
''Sounds easy enough except for the fact that Felix is now in the ground'' I retorted through gritted teeth.
Byleth sighed, not knowing what to reply, and pulled his former student into a hug, where he immediately accepted it ''It kills me...it's killing me inside to know that Felix has died believing that. That he had this life where he thought Glenn was above him. Because it's not like that...it's not like that, teacher...it's not like that.''
''I know, Dimitri, I know,'' she tried to comfort him, stroking his hair.
After almost an hour where they held each other, Byleth wiping away the blond's tears, they got up, ready to go back to Garreg March ''Let's go to Fhirdiad first. Your father must be very worried.''
As expected, the king hugged his son tightly, as the fear he suffered when he saw that his son was not in the royal cemetery paralyzed him inside.
Byleth accompanied him to Felix's grave, where Rodrigue was there, caressing the cold stone, as usual.
Dimitri joined him as Byleth trailed behind, memories of the past coming to her.
''The boar believes he is the only one who regrets surviving so many deaths. He thinks he's the only one who wishes it had been him instead of others. And it's not fucking true!''
''Felix... If only you could see how truly loved you were, and how blind we all were...'' Byleth whispered regretfully, raising her eyes to the sky ''We will be reunited. Hopefully later rather than sooner.'' She lower her gaze again to Dimitri ''You will be reunited again and you will have the chance that life has not offered you. I promise you Felix, I promise you'' thought Byleth with a more childish voice joining her.