Byleth stood beneath the light of the full moon, his gaze resting on the graves before him. It was a… surreal experience to return here to not one, but two of them. His father's burial space was littered with floral arrangements and candles; the usual items you would expect to find near a recently dug grave.
His mother's, on the other hand, was near barren. There were only two bouquets of flowers resting near her stone. Considering that only two people knew who this particular grave belonged to, Byleth could hazard a guess as to who left them. He made a mental note to thank Edelgard later.
The professor let out a lengthy sigh, his eyes traveling back and forth between his father's and mother's tombstone. To think that of all places, it was here at the academy that they would be buried. Byleth wasn't one for silver linings, but at least he could be content in the fact that they were together. After so many years apart, they were finally reunited in the very same place that they fell in love. Their lives started, and ended, here at Garegg Mach.
"At least they're reunited now," Byleth murmured to himself.
Byleth did not know what to think of the 'afterlife.' It wasn't that he didn't believe in such things; he just never gave it much thought. As the Ashen Demon, his mind only went in one single direction; it did not go backwards, nor did it traverse other pathways. The young mercenary's mind simply did not wander. It only considered what the next day might hold. Byleth was hardly an existentialist, nor did he ever lose much sleep over worries about heaven and hell.
Yet, as the moon's glow cascaded down on his shoulders, he found himself wondering what an 'afterlife' might hold. Was it nice? He hoped for his parents' sake it was. Was it crowded? If it housed every lost soul, Byleth assumed that it must be. How long did it last? If the afterlife was the final stop at the end of the road, what came next? Or did they just stay there indefinitely?
He tried picturing what it might look like. Probably very bright; he doubted such a place had much space for darkness or shadows.
But, other than that, Byleth couldn't come up with much. When he thought of where he might want to spend all of eternity, the only place he could think of was the Officer's Academy… No big white clouds. No golden gates that enclosed it. No winged creatures.
If there was a choice in where one could decide to spend eternity, Byleth found the idea of staying here forever… agreeable. Minus the past few weeks, his time here at the academy were his happiest memories.
A Garegg Mach with no death. No loss. No heartache. No questions that never got answers. No doubt or fear. Just love. Just happiness. Just Byleth, his parents, Edelgard, and his students. If that's what heaven could be, Byleth would enjoy that.
It was a moot point, however. He enjoyed considering such a possibility, but he was aware that a place so holy wouldn't be open to him.
'Heaven' wasn't a place for demons.
Sothis?
"Yes, Byleth?"
Byleth turned his head up to the moon. Its light was still shining down on him.
Does heaven exist?
There was silence as the goddess considered Byleth's unanswerable question. Given the disgruntled noise he heard Sothis make before she went quiet, it was probably a hard one to respond to. Byleth wasn't sure as to why, though.
"That is…" Sothis hesitated as she thought of the right words to say. "A difficult question to answer. I… do not know."
Byleth nodded, turning his gaze back to his parents' graves. It was the response he was expecting. He knew Sothis still wasn't entirely in tune with being a 'goddess,' and even if she was, Byleth wagered it was a question she couldn't, or wouldn't, answer.
If there was one… do you think my parents would have been able to see each other again?
"I would like to think so, yes," Sothis's reply was much quicker this time.
Byleth knelt beside their graves. He dusted off a few flakes of dirt from his father's stone, then removed a dead leaf from his mother's.
His hands lingered on top of both.
The stone was cold.
Byleth pushed down the lump that sprung to his throat. Though he felt like crying, no tears formed.
I would like that quite a bit.
As he lowered his head, his eyes caught on the engravings that marked his father's gravestone. Though he had read his mother's multiple times, Byleth only know realized he had yet to see what his father's said.
"'Resting in the warm embrace of cherished memories…'"
"That's… quite beautiful," Sothis remarked.
"It is…" Byleth agreed solemnly. "I wonder who wrote it?"
"That would be Bernadetta's handiwork."
Byleth jumped to his feet, his hand shooting to the Sword of the Creator.
"Talking to yourself, are we?" Hubert smirked as he stepped down the stairs that led to the cemetery. "Calm down, Professor. Contrary to our past dealings, I mean you no harm."
"Hubert," Byleth sighed, his hand leaving the blade's hilt. "Why are you here?"
Hubert's gaze lingered on Byleth's as he walked closer. The brooding mage came to a stop beside him, his eyes darting to Jeralt's grave. Though it was slight, Byleth could spot his features softening slightly as he read the engraving.
"No reason." Hubert looked away, and with it, the expression faded. "I was simply looking for Lady Edelgard."
Edelgard? After their moment in his father's office, the two had gone their separate ways. Edelgard had left to prepare for the next day, stating there was much to be done and go over before the new day dawned, while Byleth had slinked away to his parents' graves. They had agreed to meet back up the next day to discuss their next steps, but since then, Byleth had not seen hide nor hair of her.
Why would Hubert assume she'd be here?
"At the cemetery?"
"Her Highness has come to pay her respects quite a few times," Hubert replied. He glanced at Byleth. "To your parents, I mean."
Byleth's eyes widened somewhat. He… assumed some of the flowers left for his mother had been her doing, but he didn't realize she had been here 'quite a few times…' She never said anything…
And neither did Hubert, for that matter.
"You know… About my mother?"
"Of course," Hubert scoffed, folding his arms over his chest.
Given Hubert's personality and his peerless vigilance, Byleth probably should have realized that.
That makes three people who knew… Rhea, Edelgard, and Hubert. Though, it wouldn't surprise him if Seteth knew of it as well. Byleth wondered just how many of the church's faculty knew of the importance that particular grave had to the professor… and how many of them neglected to tell him.
Byleth shook his head. Now wasn't the time to think of such things.
"Bernadetta wrote that?" Byleth asked, motioning towards the grave.
"For someone who has such difficulty speaking, she has a way with words." Hubert nodded. "She proposed it to the archbishop, who accepted it readily."
Hubert paused, shooting another glance Byleth's way.
"Like the rest of our class, Bernadetta has visited the captain quite often since he was laid to rest. I suppose you wouldn't know anything about that, however."
Byleth lowered his head, avoiding Hubert's stare. He already felt guilty enough. Simply knowing that Bernadetta, the well-known recluse, had braved the outside world multiple times a day to visit Jeralt was like a knife through his heart.
"I suppose I wouldn't," Byleth sighed.
Hubert held his scrutinizing gaze for a few more moments before turning away.
"If you're here, I take it Lady Edelgard talked some sense into you."
"She has."
"Very good." Hubert nodded. "It was about time you came to your senses."
He wanted to object to Hubert's biting remark, but rightfully, Byleth could not. Byleth had been lost in his head for two weeks. To try and deny that, or to defend himself after all that time, would be wrong. Like Hubert, Byleth was very aware of his own shortcomings.
So, instead, Byleth awkwardly shifted his weight, his eyes returning to his parents.
That time lost could not be regained. Byleth could not undo what had happened. As Edelgard told him, what had been done could not be undone. He either had to accept that fact or continue down the dark path he was on. Alone.
Hubert cleared his throat. Byleth looked to him, raising an eyebrow.
"I have never been one for condolences."
Even with the light from the moon and the stars, Byleth had trouble seeing Hubert's face. It was as shadowy and masked as always. He thought he spotted Hubert's gaze land on him before flying away, but he could not be sure.
"But I suppose I can make an exception this one time," Hubert sighed. "I am sorry for your loss, Professor."
Byleth's brows raised. Had he a better grasp on his emotions, he might have even gasped. Hubert? Apologizing? To him?
Was Byleth dreaming? Or perhaps he really did go mad…
"When Lady Edelgard talked to you, did she give you the full story?" Hubert continued with a question.
Full story? Full story on what?
Byleth shook his head, his confusion growing.
Hubert was silent for a moment, his brow furrowing as he considered his words.
"I saw Monica on that day, you know."
The professor flinched, fires igniting in his chest at the very name.
"What?" Byleth breathed.
"Though the visibility was poor and the battlefield a mess, I saw a flash of her. I was certain of it." Hubert frowned as he spoke. "I informed Lady Edelgard. We both agreed that something must be done, but Her Highness elected to finish our task of protecting the students first."
Hubert paused, his eyes finally meeting Byleth's.
"Do not think ill of her. Because of your presence in her life, she was faced with yet another impossible decision between her duty as a leader, and her duty… to you. Were I in her shoes, I surely would have chosen poorly."
And then, Hubert faltered; something Byleth had rarely seen from the man.
"I…" Hubert closed his eyes, lowering his head. "If you were to blame someone, it should be me. I failed in my duty."
"What do you mean?" Byleth asked, his brows knitting together.
"I was sent to find and dispatch of Monica, as Lady Edelgard could not abandon her post herself," Hubert explained. "It was the right call. We had been able to save every student without fail, but… I had arrived too late. I had failed."
Hubert lifted his head, opening his eyes. This time, Byleth could see them staring at him very clearly.
"If I had simply killed her sooner, none of this would have happened. For that, I am sorry, Byleth. It is due to my errors that-"
"I do not blame you."
Hubert's eyes widened. For once, it seemed that Byleth had caught him off guard.
Byleth was not aware of… all of that, but the point still stood that he didn't blame Hubert for what happened. Even if he had been too late, even if he didn't 'dispose' of Monica sooner, it was not Hubert's fault. It wasn't Edelgard's fault. He never blamed them to begin with.
While he did not realize Hubert had witnessed it all, Byleth still did not fault him.
"There are only two people worthy of blame," Byleth said, his hands closing into fists. "Monica and myself."
And Monica would pay for that… Severely. If that meant Byleth must atone as well, so be it.
"It is easy to blame ourselves when tragedy occurs; that doesn't always mean it's right."
"Were you not just doing the same?"
"Perhaps we are similar in that regard," Hubert replied with a slight grin, though it was fleeting. "…Among other things."
Byleth turned his sights to the sky above, his eyes landing on one particularly bright star. This star was much brighter than the others. Though it was surrounded by blackness, its light did not flicker. It did not waver. It shone on for the world to see.
In a time of such darkness, Byleth found strength in that stubborn light.
"I would like to think so, Hubert."
Though he did not tear his gaze away, Byleth could feel Hubert examining him. Gauging him. Things Hubert were prone to doing whenever the two were alone. And while it was rare for the two to actually be alone, in this instance Byleth didn't feel so… uneasy. It wasn't like with Rhea, where he felt as though he were being probed by her looks. It was as if Hubert was studying the professor, as though he did not fully understand.
"I do not understand you, Professor," Hubert said as much. "On all accounts, I have treated you poorly. I have never fully trusted you. Even now, I still have difficulty allowing myself to."
"Your point being…?"
"I cannot decide if your leniency is a strength or weakness."
Byleth lowered his head, catching Hubert's eyes. Though he did not seem to give off a shred of guilt over his past actions, Hubert did seem intrigued by how Byleth might respond.
"View it as you want. I don't care either way." Byleth shook his head. "While I wish one day to earn your trust, I cannot fault you for questioning mine; not with all that is at stake."
"That's a rather flippant response." Hubert frowned.
"Does that worry you?"
"Yes."
"It shouldn't."
"Easy for you to say, Professor."
Byleth turned to face Hubert fully. Though his mind was clouded and his heart a mess, he mustered all the resolve he could. Hubert was a man that always appreciated actions more than words, but just this once, he hoped they could reach him.
"I will never betray Edelgard, Hubert. That won't change," Byleth assured him. "I won't betray you, either."
Hubert scoffed, as if the very notion was terribly amusing to him.
"That matters not. All that matters is you adhere to-"
"It does, Hubert. It does matter."
Now truly understanding the pain loss causes and the empty void it leaves, it did matter. Something Byleth would always regret was how he took Jeralt's presence in his life for granted. Jeralt was… Jeralt. The legendary Blade Breaker. For a man as strong as he, Byleth never expected his death. Byleth never planned for his father to die in the way he did. He never planned to be parentless. For a man prepared for everything, this one thing he had not taken into account.
Byleth learned how important it was to let the people you care about know as such while there was still time, for when they're gone, there were no do overs. No second chances. Byleth would never again get to tell his father that he loved him. That he appreciated him. That he considered Jeralt a friend as much a father.
With his father gone, all he had left were the memories. Memories that could not be changed.
Byleth didn't want to make the same mistakes now that he had pulled himself from that pit of depression.
"I love Edelgard dearly, but like it or not, I consider you a close ally, Hubert. A friend. Don't ever forget that."
Hubert blinked dumbly, his eyes widening. Were the situation not so serious, Byleth might have prided himself on the ability to make Hubert look so dumbfounded.
The expression didn't stay long.
After a few more seconds of shocked silence, Hubert threw his head back and laughed. Byleth could not tell why he was so amused by that.
"That is the first time anyone's ever told me such a thing," Hubert chuckled, shaking his head. "You truly are an impossible man… No wonder she is so taken with you."
As Hubert calmed down, his features reverted to their usual state. Hard. Unbending. His hair covering one of his eyes. That one, single eye that tore through Byleth.
"But I will not be so easily swayed, Professor."
Byleth closed his eyes, nodding just once. He could feel the slight heat from the moon's glow tickling his cheek.
"To 'sway' you is not my intention."
"…Is that right?"
Hubert snorted, but to Byleth's surprise, no rebuttal came.
"I will take my leave; I've had enough sentimentality for one night."
The professor looked to Hubert, nodding again.
"Goodnight, Hubert. I will see you tomorrow."
"Farewell, Professor."
Hubert lingered for a second longer, his gaze hovering on Byleth. Then, he turned and left, leaving through the same staircase he arrived through.
Byleth watched his back until the black cloth of his uniform disappeared into the night. Sighing, he turned his attention back to his father's grave. To his mother's.
He silently mulled over the conversation he had just shared with Edelgard's aide, his eyes bouncing back and forth between the two tombstones.
The freshly packed dirt.
The beautiful flowers that had been left.
Bernadetta's words on his father's grave.
Though he stood alone before these two burial places, Byleth did not feel that way.
As he shared those final moments with his family, the light from the moon rained down on his shoulders, basking him in white.
Edelgard paced around her room, her arms crossed over her chest. Her fingers impatiently tapped against her arms as she chewed on her bottom lip.
"Lady Edelgard," Hubert spoke up from his spot in the darkest corner of her room. "It is unlike you to be so nervous."
"Forgive me, Hubert," Edelgard sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. She was finding it increasingly difficult to calm herself. With what laid ahead of them, she had not been able to get much sleep. Usually it was the nightmares that kept her awake, but lately, it had been the worry for her Byleth's well-being.
"…Do you doubt our professor?"
"Of course not," she answered immediately, glancing at him. It was surprising to her that he seemed to be the one not doubting Byleth. Hubert had always been his number one critic.
"You have no need to worry." Hubert shrugged, seemingly unconvinced. "He seemed quite lucid last night."
Edelgard stopped, turning to Hubert.
"You spoke with him?"
"Yes. At his parents' graves," Hubert replied simply. Noticing his liege's pointed stare, he continued. "I wasn't too critical, I assure you."
Edelgard's eyes widened. To hide her shock, she turned her head to the wall opposite Hubert. It was hard deciding whether that was good news or not. On the one hand, Edelgard was glad Byleth had left that room. Glad that he finally visited Jeralt's grave.
On the other, can one ever truly consider visiting the dead to be a good thing?
Her quandary was cut short by a knocking at the door. Three, distinct taps. No more, no less.
"Even his knock is dull," Hubert remarked, shaking his head. Though her ally seemed exasperated, she could spot the subtle makings of a smirk tugging at his lips.
Shooting Hubert a fangless glare, Edelgard walked to the door and opened it.
"Morning," a blank Byleth greeted her. His eyes were glassy and slightly bloodshot. Given the bags beneath them, Edelgard assumed he did not get much sleep.
She resisted the urge to gape at his attire. Instead of the plain shirt and wool pants he had worn for the better part of those two weeks, he was back to wearing his usual armor and black clothing. The familiar jacket hung from his shoulders, traversing the length of his back. It felt as though it had been an eternity since she last saw Byleth in his outfit.
Given his fidgeting and the way he tugged on the collar, it did seem as though Byleth wasn't entirely comfortable wearing it again.
"Good morning, Professor." Edelgard dipped her head, stepping to the side to allow Byleth through. "Would you like to come in to join me for some tea?"
"I would. Thank you." Byleth bowed, stepping through the doorway. Edelgard twisted to avoid the Sword of the Creator strapped to his waist as he went by.
Once he was through the entrance and the door closed behind him, the fake formalities were dropped.
"Were you followed?" Hubert spoke first.
"No." Byleth shook his head. "But let's keep this brief. I have no way of knowing what Rhea is or is not privy to."
"Reasonable." Hubert nodded, pushing himself off the wall and stepping into the center of the room.
"So," Byleth paused, looking back and forth between the two. "What has happened while I was… absent?"
Straight to business. Edelgard should have felt relieved that Byleth was walking forward, but a part of her lamented what they were walking towards. Once again, she found herself wishing they could have but a moment of peace before they stepped towards the dawn of a new day.
Edelgard pushed the moment of weakness aside.
"The archbishop has sent knights to investigate matters," Edelgard informed him. "They're scouring the countryside searching for Solon and Kronya. They haven't found them yet, but it shouldn't be long."
"As things are, the monastery's fighting strength is depleted," Hubert added. "Most of their troops have been tasked with the manhunt."
Byleth nodded slowly at that.
He looked to Edelgard.
"Do you know where they are?"
Edelgard shared a look with Hubert before her eyes returned to the professor. Hubert was watching her closely.
"The Sealed Forest. The archbishop is already gathering the knights she can to search that area as well."
"I thought you said most of the church forces were searching elsewhere?" Byleth questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"I said most, Professor," Hubert replied. "Not all."
"She's doing so in secret, behind our backs." Edelgard nodded.
Byleth frowned. Again, he tugged at his collar, as though the clothing was throttling him.
"What is Rhea's reason this time?"
Edelgard was almost taken back by the amount of disgust in Byleth's tone as he spoke the archbishop's name. He usually donned a neutral approach when it came to Rhea. What must have changed for him to seem so disturbed by her?
Not that the emperor was complaining, she just found it strange. Edelgard would ask about it, but perhaps it was something of a personal nature. Perhaps this was one thing she shouldn't butt her head into.
Ignoring that little voice in her head to question the matter further, Edelgard continued on.
"She is likely afraid that a thirst for revenge will compel you to seek them out. I am sure in her own twisted way of thinking, Rhea believes she is protecting you."
If possible, Byleth's frown deepened. Edelgard's use of the word 'protecting' seemed to greatly trouble him. Even Hubert looked marginally curious as to why Byleth responded the way he did.
"I need no such thing from her," Byleth murmured under his breath, his hand moving to the hilt of his sword.
Edelgard faltered, shifting her weight to her back foot as she snuck another glance at Hubert. As before, he was already watching her. She could see the unspoken question in his eyes. Edelgard idly wondered if he would protest to what she was about to tell Byleth.
"Byleth, you should be aware-"
Her voice broke Byleth from his thoughts. His brow twitched as the sound of his name registered in his ears, his head lifting to meet Edelgard's.
"It will be a trap."
If the reveal surprised him, he did not show it. Byleth looked away, avoiding Edelgard's eyes.
"My uncle expects you to seek your father's killers out. Should we go to the Sealed Forest-"
"We should expect further confrontation," Hubert finished for her. "They'll want to do away with you once and for all."
"Yes." Edelgard nodded in agreement. "I do not know what they will have prepared for you, but you need to be aware."
"I understand," Byleth spoke quietly. Though he refused to look at her or Hubert, Edelgard could spot that far-off look in his eyes. It worried her.
"Knowing all of this, will you still give the order?" Edelgard asked.
Byleth's head inched upwards, his eyes peeking at her from beneath the cover of his bangs.
"And lead you into a trap?" Byleth faltered, his eyes darting away. "I could not willingly order you into danger."
"Do you not want revenge?" Hubert challenged, raising an eyebrow.
Byleth closed his eyes, guilt etching across his features. He sighed in resignation.
"I do."
"Then, lead us into battle. If you go, we will follow," Edelgard said, stepping towards him. "Trust in our strength, Byleth."
"It's not that I don't trust you, I just don't…" Byleth trailed off, shaking his head. He turned to Hubert. "What are your thoughts on this, Hubert?"
"They have lost their element of surprise. Were we to engage them in the Sealed Forest, we would at least be aware that they have schemed something, and can act accordingly. I do agree it would be a wise course of action to remove Solon and Kronya before they can cause any more harm."
"You think we should go?"
"I did not say that." Hubert shook his head. "While it is a known unknown, the threat is still considerable. We know they are plotting something, but we have no way of knowing what that might be. It could be more than we bargained for."
"So, what do you think we should do, then?"
"I will not give you a definitive answer," Hubert said with a scowl. "I can only provide you with the facts. Yes, it would be dangerous, but it would be beneficial to our cause to eliminate those two. In the end, the choice is yours, Professor."
Byleth frowned again, still looking unsure. He pinched his chin, slowly rubbing it back and forth as he stared off into space. A common habit of his whenever he was lost in thoughts.
"What do you think, Edelgard?" He asked, looking to her.
Edelgard had a very clear opinion on the matter. It was her belief they should kill them and finally be done with it. Solon and Kronya have breathed long enough. As Hubert said, the longer they live, the greater threat they posed not just to them, but to all of Fódlan. If they didn't put them down now, there was no telling how many more innocent lives those two might take.
Whatever they had planned for them in the Sealed Forest was concerning, but that threat was greatly outweighed by the threat of letting them live. Their drive to claim Byleth's life was frightening, however… And she had no way of knowing who else might get hurt in the process…
Regardless, the choice was not hers to make.
"You know how I feel, Byleth," Edelgard responded. "They are the ones that claimed Remire Village. They are the ones that claimed your father's very life. It should not be our decision to make."
"My need for vengeance should not be the deciding factor," Byleth muttered to himself, his eyes still distant. He pulled on his tunic's collar. "I will think it over. For now, let's head to class."
Edelgard blinked, the wind stolen from her sails.
"Class?"
"Yes. It's… it's time to return to the real world." Byleth nodded. "I'll decide what to do afterwards."
Byleth shifted his weight, his gaze moving around the room. It traversed the entire area, but it did linger on the stuffed bear on Edelgard's bed, followed by the vase of dying flowers on her nightstand. They were nearing a month old, and probably should have been discarded by now, but… Edelgard did not wish to get rid of them so soon.
Rubbing the back of his head, he turned to Hubert.
"Would you mind giving us a moment alone, Hubert?"
Hubert quirked an eyebrow. He glanced at Edelgard, then narrowed his eyes as they returned to Byleth.
"I suppose I can."
Hubert placed an arm to his chest and bowed to Edelgard.
"I will be waiting for you outside, Lady Edelgard."
"We shall only be a moment, Hubert."
Hubert nodded, shooting Byleth one more threatening look before stepping out of the room.
Steadying herself, she faced him.
"What did you wish to speak to me about, my teacher?"
His piercing, blue eyes met hers. Though she could still see the hurt and sadness that laid behind them, they were much stronger than they were the day before. She knew he had yet to return to his old self, but it was relieving to see him resembling the man Edelgard knew before all of this happened. She had begun to miss his usual presence.
"I just…" Byleth wavered, his guilt-ridden eyes turning to the floor. "Wanted to apologize."
"I appreciate the thought, but there is no reason to."
"There is." Byleth shook his head. "I didn't come back in one piece."
"'Didn't come back in-?'"
Edelgard froze, only now remembering the promises they made each other before their battle with the Demonic Beasts. After everything that had happened, she hadn't even remembered those promises made from fear of losing someone she loved. Now, she felt ashamed for doing such a thing considering all that Byleth had lost. It was incredible that despite everything, Byleth recalled these things while she did not.
"Oh, Byleth…" Edelgard murmured, tossing her head back and forth. He did not need to apologize for that…
"I was lost for a while," Byleth continued to speak. Though it was near nonexistent, when he lifted his head, Edelgard could see the hints of a small smile form on his features. "But you never stopped looking for me. Thank you for that, and for everything else."
Edelgard avoided his eyes.
"You shouldn't be thanking me. I cannot assure you my actions weren't entirely selfless."
For those two weeks, it had been a constant battle between allowing Byleth his time to grieve and her desire for him to return to her side as though nothing happened. It was a terrible thought. Jeralt's death had hurt her as well, yet… She didn't want to lose Byleth, either. She couldn't deny the fact that her choice to pull Byleth back was partially motivated by her own selfishness.
"That's okay."
Edelgard's head perked up, a brow raising in confusion. Byleth simply shrugged to her unanswered question.
"I know your heart was in the right place."
The emperor went silent.
How could he be so… so… Byleth was always so forgiving of her. She did not feel she deserved such understanding… such unconditional support. Edelgard had nearly forgotten what a powerful feeling that was to know someone would always stand with you. Hubert had his vices, everyone did, but through it all she counted herself lucky to always have a single person walking beside her through thick and thin. To know that there were now two people that stood with her…
It came to her then that Byleth might be the only person who would ever say that phrase to her. That Byleth might be the only one who truly understood her; that, other than Hubert, might be the only one that understood the place of her heart.
The only one that understood her heart at all. To Edelgard, that meant more than words could describe.
Edelgard swallowed down the declaration of love that so easily jumped to her tongue. It was almost instinctual how quickly those words came to her. Had she not kept a firm hold on her wits, it was likely she would have professed it without a second thought.
However, there was a time and place for that. Edelgard didn't know if it was right of her to say such things so soon after Byleth had returned, and so close to what would most likely be another trying battle. There were… probably other, more important things on his mind. She did not want him to feel obligated to respond in kind simply because Edelgard was the first to break the-
"I love you, El. I hope you still know that."
Edelgard's eyes widened, her jaw hanging loosely open. Though his voice was quiet, nearly lost in the silence that surrounded them, she still heard it loud and clear. Though it was spoken softly, she could still hear it as though it was shouted from the mountaintops. To Edelgard, those four words would always be the loudest and clearest she'd ever hear in this world of background noise.
For the first time since Jeralt's death, it felt as though her heart had finally returned to its normal rhythm.
Edelgard opened her mouth to speak, only to stop when the ringing of the church bells cut her off. She didn't want to consider the irony behind the fact the church had interrupted her reply, but it was terribly infuriating, nonetheless.
"I guess we should head to class," Byleth sighed as he heard the noise as well. "I wouldn't want to be late my first day back."
He turned to the door, reaching out for the knob.
Edelgard lurched forward, grabbing his hand before he could fully turn away.
Byleth glanced down at their conjoined hands, raising an eyebrow as he met her unwavering gaze.
"I love you as well, my Byleth."
Those sad, pained eyes Edelgard had grown so accustomed to seeing on her professor's face all but vanished. They brightened considerably as the life they once held rushed back in. Byleth squeezed her hand, a warm smile spreading over his face.
"Thank you."
For that moment in time, he was her Byleth once again. As they stared into each other's eyes, Edelgard engraved the look of his face into her mind. She engraved the touch of his hand onto hers. She engraved the sound of her voice into her ears.
A moment in time that would never be lost. A memory that could never be tainted.
As the glow of their loving moment began to diminish, Byleth's expression went back to its resting position. The smile she loved so dearly left too soon. The shadow of pain darkened his eyes as he turned away.
"Let's head to the classroom, Edelgard. Hubert will probably scold me if I keep you here much longer."
Edelgard watched Byleth's back as he stepped away. Shaking the fear and doubt from her head, she took off after him.
"I believe that was longer than a moment." Hubert glowered at Byleth as the two of them stepped into the hallway.
"Can such a thing have a time limit?"
"I-"
Hubert stopped, considering that question for a moment. He sighed deeply as he rubbed the backs of his eyelids.
"Forget it. Let's get a move on."
"Very well."
The three of them made their way down the dormitory's hallway, Edelgard flanked by Byleth on her right and Hubert on her left. She remained silent, her gaze gravitating towards her professor as they walked. The strained look she had seen moments before had disappeared. Byleth's face was blank, his eyes pointed dead ahead.
Could she have imagined things?
"Hmm."
Hubert's soft hum broke her from her stupor.
"What is it, Hubert?" She asked.
"It just occurred to me that when the three of us walk together like this…"
Edelgard took a second to look at her two, closest allies. The brooding, dark and mysterious Hubert with his hair covering a quarter of his face. The impassive, seemingly aloof Byleth with the Sword of the Creator strapped to his waist. Then, there was her: the cold, bordering on arrogant, heir to the Empire's throne.
The three of them made quite the trio.
"We must look as though we just came back from plotting something wicked." Edelgard cracked a rare grin.
"I suppose I might be to blame for that," Hubert mused with a smirk.
Byleth glanced at the two out of the corners of his cloudy eyes. For a second, there was a flash of his regular smile as he looked at his students, but it was fleeting; gone as quickly as it had appeared. His gaze turned to his feet.
Edelgard watched as Byleth's shoulders slumped. Exhaling, he carried onward.
"Professor!"
Edelgard was nearly swept off her feet as the rush of Eagles came flying towards the door.
"It is wonderful to see you, Professor!" Flayn exclaimed.
"I have great happiness that you've returned." Petra nodded excitedly.
"Welcome back, Professor!" Ferdinand grinned widely.
"We missed you." Dorothea followed.
"I'm glad you're back, Professor Byleth." Lysithea smiled as she looked up to him.
"I look forward to learning from you again," Felix chimed in. Though his arms were crossed, like Lysithea, he was smiling slightly.
"See? I told you he'd be back," Caspar laughed, bopping Linhardt on the arm.
"And I never said he wouldn't," Linhardt sighed groggily, rubbing his arm as he looked to Byleth. "It's nice seeing you again, Professor."
Byleth blinked dumbly at their sudden onslaught of greetings. His head was on a swivel as he looked to all of their smiling faces, his eyes wide. As the ruckus began to calm down, a genuine smile of his own broke out across his face. His posture relaxed as he opened his mouth to speak.
"It is good to see you all again."
The class beamed at him. The excitement in the air was near palpable; Edelgard nearly found herself getting caught in it. She fully expected for another group hug moment to occur in the midst of these sentiments, but instead, Byleth stepped through the crowd as he made his way to the front of the room.
"I apologize for my absence," Byleth said as he stopped at his desk. He fingered through a few loose papers, lifting his head out to the rows of quickly filled seats. "I do hope Professors Manuela and Hanneman proved to be sufficient substitutes in my stead."
"They're wonderful professors." Ferdinand nodded as he sat down at his desk.
"And wonderful people," Dorothea agreed, sitting down as well.
"But they're not you, my teacher."
Byleth met Edelgard's eyes. His sharp gaze and hard features softened. Smiling slightly, he ducked his head.
"I suppose they're not," he mumbled, his hands brushing against the top of his desk. "I… I am lucky to have such loyal students."
The last bit was whispered quietly, almost an afterthought. Again, Edelgard could see a wave wash over his face as those eyes grew distant. At first, she just attributed it to being his first real day back out into the open, but now she wondered… What could be running through his head every time he adorned that thousand-yard stare?
Byleth shook his head, again tugging on his collar.
"Anyways, let's pick up right where we left off. Pop quiz time."
A few groans sneaked out from her classmates' lips. Caspar's was slightly louder than the others.
"Aw, really?" Caspar grumbled, rubbing the back of his head. "Can't we do some field training, instead?"
"I just want to make sure you haven't forgotten my teachings," Byleth replied, his expression betraying nothing. "Answer right, and I'll give everyone some bonus points. Then, maybe, we can go to the training grounds."
Caspar sighed, but he didn't look as dejected as he once did. The prospect of a good spar seemed to lift his spirits.
Byleth stepped out from behind his desk, pacing over to the giant board. Picking up a stray piece of chalk, he placed the utensil to its surface and turned back to them.
"Who was King Loog?"
Edelgard cocked an eyebrow. She glanced around at the rest of the Eagles. They all seemed to be as confused as her.
It wasn't because it was a difficult question… Not in the least, in fact. Even a small child would have been able to provide an answer to that. It was because it was so easy that it was confusing.
"Dorothea." Byleth pointed to her.
"King Loog was the founder and first king of the Holy Kingdom, right?"
"Yep." Byleth nodded. He pointed the chalk to Flayn, next. "What else was he?"
"A descendant of the hero Blaiddyd of the Ten Elites."
"Good." Byleth marked a line on the board. Without looking, he asked his next question. "Petra, tell me one more member of the Ten Elites."
The girl from Brigid stiffened. She did not seem prepared to be called upon, but she still answered quickly.
"Riegan."
"That's right." Another mark on the board. "There's a student of that bloodline here at the academy. Who is it, Ferdinand?"
"Claude, of course!"
"Excellent."
Byleth drew another tally, but his hand hesitated at the end. It was slight, barely even noticeable, but Edelgard didn't miss it.
"If we become separated, what is the first thing you do?"
Edelgard's eyes widened. The class around her grew so quiet one could hear a pin drop. They all stared at their teacher with dumbstruck faces.
Byleth turned his head towards them. His brows were knitted together, his lips tugging downwards as he waited for a reply.
"If we become separated, on a mission or otherwise, what do you do?" He repeated.
Yet still, no response came. Her classmates exchanged looks with each other. Given the way Byleth's gaze met each face, never staying for longer than a second, he was growing impatient.
"Edelgard."
The princess shifted in her seat.
"…Regroup."
"Yes. Felix, what then?"
"Do a headcount." Felix frowned.
"And after that, Hubert?"
"Await Lady Edelgard's orders on how to proceed."
"Indeed. Follow them as if they were my own." Byleth made three more lines on the board. "From there, it is up to her discretion. I trust in her to lead you well, as she always has."
Though he was praising her, Edelgard couldn't feel anything other than discomfort at his words. The timing of this little charade was not lost on her. For him to be asking this now, hours before they might very well be walking headlong into a waiting trap… Well, it did not require much deep thinking as to why.
Knowing Byleth…
"Full points. Well done, everyone."
Byleth set his chalk down. As he turned to examine his confused, and somewhat worried class, his eyes locked onto Edelgard's. Try as she might, she could not discern what laid behind those suspiciously blank eyes… But, Edelgard knew a mask when she saw one. This carefully constructed façade of his reminded her of her own, as though he had hastily crafted it to keep any prying eyes out. Her prying eyes out.
As though nothing had happened, Byleth walked away from the board and back to his desk. From there on out, he avoided looking to her side of the room.
"Now that the refresher is out of the way, let's begin. Take out your textbooks."
"See you tomorrow, Flayn."
"Farewell, Professor. It has been a great pleasure to learn from you again," the young girl said, bowing before exiting the room.
Byleth forced a smile and a nod as she strode past him.
While he gave his farewells to his departing students, Byleth was vastly aware of the pair of eyes drilling holes into his back. Though everyone else had already gotten up and made their way to the door, Edelgard had yet to leave her desk. She simply stood there, arms crossed, one foot tapping on the floorboards as she waited for him to finish up. There was little doubt that another difficult conversation was waiting for him.
"That was not very subtle of you, Professor Byleth," Sothis remarked. "Your lover over there seems to have taken notice of your schemes."
Physically repressing the urge to flinch at the goddess's choice of words, Byleth kept a straight face as he waved to Petra.
I am not scheming anything.
Byleth's eyes caught on a fleeing Bernie. She was hiding behind Caspar and Linhardt as the two left, her books hugged tightly to her chest as she tried to sneak out in a scurry. Given the way she had avoided the professor, going so far as to never look him directly in the eye for more than a few moments, it seemed she was uncomfortable around him. Of all the Eagles, she had been the only one to not greet him yet.
"Bernadetta."
The recluse squeaked, stiffening as she turned her head to Byleth. Having been caught in the act, her cheeks burned a bright red.
Byleth paused, waiting for the others to leave, then motioned for her to come forward.
Bernadetta shook her head, taking a deep breath to compose herself before walking towards him.
"Y-yes, Professor?" She asked shakily. The arms gripping her books so tightly began to tremble, though she tried to hide it by tucking them behind her back. Again, her eyes seemed to gravitate towards his own, inspecting them for any animosity for only a second before they flew away.
Bernadetta was frightened. Probably anxious, worrying what he might say. Knowing his student, she probably feared she overstepped her bounds by offering the words for Jeralt's headstone. A foolish thought, but Byleth knew his students quite well.
Her anxiety getting the better of her, she burst.
"I-i-if you're mad about what I gave to the archbishop, I-!"
"Bernie."
His student shrieked as Byleth's hands fell upon her shoulders.
"Why would I be mad?" Byleth asked softly, tilting his head to the side.
"I… I-I don't know," Bernadetta stammered, shrinking beneath his gaze. "B-because I butted my big, dumb head in where it didn't belong…"
Her eyes widened and her mouth froze as Byleth pulled her into a hug. Knowing the fragile thing she could be, Byleth made sure not to embrace her too tightly. One arm gently grasped her back, while his other hand carefully cradled her head.
"When it comes to me, you will always belong," he mumbled, affectionately tousling her hair. "What you wrote was very beautiful. My father would have been grateful."
Bernadetta blinked rapidly, her arms hovering in the air at her sides. After another moment of indecision, they tentatively wrapped around Byleth's back. Realizing that he was not going to hit, hurt, scold, or punish her, she closed her eyes, allowing herself to sink into his embrace.
…Byleth morbidly wondered when the last time was that someone hugged her like this.
"I-I tried; I-I really did." Bernadetta's voice was muffled by his clothing, but even so, Byleth could still hear it crack underneath the weight of her emotions. "I-I-I even came out of my room and everything!"
Byleth rubbed her back.
"I know you did. I know. Thank you, Bernadetta."
He squeezed her tighter; but not too tight. Byleth was strong, so he did not wish to hurt her.
Those tentative hands cupping his back pushed a little harder against him.
"I-I-I missed you, Professor Byleth."
His heart nearly broke in two as he listened to Bernadetta, his timid, fearful student, confess her feelings honestly. For her, simply stepping out of the room each day was an uphill battle. Yet, she had done it multiple days for weeks straight. She had even gone out on a limb to try and do something kind, and to do something that would honor his father. And here she was, openly admitting her own feelings without shrieking or running a way. In a way, he was envious of her strength.
But more than that, he was proud of her. So very proud.
Though his heart was a mess of holes and cracks, hastily put together with strings, glue, and whatever else he could scrap together, the resolve in his chest had never burned brighter. If there was any doubt as to what he must do before, it was all but gone now.
"I… I missed you, too."
Those who slithered in the dark were a great and terrible threat to all Byleth loved and held dear. They hurt those who he loved and held dear. They tortured, maimed, and slaughtered without a care.
Bernie, Ferdinand, Petra, Caspar, Linhardt, Dorothea, Felix, Lysithea, Flayn, Hubert, Edelgard.
Eleven people that meant more to him than life itself. Eleven people that gave him a reason to wake up in the mornings. Eleven people that breathed life into a lifeless husk. Byleth counted himself lucky to just have one person in his life. One great, shining ray of hope that seemed to brighten the darkened path he walked on. To think there were ten others that gave his legs the strength to move. Ten others that gave his arms the strength to lift the sword that weighed so greatly.
Byleth could not allow any of those brilliant flames to flicker out. He could not allow anyone the chance to hurt any of his students ever again. He would not let them strip away anymore. He would not let them hurt anyone else.
They could not be allowed to live any longer. The crimes they had committed… The lives they had taken… Byleth could ignore that no longer. They would face judgement; for his father, and those lost in Remire. For what they did to Edelgard. For what they did to Lysithea. For what they have yet to do. For what they could do.
To that end, they must die.
They all must die.
Byleth glanced down at the quivering girl in his arms. Petting the back of her head once more, he pulled away.
Bernadetta sniffled, rubbing the back of her hand across her eyes. They were red, brimming with unshed tears.
Reaching into his jacket's pocket, Byleth pulled out a clean handkerchief; the very same one Edelgard had given him months ago back in Conand Tower.
"How about you and I bake a cake together later in the week?" Byleth proposed, handing her the cloth. "Consider it a thank you for finding the right words for my father when I could not."
Bernadetta jerked her head up and down, accepting the handkerchief. She dabbed her eyes with it before speaking again.
"Th-that'll give me another reason to leave my room," she giggled.
"Yes, it would."
"I'll look forward to it, Professor," Bernadetta said, handing him the handkerchief back.
"You keep that." Byleth shook his head, pushing it back to her.
Bernadetta nodded, balling it up and hugging it to her chest. Looking up to him with wide, glistening eyes, she spoke once more.
"I'll… I'll see you tomorrow, then?"
"Tomorrow."
She flashed him a genuine smile, waving her farewell before she left. Byleth watched her go. Bernadetta usually left his classroom with her shoulders scrunched up, her arms folded to her chest, and her head lowered to avoid staring at anyone directly in the eyes. Bernadetta had always retreated into herself, trying desperately to lessen her presence out of fear that she might be noticed. She always ran back to her room, shutting the door and everyone else out.
But, today… Byleth did not see that. He saw a normal teenager. A normal girl. A normal student, leaving his room as any other might.
Sighing, he turned his head to Edelgard. She was still waiting for him to finish, though her head was now angled away and towards the ground. Her brows were knitted together, her lips pressed against each other in a tight frown. Having not known the conversation that would follow, she had likely faced away to give the two as much privacy as she could offer.
Edelgard raised her head, meeting his eyes.
"I thought you hadn't made a decision, yet."
"I haven't."
Byleth left the class, motioning for Edelgard to follow. The two left the room, entering one of the many courtyards that littered the monastery. Dozens of students flowed through the open space, conversing with friends as they hurriedly escaped today's lectures. Byleth spot a few familiar faces in the crowd, some even gave him cheery waves.
"I'm still considering my options," Byleth continued as they walked. Though it wasn't technically a lie, Edelgard didn't seem very convinced.
"Well, whenever you decide, know my feelings haven't changed. Regardless of your choice, I will stand with you."
Byleth glanced over at her, only to see that she was already watching him. Closely. Gauging his response.
She would never know how thankful he was for her; words couldn't do it justice. If not for her, he wouldn't even be out of that room. If not for her, he wouldn't have taken that first step.
If not for her, his choice wouldn't have been clear.
"I am not so weak, my teacher. Neither are they."
Byleth raised an eyebrow.
"I never said you were."
Edelgard frowned. There was no anger, sadness, or disappointment in her eyes; only unease.
"Then, why does it feel like you're considering something I would vehemently disapprove of?"
Byleth sidestepped a passing student, purposefully avoiding Edelgard's steady gaze. Though his mind didn't have a destination in mind, his legs seemed to be taking him down the path that would lead to the main hall.
Taking his silence as a clear answer, Edelgard's frown deepened.
"The truth is, you've already chosen to go alone, haven't you?"
"I can't let anyone else get hurt because of me," Byleth mumbled. "If something happened to you… any of you… I could never forgive myself."
"Why are you so assured one of us will get hurt?" Edelgard pressed.
"You said it yourself, didn't you? If we go, we'll be walking right into a trap. I cannot take that chance."
"That has never stopped us from doing what needed to be done before." Edelgard shook her head. "The odds have never been in our favor, my teacher, yet we've always pulled through."
"It's… different now," he murmured.
It was different. Since his father died, nothing had been the same. The confidence he had in his abilities and his power to keep his family safe had vanished with Jeralt's death. If rewinding the clock was not enough to save one, single man, what was? What happened next time? If Divine Pulse didn't fail, what if he did? What if a single instance of hesitation born from his own self-doubt spelled the end for Bernadetta? For Edelgard? For any of them?
From a rational standpoint, this was the safest bet. If the only life he had to worry about was his own, he could at least be confident enough in that. Confident enough in the fact that a lone Ashen Demon could kill battalion of men. It was what Byleth had been trained to do. It was what he could do. Killing was the one thing he still excelled at.
The professor was so lost in his thoughts, he nearly bumped into a guard, only to swerve past at the last second.
"Why?" Edelgard asked, genuinely curious. "Because of what happened to… Jeralt?"
Byleth flinched at the name. He had not realized it, but his feet had stopped moving. They were in the main hall, now.
He turned to look at Edelgard. Again, he felt himself immediately getting absorbed into her purple eyes.
Maybe… Maybe if he just told her-
"If you tell her now," Sothis interrupted, reading his mind. "She most likely would believe you… but I fear she would not understand."
Edelgard tilted her head to the side, staring up at him questioningly.
Why?
"Have you stopped to consider what I might mean to her, Byleth?" Sothis asked softly, her voice tinged with remorse. "While I slumbered inside of you… she endured many hardships. Endured terrible, terrible things… She called for me- cried for me to save them, but I… I never came. The goddess abandoned them."
Sothis stopped herself. For someone that could not recall her past, she had been awfully specific. Byleth wondered how much she truly knew.
"I only fear that knowledge would do her more harm than good."
"Byleth?" Edelgard called his name. He could see the beginnings of concern grow on her features.
Byleth had… never thought of it like that. He never considered how Edelgard might perceive his bond to Sothis. How would Edelgard react to the knowledge that Sothis, the goddess, was a part of him? On her own admission, her problem was with the institution and not the religion itself, but still… Byleth worried.
"Yes." Byleth forced the words through his dry throat. "Because of what happened to my father, I worry I am no longer suitable to keep you all safe."
Byleth knew he was only repeating what he had already said many times. Truly, he did not know what else to say. He hoped the words would come to him soon.
"Byleth, I know it's hard to trust in yourself after something like that," Edelgard said. Her hand twitched, and for a moment Byleth thought she might take his hand in hers, but she did not. "But, if you cannot trust in yourself, trust in me."
He stared long and hard into her eyes, searching for the right words to say. Everything had become… so messy. So confusing. It felt like with each step forward, Byleth took two steps back. Every time he thought he found an answer, he was only left with more questions. More fear. More worries.
It made him feel guilty. Guilty that while Edelgard stood here, once more trying to coax his old self out, pleading with him to simply trust her, his mind was elsewhere.
"I do trust in you, El," Byleth whispered. He made sure to speak low enough that no one else could hear her name.
Clearing his throat, he spoke a little louder.
"We'll set out for the Sealed Forest. Together."
Edelgard relaxed, smiling slightly as she-
"No. I will not allow it."
Byleth froze.
His posture went rigid.
Sothis's anxiety at the sudden appearance comingled with his own, forming a tight ball in his chest.
Edelgard's eyes widened momentarily as they caught her, before narrowing into slits.
Slowly, Byleth turned to face the archbishop. She had a stern expression on her face as she regarded him closely. Rhea didn't even seem to care, nor notice Edelgard's presence.
Beside her was Seteth and one of the Knights of Seiros.
"The discovery comes just when the knights are at their busiest," Seteth spoke for her. Typical. "It is all too likely that our foes revealed themselves to lure you out there. I realize that these are the people that-"
"Do you think me a fool?" Byleth frowned, his teeth grinding against each other. "I am well aware that it's a trap."
Seteth blinked, taken back by the hostility prevalent in his tone.
"Please, Professor. Do not act carelessly," Rhea intervened, though she did not waver. "I ask that you leave this to us."
Byleth directed his contempt back to its source.
The way she spoke with such authority… As though Byleth was expected to follow; as though it was already decided he would follow. It angered him. It angered him more than he could put into words. This woman… This woman that hid so much from him, decided so much for him… Was once again, trying to impose her will onto his own life.
Who was she to decide this for him as well? How much of his life did she intend to control?
"And I refuse."
"Professor, I understand that you must despise them, but-"
Rhea raised a hand, cutting Seteth off before he could finish.
Closing his mouth, Seteth lowered his head and looked away.
Turning back to him, Rhea continued, her features softening.
"Losing you so soon after Jeralt would be unbearable. Please, Byleth. I implore you to let us see to it."
Byleth peered into her eyes. By all accounts, they were the same as they always had been. Warm, gentle, loving… Fake, deceitful, frightening.
Was she truly using his father's name to guilt him into staying?
"You would dare-"
"Lady Rhea."
Edelgard cut Byleth off before he could finish.
All heads turned to her as she stepped forward.
"Our professor is not acting out of revenge," Edelgard said, holding Rhea's gaze without an ounce of emotions coloring her face. "Sending us out there is the most strategic move we can make; you can't deny it."
The archbishop, clearly not expecting Edelgard's timely interruption, was at a loss for words. She remained quiet, allowing Edelgard to finish.
"Most of the knights are still far away. Not only does our professor wield a Hero's Relic, but there is no one here who is more powerful."
Byleth looked to her, his rage dissipating.
"Seteth and the few remaining knights can't leave the monastery unattended," Edelgard continued to make her case, unaware of Byleth's lingering eyes. "We have fought under our teacher's command countless times. We are the most effective army here, and we are already prepared for battle. We must act now."
Seteth clasped his hands behind his back, glancing towards his superior.
Rhea examined Edelgard for a few more moments, but the emperor did not yield underneath her scrutiny.
"Professor…" Rhea's eyes returned to him. "Do you agree with this strategy?"
"Yes," Byleth's reply was immediate.
Rhea's brow furrowed as she thought, her lips curving into a slight frown.
"Understood. I will give you the order," she relented, albeit hesitantly. "Destroy the enemy that is hiding in the Sealed Forest. You have the protection of the goddess on-"
"Very well. Come, Edelgard."
Edelgard's brows raised as she watched her professor turn to walk away before Rhea could finish. Giving Rhea and Seteth no more than a nod each, she turned to follow after him.
Byleth could feel Rhea's watchful eyes probing his back, picking it apart and throwing away the pieces to get a better look, but Byleth did not care. He continued to walk until he no longer felt her eyes watching him. Until he no longer felt that burden on his shoulders.
Once they were out of earshot and eyesight, Edelgard spoke.
"Professor?"
Byleth swallowed the lump in his throat, shaking his head just once.
"That is… a conversation for another time."
It was likely she was curious as to his sudden change in demeanor around the archbishop. She had every right to be. It was something he would share with her, but once things quieted down somewhat. They still had a mission to do.
"And you were right." Byleth met her eyes. "I was going to go alone."
Edelgard pursed her lips, folding her arms over her chest. She didn't seem the least bit surprised to hear that.
Truthfully, the tiny voice of reason in Byleth's mind still urged him to lie to her and everyone else. To still sneak out under the cover of night to face this threat by himself. To ignore their feelings on the matter and do things his way. To him, that was the only way he could, with certainty, keep them safe. If they weren't there, they couldn't get hurt. Simple as that.
But, if he did…
Byleth would be no different than her.
"Inform the Eagles. We'll set out in three hours."
Edelgard nodded. The smile he only caught a glimpse of before Rhea arrived had returned.
"Of course, my teacher. I will leave right away."
Bowing to him, the emperor excused herself and went onward, back to the Eagle homeroom. Her pace was quick as Byleth watched her leave.
As he once more thought back to his father, he tugged on his collar. His hand brushed against the chain around his neck as his eyes followed Edelgard.
Of all the things in this world, being like Rhea was the last thing he wanted. Even if it went against his better judgement, he did not want to keep his loved ones in the dark as she did to him. Having now been on the receiving end of that, he knew how much that distrust could hurt.
Jeralt had once said to him that the road to hell was paved with good intentions. Rhea would likely describe her own intentions as 'good' or in his 'best interest.'
While Byleth was confident in the fact that such a destination was likely for him regardless of his decision here today, he could at least be assured that his path to the end would differ from Rhea's.
Thanks for reading everyone! Gonna be honest, had some writer's block with this one. Had that moment where you know what you want to write, but are unsure as to how to write it. So, I do apologize for the bit longer wait.
It's funny. Until I reached Rhea's speech near the end, I fully intended to have Byleth sneak off to go to the Sealed Forest alone, and you can probably see that through the first two thirds of this chapter. It felt fitting given how Byleth doubts his abilities to protect his students, and how he wants to make sure no one else dies because of his failures. But, as I was literally writing Rhea's dialogue, I came to the same realization that Byleth did in that closing segment, which is why I didn't change it.
So, in the end, I called an audible. Next chapter won't change much from what I had originally envisioned, however. Geez, I can hardly believe just how close to the timeskip we are now.
It was interesting touching on Byleth and his views on the afterlife this chapter. Honestly, I've never stopped to think how he/she might feel about heaven or hell. Edelgard I've considered a bunch, but never Byleth. That was kind of fun to explore, given how Byleth is quite literally the goddess's vessel, and it's likely something I'll touch on in a later chapter.
I'll leave it at that for now and wrap things up. Like you guys, I am anxiously awaiting Byleth's release in Ultimate today! Please, get here sooner Byleth.
See you next time!