'What the hell were you thinking, Da?' Byleth had headed to the dining hall once she locked up her classroom, to hunt down Jeralt and Myles. Jeralt looked up at her with an extremely annoying smirk on his face.

'Whatever do you mean, lass?' He asked innocently, kicking Myles under the table when he sniggered.

'You know what I mean, you old fool.' Byleth grunted, sitting down. 'You are not stupid enough to have accidentally let slip that Myles and I are siblings. You are also not likely to be sat here with him in a public space if you didn't intend for the fact to become common knowledge. Why?'

'Why not.' Jeralt shrugged. 'There has been no real point to keeping it a secret. Rhea was simply looking to save face about the fact she hid my child from me. Plus, you two have been unable to keep away from each so much so that people think you're an item... It was just a whole lot of secrecy and deception for nothing.'

'I mentioned to Da that Claude had asked me to come to the meeting sis, and da said that you had asked him... and he came up with the idea of letting things slip accidentally.'

'Very sneaky.' Byleth accused. 'You didn't think to warn me first? I nearly had a heart attack. Hang on... did Claude know you were planning a big reveal too?'

'Maybe...' Myles hedged.

'Just great.' Byleth sighed. 'You realise Edelgard is pissed with me for not giving her a heads up first?'

'Seriously, you're gonna let that bother you?' Jeralt asked.

'You are being awfully free with your secrets lately, Jeralt.' Byleth added accusingly. 'First getting all chummy with Seteth and now this. I know you are up to something. It's making me nervous...'

'By, think about it for a moment, kid.' Jeralt was suddenly serious. 'I came back here to try and get help for you.'

'I didn't need help.'

'Yeah, you did.' Jeralt replied quietly. 'I have witnessed you speak more in this one day than you did in pretty much the whole of the previous year. You realise that, right?'

'Maybe I just didn't have much to say...' Byleth said belligerently.

'You know he's right.' Sothis said firmly. 'Likely, it's all my fault, of course...' She added.

'I came here looking for answers from Rhea, but she is clammed up tighter than a crab's arse.' Jeralt was talking so quietly that he was barely audible. 'Every time I speak with her, she makes me angrier. We were close once. I saved her life, she saved mine. When you are betrayed by someone you once cared for... it becomes impossible to be tolerant.'

'Is getting answers really so important?' Byleth murmured.

'Yes!' Sothis declared.

'I believe so.' Jeralt unknowingly agreed with the Goddess. 'Seteth agreed that letting slip about Myles was a good idea too. There are some staff and Clergy that are still around from the time when I was here before, and we figured that any gossip that's generated from the revelation might be more honest and useful than the pathetic response I've had to direct questioning.'

'My, my... You two have been busy!' Byleth grouched.

'At the same time...' Jeralt plowed on as if she hadn't spoken. '... Seteth and Flayn will continue to shake down Rhea. She will likely be angry that our relationship to Myles had come to light, and they have every right to be angry with her that she never told them about it – since they are her family and Seteth is supposed to be her trusted counsellor.'

'With the whole assassination plot too... Lady Rhea has to be feeling a bit vulnerable already!' Myles added enthusiastically. 'If anyone can pump something out of her – believe me... it's Flayn!'

'I suppose in the interest of a bit of trust and honesty...' Jeralt looked around carefully. The dining room was mainly occupied by staff, Knight's, and guards at this stage, and the noise volume was high. Nonetheless, Jeralt leaned in closer to his children. '...Your mother... she was also family to Lady Rhea, as all of her handmaidens are. That gives you two some kind of distant kinship to Seteth and Flayn as well.'

'Oh!' Sothis exclaimed... 'That's... no... I think...' Byleth's head exploded into foul language.

'Something wrong?' Byleth asked her companion mildly.

'I thought I was on the verge of remembering something important then.' Sothis moaned. 'But it just skipped away...'

'I think I should tell them about you.' Byleth noted. 'It is surely relevant.'

'No!' Sothis sounded panicked. 'Byleth... please. A little more time. I need to find more of myself first.'

'Alright By?' Jeralt was staring at her anxiously.

'I suppose at least you aren't just determined to run away now.' Byleth nodded at Jeralt. 'I do appreciate that. I'm still not sure how important getting to the bottom of stuff actually is, but if it's what you want, then I understand.'

'Thanks.' Jeralt said gruffly.

'Now then, I think I'd better go see Seteth.' Byleth decided.

'Why?' Jeralt raised an eyebrow. 'I've told you pretty much everything already.'

Byleth sighed. 'No, dad.' She said patiently. 'I need to see Seteth to get his blessing to allow the students to throw Flayn a proper birthday party. I don't have much time left to make the arrangements either.' She frowned.

'Oh! Well yeah, that's a nice idea!' Jeralt encouraged.

'You will be required Friday evening to help me fish up half the lake to donate to the kitchen for catering.' Byleth said firmly. 'That girl sure does love her fish!'

'I have to prepare the Saint Cethleann day protection Byleth... I won't have time...'

'Really?' Byleth asked threateningly.

'I could maybe squeeze out an hour before the sun sets.' Jeralt sighed.

'Wonderful. Myles, I am going to leave you in charge of getting gifts. I won't get a chance to go to town.'

'Alright.' Myles agreed with a grin.

'Now, I just have to bully Seteth for permission.' Byleth stood. 'Wish me luck!'

'Pfft.' Jeralt snorted. 'The man is soft as hell on you. You don't need luck.'

'Whatever.' Byleth smirked as she walked away.

.

'I'm sorry.' Sothis said as soon as the two of them were alone, on the walk over to Seteth's office. 'I know you think telling people about me is a good idea... but...'

'I simply think it's relevant.' Byleth replied stoically. 'If you aren't comfortable with it, then I won't.'

'I'm sure it IS relevant.' Sothis agreed. 'For a start, I have noted quite a few times that Seteth and Flayn can almost hear me. I believe that Rhea could too if she actually ever spent any time with us.'

'Are you worried that Rhea was the one that infected me with you?' Byleth asked cannily. 'It IS how it's starting to look to me, and I suppose if that is the case - she might be able to exorcise you from me as well...'

'Nice. First, you call me an infection, then you talk of exorcising me like an evil spirit!' Sothis grouched. 'Don't I feel special...'

Byleth chuckled fondly. 'I'm right though, aren't I? I don't understand why you should be worried about it, though. I'm not going to let anyone hurt you or make you do anything you don't want to. You might be a parasite... but you're MY little parasite.'

'Thanks. I think.' Sothis shot back sarcastically. 'But it's not like you have had any say in anything that's been done to you - so why would you assume that your wishes would be taken into consideration now?'

'That's true, I guess.' Byleth agreed.

'I AM surprised that you managed to make the same assumption I did - that Rhea is responsible in some way... for us being as we are.' Sothis admitted.

'I don't know why so many people assume I'm thick!' Byleth grouched. 'In honesty, I think I picked the idea up from you. I seem to get more of what you are thinking and feeling at the moment.'

'I have always been aware of your feelings. Much more than you have.' Sothis admitted. 'Just remember that if you ever decide to play kissy with anyone!'

'Awkward!' Byleth blushed.

'If you think it's awkward for you, just think how it is for me!' Sothis groaned.

After they had made their way upstairs and went down the corridor towards Seteth's office, Byleth caught sight of Rhea heading into her council chamber.

'Do you think it might be useful to sneak in and speak directly to Rhea ourselves?' Byleth asked Sothis thoughtfully.

Sothis was silent for a minute. 'Maybe.' She speculated. 'Not right now, though. She is avoiding us for a reason. I'd like to be a bit more confident before we face her.'

'I guess.' Byleth agreed as she knocked on Seteth's door.

'Byleth!' He stood from his chair and greeted her when she entered. 'Oh dear, have you come to tell me off? I assume you have had your meeting...'

'It's all good, Seteth.' Byleth assured him as she sat in one of the chairs close to the hearth. 'It was a useful meeting. I expect Jeralt will fill you in shortly. I wanted to see you about something else entirely...' She nodded at him when he gestured towards the kettle.

'What can I help you with?' He asked as he poured the already boiling water into his teapot and brought it with him as he came to sit next to her.

'The students and I want to hold a birthday party for Flayn.' Byleth replied directly. 'Obviously, I wanted to run it by you before we commit to our arrangements.'

Seteth had gone very still. 'I'm not sure that is the best idea.' He said quietly.

'I thought you might say that.' Byleth reached out to put a hand on his arm. 'Flayn is very highly regarded, you know.'

'Did she put you up to this?' A frown crossed his brow as he focused his attention on Byleth's touch.

'No. I was hoping that it could be a surprise for her. That it could be something special to remember.'

Seteth allowed his eyes to rise to meet hers.

'That's very kind.' He admitted. 'She has not had much of a chance to celebrate her birthday, not since her mother passed.'

'Do you think it might be difficult for her?' Byleth asked anxiously. 'I didn't think of that.'

'Honestly, no. I think she would be exceptionally happy with such an event.' Seteth sighed heavily. 'I fear it is my own concern and reluctance, which is giving me pause. That is... unworthy of me, I suppose.'

'It's understandable.' Byleth assured him. 'It is admirable that you protect her. She does also deserve some fun though Seteth, and this is a manageable situation. We will all be there.'

'You're right.' Seteth nodded. 'Are you sure you are willing to organise all of this?'

'The students will help!' Byleth's smile was large and genuine. 'They really are very fond of her, you know. Having so many people looking our for her can't be a bad thing surely?'

'I am just not used to it.' Seteth said uncomfortably. 'I find it impossible to shake my fear for her.'

'She is lucky to have you.' Byleth said firmly as he filled their cups with steeped tea. 'There are worst things to be than careful!'

Seteth blinked at her in consternation. 'It's been a long time since someone has offered me support as well. You are an interesting individual, Byleth.'

Byleth chuckled. 'I'm just glad that you saw sense as quickly as you did. I was fully prepared to attempt underhanded tactics if you had been difficult about it!'

'Interesting...' He looked speculatively at her. 'How exactly would you have done that?' He asked.

'Oh, no! I'm not giving my plans away. I might need them available to use in the future!' She grinned at him.

'I see.' Seteth put his teacup down and shook his head sadly. 'I have a feeling that between you and Flayn, I am probably in for a very difficult time. If the two of you set your mind to conspiring together as a pair, I genuinely worry for my sanity.'

'Best not test the theory.' Byleth advised sagely. 'Just make it a point agree with whatever we say!'

'Goddess save me!' Seteth groaned.

'I don't think so!' Sothis laughed.