Honorary Golden Deer

Linhardt's Request

Linhardt found his target on the bridge to the cathedral. He spent time at the impressive place of worship every so often; due to its reserved and serene atmosphere. It helped with his persistent running thoughts and never-ending ideas, along with his fantasies of the future. A small bout of relief passed through him when he saw the bright pale pink hair tied up in their usual duo bunches. Linhardt did notice she was not alone; Lorenz was beside her, his purple styled hair sculpting his features handsomely. They were talking hushed, discussing something that clearly wasn't for any open ears that passed along. Linhardt approached them cautiously, nodding at Lorenz in acknowledgement when the man looked up to see him coming. The dark paladin removed his hand – Linhardt hadn't noticed – from Hilda's arm rather swiftly. The young woman turned around in surprise and smiled when she saw the warlock.

"Linhardt!"

"Hilda." He greeted her with a small bow then looked up at Lorenz. "Lorenz."

"Linhardt, whatever is it that we can help you with?" The man asked politely, his arm and hand positioned in its odd natural pose. Linhardt shuffled on his spot for a moment too long and found himself being engulfed in a hug from Hilda.

"Oh, did you finally realise you need help with your choice accessories?" she asked sorrowfully. Linhardt blinked at Lorenz, wondering how she instantaneously came to that conclusion and firmly pulled away. His hand came to tighten around the chain that bore his tunic.

"This is my great grandfather's." He told her and the young woman hummed and creased her brow.

"I can see wh- Ouch! Lorenz!" Hilda pouted at the man who nudged her gently to stop her from speaking and find herself unable to dig out the hole she would inevitably find herself in.

"It must be a valued treasure," Lorenz spoke on behalf of them both and eyed the heirloom in interest. "You must be honoured to hold it."

Linhardt nodded in answer and looked between the two Golden Deers, before returning to the task at hand. "I do need your assistance, Hilda. But I would appreciate your discretion."

The woman perked up and grabbed the warlock's hands. "Anything!"

Linhardt had hoped Lorenz would take his leave but it seemed the dark paladin had no intention of leaving Hilda's side, and no doubt offer his prejudiced opinion to the warlock's request.

"A ring." Linhardt eventually divulged and bit the inside of his cheek as he saw Lorenz's brow rise in curiosity. He tried to stay focused on Hilda despite the suddenly focused attention he was receiving from them both. "I wish to give someone a ring."

"Oh?" Hilda seemed shocked as she processed what the warlock was revealing to her and she suddenly gushed. "Oh! Linhardt, that's wonderful! Who's the lucky girl?"

The slight sneer Linhardt slipped passed had Lorenz smirking and flicking his hand in the air.

"Or man?" The dark paladin asked for Hilda. Linhardt winced at Hilda's squeal of excitement and glared at the purple-haired man in annoyance.

"I'd rather not say at this time..." the warlock answered and cleared his throat. "Are you able to help me?"

Hilda nodded and shared a smile with Lorenz who replaced his hand onto her shoulder.

Linhardt hadn't expected the design of a ring to entail so much detail and precision. Hilda bombarded him with endless queries. What kind of metal did he want to use? How big is the person's finger? Did Linhardt want any engraving? Then there were the gems. Thousands of gems, some Linhardt was sure Hilda was making up. But then each gem had meanings and moods – and let us not forget the size of the gem. Hilda ensured him the bigger the gem the better. The warlock's mind was frazzled by the sheer amount of planning it took. He watched Hilda bring his simple, yet somehow, incredibly complex request to fruition. After the young woman entangled Ignatz's art skill, the drawing was taken to the apprentice blacksmith. Linhardt had to endure the shameless flirting before his papered creation was becoming a reality. Which then reeled in what Linhardt was going to say to Byleth when he presented the ring to him. What could he say apart from 'I'm sorry?' 'Please forgive me, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you.'