After combat training ended, I pulled Hubert to the side.

The gloomy dark mage crossed his arms and said, "This is a surprise, Professor. To think you would speak to me in private… I was under the impression you didn't care much for me."

"I admit that you get on my nerves sometimes, Bert, but you're still my student. It's not odd for me to want to talk to you."

"True." He held up his right hand and messed with his fingers. "However, I feel that this is not concerning classwork. Or am I mistaken?"

"Sharp as always, I see."

He smiled. "I do my best."

I glanced around.

We were still at the training grounds that the Knight of Seiros usually used. Right now, I had pulled Hubert off to the side behind one of the storage sheds. I'd have to check in with the others soon though, so this would have to be brief.

"You remember when you tried to kill me?"

Hubert raised an eyebrow and smiled. "I have no idea what you mean, Professor."

"Right. Plausible deniability and all that." I nodded. "No hard feelings, I assure you. Just… do you think you could do that again? Make it so no one is around my dorm room around say… seven this evening?"

Hubert frowned. "I suppose I could do so, Professor. But why would you… Ah." He smiled. "I see. This is for Lady Edelgard, is it?"

I nodded. "That's right. I was hoping to do something a bit romantic for her to make up for these past few days."

Hubert nodded. "About time. Had you delayed any longer, Stella and myself were prepared to take things into our own hands."

"…Stella? And you?"

I frowned.

"That is none of your concern, Professor. At the least, no longer."

I didn't like the sound of that… but he had a point.

"Professor?"

Edelgard's voice drifted over.

I froze and glanced back at Hubert. "Keep this between us, alright?"

Hubert shook his head, exasperated. "No worries, Professor. I understand the importance of confidentiality. Now, if this is to occur, I must make preparations. If you would pardon me." He bowed his head and walked away.

As soon as Hubert left, Edelgard walked over. "Hm? Were you discussing something with Hubert, my teacher?"

I nodded. "Yeah. I had a favor I needed him to help me with."

"I see." She smiled. "I'm glad to see you two getting along. I must admit that it was a concern of mine that you two would be at each other's throats instead of the other's side."

"Heh. Me and Hubert, fighting? As if."

I paid very careful attention to not show any sign of the fact that Hubert already tried assassinating me once.

"Hm." Edelgard stared at me. "…If you say so, my teacher."

I leaned against the side of the storage shed and said, "So I heard you looking for me. Did you need something?"

"Yes, actually." She tilted her head and said, "What did you have planned for tonight? I know that you have the quiz to prepare for tomorrow, but…"

"Ah. I was going to ask you that."

"Hm?"

"Do you think you could skip dinner today and then meet me at my room around seven?"

Edelgard flushed and gave me a bashful smile. "Why, my teacher. You've gotten quite a bit bold, haven't you?"

I felt my cheeks warm up and huffed. "Nothing like that. It's just the best place to have a private time together."

"Private time, is it?"

I rolled my eyes. "Delly."

She laughed. "Fine, fine. I'm only teasing, my teacher. Besides, you aren't that type of person anyway."

I started to nod and then stopped. I narrowed my eyes and said, "What do you mean, 'I'm not that type of person'? Just what type of person are you talking about?"

Edelgard smiled. "Who knows? But hm… Seven, is it? I suppose I can spare some time in my evening for you, my teacher. After all, there is a quiz tomorrow… I could always use some personal tutoring."

"…You are spending far too much time with my dad."

Edelgard laughed. "Perhaps. But I should be taking my leave now, my teacher. If that is the plan, I truly do need to rearrange my schedule. It would be a disgrace for the house leader to fail their first quiz wouldn't it?"

"That it would."

Edelgard nodded. "I'm glad you agree. In that case, I'll be off." She walked past me. As she did though, she added in a soft whisper, "I'll be looking forward to dinner, my love."

I froze.

By the time I recovered, Edelgard had already walked away, her light giggles echoing in the wind.

Footsteps drew near and then a gruff voice called out. "What's wrong, Kid. You look like you got your soul taken away."

My dad walked over. When he looked past me to where Edelgard was walking away, he let out a small 'ah' and nodded. "I see." He smiled and said, "Had a quickie with the princess, eh?"

That snapped me back to attention. I groaned and said, "Dad. Could you not?"

"What? You're such a stick in the mud that I'm afraid you won't get it done unless I bug you about it everyday."

"She's not even eighteen yet."

"So? Nobles have gotten married and banged even younger." He paused and then scowled. "Damned crazy bastards."

"Right. And you're comparing me to them?"

My dad sighed. "You've got a point there, Kid. But anyway, what's the game plan. Need anything from your old man?"

"Hm…"

I leaned against the shed again and placed a hand on my chin. "Think you could grab me a bottle of red wine? The light stuff, nothing too heavy. Something that would pair good with pasta."

"Ah, going for the romantic moonlight dinner, I see." My dad nodded. "Good choice. After that, maybe some snuggling, nuzzling, and fu-"

"Dad."

"Fine, fine!" He held up his hands. "Can't say I didn't try."

I rolled my eyes. "Are you that in a rush to get grandkids?"

"Hey, I'm not getting any younger, Kid. I've gotta retire sometime, you know?"

I raised an eyebrow. "And you need me to have grandkids to do that?"

"Of course! What retired knight doesn't have grandkids?"

"…Just get me the red wine."

My dad laughed. "Sure, Kid." He walked over and clapped a hand on my shoulder. "Make sure you do right by her tonight, Kiddo. And remember, you can't mess up more than you have already, so relax."

I sighed. "You just had to remind me, didn't you?"

"One of the few pleasures of being a dad, Kid. You'll understand someday. Hopefully soon if you and-"

"DAD!"

"Going, going. Geez. And I thought Clark had it bad…"

I rolled my eyes.

Let's see… With the location and wine prepared, I needed a few more things…

I was back in my room. After locking it, I opened the compartment beneath my bed and pulled out a small icebox I made to keep my ingredients. There wasn't much in there, the result of using most of my resources in that barbecue a while back, but there was still a bit of ground beef I managed to get from the dining hall a while back. Since the icebox was made with Stella's help, everything was kept at a very, very cold temperature, so there wasn't any fear of spoiling.

But there was still a problem.

"…What do I make?"

Combat training had just ended, so I had an hour before dinner was officially served. Three before the appointed time with Edelgard.

"Argh… Right! Ashe! He knows how to cook!"

I quickly set everything back in my room and then ran off, locking my door behind me.

"…You want me to help you cook something, Professor Byleth?"

I nodded. "That's right. I'll pay you back and everything, but there's not much time. Something good for dinner, not too heavy, not too light… I was thinking pasta, but I don't have the ingredients for them."

Ashe frowned.

We were in the kitchen of the dining hall. Thankfully, I managed to catch Ashe as he was leaving. It seemed that he was having a go at cooking before dinner actually started. The staff were busy around us, prepping for dinner, but left the two of us alone.

"Well," Ashe said. "The ingredients shouldn't be an issue. You're a professor, so you can take what you need from the storehouse here as long as it's not too much."

"Ah, right. Should have thought about that."

That probably explained why nobody gave me a second glance that time I raided the storehouse for some meat. And I thought they were just scared of me at the time…

Ashe stared at me and said, "Professor Byleth, why are you asking me?"

I tilted my head. "Dimitri said you were the best cook in the Blue Lions. Considering how everyone in Faerghus happens to be at least adequate in cooking, that means that you're my best hope to salvage this situation."

"Why that's… Ahem." Ashe flushed a bit. "That's quite the high praise and trust, Professor Byleth."

I shook my head. "I'm only repeating what Dimitri said about you. Though from what I tried back at the party, I have to agree with his sentiments."

"Alright!" Ashe nodded. "If you think I'm good enough to help you, I will! So, what'll it be?"

"Well, the plan is some fruitcake and lasagna… Ah, that's a layered pasta dish with a meat and tomato sauce… Actually, help me grab what we need here and head back to my room so we can cook…"

I was running around the monastery again.

Ashe was helping me out by keeping an eye on the cake and lasagna I had baking back in my room while I went around to get everything else I needed to finalize the date.

I had food prepared, drinks, the room… well, not completely. Still needed to clean it up and make it romantic, but that was last. Right now I needed a gift.

And what better gifts could there be than flowers? Unfortunately, I didn't plant any and Anna was long gone for the day, so I had to hunt down the next best source of flowers. At least that I could remember.

Thankfully, I managed to see her in my mad dash around the monastery.

A glimpse of orange, right by the gazebos.

I forced myself to come to a stop.

There was a light gasp and then a bubbly female voice echoed. "Byleth? That's dangerous! You shouldn't be running around like that!"

"Annie!" I ran up to her and grabbed her hands. "Thank God- er, the Goddess! I've been looking everywhere for you!"

"Y-You have?" Annette flushed.

I nodded. "That's right. I need you-"

Click.

"To come with me-"

Schink.

"And give me your flower-?"

The faint sound of steel cutting air.

I blinked and instinctively jumped to the side.

Unfortunately, I forgot that I was holding Annie and pulled her with me, causing us to collapse in a heap.

"Ow!"

Thankfully, Annie landed on top of me instead of beneath. That was good. It'd be bad if rumors got out about how I pinned a girl beneath me when things were already like this.

Annie shook her head and then hopped to her feet. When she did, she immediately spun around and pointed at someone. "Felix! What do you think you're doing?"

"Felix?"

I blinked and stood up, glancing over.

True to Annie's words, Felix was standing there.

"Tch." He met my gaze and looked away, sheathing his sword. "I just wanted to test Professor Byleth's reaction time."

"Felix!"

"What? Besides, the Professor shouldn't go around saying things that could be easily misunderstood." Felix glared at me.

Annie paused and then flushed.

I was confused for a bit and then sighed. "It's not like that." I shook my head and said, "I'm setting up a dinner date later and I wanted some flowers as a gift. I noticed that you were growing some in the greenhouse last time, Annie, and was hoping I could buy some from you."

Annie laughed. "Is that it, Byleth?" She shook her head. "Take whatever you need. You save my life, remember? It's the least I can do in return."

"But-"

"It's fine! Just tell me what the lucky girl thought about them, promise?" Annette stuck out her pinky.

Seeing that, I shook my head and smiled, sticking out my pinky too. "Fine. Promise."

Annette smiled and nodded. "Alright! Now, did you need anything else, Professor?"

I shook my head. "That's all. Thanks again, Annie."

Felix glanced between the two of us and then sighed. "…Maybe the Boar's right. I've been too on edge recently… I should take that girl up on her offer to eat some cake."

Annie bristled and rounded on Felix. "What girl, Felix?"

"Hm? Lysithea. She gave me a cake she made last time as a bribe. Apparently they're supposed to be the cure for everything in the world."

"…Lysithea?"

I coughed. "Well, I should get going now. Low on time and lots to take care of. Thanks again, Annie!"

Sorry Felix, but I've got enough girl problems to deal with on my own…

Author's Notes:

A bit of a shorter chapter. Resting up a bit since it looks like I might have caught something again. T_T. Couldn't help but write though, so I wanted to post what I had.

Thanks for reading, as always, and your input! I hope it was enjoyable.