"I never got a chance to have a pet growing up. Battle horses have nasty tempers, and only really bond with their riders."

And, they die. Just like the countless faces of young and old mercenaries that passed away on and off the battlefield. It was... easier to not get attached. Less troubling.

"I don't think it's too much," Byleth said, after finishing her cucumber sandwich. "In fact, I might go out for fishing after this to see if I can get some fresh fish and see how the cats purr..."

Maybe the cats liked specific treats? She'd need to get a new journal for her observations.

“Do you also like the cats and dogs around the monastery, Edelgard?

“They’re also cute,” Byleth answered. “All of the animals around the monastery are very friendly. I’ve been giving them little treats, and they sometimes give me things. The other day I got a dead mouse. But I also got some mythril. So it was a pleasant surprise”

How did they get that was a mystery

“This one has good maneuverability. If we are intercepted at sea, we can out-maneuver them and round up the pirates.”

She hummed.

“But I’ve never fought at sea this far north. Jeralt always stuck to trade route escort missions further south. Are there pirates in these waters?”

The closer they got to the docks, the colder and damper the air got. They soon spotted the small gathering of generals overseeing the army boarding all sorts of sea-worthy vessels.

“Dimitri. I want to be on the same boat as you.”

She spoke up. Pointed at a medium-sized boat in the harbor.

She took his hand when offered. With that, they left the warmth of the room and ventured into the chilly Fhirdiad night. The sobering cold made it feel like all of their revelry and joy that night had just been a dream.

But it wasn’t a dream. Her lips still felt the faint afterimage of his warmth.

nagged at her to get to the docks before they were missed. And even then, she kissed him just one instant more, before breaking away with a sigh.

“…We should go,” she whispered. “To the docks, I mean.”

Byleth could get used to this. Fingers and lips intertwined, the quiet crackle of fire the only sound interrupting their kiss… they were in a safe little haven far from the war, the world, everything.

She dared to kiss him, for as long as she could before her conscience—

“Don’t be sorry. I don’t think it is wrong to react so strongly at cute things.”

Granted, Byleth didn’t react strongly to… anything. She couldn’t understand how others colored their lives with all sorts of emotions, whereas she was just living in a gray world.

But she did like seeing others smile.

“Hmm… I still like rabbits most. But bears also look cute.”

Byleth ventured to take a cucumber sandwich from the tiered tray.

“You said you liked teddy bears, right? Have you seen the ones at the market? Those look very fluffy and soft, even if they’re supposed to be wearing armor.”

“—I wanted to kiss you. In fact: I still want to kiss you right now!” She confessed, looking up at him with bright eyes.

Even by the council room’s torchlight, he looked radiant… one more kiss before leaving for the docks wouldn’t be too much, right? They won’t be missed yet, would they?

“…May I?”

"I'm sorry, I just couldn't help it. I’ll stop teasing you.”

Byleth straightened out and intertwined her fingers with his. Even now, just holding hands like this was... nice. She liked it.

“I also enjoyed it. I want to do it, again and again. Ever since the battle, perhaps even before that—”