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we're flying through the night
[There are a lot of things Hubert knows for certain.
He knows that Lady Edelgard will take the throne and usher in a new era for Fódlan. He knows that his duty is to serve Lady Edelgard, regardless of personal cost. He knows that he would do anything and everything for her. He knows that his entire being is devoted to her, completely. He knows that nothing can stand in the way of her conquest or of his devotion.
He also knows that he's been coughing up flower petals for exactly a week now.
Hanahaki Disease is certainly not uncommon in the monastery; most of them are a bunch of stupid teenagers, it certainly isn't surprising that several of them have managed to find themselves developing feelings for someone. Such a stupid, pointless thing should have been limited to the dumb teenagers who have nothing to worry about but grades and their stupid, pointless feelings for one another.
This shouldn't be happening to someone like him. Perhaps he would be taking the situation more seriously if his feelings were for Lady Edelgard - although a situation like that is a bit horrifying to imagine. He would never betray her trust in such a way. He loves her, certainly. But not like that. That would only cause problems.
No, these feelings have come from someone else; someone entirely unexpected.
Marianne.
It's been four months since they met. In truth, he doesn't recall much of their first interaction. Claude had called Lady Edelgard over (which meant he had come with her) to introduce the others in his house as they ate breakfast. All he can remember is assessing the individuals to see if any of them could potentially be useful to the future Empress or if they could pose a threat. Marianne hadn't stood out at the time.
She hadn't stood out much when they'd first ended up talking either. It had been during some downtime, when she was tending to the animals and he was doing his usual patrols around the grounds. He'd startled the horses she was tending to so badly it had taken her quite a long time to calm them down. He had lingered a bit - curiosity compelling him to stay and watch - but he doesn't recall much of their conversation that day. Marianne was just as quiet as he had figured.
They met a few times like that, where she took care of the horses and pegasi and he watched. Despite being the most intimidating student in the academy (because he was certainly more intimidating than Dedue), she had let him remain there without much in the way of commentary.
Eventually, she ended up joining their class. Professor Byleth is certainly a skilled instructor (despite their lack of experience in teaching), so it was no surprise that Marianne had eventually left the Golden Deer to join up with them. Not that he's really aware why Marianne had joined - he hasn't asked her. It's the most logical conclusion, though.
From there, they were set to stable duty together. He'd tried to get the professor to change their mind and stick him with Lady Edelgard, but they had refused to budge. Lady Edelgard also seems to be fine with her current job with Dorothea, so he supposes he can't complain too much... Even so, it's left him with a lot of time to get to know Marianne.
Oh, sure, they don't really talk that much. At first, it was difficult to work with her. She was so quiet and he was completely inexperienced at tending to animals, and the whole thing was a mess. But eventually she started explaining how and why she was doing things to help calm the animals, and while they certainly don't like him, they're beginning to warm up a bit.
He would have just left it at that, and maybe this whole Hanahaki disaster wouldn't have happened. But instead, he decided he needed to be three steps ahead - as always - and asked Marianne to teach him to ride. A horse, of course, he wouldn't dare get near a wyvern or a pegasus. Hopefully no one was aware of that little problem.
Marianne had agreed, and riding lessons have been going surprisingly smoothly. Hubert was taught to ride as a child, but his mastery of horses is... lacking. Desperately lacking. If he has to fight on horseback, he'll definitely die. So learning to train a horse and teach it to respond to his commands is important, and Marianne has been helping tremendously.
Well, she was helping. Before the whole Hanahaki disaster thing.
He hasn't seen her in three days. Not that he's avoiding her. Or keeping track of the days. No, that isn't it at all. It's just that he's been terribly busy with Lady Edelgard's plans - they still can't do anything just yet, but every step is another one closer to her victory. It's slow-going, but it's a necessity.
In truth, he's been distant from everyone, even her. He has work to do, certainly. But he also has to keep these stupid petals to himself so no one finds out. Admitting that he has a problem sounds like a horrible idea. It would just cause Lady Edelgard to worry and the other students of the Black Eagles house to tease him mercilessly. So no, he won't do that. Once he has the time, he'll simply track down Professor Manuela and make her remove this stupid thing. The memories he'll lose don't matter to him.
(Never mind that he could do this at any point and waiting only makes it worse.)
Today isn't really any better than any of the days before it. He can usually get through the days with only two coughing jags, and he's been lucky enough to hide it from everyone. Today continues that trend - but only barely.
It strikes him when he's in the library, searching through financial records for information that could assist Lady Edelgard. The near-choking feeling hits him suddenly, and he coughs up more than a handful of delicate, white petals. The fact that they're still white is good - it hasn't been long enough to risk staining them red. Perhaps that's the one good thing about this - at least he's coughing up light-colored petals.
Linhardt is in the library, but even the rough, nearly-pained sounds of coughing up flower petals isn't enough to wake him. Hubert can be thankful of that much, but he's certainly not wasting any more time in here. He puts the books away, grabs the petals, and leaves. Hubert heads back to his room in a hurry, those petals clutched tightly in hand so no one will see them. No one can know about this.
...He's missed a single petal, but surely that isn't important.]
He knows that Lady Edelgard will take the throne and usher in a new era for Fódlan. He knows that his duty is to serve Lady Edelgard, regardless of personal cost. He knows that he would do anything and everything for her. He knows that his entire being is devoted to her, completely. He knows that nothing can stand in the way of her conquest or of his devotion.
He also knows that he's been coughing up flower petals for exactly a week now.
Hanahaki Disease is certainly not uncommon in the monastery; most of them are a bunch of stupid teenagers, it certainly isn't surprising that several of them have managed to find themselves developing feelings for someone. Such a stupid, pointless thing should have been limited to the dumb teenagers who have nothing to worry about but grades and their stupid, pointless feelings for one another.
This shouldn't be happening to someone like him. Perhaps he would be taking the situation more seriously if his feelings were for Lady Edelgard - although a situation like that is a bit horrifying to imagine. He would never betray her trust in such a way. He loves her, certainly. But not like that. That would only cause problems.
No, these feelings have come from someone else; someone entirely unexpected.
Marianne.
It's been four months since they met. In truth, he doesn't recall much of their first interaction. Claude had called Lady Edelgard over (which meant he had come with her) to introduce the others in his house as they ate breakfast. All he can remember is assessing the individuals to see if any of them could potentially be useful to the future Empress or if they could pose a threat. Marianne hadn't stood out at the time.
She hadn't stood out much when they'd first ended up talking either. It had been during some downtime, when she was tending to the animals and he was doing his usual patrols around the grounds. He'd startled the horses she was tending to so badly it had taken her quite a long time to calm them down. He had lingered a bit - curiosity compelling him to stay and watch - but he doesn't recall much of their conversation that day. Marianne was just as quiet as he had figured.
They met a few times like that, where she took care of the horses and pegasi and he watched. Despite being the most intimidating student in the academy (because he was certainly more intimidating than Dedue), she had let him remain there without much in the way of commentary.
Eventually, she ended up joining their class. Professor Byleth is certainly a skilled instructor (despite their lack of experience in teaching), so it was no surprise that Marianne had eventually left the Golden Deer to join up with them. Not that he's really aware why Marianne had joined - he hasn't asked her. It's the most logical conclusion, though.
From there, they were set to stable duty together. He'd tried to get the professor to change their mind and stick him with Lady Edelgard, but they had refused to budge. Lady Edelgard also seems to be fine with her current job with Dorothea, so he supposes he can't complain too much... Even so, it's left him with a lot of time to get to know Marianne.
Oh, sure, they don't really talk that much. At first, it was difficult to work with her. She was so quiet and he was completely inexperienced at tending to animals, and the whole thing was a mess. But eventually she started explaining how and why she was doing things to help calm the animals, and while they certainly don't like him, they're beginning to warm up a bit.
He would have just left it at that, and maybe this whole Hanahaki disaster wouldn't have happened. But instead, he decided he needed to be three steps ahead - as always - and asked Marianne to teach him to ride. A horse, of course, he wouldn't dare get near a wyvern or a pegasus. Hopefully no one was aware of that little problem.
Marianne had agreed, and riding lessons have been going surprisingly smoothly. Hubert was taught to ride as a child, but his mastery of horses is... lacking. Desperately lacking. If he has to fight on horseback, he'll definitely die. So learning to train a horse and teach it to respond to his commands is important, and Marianne has been helping tremendously.
Well, she was helping. Before the whole Hanahaki disaster thing.
He hasn't seen her in three days. Not that he's avoiding her. Or keeping track of the days. No, that isn't it at all. It's just that he's been terribly busy with Lady Edelgard's plans - they still can't do anything just yet, but every step is another one closer to her victory. It's slow-going, but it's a necessity.
In truth, he's been distant from everyone, even her. He has work to do, certainly. But he also has to keep these stupid petals to himself so no one finds out. Admitting that he has a problem sounds like a horrible idea. It would just cause Lady Edelgard to worry and the other students of the Black Eagles house to tease him mercilessly. So no, he won't do that. Once he has the time, he'll simply track down Professor Manuela and make her remove this stupid thing. The memories he'll lose don't matter to him.
(Never mind that he could do this at any point and waiting only makes it worse.)
Today isn't really any better than any of the days before it. He can usually get through the days with only two coughing jags, and he's been lucky enough to hide it from everyone. Today continues that trend - but only barely.
It strikes him when he's in the library, searching through financial records for information that could assist Lady Edelgard. The near-choking feeling hits him suddenly, and he coughs up more than a handful of delicate, white petals. The fact that they're still white is good - it hasn't been long enough to risk staining them red. Perhaps that's the one good thing about this - at least he's coughing up light-colored petals.
Linhardt is in the library, but even the rough, nearly-pained sounds of coughing up flower petals isn't enough to wake him. Hubert can be thankful of that much, but he's certainly not wasting any more time in here. He puts the books away, grabs the petals, and leaves. Hubert heads back to his room in a hurry, those petals clutched tightly in hand so no one will see them. No one can know about this.
...He's missed a single petal, but surely that isn't important.]
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I don't want to forget him.
[That comes out surprisingly harsh, and when Marianne turns back around to face Hubert, she's shaking. She can hear the animals starting to get a little distressed, and the near glare on her face abates, only slightly.
...And then she realizes what she's said, and she feels her face start to heat--]
...I'm sorry, Hubert, I--I said too much. I should...
[...She doesn't make to move, even if she's definitely trying to say that she should go, but her grip tightens on the petals in her hand and she looks away, ashamed.]
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Jealousy is an ugly, unnecessary emotion. It's not as though he's never felt it, but it's particularly disgusting now.
He wants to stop her, he wants to tell her that she needs to do something about this, that she can't die, but...
He doesn't know what to say to her. That's what it comes down to. He doesn't know how to stop her or help her or do anything for her and the anger turns inward.]
My apologies. I hadn't realized this was so... [important to you] ...difficult for you.
Even so, I must ask you to consider finding a solution. It would be a shame if we... [lost you]
I don't wish to see anything happen to you, Marianne.
[Is that a safe answer? He doesn't stumble over the words, but his gaze does dart as he says it. It's not nearly open or honest enough for her to assume anything, right? It should be fine.]
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She's surprised by the...well, Hubert's never been particularly gentle in his life, but his words seem comparatively smaller than he usually is. Maybe she's reading too much into it, but the way he amends his words, how he's asking her to find a solution, how he doesn't want to see anything happen to her...
...]
...It's okay.
[Marianne's words are a little softer. She's never seen him like this, and it's...strange, in a way she's not sure about. In a way that worries her. She winds up walking forward a bit, nearer to him.]
I'm sorry. I...made you uncomfortable, didn't I. [Marianne fidgets a bit with one of her sleeves, with her unoccupied hand.] I shouldn't have said that. It's just...um...
[...]
He has that problem too. With the disease. [Marianne looks away again.] I'm worried that if I say something, it might ruin his chances with the one he truly loves.
But...he's been very nice to me. So I don't want to forget him, either. [...] I don't know what to do.
[This is the most she's...really talked all at once, isn't it. It's awkward--Marianne is always awkward, but she's not an expressive person. And yet...she at least wants to try to explain to him the situation.
(Maybe it'll give her the strength to try to confess.)]
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Of course, his immediate thought is to run over everyone in the academy to try to remember which of them could have the disease and who could possibly be hiding it. It's likely she's taken with someone from the Golden Deer... Lorenz is entirely too stupid to keep his mouth shut, so it can't be him. Claude? Claude. Probably. He makes the most sense. If someone were to be hiding their condition, it would be him.
After all, he can't come up with anyone else who is openly displaying symptoms right now.]
I see. I... can see where that would be very difficult.
[The hesitation is... certainly something, isn't it. He tries to recover from it.]
Are you certain he doesn't feel that way for you?
[It's not a pointed question at all, it's just curious. He doesn't know Claude as a person very well - or at all, really. He has no idea who Claude could be interested in, but why wouldn't it be Marianne? She's a gentle, kind girl who has trouble expressing herself, but she always looks out for those around her and cares so deeply...
Ah. He really does need to stop thinking like that...]
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That is a good question, now isn't it. Marianne fidgets a bit more, considering her options. Hubert didn't even catch on, so it's likely he really is already occupied Edelgard. But then again, she's not exactly being direct...]
I've been, um, too afraid to ask. He's...someone I consider a friend--but I don't want to get too close.
[Obviously, due to the whole misfortune thing.]
He...he really clearly cares for someone else, too. I don't...um...want to ruin that. Or our friendship.
[...Marianne curses herself for that. That's too obvious, isn't it?]
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I see.
[...Is she friends with Claude? They were in the same house so probably? But they don't really spend much time together now, do they? He hasn't noticed anything like that... Marianne usually spends time with Hilda or Dorothea...]
I can understand why you wouldn't want to risk that. But isn't taking that risk better than letting yourself die?
[He doesn't want to push her into confessing, for quite a few reasons. Marianne isn't the sort to be that forceful, and she would probably prefer to remain passive. She might have a hard time doing that. And there's the jealousy, of course. He hates the idea of her confessing to Claude and the risk that comes with it. If she's rebuffed that's one thing (though how could anyone rebuff her?), but if Claude feels the same way...
It makes his stomach turn in knots.]
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[...Marianne doesn't know how to respond to that. She doesn't know if she could tell Hubert. She really doesn't, because if he rebuffs her, that's going to hurt more than anything else--]
...But what do I do if he doesn't like me back?
[She doesn't know if she can work up the gumption to try, but...
Maybe if she hears his advice, she can try.]
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How should he know? He doesn't know how to deal with his own feelings, much less anyone else's. She's genuinely asking him for advice and he doesn't have any damn idea what to tell her. Perhaps he could figure something out, but Claude's perhaps the most infuriatingly difficult person to pin down in the entire monastery. He doesn't know what to say to her.
The petty, jealous part of him wants to leave. Find an excuse and ditch the conversation. But that's stupid, and beneath him. He's not going to do that to her. No matter how much it might infuriate him, he wants her to find what will make her happy. It would be nice to see Marianne smile, even if it isn't aimed at him.
What a stupid, sappy thought.]
I believe that's something the two of you will have to work out together. It may not be easy, but if he's someone you've truly grown to... care for in such a way, then surely he can't be that terrible of a person. I imagine he'd be willing to hear you out and try to help you.
[It's sort of a struggle to find the words he wants, and it is admittedly just speculation. But Claude doesn't seem like he's that horrible. He'd probably want to help Marianne even though she's no longer a member of his class. So that's... safe. It's a safe response. And if she does work up the courage for it, maybe everything will go well.
...For her, at least.]
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I imagine he'd be willing to hear you out and try to help you.
Marianne feels herself smile--it's a small one, but...it's there, and she looks at Hubert.]
...Okay. I...I think that you're right.
[...]
Um, Hubert...I...
[Marianne breathes a bit, trying to steady herself.]
...I have feelings for you. [...] I know you love Edelgard, so I don't want to get between that, but you've...become someone precious to me.
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He doesn't turn to leave even once he's gotten her agreement, though. He can't bring himself to. So when she speaks up again, he's assuming that she'll tell him she can handle the horses on her own, or that she needs to leave or something.
Instead, he gets the absolute last thing he was ever expecting.]
I... Wait. You were talking about me?
[.........................
Wait. What.]
I thought you were— This isn't about Claude?
[oh my god give him a moment for his brain to catch up]
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Um.
Okay, of all of the things Marianne was expecting, this? This was not one of them. She winds up dropping the petals in her shock, mouth agape for a moment--]
No? Claude is... [a bit much. ...No, let's not dunk on her former house leader today.] I wasn't talking about him at all.
[...]
I thought I was being too obvious.
[Marianne thought he'd get it???]
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[NO HE THE FUCK DOES NOT]
You have my apologies for not realizing sooner, I didn't think...
[???????????????]
I... never would have thought you were talking about me.
[????????????????????????????????????????]
Ah, that's not to say—
[Okay, okay, hang on, he can't stand here and stare blankly forever, she's going to get the wrong idea and run away and that'll probably make the petals worse. He's still sort of staring with an expression that's somewhere between completely baffled and openly concerned (because how could he miss something like that) but he's trying to get himself under control quickly so she doesn't get the wrong impression.]
I'm surprised by it, but I'm not upset, Marianne. It's... quite the opposite, really. I'm afraid you've mistaken my devotion to Lady Edelgard as... something else. It's a common problem.
[He could try to explain that he does love Lady Edelgard, but it's easiest just to skip the explanation and jump straight to the point.
The point.
Which is a bit hard to articulate.
Oh come on, now is not the time to freeze up—]
I've grown very fond of you during our time together and I... [come on] The ah... The flower petals are still fairly new and it's been a bit... difficult to examine my emotions and determine how to proceed. [almost there] I hadn't thought things would turn out like this. As I said, I was under the impression that you were interested in... [claude???] ...someone else.
[Okay. Okay, so far so good. Explanation's done, time to just say it. There's nothing to be afraid of anymore.]
...These petals were never for Lady Edelgard. They were for you.
[He manages the words surprisingly easily, but he's starting to turn pink and can't look at Marianne anymore.]
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Before she can say anything, before she can try to run, he finally speaks up and she's not sure how to respond.]
I-I've mistaken them...?
[That comes out softly while he pauses, and she's...not sure how to feel. He doesn't love her? How could he not? She's such a strong woman, incredibly talented and gifted, and she's the sort of woman who he should be focusing his attention on.
But then he starts articulating his feelings, and Marianne isn't sure what to think. What to feel, really, because even if this is...well, undoubtedly a good thing, she's only putting him in danger by doing this. It's even more obvious now that she shouldn't have said anything, and there's no mistaking the slightly stressed look on Marianne's face.]
They were...for me?
[Marianne has to force those words out, and she can't even look at Hubert's blushing (cute) face.]
I...I don't know what to say. I'm glad that you share these feelings, but...
[Those doubts creep back into her, and she's looking toward the exit like she wants to make a break for it, not because she's scared, but because she's--]
...I still don't know if it's a good idea to properly pursue anything.
[It's simple, but she's sure he knows the reason why. She hasn't properly explained it, but maybe it will be easier now.]
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But now that it's out there, it's almost freeing, in a way. By tomorrow the petals will have all faded, right? He told her the truth, admitted his feelings, and she did the same. They should both be safe now. Even if...
Well, even if she doesn't want to pursue anything.
It brings a sinking sensation when he realizes that's where she's going with the words. Before he can stop himself, he steps forward to close the distance between them. He doesn't reach out to touch, but he easily could if she tries to make a run for it.
If she runs, they'll never address this again. He knows that.]
What do you think will happen if we do?
[It still isn't gentle - nothing about him is - but it's a curious question, designed to get her to talk. He understands that she's terrified of the the bad luck that supposedly falls the people around her, but it's difficult to know how serious all this is and whether it's an overreaction or something else entirely.]
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Well, that, and her father wants to marry into powerful nobility. Politically speaking, pursuing something with Hubert might not be a bad thing; it wouldn't be much of a step up, but considering how close Hubert is to Edelgard, maybe she could spin it in a way that ensures he'll approve. But she loves him too much to make that kind of talk...
He steps closer and Marianne jumps a bit, but she settles easily. Hubert is still intimidating, but there's something about the way he's talking to her that's...not terrible, at any rate.
Marianne's voice is hushed when she speaks up.]
I'm worried that you would get hurt, because of me. It's...something my father told me to never speak of. He...
[Perhaps it's a mistake, but she does trust him.]
...He paid the church to never look into my crest. Because all it's done is bring my family misfortune.
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What sort of misfortune? Are you certain it was caused by your crest?
[Once again, they're curious questions, designed to give her a direction to go in, should she want to keep talking about it. He's not trying to push her into giving up information. She's already come this far, he doubts she'll stop now.]
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It's...well, the reason that my parents vanished is because of it. My um, real parents. Margrave Edmund is my adoptive father.
[Marianne kind of. Holds her hand a little close to his--she's not sure if she can take it, or if it's even right, but...it might help her talk a little better.]
My crest is...that of the forgotten Hero, Maurice. But everyone else calls it "The Crest of The Beast". His crest is a symbol of disaster...anyone who comes into contact with it is met with great misfortune. And...those who bear his crest would eventually become beasts, and stalk the forest where he lives...killing under his influence.
[...So yeah, she's. Pretty damn certain that being near her can only do bad.]
...Do you understand, now?
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But those thoughts don't trouble him for long. Marianne's hand is close now - it's an invitation. Even so, his heart pounds as he reaches out to take her hand. He silently curses his over-reliance on his gloves and wishes he would have thought to remove them. Then he curses himself for such sentimental and downright sappy thoughts. He is Lady Edelgard's right hand, not some pathetic child in love!
Not that he's completely ignored her story, of course.]
I have a better understanding, yes. Pardon my forwardness, but do you intend to let your crest control you?
[The words still aren't harsh, despite the topic. He could press further, but he's curious to hear her answer to that before he continues.]
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...Marianne actually looks at him when he says that, but her look is...confused. Utterly so.]
...It's not as if I have much of a choice, is it?
[Hubert makes it sound so easy. Like she could just...ignore it, for the rest of her life, and maybe hope that the same fate doesn't befall her. It isn't that easy, her father had told her that--
She winds up clutching Hubert's hand a little tighter as her mind wanders.]
It's going to happen to me one day...just like it happened to them. I don't want it to, but...I don't think I have much of a say...
[If any, really.]
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Perhaps it will. But do you really think any of us will simply allow that to happen to you?
[It's true that the Black Eagles are still getting to know Marianne. But even if the others didn't like her, Dorothea would say the word and everyone would spring into action. There isn't a single one among them who would hesitate. They're good people - too good - and they look out for each other. Of all of them, he's the one most likely to leave her behind, and he certainly wouldn't do that now, not when just holding her hand reaffirms what he's been trying to ignore for so long.
He cares deeply for her and he will never let that happen.]
There isn't a single one among us who would give up on you. If you cannot handle it on your own, then look to us. We won't allow that to happen. I won't allow it.
[It's a simple sentiment - perhaps too simple, given her concerns - but it's firm. Certain. There isn't even the slightest bit of doubt that they can find a way to put a stop to this, regardless of what happens.]
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Marianne wants to reject it. She really does, because the less people who are hurt by her crest the better.
And yet...
If you cannot handle it on your own, then look to us. We won't allow that to happen. I won't allow it.
When Hubert says it, maybe she can believe in it a little more.]
...I...
[Marianne feels her face start to flush, just the slightest bit, and she has to look away. All of this is too much for her, really, that feeling of warmth and acceptance that she's not sure if she deserves. There's no more doubt in her mind that she wants this, but to hear it so plainly...it's...
...Maybe she can at least try to believe it.]
...When you say it like that...it...makes it hard not to believe in it. In you.
[...]
It's still...going to be hard. But, I think...I think I can try.
[Marianne can promise that much, at least, and that grip on his hand stays firm.]
...I want to. For you, even if...even if I'll worry.
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You'll see that you don't need to worry about me. I can handle anything that comes my way.
[His grip tightens on her hand for a moment before he moves to lace their fingers together.]
We'll all be here for you. You're one of us now, and there isn't a single person here who would turn their back on you. You can believe in that.
Even if you... would prefer for nothing to come of this, I will not let anything harm you.
[The words are as steady and certain as they should be, aside from the pause. The last thing he wants to do is force her into making a decision right here and now. There's plenty to think about, after all.]
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...Thank you, Hubert. You're very kind to me.
[Her words are very soft, but Hubert's pause gets her to pause too. Well, she mostly said that because she was worried about her crest, and how that would interact with him, but...]
I... [Marianne tries to get her words together.] ...Even without the matter of my crest considered, it would have to go through my father. And he's...well...
He wants me to marry for the sake of power. [...] But I...I don't think I want that. I'd want to be happy--oh, I don't want to marry right now, but...I...um...
[...Yeah, now it's Marianne's turn to lose her words. How does one ask to properly court someone. Help. Help, she's so lost.]
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You don't need to worry about that. I don't particularly care whether your father would approve or not. If this is something you're interested in, then we can find a way to address that should it become necessary.
[He lifts their hands, shifting a bit so he can hold her hand before him.]
I would be honored if you would agree to... court me, Marianne.
[He presses a light kiss to the back of her hand, exactly as gallant and proper as someone like Ferdinand would manage.
...It's kind of ruined entirely by just how red he's turning, but you know what, he's trying.]
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For as mildly concerned as Marianne's look gets, all of it is lost the very instant he starts to shift their joined hands up and...
...
Marianne.exe needs to reboot, oh dear goddess above.]
Y--Y--Yes! Yes, I would--I would, um, l-love to...!
[...That comes out super stupid and choked, and her whole face practically goes a stark shade of red. Honestly, her face looks like a beet right now, red enough to cook off of and likely warm enough to do so as well.
Does not compute?? Does not compute????? Help???????? Someone factory reset this child, her brain has practically short circuited and she can only stare at Hubert with the dumbest expression in the world.
The horses do all seem to neigh in relative, almost cheering unison, though. You both did it!!]
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