~Last Night~

Ludociel watched as Arcadia and Hendrickson left, before he watched as someone entered the tavern. It was Orchid, and she looked worried. After getting a better look at her, Ludociel saw that she had a diamond wedding ring on her ring finger, and became confused. When she caught sight of him, she walked over, causing him to stand up and go to her. He wrapped his arms around her as she hugged him, tears welling up in her eyes. "Ludociel, is it really you?" she asked, causing him to nod. He then took the hand that had the ring on it, and held it up to see it. "What's this?" he asked, looking up at her as she looked to the side. "Didn't you tell me that Mael was the only one you would ever be with?" he asked, anger rising in his chest. She nodded and then spoke. "Who do you think I found with the ring?" she asked, causing his eyes to widen as he looked at her and spoke. "Wait, you don't mean..." she nodded softly. "It's from him, the last thing he wanted to give to me. When you called him to the Celestial Islands, and he was killed, he had it on him. I wanted to tell you, but you and Arcadia were going through enough already and... forget it. Speaking of your lovely little sister, she's grown into a fine young lady, hasn't she?" she asked, causing him to nod. "Poor thing must have been terrified of the dangers of the world." he said, causing her to laugh. "What's so funny about saying that?" he asked, as she waved him away. "You and I must know different people then. Arcadia is the most adventurous woman I've ever met aside from the people I already know. Not to mention, her lover is a wonderful gentleman, too." she said, causing him to tense up. She noticed, and then spoke. "So, have you met him?" she asked, causing him to give her a look of confusion. "Well then, I guess I'll let Arc spoil that one for you, not me. I'll tell you, he's a keeper for sure, such a kind hearted man." she commented, before she went to talk to the other two.

Ludociel now knew that his sister had a significant other, but not who he was, which bothered him. Sariel laughed quietly as Ludociel kept thinking and pondering. "Are you still struggling to figure out who she's with? It's so obvious that both of us have figured him out. But of course, we'll let your sister tell you when she's ready to." Sariel told him. He kept thinking, but came up blank, and eventually let it go for the time being. He'd ask her when everything was said and done tomorrow.

Arcadia felt Hendrickson gently set her down under the covers of the bed, and then felt the bed beside her sink in slightly when he crawled in next to her a few minutes later. She rolled over and laid down with her head resting on his chest, trying her hardest to relax. After a few minutes of silence, he spoke. "Why didn't you tell them about the two of us?" he asked quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. Arcadia sighed shakily before she spoke. "It's because the relationship between a Goddess and any other species is highly taboo. Just look at what happened to Meliodas and Elizabeth. Ludociel likes old customs like banning interracial relations, and things like that, but Sariel and Tarmiel are indifferent, and they don't much care." tears started welling up in her eyes as she tried not to cry. "Oh, Hendy, if only you could have met Mael. he wasn't like that, and he was a very understanding brother. I wish you could have met him, so very much." she whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks as she cried silently into his shirt, trembling in his arms. "Not to mention that he was very wise. And I wish he was here now, because I don't know what to do, and things are only going to get worse from here, and-!" Hendrickson hugged her tightly, taking her by surprise as she felt his arms wrap around her and hold her close. "If he were here, what would you tell him?" he asked, causing Arcadia to look up at him with wide, tear filled eyes. "I would tell him that I finally understand how it feels to have someone care about you as much as he did for Orchid." she replied, a slight smile on her face. "He would have loved to meet you, I can just feel it." she whispered, before she felt a hand gently wipe away her tears. "I wish I could have met him, too. He seems like he was a good man." said Hendrickson, before he put a hand on her cheek. "However, let's not stay in the past. After this is all over, I promise you, I'm going to make sure you never feel alone in your struggles ever again." he promised, causing her eyes to widen as she took in the weight of what he just said. She nodded softly before finally allowing herself to relax, as she closed her eyes and fell asleep in his arms.

~Present~

Arcadia sighed deeply as Dreyfus walked up to her, a melancholy expression on his face. "Make sure that you both come back safely, alright? You two are the only people aside from Zaratras who have truly been through everything with me, and I can't lose you and Hendy to this. Please, Arcadia." he begged, before she hugged him tightly as she spoke. "Oh please, you're acting as if I wasn't going to make sure he stayed safe in the first place. But jokes aside, I promise that I will do my best to make sure that me and Hendy get back safely. After all," Arcadia pointed to her ring finger and winked, causing Dreyfus to gasp. "I still have things to do after this war is over." she said, causing him to nod before she walked off to the Boar Hat to see the others and get ready. When she got inside, Arcadia looked over at Hendrickson and saw him walking out onto the terrace by himself, and joined him outside to speak with him.

Hendrickson looked at the barren landscape ahead and sighed deeply. If being Ludociel's guard meant that he could still keep an eye on Arcadia, then so be it. Arcadia walked over to him and leaned on the rail beside him and looked over at him. She then grabbed his hand and squeezed it gently, causing him to look over at her. "Please, make sure you're careful. There is a lot of danger ahead, and I don't want you to get hurt." She said. Hendrickson turned his teal eyes to gaze at her, and saw that she was being serious. He nodded before speaking. "I promise that I will, but you have to do the same." He told her. Arcadia nodded softly before wrapping her arms around him and hugging him tightly. "See you once all this is over, alright?" She asked, looking up at him. Hendrickson smiled and made sure that the two of them were alone, before leaning down and kissing her. "Of course." He replied.