***During a time that never existed***

  "Is she…dead?" Beatrice's voice came out in a devastated whimper as she was dragged through the halls of the imperial palace by the arm and stared at the maid sprawled on the floor. Splash. Splash.

  "Just keep your eyes closed!" James quietly barked as he kept pulling Beatrice along at a frantic pace. Squish. Squish.

  "…" Diverting her eyes didn't help as the stench of rotting iron filled the air around them as Beatrice and James attempted to sneak out of the imperial palace that was currently under siege. Muffled cries and clashes of weapons battered against the windows as the Azure Hawks outside fought the Golden Lions. Splash. Splash. Footfalls through puddles of blood.

  "We're almost to the passage out," James whispered as he brought Beatrice to a large painting of a past king that stretched from the floor to the ceiling. "That damned Duke! Just because Olivia got what she deserved he starts a rebellion!? When we get out of here, and rally it to Relsh, we'll make sure this insult is paid tenfold!" Squish. Squish. Scurrying feet over fallen corpses.

  "…?" Beatrice watched as James reached around the frame of the painting and started to fiddle with something. Eventually, a loud click was heard and the painting swung open like a door to reveal a secret passage.

  "This way," James said while entering first. "If we're quick we can-"

  "Where are you going, Your Highness?" Richard's cold voice echoed from down the corridor and his silhouette stood in a sea of corpses. Blood dripped from his blade into the pool of blood that threatened to flood the hall. Splash. Splash.

  "D-Duke Ordrin…" Beatrice whimpered and took a hesitant step backward. She looked into Richard's dead eyes as he started approaching them, his aura crackling arcs of lightning that singed the bodies he passed. Frozen in fear, Beatrice tried to beg, "I-I-!?!" Only for the sound of something heavy shutting and locking to interrupt her. "…Huh?" The painting was closed and James was nowhere to be seen. "…James?" Squish. Squish.

  "…" Richard continued his silent advance toward the painting, his eyes never leaving Beatrice.

  "D-…Du-!?" Cold steel sliced Beatrice's neck, sending her limp body to join the corpses on the floor. As she stared up at the ceiling, the last thing Beatrice heard was Richard ripping open the secret passage and descending down after James where a retinue of fresh Golden Lion knights was waiting for him. A semi-transparent blue square appeared in front of Beatrice.

  (James Route: End)

  (The love of a tyrant is no love at all.)

  Beatrice closed her eyes…

  ***In a world that never was***

  "Why did you do that!?!" Beatrice cried out as Olivia's decapitated corpse fell to the dirt in the imperial palace's garden. "No…No! No! No!" She ran over and cupped Olivia's severed head in her hands as if her healing magic could possibly mend a decapitation.

  "Beatrice…your overwhelming kindness is a fault," Derik lamented as he wiped his sister's blood off his blade. There wasn't a twinge of guilt on his face as he continued, "That woman was too blind to see her actions were wrong. You shouldn't blame yourself or mourn for her."

  "She was your sister!" Beatrice thought that if she chose Derik, Olivia's brother, then the coup wouldn't happen as they would be family and have no reason to fight. However, Beatrice had no idea of the inferiority complex Derik held toward his sister, so as soon as Olivia showed any hint of disapproval he would go after her and escalate. Their relationship was doomed from the start, Beatrice's presence just hastened the downfall.

  "Again, you're too kind, Beatrice." Derik sheathed his sword and knelt next to Beatrice while offering her his hand. "Now, let's go and-"

  "Derik Ordrin!?!" Richard's panicked cry echoed throughout the garden.

  "…No." Beatrice shivered as the memory of her previous death resurfaced. "This isn't…what I wanted…"

  "Father!?" Derik shot to his feet as Richard was quickly approaching them.

  "What have you done!?!" Richard shouted as his tear-filled eyes looked upon Olivia's decapitated corpse that was feeding the garden with her blood.

  "What I had to!" Derik shouted back and stood his ground. Their fierce words drew attention from the open windows of the palace as figures peaked out to witness the scene.

  "Had to…? Have you lost your mind!?!" Lightning arced off Richard as his aura flared up with his rage. "You expect me to believe that Olivia, who's in a dress and is unarmed, forced you to draw your sword and kill her!?!"

  "Kill?" James' voice drew everyone's attention as James, along with a detachment of Golden Lions, entered the garden to investigate the disturbance. His eyes fell on Olivia's corpse and, instead of sorrow or grief, held a glint of satisfaction.

  "Your Highness…" Derik started to lose his composure as he realized how many people were watching from the windows. The eyes of the unseen masses pierced the garden. And as Derik tried to explain, "I-"

  James cut him off as he already decided on the narrative he would spin, and cried out with fake anger, "You killed my fiancé, the future Empress, in my palace!" He made sure he was loud enough for the onlookers to hear. "Not only have you committed sororicide, but you have killed a member of the imperial family! Knights!" James raised his hand and the Golden Lions drew their weapons.

  "…Wait," Beatrice tried to speak but her voice wouldn't go above a whisper. She struggled to her feet while still carrying Olivia's head. "…Wait!"

  "Y-Your Highness!? That woman-"

  "Enough, Derik Ordrin!" James shouted to interrupt Derik as he wanted to take this opportunity to finally deal with the Ordrin house. "Either surrender now or face summary execution!" The Golden Lions moved in as the outcome was already decided.

  "Wait!" Beatrice fought through her trembling body and forced it to move. "Please…listen…!" But her voice still failed her.

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  "As if you would let us live, regardless," Richard muttered as his hand moved to the sword at his waist.

  "First you killed my fiancé, and now you try to kill me!?" James yelled to keep playing to the watching nobles. "This is treason! Execute them!"

  "Yes, Your Highness!" The Golden Lions moved in with spears poised to strike.

  "Wait!" Beatrice rushed in front of Derik, desperate to explain even though her words continued to fail her. "Wai-!?!" And she was answered with a spear driven through her heart.

  "Beatrice!?!" Derik shouted and drew his sword, but they were in the middle of the imperial palace with the full force of the Golden Lions coming down on them. The watching nobles spread the news like wildfire, and Alice would soon take up arms and lead Holst in its final death throes. A semi-transparent blue square appeared in front of Beatrice.

  (Derik Route: End)

  (The love of a fool is no love at all.)

  Beatrice closed her eyes…

  ***With dreams filled with what could be***

  "…Why?" Beatrice's voice was soft, broken, and filled with regret as she watched the pack of hellhound demons tear Olivia limb from limb. She stood atop the cliff Solomon and his followers had dragged Olivia to for this morbid execution and fell to her knees at the edge.

  "Because Olivia Ordrin made you suffer," Solomon reasoned as he stood next to Beatrice to watch his handy work. "Don't you remember what she did to you during your time at the academy? The suffering she inflicted upon you? The manipulation of outcasting you?" Solomon's words dripped with honey. "Someone like her…I can only hope our Hearth Mother grants her the deepest pit of the Five Hells."

  "…That was nothing." Tears soiled the rock beneath her as Beatrice witnessed Olivia finally stop screaming. "Just light bullying… It was nothing." She specifically chose someone Olivia and the Ordrins had nothing to do with…so why was she dead again?

  "But it was something!" Solomon demanded. "If a bully is allowed to go unpunished then nothing will be learned. You are someone deserving of peace and happiness, Sainte-…Beatrice~." His hand idly started stroking Beatrice's green hair. "As an Elder of our Hearth Mother, I will see to you that future." Taking a lock of her hair in his hand, Solomon gently kissed Beatrice's hair.

  "…" Beatrice looked up at Solomon with empty eyes. She felt pity and sadness for Solomon, that he was living such a lie, though she wished she could feel something more…

  "Now, let us leave this dreary place!" Solomon clapped his hands and turned to address his followers. "Bring the carriage, it's a long trip back to-"

  "E-Elder!?!" one of the followers cried and pointed next to Solomon.

  "What is-?" Solomon turned just in time to see green hair flutter away and down the edge of the cliff as Beatrice deliberately fell to her death. "Beatrice!?!" His hand wouldn't reach her, she was too far gone, nor would she willingly take the heretic's hand.

  "…" Sharp wind whipped her face as she plummeted down the cliff and as she fell the only thought that filled her mind was… "I have to try again." A semi-transparent blue square appeared in front of Beatrice.

  (Solomon Route: End)

  (The love of a liar is no love at all.)

  Beatrice closed her eyes…

  ***Once more into the breach***

  "…" The cheerful fa?ade Beatrice had perfected immediately fell away and her expression became one of sorrowful indifference as she watched Olivia burn in a pyre of fire magic.

  "Hmph, her aura finally failed her," Andrew breathed a sigh of relief as he and Beatrice stood outside the wizard's tower. He wiped some sweat from his brow and turned to Beatrice, saying, "It's over."

  "…" Beatrice looked up to the night sky.

  "…" Sailest silently stared back.

  Andrew continued to speak, "The 'gods' were quick to abandon her, just like they are to everyone." He gave a heavy sigh and closed his eyes. "Just…give me a little time and I'll free you from their clutches too, Beatrice."

  "…" No response.

  "…Beatrice?" Andrew opened his eyes and looked to his right only to find Beatrice not there. "Where are…?" Turning toward Olivia's corpse, Andrew saw Beatrice slowly walking toward the raging fire. "B-Beatrice!?!"

  "…" The flames reflected in Beatrice's sunset eyes as she reached and willingly entered the inferno.

  "Stop!" Andrew raised his staff and tried to control and quell the flames, but an even more powerful force kindled the fire. "Beatrice!?!"

  "…" When she reached Olivia's charred corpse, Beatrice collapsed to her knees. The flames singed and blistered her skin. The heat snuffed out her tears. The flames consumed her just as they did Olivia. "…Again." A semi-transparent blue square appeared in front of Beatrice.

  (Andrew Route: End)

  (The love of a usurper is no love at all.)

  Beatrice closed her eyes…

  ***Just one more try***

  "NO!" Aiko opened her eyes. Her six-year-old arms frantically hugged herself to stop the pain only for her to realize she wasn't actually on fire. "…Huh?" Swallowing her dry throat, Aiko found herself sitting upright, covered in sweat, on a couch in one of the sitting rooms of Wortrest. The spring sun shined in through the window to fill the room with a pleasant warmth. "…A dream…" Aiko put a hand over her chest to ease her racing heart. "Just a dream…"

  "It sounded more like a nightmare," a tender voice spoke up.

  "!?!" Aiko's head snapped to her left and she saw Lucina silently reading a book on the couch across from her; one hand holding the book while the other was softly resting on her heavily pregnant stomach. "A-Ah…Mother." The word came out awkwardly.

  "…" Lucina gently closed her book and set it aside. "You were sleeping so soundly only to start thrashing and muttering in your sleep. Any longer and I would have woken you up." Her eyes were filled with warmth as she watched her daughter's reactions.

  "…I'm sorry." The words slipped out.

  "Why are you sorry?" Lucina cocked her head to the side in confusion. "You're the one who had the nightmare…" She hesitated to go further, but finally asked, "Are you alright, Aiko?"

  "…" Aiko hesitated in answering. Her dreams, her nightmares, were not prophetic as they once were; they were not fueled by divine intervention, but old trauma that lingered on her soul. She looked down at her arms that, just moments ago, were being engulfed in flames. They were fine. Everything was fine. "…I'm fine." The best lie to tell yourself.

  "…Then, let me rephrase myself." But Lucina was a master of lies and wouldn't allow this one to pass. Not anymore. "Are you alright, Beatrice?"

  "…!" Aiko's body tensed up and her gaze refused to rise off the floor. She had never told a soul about her memories as Beatrice as it was a secret she swore to bring to her grave…but Lucina knew. This wasn't some random guess as when Aiko's eyes finally rose to look at her mother, she realized Lucina knew. "…" She couldn't speak.

  "…" And Lucina patiently waited for her daughter to find her voice.

  Eventually, Aiko spoke with a whimper, "Please…don't tell Olivia." It was a plea.

  "…Do you think she'll reject you?" Lucina spoke calmly and remained seated so as not to further frighten Aiko. The ending she wanted for this situation required a more delicate touch.

  "…" A lump tried to silence Aiko, but she inevitably swallowed it down and forced out, "I…made her suffer." Her voice was cracking and breaking down. Her hands clutched the warm blanket that Lucina had covered her with to help her sleep; a blanket filled with love… Would that love disappear?

  "…You really are just like your father," Lucina sighed as she watched Aiko's face contort and reveal everything she was thinking. "You wear your heart on your sleeve and you overthink yourself into a corner."

  "…" Aiko fell silent.

  "If either of us is to blame for 'making her suffer' then it would be me," Lucina calmly reasoned as she leaned back into the couch and rubbed her stomach. "I'm the one who put a slave collar on her."

  "…But I caused that to happen." Self-loathing from her nightmare infected Aiko's voice as it took hold of her heart. "If I was more careful… If I was better… If I…didn't exis-"

  "Enough," Lucina silenced her daughter with a firm and commanding tone. She let the silence hang for a few seconds, and said, "Never think like that."

  "…" Aiko didn't respond and kept trembling in her blanket.

  "…Olivia won't reject you because of who you once were," Lucina calmly reasoned and glanced over to the door of the room.

  "…But-"

  "Because she already knows."

  "She what!?!" Aiko bolted to her feet and stared at Lucina in shock. The door opened.

  "I knew from the moment you were born," Olivia said as she entered the room with a soft smile on her face.

  Lucina attempted to lift the heavy mood with a joke, "It's impolite to eavesdrop."

  "I didn't want to pressure her with my presence since you two were having a moment," Olivia explained while brushing off Lucina's cocky grin. "But this misunderstanding is too familiar to me to let it go anymore."

  "…" Aiko, hesitantly, looked up at Olivia. "I…I'm-"

  "My daughter," Olivia interrupted as she knew Aiko was about to start apologizing and wanted to stop her. Getting down to one knee next to Aiko, Olivia softly spoke, "From the moment you were born, I knew you held memories of who you once were. I never said anything since you seemed to be happy keeping quiet, so I let it go." She reached out a hand and brushed some hair off Aiko's tear-filled face. "But if that's causing you guilt…then I'll gladly break my silence." Gently, Olivia lifted Aiko's face to meet her own. "I don't blame Beatrice for what she did, if anything I feel pity towards how her life ended. She deserved a happy life filled with love."

  "…" Aiko's tears crashed against the carpet while she sniffled and failed at controlling her emotions as Olivia's words hugged her heart.

  "So, I hope you'll come to us the next time you have nightmares," Olivia cooed as she wiped away Aiko's ever-flowing tears. "Lucina and I will gladly hold you until they disappear."

  "…Is… Is it really…alright?" Aiko managed to ask through her sobs.

  "Of course." Olivia held her arms open asking for a hug.

  "You…don't hate me?" A semi-transparent blue square appeared in front of Aiko.

  "Far from it, I love you, Aiko."

  "…Fath-…Dad!" Aiko broke down as she threw herself into Olivia's arms and openly cried into her shoulder. A weight she had been carrying since her birth, a crushing shackle that she anxiously tried to keep hidden, was finally lifted and her heart let everything out. Olivia picked up her daughter and carried her over to the couch to sit next to Lucina so she could join in on the family hug to comfort their crying child. Even though she carried the memories of her previous life, Beatrice had never truly 'lived' a life. Whether it was at the orphanage trying to make ends meet, or failing to navigate through the prophecies, Beatrice couldn't say she ever lived. But Beatrice was dead, so now Aiko would live her life to its fullest while in the arms of her loving family. A family that would soon welcome its newest member and bring even more joy to Aiko's life. And, on the day Lucina safely gave birth to their second daughter, the world would welcome her arrival with the subtle sounds of singing wind chimes.

  (True Route: End)

  (The love of those who hold one another dear shall alight even the bleakest night.)