Dimitri and Edelgard walked around the garden

Edelgard examines the garden until she noticed a stone building with a caged room extend to the outside "Hey...Dimitri, remember the time I was caged?" Edelgard asked 

"Of course I do and..." Dimitri looked away a bit with embarrassment "How I twist those bars when were just children," Dimitri chuckle a bit 

"Me too, it's just a shame that I couldn't stay within Fhirdiad to avoid those..." Edelgard hesitance as she looks at the flowers within the garden "I...no, it already too late...I..." Edelgard eyes start to water as she looks at the ground 

Dimitri pats her on the behind "El, it is not your fault, stop blaming yourself...blame your uncle that dragged us apart," said Dimitri as he continues to comfort Edelgard 

"Yea...it was my uncle that tried to drag us apart and make us kill each other..." Edelgard looked up at Dimitri "Thankfully, that didn't happen," Edelgard smiled a bit as her eyes started to dry up 

"I don't what to think about it...it all behind us now," Dimitri pulled Edelgard away from the build slowly while having a sorrow look on his face 

"Yea, it all in the past now...it all in the past," muttered Edelgard as she chuckles a bit 

Dimitri looked down and noticed something "Edelgard...is something wrong with your leg?" Dimitri asked in a concerned voice 

"Hm?" Edelgard looked down and noticed that her right leg has a dark mark on it as the mark starts to take root within her leg "What the...a curse?" Edelgard face became filled with panic 

"No, no, no..." he muttered "El, let me carry to my room," said Dimitri as he quickly picks up Edelgard with both of his hands before quickly spiriting towards his room 

Edelgard blushed while she stared at Dimitri who was focused on what in front of him before calming herself as she just let herself become light as a feather 

---------------

Sylvain and Ingrid took their horses out of the stables and into the field where jousting is very common but today...they aren't jousting as right now they are duelling on horseback meaning the wooden barricades that would normally separate the two isn't present 

Both of them are equipped with a Long spear and a Paladin shield as they position themselves across from each other on the empty field 

"Ingrid...I will make you see the truth through this duel once and for all," Said Sylvain as he steadies his horse 

Ingrid scoffed "Very funny Sylvain, I would have taken your 'wording' seriously...if you had bested me in a duel during our times in Garreg Mach," Ingrid replied 

Sylvain sighed "Maybe so, but this time...I will give it my all!" He shouted as he prepares himself 

Ingrid smiled "Come then, let us clash and see if you can prove me wrong," she raised her heeds and slams them down, making her horse charge forward 

Sylvain frowned but did the same thing as they both charge at each other, raising their Long spear forward and their Paladin shield in front of them 

Ingrid took the first strike by thrusting her spear towards Sylvain's chest but he blocked it by rising his shield in front of him 

Sylvain groans in pain as he thrust back at Ingrid who just dodged it by controlling her horse to move back to avoid his strike 

She moved her horse forward a bit as she spun her spear above her head before thrusting it towards Sylvain 

He quickly pulls his horse to side dodging her thrust before moving his horse forward and spun his spear over his head like Ingrid before thrusting his spear at Ingrid 

Ingrid raised her Paladin shield to block Sylvain's thrust but failed as she got hit into her right shoulder. She grunts in pain as she tries to hide it within her face 

Sylvain took a chance by doing another thrust at Ingrid but this time she successfully blocked it 

She frowned as she moves her horse forward and spun the Long spear over her head and thrust it right at Sylvain 

He failed to raise his shield in time as she landed a blow against his chest causing him to grunt in pain 

Ingrid smiled as she once more spun her spear over her head and thrust at Sylvain once more

Sylvain dodged it by pulling his horse to avoid the spear thrust but that when Ingrid spun her spear over her head once more and thrust her spear forward at Sylvain. He frowned as he raised his Paladin shield to block the thrust from Ingrid  in which he does successfully 

However, she didn't stop her assault as she spun her spear over her head once more and kept on repeating the pattern of strikes again and again at Sylvain  

Sylvain tighten the grip of his shield as he continues to block the third strike and the fouth as his shield shatters into tiny bits much to his surprise 

Ingrid soon stopped "Had enough now?" Ingrid asked who doesn't even look that exhausted after launching a wave of attacks 

He looked at Ingrid with a straight face and shook his head "No, as a knight of Faerghus, I will never give up on making you see the truth," Sylvain replied 

Ingrid chuckled at the comment "How laughable Sylvain, in that case...I just beat some sense into you," Ingrid charged forward and thrust her spear forward 

Sylvain dodged Ingrid thrust as he counters back at Ingrid who just calmly dodged it out of the way 

She rolled her eyes as she moves her mount forward and spun the Long spear over her head before thrusting at Sylvain which landed straight into his chest 

Sylvain felt the full strength of Ingrid thrust as he tightens his mouth trying to hide the pain within him even though he was wearing armour that was suppose to protect him 

Ingrid wasn't done yet as she once again repeats the pattern as she unleashes a barrage of thrust with her Long spear 

Without his Paladin shield, Sylvain is left as a sitting duck as takes hit after hit, after hit until after five continues thrust in a row all of whom landed without any problems. Sylvain entire body is filled with pain, left and right arm are bleeding, his eyes are barely open as he drops his long spear onto the ground before falling off of his mount 

Ingrid smiled "Told you so, I have gotten a lot stronger unlike you...maybe you should spend some of your free time training instead of just flirting with the ladies," said Ingrid as she rode off to the stables 

Sylvain extends his hand forward "No...I...I can still...fight..." his vision is starting to faint out of existence "Ashe...forgive me...I couldn't stop her from...going to the wrong...path..." Sylvain muttered as his entire body fell heavy onto the ground 

-------------------

Dimitri burst into his bedroom and placed Edelgard onto his bed before leaving to get Rodrigue 

Edelgard just examines Dimitri's room until her eyes got caught at a sight of a book that has a blue with white outlines on it. She picked it up as she examines it before taking a peek inside where the first page she encounters is a snow painting where the blue looks like a sapphire colour 

She gasps as Edelgard 'accidentally' let go of the book and let it dropped onto her lap while both of her hands cover her face as vision starts to overwhelm her

---

Young Edelgard and young Dimitri lay onto the bed together reading a book which is mostly about paintings 

Dimitri points out at the snow painting "The Blue in this snow painting it's like a sapphire," said Dimitri 

Edelgard smiled alongside Dimitri "So it's possible to produce such a sublime colour," Edelgard replied as she leans in closer to examine the book 

Dimitri quickly noticed Edelgard smiling so he smiled alongside her "Hehe, how nice," 

Her face quickly turns into a normal look as she stared at Dimitri who smiling at her "...what?" 

Dimitri smiled directly at Edelgard "I just thought how much I loved seeing it, it's that look on your face El, you're having fun," 

Edelgard started to blush as she started to have an awkward look on her face "...you need to stop being so dense in the future," 

-------------

Edelgard came back to reality as her breathing became heavy

Rodrigue burst into the room "Princess Edelgard, are you alright?" Rodrigue asked with a worried look on his face 

She lowered her hands as she noticed that Dimitri is not with him "Lord Rodrigue...where D...Prince Dimitri?" Edelgard asked 

Rodrigue shakes his head as he moved the book onto a nearby counter "His Highness had to handle something else, he sent me to check on you and said that there something wrong on your right leg, is that true?" he gave a concerned look as he waited for her response 

Edelgard nods as she reveals her right leg which has a dark mark on it 

Rodrigue examines for a long time "This mark must have appeared from a high tier of dark magic, thankfully it was noticed in its early state otherwise things would have gotten worse, just hold still your highness, I need to make sure that I cast the right spell onto the different places of the mark," 

She nods once more as she lays flat onto the bed and allowed Rodrigue to do his work 

"Just how did you get this mark?" Rodrigue asked with a confused look on his face 

Edelgard looked away for a moment but sighed "Lord Rodrigue, it a long story...are you willing to listen?" Edelgard asked 

Rodrigue nods "Yes, my ears are open to you," he muttered some words into his hand as white magic appeared onto his hand 

Edelgard sighed as she opened her mouth to explain the events leading up to the end of TWSITD and how she got injured by a death spell. Of course, she left out the goddess tower, meals, how she became Emperor, nobility purge, etc 

---------------------

Earlier 

Rodrigue and Dimitri were heading towards Dimitri's room until they pass by Sylvain who is sitting on a bench within the training ground. Dimitri noticed all of the wounds on Sylvain as he moves closer 

"Sylvain...what happened to you?" Dimitri asked as he looks concerned 

Sylvain shook his head "Ingrid, I lost her..." he looked up at Dimitri "oh hey Dimitri, it nice to see you," Sylvain tries to smile a bit but it came off as awkward 

"Ingrid? No...I..." Dimitri struggle for a bit "I understand, I try my best to bring her back," said Dimitri as pats Sylvain on the shoulder before heading towards the stable until Sylvain pulled his arm 

He nods in satisfaction "Your Highness, I got a question for you," said Sylvain 

Dimitri turns back to Sylvain "Yes Sylvain...what is it?" 

Sylvain smirks "Is Edelgard your girlfriend?" 

Dimitri looked unphased as he pats Sylvain's right shoulder "Yes, she is," he replied before turning back to Rodrigue "Rodrigue, aid Princess Edelgard and only you...no one else, I need to deal with something," said Dimitri 

Rodrigue nods "Yes your Highness," he bowed before heading towards Dimitri room 

While Dimitri head towards the training ground all on his own where he saw Ingrid training all by herself against a training dummy "Ingrid!" 

Ingrid turn towards Dimitri "Your Highness," She kneeled in front of Dimitri 

He frowned at the sight but just shake his head "Ingrid, what did you do to Sylvain?" Dimitri asked 

She stood up and stared at Dimitri who also has a frown on her face "That foolish boy who keeps on flirting with women while neglecting his training...he foolishly challenged me to a duel, so I beat some sense into him," Ingrid replied with a smile on her face 

Dimitri looked shocked as he shakes his head "No, he was our friend...one of our oldest and yet...this is how you treat him? I know he can be annoying but this is going a little too far," 

Ingrid scoffed "'A little too far'...very funny, he does even seem to care about Mercedes at all...she just another woman to him," She started to chuckle a bit 

"No...he does care about her...like you cared about Ashe," he tightens his fist "I won't allow any more insults against Sylvain! He is my friend or to be more accurate...he is our friend," Dimitri took off his right glove and toss it to the ground right in front of Ingrid  "Ingrid Brandl Galatea, I challenge you to duel on horseback...this duel will prove you wrong!" 

She just stared at Dimitri for a moment before rubbing her eyes "Your Highness...this must be a joke...right?" Dimitri replied by shaking his head which made Ingrid sighed as she stared at the glove on the ground "Very well..." she picked up the glove and gave it back to Dimitri "I accept you challenge, your highness," 

Dimitri smiled "Good, now shall we?" Dimitri asked 

"Yes, but remember your Highness, I am not going to hold back," Ingrid replied as they both make their way towards the stables 

--------------

Rodrigue looked shocked as he just stared at Edelgard "Is it...true?" Rodrigue asked

Edelgard nods "Yes, everything I said is true...even the fact that we made our vows within the Goddess tower," said Edelgard as she leans back onto the bed 

He smiled as he pats Edelgard's shoulder "Than please, take care of him...it fits rather nicely that a Princess from the Adrestian Empire is in a relationship with the Prince of Fearghus," 

She turns to face Rodrigue "Lord Rodrigue you got one thing wrong,"

Rodrigue looked surprised "W..what did I get wrong?" Rodrigue asked with a straight face 

Edelgard took a deep breath as she spoke in a clear voice "I am no longer Princess...that was long ago in the past, my father has recently abdicated as Emperor due to his heath...I let you guess the rest," said Edelgard 

He looked rather speechless as he looks directly at Edelgard "If your father abdicated...than that means you are..." 

She nods "During my field trip, I was coronated as the new Emperor of the Adrestian Empire...even so only Dimitri, Claude, Dedue, Ferdinand, Hubert, Petra, Lysithea and just recently you Lord Rodrigue, knows about this coronation," 

Rodrigue sighed "You know, I was quite shocked at the news when it was Dimitri who asked me to gather some forces so we can rebel against the Church of Serios...alongside how Cornelia was a traitor within our ranks...that reminds me, I should thank you for exposing her true roots...even if she got away," said Rodrigue as he sighed in frustration 

"No problem, you shouldn't blame yourself, it happens...we just get her next time. After all, we still destroyed their main base of operation even though it came with a great cost," Edelgard sighed as she leans back even more  

He sighed in relief as he continues to use faith magic onto her right leg which still has the mark "By the way Edelgard...why do you want to rebel against the Church of Serios?" Rodrigue asked 

Edelgard stared at Rodrigue and sighed "Reforms...people asked for the Church of Serios to reform its system...but when they tried, they got faced by Rhea wrath alongside the Higher-ups within the Church, they refuse any choice of reforms that would weaken their authority and will often give themselves massive wages by putting high taxes onto the common folk when they could barely scrape by. It also doesn't help that will kill anyone who tries to suggest reforms, it like a wormy apple. It looks nice on the outside but the inside it just disgusting like the Church of Serios themselves," Edelgard explained 

He nods in agreement "...I agree for the most part your majesty, as the central church does need some reforms but isn't declaring a rebellion against the Church of Serios going a little overboard?" Rodrigue asked 

"I know...I have seen some members within the Church that are worthy of their position like Seteth but he only one piece of the whole pie, I am planning to give Lady Rhea a chance for reforms and to possible step down as Archbishop...but I highly doubt it as Lady Rhea will mostly do anything to keep herself in power no matter what," Edelgard sighed in frustration 

Rodrigue nods once more "I see, so Emperor Edelgard, where did your hatred for the Church of Serios came from beside shutting down reforms...there must be more than what you just said," 

Edelgard nods as she looks at Rodrigue for a moment before beginning to speak "I don't hate goddess as a symbol...that fine with me, however, if the goddess is used to justify their terrible actions...that when I start to have problems like the Church of Serios who often use this excuse of doing justice for the goddess," 

 "That understandable..." He looked down for a moment before looking back at Edelgard "Anymore?" Rodrigue asked 

She nods once more "The main reason why I hated Rhea is..." she looked away for a moment "She watched my siblings die one...by one as she just sat in her riches and refuse to do anything to help me or my siblings even though we begged every single day for her to save us from those terrible monsters," 

Rodrigue looked horrified at the news "Monsters...you must have mean...those like Cornelia?" 

Edelgard nods as she continues her talk "They are named TWSITD, they were the ones dragged us into a large cell as they took us one by one onto a table where they start to perform those 'experiments'. One by one...my father and I watched as my siblings either die...go mad or suffered a worse fate. All in the name of processing a crest...and while we begged for the goddess to set us free and help us...all of our prays were unanswered as they continue to perform those wicked experiments," She tries her best to keep a calm look on her face but failed as it filled with sorrow and pain 

"That terrible your majesty, I can't believe this, why didn't the Church of Serios do anything about this? Surely they noticed the number of deaths within the Imperial family," said Rodrigue who looks to be outraged about the topic 

Edelgard scoffed "They did...but they did nothing about it not even an investigating was launched by the Knight of Serios, they just passed it off as 'natural cause'" Edelgard frowned as she tightens her fist "Rhea never physical touched my family but she abandoned us to die in the darkness below as we continue to beg for help and Rhea...ignored every single clue, hint and cry for help just so she can stay within her forged light," 

Rodrigue pats Edelgard on her shoulder "I understand your anger within your words and your sentence even though some of is..." He shook his head "No...anymore?"

She smiled at Rodrigue "Thank you Lord Rodrigue...yes there is a bit more after I survived those terrible experiments, I had high hopes for Rhea to find those monsters and end the nobility that held my father as a puppet...Rhea did neither and she passed it off as I said earlier 'natural cause'...at that moment, I knew exactly on why my family suffered...it was the TWSITD, Rhea herself and the Church of Serios," said Edelgard as she sighed in relief 

"I truly understand your anger from my experience with Prince Dimitri after the Tragedy of Duscur. So if you need someone to comfort you then please...don't be afraid to ask me," said Rodrigue as he finished his healing "The mark is gone, for now, you should have someone that an expect on Faith Magic to keep an eye on it," He stood up straight and bowed towards Edelgard "I shall take my leave, just rest up," 

Edelgard nods as she watches Rodrigue make his exit "Thank you Rodrigue...thank you for listening," muttered Edelgard as allow herself to rest onto Dimitri bed or at least that was the plan until a voice woke her up 

Claude was sitting next to Edelgard "Hey...are you awake?" Claude asked with a smug look on his face

----------------

Dimitri and Ingrid took their horses from the stable and arrived at the same flat ground where the duel between Sylvain and Ingrid took place. Both of them are equipped with a Long Spear and a Paladin shield as they position themselves across from each other 

"Are you ready Ingrid? If so remember not to hold anything back even against me," said Dimitri as he steadies his horse 

Ingrid nods "Yes your Highness, I...I obey, now let us clash!" Ingrid replied as they both raised their reeds and slam it down causing their horse to move forward 

Ingrid struck first as she spun her Long spear over her head and thrust towards Dimitri 

Dimitri quickly raised his shield to successful block Ingrid thrust before countering back with the same move as he spun his Long spear above his head before thrusting at Ingrid 

She successfully blocked it before repenting her second attack 

This time it landed right onto Dimitri's chest but it appears that Dimitri just shrugs it off before countering once more 

Ingrid failed to block it as Dimitri Long spear landed right into her chest, she grunts in pain while her face is trying to remain calm as she starts her fury of attacks 

The first one landed straight at his chest but once again he ignores it like its nothing, the second missed when Dimitri pulled his horse away from Ingrid thrust...same with the third, fourth and fifth as Dimitri dodged 4/5 without any problems 

She appeared to be exhausted as Dimitri move forward to thrust his spear at Ingrid who successfully blocked it 

Dimitri frowned before doing another attack but this time he raised his horse to the side while pointing his Long spear at Ingrid before thrusting straight into Ingrid's chest 

She tried to block it but failed as Dimitri Long spear sent her flying off of her mount and onto the ground 

Dimitri smiled as he dismounted and extend his hand towards Ingrid "There, I proved you wrong Ingrid," said Dimitri 

Ingrid was in a kneeling position while still using her right arm to cover the area that hit her chest. She looked up at Dimitri "How?" Ingrid asked 

"Not how...why? I tell you why you lost the duel against me, you lost because you failed to adept...you were too focused on getting revenge for Ashe or to more exact, you let the dead blind you Ingrid," said Dimitri as he slowly pulls Ingrid up 

She dusted herself off before asking "Are you telling me to forget the dead?" Ingrid asked in a voice of anger 

Dimitri just stared at Ingrid for a moment "No Ingrid, I am telling you that you shouldn't be blinded by the dead and that you should focus on yourself," He sighed in relief before turning around "I let you figure it out on your own, just remember my words," Dimitri mounted up before riding off to the stables 

Ingrid stared at the ground as she moves her hand forward "Blinded by the dead...you should focus on yourself..." Ingrid muttered before looking up at the blue skies 

Meanwhile, Dimitri arrived back at the stables, after putting away his horse, Long Spear and Paladin shield. He soon makes his way back to his room until he encountered Felix who is staring at him 

"Felix, do you need something?" Dimitri asked with a concerned look 

Felix looked at Dimitri as he took a deep breath "Thank you...for saving Ingrid, I watched both duels and...I can't believe that I am saying this again but...thank you...Dimitri," said Felix as he pats on Dimitri's shoulder before leaving 

Dimitri looked surprised at the comment as he smiled at Felix before continuing his way back to his room