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The sleepy town of Remire was abuzz when fair knight Edelgard Hresvelg rode into town, if only because it had been the most interesting thing to happen in around six months. The woman’s hair was a sight to behold, a purer white than the steed on which she arrived. Her strong, scrutinizing lilac irises appraised everything in equal measure, underestimating no friend or foe. Bronze plate adorned her figure from neck to toe, well-polished but clearly well-used. On her back, a brilliant crimson cape with frayed ends and the figure of a golden eagle that seemed alive in the right winds. 

A manner of armaments hung off the flank of her horse; first and foremost, a great kite shield with the same eagle as on her back. It struck an imposing silhouette, and would doubtless shrug off even the most brutal of blows. Beside it, a strange axe that jittered and writhed with its wielder’s touch, made of a material more akin to weathered rock than hardened steel. It was a Sacred Relic, one commissioned by the knight herself, and granted by the church after she had proven herself worthy. It was said the Sacred Relics were forged from the souls of great heroes, willingly given and housed for whenever those of similar stature were in need of aid. 

To any uneducated observer, many would think Lady Edelgard of Adrestia a common sight: a rich, spoiled brat who raided her father’s vault and set out in search of glory. The truth, however, couldn’t have been further from fiction. 

Her entire arsenal had been earned in the singular pursuit of vengeance. 

As a young princess ninth in line for the throne, Edelgard held no illusions of leadership. Truth be told, she had always wanted a life of adventure, but she never expected to embark as soon as she did. 

One day, her uncle, a practitioner of forbidden arts and exiled years before her birth, arrived to wreak havoc. Arundel had believed that he was to ascend the throne, and so scorned his step-brother Ionius when the man was proven a more worthy leader. Years of scheming and marrying into the line of succession were wasted, and so Arundel murdered the previous Emperor in revenge. The next day he was cast out, as Ionius could not bring himself to kill the man who shared his wife’s blood. 

For years he was forgotten until his untimely arrival at the Imperial Palace. He was different now, malnourished and half-mad, his skin a sickly grey. Ionius held no fantasies of friendship from the man, and yet still was unprepared for what happened next. 

With but a few words and a strange stone, Arundel laid a curse upon all who shared the blood of Ionius. In mere weeks, all of Edelgard’s brothers and sisters fell deathly ill. One after another they perished, until only she remained, all pigment drained from her once warm chestnut hair. This, too, was a part of the curse; a bittersweet ray of hope, to purposefully leave a single child alive. Her siblings gone and her lifespan reduced, Edelgard despaired for a time. Ionius was inconsolable, and the Imperial family seemed doomed. 

As days wore on, court mages worked tirelessly to lift the curse. Edelgard did her best to stay active, determined to not end quietly. In her rage she took up a weapon at long last, and set about strengthening her body as well as her resolve. It was mostly to stave off the knowledge that her days were numbered, but it bore unexpected fruit as she proved herself a capable warrior. 

Finally, one cold winter night, a breakthrough was made. The sleepy wizard Linhardt, a close friend to Edelgard since their academy days, discovered a condition by which her curse could be broken. 

‘The heart of a dragon, rightfully earned.’ 

It was but a single sentence, a faint beacon, but Edelgard had worked with less. They debated the meaning of the message, though quickly settled upon the idea of an actual organ rather than any non-tangible ideas such as ‘trust’ or ‘loyalty.’ 

The princess-turned-squire set about forging her body properly, eventually earning a full knighthood under her mentor, Lady Catherine, in just four years. The line of succession was placed in the hands of Edelgard’s step-brother Dimitri, who had escaped their uncle’s ire through sheer luck of being too new to the family. With a heavy heart he wished her good luck on her quest and swore to lead their nation in their siblings’ memory. 

From there she set forth towards Garreg Mach, the very place where Catherine had trained, and the same place where knowledge of dragons was highly concentrated. Her journey was not without obstacles, and some would argue later that those obstacles were the knight’s first real test, issued by the Goddess herself to test her mettle.

When she finally set foot on holy grounds, an audience with the archbishop was swiftly approved, and from there Edelgard made her request. Holy Seiros of the church heard her out, her pleas for a weapon strong enough to slay a dragon and to topple her wicked uncle. The archbishop issued the knight a challenge, a secret one known only to those two. 

Edelgard completed her trial with flying colors and earned her Sacred Relic, forged from the very heart and soul of one of Seiros’s own kin. 'Amyr,' it was dubbed, an axe of terrible might and brought to life by the remains of a long-dead relative of the archbishop.

‘The heart of a dragon,’ though sadly it did not lift the curse. 

Disheartened, but not discouraged, Edelgard then asked where she might find a wicked dragon. Surely not all dragons were pure of heart like Holy Seiros, right? The archbishop pondered for a time, not keen on sending any manner of her kin to death, wicked or not. She wasn't even sure if any were to be considered evil.

Eventually, the woman of the faith surmised that a wild dragon, feral and incapable of higher thought, might satisfy the conditions of the knight’s plight. They were a rarity, but Seiros speculated that such beasts could still roam the land. Should that not prove sufficient, then Seiros vowed she would send word to all her kin to see if any would be willing to lend their aid in the form of a duel.

And so Lady Edelgard set out in search of a dragon of the wilds. She searched the land far and wide, but dragons were a rather reclusive bunch. Even those not sapient knew better than to show themselves without cause, and it seemed most of those dragons were rather well-fed, wherever they were. 

In the meantime, the fair knight lent her aid to those in need, chasing off bandits and making mundane deliveries. Even a few other monsters found themselves under the edge of her holy axe, though none of them were the monster she sought. Some would have said it was beneath her, but Edelgard enjoyed helping the good commoners. It felt good to have a purpose besides her vengeance. 

Nearly six years since her plea to the archbishop, and only rumors to go off of. Such rumors were what led Edelgard to Remire just after her 23rd birthday, and there her reputation preceded her to all but one peculiar citizen.

...

...

When Ser Edelgard set foot into the tiny town, every peasant instantly flocked to her. They’d heard the stories of her goodwill and offered her lodgings for as long as she needed.

“Please miss, our inn is humble, but you can stay as long as y’need!” The innkeeper/mayor (he had a lot of jobs nobody wanted) pushed the keys to their best room into the knight’s gauntlets. 

“I need not your charity, my good man. I’ll pay just the same as everyone else, no less.” She promptly pushed the key back into his hands. 

The inn was, indeed, rather humble by most standards, but Edelgard was unbothered. She’d spent nights on bare ground in her travels, so any lodgings were greatly appreciated. She paid in Imperial coin, the same as any other customer, and gave enough gold to have the room for a month. Truthfully, she didn’t intend to stay that long, but in case she did she wanted to be prepared. 

Besides, she earned more gold than she knew what to do with; gold better used in the hands of common folk, in her opinion. In the long run, it might not have been a lot, but if there was anything Ser Edelgard had learned from years on the road, it was that every little bit helps. 

The first night, Edelgard kept mostly to herself, resting after a long week on the road. At dawn, however, she donned her tunic and set about the town to find those in need. The first task she took was to help prepare a farmer’s field. He was old, and his ox’s plow had just broken, so the knight did it all by hand. 

The whole time, Edelgard had the distinct feeling of being watched. Truthfully, such a thing was not a rare occurrence, but it was strange that this onlooker’s gaze was felt so intensely. Before she finished in the fields, she felt the presence disappear, and a quick scan showed her only audience was a lethargic ox and a couple dozen chickens. 

The next day, the knight set out to get rid of a bandit group that had taken up residence in the forest. They were unprepared and out-matched, and those who did not fall quickly surrendered. She took them to town, where an Imperial patrol had been passing through. The knight left the bandits in their care, and the townfolk cheered. Again, Edelgard felt a prominent pair of eyes on her, and she searched the small crowd for their owner.

Cornflowers.

That was the word that came to mind when she saw this woman at last. This observer had a pair of vibrant blue irises, akin to flowers. Their eyes met for less than a second, and yet it felt so much longer for Edelgard. A moment later, and the stranger disappeared into the crowd. Edelgard had been so focused on this stranger’s eyes that she knew scarce much else about her, save for the fact that she always appeared when the knight was working. 

The day after that, Edelgard helped a family repair their roof. The two women approached her, one heavy with their second child, and asked that she lend her strength in places where one pair of hands was not enough. Edelgard lifted the woman with ease while the wife and her two-year-old watched in amazement. At one point, Edelgard nearly held the entire roof up all by her lonesome, while the support beam’s nails were ripped out and replaced. 

Half-way through the day, they took a break, and the knight asked the couple how they’d met. The shorter of the two, whose hair was jet black and skin was tanned a shade darker than her wife’s, explained that they’d met on the road, both traveling adventurers. The taller one, whose belly shifted with their restless child, blushed as she recalled the day they made their vows and settled down in Remire. 

Edelgard found the two hopelessly adorable, and thought about her own future in the process. Retribution had been the first thing on her mind for so long, and she rarely considered what could come afterwards. Would she settle down? Would she find another spirit as free as she? Would she walk the path of lonely knighthood forever? Such were the questions that would keep her up later that same night. 

Their work resumed after a meal was had, and the finishing touches were made to the couple’s roof. Confident they wouldn’t be soaked, the women expressed their deepest thanks and offered payment, to which Edelgard declined. 

“Save it for your little ones. They’ll need it more than I.” 

The shorter of the two insisted, but her wife calmed her down quickly by instead proposing a free meal and room if ever the knight found herself in need. Edelgard doubted she would, but thanked them all the same. As she turned to leave, however, she met with a familiar sight.

Cornflowers.  

The stranger was back, and even in the light of a setting sun, Edelgard was able to take in her features properly this time. The woman looked to be around her own age and remarkably well put together for a commoner. Besides her messy blue locks, the stranger had a strikingly soft face that contrasted with her intense gaze. She wore rather typical commoner garb, though the knight noted the military boots and her unique longcoat, draped over her shoulders with holes near the elbows for her arms to come through.

Edelgard despised the notion of ‘love at first sight,’ but she would readily admit that this woman had certainly captured her interest.

For a good, awkward minute, the two simply started at one another. The barking of a dog caused the stranger to flinch, however. Sensing she was about to make a hasty retreat, Edelgard called out to her.

“Wait!” The words came out just as the woman began to turn away, prompting her to stop all together. “You’ve been watching me quite a lot as of late. I’m hardly offended, but I should like to know your name, if nothing else.” 

The stranger turned back to Edelgard and cocked her head to one side. Her face was strangely emotionless, yet her eyes teemed with curiosity. The woman was silent for a few moments more after Edelgard's inquiry before she finally spoke. 

“Byleth.” The faintest smile made its way onto her lips. “My name’s Byleth.” 

With that, Byleth scurried away into the darkening town, and Edelgard was left to ponder her new acquaintance. 

“Byleth…” The name tasted strange on her tongue, but not in a bad way. 

...

...

Over the next several days, Edelgard saw more and more of Byleth. The teal-haired woman stayed for longer intervals, and no longer fled upon first discovery. Sometimes they’d even converse, though they’d hardly share more than a greeting or two. 

Then, one day, Edelgard saw fit to relax. The most urgent of tasks around town had been completed, and so she had little else to do besides explore. Byleth, through some strange cosmic force, must have sensed this, and appeared just as the knight stepped out with the first cries of the roosters. 

“Oh.” Byleth stopped in her tracks at the entrance to the inn. “Good morning.” 

“A good morning to you as well.” Edelgard gave a polite bow of her head, causing Byleth to tilt hers. “What brings you to this corner of the town?” 

Byleth shrugged. “Just walking. Thought I might get breakfast from the inn.” 

“The inn?”

“Yeah.” She nodded vigorously. “They let me eat here whenever.” 

Edelgard’s curiosity was piqued. This was the most Byleth had ever spoken to her, and she wanted to hear more. “How was it you came by such an opportunity?” 

“My dad did some work for them in the past, kept the town safe.” Edelgard immediately regretted her question when she saw Byleth’s face fall at the mention of her father. “He’s…” 

“It’s alright. I didn’t mean to dredge up unhappy memories. Truly, you don’t have to tell me any more.”

Byleth shook her head. “It’s fine. It was a while ago now. Besides, I brought it up.”

“Only because I asked.” 

“And I wanted to answer you.” 

Edelgard quirked an eyebrow. It seemed to the knight that her strange acquaintance wanted to converse so badly, she didn’t consider the effect of her words on herself. Byleth’s enthusiasm was endearing, so much so that Edelgard resolved even further to make up for her transgression. 

“All the same, I’d like to apologize in some way.” She recalled the woman speak of breakfast, and then stepped back to motion towards the inn. “Perhaps you’d like to share a meal with me? I’ve yet to eat anything, and I’ve more than enough coin to cover us both.” 

Byleth blinked for a moment, then let the corners of her lips curl upward. “Sure. I did say they let me eat for free, though.” 

“You did, yes. And I shall insist they allow me to pay regardless. On my honor as a knight and yours as a lady.” 

Byleth said nothing else, simply nodding, though Edelgard noticed the faintest blush on the woman’s cheeks as she passed her by on the way inside. 

True enough, the innkeeper/mailman took one look at Byleth and sat her down with nary a mention of payment. Edelgard sat across from her, and her presence startled the man when he came back around with her companion’s first serving. Before he could leave for her own food, she pushed a handful of silver coins into him. He tried to object between the two of them, but relented when Edelgard made him promise to put it towards whatever the town needed most. 

As he left, Edelgard looked back to Byleth. The teal-haired woman looked at her with wide, starry-eyes. 

“You’re really generous. Pretty sure you gave him more than what this all costs.” 

“I’ve never had much use for coin. Even on the road I make far too much, and if it could be better used in the hands of others than who am I to hoard it?” Edelgard crossed her arms on the table. “I had half a mind to empty my father’s vault before I left and distribute it across the land. The only reason I refrained from doing so was because my brother promised to put it all towards stimulating the city with proper sewers, new jobs, and so on.” 

“Your father has that much money?” Byleth again tilted her head, a quirk that was quickly growing on Edelgard. “Who is your dad anyways?” 

The knight blinked. “Ionius. Emperor Ionius.” 

Byleth’s eyes widened dramatically. “Emperor? You’re a princess?” 

“Uh,” Edelgard was rendered temporarily speechless. She had yet to meet someone who wasn’t aware of every aspect of her background. It was strangely refreshing. “Was a princess.” She recovered and clarified. “I gave up my title to become a knight.” 

Once again, Byleth’s eyes were practically twinkling. “Woah. I’ve never met a princess before.” 

Edelgard had half a mind to correct her, but thought better of it the longer she took in the other woman’s expression. I suppose it couldn’t hurt to let her have this. “Just promise me you won’t call me ‘princess.’ I am a knight, first and foremost.” 

Byleth nodded. Just then, the innkeeper/cook came back with two more plates, one for Edelgard and one for Byleth. At first, the knight was confused, as her companion had yet to touch her first; the moment Byleth began eating, she realized exactly why a second helping was required. 

The teal-haired villager shoveled down what looked to be half a dozen eggs in less than a minute. While Edelgard’s inner noble half was disgusted, her more practical half was utterly fascinated. Byleth ate so fast, she barely even had time to leave a mess. Every time she was done with one portion of her plate, she consumed a half-glass of water in roughly a quarter of the time. Like clockwork, the innkeeper/butcher came back around with another plate and another cup, and Edelgard realized she had yet to make a dent in her own meal. She ate at a snail’s pace in comparison to Byleth, but the woman didn’t seem to pay that much mind. 

Roughly half way through her plate, Edelgard noticed Byleth was taking a breather. She knew it wouldn’t last long, so she pounced on it.

“What is it you do around town? I don’t think I’ve seen you working.” 

Byleth blinked, setting down her fork. “I’m a town lookout. I guess I’m also kind of a guard, but bandits don’t often come close enough to town for me to do anything.” She looked down as she shifted the contents of her plate around. “It’s more or less what dad did. I don’t have to fight as much as he did, but I still do if I have to.” 

“Ah.” Curses. Edelgard caused her to bring up her father again. She made to apologize before she noticed a small grin on her companion’s face. 

“The first time I fought was at his side. I musta been eight. Some new bandit group led by a guy called ‘Kostas’ rolled into town and told us we were under their ‘protection.’ Dad socked him right in the jaw.” Byleth chuckled at the memory. “His lackeys all jumped in right afterward, but dad beat them all. Right then Kostas recognized dad and shit his pants. Something about a ‘blade breaker.’” 

Edelgard had to suppress a gasp. Her father was the Blade Breaker? A legendary knight turned mercenary who disappeared without a trace. Jeralt’s name was known far and wide, and his legacy inspired Edelgard to learn how to fight. Are they really one in the same?

“It was then Kostas decided to make a break for it, but not before taking ‘insurance.’” Byleth continued, unaware of her tablemate’s inner thoughts. “They grabbed the innkeeper’s daughter, Haley, and tried to bargain for safe passage.” 

“Contemptible curs.” Edelgard despised such low-lifes. 

Byleth nodded. “Dad was in a bit of a bind. Luckily, none of the baddies noticed me.” She smirked. “While they ‘negotiated,’ I snuck behind the guy holding Haley and knocked him upside the head. It distracted the other guys long enough for dad to draw his sword and get fightin’ again. I took the sword off the guy I hit and joined him, and we finished the rest of them off.” 

“That could’ve ended incredibly poorly.” Edelgard started with a frown, but quickly transitioned to a smile. “But you were incredibly brave as well.” 

“Ah, well…” Byleth slouched a bit and averted her gaze. It was difficult to tell, but Edelgard could almost make out another splash of pink on the woman’s cheeks. “I just didn’t want Haley or dad getting hurt.” 

“You’d make a fine knight with a drive like that.” 

Byleth perked up. “You think so?”

“Indeed. Discipline would need work, but it’s the desire to help people that often creates the greatest knights. Take your father for example.” 

A tilt of the head. “My dad?” 

“Of course. The legend of Jeralt the Blade Breaker is known far and wide.” Edelgard adopted a wistful expression as she recalled the stories her mother would tell her. “He was a man of impeccable moral standing, a true hero if ever there was one. It’s in his steps I hoped to follow, you know. The hope he inspired helped forge the knight I am today.” 

Byleth stared for a time. “I never knew he was a knight.” She looked back down at her half empty plate. “He always told me stuff about when he was a mercenary, but never before that.” 

“He must have had his reasons.” Edelgard sensed her companion’s trepidation. “Maybe he simply never told you because you never asked, and he never saw any reason to reveal that side of himself. Perhaps he wanted you to see him as more man than myth, and to focus on the present with you, rather than his past glory.” 

“That does sound like dad.” A tiny grin crept onto Byleth’s lips. “He always told me stuff like ‘kid, focus on the here and now. Nothing more important than the present.’ He always wanted me to grow up to be what I wanted to be, not what I thought I should be.” 

“He was very wise.” 

“Yeah.” 

They sat in silence for a while, until Byleth decided to make a request. “D’ya think you could… tell me some stories? About dad.” 

“I’d be honored to.” Edelgard smiled warmly at her. “As it just so happens, I am without a task today. Perchance you’d be free to walk about the town with me?” 

Byleth huffed out a few chuckles. Ordinarily Edelgard might have been mildly offended, but the other woman’s genuine laughter had her enraptured. 

“Of course, Ser Knight. Who am I to turn down such a terribly formal request?” Byleth giggled again, and Edelgard found herself joining in.

...

...

After Edelgard finished her plate (and Byleth devoured another three), they set about the town. Along the way, whenever the knight wasn’t busy retelling one of Jeralt’s greatest exploits, her companion was busy telling her about the rest of the village. 

“They say he leapt right across the moat, cut down the bandits, and set free the drawbridge all in one fell swoop. His comrades joined him soon after, and together the fort was seized in a matter of minutes.” 

“That there’s the fruit stand. It’s run by Turnips. There’s the vegetable stand, and that’s run by Peaches.” 

“Supposedly, Ser Jeralt had forgotten his sword that day. No one knows how or why, but he was unperturbed. The enemy commander scoffed when the knight approached him with only shield in hand, and thirty seconds later he was trembling in fear, clutching his shattered blade.” 

“Oh, there’s the post office. Well, we call it an ‘office,’ but really it’s just a post with the word ‘office’ painted on.” 

Back and forth they went, soon more interested in each other’s company rather than anything the other had to say. Soon enough, the daylight began to wane, and Edelgard escorted Byleth back to her home. 

“So this is the fair lady’s abode?” Edelgard took in the modest homestead. The structure was clearly a more recent addition than most of the surrounding buildings, and far sturdier by the looks of things.

“Yup.” Byleth snickered and knocked the back of her hand against the corner of her house. “Dad built the place. I had to rebuild it a little while back after a bad storm. Didn’t lose much, but it was kind of a pain.” 

“In any case, I thank you for your time today. I enjoyed myself greatly, and should like to see you again.” 

“Of course!” Byleth exclaimed, then shrunk a bit after realizing her own enthusiasm. “That sounds nice.” 

“Well, find me whenever you should like to talk again. Until that time, I bid you farewell.” Edelgard gave her a deep bow.

“And you as well, Ser Knight.” Byleth gave a mock curtsey, and after a second or two of silence, both women chuckled. 

“Good night, Byleth."

“Good night Edelgard.” 

...

...

It was a good three weeks before Edelgard finally began to ask around about the rumor that had drawn her there. A legend spoke of a great beast, lurking in the woods. Some saw it as a great blight, a force that scared away travelers. Others spoke of it like a protector, a guardian who punished thieves and those who defiled the village. Edelgard decided it was worth checking out either way, for if the beast was indeed malicious, then she’d slay it. If not, then perhaps she could parely for information. 

During her investigation, she came across Byleth again. Together, they made their way to the fishing spot Byleth had shown her a few days prior, and they talked while they sat near the shore of the lake. 

“You’re looking for a beast?” 

“Yes and no.” Edelgard explained to her friend. “I came here because I’d heard tell of Remire’s Spirit, but I’ve been all across the land because of similar rumors.” 

“So what are you really looking for?” Byleth tilted her head in that oh-so familiar fashion of hers. 

“Well… I’m actually on the search for a dragon.”

Byleth blinked a few times. “A dragon?”

“Because of my curse.” 

Another few frantic blinks. “You’re cursed?” 

“Yes. My whole family was cursed, and I alone survived long enough to find a way to break it.” 

Byleth’s face shifted towards emphatic sadness. “I didn’t know. I’m sorry.” 

“Don’t be. I never told you, though it’s also not as if it’s some great secret. People don’t like discussing the deaths of the Imperial children, so it’s not surprising you never heard word of it if you also didn’t know who I was upon my arrival.” 

“Do you need to talk about it?” Byleth asked. “You don’t have to if it hurts, just… I’ll listen. If you want me to.” 

“Thank you.” Edelgard gazed at the calm lake. A fish could be seen just below the marvelously clear water. “It’s been quite some time since I’ve given the whole story.”

“You can leave out anything you need to.” 

“No, it’s alright.” Edelgard managed a weak smile at her friend, then sighed. “Around my twelfth summer, my uncle returned to the palace after years of exile. He had murdered my grandfather, the previous Emperor, because he coveted the throne. He did so in anger, because my father was deemed a more worthy successor than he.” 

“The day Arundel came back to Enbarr, he brought with him all kinds of vile and forgotten magics. What he wielded, I cannot say, but whatever he used makes even the most practiced of dark mages shudder. With his foul words, he laid a curse upon all who shared my father’s blood. In a matter of minutes, Ionius became old and sickly, sapped of all his strength. My siblings were worse off, as illness soon gripped them. None of them died quietly or quickly, and soon enough only I remained.” 

“I was not unafflicted, however, as I too suffered from maddening illness. Though I survived that, my lifespan has been drastically reduced.”

Byleth’s eyes widened in panic. “Reduced? By how much?” 

“The mages told me I would be most fortunate to live anywhere beyond thirty-five.” 

Byleth’s eyes only got wider. “Thirty-five? Edelgard, you’ve got less than twelve years left!” 

“I’m very well aware.” The knight said calmly. “Though I’d appreciate you not bring it up again.” 

“Oh, crap, sorry.” Byleth frowned and looked downward for a few moments. “So, what happened to Arundel? And didn’t you say you still had a brother?” 

“Step-brother, though he and I were as close as real siblings. Dimitri was married into the line of succession by my mother, and he will make a fine Emperor in the absence of me and my siblings. As for Arundel, no one is certain. I have a few scarce leads as to his whereabouts, as he hasn’t exactly made a concerted effort to hide himself. He probably believes his work finished and sees no further point to keeping quiet. His location has not been my priority, however.” 

“Ah.” The pieces clicked into place for the bluenette lookout. “You want to lift the curse before you face him.” 

“And for all eternity shall I savor the look upon his face when he sees his work undone. Undoubtedly an even sweeter expression than the one he shall have in death.” Edelgard realized her talk of vengeance was making Byleth uncomfortable. “Apologies. I don’t mean to speak of death with any amount of glee.” 

“It’s okay.” Byleth shook her head. “You’ve every right to be angry with that bastard. He deserves what’s coming to him.” 

“Truer words, never spoken.” Edelgard allowed herself a bitter chuckle. Arundel would face justice, by her hand or otherwise. 

“Right, so, why did you want a dragon again? I just realized I didn’t give you a chance to explain that part.” 

“Ah, yes.” Edelgard straightened her back. “Some time after the curse was set, a number of our best mages looked for a way to break it. It took some time, but with some help from a friend, they found it.”

“Really?”

“Yes. To break the curse, I need a dragon.” 

“Well why didn’t you say so?!” Byleth jumped up, startling Edelgard. “I know where to find a dragon!

Edelgard blinked rapidly a few times. “Pardon?” 

“I said, I know where to find a dragon!” 

“You mean the Remire Spirit really is a dragon?” 

Byleth shrugged. “Probably. It lives near here, actually, so it’s likely the same thing.” She grabbed Edelgard by the hand and began dragging the knight into the forest.

“Wait! I haven’t even said what I need the dragon for!” Edelgard was astonished by how easily she was pulled along. How was Byleth hiding such titanic strength? “Stop!” 

Byleth stopped abruptly, paying no mind to the fact that Edelgard nearly slammed into her as they skidded to a halt. “Oh. Sorry. What’s up?” 

“I--I can’t just go see a dragon now! I need time to prepare!” The knight gestured vaguely at her attire. 

“Prepare?” Byleth tilted her head. 

“Yes!”

“Okay. We’re pretty close now anyways, so you go prepare and I’ll wait here.” 

Edelgard scoffed. “Alone? With a dragon so near?” 

“It won’t hurt me.” She retorted blankly. 

Edelgard almost protested, but something about how Byleth spoke instilled confidence in her. She’d be fine. Somehow, Edelgard was sure of that.

“Okay.” She sighed. “I’ll be back. Don’t go anywhere.” 

Byleth flashed her a thumbs up, and Edelgard could only shake her head.

...

...

Roughly half an hour later, Edelgard returned in full dragon-slaying gear. Her full plate was remarkably flexible, and its weight was of no consequence to its veteran owner. She gripped Amyr tightly, her Sacred Relic humming with her touch. She retraced her steps and found Byleth quickly, in the same place she left her. The woman was sitting down, arms behind her and cornflower eyes scanning the dusk sky. The rattling of Edelgard’s armor alerted the lookout to her friend’s return, and she shot up to greet the knight. 

“You’re back. And in full plate.” The woman looked at the knight’s weapon.

“Yes. I did say I needed to prepare.” 

Byleth looked at her again and shrugged. “Whatever. You ready to see the dragon?” 

“Yes, so long as you promise you’re not too reckless. Promise me you’ll run if things get too dangerous.”

“Pfft.” Byleth scoffed. “That thing won’t hurt a fly.” 

Edelgard frowned at the woman, but gestured for her to lead on. Byleth had been correct before, as their destination was only a minute or so away from where they’d separated. A large cave with moss-ridden walls sat nestled inside of a rather inconspicuous hillside. It was facing opposite the direction of the road, meaning most would be hard pressed to find it. Looking in, Edelgard could tell the cave went a bit deeper, as it bended away and out of view. 

“So, the dragon’s inside?” 

“Yup. Wait right here a minute.” Byleth didn’t give Edelgard time to respond, and jogged leisurely into the den.

“Byleth!!” Edelgard whispered as loudly as she could, not keen on waking whatever surely slumbered within.

“Come on!” Byleth, meanwhile, made no attempts to stay quiet, motioning for her friend to follow. Edelgard watched at Byleth turned the corner, then darted in as soon as she lost sight of the woman. 

Carefully, the knight tip-toed into the darkest recesses of the cave. Her axe provided precious little light, though if a fire-breathing beast indeed lived there then perhaps it was for the best. She held Amyr out in front of her, illuminating her path until she came across something that took her breath away.

In the deepest chamber, a mass of muscle covered by dark blue scales, almost black in color. A single hole laid directly above them, through which roots and sunlight alike made the figure visible. The light refracted off those marvelously glossy scales, painting the walls in a brilliant indigo. The beast itself seemed an adolescent at best, nowhere near the size of Seiros’s true form, but intimidating nonetheless. 

A thick, spiked tail curled around its side, resting gently across the ground. Behind it, Edelgard could make out clawed feet, four deadly scythes on each foot in total, with a fifth protruding from its heel. Leathery wings shifted and slowly unfurled, nearly tripling the beast’s size. A single, blackened claw was found at the tip of each wing, of which there were four. The dragon turned to face Edelgard, and the knight gasped when at last she beheld the creature’s face. 

It’s head was triangular, and its mouth almost resembled a beak. The dragon shifted slightly, flashing the knight with pearly-white fangs. Edelgard nearly thought it a sign of aggression, except the chompers disappeared as quickly as they’d been shown. Two nostrils sat facing directly forward, small slits on its muzzle that periodically flexed open and expelled searing-hot air. A trail of dull blue fur ran down the length of the beast's spine, from the base of its neck and nearly all the way down its tail. 

Edelgard’s gaze traveled up, spying two sets of black horns, four in total. Two horns grew from just above the dragon’s forehead, traveling with a gentle curve upwards and ending in ribbed spikes. The other two started below those, curling around and downward and into themselves slightly, ending near the monster’s ears. Ears that, while mostly two big holes on the side of the beast’s head, also sported small, fin-like protrusions near them. 

Lastly, Edelgard’s gaze traveled down the top-most horns until landing upon the creature’s eyes. They were surprisingly human-like, save for the silted irises. The knight subconsciously remarked at how beautiful the beast’s eyes were, so lively, so intelligent, so vibrant, and…

Cornflowers.  

Edelgard blinked. The creature’s eyes were eerily similar to her now missing companion. Slowly she searched the rest of the room, finding neither hide nor hair of her companion and pointedly ignoring the dragon mere feet in front of her. 

“Byleth?” Edelgard spun a full circle, listening all the while. Nothing. She couldn’t have been eaten that quickly, right? Another quick scan of the room yielded no blood, and so unless the beast had swallowed her friend whole, then Byleth wasn’t dead. As she pondered for a moment more she heard… snickering? 

Edelgard’s head snapped back towards the only other being in the room. There was a strange, low rumbling coming from the beast, rhythmic and distorted, but gaining in pitch. She looked again into the beast’s eyes with her own narrowing gaze, watching as they blinked, and then flinching as the dragon’s lips curled into a fang-riddled smile. 

“You called?” 

Edelgard blinked once, then twice, and then thrice, before her widening eyes rivaled Byleth’s. “No.” 

“Yes.” Her friend responded. The tone fluctuated in pitch and sounded as though it were being filtered through a series of pipes, but it was undoubtedly Byleth staring Edelgard down with those wonderful, cornflower irises. “Hello again.” 

“You-- You’re the dragon!?” Edelgard made no attempt to disguise her surprise. 

Byleth’s toothy smile widened further. “Yup!”

“Why-- How--”  

“Sorry I didn’t tell you before.” Byleth’s grin lessened. “Dad always said to keep it a secret. Dragons are protected by the church, but that doesn’t stop poachers and glory-seekers from hunting us. I figure you’re alright though. You don’t want me dead.” 

Edelgard’s heart sank. I DON’T want you dead, I NEED you dead. She needed Byleth dead. Well, she needed a dragon dead, not necessarily Byleth, but her friend fulfilled the criteria required to break the curse. 

Byleth saw Edelgard start to frown and mirrored her. “What’s wrong?” 

“Byleth.” The dragon blinked at the knight. “I…” She hesitated the longer she started into those shining blue optics. 

“Does… does the curse break now?” 

“Hm?” Edelgard snapped out of her stupor.

“Oh, did you need something beside just me being here?” Byleth shifted her weight, crossing her forepaws in front of herself. “You need a scale or something? Maybe a piece of my horns? Slavia? Venom? Wait, do I have venom? I never checked, bu--”

“I need your heart.” Edelgard managed to squeeze out in a semi-professional tone. 

“... oh.” 

“‘The heart of a dragon, rightfully earned.’ To break the curse, I need a dragon’s heart.” 

“...” Neither said anything for a time. And then…

“Then take it.” 

Edelgard’s head snapped up. “What?!”

Byleth set her head on the ground and closed her eyes. “If you need it, then take it.” 

“I-- NO!” Edelgard threw her axe to the far end of the room unceremoniously and let her shield fall by her side with an echoing clang.

“But you need it.” Byleth opened her eyes again to stare at the knight. 

“I-- yes, I need a dragon’s heart, but--” 

“And there’s a dragon right here.” 

“I can’t take yours!” Edelgard was baffled. 

“But you need it. For your curse.” 

“A curse I can lift with any dragon’s heart, not just yours?” 

“Why don’t you want mine?” Byleth almost sounded offended.

“Why don’t I-- Listen to yourself! Why would I take your heart!?” 

“Because you don’t have much time left.” 

“I have plenty of time! Twelve ye--”

“You’re lying.”

Edelgard stopped. She blinked. “What?”

“I could tell. You were lying. How long?” 

“I--” She stumbled over her own words. How could she tell?  

“How. Long?” 

“...” Edelgard’s shoulders sank. Hey eyes drifted towards the floor as she spoke. “Two years.” 

“...” 

“The mages said I’d expire before I hit twenty-seven. Already, I feel my body losing its strength.” Edelgard closed her eyes and consciously fought back her tears. “I spent a year waiting for a solution to be found, four years training and studying to be a knight, six months traveling on foot to Garreg Mach... and six years traveling the land, searching for a solution. Two years are all I have left, at the most 'optimistic' estimate."  

“Then what are you waiting for?” 

Edelgard growled. “I’m waiting for a dragon who isn’t my friend!”  

Byleth flinched at the knight’s outburst. “Huh?” 

“Are you that blind? I consider you my friend! More, if it weren--” Edelgard quickly clapped a hand over her treacherous mouth. 

“...what?” For Byleth’s current size, her voice was small. “More? D-do you mean…” 

“I--” Edelgard started, then clasped her hand back over her lips. 

“Edelgard, are you trying to say you--” 

“Yes! Okay! I’m saying I’ve fallen for you!” Tears finally made their way down the knight’s cheeks, and Byleth shifted back into human form with a flash of light. Bewilderment painted her features as Edelgard continued.

“It’s ridiculous! I’ve known you for naught but little less than a month! I enjoy our time together more than I care to admit to myself, and I always find myself longing for your presence!” 

“Edelgard…” Sadness was painted across the dragon-woman’s face. 

“I promised myself I wouldn’t get so attached, lest I was unable to lift my curse. It’s my burden to bear, and I’ve no business acting the lovesick fool I am while I’m standing her dying.” 

“I think I’ve fallen for you too.” 

Edelgard scoffed. “Please, there’s no need to pity me. ”

“I mean it.” 

“If you do, then perhaps you’d best take my advice and forget those feelings. No use loving a dead woman.” 

“Edelgard.” 

“There’s no point. I’m due to expire in just twenty-four short moons. Any romance with me is doomed to a tragic end. It’s likely it’s no more than a passing attraction, no love invol--”

“EDELGARD!” Byleth shouted, as angry as she was sad. 

The knight flinched. She flinched again when her friend grabbed her arms and pulled her close. 

“It’s not just ‘passing attraction.’ I like spending time with you. I like listening to your stories.” She continued, closing the distance between them until their bodies were mere inches apart.

“I like hearing you laugh. I like making you laugh. I like seeing you smile, I like eating dinner with you, and I like teaching you new things. I like it when you teach me new things, and I like watching the sky turn dark with you. I like that I like you so much, Edelgard. I like making you happy, and I like how happy you being around makes me. If that isn’t love, then what is it?” 

“I…” Edelgard felt the tears begin again. A surprisingly delicate hand rose to her cheek and wiped away a few of them.

“You already have my heart, Edelgard. It’s no big deal if that means literally, too.” 

Edelgard scoffed bitterly, leaning into her friend’s palm. “Foolish. Of course it’s a big deal. You’re telling me to kill the woman I love.” 

Byleth’s eyes began to sparkle. “You mean…?” 

“Yes.” Edelgard met her gaze. “I love you, and I could never harm you.” 

Both their lips had been slowly drifting towards one another for some time, but finally Edelgard closed the gap. Byleth’s eyes widened momentarily, then slowly closed as she leaned into her beloved. The dragon wrapped her arms around her knight, determined to hold her even closer. Edelgard did not protest, mimicking her and tightening her embrace around her dragon. 

Unbeknownst to them, the room began to hum and glow. A light flickered around Edelgard, a writhing purple flame that was quickly snuffed out. Their kiss continued, until eventually they both needed to take a breath. 

Byleth wiped more of Edelgard’s drying tears away as the knight cupped her cheek in kind. 

“Sorry.”

“Don’t be. Just never ask me again to take your life.” 

“I promise, Edelgard.”

“El.”

“Hm?” Byleth tilted her head in the way that Edelgard adored.

“Call me El.”

“Okay. I promise, El.”

Edelgard smiled faintly at her beloved, then let her head rest beneath Byleth’s chin. The dragon moved a hand to the back of her knight’s head and they held their embrace for a time, until Byleth noticed something peculiar about her lover.

“Um, El?”

“Hm?” 

“Has your hair always been brown?”

“What.” Edelgard broke away from their embrace. She grasped at her back-length hair, expecting to find it white like snow. Instead, what she saw nearly drove her to tears all over again. 

She stuttered, searching for her words until something clicked in her head. She groaned and let her forehead connect with Byleth’s chest again, leaving the dragon puzzled until her knight spoke up again.

“‘The heart of a dragon, rightfully earned.’ ‘Love,’ dammit. It meant ‘love.’ You love me. You broke my curse anyways, you dolt.” 

Byleth scoffed, then slowly transitioned into a chuckle, and finally full-blown laughter. Her deep, booming melody echoed through the cavern, and Edelgard soon found its effects infectious. She laughed as well, and soon both fell to their knees, weakened by the sheer hilarity of it all.

“I-- pfft-- I am going to--haha!-- strangle Linhardthaha!” 

The dragon clutched her knight close again, and the knight did the same. They laughed together in each other’s arms until their cheeks were sore and stinging, and that night they both retired to Byleth’s bed with lingering smiles on their faces.