After the Golden Deer surrendered, the three houses reconvened at their respective tents on the hill. I wasn't too sure what everyone else was doing, but from Hilda's muffled screaming in the distance, it was clear that Claude, at least, wasn't having a good time.

Kind of odd though. I didn't take Hilda to be someone to rant… then again, considering that she'd been shackled to a year of choir practice with Claude, I didn't blame her.

The Blue Lions, on the other hand, were fairly quiet. I could faintly hear Dimitri and Hanneman talking in the distance, but their voices were low enough that I couldn't make out the words among the din of the knights and priests cleaning up the area.

As for us, we were in our own tent.

I glanced around the room at my students.

Edelgard, Ferdinand, Dorothea, Linhardt.

Hubert, Caspar, Petra…

The only people missing from the Black Eagles were my dear sister and Bernie, who stayed back to make sure Stella didn't get too stressed out in the tea party with Flayn. Other than those two, we were all here.

All of us, as well as the most recent addition to the Black Eagles.

Hubert walked over to me and smiled. "How was my performance, Professor? Acceptable, I presume?"

I shook my head. "More than acceptable, Hubert. If this was graded, you'd pass with flying colors."

The gloomy dark mage smiled and said, "I'm flattered. Of course, the credit doesn't belong to me alone." Saying that, he glanced back at our newest member.

Lysithea nodded her head and looked at me. "You see! I told you that you would regret not seeing my worth, Professor!"

I never actually said that, but seeing her satisfied look and eyes that seemed to seek praise, I didn't dispute her words. Instead, I smiled and said, "Looks like you were right, Lysithea. You really played a key part in us winning this time, huh?"

Hubert nodded. "Indeed. Were it not for Miss Ordelia, taking the tower might have been a bit more troublesome. Granted, I had a contingency for the case in which she refused to cooperate, but I had a hunch that she would."

Lysithea huffed and crossed her arms. "It's Claude's fault. Treating me like a kid all the time… I'm already fifteen! I'm not a child!"

Petra nodded. "I am agreeing with you Lysithea. In Brigid, you are already being an adult."

Lysithea smiled and turned towards her. "Finally! Someone who agrees!"

Petra nodded. "Also, I am having happiness- Ah. I mean to say, I am happy to have a peer my own age."

Lysithea's smile froze and she stared at Petra. Her smile slowly dimmed and she said, "You… You're fifteen?"

"Hm?" Petra tilted her head and said, "Yes. That is being the case. I am indeed fifteen years of age."

Lysithea scanned Petra from head to toe and then crossed her arms. "…Hmph. Some people have all the luck…"

Dorothea sighed. "Tell me about it. Petra really is blessed…"

The Brigid Princess blinked and said, "I… am not having understanding." She turned to look at me and said, "Professor? Would you explain?"

"That's-"

Linhardt sighed and said, "Dorothea and Lysithea are jealous that you have a developed body at such a young age."

"Lin!" Dorothea flushed and said, "You don't need to put it so bluntly!"

Lysithea nodded and said, "Yes! Can you not have at least a modicum of sense, Linhardt?!"

He shook his head and said, "What is it with girls and beating around the bush? That's just going to lead to misunderstandings."

Ferdinand nodded. "Indeed. Women are mysterious creatures."

Dorothea crossed her arms and then glared at Ferdinand. "And what's that supposed to mean, Ferdie?"

Ferdinand paled and held up his hands. "N-Nothing, Dorothea! I am simply stating that it can be difficult at times to understand you… Ahem, you women."

"No." Dorothea took a step towards the orange-haired noble. "Don't take back your words. You said that it's hard to understand me, hm?"

Edelgard laughed. "It seems that you've found yourself in some trouble, Ferdinand."

Petra blinked, looking between Ferdinand and Dorothea. After that, she frowned and said, "I am still lacking understanding…"

Caspar walked over and said, "Gah, whatever!" He jabbed his finger towards me, pointing accusingly, and said, "Prof! You didn't tell me going with Hubert would be so boring!"

Hubert crossed his arms and sent a cold glare towards Caspar. "Did you have a problem with my commanding, Caspar?"

Caspar crossed his arms as well and then said, "This was supposed to be a mock battle! You know, a big fight where we get to show off!" He frowned. "I wanted to fight, but all we did was sneak around like assassins and thieves!"

Hubert raised an eyebrow. "Yes… But in doing so we achieved a victory. Does that not matter more than your personal satisfaction, Caspar? Or perhaps you find it better to selfishly charge headfirst into combat like your father?"

"Hey! Leave my dad out of this! At least he doesn't go around snuffing people like your dad!"

"Caspar!" Edelgard called out and crossed her arms. "That is out of line. The same goes to you, Hubert."

Caspar froze and then let out a long sigh. After that he ran his right hand through his hair. "...Sorry, Edelgard. It's just… We won. And I know I should be happy, but… Gah! I wanted to show off what Prof taught me, you know?"

Hubert frowned and then slowly shook his head. "I see. In that case… I apologize, Caspar."

Ferdinand's eyes widened. "Hubert? Apologizing? Is the world coming to an end?"

"Hmph." Hubert glanced towards Ferdinand and said, "I can acknowledge my faults, Ferdinand. It just happens that they are rare and few."

"Ah." Ferdinand nodded. "There is the Hubert I know."

Hubert rolled his eyes.

While those two bickered, Edelgard turned towards me and said, "In any case… You did admirably today, my teacher."

I shook my head. "There's no need for the empty praise, Delly. I didn't do much in this mock battle."

Not even my best at that. While I hadn't gone over the mock battle in detail yet, I could already start to pick out things I could have done better and things I forgot to do.

"I disagree," Edelgard said. "You knew your limitations and acted accordingly. Furthermore, you did a fantastic job at distracting Claude and pretending to be exasperated."

Hubert nodded. "Indeed. That was a masterful ploy, Professor. I would dare to say that my task would have been quite a bit more difficult had you not riled up both Claude and Dimitri so much."

That… definitely wasn't what I had in mind when I acted like that. But it looked like it was out of character enough that they thought it was an act.

…Well, I wasn't about to disagree.

Instead of saying anything, I kept quiet and nodded. After that, I did what anyone else would do when taking credit and trying not to be called out on it: deflect.

I glanced at Lysithea and said, "I know that you've filed the paperwork to transfer and everything, but are you sure you should be here right now, Lysithea? Don't you want to say goodbye to your housemates?"

A flicker of regret crossed Lysithea's face before she shook her head. "Thank you for the concern, Professor, but I am fine. This decision was made with all of that already placed under consideration." She smiled. "Besides… I would not wish to be anywhere near Hilda right now after the result of the mock battle. She might not seem like it, but Hilda has… quite the explosive temper. It would not surprise me if Claude was-"

"YOU STOLE IT!? YOU SAID YOU-!"

"Marianne! Silence!"

"Y-Yes, Claude!"

Lysithea glanced towards the Golden Deer tent and then shook her head. "…As you see."

"Well, if you're fine with it…" I glanced around and, seeing that no one was coming over towards us, decided it was best for us to head back. "I think it's about time we return to the monastery for some well deserved rest."

The journey back to the monastery went by without any trouble. I half expected something to happen knowing my luck and recent events, but gladly everything worked out. Maybe the world was giving me a break due to the trouble I had to deal with already as a professor of over thirty students…

As we entered the monastery, Lysithea left our group, saying that she had to finish up some paper work before tomorrow in order to officially transfer.

I bid her farewell with a reminder for her to drop by the classroom early tomorrow so that I could give her some notes to catch up with the rest of the class.

That left us with just the original Black Eagles and myself… minus Bernie and Stella.

Like that, we entered the reception hall on the way back to the Black Eagles classroom.

The pair of double doors swung open, revealing the usual polished tiled floor, soft torchlight mixed with the fading daylight from the setting sun… and three familiar girls seated at the table near the middle of the hall. One with short violet hair, another with long dark blue hair, and the last with curly light green hair.

"Oh! You're back!" Bernie jumped out of her seat and ran over. "How did it go? Did we win?" She glanced at everyone and then gasped. "No, you're back early, so did we lose? Argh… Should I have volunteered after all?"

Stella walked over following Bernie and sighed. "You silly girl. If our house is the first to return, it is obvious that we won, is it not?"

Ferdinand nodded. "It is as Stella says." He puffed out his chest and said, "Obviously, the Black Eagles reigned victorious in the mock battle."

Dorothea frowned. "I get that we won and you did a large part in winning against the Blue Lions, Ferdie, but do you have to go out of your way to boast?"

Ferdinand wilted and said, "Ah… I apologize, Dorothea. It is just… today is my birthday so I wanted to show off a little…"

Flayn gasped. "It is your day of birth? How wonderful! This victory must be the greatest gift then!"

Ferdinand smiled at Flayn and said, "Thank you, Flayn! I am glad that someone understands."

Dorothea frowned. "That's right… It's Ferdie's birthday."

Petra shook her head. "You have forgotten already, Dorothea? Even I am recalling this. Ah!" She turned to Ferdinand and said, "I have left the gift of celebration in your room, Ferdinand. It is not much, but I am hoping you enjoy it."

Ferdinand nodded. "Thank you, Petra."

"Ooh, right!" Caspar made a fist with his right hand and smacked the side of it in his left palm. "Today was Ferdinand's birthday!" He turned towards me and said, "Are we gonna have a feast to celebrate it, Prof?"

Linhardt sighed. "You and wanting food… What do you think the Professor is, Caspar? I doubt he has the money right now to spend on another party."

Caspar paused and then scratched the back of his head. He let out a sheepish smile and said, "Right… forgot about that."

Ferdinand shook his head. "There is no need for that." He smiled and said, "Tonight, the celebration will be on me! We shall have wine, fine food, and-"

"And nothing," I said. "As much as it'd be great to go all out and celebrate… it's still the middle of the school week. Not to mention we've taken enough breaks as it is last week."

Ferdinand paused. "…Ah. You have a point, Professor." He sighed. "Alas, it appears that I shall have to settle with the knowledge that I played a large part in our victory…"

Edelgard spoke up. "Not to worry, Ferdinand. While we might not be able to celebrate now, there is nothing that says we cannot celebrate during the weekend. Besides, it would be best to have a whole day to enjoy rather than mere hours before curfew, would it not?"

Ferdinand smiled and gave Edelgard a grateful nod.

Hubert hummed. "If that is what Lady Edelgard desires… Hm. I suppose I should make some arrangements. After the fiasco of last time, it would be good to have a proper celebration rather than the makeshift one that the Professor put on."

I narrowed my eyes. "Are you saying I don't know how to throw a party, Hubert?"

"Indeed. While joyous, it still remains at the level of a commoner. And as Ferdinand says, it would do well to have some fine wine, food, and entertainment for once."

Edelgard groaned. "Hubert. Don't tell me you're suggesting a proper noble reception. You know how much I disdain those."

I blinked. "A proper noble reception?"

Edelgard shook her head. "It's… something that happens in court. A noble sends invitations to other nobles and everyone dresses up fancy for some tea and fine food. Terribly stuffy and hopelessly uptight."

Hubert shook his head. "It would also do well to quell… or at least divert the rumors surrounding you and the Professor."

Ferdinand frowned. "One moment. Hubert. Are you suggesting that we use my birthday celebration as a tool to help Edelgard?"

He turned to Ferdinand and said, "You said it yourself, did you not? That you would do your best to support Lady Edelgard and the Professor in their relationship?"

"That… Hah. I suppose that is true. And it has been a while since I have done anything proper…"

"Wait, wait, wait." I held up my hand and said, "You guys are actually planning a formal affair for this weekend? Here at the monastery at that?"

Flayn clasped her hands together. "That sounds delightful! Might I be invited?"

Ferdinand nodded. "Of course, Flayn! The more the merrier!"

Linhardt sighed. "Can I skip this one? I was looking forward to napping this weekend."

Hubert crossed his arm. "Skip the reception? Do you wish to show a lack of solidarity among Lady Edelgard's ranks, Linhardt?"

"…Right. Son of an important Count and all…" Linhardt shook his head. "Fine. I'll show up. Just don't expect me to do anything."

"Ooh!" Dorothea's eyes brightened and she turned to stare at me. "That means we get to see Professor all cleaned up!"

Petra stared at me as well and said, "Yes… This will be the most interesting event!"

I shook my head. "Don't I have a say in this?"

"None what so ever," Hubert said.

"…What if I assign a large project due Monday?"

Hubert shrugged. "I suppose we will just have to suffer through it… and you will have to suffer with grading rushed assignments."

"Argh…"

Caspar pumped his fist in the air. "Alright! Party time this weekend!"

Hubert raised an eyebrow. "My, Caspar. I didn't know that you were so enthusiastic about attending receptions. I'll make a note to include you in the entourage when we inevitably return to Enbarr."

Caspar froze. "…Is it too late to change my mind?"

"Yes."

He sighed.

Hubert glanced over in the corner and said, "And don't think that you can escape, Bernadetta. As the heir to House Varley, you need to attend as well."

Bernie groaned and slowly walked back after trying to make a subtle escape. "Foiled again… Are you sure you're not an evil vampire, Hubert?"

"If I were, I highly doubt you would be so bold as to suggest it to my face," Hubert said. "Now, do you have any formal dresses here, or must I procure some for you?"

While everyone else was excited and planned the upcoming reception… which slowly seemed to resemble a wedding reception the more my students started to talk, I decided to avoid reality for a bit and moved over to talk to my dear sister.

Stella turned to look at me, amusement clear on her face. "I presume the mock battle went well then, considering the high spirits that your students are in."

I glanced at the lively bunch and shook my head. "Apparently. Though I start to wonder if setting the precedent for parties last week was a good idea…"

If even Hubert was getting into it, then something was up. Granted, the reasons he gave for holding a 'noble reception' were logical. After all, we did need to celebrate Ferdinand's birthday, the victory of the mock battle, and make the rumors of Edelgard's proposal die down. Still, it didn't settle quite right with me.

Stella shook her head and said, "It will be fine. So what if they are all a bit exuberant? Better that than deadly serious, no?"

I shrugged and then focused on Stella. "What about you? How was the tea party with Flayn and Bernie?"

Stella glanced at Flayn from the corner of her eyes.

The fluffy green-haired young woman was standing in the midst of the Black Eagles, cheerfully adding on to the plans. If it wasn't for the fact that she wasn't on my roster, it wouldn't be odd to think that she was a Black Eagles student.

…Which reminded me. I should probably warn Seteth ahead of time about the potential of Flayn getting kidnapped. While Jeritza was on our side and Edelgard was definitely not working with the Agarthans at this point, Fate still seemed to converge on key events. I wasn't sure of it, but I had a strong feeling that, if not Flayn, someone was going to get kidnapped within the next few months.

Wait.

I stared at Stella and tilted my head.

She smiled back.

"…So you haven't just been messing around, have you?"

"Well," she said. "One of us has to keep an eye on the flow of events. And seeing as you are preoccupied, that duty falls upon me, does it not? Though…" She glanced at me and then continued on silently.

It is odd. Time… seems to have stabilized somewhat.

Hm?

With all that you have done, there should be more ripples against the current of time. Yet… I sense nothing. With the princess choosing you, with the prince retaining his sanity, and with the outsider possessing decades of experience, let alone all of them being aware of the future, events should be completely different. Yet…

…It's not, huh?

Perhaps it is just my imagination. Or perhaps this physical body has numbed my senses… but I would be wary. For the flow of time to be so still…

Odds are that Fate's going to drop in like a brick, huh?

Indeed.

At that time, Edelgard walked over. She glanced between me and Stella and smiled. "What are you two doing? If I didn't know better, I'd think you two were having a mental conversation or something."

Stella laughed. "As if this dolt could read my mind."

I frowned. "I'm still taking that as a challenge. One of these days I'll figure out how to do it."

"Oh?" Edelgard glanced at me. "Are you researching magic to tap into the mind, my teacher?"

I shook my head. "Only my sister's. I can already read you like an open book."

"Wha-?" Edelgard flushed and then crossed her arms. "That makes me seem like a shallow woman, my teacher. I will have you know that is not the case."

"Of course not. You're a complex individual with a beautiful determination to set right a world you see as cruelly distorted. You also like mysteries, sweets, and me."

Edelgard's flush deepened and then she said, "Th-That is not fair, my teacher! Complimenting me like that…" She lowered her head and started poking her index fingers together.

Stella sighed and said, "If you two are done whispering sweet nothings to each other, I believe the others are finished discussing."

I glanced over to see my students start to break off into groups and head out.

Linhardt yawned. "If there's nothing else going on, I'm going to sleep, Professor. I still need to compile the quiz topic notes for the extra credit assignment and I want to be wide awake for that." He waved at me and then walked off towards the noble dorms on the east side of the main hall.

Caspar groaned. "I forgot about the quiz. I still haven't finished studying…" He glanced at me and said, "Heya, Prof. Do you think you could… you know. Postpone the quiz by a day? After this weekend?"

"And mess up my grading schedule for the next month? Not to mention risking overlap with our house's mission?" I shook my head. "No thanks."

Caspar sighed.

Ferdinand walked over and said, "If you require help in studying, I might be of some aid, Caspar. It has been a while since we spent time together."

Caspar grinned. "Thanks, Ferdie! I owe you one."

Ferdinand turned around and waved towards Hubert. "Would you like to join as well, Hubert?"

The dark magic user shook his head and said, "I have other business to attend to this night. With recent events, there are letters that I must send out."

Ferdinand nodded. "I see." He paused and said, "Hm. It has been some time since I heard from my father. Perhaps it would be prudent to write a letter back home..."

Caspar placed his hands behind his head and said, "Oh yeah. My mom's been nagging me about that in her letters too. I should probably write back soon… Wouldn't want her to show up out of the blue with my dad or something."

With that, Caspar, Ferdinand, and Hubert left.

The moment they did, Dorothea, Bernie, and Petra walked over with Flayn in tow.

Dorothea glanced at me and said, "Sorry to barge in, but Petra suggested that we take a nice bath to relax. We were wondering if we could take Stella with us?"

Flayn chimed in and said, "Yes, Professor! It would not be the same without my dearest friend Stella! There is much to discuss!"

Petra nodded. "I am hoping to have a long girls talking… I mean, a long girl talk with everyone."

Edelgard looked amused and said, "You would invite Stella and not me, Dora? I'm hurt."

Dorothea laughed. "Well, I'd love it if you came along with us, Edie. But I think you'd prefer the fine company of our Professor, wouldn't you? I know I would." She glanced at me and then winked.

Edelgard shook her head, a smile on her face.

"Anyway," Dorothea said. "Can Stella come, Professor?"

Before I could answer, Stella huffed and crossed her arms. "As if I require my brother's permission to spend time with my friends."

I raised an eyebrow. "Friends?"

Stella flushed and quickly started walking away. "I-In any case, let us be off! The baths will not be open much longer."

Wow. All grown up already, deciding things on your own and making friends. I'm proud.

Quiet you!

I shook my head and watched as they left.

And then it was just Edelgard and myself standing in the reception hall.

She walked over to the table and took a seat.

Seeing that, I followed her lead and sat down beside her.

Edelgard glanced around and then, seeing no one in the surroundings, looked at me and said, "You seemed a bit out of sorts earlier, my love. Are you that against attending a formal noble gathering?"

I shook my head. "It's not that." I frowned. "I guess I'm still just adjusting to the rhythm of teaching. It's… odd not having to worry about fighting every day."

Last week was basically battle after battle and countless surprises. Going from that to mundane teaching… I'd be lying if it didn't have some effect on my mental state.

Edelgard crossed her legs and then laced her hands together, placing them on her lap. "I see." Her expression dimmed and said, "I suppose that would be my part. Had I not chosen that path, perhaps these peaceful days-"

"Stop that." I immediately cut her off and said, "Enough blaming yourself."

"But my love, I-"

Footsteps echoed and then a familiar charismatic male voice called out. "Well, it didn't take long at all for you two to start flirting again."

Edelgard narrowed her eyes and stood up. "Claude. And… Dima as well?" She frowned. "What are you two doing here?"

Claude walked over to us, Dimitri following behind him.

I stood up as well and said, "Edelgard has a point. Shouldn't you two be with your houses?"

Claude held up his hands and shook his head. "Can't you show some sympathy for the losers? My sorry self has to spend the whole year doing choir practice with Hilda now."

Dimitri glanced at him and said, "I would hardly consider that a punishment considering your affection towards Hilda, Claude."

"Yeah, well you're not the one who had to break the news to her about how she has to get up at the crack of dawn for the rest of the year to do the morning hymns." Claude sighed. "Not to mention Boss over there poached Lissy…" He glanced at me and said, "On that note, you could have given me a heads up, Boss. I wouldn't have included her in the line up if I knew she was planning on transferring to your house."

I crossed my arms and said, "And then have you decimate us with your aerial advantage? No thanks."

Dimitri shook his head and then turned towards Edelgard. "I missed the chance to say this earlier, but you've grown quite a bit, El. I didn't think that you had become strong enough to hold your own against me with a sword. An axe, perhaps, but to wield a blade so skillfully…" He shifted his gaze to me and said, "You are quite the skilled instructor, Byleth."

Claude lowered his hands and muttered, "Skilled instructor, huh? Bet it's not just sword skills he's been teaching the princess."

Edelgard narrowed her eyes. "Excuse me?"

Claude nodded. "You're excused."

"That's not what I- Argh!" Edelgard shook her head. "You're insufferable, Claude!"

I pinched the bridge of my nose and said, "Could you stop it with the innuendos, Claude? I've got enough of a headache today as it is."

"Yeah, well, you and me both, Boss." Claude shook his head and then fixed a stern gaze on me. "But don't think you'll get off so easily in the Battle of the Eagle and the Lion."

Dimitri nodded. "Yes. The Black Eagles might have attained victory in this case, but when the time comes for us to clash upon the field of battle once more… the outcome will be different."

I frowned. "I don't know about that."

Claude grinned. "The pride cometh before the fall, Boss. I'd keep that arrogance in check if I were you."

Edelgard crossed her arms and said, "I would return those words to yourself, Claude. After all, it was the source of the Golden Deer's downfall in this battle, was it not?"

Claude's grin faded.

Before he could say anything, I shook my head. "Delly. Stop antagonizing him."

Edelgard sighed and lowered her arms. "…Yes, my love."

Claude looked like he wanted to say something snarky, but he visibly bit his tongue.

"In any case," I said. "…I'm not sure I'll actually participate in the next battle."

"What?!" Claude's eyes widened and he said, "Wait, you can't do that! How am I supposed to redeem myself if you don't agree to a rematch!"

Dimitri nodded. "I'm afraid I must agree with Claude on this, Byleth. It's quite impolite of you to take your winnings and run."

Edelgard laughed. "Well, well. It seems that my dear teacher finds you both lacking."

"Again, stop that, Delly."

"…Sorry."

I sighed and ran my right hand through my hair. "It's not that. It's just… I don't think I can fight seriously against any of you guys. My skills are meant for killing, not sparring."

Claude frowned. "…That sounds like arrogance to me, Boss. Do you seriously think that you're so good we'll get hurt?"

I shook my head. "No. I'm afraid that I'll fight a student and be unable to hold back because they're too good. I've spent over a decade honing instincts on how to efficiently kill, not to disarm or incapacitate."

Claude's eyes widened and then he said, "That's right. I keep forgetting that you were the Ashen Demon… Even after all these years, those instincts are hard to keep down, huh? No wonder you sucked so much."

"Hey. I didn't do that bad." I paused. "…Did I?"

Dimitri shrugged. "I did not manage to watch much of your fight… but I must admit that I did not expect for you to fall to Dedue."

Edelgard nodded. "That was indeed unexpected…"

"Gah, whatever." I shook my head and said, "The point is, unless something changes, I probably won't be participating in the Battle of the Eagle and the Lion… Well, not directly at least. Instead, you'll have to face the students that I trained the entire year." I smiled. "Think you're up for it?"

"A battle by proxy, eh?" Claude put a hand on his chin. "Hm. Well, I guess that's as good as I'll get without fighting you to the death or starting a war, so I suppose it'll have to do."

Dimitri frowned. "Do not say that even in jest, Claude. War…" Dimitri's eyes became a bit distant. "War is not something to be taken lightly." For a brief moment, Dimitri's eyes flitted towards Edelgard.

Edelgard narrowed her eyes. "Are you implying something, Dima?"

He quickly held up his hands. "No! I would never, El. Just…" His expression softened and he said, "The thought of crossing swords with you… Even if all the demons in the world were to grab onto me, I would not dare raise my blade. Not after-" He cut himself off and shook his head. "In any case… It is getting late." Dimitri glanced out a nearby window and said, "I suppose we should all be preparing to unwind for the evening, should we not?"

Claude sighed. "Right… I should probably be figuring out a plan to deal with Hilda too. Maybe pick something up on my way back to return Thyrsus…" Like that, muttering to himself the entire way, Claude left.

Dimitri turned towards me and said, "I'd like to congratulate you and El once again on your victory, Byleth. Ah, and when you decide on a proper date for the other matter, do remember to invite me." He frowned and said, "After all, with Emperor Ionius now deceased and Lord Arundel being who he is, the duty of walking El down the aisle falls to me." His eyes sharpened. "And do not think of eloping. I might tolerate a great deal from you, Byleth, but to deny El a proper ceremony-"

Edelgard rolled her eyes. "Again, you're being overprotective, Dima." She smiled. "But I appreciate the thought."

"So long as my intent is made clear." Dimitri nodded and said, "Then… good evening to you two. El, Byleth." Leaving those words behind, the Prince of Faerghus left as well.

Once again, it was just me and Edelgard.

"Well," Edelgard said. "As much as I enjoy spending time with you, my love, the others have a point. We should retire for the night." She looked at me and said, "I believe you have a meeting early tomorrow to learn of our house's mission, do you not?"

I sighed. "You're right. Not to mention the fact that I've got to sort out the lesson plans for the rest of the week… and I've still got to get around to writing that quiz."

Edelgard smiled. "Delaying your work will do you no good, my love."

"Seems like it."

Edelgard stared at me.

I stared back.

"So," she said. "Are you going to leave?"

"Are you?"

She nodded and then rubbed her chest. "Yes. I think it would do me a great deal of good to turn in early for the night… I do not wish to risk my condition taking a turn for the worse."

My eyes widened. "That… I forgot."

Right. Edelgard… How could I forget about her time limit?

She smiled and gently patted my shoulder. "It's fine. You've been busy."

"But…"

Edelgard took a quick look around. She paused and then said, "Is there anyone nearby, my love?"

I frowned and looked around. "…Unless they've managed to make a spell that's even better than our foes, there shouldn't be. And we're in a spot where no one can see us from outside as well." I turned back to her and said, "Why do you-"

Before I could say anything else, Edelgard stepped forward and kissed me.

It was short, chaste. A brief brush of her lips against my own.

Even so, it made my mind stop for a moment.

Edelgard stepped back and smiled, her face a light shade of red. "A bit of motivation for you to work. That should be enough, is it not?"

"…Now that's not fair."

She gave me a coy smile and waved. "Good night, my love. I'll see you tomorrow."

I watched her leave, walking down the hall back to her room. When she vanished, I shook my head and started heading back to my own, preparing to settle in for another long night.

I couldn't let my fair princess down, after all, could I?

Author's Notes:

Just back from holidays! Still have a lingering cough for some reason, but other than that everything's going great! The new decade's off to a fantastic start on my end. I hope that it's the same for you as well, and I wish you a belated happy new year!

This chapter's a bit of a filler. Gotta get back into the flow for a bit, but I hope it's still entertaining.

Thanks for reading, as always, and whatever input you feel inclined to leave. I appreciate you nevertheless.

Take care! I'll see you soon!