Lorenz Hellman Gloucester (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
nobiliteased) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
sranks2019-11-10 10:54 pm
nobiliteased) wrote in sranks2019-11-10 10:54 pm
and if there's love in this life, there's no obstacle
[Everyone knows the story about soulmates. They say that when two people who are destined to be together meet, they exchange words that are marked on one another. Those words when spoken by your soulmate will cause the marks to tingle and you'll know. The stories have never explained how one would know, but it's the sort of fairy tale that everyone in F贸dlan buys into. In fact, it's practically a requirement to spend a great deal of time talking about your soulmate and daydreaming about what they look like, act like, sound like.
Even Lorenz wasn't immune to that, though he was very young when his father started insisting he cover up the words on the inside of his left arm. He was still an idealistic child when he was told to stop dreaming about a soulmate. A noble's duty is to their house and their lands; one cannot get caught up in wild daydreams when securing an heir is far more important. What if his soulmate were to be a man, or perhaps worse, a commoner?
So Lorenz stopped dreaming. He stopped thinking about what color his soulmate's eyes would be, or what their laugh would sound like, or even the words marked on his arm.
Noble blood alone cannot help one on the field of battle.
In truth, it was a bit hard to ignore just how strange the words were. Such a thing would be unthinkable to come from the lips of a noble at all, which is perhaps why his father was so insistent that he forget all about his soulmate. F贸dlan is a very large place; the odds of Lorenz actually hearing those words from his soulmate are incredibly low.
And yet.
It happened out of the blue, after the Battle of the Eagle and Lion. It was a mock battle, but one that pit the three houses against one another; one that his father had been so proud of winning and one Lorenz had done his best to succeed in. Unfortunately, the Golden Deer house wasn't the victor this time. It was not an entirely crushing defeat, but the Black Eagles house had several students still standing at the end, which was a bit embarrassing as far as Lorenz was concerned. It felt like they hadn't done enough.
But everyone had gathered together for a grand feast anyway, hosted by the house leaders. Claude didn't even cause any trouble, surprisingly, though he did insist on trying to chat with everyone and had even dragged the Imperial princess Edelgard over for a bit. Their conversation had been amicable, but ultimately nothing particularly noteworthy.
At least until those damning words left her mouth.
"Noble blood alone cannot help one on the field of battle."
He'd said something about nobility and how it tied into his desire to succeed, or something along those lines, and she'd responded immediately, with a tight expression that he couldn't quite place. He would have dismissed the conversation entirely had he not felt the sudden tingle running up his arm, as though those words were being carved into his skin anew. It wasn't painful, but his arm did twitch a bit and Claude looked at him strangely, and he had tried to hide the fact that he knew.
As it turns out, it isn't really something that can be described. You just know when you've found your soulmate. It's almost like stating a fact you've known all along; the sky is blue, water is wet, a noble's duty is to guide the commoners.
Lorenz had retired early, mostly to give himself time to think. Edelgard is his soulmate, and it seemed likely that she would recognize this as well. So where do they go from here? If he were to write his father about this, he has no doubts that his father would insist he pursue this. Marrying a commoner is out of the question, but marrying the Imperial princess? That would propel House Gloucester to heights unimaginable. Merging House Gloucester with the Empire and House Hresvelg certainly might have some downsides, but who could be more noble than a princess?
Logistically speaking, House Gloucester can only benefit. And yet he hesitated, and hadn't started writing a letter to his father about it.
He still hasn't, even though it's been a week.
In truth, Lorenz isn't entirely sure what he's been waiting for. Perhaps he's expecting Edelgard to make the first move, to seek him out and confront the inherent awkwardness that finding a new soulmate seems to bring. Does everyone find it this awkward? He can only imagine they do, especially given how little he actually knows of Edelgard as a person. But shying away from it is unbecoming of a noble, so Lorenz has decided enough is enough.
He catches Edelgard outside of the Black Eagles classroom after their lessons are over, offering her a smile.]
Edelgard, a moment, if you would?
[...And because he knows a certain shadow is always at the princess' elbow:] Alone, perhaps?
Even Lorenz wasn't immune to that, though he was very young when his father started insisting he cover up the words on the inside of his left arm. He was still an idealistic child when he was told to stop dreaming about a soulmate. A noble's duty is to their house and their lands; one cannot get caught up in wild daydreams when securing an heir is far more important. What if his soulmate were to be a man, or perhaps worse, a commoner?
So Lorenz stopped dreaming. He stopped thinking about what color his soulmate's eyes would be, or what their laugh would sound like, or even the words marked on his arm.
Noble blood alone cannot help one on the field of battle.
In truth, it was a bit hard to ignore just how strange the words were. Such a thing would be unthinkable to come from the lips of a noble at all, which is perhaps why his father was so insistent that he forget all about his soulmate. F贸dlan is a very large place; the odds of Lorenz actually hearing those words from his soulmate are incredibly low.
And yet.
It happened out of the blue, after the Battle of the Eagle and Lion. It was a mock battle, but one that pit the three houses against one another; one that his father had been so proud of winning and one Lorenz had done his best to succeed in. Unfortunately, the Golden Deer house wasn't the victor this time. It was not an entirely crushing defeat, but the Black Eagles house had several students still standing at the end, which was a bit embarrassing as far as Lorenz was concerned. It felt like they hadn't done enough.
But everyone had gathered together for a grand feast anyway, hosted by the house leaders. Claude didn't even cause any trouble, surprisingly, though he did insist on trying to chat with everyone and had even dragged the Imperial princess Edelgard over for a bit. Their conversation had been amicable, but ultimately nothing particularly noteworthy.
At least until those damning words left her mouth.
"Noble blood alone cannot help one on the field of battle."
He'd said something about nobility and how it tied into his desire to succeed, or something along those lines, and she'd responded immediately, with a tight expression that he couldn't quite place. He would have dismissed the conversation entirely had he not felt the sudden tingle running up his arm, as though those words were being carved into his skin anew. It wasn't painful, but his arm did twitch a bit and Claude looked at him strangely, and he had tried to hide the fact that he knew.
As it turns out, it isn't really something that can be described. You just know when you've found your soulmate. It's almost like stating a fact you've known all along; the sky is blue, water is wet, a noble's duty is to guide the commoners.
Lorenz had retired early, mostly to give himself time to think. Edelgard is his soulmate, and it seemed likely that she would recognize this as well. So where do they go from here? If he were to write his father about this, he has no doubts that his father would insist he pursue this. Marrying a commoner is out of the question, but marrying the Imperial princess? That would propel House Gloucester to heights unimaginable. Merging House Gloucester with the Empire and House Hresvelg certainly might have some downsides, but who could be more noble than a princess?
Logistically speaking, House Gloucester can only benefit. And yet he hesitated, and hadn't started writing a letter to his father about it.
He still hasn't, even though it's been a week.
In truth, Lorenz isn't entirely sure what he's been waiting for. Perhaps he's expecting Edelgard to make the first move, to seek him out and confront the inherent awkwardness that finding a new soulmate seems to bring. Does everyone find it this awkward? He can only imagine they do, especially given how little he actually knows of Edelgard as a person. But shying away from it is unbecoming of a noble, so Lorenz has decided enough is enough.
He catches Edelgard outside of the Black Eagles classroom after their lessons are over, offering her a smile.]
Edelgard, a moment, if you would?
[...And because he knows a certain shadow is always at the princess' elbow:] Alone, perhaps?
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Sure, her expression remains composed and even as the silence hangs in the air, it isn't oppressive. It could easily be mistaken as her gathering her thoughts, a pause before she answers. But that isn't what it is - he's sure of that. It goes beyond that, and even when she does answer, there really isn't anything to go on.
What happened to her? Lorenz desperately wants to ask, but he isn't sure he truly wants to know the answer.
Either way, she won't tell him. Not here and now, at any rate, though he can't be sure she really trusts him enough to answer that question even if they were somewhere private where no one could overhear. So he takes another sip of tea to try to figure out how best to proceed—
And then Edelgard goes back to that, something that was really just a throwaway comment from him not intended to spark debate (but definitely intended to prove how right he was) so the matter of Edelgard's past is something he'll put aside for now.
(Someday he'll ask her directly, and maybe someday she'll be ready to answer him.)]
No, I don't. We are simply two friends enjoying our time together, are we not?
[Friends might not be the exact right word, considering the words on his wrist - and the words he hasn't said yet on hers - but it's good enough.]
Besides, Ferdinand and I have tea all the time and no one thinks anything strange of it!
[...You know, as soon as he says it, he realizes he has no idea if that's true or not. Ohhhhh goddess. Everyone totally thinks they're banging, don't they.]
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[She's not going to disagree that they're two friends enjoying their time together, but like. Everyone else? They're gonna talk, and good lord have they ever about those two.
She doesn't want to tell him that part of this is at least due to worry about some unsavory individuals using him against her, but...well, they can have that talk much later.]
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[give him a second]
Who could possibly think that Ferdinand and I are courting!?
[ohhhhhh goddess, he's bright red, looking somewhere between mortified and baffled.]
Nothing against Ferdinand, of course! He's a lovely individual and I'm certain he'll find a suitable partner, but that is certainly not me.
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[...Edelgard almost feels bad for just how mortified and baffled Lorenz is, holy shit. But like. She's not gonna keep him in the dark???]
This is what I mean, however. People will make a mountain out of any sort of molehill that they can find.
[...Edelgard can see someone looking over at both of them with a friend before they seem to get the fright of their life and run off. At least Hubert has her back here......]
...I will see what I can do to dispel such a rumor, however, then. [Edelgard seems far more serious when she says that, looking back to Lorenz.] You have my word.
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[Oh dear. He really has made a mess of things, hasn't he... He'll have to discuss this with Ferdinand and see about figuring something else out. Perhaps private tea breaks in one of their rooms? Surely no one would get the wrong idea if they were spending hours in each others' rooms every week...
...yeah, okay maybe he can see where this looks a little like courting.]
You have my apologies for doubting you, Edelgard. However I must insist that it was never my intention to be so... so...
[He waves a hand as daintily as he can while trying to come up with an explanation. Then he gives up with a sigh and drops his hand.]
Never mind. I'm sure you understand what I'm attempting to say. You have my thanks; I would hate for such a rumor to spread too far.
[Mostly for his own reputation, because he really doesn't want to think about what his dad would say if such a thing were to reach his ears. But it's also for Ferdinand's sake as well; for as much as his own father would hate that idea, he can only imagine Duke Aegir would be even worse about it.]
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That incomplete sentence concerns her a bit, but she does have an idea, at least. And yet, it makes a fire burn in her; she can't imagine that his father would have good things to say if he believed the rumor was true. It sees a flash of anger, of determination flow through her, and she winds up going to take his hand briefly.]
I do. You won't have to worry about such a rumor spreading any further; I intend to put an end to it where it stands.
You don't need to worry a second longer, Lorenz.
[Edelgard means that. She means that and more.]
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[Her name leaves him without his permission; it's equally awed and pleased, almost relieved.]
I find it hard to doubt you. You always speak with such conviction... I want nothing more than to believe you.
[Not just about this, but about everything. It's perhaps a bit too honest and too candid, but he finds himself relaxing as he says it.]
Thank you. This was never my intention, of course... But I will do my part to correct those mistaken assumptions. I appreciate your assistance and support.
[He shifts his hand a bit so he can squeeze hers in return... but it can't last for very long, not when they're in public like this and when even tea time will start rumors. He pulls back, his smile a touch disappointed in having to do so.]
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You always speak with such conviction... I want nothing more than to believe you.
Such words should have been something she took pride in. She should have said something, but the tingling feeling in her arm catches her off guard and it takes every ounce of willpower to not look towards her arm as she feels the words on her wrist react.
And yet all she can do is stare at Lorenz as he takes his hand back, and the shocked look on Edelgard's face stays. She doesn't know how to react--is this what it means to finally know one's own soulmate? How could she possibly tell him here and now, of all places, just what she's found out? With people staring, Hubert likely staring, all of it's too much--
Edelgard winds up finishing off her tea and grabbing another sweet before getting up as if she's been set on fire. She doesn't know how to handle this in the slightest, and this is likely the most openly stressed he's ever seen her.]
Yes, well--I'll be sure to take care of that rumor as soon as possible.
[Her words are rushed and frantic in a way that they don't usually get, but--]
I'm afraid I have business to attend to elsewhere. Excuse me.
[Edelgard practically rushes off, sweet still in hand as she makes her way out of there with...little to no regard for how thrown this is gonna likely leave Lorenz, but it's mostly to hide the growing red on her cheeks and just how much she's gonna hate having to talk about this with Hubert.
Uh. Sorry, Lorenz?]
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Edelgard—
[And she's gone. Just like that. It would be a lie to say Lorenz is only baffled by it, but that is his primary emotion at present. Sure, he feels a bit like he's been punched in the gut at her sudden departure and how frantic she was, but it's primarily confusion that leaves him sitting at the table and wondering what just happened.
It'll be fine, he tries to reassure himself. Whatever it is that caused her to leave (flee) will be explained soon enough. He just has to have faith in her. He said as much, didn't he? So he can be patient and wait for an explanation.
He'll just ignore the strange sinking feeling and the vicegrip uncertainty has on his heart.]
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Edelgard had spoken to Hubert shortly after she'd fled, and they had discussed a plan of action; even if this was so soon into their plan, with so many things left in the air, the only course of action that can really be taken is to try and convince Lorenz to their cause. He's thrown a wrench into so many of their plans just by existing and being her soulmate, and as much as Hubert likely wants to put him out of the picture...well, Edelgard wants to believe that she can convince him to join her. To rid this irrational world of the structures that allow the nobility to abuse their power, and to make this world truly free.
It's going to hurt. Edelgard is more than prepared for this, despite Hubert's insistence that he should be the one to confront Lorenz. Edelgard won't let him, because Lorenz is her responsibility. Whether he decides to join him, or if she has to put an end to him.
It should be so easy. All of it should. And yet, Edelgard finds herself worrying none the less, though she keeps it held tightly inside. The vicegrip on her heart isn't going to let go unless she finally takes the plunge, and she'll have to deal with the consequences.
It's what sees Edelgard stopping Lorenz when the Golden Deer's classes let out for the day, and it's as if nothing is wrong when she comes up to him.]
Lorenz. A moment of your time, if you would?
[She just has to do this right. She just has to say the right things, and it'll all be okay.]
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He knows that there isn't any rushing Edelgard - when she's ready to talk, she'll find him. But it's so strange for it to take this long... It's only been a few days, and yet it feels like it's been forever. Maybe it's because he doesn't have much to distract him; his tea time with Ferdinand has been cancelled for the foreseeable future until they work something out that won't look like a date, and he's barely able to pay attention in class.
Not that such a thing would cause his exceptional grades to slip, but it's still a bit disconcerting... Claude's noticed that something's up, but even his pestering isn't enough of a distraction to really keep Lorenz's mind off the situation.
So when Edelgard greets him outside of class, he's both immensely relieved and a bit surprised at how casual she is about it.]
I— Yes, of course; please, lead the way.
[He catches Claude throwing a knowing wink his way, but Lorenz blatantly ignores him and focuses solely on Edelgard. She's likely saving the explanation of what exactly happened the other day for when they're alone, so he'll follow her.]
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Please follow me for a moment.
[Edelgard will lead him back to the rooms; in particular, back to her own. She wouldn't do this if she hadn't planned well in advance--Hubert's at least somewhere near, staying to the shadows as always, but this is the perfect time for them to slip in unnoticed. As long as Lorenz doesn't have any objections, this part should go well.
Edelgard will let him into her room first, though; what may seem like her being a gracious host is more caution, to lock the door behind her and ensure he won't escape easily. She doesn't stand by the door, though; best to not give him the impression she's trapping him. No, there's a little table in the room that she has that they can both sit at. Other than that, though, Edelgard's room is...rather sparse; it's very organized and neat, but other than the table and chairs and quite a few extra ribbons on her desk, it looks unlived in.
Edelgard will take one of the seats, however, and steel herself inwardly. On the surface, it's as if there's nothing wrong.]
Thank you for agreeing to meet with me on such short notice. [Edelgard smiles very slightly.] There is something I need to talk to you about.
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Lorenz enters when she prompts him without thinking about it, looking around her room instead. It's... very sparse... He was expecting a bit of a more homey feeling... Well, just because that's what he prefers doesn't mean Edelgard is the same way, he knows that. He moves to the table to sit, not even noticing that she's locked the door behind them.
Edelgard joins him, and she looks entirely composed. He's not surprised by her words at all, and he nods easily.]
Yes, of course. Please, go ahead.
[He's not really sure what to expect, but whatever it is that bothered Edelgard so badly the other day is certainly something they can discuss and consider together. Regardless of where this may go, he's prepared to handle it with elegance and composure.]
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I owe you an apology, first and foremost, for fleeing from you a few nights ago; I'm afraid that I was taken by surprise when you spoke some very particular words to me, and I am afraid that I reacted in a manner most inappropriate. For that, I apologize.
[She imagines he'll catch her drift easily; she finally did realize that he was her soulmate, after all, and he deserves to know.]
...But it's for that reason that I need to speak to you about something incredibly important.
[Edelgard's expression goes gravely serious, and then she speaks again.]
I intend to change the world that we live in. I intend to take the throne as the Empress of Adrestia, and with it, I intend to challenge the values that F贸dlan has held onto for millenia. The world has grown stagnant due to it's reliance on crests and nobility, and I refuse to let that stand for a moment longer.
But in order for such a thing to happen...I intend wage war, to conquer all of F贸dlan.
[...JESUS CHRIST, EDELGARD?
Her words are very intense, though; she very clearly believes in everything she's saying, and it's as if there's a fire burning inside of her. It's one that'll consume the world at large, if what she's saying comes to pass.]
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And then Edelgard continues, and all that elegance and composure goes straight out the window.
Her words are steel, her eyes are burning, and the certainty in her posture and voice spell it out just as clear as her words do - this is something she feels needs to be done. And were it about almost anything else, maybe he'd be carried away by that passion too. Edelgard has a tendency to inspire others, to rile them up and carry them with her. It's a wonderful talent on the battlefield, it will serve her well as Empress.
And yet here she is, saying something so entirely unbelievable that he almost wants to ask her to repeat it, because surely he's misheard—]
You... Why?
[It's confused and small, and not really the right question to ask. She's already laid out her reasons, and it isn't as though he needs it spelled out for him. They've all seen how horrid the nobility can be when it comes to crests. Sylvain and his brother are just one example of many. He doesn't have to really think about it to come up with plenty of examples of how terrible the reliance on crests has become. Isn't that a part of what he was looking for in a future wife - someone who would be able to pass a crest to his heir? He hadn't even seen anything wrong with it.
That thought makes him feel ill. Or perhaps it's all of this, the sheer magnitude of what Edelgard is saying. She intends to change the world by force, and she wants to do so by conquering all of F贸dlan.
For a moment he allows himself to imagine it. What would her perfect world be like? F贸dlan united under the Empire's banner, with no Alliance or Kingdom, without any reliance on crests... But she's mentioned the nobility as well. What would she do, remove nobility? How would the land be governed? Who would lead? The questions are overwhelming; he doesn't know where to start or what to ask.
He desperately wishes she would tell him it's a joke. He wants to leave and pretend he's never heard a word of this. Neither of those are going to happen. It isn't as though he can turn his back on something like this.
And then, on the heels of that thought - why? Why has she decided to trust him with this? If this is something she's been working on for quite some time - and he imagines it is - then why him? Why would she put her plans at risk for him, when he's a member of that nobility she seems to loathe, when he's already made it clear just how much that nobility means to him?
Maybe it's just his imagination, but it feels like the words on his wrist are burning.]
...Why tell me this? [It's soft and his gaze drops to where his hands are clenched on his knees.] I don't— I'm not sure I understand, Edelgard.
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This world needs to change for the better, so that it isn't governed by noble lineage--but by people who earn their rightful place in this world, so that only the best may be fit to lead. Too many times in this world have nobles who aren't fit to lead farm animals put in charge of the future of entire lands--and everyone suffers for it.
[That much is the easy part. She's as sure as ever when she says that much, because even if it is opening herself up to him--opening herself up to the questions he has, the possible derision, the possibility that she's going to have to kill him here--
All of that is so much easier than his next question, and Edelgard could swear her heart stopped.
It should be easy to tell him why--that they're soulmates, and she wanted to give him at least some warning before she did this. But that's not accurate, is it? That isn't accurate at all, it doesn't even encompass one portion of the feeling that have taken hold in her heart, that threaten to tear her apart from the inside. Feelings she's attempted to deny herself for so long, because they would only get in the way of her plans--because it'd only hurt her, and whoever her soulmate is.
And it hurts especially so, now that she's forced to confront the fact that she may not be able to have both things. Even so, Edelgard's look actually goes down to her own knees, and the laughter she lets out is bitter.]
...I would think that much would be obvious. But of course it's not. Of course it's not, because I haven't...
[Her words are chiding, but they're only so to herself as that bitter laughter comes again. She's never really made her feelings obvious, and that question--and the admission that he doesn't understand hurt a lot more than she'd like to let on.]
Even before you spoke those words to me, I had grown fond of you, Lorenz. [Her words are steady, but her tone is...distant, almost.] Why would I not tell you this, when there's the possibility that we would be on opposing sides? We've been spending so much time trying to make sense of one another, trying to work with one another...for so long, I had opted to reject the idea of a soulmate entirely. I had hoped that the day for exploring such frivolity would come once the world had changed, and yet...
[...]
I would...very much like to imagine the world I seek to create with you in it. That is why.
[It's honest in a way that she wishes didn't feel like a knife to the heart.]
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Anything else is terrifying. It's new, and unknown, and relying on so many things he can barely wrap his head around—
But she isn't wrong. Lands ruled by people who actually know how to lead, to guide their people to prosperity, regardless of lineage would ultimately be far better than the stagnant nature of nobility. He understands, and some part of him hates that he understands. If he didn't, he could simply shrug this off and...
And what?
Thankfully, Edelgard keeps going and he doesn't have time to stop and think about that. Her words are perhaps the most open and honest he's ever heard from her, and it's clear that this isn't easy for her to discuss. He only has a small piece of the story and what's shaped Edelgard up until this point, but he's starting to see that he was woefully wrong about so much of her.
A woman willing to throw the world into war in order to force it to change is his soulmate. The idea should be terrifying, but as the shock slowly begins to wear off, he finds he feels a nearly overwhelming sadness instead. What happened to her to cause her to decide this is truly the only way?]
...Edelgard.
[It's soft, full of an emotion he can't place, and isn't sure he really understands. He reaches out then, opening a hand to her, if she'll take it.]
I had thought to reject the idea of a soulmate as well. When I arrived here, my plan was to find a suitable wife to stand beside me when I inherited House Gloucester. I saw nothing wrong with this.
I must admit, when I discovered you were my soulmate, my thoughts did drift there on occasion. A marriage into House Hresvelg could only serve to strengthen House Gloucester. But thinking about it like that... I felt it wasn't right to consider such a thing.
So I wanted to get to know you, and in doing so... I believe I've learned more about myself as well; about what I am and am not willing to do. I never wanted to force you into being my soulmate, and I never wanted to insist on pursing anything even after you felt the connection as well. I am very glad I've had the opportunity to get to know you so well, and I consider you a dear friend.
[At the very least, though it feels like that's nowhere near enough to express just how much she means to him.
Lorenz takes a deep breath to steady himself, and then presses onward.]
I understand that the nobility is stagnant, and the reliance on crests is abhorrent. We've seen so many people suffering under both. I... have not been quite as cognizant of it as you have, but I can't simply turn a blind eye to the suffering of others.
A world in which leaders will only be those fit to lead, without a reliance on crests... It certainly sounds like a wonderful dream. But Edelgard, I must ask you... Is there truly no other way this can be accomplished? Is war the only path forward to such a future?
[The words are mostly even, perhaps surprisingly eloquent given just how much of a shock all this is, but Lorenz tries his best to be adaptable. It's a lot. It's so much to take in, and he can practically feel the weight of it on his shoulders. He can scarcely imagine how much more Edelgard has had to bear. But this... this is something he needs to know before he decides how to proceed. If peace and negotiation are out of the option, then...
Well, he suspects he already knows Edelgard's answer. He can't see her jumping to war if other options are available.]
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But Edelgard listens to him, and she's not surprised by what she hears. She'd be naive to think that his thoughts didn't drift towards how marrying into House Hresvelg would benefit House Gloucester immensely. That his house would place importance on finding a suitable wife with a noble pedigree, rather than a wife who could properly support her husband.
And yet, as Edelgard listens, that fire is reignited anew; he clearly understands just what she's getting at, even if he doesn't see it the same way that she does. And the fact that he's never wanted to push her into pursuing a relationship is something she can appreciate as well, because it's clear he does care.
When he asks those questions of her, however, Edelgard's look steels again, and her answer is likely deeply unsurprising to him.]
No. This is the only way forward; even if I were to eventually succeed my father and become Empress without doing such things, nothing would change. I could sit everyone down and discuss with them the merits of such things for hours on end, and do you know what they would all do? They'd laugh me out of the room at best, and attempt to oust me for my insanity at worst. And why should they listen? This cruel, irrational world has only benefited them, and they're certainly not going to let anything change if that means they'll lose the power they cling to.
Even if the future rulers of F贸dlan all came together and rallied behind such a cause, we would be stopped in our tracks at every turn. Whether it be the nobility or the church, nothing would possibly change, and we would all die before any impact could possibly be made.
That is why I must do so by force. [Edelgard's calm when she says that, because she knows it's what needs to be done.] In order to ensure that F贸dlan will no longer stagnate, and to lead it to a brighter future, I will tear the old world asunder. It is the only way to lead F贸dlan to a brighter future, and prevent such hideous things from happening again.
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War is the only way. A forced upheaval of the old system, and the careful guiding hand to usher it in, even if that means a complete conquest of F贸dlan.
He doesn't like it, but he can understand it now that it's been laid out for him. Is it cruel to allow F贸dlan to stay on its current course? To allow more and more families to suffer because they don't bear the crests "necessary" for nobility? To allow more and more forced marriages for blood rather than for love? To allow nobles to trample the commoners again and again and again, just because they've inherited something that is a symbol of status more than a weapon it once was?
It is cruel, and even though he loathes the idea of such extreme measures, it truly does seem to be the only way to fix things.
But that leaves his part in it. Can he really turn his back on the Alliance? After all he was taught and trained for, after everything his father worked so hard for? Can he truly say that this is what he wants to do? To give up his own birthright and family name, for the sake of a brighter future?
Well, that's actually the easy part. As terrifying as it sounds to change the fundamentals he's known since he was a child, if it's for the benefit of F贸dlan, the benefit of everyone, then he would be exceptionally selfish to say no.
But not many people will agree. His father won't, the Alliance won't, Claude won't. He can't imagine any of his classmates would understand Edelgard's ideals and why this is necessary. Is he really going to take her hand and hope that she can guide all of F贸dlan to a brighter future?
If he doesn't, she's not going to stop. If he doesn't, she'll fight all on her own. He's learned that much about Edelgard, and before he's even fully decided, his grip tightens on her hand.]
You always sound so certain. I wish I could believe that your words alone could change F贸dlan.
[They won't. No matter how much she inspires and motivates him, her words won't reach the ears of those who refuse to listen.]
"Noble blood alone cannot help one on the field of battle."
[His free hand moves to slide his sleeve down, so she can clearly see the words on his wrist.]
I will not offer you my blood or my crest. But I will offer you everything I have left. I want to fight for this brighter future. I will stand at your side, regardless of what must be done. If this world has stagnated, then I trust you will do all you can to fix it.
[His hands are shaking a bit, so he tightens his grip on Edelgard's. Despite that, there's a fire in his eyes and determination in his expression that normally isn't present.]
I cannot make up for the mistakes of my fellow nobles, but I can work to stop such cruelties from ever happening again. Please, allow me to assist you in any way I can, Edelgard.
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But Edelgard waits, her unflinching conviction even in the face of someone like him unwavering. She can't yield to anyone. If he doesn't understand, she'll dispose of him. It's as simple as that.
And yet, for all of the planning she did for what would happen if he didn't join them, she never had any plans prepared for the possibility that he would.
His words feel like that knife to the chest has been removed, but with it comes new feelings--anxiety, the worry that he could be used against her, that those who slither in the dark will catch wind of this and use him the same way they continue to use her. And yet...there's something freeing in hearing him say all of those things; he understands that the world needs to change. That the world deserves to be inherited by those who can actually lead.
Edelgard knew she was growing to love him for a reason, and that conviction alone may have solidified her feelings. The shocked expression on her face slowly gives way to something warm--something appreciative, and her grip on his hand goes tight as well as he pulls down his sleeve. The words are...still a smudge to her, but she knows better than anyone that those words ring incredibly true. That determination in his eyes more than makes up for it as well.]
Then I accept your offer wholeheartedly. I will need every ounce of strength by my side that I can get when the time to strike comes. And when it comes...we will usher a new era upon F贸dlan. We'll put an end to all of these cruelties, and we will ensure that the future generations prosper.
[Edelgard's own grip on Lorenz's hand is tight, and yet it loosens just a bit as her expression goes...soft, really. She doesn't quite know what's causing it, but it feels like relief flooding through her, and more than anything, she...]
...I cannot thank you enough, Lorenz. I... [Edelgard gazes away from him, perhaps a little embarrassed.] I had been so worried that you would reject what I had to say entirely, that I did not even prepare for the possibility that you might say yes...that was foolish of me.
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He doesn't want to start thinking about that. It can wait. Perhaps someday he'll ask her about it, but he doesn't want to even consider it right now.
Edelgard recovers quickly enough and her expression settles into something... soft. It's more gentle than he's ever seen her, and something in him aches on seeing it. What would it be like if she could let down her guard like this all the time?]
Did you really think you wouldn't be able to convince me? You're far too hard on yourself; you're very persuasive.
[Or maybe it wasn't that at all and she didn't have enough faith in him. Maybe she thought he wouldn't be able to see past his own thoughts and feelings and closely-held beliefs, things that have kept him blind for so long.
...He doesn't really want to consider that either.]
Obviously I won't say a word about this to anyone, but is there anything else I can do for y— to help?
[The slip gets him to glance away, a light flush settling across his features. It would be stupid to think that his affections for her haven't had a role to play in his decision to side with her on this, but the last thing he wants is for Edelgard to believe that he's going along with this just because she's his soulmate and he has feelings for her. It does factor into that decision, certainly, but he doesn't want her to think him foolish enough to rush into this for that reason alone.]
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But you've elected to give all you have left to my cause, and I solemnly swear that I won't let that trust go to waste.
[Even so, Edelgard can't help but flush a little bit at the compliment; it's very sweet of him to say, and it fills her with a sense of pride. Of course she's persuasive; she's the future Empress, after all!
Even so, that slip is...honestly cute, and Edelgard honestly finds it endearing. She wants so badly to reach out and cup his cheek, to turn him back towards her and--
Okay, let's not get too ahead of ourselves now. Edelgard has to glance away when her thoughts get a little too ahead of themselves, and her cheeks feel like they're burning.]
We will have to discuss our current plans with you once Hubert and I are able to speak again. For now, you should simply go about your life as usual; if there is anything you can report to us, or perhaps any ways you can keep the teachers distracted, it would be appreciated.
But for now...
[What does she say? She doesn't necessarily want him to leave, but she can't...really think of anything else to do in here. This is already going far better than she could have anticipated.]
...I would... [come on edie, you got this] If you're amendable to such things and have nothing pressing to attend to, I would...like to spend time with you.
[holy shit!! she did it!!]
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He glances back in Edelgard's direction in time to watch that blush spread across her face, and it's easily one of the most beautiful things he's ever seen. No sunset could ever hope to compare, not even a perfectly-brewed cup of tea can hold a candle to her beauty. Maybe he'll pen these thoughts down later and never show her because he'll die before he lets anyone see any of his poetry.
Anyway, he isn't surprised at all that Hubert is in on this. That actually makes everything Hubert has decided to be make way more sense. He nods at her words, but Edelgard's hesitation keeps him silent until she finds the words she's looking for.]
I'm free for the rest of the evening, and I would be pleased to spend more time with you, Edelgard.
[And even though this is by far the most difficult discussion he's ever had, the smile he wears is bright. This isn't going to be easy - he's not stupid enough to think it would be - but for right now they're just two students at the Officers Academy, and there's still some time to pretend that's all they have to be.
He'll cherish every day he can spend with her like this until it's time for her to become the Empress.]
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For now, they're two student's at the Officers Academy. They can cherish that time, before she becomes Empress.]
Thank you, Lorenz. Is there anywhere in particular you would like to go?
[...]
We could certainly stay in here, but I must admit, my room isn't exactly prepared for any guests...
[She just kinda. Looks around the room a bit. Maybe she should have at least some books in here to entertain...]
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I can't say I'm surprised, given what you've told me! I imagine you're usually only in here to sleep.
[His smile is still easy, and it's only then he remembers that he's still holding her hand. Should he... let go...?? Well, they're in the privacy of her room so it's not like he has to...]
I don't mind it at all. Really, we could go anywhere and I would enjoy our time spent together just as much.
[...is that too forward???]
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