It's strange to know exactly how someone must be feeling. There was a time that the older Dimitri, too, believed it was his lot in life to marry for purpose rather than passion. He had hoped - at the most - to at least come to love his spouse over time no matter what circumstances might have brought them together. It wasn't until Byleth that he had begun to understand maybe there was more. Maybe, just maybe, he could want for something all his own and have it. His life could be his and not just that of devotion as king to his country.

It didn't hurt that Byleth ended up taking the role of the archbishop; regardless, he hadn't married yet even a year after the war with people waiting on him to because he had yet to realize his truest feelings. He had here, of course, and now understands when he returns home what he wants to make true.

"My apologies," he offers but isn't about to leave it there. The older Dimitri reaches out to stop the other from leaving by grabbing his arm. "I will speak no more of it but I do ask that you come with me either way. You do not need to face this new world alone, I assure you. I know that you might believe you do, seeing as how I am you, but- There are people here to help you, including me."