The Missing Stone

The Beginning of Something

She sits perched on the professor's shoulder, watching what remains of their soldiers clean up. She hops off eventually, bored with the current events. She is, however, elated that Ashe is happy. Dedue obviously left a large impression on everyone's hearts, which is proven by everyone as they welcome him back with cheers and challenges (Felix).

As Mildred turns the corner, the concept is further proven when the prince is, technically, questioning Dedue's very existence while the latter merely watches with a small smile.

"Dedue!" For a moment he resembles something akin to a young child. "You're alive! How...You died. Five years ago..." Dedue's smile grows, and he shakes his head.

"I was saved by my brothers. Men of Duscur." The prince lowers his head, hiding behind ragged bangs.

"So those people you were with..." he says quietly, like he is afraid of breaking something with the simple volume his voice. "They were of Duscur? And they saved you?" Dedue nods with absolute finality.

"Your Highness. I asked that you fulfill your long-held desire, did I not?" Briefly, the blond lifts his head. "Allow me to once again act as your sword and shield. Please, let me witness your triumph. I want to behold the moment your wish is finally granted."

"Dedue..." a mere whisper of breath. "Of course. And in exchange, I ask that you swear something to me, here and now." His voice breaks, his breath hitching. "Do not ever throw away your life again." Dedue nods again, smiling in assurance.

Mildred backs away, stunned by the blond's behavior. From what she knows of him, he doesn't let others close to him, his cold demeanor driving them away. It's like he doesn't want to, but some part of him does, like he deserves it. She knows she's missing something.

Footsteps echo vaguely in her ears, and she bounds away, ready to return Ashe's bow. After wandering around the bridge for several minutes, she gives up her search. He's probably resting right now. While she doesn't understand what he's going through, she sympathizes anyway, and the battle would've at least made everyone weary.

Dropping the bow and the ring off in the convoy, her eye catches one of the generals talking to a young girl. The girl is pleading with him for something. Shifting forms, she follows Rodrigue to assess the situation.

"By the Goddess!" It's the closest to a curse she's heard from him, so he must be in a bad mood right now. "What's with all the commotion?" The maiden gasps at something behind her and she turns her head, spotting the prince. Oh.

"What is this girl doing here?" Rodrigue continues. "This is an army, not an orphanage." The Kingdom General seems to shrink under the duke's narrowed gaze.

"I believe she's from a nearby village," he explains. "She keeps on insisting that she join our ranks." The duke breathes slightly.

"And you thought we could use a child on the front lines?" He scolds, the general backing off. "Send her back to her family." The girl steps forward and Mildred nearly flinches.

"My family is gone," she says, adopting a submissive stance. "I don't have anywhere else to go. Please! I can use magic and I can fight! I can cook, do laundry, anything!"

"I'm sure there are plenty of more suitable places to find work," Rodrigue counters, frowning slightly. "Why are you so fixated on this army, young lady?"

Her face contorts into a scowl, like she's remembering something distasteful. "I need...to get revenge. I must strike down the one who murdered my big brother!" The duke nods, slightly before turning to the prince hovering just behind them.

"What should we do, Your Highness?" For a tense moment of silence, he just stares, and Mildred squirms.

"Let her do as she pleases." The professor darts his eyes between them from the blond's side. Rodrigue shrugs, walking away.