Seteth was trying gamely to concentrate his mind on the monthly schedule for the Monasteries aerial defense team, but he found that his usually razor-sharp attention was drifting, and his thoughts were most definitely elsewhere.

It was natural that he would be concerned about the potential assassination plot against Rhea because anything that brought an element of uncertainty within any kind of proximity to Flayn was completely unacceptable, and preventative action needed to be taken.

Seteth had been running on adrenaline and necessity ever since the moment that Ingrid had flown in and raised the alarm over what was happening on the road to Castle Gaspard. Now that he finally had a chance to sit back and take stock of the last few days, his incredulity at his own responses was at the forefront of his mind. He was literally amazed that he hadn't already packed Flayn up and disappeared into the night.

Likewise, Seteth had to consider the fact that he had immediately considered Myles a trustworthy person to entrust Flayn's safety to while he left the Monastery. He had also been overwhelmed by the relief he'd felt when he had flown into the camp set up by the Knights, and immediately saw the calm and authoritative figure of Jeralt, wholly in charge and unflappable, while everyone around him, including Catherine, were maintaining equilibrium from the assurance of his leadership.

Jeralt's indomitable strength of character was also apparent in how he was managing the fact that his daughter was unconscious and injured – an untenable position that would have rendered Seteth completely unable to act rationally if had been Flayn that was likewise afflicted. He had seen the merest glimpse of stress around Jeralt's eyes when he had approached the Knight and Jeralt had wordlessly jabbed a thumb towards the tent that had been set up to deal with the wounded, a silent plea for Seteth to attend his daughter while Jeralt was forced to maintain his duty.

Seteth had experienced a terrifying case of deja-vu when he had pushed his way into the tent and spotted Byleth laid so perfectly still and serene despite blood and mud covering large parts of her like a second skin. The shallowness of breath and the relaxed stance reminded Seteth of Flayn in her own illness, and that comparison only grew exponentially when his hand touched her brow, and she murmured something inaudible as if reacting to his presence.

.

With a heavy sigh, Seteth threw down the quill he had been writing with, leaving a trail of ink over the work that he had managed to complete. He was on edge, his concentration was shot, and despite his best efforts, he was still impotently grasping in the darkness over whatever the hell was going on. With just about everything.

He considered having another attempt at a meaningful conversation with Rhea, but he was tired of the argumentative and dismissive treatment that he had been receiving from her. Not only that, but she had locked herself away with Catherine yesterday and had refused to see anyone since - even her handmaidens - which had caused a near panic amongst them that he had been forced to deal with in as firm a manner as possible.

Seteth also considered seeking out Jeralt because, despite his better judgment, the damnable man was a reassuring and solid presence, and Seteth genuinely enjoyed both his company and his wit. The fact that they were each aware of the fact that the other was holding tightly onto personal secrets was the only thing that was preventing what could evolve into becoming an actual friendship, and Seteth was unable to remember the last time he had been able to call someone a friend. Jeralt, however, would definitely be working at this time, and unlike Seteth, he was likely managing to contain his distraction and use his frustrations as positive energy instead of wallowing.

With enough self-awareness to know that staying in his office and staring blindly at paperwork was not going to settle his anxiety, Seteth tidied his desk quickly and then hurried towards the library where he was sure Flayn would be attending to her own personal studies. He was correct, but when he peered in through the door, he saw that she was engaged with Tomas, the ancient librarian, in some sort of discourse over one of the books that she had open on the table. Wary of once again being accused of being overbearing by the girl, he left them to it and made his way slowly down to the roost instead, with the idea of looking in on his wyvern even though he had already been down just before dawn as was his normal routine.

The Monastery was quiet yet industrious in the mid-afternoon sunshine. Seteth's ordered and efficient mind enjoyed the predictable routines and the established structure that he witnessed as the inhabitants went about their business as if there was no trouble of any kind impending. He was almost surprised when he found his feet taking him not towards the stables but instead around to the classrooms where the students would currently be in session.

He stopped first outside the Golden Deer room, where a hubbub of noise and laughter filtered through to his ears and the occasional plea from Manuela to settle down which was largely ignored. Rather than the annoyance he should be feeling at the lack of discipline in the class, Seteth found a sense of relief instead. The students had been subdued and withdrawn while Byleth had languished in the infirmary, so to hear them cheerful again touched him more than he expected.

The Blue Lions, in contrast, were quiet as Hannaman presented passages from one of the set texts on mounted defense. Understandable that they may take longer to return to normalcy, although Seteth had been hugely impressed by the resilience and the bravery that they have displayed as a whole during their mission. The protectiveness and compassion that had been given to Ashe since the event was also admirable. Dimitri's passion and demeanor in his advocation that Ashe and his siblings were properly provided for left Seteth in no doubt that he had the makings of being a great King when his time came.

Lastly, he came to the Black Eagles room and listened as the von Aegir lad gave an impassioned monologue that covered the same topic that Hanneman had been reciting to the Lions. Every so often, Byleth interrupted to get clarity on Ferdinand's explanation, or one of the other students would raise a point. It was clear that the boy had quite exemplary knowledge of horsemanship, that covered theory as well as his already remarked practical skill.

Seteth relaxed against the wall as he listened. He hadn't realised that he'd been worried about whether Byleth was fit enough to return to work or not. He knew she was stubborn, but she sounded to be coping without issue, and he was absolutely sure that the Eagles were happy to be rid of Jeritza. While the man was a very effective weaponsmaster, his general teaching skills left a lot to be desired.

It was a surprise when the bell tolled to end class for the day, and Seteth was still loitering outside the Black Eagles room; he had barely noticed the passing of time as he had listened in on the lesson. The door burst open only seconds later, not allowing him any chance of moving away unseen. Bernadetta was the first person out and squealed in alarm as she nearly bumped straight into him and then ran at full pelt in the direction of her room.

Byleth strode over on hearing Bernadetta's cry.

'Hello, Seteth!' She said, peering out at the retreating form of the purple-haired girl as she sprinted to safety. 'Did you want to see me?'

'Oh… I just wanted to check in that you were managing your first day back, okay.' Seteth followed her into the room, where she patted Ferdinand on the shoulder then went to her desk to pull her books and papers into order.

'I'll admit I'm a bit tired.' Byleth replied as Hubert, the last student out, closed the door's gently behind himself. 'The students have been looking after me, though. Obviously, the first half of the day was taken up with about a million questions from everybody.'

'I can imagine.'

'I don't think Edelgard has quite forgiven me yet for making her work with the other houses this month.' Byleth added. 'She and Hubert were unusually quiet, but they'll come round eventually.' She was all packed up and looked at Seteth to see if he was going to add anything. 'How about you?' She asked when nothing was forthcoming from him. 'After all the babysitting you did with me, I'm sure you must have a mountain of work to catch up on.'

'Yes.' He nodded.

'Do you have time to take some tea, or do you need to get back to it?' She asked.

'Tea would be nice.' Seteth was mentally kicking himself; his desire for company outweighing his realisation that she was probably exhausted. 'Only if you feel up to it.' He added lamely.

'I have an exceptionally light load at the moment.' Byleth nudged him towards the door. 'It turns out that Jeritza didn't bother setting any homework while he was teaching, so I have nothing to mark, and the notes that you slipped into the texts means that I haven't had to do any heavy research for the lessons this week. Thanks for that.'

'It's nothing.' He mumbled. 'I set the curriculum, so I have more than a passing knowledge of the content and the books. It took hardly any time.'

'None the less, you didn't have to so… let me thank you in tea!'

They made their way back to Byleth's room, where Seteth insisted on propping the door open a crack 'to avoid scandalous talk' as he put it.

'You know if there is anything I can help you with… I would be more than willing to.' Byleth told him as she eventually poured their tea.

'I think you have more than enough to be getting on with…' Seteth insisted.

'Well, so do you.' Byleth replied. 'Don't think I haven't noticed the light in your office window at all sorts of hours.'

'What are you doing up to notice it in the first place?' He challenged.

'Sleeping poorly, as usual.'

'I don't require that much sleep.' Seteth shrugged. 'Although actually, there is something that I was considering asking you to look at.'

'Oh?'

'Have you seen the box in the Cathedral, where people can post questions. A kind of counseling service?'

Byleth suddenly looked embarrassed. 'I haven't actually been into the Cathedral yet.' She admitted.

'What? Why?' Seteth looked amazed.

'I wasn't sure if it was right for me to do so.' Byleth said quietly. 'I don't really understand the religious aspects of the church, and…'

'And?' Seteth queried gently.

'And I suppose there is a part of me that still questions whether I really am a demon. What with not having a heartbeat and people thinking of me as odd and cold.' Byleth's chin raised in defiance.

Seteth's eyes were wide in surprise. 'You really believe that?' He asked, incredulously.

'Why not.' Byleth asked. 'It's as good a theory as any.'

'Byleth it isn't just the Cathedral that is consecrated. It is the whole monastery. If you are worrying that you might be smitten for stepping into the church, well, that would have happened as soon as you stepped into the grounds.'

'Oh.' It was Byleth's turn to look surprised. 'That's not very fair on Demon's that don't know the rules, is it!' She huffed.

Seteth couldn't hold back his chuckle. 'I promise you aren't a demon.' He said. 'But Flayn did mention that you'd asked about lessons on the Church. We should probably see to that sooner rather than later.'

'Please.' Byleth agreed.

'Anyway, back to my request.' Seteth drained the tea in his cup and set it down. 'At the moment I am answering the questions that are left in the box, but I actually feel that it might be something that you would be far better at than me, and it would allow you to get to know the worries that your students have a lot better too.'

Byleth looked at him shyly. 'You would trust me to do that?' She asked quietly.

'Well, obviously or I wouldn't have asked in the first place.' Seteth pointed out.

'I see.' Byleth closed her eyes and took a large gulp of her drink.

'If you don't want to, it's not something I would force on you.' Seteth took her silence for reluctance. 'It's not a task that many people would find all that enjoyable to do after all.'

'Oh, no, I would love to!' Byleth cried emphatically. 'I am just amazed that you would willingly hand me something so responsible.'

Seteth stared at her, then his brain clicked into place. 'I was quite harsh with you when you arrived, wasn't I.' He said.

'Rightly so.' Byleth insisted. 'I had no idea why Rhea asked me to become a Professor, and I know I'm not qualified for it.'

'I am a man who has become rather set in my ways, Byleth.' Seteth blinked at her. 'When the unusual happens, I am wary, as much because of my desire to protect Flayn as anything else.'

'I understand that.' Byleth agreed.

'There is still so much that I don't understand.' Seteth continued. 'Yet I do believe that whatever the truth is, you would never willingly do anything that would cause harm.'

'I'm paid to kill people, Seteth. That is what a mercenary is.' She reminded him.

'Do you enjoy killing people?'

'No.'

'That is my point.' Seteth reached out and touched her hand lightly. 'Sometimes, when the facts are elusive, you just have to go with what your heart tells you to be true.'

'Not exactly the best analogy to use with me.' Byleth smiled suddenly.

'Oh!' Seteth looked appalled with himself. 'My apologies! I didn't mean…'

'It's okay.' Byleth shook her head at him in amusement. 'I'm just the odd girl without a heart…'

'You are you.' Seteth said firmly. 'The heart thing is a little bit odd though.' He accused with a smile in return.

'Go do some work Seteth and quit bothering me!' Byleth grouched at him. 'I think I need a nap before dinner.' She admitted.

'Don't work yourself too hard.' He insisted as he made his way to the door.

'Pot, kettle, black….' She called after his retreating form.

Seteth hadn't even gotten as far the training grounds before a hand fell on his shoulder to stop him in his tracks.

'Thanks for what you said to my girl.' Jeralt said gruffly, as Seteth turned to face him. 'I reckon she needed to hear that she is trusted.'

'It's simply the truth.' Seteth said as they started walking together side by side.

'I want to fight you.' Jeralt said after a moment of silence.

'You what?'

'You can tell a lot about a man when you cross arms with them.' Jeralt explained.

'If this is about my intentions concerning your daughter, I believe that Flayn is simply stirring the pot for her own enjoyment.' Seteth protested.

'Oh, I get that.' Jeralt nodded. 'Still, fathers like us will do anything to protect their kids right? Sometimes to the point of paranoia.'

'I'm Flayn's brother.' Seteth pointed out mildly.

'Close enough.' Jeralt's eyebrow raised.

'I don't see what that has to do with us fighting?' Seteth's eyes had narrowed.

'I figure, I get a better understanding of the man, then I might get a better idea of what could be shared with him.'

'I see.'

'I know that you are more than the administrator you play here Seteth. I recognise a man who knows his way around a weapon… more than that though I have been unable to fathom, and I reckon we should perhaps give ourselves a chance… to maybe understand each other better.'

Seteth's eyes were shining. 'Do you think you can beat me?' He asked.

Jeralt chuckled and squeezed his shoulder. 'Well, that the point isn't it, Seteth. I just don't know, and that's not something I often can say about anyone. I know for damned sure that I'd like to find out.'

'Likewise.' Seteth accepted.