[felix listens intently enough, but even elysium (or maybe, especially because of elysium) can't stop him from attempting to interject at dimitri's claim to murder.]

That's not--

[but he's already continuing on, so an oddly considerate felix simply lets him. by the time dimitri reaches the end of it, he's shaking his head.]

No. Because it didn't happen like that. Like I said, the war started first—Edelgard and the Empire declared war on the Church, and attacked Garreg Mach while we were still there. We fought that first battle as students.

[it was all so long ago, now. another lifetime. but the emotions of that month, each day in preparation, and what he observed could still be called to the forefront of his mind as easily as if they'd happened yesterday. his first real taste of war. right now, it's hard to focus on it—and as the bittersweet feelings drift off, replaced by warm feelings of bonds forged, he continues.]

Ultimately, we were routed, but we made it back to Faerghus. Then all of a sudden, the king regent is dead, and we're supposed to think you did it. Cornelia had you jailed, and executed—of course, no one ever saw the body. I never believed it.

[there's a pause as he seems to dwell on that statement, staring at the mug in dimitri's hands, watching the steam curl, lost in the calming aura of it—then shakes his head again, a twitch of a crease on his brow.]

In reality, you escaped. And I don't think I need to ask if you remember your five-year disappearing act afterward.