My reputation in Fodlan over the years is best described as a messy one at best. Some of it is earned and other parts are exaggeration and slander. Nonetheless, I'm well known for better and worse. It's gotten me into a lot of trouble and at the same time bailed me out of impossible situations. I've learned not to dwell on the past too much, but it took considerable time and effort from those around me and myself. I still don't believe in fate, as I believe we choose our path. Something I picked up from Edelgard. For my own sake, I must conquer all adversities thrown at me. I need to for my sanity and not to let destiny have his way with me.

"Hey, Santos. Wake up. Wake up. Wake up!"

I feel a sharp pain in my ribs as I groan awake. I remember from last night I managed to convince Amelia to go buy drinks this time, she invited some faculty I vaguely remember, and then not much after that once the booze started flowing once everyone pitched in some amount of gold. I think there were 6 of us in total. Maybe 7? It's all pretty hazy from dusk onward. Pretty sure someone got in a fight with a pig at some point when we got kicked out.

I feel another sharp pain in my ribs that fights for attention with my throbbing head as I sit up on the sofa. I look up to see Amelia dressed in her standard red-robed attire with the Charon crest displayed on the front along with the sigil of the academy. She looks completely ready for the day with her hair combed out down to her mid-back looking perfectly straight and even make-up applied to her slender and sharp-featured face. As for her demeanor, I would place it somewhere between amused and pity.

"I'm up, please stop poking me in the ribs. My head hurts enough already, I don't need two problems," I plead as I hold my head and look around for the water decanter.

"Well, you may have three problems if you don't get a move on. Cornelia is expecting you most likely and its nearly noon. Aren't you supposed to leave with Count Galatea around that time?" Amelia coyly chirps with seemingly boundless energy. I really don't know how the woman does it with drinking twice as much as me and then being so chipper in the morning. Part of me wants to accuse her of being immune to alcohol or being an android. Perhaps her crest is helping her detox? I freeze and quietly ask, "What time did you say it was?"

"Almost 10 am. I'm not needed until 10:30 am, but I'd get a move on if I were you. It'd reflect poorly to show up late to Count Galatea, not even to mention to keep Cornelia waiting. That woman can be a real stickler sometimes. And from what I remember, you took a pass on her offer probably just angered her. Smooth by the way to piss off the most important person at the academy before you've even taken a single class," Amelia rants to me as I trudge around the room to get a glass of water to help wake myself up and clear my thoughts.

She does have a point in that not taking the generous offer yesterday I did, in fact, dig myself into a hole, but I had made my choice. And I still stand by that a hole is better than a cage. At least you can climb out of a hole.

Amelia leaves shortly after I duck into the lavatory to use the washbowl to splash my face and fix my scraggly hair. I really should consider getting a haircut soon since my black mane is nearly shoulder-length at this point. At least my facial hair is well trimmed and groomed. After I tidy up and eat some oats Amelia kindly left out for me, I go about throwing my robe over my underclothes, which I should honestly replace at some point soon. Perhaps Count Galatea can hook me up. I could make the case that I can't be going around with subpar clothes if I'm to represent his noble house.

After about 15 minutes of scrambling I dart out of the apartment making sure to lock the door with Amelia's spare key which I slide back underneath the door jam into the apartment. For all her kindness she has managed to wrangle a few favors from me on future projects at the academy, most of which I agreed to when sloshed, but I do owe her so there would be no point in getting riled up now. Now if I could only remember how many favors it was…

Getting to the academy took hardly any time since the apartments are only about a block away, but not wanting to dally any longer I maintain a light jog until getting to the large double doors of the academy. I manage to notice a few strange looks from some of the students, but I pay them no heed as I reposition my robes a bit to help disguise my left arm from appearing to be missing at a glance and proceed. After scaling the many floors and darting between crowds of teenagers and young adults I reach the 5th floor in about 5ish minutes.

Cornelia's office on the top floor is strategically nestled in the center of the area at the very back past many of the other professor's offices and conference rooms. Also just looking at its elegantly carved wooden doors I can tell it's much more ostentatious and luxurious. I shake out the last of my jitters and take on last deep breath before knocking on the door.

"Enter," I hear a faint voice speak from within so I open the door slowly to reveal Cornelia standing to the left looking at a bookcase that seems to be filled with several volumes. The entire room is covered in books and numerous baubles that seems to radiate magical energy. Her desk looks quite tidy and organized with only about 2 stacks of papers on it with a large wooden and a bit gaudy of a chair that has jewels encrusted into the back. Compared to the visitors' chair that looks extremely mundane but well crafted, it only reeks of flaunting one's power and wealth.

"Ah, you've arrived. Shut the door and take a seat. We have a bit to discuss," Cornelia instructs as she glides over to her side of the desk.

I nod and take the seat opposing her and try to get comfortable as best I can while keeping eye contact with her. Cornelia has a strong proclivity towards displaying her natural beauty as her current violet and red dress leaves very little to the imagination, topped off with an emerald circlet and a few gold and silver bands around her wrists.

"So, I presume we can discuss the classes I plan to take?"

Cornelia avoiding eye contact with me reaches for one of the stacks of papers on her desk and starts to thumb through them. She grabs a small stack and hands them to me notifying, "Indeed Dr. Capetillo. Here are your forms that you will need to sign. Count Galatea came by earlier this morning to forward his payment."

"Thank you. Shall I fill these out here, or should I come back with them signed?" I ask as I look for a writing utensil on the desk and see a large ink well with a few quills. As someone who is used to retractable pens this makes me subtly feel a bit fancy, and also reminds me I'm in a place that is still technically in the dark ages for technology. It doesn't seem like that though when people have access to magic though as it makes up for the lack of technology in certain aspects.

"Here is fine. You may use my quills. It gives us time to speak candidly," Cornelia explains as she leans back in her exotic chair and watches me begin to pour over the pages.

Compared to previous college applications it's pretty standard in information and desired classes. I guess some things don't change after all. I flip through some of the pages quickly comparing times for various classes and subjects, and as I do so I hear Cornelia clear her throat and mention, "So Dr. Capetillo...you're certainly a unique individual to have here at the academy. Certainly the first of someone of your skillset and talents from what I've read about."

"You have no idea how accurate that statement is." I think to myself as I look for the section on magical theory in the registration papers.

Cornelia continues, "So, I was curious as to why someone as yourself would truly be here? It is a mystery to me, and I scarcely like mysteries that cannot be unsolved," I pause writing and look up into her eyes and respond, "That would make sense with your station as the de facto magical authority."

I go back to surveying my papers as Cornelia starts up again, "Indeed. I spent all last night looking for records of you within the Kingdom but you are simply an enigma. Not until you showed up about 2 weeks ago does anyone have a record of you from what I can tell? Curious, is it not?"

I shrug and reply, "Maybe, but I've been around a lot. Working in small villages and such on the move. I don't venture near large cities too often nor do I try to involve myself in politics."

Cornelia leans in a bit with her hands perched underneath her chin curiously asking, "And why would that be Dr. Capetillo?"

"Again, it comes down to work. Less medical knowledge on the outskirts of society rather than near large populations. Means less competition and earning a decent pay," I ramble off as I try to satiate the headmistress as I look harder for classes that could be a boon to me. I'm trying to be as believable as possible with my answers since I don't think 'I'm from another reality brought here to be a magic slave for dark forces and a war' would go over smoothly. I look back up to Cornelia's cat-like grin and inquisitive eyes that seem eager to latch onto any kind of hook. Yeah, definitely not.

"An apt answer, though you would be remiss if I were only to take your word. Count Galatea may be quick to throw in his lot with a stranger, but the man is desperate at the moment. I'm much more...pragmatic."

"Oh? Then why offer me 5 times the amount of gold and resources if you don't trust me? Sounds like a strange investment to me," I add as I mark down the first class I want to take, Crestology.

"Exactly why I would make you such an obscene offer. I would prefer to keep my eyes on you," Cornelia pauses as she gives me a provocative once over before continuing, "But no matter, what's even more curious is why you choose someone who's financial situation is in dire straits for a noble house. Especially when I understand that you are not financially well off yourself."

"Who said I'm broke?"

Cornelia chuckles a bit, "But your actions of course. Staying with Proctor Charon rent-free doesn't escape my purview of things. I've learned that you came to Fhirdiad with little more than a backpack and enough to pay for the exam to get into the academy. Strange for someone who had such high scores and talents. One would think a person like that could earn a decent living…wouldn't you say?"

I feel my palms begin to sweat a bit as I finish filling in my second class, Dynamics of Warp and Rescue, and gruffly disclose, "Well, I've had a rather rough patch in recent months. Decided with my dwindling savings I needed a change of pace. Plus, I've always been one to value creative freedom on projects. If everything is paid for, I'd rather stockpile knowledge than a bank account."

"Hmmm, a good enough reason I suppose. Still, there is a strangeness about you. Something I can feel lurking beyond the surface teasing me. I'll find out if you are indeed hiding anything from me, Dr. Capetillo. The integrity of this academy and Fhirdiad itself require so, plus it will sate my personal interests in you. That was why I offered you to be my apprentice while you study here by the way," Converses Cornelia as she gazes at my class selections with my last one being Advanced Magical Theory. She smirks a bit at my selections and collects my papers adding, "And quite the curious choice of courses. I would have assumed more interest in the biological fields or combat to help you defend yourself on the road. Quite interesting."

"What can I say, I like to learn. Besides, I plan to be here for a bit, so I figured something new would be refreshing," I reason as I hand her the papers back. Cornelia quickly files them away into her desk drawers before returning her attention back to me.

"Very well Dr. Capetillo. You are set, so I shall be seeing you when you return for the next semester. I do insist that you invite me to tea sometime when you return. I find you fascinating and wish to hear more of your stories unless you have something you'd rather not share or find me to be undesirable company," The headmistress coyly challenges to me to which I respond, "Of course. I reckon I have much to learn about you as well and this academy. Your company would be appreciated."

She's a clever one I'll admit and better at wordplay than I since I guess that I would only go up on her suspicion list if I said no, probably causing her to look deeper into my weird and dangerous past. If I can be the one to feed her information though I'll have a chance to clear up any rumors or concerns. My only real concern is what she is actually planning since I have no real idea what her agenda is, nor do I know much about her than she is the court mage to the Lord Regent and by most accounts a powerful mage. Not to mention a nosy beauty who likes to know everything going on in her world, and you being the one thing she doesn't know about or directly control probably irks her more than anything.

Cornelia claps her hands together enthusiastically and purrs, "That'd be lovely. Now, I'll take care of your paperwork. We will have plenty to discuss when you return and I'd hate for you to keep Count Galatea waiting because of me."

"Thank you, Lady Cornelia," I say as I stand up from my chair. I bow to the court mage and with one final wave from her smiling visage I depart the office quickly without trying to look like I'm escaping from her presence. It feels like she is too invested in me as I darted out of the 5th-floor hallways to go meet Count Galatea.

"You may think yourself more interesting than you are." I hear Sothal echo from the back of my mind, to which I instantly scowl at.

"Way to ruin the mood. And I don't think that I'm just trying to be cautious!" I venomously think back at my mental roommate, but I receive no indication of response or emotion. It seems like he exists just to annoy me at this point after I've shut down his offer twice, now just waiting for me to change my mind on my own or fail. Another person who's game I don't understand. Why tell someone they will succeed if it's the opposite of what works in your favor?

Finding Count Galatea's entourage wasn't necessarily difficult as his house banner was proudly on display above his carriage. Still feeling a bit guarded from my conversation with Cornelia, I cautiously walk up to some of his guards to which one of them instantly address me, "Halt! Keep a reasonable distance back foreigner, this is none of your business."

I see Leif stick his head outside the main carriage upon hearing the commotion, "Ah, let that man through Reginald. He's who we've been waiting for."

I smirk at the guard as I pass by, "Looks like it was my business after all."

I quickly board Count Galatea's main carriage and notice that he is by himself in there with a bottle of wine and a difficult expression to read. I take my seat across from him and comment, "Take it was rough in the palace?"

Leif sighs and goes to pour himself a glass of red wine. "In a manner of speaking, yes. But nothing can be helped. Our country is trying to recover from a national tragedy and when the fighting with swords ended the fighting with secrets and debts began. I just wonder where many people's honor has gone to these days."

I inspect the bottle of wine more closely and realize that about a third of the bottle is already been polished off. I look back to Leif Galatea and see a listlessness in his motions and a much more tired and sad demeanor about the man than I had encountered at the meeting yesterday. I feel the carriage jerk a bit as well, now knowing we are in full motion back to the Count's domain.

"Perhaps, but I can't say I'm familiar with Faergus and the nature of things other than what's been announced publicly. Not very involved in politics to be honest."

"Aye, if you are a wise man than you'd know not to set foot into that ring. Will save you a lot of headaches if you do," Leif says as he takes a large swig from his wine glass. The blond noble than gestures to another glass by the bottle and gives me a pointed look.

Looking at the other glass I can feel the effects of this morning's hangover haunt me so I politely as possible shake my head. "Sorry, I'd hate to drink what I assume is an expensive vintage."

"Wine is meant for drinking, so indulge me a bit if you would," Leif says as he begins to pour my glass anyways.

I hesitantly accept the very full glass of wine and knock glasses with the Count. "Cheers. Suppose it wouldn't help my reputation if I started arguing with my boss on the first day."

"Ha, now you are getting it, Santos. Knew I liked you when we met yesterday."

"Thank you, Leif. Now, changing subjects a bit, I'm curious about your territory."

The Count takes another heavy drink from his cup and wipes some of the leftover wine from his lips with the sleeve of his blue and white jerkin. "Oh? What are you curious about?"

"The lands specifically. I want to know what caused such poor harvests for you and your people. I'd like to start solving the puzzle as soon as possible."

Leif's expression darkens a bit as he lowers his voice and explains, "It was a disease a few summers ago. The crops withered and died and we lost a good amount of people. The ground is...poisoned, to say the least. Hardly anything grows that we can eat before it dies, produces too little or the insects take to it."

"What about greenhouses?"

Leif chuckles lifelessly and looks into his wine glass for a few moments before returning his attention to me responding, "Tried that route, but my region isn't known for timber. Nor do I have the funds to obtain enough of the resource to start building enough greenhouses to sustain my population. Cheaper to just buy the food outright at the moment, so that's what I've been doing. And looking for solutions, to which now I've come to magic. But that usually isn't cheap either. More expensive actually, and not always in terms of just money."

"Unless you manage to get that person indebted to you," I rationalize as Leif tips his cup to me and commends, "Exactly. Now you're starting to get it, doctor. Figured if you can heal people half as well as you can heal the soil, it's worth a shot at the very least. Besides, tuition fees are manageable."

"But what about the part where you offered up your daughter for marriage to me if I succeed?"

"That? I had to give you a unique offer since I didn't know what you were after in a sponsor. I needed to set myself apart from the pack in a sense since most other houses could throw more coin at you. A small price to pay to save the rest of my subjects. They deserve to live without hunger in their bellies, so I intend to do that. It's my duty as their lord. And you possess a crest on top of that is merely a bonus," Leif rambles out as he refills his glass once more and focuses more on the wine than me.

"How does your daughter feel about the possibility?" I ask as I take a drink from my glass. The earthy flavors rush into my senses as the dry merlot begins to seep into my body.

"She'll understand," Leif dismissively says while looking out the carriage window.

"You haven't told her, have you?"

Leif sets down his drink and slumps a bit more into his coach seat and laments, "No. No, I haven't, but she's a good girl. Ingrid is a loyal daughter, but she's been depressed ever since the Tragedy of Duscar. I'll tell you straight up. Her to be betrothed was killed in the fighting not too long ago. Poor girl is heartbroken as many of us are. Glenn was a good man."

I nod back to the Count as the wine stupor seems to be pushing him into a more depressive mood, so I decided to drop the questions and conversation. We both look out the window for the rest of the day with some idle chit chat here and there, but the sorrow on Leif's face is evidence enough that not only was his daughter's heartbroken as he says but his own heart is broken as well. And here I am swooping in like some terrible vulture on this family's misfortunes. I don't feel guilty for being here, but I do feel sympathetic to how they must feel.

Arriving a few days later in Galatea, as we approached the land from the rolling hills, the first thing I noticed was the bleakness of the land. My first thoughts drifted to comparisons to the dust bowl of the 1930's American midwest as all the farmland looked barren and deserted. I glance over to Count Galatea and notice he has a very somber look upon his face as we encroach closer to his manor in the distance.

The manor itself is a splendid piece of architecture that is about 4 stories tall with large windows and several balconies and maybe takes up a whole acre of land, and that's not to even mention his large stables to the east of the large building. We unload fairly quickly from the few carriages the Count brought to Fhirdiad and taste the cool afternoon air. As storm clouds loom overhead and threaten to rain on us at any moment we all make haste towards the manor entrance.

As we ascend the couple of steps to the large double doors of the manor Count Galatea whispers to me, "My servants can lead you to your quarters. I hadn't had time to furnish them properly for you, but I presume you will find them accommodating nonetheless."

As long as it's better than the box I had at Fort Kaedus I'll be thrilled. "Does it have a window?'

Count Galatea returns a warm smile to me, "One of the best. Now, let's not tarry here any longer. I wish to talk with my family, and you probably would like to get settled."

I nod and proceed onwards as we enter into the main foyer of the mansion we are greeted by three servants that bow before us and welcome back Count Galatea with deep respect. He motions for them to rise from their bows and directs them about their duties whilst telling one, "And this here is Dr. Capetillo. He will be serving our family while he is sponsored at the Academy of Magic in Fhirdiad. Show him to the large guest quarters on the third floor. That shall be his room."

"Right this way Dr. Capetillo," Replies the elderly butler Leif instructed. He wears a very dapper but not gaudy blue suit, seems well maintained but with closer inspection, I can tell it's well worn.

The butler quickly takes my bags from me and leads me up to the staircase to find my room. The halls seem pretty quiet and dark as we ascend, many decorated with pictures of art depicting knights in armor and even a few suits of armor situated at the corners of some of the hallways. I suppress a chuckle as it seems a bit 'Scooby-Doo' to me, but I ponder once more thinking to myself, "That's weird...when was the last time I actually watched TV? I had almost completely forgot about it…"

We finally get to a corner room on the 3rd floor to which the butler unlocks with a large ornate key that reveals a slightly overwhelming room. Larger than any master bedroom I had ever had when I lived on Earth or otherwise, the room had a complete living room attached to a sleeping area with a king-size bed near the north end of the house. Most of the western wall is one big window that gives me a great view over the horse training yard and stables, and I would say it was breathtaking, but the dreary feel to the land combined with the overcast weather and light rain gives it more of a dread feeling than a cheery one.

"Do you have any other belongings? I can fetch them from the cart for you at once," The old butler intones but I shake my head, "No need, just this bag is mine. Thank you. By the way, what is your name?"

I can see the hint of a smile underneath the old man's white mustache as he replies, "Call me Harald. I am the Senechal to Count Galatea and run many of the day to day operations for my lord. If you have questions and cannot find our lord, ask me without delay."

"Good to know. Here's the first question, when is dinner?"

"It shall be served at 6 'ock sharp. I'll have one of the maids fetch you," Harald digs into his pocket to take a brief look at his pocket watch, "In about 2 hours. So feel free to get settled in. I shall find out if you are dining with Count Galatea or be assigned elsewhere. Good day, Dr. Capetillo."

I nod to the polite man, "And to you as well Harald." Harald briskly leaves the room to attend to his other duties as I marvel at the space that had been loaned to me.

Most of the furniture in the small living room area is covered with white sheets, two chairs and a couch that surround a little tea table and an empty fireplace. Up two steps on the north side of the room is a king-sized bed with a large armoire and full body vanity mirror nearby. I immediately plop myself down on the cushy bed and close my eyes.

"Finally, a comfy bed…" I muse out loud as camping the few days here wasn't pleasant, and before that, I was essentially couch surfing at Amelia's apartment complex.

Looking up at the ceiling that appears to have a few cobwebs I look around and see a few sconces around the room. I focus my Fire spell and ignite all 4 one by one. They maintain a steady source of light illuminating what is a long-abandoned room from the more apparent presence of more cobwebs in the corners of the room. Probably something I'll have to clean up at some point so I don't feel like I'm living in a haunted house, but that can wait. I lay back down on the comfy feather bed and quickly descend into a pleasant nap. Finally alone to revel in my solitude and enjoy some actual comfort that this world has been hiding from me.

I wake up a bit groggy to the sound of knocking on my door. I roll off the bed and stand up a bit shakily as I try to steady myself, a bit unsuccessfully. Sometimes I still forget I have only one arm, so it probably looks a bit comical for me to stand upright. I run my hands through my hair a few times to help set it down and walk over to the door that's being thwacked.

I quickly open the door and I'm greeted by one of the younger dark-haired maids from earlier. She looks a bit gaunt and his slightly sunken eyes but appears to be in good spirits with astute posture and a smile. "Time for dinner Dr. Capetillo. Please follow me, the Count has asked you to join him in the dining room.

"Say no more, lead the way."

I follow the dainty maid through the manor quickly as she leads with a very light but quick pace, leading me into a large dining room with a gorgeous glass chandelier with a long oak table that looks like it could seat 12 comfortably. At the head of the table I see Leif Galatea in a bit more casual clothes, but still looking quite like the noble he is in every sense of the word with the ornate embroidery on his shirt topped off with a patch of the crest of Daphnel.

Next to him is a young girl with bright blonde hair that can't be older than 13 or so that's wearing a similar top to the Count with bright blue and white shading. Her hair is a bit messy and her attention seems to be fixated on the empty plate in front of her. The Count himself looks a bit dreary, but his attention perks up once I enter the room with the maid.

"Ah, Santos please join us! Since it is our first time hosting you, I thought it only right to have the chef prepare a local delicacy. So you can see what Galatea can offer at its best," Booms Leif as he motions with a hand for the maid to continue about her duties and the other hand for me to take a seat next to him and across from the young girl.

"Thank you, but you don't have to go out of your way to impress me. This manor and all its splendor are quite amazing in its own right," I offer to the Count but he dismisses my notion, "Nonsense, it is only right that you see how gallant our patronage is, after all, considering your new position for House Galatea."

"I suppose you're right my lord. So, what is on the menu?"

"We will be having the local seared duck with an assortment of steamed vegetables from a local greenhouse. A special treat here indeed."

The young girl looks up from her plate and whispers to the Count, "Father, do you really think we should be eating such food now?"

The Count facepalms and laughs a bit, which gives away that he has had plenty to drink before coming to dinner. "Oh, where are my manners. Santos, this is my daughter, Ingrid Brandl Galatea. My daughter here the pride and joy of this noble house. And dear daughter, this is Doctor Santos Capetillo, he is who we will be sponsoring at the Mage's Academy in Fhirdiad and doing research for our family."

"You hired a mage? Father, can we truly afford that?" Pleads Ingrid as she nervously shifts in her chair. I suddenly find the chair I'm in a bit more uncomfortable as I know from my previous talks with Count Galatea that finances aren't their strong suit.

"Please Ingrid, he is quite the talent. The royal court was pining for him, and with a little stroke of luck, he managed to come into our service. He will be a great asset to help our family, won't you Dr. Capetillo?"

I receive a suspicious look from Ingrid and an expectant look from the Count to chime in. I clear my throat and reply, "Ah, yes. I'm quite thrilled to be here. It's a pleasure to meet you lady Ingrid, your father has said quite great things about you."

Ingrid's gaze intensifies on me for a second and she turns to her father and whispers something I can't quite hear. As they have a hushed conversation in front of me I see the food come in with two maids and Harald holding delicious-looking platters of meat and vegetables. I couldn't have come at a better time to help interrupt the awkward family relations.

"Dinner is served. I wish you all a good meal," Harald announces as each of us gets a delicious five-star looking platter that smells heavenly.

Harald and the other maids quickly bow and take their leave, once again leaving me with the feuding daughter and the slightly drunk patron of mine. Though they managed to put their argument on pause when the food arrived, it seems they are returning right back to where they were in terse hushed whispers.

Feeling a bit like the third wheel at this welcome dinner I grab my fork and begin to slowly dig into my duck. It's seared to perfection from the looks of it and genuinely excites me as I've only had duck a handful of times, but each time it was incredibly tasty. The vegetables on the plate looks to be an assortment of carrots and parsnips with a few diced potatoes. I gently began to eat, and it tastes as good as it looks. The perfect amount of salt and pepper on the vegetables paired with the tender and rich taste of duck flood my taste buds as I enjoy the best meal I've had in months. Perhaps the best meal since I arrived in all Fodlan, to be honest.

The father and daughter eventually stop their whispering once I'm about a quarter of the way through my plate and begin eating their food. I can tell from both of their faces are a bit red, Ingrid's more likely due to the fact she is distressed and has dried tears on her face and the Count being frustrated and slightly drunk.

Wanting to break the ice a bit I ask, "So if you don't mind me asking, is it just you two that live here?"

Seemingly ready for some normal conversation Leif sets down his fork and wipes his mouth to explains, "Ah yes, it is just Ingrid and I. My wife died in labor with our second child and we couldn't save the child. As for my brother and sister, they live within a day's ride of here. My brother Erik and his wife have two sons of his own and my sister Irene has a son and daughter with her husband who runs the raven mail services for our area. They visit from time to time, but are quite busy considering their duties to the land."

"I'm sorry to hear about your wife and the child. You have my condolences," I sincerely reply as I too am reminded of what it's like to not be with the love of your life.

"Bah, think nothing of it. It was a long time ago and I've managed to move past it. I have Ingrid and my subjects to keep my company. I thought I would be lost without her, and for a time I was," Leif pauses a bit seemingly lost to nostalgia as he slowly continues, "But, as long as you surround yourself with those that care and cherish you, it isn't the end. There will always be a piece of me that longs for her, but time does soften the blow. And with others around to help lift me up, I've found new purpose and thus I continue to persevere."

A bit dumbfounded and stuck like a deer in the headlights as I stare at the usually jovial Count as he stares at his wine glass, and Ingrid's attention firmly placed upon her father as if waiting for him to make a sudden movement. His words strike a chord with me as I think to myself, "He probably understands my pain better than anyone else I've met here...seems we all have struggles to overcome."

Leif takes a sip from his wine cup and glances at Ingrid and me before chortling, "Ah, my apologies! It wasn't my intention to be so dreary! I think the alcohol has gotten the better part of me tonight, haha! Anyways, let's move forward and enjoy this meal together. To the future!" Leif raises his cup to which I do the same with my untouched wine glass. Ingrid raises her cup of water and we all clink our glasses together in the impromptu toast and drink to the Count's motion.

I set my glass down and a small smile appears on my face as I look at the grinning Count. I'll admit that his energy is contagious and I say, " Indeed. To the future!"

After our little toast, we eat the rest of the delicious meal in relative silence as the Count and I chat idly about the weather here and what I would need to get a lab table set up in my quarters. Ingrid is silent through the rest of the dinner with occasional glares at me, to which I try my best to ignore and chalk it up to a moody teenager things. After about an hour of going back and forth with Leif and our plates cleaned off, and with my cup of wine drained I can feel my inhibitions lessening as the glares from Ingrid drawing my curiosity even more.

Deciding to take the bull by the horns I look at Ingrid and ask, "So what's with the harsh looks tonight?"

Ingrid seems a bit caught off guard by my sudden question as she is polishing the last of the food from her plate and hastily replies, "It's that my father brought one of your kind into our house. With no considerations for what just happened. It's downright disrespectful to Glenn."

"Who the hell is Glenn?" I ponder to myself as the Count interjects, "Now now Ingrid, we mustn't be rude to our vassals like that. I know the Tragedy of Duscar weighs upon you greatly, but mind your manners, please."

"My manners? Where are your manners, father? Letting in one of them into our house knowing full well what they did to us all? You are inconsiderate!" Ingrid shouts as she stands up from her seat to scowls at Count Galatea with tears in her eyes.

Ingrid and her father begin to get into a shouting match that I presume what the whispering previously was about. I can hardly understand either of them as Ingrid is nearly screaming and the Count with his mind still partially being led by the wine is trying to raise his volume above hers. I feel a headache start to form from the bickering, so I decide to take matters into my own and I focus on a spell to cast.

With my patience nearly gone I curse through my teeth, "cállate y cálmate!"

I conjure up a condensed form of Cutting Gale above the table to create a small vacuum of air and then release the energy quickly to make a loud thunderclap above everyone's heads. The sound blast shakes the chandelier violently and even manages to rumble the table and chair a bit. Both Galatea descendents stop their yelling and both look at me with wide eyes.

With the chandelier making a slight jingling sound as the glass balls on it slapping against one another in the now suddenly quiet room I proclaim, "Alright, let me clear some things up. Firstly, I'm not from Duscar. Never been actually. I'm technically from Almyra if you want to know so badly, so let's not make assumptions just cause I'm brown or whatever. And secondly, I've only been here in Faergus for about a month, so I don't know all the details about what happened. I know there was a massacre up north and the king and some of the nobility recently died, but beyond that, I'm in the dark. So, for the love of all that is sacred and holy in this goddamn world, slow your roll."

As I finish, I realize that I'm breathing a bit more heavily than I thought as my outburst was a bit more emotional than I had planned in my head. I see the Count looks a bit ashamed of his behavior and is trying his best not to lose his cool while Ingrid looks completely shattered. I extend my arm out and nervously ask, "So...we good?"

Ingrid mumbles, "I'm sorry," And then immediately runs out of the dining room with the sound of sobs coming from her.

"Shit. I'm sorry you had to witness that Santos. This is the first time I've been able to get her to come out of her room to eat since the incident happened a bit over a month ago. You deserved to see better. I'll go talk with her," Leif somberly states as he rubs his temple with restrained vigor.

"Actually, let me go talk to her. I'm a doctor after all, and helping people is what I do," I offer to my superior. He strokes his chin with a scrunched face in deep thought for a few seconds before conceding, "Fine, I've talked with her plenty, perhaps you'll have better luck, Doctor. Her room is on the third floor 3 doors down from yours."

"Thanks," I reply as I bow to the Count and head upstairs after Ingrid. I glance over my shoulder one last time at the Count as he dumps out the rest of his wine onto his plate and sits back into his chair with his head in his hands.

I quickly head through the dimly lit manor to the third floor to which I find Ingrid's room easily enough as it has her name on it and it's where the Count said it would be. I place my ear to the door and I can hear the young girl sobbing inside and I sigh to myself. The poor girl must've been holding a lot in. I knock gently on a door a few times in rapid succession.

The crying stops for a moment and I hear a small muffled voice. "Go away, father."

"It's Santos. Can we talk?"

Beyond the door, it's silent for several seconds before I add on, " I'm here to help. Can I come in?"

After another brief pause, I hear footsteps approach the door and the lock turn. I slowly open the door and enter the brightly colored blue and green room. Decorations of horses and pegasi adorn the walls, I can see riding gear piled up near her closet and a bed that has a white unicorn comforter. Looking around makes it more apparent that despite her mature language and demeanor is that she's still just a kid. Looking at Ingrid sitting on the floor in front of her bed looking down into her lap I slowly make my way over to her.

"Can you tell me what's on your mind?"

Ingrid takes her smooth cotton sleeve and wipes her face sniffling a bit and replies, "It's unfair. Glenn died at Duscar. Our king died as well as so many others. It just hurts so much. I miss him."

I take a seat next to Ingrid and pat her leg. "I sympathize. It hurts to lose people you love. I know."

"It does. Father makes it sound so simple when he talks about mother, but I understand that. It was an accident and I was too young to remember, but this wasn't. Evil people did this. Mr. Santos, you're a doctor right? Can I ask you something?"

"Sure, whatever you want."

Ingrid looks up to me with her messy hair and reddened face that contrasts her pale skin. "How do you make the pain go away? It hurt so much right here," As Ingrid points to her chest, "It feels like I can't breath when I think about him. How do you make the hurt go away?"

I freeze up and put my hand back in my lap as I can feel it begin to shake with my own anxiety and fear creeping in. I look around the room for a moment trying to disregard the racing thoughts that are flooding into my mind about home. My family with my brothers and sisters. Cassandra and the future I crave to have with her.

"What the fuck am I supposed to say to that?" I shriek within my head as I try to formulate an answer for the girl. How am I supposed to tell her the answer when I don't even know it myself?

"I...don't know," I meekly respond to the wide-eyed girl, but I continue, "But trust me I'm looking. I know what it's like to lose someone that you love with all your heart. It hurts more than any injury," I lift up my layered robes to reveal my damaged left side to which I can see the gears turning in Ingrid's brain as she probably didn't realize my deformity due to the loose clothing I have draped over me.

"But, I think your father was right about moving on. Something about finding purpose. I help people not only cause I'm a doctor, but because it makes me feel good to save others. To maybe stop someone else from feeling the pain of losing someone close. So they don't have to feel what I feel. What we feel."

Ingrid bobs her head nodding to what I'm saying. "I think I get it. Well, if that's how it is, I think I know what I will do."

"And what's that?"

Ingrid smiles at me for the first time tonight and replies, "I think I want to become a knight. It's what he...Glenn did. Protecting people. I want to do the same for others."

I smile back and reply, "Great, that's a good goal as any. I can see it now with you riding majestically on a pegasus!"

Ingrid laughs a bit and wipes her teary eyes again, "Thank you, Doctor."

"Call me Santos. Your father does, and I don't see why you can't. Formality can wait for the courts. Anyways, I should get going. I have a decent amount of planning to do for my experiments," I explain as I begin to shift my body to stand, but I feel a tug on my robes and look down to see Ingrid with a pleading look, "Stay a bit longer and talk with me?"

Looking right into her puppy dog eyes I cave and sit back down. "Alright, I'll stay for a bit longer. What do you want to talk about?"

"Well, you said you traveled a lot, so maybe you have some stories? Anything about knights?" Ingrid speculates with intense curiosity.

I ponder the request a bit with my hand underneath my chin. I can't tell her anything that I've done previously in this world, for it's not really 'knightley' nor is it something I wish to divulge to the kid. Just as I think I'll have to bullshit my way through this with a modified version of my battle in Arundel, I get a wonderful idea.

I snap my fingers and look at Ingrid's giddy expression, "I've got it. It's an old tale from my homeland, older than I can remember. It's about knights, witches, and country. Care to hear it?

"Yes please!"

I chuckle a bit at her enthusiasm before steadying my voice for storytelling and begin, "Alright. Once upon a time, in a land far away, there was a place called Camelot…"

I spend the rest of the evening reiterating the grand stories of King Arthur and his roundtable of knights. From his encounters with the Lady of the Lake and his humble beginnings all the way to his quest for the Holy Grail. The stories distract both of us for the evening as Ingrid soaks in every detail of the tales, and I enjoy articulating the stories from the best of my knowledge to entertain her. Sometimes a simple distraction from reality is all you need to take the first step forward to healing the soul.

A/N: When I'm bored I write, and therefore here is a surprise update :D

Wow, didn't expect the chapter to run that long, plus I feel this was a good emotional growth chapter but lemme know what you think! I just wanted to unpack a lot in this section as we churn through the Fhirdiad Arc, with more revelations soon to come, so don't miss them!

Review Response:

Guest: Believe me, he probably regrets not doing that immediately if it weren't for being in shock. Stick around and watch how fed up he gets with the world of FE3H.

Silver566: Ingrid is 13 going on 14 and Santos is about 26 at this point, though he hasn't been keeping track too hard :p and yes arranged marriage among the nobility in many settings (including this one) sometimes have great age gaps. Hell, Ingrid was all ready to be married to Glenn Fraldarius previously.

Thehatterofmad: Cheers, thanks for the support. We will be closing in on the start of main canon FE3H soon, but the lead up to that is going to be interesting. Stay tuned.

I hope you've enjoyed it thus far! I know some of you readers are probably wondering 'why the hell is it taking so long for the other characters to get in? Why aren't we at Garreg Mach yet?' and trust me, I get it. The world of Fodlan is big and it's a lot of ground to cover (literally) but it's coming, just need the right lead-in. And it's coming soon.

Have a wonderful day and thanks for reading!

Next Chapter: 12/14-12/15

Edited: 12/29/19