The further north they go, the thicker the night sky is with clouds and fog and trees and the harder it is to see even those, let alone a single star. Instead, Monica looks through the many obstructions to point out where each constellation would be if they were visible.

It's enough to make her wonder if she took Ochs for granted. Her room had a balcony with the clearest view of the night sky a person could ask for, and she still remembered when and where she'd first spotted those constellations, or the first time she laid eyes on the Blue Sea Star. Or the fields outside the Imperial Palace, whenever she was lucky enough to visit Lady Edelgard for an extended period of time.

Throughout this campaign, she's yet to find anywhere that rivaled either of those spots.

"You'd think it would be easier outdoors," she sighs as Lady Edelgard sits down beside her. Edelgard nods. By now they've grown close enough that neither one really needs to ask what the other's talking about.

"Perhaps we've been spoiled," she says. "Those summer nights in the fields, the view from your balcony. Even on less than perfect nights, we could at least see the stars through that veil of dusk. And you would always point out where the constellations were, even if we could only see one or two of their stars." She smiles. "I always was impressed by you perfect memory, and it's grown even sharper with time." Monica blushes, hiding her face a little. Even now she's still surprised when Lady Edelgard praises her so heavily.

"Remember the first time we ever saw the Chariot in the sky? Pegasus and all?" She tilts her head up and sighs, pointing to a spot just beside a tree branch. "It was right around there...you were eight, I was nine, and we were wearing those pastel dresses Clara's mother had made for us. Clara brought us sweets."

"And you tried to force one down just to be polite before she remembered you preferred savory food," Edelgard laughs. "You used to do that whenever we had tea together, too."

"I wanted to be a good guest," Monica says. "Even back then, just getting to spend time with you was everything." Edelgard moves closer, her hand just barely touching Monica's own. "We saw the Chariot together. My mother used to say that if you spot a constellation with someone you care about, it'll bring you closer."

"You said so, too." Edelgard smiles. "And your mother was right. That's why I took such a risk to save you, and that's why I'd do it again even knowing it might turn out worse next time."

"Lady Edelgard..." Monica's never been especially prone to tears, but she almost does cry just then. "You never make such declarations."

"I like to save them for important moments." She laces her fingers through Monica's, then points towards the sky with her free hand. "Look, you can almost see part of the Pegasus through the clouds." Monica takes her other hand, moving their fingers about an inch.

"There."

Edelgard smiles, resting her forehead against Monica's.

"A perfect memory."

Their lips come together, and Monica sighs, melting into it. Now it's perfect.