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It was a warm night in Garreg Mach,a soft breeze filled the night,along with a gorgeous full moon. All of the students were inside their rooms, probably sleeping considering it was 4:38 am.
However,in one of the rooms, there was a princess who could not sleep no matter how much she tried.
“Ugh… it's no use,I either don't sleep or have a nightmare that wakes me up… this is a waste of time” - Edelgard sighed as she began to walk towards the window in her dormitory.
The princess gazed at the moon,it was surprisingly soothing and calming,but she still felt like trying to sleep again would just be useless.She began to get dressed,maybe a walk would tire her enough to force her back to bed.
As she stepped down the stairs to get outside,a faint melody filled her ears.
“... Is someone playing instruments this late? Who in the world would do that at this hour?” - She mumbled to herself.
Moving stealthily,she noticed the noise coming near the pond. As she approached more and more, she saw a familiar figure…
It was no other than the professor, strumming a guitar bathed under the full moon, sitting on the stairs gracefully.
“Professor? I never knew you had a musical talent” - Edelgard asked the professor,who was a bit startled by the sudden appearance.
The music stopped as Byleth looked at her - “ Edelgard? You can't sleep again?”
The princess looked slightly saddened,not like the question offended her, it's just that it's becoming such a frequent thing even the professor began to notice.
“Yeah.. you could say that,I was hoping a little walk would tire me…”
There was a bit of silence for a few seconds, until Byleth invited Edelgard to sit next to her and enjoy the tune.
“Ah, it'd be an honor,thank you professor” - A soft smile appeared on the princess’ face,as she sat down one step below Byleth.
That soft tune began to play once again,it was calming,no need for words while the music filled the room, regardless, Edelgard had some questions for the professor.
“So,have you been playing the guitar for a long time?” - Edelgard awkwardly asked, even if she knew the professor would be happy to answer.
Byleth nodded,even if she never knew she had this talent,she just felt like playing the guitar and it went well for her.
“Why are you playing here out of all places,is there a special reason?” - Edelgard asked eagerly,she loves learning about the professor.
The tune started to play a little lower,as the player began to prepare her answer.
“Well,I didn't want to bother your colleagues and the pond under the moon is beautiful, that's all” - Byleth answered while smiling at her.
“I see… that's all I wanted to ask,please,do continue.”
And so she did,there was something about that melody that calmed Edelgard,all her troubles seemed to fade away as long as the melody continued to play.
Lately,she was more worried than usual,maybe that's why she could barely sleep,it has been a lot recently…
The recurring nightmares… their screams… It's impossible to sleep like this.
And yet,sleep is something that we humans will always need, fearing a collapse. She was desperate to get some sleep, what if she just fainted on a mission and made a fool of herself? The whole future of an empire relies on her and even if she had everything prepared,she felt a bit… nervous.
Even after all those worries,here next to the professor they felt like… nothing,it was like a miracle,like nothing could ever go wrong with her by her side.
“Professor…please, never leave my side.” - Edelgard whispered out loud,even if she meant to keep it to herself
The music stopped,as the guitarist looked at the princess
“Did you say something? Sorry,I didn't hear you” - Byleth asked as she slightly tilted her head
Edelgard was a bit embarrassed after the professor might've heard her - “Ah, nothing nothing, don't mind me” she said blushing slightly
And so she listened,and kept playing her tune
“I promise I'll keep you safe,Edelgard,I swear on it” - Byleth thought to herself,set on fulfilling the promise.
For the next hour,the guitar kept playing,they just sat in silence as peace and harmony filled the monastery.
After an hour,they said their goodbyes as both left to get some sleep…
…And even after 5 years,the promise Byleth made was kept intact,as they both still meet up in some restless nights to sit by the pond to play some tunes,together.