#regarding hubert

Oh, that is an interesting question. It is hard to pinpoint an exact moment, really. I feel like there was just...a shift that happened gradually that took us from being at each other’s throats to being reluctant allies to being colleagues to being...well. More than colleagues. 

I would like to believe that the beginning of the war was something of a turning point. Edelgard made her intentions known and told us that no one had to follow her if we did not wish to, but I stayed. Despite the fact that she had deposed my father, despite the childish rivalry and my distaste for Hubert and his methods at the time, I did not shirk my duty. Hubert is the sort of person who values loyalty very highly, so I can only hope that helped to shift things in a positive direction. 

I think we just came to understand each other better. Instead of going off of assumptions and preconceived notions, we listened to each other. When I first learned that Hubert actually took the things I said to heart, I was surprised, but pleased. And I tried to make an effort to do the same in return. 

I would go find him. And make whoever dared to take him pay for it dearly. 

In general, Hubert and I do not talk much about the...darker things he does in the Empire’s name. I believe it falls under the category of things he thinks he needs to shoulder on his own so no one else has to, and I can respect that. There are few people who would volunteer to do it, and I suppose it needs to be done. 

To be honest, I do not need the details. I know Hubert’s motivations, and while I wish no one needed to do dark and dangerous things, that is not currently the world we live in. But it is the world I am hoping we can build. 

The thing you must understand about Hubert is that he cares about everyone and everything so much that the very last person he ever thinks of is himself. I believe I have made it clear to him that I do not want anyone else and that no matter what he thinks of himself he will have me for as long as he likes. And I think he believes that. I hope he does, anyway. 

What is frustrating is that it seems he cannot see all the reasons that he is completely worthy. Or anything and everything. Of my love, of the friendships he has, of the life he wants. He works harder than anyone, takes on work that most would balk at, and he never complains about that. There is no one more worthy than he is, but I doubt you will ever hear him say so. 

That he... I see. 

I was not aware there were so many people invested in whether or not we’re together, but thank you! I am very happy. 

I suppose I have nothing against them as a concept, though the thought of being in one is not entirely pleasant for me. I can understand their benefit, for tying families, territories, or indeed entire nations together. Given the choice between a political marriage and the threat of war, I believe most would choose the former, seeing it as a necessary sacrifice to prevent needless bloodshed. If I were in a position to make that sort of choice, I would submit to an arranged marriage certainly.  To put it somewhat bluntly, if I were engaged to Hubert around the same time I was meant to be engaged to Bernadetta, I would have begged anyone who would listen to change their mind. I believe I would have taken anyone but Hubert. 

Of course, things have changed substantially since then, and if Her Majesty thought Adrestia’s best chance at peace was for Hubert and I to be wed, then I would not complain. We have managed to move on from the ceaseless bickering of our youth and work together quite well, actually. We are both devoted to Her Majesty’s cause, and I believe whatever differences might remain between us would be easily set aside.