【Dimiret】A wild prince's courtship in nine steps

Beret's dormitory in Gargul Mach was always empty.While serving at the NCO Academy, he kept only the necessary furniture in the room: a bed, a desk, a notice board, a wardrobe, and lockers.For the mercenaries who used to live in no fixed place, these are enough.Later, he began to add books borrowed from the library to the room.These books are of various types: those about spear techniques, strategies, military affairs, and warcraft... Before instructing students, Beret had to learn these related knowledge by himself.Although he was forced to start his life in the military academy without the qualifications of teachers and no one told him in advance, his students were innocent and he had to teach them well.

Suthis once urged him: "Your room is too monotonous, you should make it more lively!" She suggested that Berrett bring the flowers and plants he was planting into the room, and it would be fine to hang a picture Go to the merchant and buy some trinkets.Even putting a well-crafted sword in the room is better than nothing!However, Beret chose to give the flowers and plants to the students of the Blue Lion.He bought them presents and equipment out of his own pocket, so that they could face the battle with a better look, he didn't need any decorations.Suthis was very angry, but also expressed understanding.

A bouquet of flowers appeared at the door of Beret's room.He didn't know whose it was, but it was a beautiful bouquet: violets, blue forget-me-nots, white and purple gypsophila, and pure white anemones, carnations and roses, surrounded by a blue Ribbons tied together.Beret still remembers it vividly, because its owner must have spent a lot of time collecting and arranging these flowers.The bouquet is not marked by who sent it, has someone lost his gift?Beret picked up the flower and asked around with it.He received so many compliments that some even thought it was a gift from Barrett to them.The teacher did not give up, he persevered in searching for the mysterious owner.It would be a pity if such an exquisite gift ended up being unclaimed!

Finally, Beret came to the classroom of the Blue Lions class, where the students were discussing something.When the teacher arrived, they all turned to look at him—and the bouquet in his hand.Janet held her breath dramatically.

"What a beautiful flower! Teacher, who gave it to you?"

If Beret's attention hadn't been attracted by the bouquet in his hand and Yanette's expression, he would have noticed that someone quickly looked at Dimitri suspiciously.

"It shouldn't be for me, I found it outside. Do you know who might be the owner?"

Janet looked bewildered, but she tried her best to think about it.

"Is there a message written on the flower? Or leave a name or something?"

Beret shook his head.Yanette glared at Dimitri, as if she wanted to condemn their prince whose ears were already red.Sylvain added fuel to the fire.

"Well, it doesn't matter who sent the flowers, but that person is obviously in love! Teacher, have you heard of 'Flower Language'?"

"Sylvain! Don't say that there is nothing there." Ingrid reprimanded.

Beret was at a loss.flower language?Does that refer to the way flowers are cared for?Or is it the language of the flowers themselves?Or maybe, what password can be spelled by the first letter of each flower?If you can form a password, this flower language is quite useful, but how can you determine the order of these initial letters?In contrast, it is easier to send the flowers directly to the students.Flowers are good to feed and beautiful.They bring joy to people, like colorful fireworks.

"Teacher, also... maybe that bouquet of flowers is for you?" Dimitri said with a blushing face.

Beret took a few seconds to think about it: he had almost asked all over, but he could neither find the person who gave the flower nor the person who should accept it.The bouquet had indeed been placed by the door of his room, so perhaps the coincidence he had taken for granted had really been done on purpose by someone.But in that case, why not give it to him face to face?Barrett has seen other students give their gifts by hand, and he has done the same himself.Oh, maybe because the person who gave him the gift was shy?

"Well, Dimitri, you're right. Thank you."

Dimitri nodded, his face flushed.Does his teacher upset him when he receives a gift?Or is he allergic to pollen?Will have to ask next time they have a tea party.

Beret returned to the room and put the bunch of flowers into the vase.There are some embellishments in the room, Suthis should be very happy to see it.However, he could no longer hear her voice, and the war was quietly brewing.In less than a week, the abbey fell to the imperial offensive.Five years later, Beret could never find the bouquet of flowers again.They may have died with the wind, or they may have been crushed by the iron hooves of the empire.Flowers are such fragile things.Beret had no time to think about it, since Suthis was gone anyway.He took his old room back, cleaned it up, and settled down here again.Dust had been removed from the bookshelves and the floor, and the old broken chairs had been replaced—his room was as austere as ever.Everything is back to normal.

But there will always be new changes: now there are boar skins on the floor, a buckskin on the bed, and a bearskin coat hanging on a hanger.Well, it's better to call it another big skin.Maybe he should ask Mercedes to sew it for him?Although the weather is still a little hot right now, winter is coming.Besides, if they need to go to the alpine regions of Faerghus, a fur coat is the icing on the cake.

In the weeks following Dimitri's killing spree, Beret took some time to do with the few animal pelts.He's not a hunter, but he's not doing too badly: the pelts, brushed, dried, and lovingly cut, are now in good order in his room.Barrett wondered if anyone would need them at all.There were plenty of blankets in stock, and no one said they were short of them, so Beret kept them for himself as a quilt.These furs reminded him of the bedrolls from the mercenary days, and also of Dimitri—he was the one who hunted these beasts back for everyone.He was wearing a similar fur, did he make it himself?Barrett just can't get enough of the students, especially after a five-year hiatus.

There is no time to dwell on the past, now is the time to focus on the present.

Just as Beret was about to fall asleep, someone knocked on his door.He frowned: came to him so late?At this point, everyone is usually asleep.If Beret himself was still awake at this point, he was probably preparing an urgent report to be submitted tomorrow.Occasionally, he was there to comfort Ash, or to talk to the insomniac Ingrid.He is always on call when it comes to his dear blue lions.Guessing that it was one of them who wanted to seek his advice or comfort, Beret got up from the bed.He picked up the candlestick that slightly illuminated the whole room and walked towards the door.

It was Dimitri.

Beret blinked, with a dazed expression, and was surprised for a while.The faint candlelight shone on the prince's cheek—it was neither Beret's delusion nor his fantasy.Dimitri didn't say a word, but he could see the spark in his eyes.Beret was very grateful that he didn't use all his strength to break in directly, but knocked on the door in a regular manner.He didn't know the purpose of Dimitri's coming here, so he opened the door wider and stepped back, indicating that he could come in.Would Dimitri just stand at the door and finish his sentence and leave?will he come inIt's so late, what is he trying to do here?

Dimitri took a step forward, surveying the room, looking for potential dangers and traps.Beret placed the Emperor's Sword and Silver Gauntlet on the locker, and he hung the coat with the dagger on the back of the chair.He also hid a pocketknife under the pillow and in the wardrobe. Dimitri shouldn't be able to find it at first glance, but he might not be suspicious.However, Beret had no intention of attacking Dimitri.

The prince's gaze rested on those furs, and the sparks in his eyes danced immediately—or was it Beret's illusion, and what danced was only the faint candle flame?

After careful observation, Dimitri took another step forward.The door was still wide open, and he didn't seem to intend to close it.Beret didn't want the door closed, it was his only escape route.

Their eyes intertwined - Barrett didn't know if it was a good thing or not.Under the light of that blue eye, Beret saw something deeper lingering in Dimitri's eyes.Did Dimitri have a nightmare?This was nothing new, but it was the first time Dimitri had thought of coming to him when he was haunted by nightmares.If being by Dimitri's side brought him some comfort, Beret would gladly offer him a place to stay.

A fragile tranquility filled the two of them, and Beret was afraid that he would break this fragile tranquility.In times like this before, he would act on his instincts, and this time was no exception.

Beret took the lead to look away.He turned around (intuition told him that there was a dangerous aura of a predator coming from behind him), deliberately slowed down his movements, and slowly placed the candlestick on the bedside table.Metal and wood collided together, making a brief sound, but otherwise, everything was so quiet.Then, Beret quietly returned to the bed, covered the quilt, and still didn't look at Dimitri.The fur was useful after all—his door was open to the cold wind outside.

After laying down on the bed, Beret looked at Dimitri: he stood still, observing himself nervously, as if any stimulation could startle him.Barrett understood how he felt.In Geralt's mercenary regiment, some mercenaries also had such sleepless nights, even the sound of other people preparing or cleaning their weapons could wake them up.Beret hoped that Dimitri would calm down and sleep well.Maybe it would be helpful if I was by his side?For example, let Dimitri make sure that his teacher is still alive, and that his teacher is still safe and secure in the monastery?

Beret closed his eyes, he could feel Dimitri staring at him.The room was filled with tense atmosphere for a while, and there was no sound.

There was the sound of footsteps, and then the sound of clothes rubbing against each other.Beret heard the sound of metal and wood clashing again—probably Dimitri sat down and changed his comfortable position.After that, everything returned to silence.

Beret opened his eyes and looked at Dimitri: he was sitting by the door with his back against the wall.He was holding a long gun, but the point of the gun was pointing towards the ceiling.Dimitri was at the end of the bed, looking straight at Beret, and their eyes intertwined again.

There was no aggression, and there was only the usual tension and sadness in Dimitri's eyes.From Beret's point of view, those things that haunted Dimitri seemed to be calmer, but it is also possible that he took it for granted.

The former mercenary closed his eyes again.Dimitri's gaze was still locked on him, he could feel it.It might be hard to fall asleep being stared at like this, but that's Dimitri.Even though he was riddled with anger and pain, he was still the Dimitri that Beret trusted.

Beret fell asleep.When he woke up, Dimitri had left.

This day lasted for four nights.

Barrett would wait before getting ready for sleep, waiting for the knock on the door.He opened the door, and Dimitri walked in, choosing his seat as if walking on eggshells.The door was left open, and they looked at each other, trusting each other, and fell asleep separately.In the morning, Dimitri would be gone.Beret was happy to adapt to this new routine as long as Dimitri could leave the church and stay by his side.

But on the fifth night, Beret waited and waited, but Dimitri never came.It was dark, and according to common sense, everyone should have fallen asleep.It seemed that Dimitri would not be coming tonight, so Beret decided to go find him.

It was already cold outside, and even more so in the empty church.Beret put on a shirt and trousers, and finally took the bearskin coat.When his eyes fell on the Sword of the Emperor of Heaven, he hesitated for a while, and finally walked out of the room without taking it.You don't need to bring that kind of thing with Dimitri.What's more, any idiot who dared to attack the teacher would get a precise head-on blow.

Beret quietly walked through the monastery.A few minutes later, the cathedral came into view.No one would stay here late at night, and even during the day, many people would avoid it because of the existence of the Beast Prince.That's a good thing for Barrett: It means nobody bothers them.

Beret crossed the bridge, walked through the open gate, and quietly entered the church.His footsteps echoed in the ruined cathedral.He can hide his breath, but it's not good to scare Dimitri. At this moment, he hopes that Dimitri can detect his existence.

Dimitri sat in the middle of the church.Moonlight enveloped him, surrounded by debris scattered on the floor.His face was gray, his cloak was dirty, and his golden hair was dulled by the dried blood, but he exuded a hazy beauty.

Perhaps what Beret saw now was the fragile Dimitri.Tonight, he took off all pretense.He didn't arm himself with anger and mania, what accompanied him was only those unspeakable sorrows, those deep-seated despair, those lingering whispers of the dead that made him overwhelmed and exhausted...they entangled With him, never disappear.Under the faint moonlight, Beret could feel it.He is not a superstitious person, but if he really believes in ghosts and gods, he must be able to see the ghosts that haunt Dimitri now: his dead parents, his dead friends... They are talking to Dimitri what?What could he do to free Dimitri from those nightmares?

"Master Stepmother...Master Father..."

Beret stepped forward and heard Dimitri's dry voice.How long had he been muttering those discordant pleas and promises?At that moment, Beret felt that he was so powerless, so bad.He couldn't even comfort his prince, what else could he do?Beret didn't speak much reason, and couldn't think of words of comfort.What he wants to say is usually hidden in the gifts he sends, the delicious food he offers, the advice he gives, the protection he gives, and the smile he shows.Beret is really not good at words, so let's not say much.

He continued to approach Dimitri, his steps slow and steady.The prince was motionless, all the while gazing at something in front of him.The teacher sat down beside him.There was still some distance between them, so Beret couldn't feel Dimitri's body temperature in this icy cathedral.

At first, Dimitri seemed unaware of Beret's presence.He continued to chant the prayer, uttering one name after another that Barrett had no chance of knowing.He called them, but got no answer.Beret listened, sharing the moment with Dimitri.At the same time, he also felt that he had broken something that he had no intention of prying.

After a while, Dimitri stopped talking to himself and turned to look at his former teacher.None of them moved.

The prince's eyes were full of exhaustion, he was still so fragile.Such a Dimitri is rare and precious.He deserves to be protected, he is the most precious existence in the world.More than ever, Barrett wanted to bring Dimitri out of the darkness, into the light, where he belonged.Can he help him drive away those ghosts?He will do his best.

So Beret lay down on the spot, curled up in the bearskin.Dimitri didn't move, let alone flinch, only one side of his eyes followed Beret's movements.After a while, he also nestled on the ground.His eyes were alert, his shoulders were slightly tense, his back was facing the dilapidated ceiling, and he held a gun in his arms, staring at Beret in front of him for a long time.They didn't have physical contact, they weren't even close to each other, but they... believed in each other.

Beret closed his eyes and fell asleep.

The next night, Dimitri returned to Beret's room as if nothing had happened...well, not at all.

Judging from what Beret saw, Dimitri didn't have that nightmare again tonight.When Dimitri knocked on the door again, Beret was relieved and a little disappointed.He wanted to go to church to be with him again, it didn't feel the same as sleeping in his own room.While his neck would suffer less, he wouldn't be able to look at Dimitri properly.It would be best if Dimitri wasn't tortured by anything, though.

This routine lasted for three nights, and the tense atmosphere between the two eased and became more natural.On the third night, Dimitri closed the door of his room.Beret had no doubts that he could tear off the lock and tear the door apart, so he smiled slightly when he saw Dimitri choose to close the door.This smile made Dimitri's eyes sparkle again.

Today, Beret, who was getting ready to sleep, was also waiting for that visitor.There was a knock on the door as promised, he opened the door, let Dimitri come in and let him go.Like clockwork, the teacher lay down on the bed as usual, wrapping himself in furs and sheets.While feeling comfortable, he looked at Dimitri, then frowned.

The prince was still standing in the middle of the room, and did not sit down as usual.He stood there like a sculpture and stared at Beret, meeting his eyes.Dimitri looked...hesitant.It's okay——Beret tried to show acceptance, so Dimitri could feel at ease.What made Dimitri flinch?Was there another nightmare to haunt him?

In the end, Dimitri acted hesitantly.Beret watched him close the door, his shoulders tensing and then stretching.He took a step, and... another step.Just like that, Dimitri walked slowly towards the bedside table where the candlestick was placed, and put down the gun.He held the gun barrel and let go again and again, hesitating over and over again.It seemed that it really took a lot of effort, as if it was about to remove one of its own arms.

Beret didn't move.He was neither intrusive nor helpful.

Finally, metal and wood collided with a clang.Dimitri lowered his gun.

Beret was originally facing inward, so he turned over and turned to the bedside table, which was Dimitri's side.He waited for what happened next, not knowing exactly what Dimitri wanted to do.The prince's gaze locked on Beret again, and then he also climbed onto the bed.

Unlike Beret who wrapped himself in it, Dimitri lay on top of the fur.Lie on top of the fur, right in front of your eyes.The two were facing each other, with only their knees touching.For two grown men, it's admirable to be able to maintain this position on a single bed.Beret still didn't move, as if he would break some balance if he moved just a little bit, causing Dimitri to quickly flee to the door.

They stared at each other for a while, probing, feeling, pondering.Again, Barrett no longer resisted the drowsiness and closed his eyes.Did Dimitri also close his eyes?he does not know.

As on so many mornings before, Dudu came to the cathedral to make sure his lord was safe, or... as safe as possible.It is difficult for the prince to fall asleep when the nightmare is too threatening and vivid.Du Du would never stay in the church because he knew it wouldn't help.However, in order to reassure himself, he still needs to confirm that the prince is relatively safe in the church.Dudu would leave his breakfasts in church—sometimes the prince ignored them.But these days, His Highness seems to be eating well.

Today is different: there is no sign of His Royal Highness in the church.Du Du looked around carefully, but found nothing, and the prince disappeared.Du Du wasted no time heading straight to his teacher's room: his teacher needed to know about this and make a plan of action about it.Du Du didn't knock on the door directly, but looked in through the window.Despite the invasion of privacy, the Lord's Shield only wanted to know if their teacher was awake.

His teacher was still awake, but he seemed to have nothing to worry about: the prince was lying on the teacher's bed—he was resting.Du Du didn't bother to confirm whether the prince was really taking a nap or simply closing his eyes to rest, it didn't matter.

Before leaving for the upcoming military meeting, he left the dinner tray by the door.To some extent, sleeping in is a good thing for them.As for the important discussion results at the meeting, Du Du could always record them and bring them to the teacher.

Du Du was the last person to enter the combat conference room.The teacher's seat is still vacant, but he won't be able to come for a while.

"Is Your Highness okay today?" Ashura asked softly.Everyone knows Du Du's habits.

"very good."

"Hey, Du Du, are you laughing? What happened?" Yanette joked.

Du Du remained silent.It's not his turn to talk about it.

"The teacher won't be here today. He needs to rest and looks like he's still fast asleep."

"Well, that's a good thing. The teacher is really too hard." Mercedes expressed affirmation.

"You went to the teacher's room? Why?" Ingrid asked.

Du Du didn't answer her.

"You're avoiding the question, what happened to that boar?" Felix also expressed his opinion.

"Before going to the teacher's room, did you find His Highness?" Shirvan asked the key point.

Du Du remained silent, and everyone regarded him as acquiescing.

"So, before you went to the teacher, you went to see His Highness. What could His Highness be doing? Or...he wasn't doing anything?"

"..."

"It looks like he didn't do anything. Has he disappeared?"

"His Royal Highness is gone?!"

Yanette would be angry if they had a monster for dinner today.If she had known, she should have kept an eye on the teacher to make sure he had killed Dimitri's hunting habit.

"No one is missing." Du Du was very sure.

"How do you know...?"

"..."

"Ah! When you were looking for the teacher, you met His Highness!"

Du Du can let them know a little bit.

"not quite."

"Then, you went to find the teacher...and then found His Highness?"

Du Du nodded.Sylvain laughed out loud.

"Teacher and Your Highness are asleep~!"

Ingrid punched him.

Gilbert sighed, he was miserable.

Step [-]: Open the quilt, let's sleep togetherEND