-20th of the Great Tree Moon
"Oh, the uniform looks absolutely darling on you, Byleth! I'm green with jealousy! I have implored my brother to let me join the Officer's Academy many times, but he has always denied my requests, " Flayn chuckled from behind Byleth as Byleth admired herself in the mirror. It felt… odd to be wearing the uniform of the officer's academy. Byleth never imagined she would ever be able to attend as a student. Rhea had always skirted around the issue whenever she had asked. Byleth had always been apathetic to the issue, but she couldn't help but wonder what it was like to be a student rather than a simple errand girl for Rhea.
It wasn't as if she needed the education- between Rhea, Seteth, and Catherine's training Byleth was sure she could match any of the students who attended in combat. However, the logical part of her had always argued that if she was truly going to succeed Rhea shouldn't she learn more of the outside world? Although she was in much better health than her mother, Byleth had been forbidden from stepping outside the monastery. It was… frustrating having such an important role to fulfill and not knowing what the world outside Garreg Mach was actually like. However, she wasn't about to question Rhea's reasons. Rhea had raised Byleth- to question Rhea was like questioning her mother.
"...Is it supposed to be so… tight? And is the skirt really necessary?" Byleth finally responded. In truth, Byleth felt like she stood out a bit in this uniform and it made her more than a little bit uncomfortable. After all, she had always been told by Rhea and Seteth to not stand out- drawing attention to yourself was bad. Rhea seemed especially insistent on the rule.
"Is it tight? Perhaps you've gained some weight?" Flayn chuckled and Byleth shot her aunt a glance, "I jest, I jest! The fabric used to make the uniform is a bit different than what you're used to. I heard it's made from the finest cloth in Enbarr. Oh, now I'm even more jealous!"
Byleth shrugged finally turning away from the mirror. It would take some time to get used to wearing a uniform and not simple cloth robes.
"I think you're more excited about this than I am, Flayn," Byleth murmured as she reached for the boots that were part of the uniform- her only thought on the matter is that she's grateful they aren't heels. More than once, she's seen some Imperial noble break their ankle because they decided to be fashionable and try and wear heels to school.
"You're not excited? Even just a teeny, tiny bit?" Flayn couldn't hide the surprise in her voice. Byleth's aunt had been here for a year, and yet Flayn still seemed surprised at how apathetic and stoic Byleth was to… well… everything.
It wasn't as if Byleth was emotionless, but she found it hard to express herself. She had never been particularly expressive, but the more Rhea had insisted to not draw attention to herself- the harder she found it outwardly show her emotions. The Archbishop was similar in some ways- however, Rhea had the beauty and grace that Byleth still lacked. She was calm, collected, and everyone was looking to her for guidance.
One day that would be Byleth.
Therefore, it would be better to learn how not to let her emotions show now- if a leader shows anxiety or anger then their followers would surely follow suit, and because the Church of Seiros was so big… A frown tugged at Byleth's lips as she pushed the small anxiety aside. There wasn't much point in worrying about the future right now. For now, she just had to acclimate to student life.
"It's not as if I'm not excited… Anyone would be excited," Byleth murmured slipping on her other boot, "But both Uncle Seteth and Aunt Rhea insist that we don't draw attention to ourselves. Don't you think this is a bit antithetical to that?" Byleth asked with her brow furrowed.
However, Flayn merely smiled, "Oh, you worry too much! You're just like my brother! If you worry so much you'll go grey before you're even half as old as me."
Byleth shot Flayn another look, "...How old are you anyone, Flayn? You can't be much older than me given how young Uncle Sete-"
"—Oh! You always ask me this and the answer will always be the same, dear Byleth! It is exceedingly rude to ask a ladies age! Besides, it is your day. I would appreciate it if you not try and shift the focus off yourself!" Flayn giggled. Byleth merely stared at Flayn.
They had known each other for a year, and Flayn was arguably the first friend she had ever made, but the green-haired girl had some… odd quirks- one of which was that she never disclosed her age. Initially, Byleth had made a game of trying to guess her age, but Flayn always laughed it off or changed the subject.
Byleth assumed that Seteth's younger sister couldn't be much older than her, but Byleth didn't know why that had to be a big secret. She had always to just assumed it was one of the many odd quirks Flayn had- that and her strange obsession with fish…
"Ah, didn't my brother and Archbishop Rhea wish to see you? I bet my brother will be beside himself with joy when he sees you like this. He was talking about it all last night! He was beside himself with worry and joy! You should have seen how furrowed his brow was!" Flayn giggled.
Byleth let out a sigh as she headed for the door with Flayn following quickly behind. Byleth could understand Seteth's worry- her uncle often shared many of the same worries she had. He was just better at expressing them than she was.
The halls of Garreg Mach felt different today. She had traversed these halls many times- grown up in them even- but today they felt alien. Was it because of the uniform or because she would be a student for the next year?
As Flayn and Byleth made their way to the upper chambers of the monastery, Byleth couldn't help but look to see if any of the students who had already arrived had noticed her. Luckily, many of them seemed far too preoccupied with moving their things into their rooms from the carriages to give pay either Flayn or Byleth much attention, but once everything settled down… Would that… change?
Again, Byleth's brow furrowed.
"You look far more troubled than excited, Byleth. Everything will be okay. While, yes, it is true we aren't supposed to draw too much attention to ourselves that doesn't mean we have to isolate ourselves. Such a way of life is… most unpleasant," Flayn chimed, but for a brief moment, her gaze was cast downward. Byleth felt bad for worrying her friend, especially when Flayn showed her oddly… mature side. Sometimes it felt that Flayn was lamenting something from the past. Byleth had asked many times what troubled her friend so, but as quickly as those moments came… They were gone.
"I am okay, Flayn. I'll feel better after talking with the Archbishop. She will be able to quell any worries I have," Byleth offered Flayn a nod. The small act seemed to lift Flayn's spirits considerably which relieved Byleth. Her Aunt Flayn looked best when she was walking around with that goofy grin on her face.
They fell into quiet chitchat on their way to Rhea's office. Their conversation wasn't nearly as heavy as it had been in the lower halls- instead, Flayn took to asking Byleth several "what-if" scenarios- each one more preposterous than the last.
"You two sound like you're having quite the conversation," A familiar voice pierced the peaceful banter. A soft chuckle followed by the tinkle of the bells on her headdress as she stepped out of her office. It was rare to catch Rhea grinning as she was, but even the Archbishop appeared to be in good spirits today, "I was afraid your nerves would have gotten the better of you. I am relieved to know that is not the case. I wish I could say the same for Seteth. He's been beside himself with worry all day."
"I would not say I am 'beside myself with worry', Lady Rhea. I am simply concerned that some of the more unsavory individuals that are attending this year will be a bad influence on Byleth and Flayn," Seteth huffs as he, too, steps out of Rhea's office.
"...Unsavory individuals?" Byleth frowned. Rhea hadn't mentioned anyone unsavory joining the monastery's ranks this year. Was this really such a good idea?
Rhea let out another soft chuckle before turning to Byleth and catching the slight furrow in her brow and the small frown tugging at her cheeks, "You need not worry, Sweet Child. Seteth and I personally review the applications of the students at Garreg Mach. No one here is a threat. In fact, we've had some… interesting applicants join this year."
"Oh! Yes! I heard this year that the heirs from the Empire, the Kingdom, and the Alliance will be enrolling this year! How exciting! It's not often that all of the future rulers of Fodlan will be in one place. Why, I postulate, that this is quite a rarity!" Flayn chimed in cheerfully.
Rhea's gaze drifts to Flayn and then back to Byleth before she gives a small nod, "Yes, that's precisely why I… decided to let you enroll this year, Byleth. It will be a good chance for you to learn about each of the regions in Fodlan first hand. The church must keep good relationships with every one of the nations so you would do well to get to know them."
So that's why Rhea had decided to enroll her this year- this was an extension of her training. Rhea's sudden change in position on the matter suddenly made much more sense and the Archbishop's reasoning was sound. After all, it would be unlikely that once she took over the church that she would have time to travel or see the important allies of the church. Enrolling as a student would give her a chance to make those connections without ever having to leave the monastery. Byleth can't help but be amazed by Rhea's foresight- it seemed almost inhuman at times.
"Ah, and the new teacher of the Golden Deer house is supposed to be with them. It's a shame our previous
Professor had to retire, but alas, age cannot be outrun," Rhea remarked nonchalantly. Byleth nodded once again.
The plan made sense, but she had a few… questions.
"If I may, Lady Rhea… Do the house leaders know who I am…? Am I expected to join a house?" Byleth asked. Rhea hadn't exactly detailed much beyond this plan except that she was to enroll as a student, "Wouldn't the church's neutrality be jeopardized if the house leaders knew who I was?"
Seteth shook his head, "We've already prepared forged documents for you. They will not know who you are, and you aren't to tell them. Additionally, you are to change houses every four months. It will give you ample chance to spend equal time with all of the houses."
"I see.." Byleth's tone was even, but even she knew there were some particular flaws in this plan. Wouldn't repeatedly swapping houses look… bad to the people she was being asked to befriend? Byleth was the first to admit she wasn't exactly knowledgeable on making friends, but wouldn't it seem like a betrayal?
Rhea's voice is what cuts through Byleth's brooding.
"You need not worry, my child. Even if you decide to stay with one house the Church's neutrality will not be questioned. We have dealt with all three nations impartially for several hundred years. Expecting that to change because you chose one house over another is utterly ridiculous," Rhea hummed before a hand reached up to gently cup one of Byleth's cheeks.
It's a gentle and comforting touch- one that Byleth has known for as long as she could remember.
"Let your anxieties be at ease, Byleth. The only thing you need to worry about is learning about the other nations from the students here. While I had my reservations about enrolling you, I think it will be an excellent opportunity for you to grow."
"...Alright… If you think so, Lady Rhea," Byleth felt her doubt easing away as Rhea removed her hand from Byleth's cheek. With Rhea here, there was nothing to worry about- she had always been certain of that.
Rhea was benevolent, she was wise, and she had always done what was best for Fódlan.
"Archbishop Rhea, Master Seteth- forgive me for the intrusion, but I have received a message from the guards at the outer walls," A messengers voice suddenly cut through the quiet and comfortable atmosphere, "The heirs of the Empire, the Kingdom, and the Alliance have arrived."
Seteth's brow furrowed, "So soon? We weren't expecting them for another two days at least," The confusion was apparent in Seteth's voice, and Byleth caught the quickest glimpse of surprise flicker briefly through Rhea's eyes.
"Yes, well… there's was a problem… The students were attacked by bandits on the way to Garreg Mach- during the passage through Remire Village," The messenger's voice was even, but Byleth could catch the way his breath seemed ragged. He had run here and was doing his best to keep his composure.
"Were any of the students injured?" Rhea's voice was laced with worry. Byleth could see the slightest of frowns beginning to tug at the Archbishop's delicate features.
"No, thankfully they came across a wandering bad of mercenaries who saved them. Apparently, the only injury was to one of the mercenaries- a young girl. The students rushed here as quickly as they could to get her treatment."
The tension in the room eases a bit. Both Seteth and Rhea were relieved that the students were unharmed. It would have been an international incident if one of the heirs to three great nations of Fodlan were to be killed by bandits.
"Tell the mercenaries they are welcome at Garreg Mach for as long as they need. It is the least we can do for saving our students," Rhea smiled gently, but Byleth caught the way the messenger seemed to tense, and so did Rhea. There was more to the story that had yet to be told, "...Is there something else you wish to say?"
The messenger stiffened, "Er… Yes… Well… Captain Alois told me to tell you that the leader of the mercenary group who had saved the students was… "The messenger seemed reluctant to finish his sentence which seemed to pique Rhea's curiosity.
"Was? Come now there is no need for such anxiety, young one. I wish to know the name of the mercenary who graciously saved three of our students."
"Alois said it's Captain Jeralt- the Bladebreaker."
Byleth frowned. The one who had saved the house leaders was... her father?
A/N: Phew, usually I don't push out chapters so quickly, but I am continuing to spit ball with my friend Ada and this AU is just so much fun to write! Thank you for all the support so far! If you would like to yell at me about fire emblem just send a message or tag me on tumblr over at .com! Ada and I have dubbed this au "churchleth" cause it just rolls off the tongue real easily than student!Byleth haha.