'I observed Jeritza leaving your room rather late last night, Professor...' Hubert muttered to Byleth, taking advantage of the breakfast table chatter to keep his remark private to her alone. '...I hope I don't need to remind you that your reputation reflects directly on Lady Edelgard as the Black Eagles House tutor. We wouldn't want any sort of scandal or gossip now, would we...' It was nearly impossible to discern if he was teasing, based on the generic condescending smirk on his lips.

'So? You sneak in and out of my room all the time...' Byleth challenged, although a guilty blush had risen to her cheeks.

'Touche.' Hubert inclined his head slightly. 'I merely wish to suggest that you proceed with some thought and caution, though, Professor.' His voice was serious. 'While I am loath to interfere in your personal affairs... Jeritza is an unpredictable character. You would be wise to keep a healthy distance where you can.'

'I am aware of his personality.' Byleth bristled. 'Do you have an actual point to make here, Hubert?'

There was a lull in the noise at the table while people focused on eating, which put a rather abrupt end to their conversation for a few minutes. When the banter picked up again, Hubert leaned in close.

'I know that you are helping to facilitate Jeritza reuniting with his sister.' He said quietly, his lips barely moving. '... So I must also surmise that you are aware of the particular events that followed their original estrangement.'

Byleth groaned quietly. 'Why am I not surprised that you know all about it...' She mumbled.

'It is my job to know.' Hubert replied grimly. Byleth was astounded when his gloved hand reached under the table to rest on her thigh. 'Byleth, I am not jesting when I say that he is a man who is capable of the most extreme kind of violence. You need to keep that in mind.'

'Why are you suddenly so worried about my welfare Hubert.' Byleth asked suspiciously. 'Since you know what he is capable of why on earth do you allow him to remain here, in such close proximity to Edelgard? I'd assume that your first inclination would be to eliminate such an unpredictable threat.'

'Why do you not say anything - when you have all of the student's welfare on your head?' Hubert responded mildly.

'He hasn't given me any reason for concern. He has been honest about his challenges...' Byleth shrugged.

'Hmm.' Hubert paused for a second. 'I guess in my case... I am charged with soliciting potential assets on behalf of Lady Edelgard... and much like you yourself, Jeritza could be one. I am content to merely observe him for now.'

'That's cold.'

'Do you honestly expect anything else from me, Professor?' Hubert's smile was mocking. 'You have an unfortunate tendency to look for good intentions where there are none. I am sometimes amazed that you have survived for as long as you have.'

'And yet here you are seemingly looking out for me.' Byleth replied quietly.

'Once again... I am only seeking to protect a possible asset and limit any scandal.' Hubert sniffed dismissively. 'My service to Lady Edelgard demands that I address this matter with you.'

'Okay...' Byleth inclined her head to him. 'I will consider your words.' She agreed.

'You will?' It was Hubert's turn to look shocked.

'Of course.' Byleth nodded more vigorously. 'Your intellect and thoroughness cannot be denied, Hubert. I would be foolish to dismiss your advice out of hand.'

'Hmm. I was expecting you to become angry at being challenged, or at least confrontational and belligerent.' Hubert sighed. 'Instead, you are illustrating exactly what I just accused you of. Looking only for good in a person's intentions. Don't you think you were probably right in the first place - that I may have a deeper agenda?'

Byleth shrugged. 'I am sure that you probably do, but that doesn't change the fact your warning has merit. Whether or not you wish for me to continue my friendship with Jeritza, I will ultimately choose my own path, so anything you push is moot unless you can present a valid case to change my mind.'

There was a short silence.

'Perhaps the simple truth of the matter is that I am jealous that you have chosen to focus attention on another. Have you considered that?' Hubert suggested quietly, the hand that was still sat on her thigh, applying just a tiny amount of pressure.

'What?'

Hubert looked off into the distance, avoiding her gaze.

'Oh!' Byleth suddenly snorted a burst of pure amusement. 'Now I see! This is your promised attempt at revenge, isn't it?' She chuckled merrily. 'Not bad, Hubie! Not bad at all!'

'... And there you go completely spoiling it...' Hubert grouched, turning back and poking her leg before retracting his hand with a smirk. 'Why must you insist on being so reasonable all the time?'

'I promise I was taken in for all of a second!' Byleth reassured him kindly.

'Pfft.' Hubert shook his head.

'It was a bit unbelievable though...' She assessed.

'I know... and yet I am being genuine about you taking care, Professor' He added seriously. 'You are playing with fire with Jeritza, but I obviously know better than to try and sway your mind in any way. As you say... I am not stupid.'

'You have definitely highlighted that I should be more aware, even if its just to avoid gossip.' Byleth noted.

'Ahh, well... I think that the horse may have already bolted on that one...'

'No... Really?' Byleth looked chagrined.

'Your students appear to have nothing better to do than to speculate wildly on your romantic aspirations.' Hubert nodded.

'Shit.'

'There is already a betting pool...' He added.

'Do I want to know..?'

'Heh.' Hubert smirked. 'Probably not.'

'Whose running it?' Byleth held up a hand as she considered. 'Claude...' She guessed.

'Of course.'

'Perhaps I should place a wager of my own.' Byleth suggested mischievously. 'Would you consider laying the bet for me, Hubert?'

'Oh, apologies, but I have already made MY prediction.' Hubert grinned.

'Aww, go on! Please!' Byleth begged. 'Surely you can place more than just the one wager. It's not like I can do it myself...'

'You are suggesting using inside information to cheat the system... how utterly underhanded, and delicious!' Hubert's grin grew as Byleth took a gold from her pocket and pressed it into his palm. 'So then, who is it that you are betting on entangling romantically Professor?' He asked a little too eagerly.

'Let me think...' Byleth pondered for a long moment. 'I want to stake my gold on you Hubie..' She beamed evilly.

'Ah. Well, I guess I deserved that...' He sighed, handing her money back.

'Hey! I want to place that bet!' She laughed. 'Just think about it a moment... the odds that Claude would offer against that ridiculous wager would be HUGE! Why... we could probably financially ruin the entire house of Reigan forever - and with just a little bit of tomfoolery... if we chose to of course!'

Hubert's eyes narrowed. 'How thoroughly despicable...' He said appreciatively. 'You know, I think I might just love you after all...'

'Sneaky fun!' Byleth chuckled, raising her mug of tea in salute.

'You are a very bad person!' Hubert grinned, clanking his own cup against hers. 'Perhaps it is Jeritza that needs to be warned about you!'

'Unfortunately, he seems to be well up to the challenge...' Byleth sighed.

~0~

'You are here late again!' Flayn spied Lysithea writing furiously at one of the desks in the library as she returned the books she had been working on.

'Oh... Hello General.' Lysithea looked up from her work and nodded her head to the other girl. 'I'm trying to get my homework out of the way so that I can use the weekend for private study.' She explained.

'Very admirable.' Flayn smiled. 'It's rather quiet in here at the moment, and you always look so focused that I am loath to interrupt you. I have been missing Linhardt quite honestly. I have no idea where he could have got to the last few days.'

'Now that you mention it, he has been absent a lot.' Lysithea put down her quill and stretched her screaming muscles, a frown creasing her brow at the sharp pain in her arms.'

'Are you alright?' Flayn immediately noted the look that fleeted across the girls face.

'Just some pulled muscles, I think.' Lysithea grouched. 'We had a session with Professor Byleth this afternoon... so it was physical. She is insistent that I learn some practical skills and don't just rely on my magic.' She added glumly.

'Would you let me help with the pain?' Flayn looked at her shyly. 'I so very rarely get the opportunity to use my healing skills. My brother is rather protective of my energy levels.'

'That's right. I heard that you were ill for a long time.' Lysithea cocked her head inquisitively. 'I didn't know you were skilled in healing, though. Do you have any reason magic as well?'

'Some.' Flayn smiled warmly. 'Nothing even remotely on a level with your ability of course!'

'I too suffer with my health.' Lysithea admitted. 'I wonder how much I could achieve if I was heartier and less prone to fatigue.'

'May I?' Flayn had edged closer.

'If you don't mind.' Lysithea agreed. 'I was expecting to be horribly sore in the morning. If that can be avoided, I would be grateful.'

'Of course.' Flayn reached out, then a small frown flitted across her features.

'Oh... Much better!' Lysithea moaned happily as the light touch of magic soothed her.

'You were not joking about your fatigue.' Flayn noted quietly. 'Have you seen Manuela recently Lysithea? Your body doesn't feel quite... right.'

Lysithea's look of surprise was almost comical. 'You picked that up from just the tiniest of heals?' She asked.

'I have a major crest of Cethleann.' Flayn told her. 'My innate abilities are really quite strong.'

'I see!' Lysithea looked down at her hands. 'My malady is not something that can be attended to with healing.' She said quietly.

'You are aware that...'

'I am dying.' Lysithea said bluntly. 'Yes.'

'I was going to say that your body is fighting against itself in some way.' Flayn's brow creased. 'But I suppose your assessment is just as valid.'

There was another awkward silence.

'Can I rely on your discretion?' Lysithea finally asked.

'Of course.' Flayn nodded. 'You have the help that you require in place? Is there anything...'

'I'm fine.' Lysithea said quickly.

'Right.'

'Ah... my two favourite Scholars together!' Tomas had entered without either girl noticing his arrival. 'Look at you both so industrious...' He smiled a toothy reptilian smile.

'I was just finishing up.' Lysithea said faintly and began to stuff away her books and papers.

Flayn was frowning again. 'Since you are up here already perhaps you would care to join me for some tea, Lysithea?' She asked quickly.

'Oh, no... I'm planning on an early night...' Lysithea stood. 'You aren't staying here any longer, though are you?'

'I was just bringing back some books. I am going fishing tomorrow, so I wanted to get everything in order before I left for the day.' Flayn explained.

'If you have the time we could always go over your study plan for next week Flayn.' Tomas had sat down at the table and patted the seat next to him encouragingly.

'Actually, I think I would like that drink... if it's okay with you.' Lysithea mumbled.

'Do you mind Tomas?' Flayn asked politely.

'Not at all. You young people should have some fun while you still can.' Tomas looked amused. 'I will even put your books away for you Flayn.' He added graciously.

'Thank you.' Flayn smiled at him, then took hold of Lysithea's arm and walked with her out of the door.

Lysithea was silent as the girls walked together to the stairs.

'Will you join me for a drink?' Flayn asked. 'You are quite obviously troubled.'

'The old man merely puts me ill at ease.' Lysithea muttered.

'I noticed that as soon as he entered.' Flayn admitted. 'Come on, let's go and eat some cake and have a chat. It will be fun!' She offered.

Lysithea looked trapped. 'I don't want to take up your time. I am sure you have much better things to do.' She mumbled.

'None at all.' Flayn said firmly. 'You look like you could do with a hot beverage and a decent amount of sugar, and I am completely free of any obligations... as per usual.'

'I am not good at getting to know people.' Lysithea said shortly. 'It seems kind of pointless, given my predicament.' She added belligerently.

'It's not like I'm asking you to marry me...' Flayn giggled linking arms with the mage. 'We can just eat some cake and talk about magic for a while.'

'Why?' Lysithea asked although she sounded confused now. 'You don't have to pity me, you know.'

'You might not feel the need for friends Lysithea, but I do!' Flayn commented. 'It's lonely being recently recuperated and under the glare of an overprotective brother.'

'Well... I suppose that a bit of cake couldn't hurt.' Lysithea decided quietly.

'That's the spirit!' Flayn beamed.