After leaving the faculty meeting, the first thing I did was to grab my notes and then head off to the Black Eagles classroom.

As expected, Lysithea was already waiting there for me. Maybe since she was unused to me being her professor, or maybe since she was intensely curious about my teaching methods, the moment I handed her my notes about the lectures I did and what I thought about her fighting and skills from what I saw in the mock battle, Lysithea immediately plopped herself down at the seat just in front of my podium in the front row.

I shook my head and then settled down while waiting for everyone else to arrive. Well, everyone else being my core group of students led by Edelgard.

When everyone was present, I succinctly summed up our mission for the month. Namely that we'd basically be doing mercenary work for Anna, the general plan of what was to come, warnings…

"…And that's our mission for the month."

I finished summing up the latest bit of news and then looked around the room.

With Lysithea's presence, the seating arrangement was shifted around again.

While the latest Black Eagle didn't move from her spot in front of the podium, it meant that others had to move to accommodate her.

Edelgard sat to the right of Lysithea, the princess no doubt intending to build rapport with a fellow victim of the Agarthans.

Then, to Edelgard's right, was Stella. My dear sister seemed to be obsessed with her inevitable… Well, technically already official sister-in-law.

Behind those three sat Ferdinand, Bernie, and Petra.

The orange-haired noble was sitting directly behind Lysithea, in the middle of the desk and between the two girls.

Bernie sat to Ferdinand's right, scribbling away at a sketchbook, while Petra was on his left, jotting down what I just said in her notebook.

In the third row of seats were the remaining students from my core group: Caspar, Dorothea, Linhardt, and Hubert, all sitting in that order from the inner aisle seat down.

Linhardt yawned, his head bobbing up and down as he struggled to stay awake. It seemed like he wanted nothing more than to collapse and nap.

Unfortunately, Hubert was to his left and determined to have Linhardt stay awake. Whenever Linhardt's head dipped a bit too low, Hubert subtly conjured up a thin dark spike and placed it below Linhardt's chin.

Needless to say, it was a painful lesson that Linhardt immediately took to heart after the first time.

As for Caspar and Dorothea… Well, the blue-haired brawler was being teased as usual by the former idol.

After placing another subtle dark spike for Linhardt, Hubert glanced over to me and said, "So we will be aiding Miss Anna for our mission, will we? Hm… I suppose her services are essential to the monastery's continued operation. Still, to request aid from the church itself…"

Caspar grinned and said, "Miss Anna just knows the best people for the job. And finally! Some real action!" He pumped his fist up and said, "No more training and holding back!"

Dorothea frowned and said, "You seem a bit too eager for the mission, Caspar. It's probably going to be safe with Professor and Captain Jeralt there… But we might have to kill people, you know?"

Caspar nodded. "That's great! I can finally test out my skills on the battlefield in a life or death situation!"

Dorothea grimaced. "That…"

Hubert shook his head and then glanced at Caspar. "Quite the enthusiasm you have there… But you should be careful. With your habit of shouting in battle, it's more likely that you'll cause your own death when you attract enemy attention."

Caspar shrugged. "Well that's what you're here for, right, Hubert? I'm no good at the tactics and sneaky stuff, but you are. Besides, I think you're skilled enough to work around me not changing, right?"

"…Sometimes, Caspar, I cannot tell if you are a dense prodigy or merely a fool who luckily spouts wisdom on the odd occasion."

"Hm?"

Linhardt yawned and said, "Killing, huh? I'll pass."

Hubert raised an eyebrow. "You will not have a choice, Linhardt. Unlike the safe grounds of the monastery or the cozy capital, outside true danger lurks." He paused and said, "I am aware that pacifism runs in your family's line due to their history of governing domestic affairs, but even your father was no stranger to killing. To think that you can be do otherwise is folly."

Linhardt frowned.

Ferdinand turned around and said, "You should not be so harsh on Linhardt, Hubert. Not everyone is as heartless as you, after all."

"Heh." Hubert shook his head. "Better to be heartless and live than empathetic and die."

Ferdinand frowned. "…Those are the words of one who has given up on his fellow man."

Hubert laughed. "After what I've seen, how could I trust my fellow man?" He shook his head and said, "The only one that I truly trust is Lady Edelgard… and by extension the Professor." He paused. "…No. That is not completely true. I suppose that I can at least trust my life to my peers… Barring Caspar, of course."

"Hey!"

Bernie groaned and then pulled up her hood. After that, she glanced at me and said, "Can I stay home for this one, Professor? It's just some mercenary work… You're the expert, so you won't need all of us. Right?"

"If only that were the case." I sighed.

In all honesty, I would allow it. The less students I brought along with me, the more I could be certain I could protect them. Not to discount either their skills or my father's, but with everything happening, it was better to be cautious.

"Unfortunately… I don't think Seteth would allow that."

Bernie groaned. "Might as well kill me now and get it over with then."

Petra frowned and looked at Bernie. "That is not the fighting spirit, Bernadetta. Do you… truly seek death? Hearing that… saddens me."

Bernie quickly shook her head. "No, no! It's just an expression, Petra! Bernie's still got too much to live for! Like convincing Caspar to elope with me so I don't have to do paperwork!"

Petra stopped frowning and then narrowed her eyes. "I am already saying that I have dibs on Caspar. There is being a great deal- There is a great deal of karma between us that must be settled."

Bernie narrowed her eyes as well and lowered her hood. "W-Well I won't lose! Bernie isn't going to live a life filled with paperwork!"

Dorothea laughed and turned towards Caspar. "Looks like you're quite the charmer, big bro. Maybe I should invite you out for tea too?"

Caspar groaned and placed his head against his desk. "I've already got a headache dealing with those two, Dorothea. If you join in…" He paused and then sat up. "Wait. Weren't you trying to get with the Professor?"

Dorothea glanced over to me. "Well… What do you think, Professor?"

I froze.

Between everything that had happened, I forgot that Dorothea's apparently not so serious flirting and teasing actually had serious intent behind it.

Edelgard sighed. "Stop teasing him, Dora. Our Professor is dealing with enough stress as it is."

I smiled. "Thank you, Edelgard."

She nodded and then turned back to face Dorothea. "Besides, talk about additional lovers is something that can come after I've consummated our union with the Professor."

"Oh?" Dorothea smiled. "You mean there's a chance I can join in?"

"Well, if it's you, Dora…" Edelgard turned back around, a sly smile on her face.

Seeing that, I sighed and shook my head. "Where did the naïve and proud princess I met disappear to?"

"She became your fiancée and got used to your merciless teasing."

Well… she got me there.

Lysithea glanced between me and Edelgard before frowning. After that, she looked at me and said, "Professor. Is homeroom always this…"

"Rowdy?" Edelgard asked.

Lysithea shook her head and said, "Chaotic." She paused and then said, "And is it normal to discuss seducing the professor?"

I choked, caught off-guard by Lysithea's words.

Stella laughed and then placed her right arm on the table, propping up her head to look at Lysithea. "How amusing. I do believe that you and I shall get along quite well, Lysithea."

"Hm?" Lysithea tilted her head. "…I'm grateful?"

Edelgard shook her head and said, "You don't have to worry, Lysithea. Today's a bit of an exception… Everyone is usually much more composed."

Lysithea turned around to look at the others.

Petra narrowed her eyes and said, "If you are wishing to avoid paperwork, I am willing to be offering a role in Brigid for you. But you must be avoiding Caspar."

Bernie shook her head. "Bernie won't fall for that trick! You'll take me there and then off me and throw me in a ditch somewhere!"

"…I am never doing that to a friend, Bernadetta."

"You hesitated!"

Lysithea turned her head back around and then said, "I… Suppose I'll just have to take your word for it, Edelgard. Ah, but I am curious…" She glanced at me and then said, "I heard the rumors, but with what you said…" She looked back at Edelgard and said, "Does this mean that Professor Byleth is engaged to you?"

I frowned. "You mean Claude never told you guys? I would have thought that guy would have done so by now."

Lysithea scoffed. "As if that guy tells us anything. Always acting like a know-it-all… And the irritating thing is that he actually seems to know a lot about us too. Hmph." She shook her head. "The others might be able to deal with that, but I sure won't." She paused and then said, "My apologies. What were we discussing again?"

Huh. It seemed like Claude was making the typical mistake of time travel and using knowledge that he shouldn't have… Though he's probably disguising it as an extensive information network. Looks like he didn't consider the human element of it too much though considering he drove Lysithea to me.

But enough of that. I had to answer Lysithea.

I shrugged and then said, "To answer your question… I suppose I might as well tell you since Rhea will announce it later, but yes, I'm Edelgard's fiancé."

Edelgard froze and then looked at me. "Lady Rhea? Announce?"

I ignored her for the moment and gauged Lysithea's reaction.

"Hm." The young dark magic user frowned and said, "I might not have the best understanding of Fodlan's political climate, but for the future Adrestrian Emperor to be engaged to a nameless mercenary, no matter how skilled… That's a problem, isn't it?"

"Ah. I should probably mention that part too." I glanced at the door. It was open… What I was going to say wouldn't be too big of a deal if it got out, but it was better to have it officially spread than through the rumor mill.

I walked over and closed the door before moving back to my podium.

When I did, I saw that everyone was looking at me. It seemed that my motion didn't go unnoticed.

"Now it's going to get out eventually, but let's keep this between us for now, alright?"

Lysithea's eyes widened and she gave me a determined nod. "Rest assured, Professor! I'll uphold your trust!"

Caspar placed his hands behind his head and said, "Yeah, yeah. Just spill the beans already, Prof!"

Dorothea frowned. "That's rude, Caspar… But I'm curious too." She looked at me and said, "What is it, Professor?"

"Rhea's formally acknowledging me as her grandson and heir, as well as blessing the engagement and marriage between me and Edelgard."

The room instantly became quiet. Deathly silent, almost. But then, just as suddenly, it burst into an uproar.

"WHAT!?" Dorothea got up and jabbed a finger at me. "You're Lady Rhea's grandson!?"

Bernie gasped and then let out a happy shriek. "I knew it! A match made in heaven, blessed by the Goddess herself… Where's my pen! I need to write this down!"

Caspar laughed. "I knew Prof was special! The Archbishop's grandson, huh? Wait." He frowned and said, "That means Stella is her granddaughter…" He narrowed his eyes and then punched his hand into his palm. "Looks like I'll need to crack a few skulls soon…"

Stella rolled her eyes. "I appreciate the enthusiasm, Caspar, as well as the sentiment. But one overprotective brother is enough, thank you."

"Aw, thanks, Stella! I think of you like my sister too!"

My dear sister frowned and said, "Selectively picking the topics that you hear as always, I see…"

Ferdinand placed a hand on his chin and stared at me. "The grandson of Lady Rhea, hm? Now that you mention it, I can see the resemblance… and there is your calming presence as well."

Linhardt yawned. "Calming. Right. If only he'd be compassionate enough to let me skip lectures…"

Lysithea frowned. "You hear that our Professor is the grandson of Lady Rhea herself and the first thought is to skip his lectures, Linhardt? Are you out of your mind?"

Linhardt shook his head and said, "Only out of sleep. Sleep… Sle…"

"Ahem." Hubert glanced at Linhardt, subtly forming another dark spike.

Linhardt jerked back to attention and let out a long sigh.

After watching everyone else's reaction, I turned my gaze to the one most affected by the news.

Edelgard stared at me, her eyes wide in shock.

I glanced at her and said, "What. Don't tell me that you're actually surprised, Delly."

She shook her head, completely quiet with an unreadable emotion on her face. After that, she stood up and slowly walked over to me.

I frowned, somewhat concerned at her odd behavior.

It seemed that everyone else was too since they got quiet.

Edelgard came to a stop in front of me, a single step away. With a blank look on her face, she looked up at me and whispered, "Is that true?"

I smiled. "Have I lied to you?" I paused and then added, "Er… Recently, that is."

Edelgard shook her head. "Did Lady Rhea really bless our marriage? Did she truly approve of us being together?"

I scratched the back of my head. "Yeah, it surprised me too, actually. I would have thought that Rhea-"

Before I could finish, Edelgard stepped forward and hugged me.

I froze, confused at the sudden public display of affection.

Dorothea gasped. "Wait! This means that Edie can actually go out in public with Professor!"

Ferdinand's eyes widened. "That is right! With the Professor's status as the Archbishop's heir and having the union blessed by her, even the staunchest opposition will have to remain silent!"

Hubert hummed. "That does indeed solve the issues of Lady Edelgard's reputation… And it also does quite wonderfully in tying down that man's plans…"

Petra nodded and said, "That is being wonderful news! This is meaning that Edelgard and the Professor can be dates!"

Dorothea laughed. "I think you mean that they can go on dates, Petra… But you're right! And you know what this means?"

"Ooh, ooh!" Bernie peeped up and said, "Do we finally get to use that plan for the date between Edelgard and the Professor that Stella talked about?"

Stella's eyes widened and she rounded on the violet haired archer. "Bernadetta! That was a secret!"

Bernie flinched. "S-Sorry! I just got so excited and I…" She trailed off, her words devolving into mumbles.

With that, the classroom was filled with the sound of conversation as everyone went over my latest bit of news and its potential implications.

During that time, Edelgard finally released me from her hug. As she did though, she sighed. And not a sigh of relief.

I frowned. "…Don't tell me you're not happy about this?"

Edelgard shook her head. "Don't misunderstand me, my teacher- No." She smiled and said, "I suppose I can simply call you my love now."

I felt my cheeks warm up on hearing that, but somehow managed to keep a straight face. Still, I wasn't about to let that embarrassing jab fly by unanswered. "As long as I get to call you Delly in front of everyone, my lovely princess."

She laughed.

I frowned.

It seemed like she really did built up resistance to that… Maybe it was time to start carrying pastries around…

Edelgard sighed again and said, "It's not that I'm upset, but… I was hoping to resolve the situation by myself." She frowned and said, "It's a bit frustrating. You seem to keep taking on my burdens for yourself and solving them… It makes me feel guilty." She looked up at me and said, "You've already done so much and I-"

"Stop that." I shook my head and said, "For your sake, Delly… No. My Edelgard. For you, nothing is too much. Got that?"

Edelgard's eyes widened and she turned a deep red. She opened her mouth a few times, but after failing to say anything, she simply nodded and lowered her gaze.

Seeing that, I felt my cheeks warm up and I looked away as well.

At that time, Lysithea spoke up. "Um… It's not that I want to interrupt, but are lessons going to start soon?"

Edelgard laughed. "Well, it's clear that you have your priorities straightened out, Lysithea." She turned to me and said, "But she has a point, my love. It will not be long until the cadets arrive." She glanced at my podium and said, "Perhaps you might wish to review your lesson plans one more time?"

I sighed. "Bossing me around already, huh? Maybe I should have taken up Dorothea's offer instead…"

Dorothea immediately responded. "It's still open, Professor!"

Edelgard rolled her eyes and pushed me to the podium. "Go back to your duties, Professor. As for us…" She smiled and said, "We can discuss it later. Perhaps over dinner?"

I nodded. "It's a date."

Edelgard smiled and walked back to her desk… and then she immediately got swarmed by the others.

I shook my head and picked up my notes.

She had a point. I should probably make sure everything was ready… and get into the proper mindset for teaching.

But still…

"A date, huh?" I muttered. "I wonder if I should ask Dad for some advice…?"

Author's Notes:

A bit of a filler chapter after the developments last chapter. Following this, we'll have a bit of fluff, maybe a monastery chapter or two, and then jump into the mission. At least, that's the plan... we'll see how things go.

Still rearranging my schedule. Hope you don't mind these late uploads.

As always, thanks for reading and leaving your input. I probably sound like a broken record, but I always enjoy reading them.

Hope this chapter was enjoyable and I'll see you soon!