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21st of the Harpstring Moon, Year 1180 Month 5
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"You asked to see me after the recital, professor?"
Aster looked up from grading tactics essays for a moment. "Edelgard," she addressed the younger girl with a nod before going back to reading essays. "Sit. We have time."
"Of course," the princess dragged a chair to sit in front of Aster's desk. "Um...is it possible that I've done something wrong? I'd certainly hope not."
"No, you didn't."
"I see...out of curiosity, have you gotten to mine yet?"
"No," Aster said. She actually had read Edelgard's, but it wouldn't do to give her preferential treatment by telling her that. "But the class has been doing better than expected."
"That's a relief. After that first week or so, I was genuinely worried about the year," Edelgard giggled in that airy, regal way. It sounded trained. "But you've been growing into this role nicely. I'm curious to see how this month's mission turns out," Aster stopped what she was writing at that, if only for a brief moment. Edelgard must've picked up on this. "I'm sure everything will work out fine, so long as we stick together and form a good strategy."
Aster nodded. "...How much experience do the others have?"
Edelgard frowned. "Not much, I'm afraid. Most have lived pampered lives, or have gotten used to luxury. I'm sure they can adapt, but…" Aster waited for her to continue. "Well, with your leadership, the whole thing should work out."
Another nod, and Aster went back to grading essays. It took her only a few minutes to finish the one she was on. After that, she checked the time. Aster filed her papers into her desk drawer and stood. Edelgard stood as well and followed as Aster led them out. "Where are we going?"
"Don't ask questions."
"I'm certain you're not...no, this isn't the way to the dorms…"
Aster's eye twitched, but she didn't respond. After a few minutes of walking, the two started to hear bantering, though it only came into focus as they rounded the corner and saw the set-up gazebo. "Now, Dimitri, I don't think there's any shame in losing a duel with your underling."
"Very funny, Claude. Not that I need to justify myself, but I'll have you know it was underlings, plural. And not even that, as they're my trusted allies and friends. And need I remind you of your classmates' growing archery skills? Better be careful."
The two boys looked over from their playful spat and smiled. "What's up, Edelgard?" Claude greeted. "Been a while hasn't it?"
"We received your message, Professor," Dimitri bowed his head respectfully. "Thank you for your invitation to tea and lunch."
Aster shook her head, grabbing a confused Edelgard's arm and pushing her towards them. "It was for this one."
"Wha-?" she stumbled a little, having to catch herself and then fix her hair. "I have no idea what you're talking about, professor," as she said it, she had a huge grin on her face.
"Typical, prideful Edelgard," Claude chuckled, pulling out a seat. "Come on, Teach, let's discuss like adults while the children badger on, hm?"
"Once again, Claude, very funny," Dimitri pulled out a chair for Edelgard, and the four sat at the table underneath the gazebo. Aster had the servants prepare a lunch for them, along with teas with leaves from all corners of Fódlan. At first, they all just enjoyed the finely prepared food. Aster herself would have been content to never speak during this meeting and just let the kids catch up. It had been almost a full month and they'd hardly gotten to see each other.
"So, boys, how have your respective houses been treating you?" Edelgard broached the topic. Claude shrugged.
"Full of numbskulls and merchants. Ah, but I repeat myself," Claude popped a piece of meat into his mouth as Dimitri picked up.
"On my end, things are going as well as they could. Felix is brash as ever, Annette is constantly tripping and falling, bless her heart as she tries so hard. Sylvain…"
"Sylvain ditched you guys," Claude chuckled. The other house leaders grimaced.
"I...apologize, for him," Dimitri struggled out. "I've tried numerous times to address his...tendencies, but no matter what I say or do, I never seem to get through to him."
"Thankfully, he seems to know not to try anything with me, though I'm unsure whether to take that as a relief or as an insult," Edelgard said. "I'd be lying if I said I haven't overheard some of my subordinates expressing..." she searched for the right word.
"Disdain?"
"Something along those lines…" Edelgard nodded.
Claude winked her way. "Maybe he hasn't tried anything with you because he doesn't think you're all that attractive?"
"Claude!" Dimitri was the one to come to the girl's defense. "The very idea is preposterous. Edelgard is a fine young woman, worthy of the most beautiful portrait," Everyone stared at him; Edelgard was almost slack-jawed. It took Dimitri a moment to catch up. "I-I mean, along with any other woman within the monastery, of course!"
Claude burst out laughing. "Oh, you're too much, your royal highness!"
"O-oh yeah? And what about you? I've seen hundreds of dames approaching you. Has not one of them struck your fancy?"
"I'm afraid I've only eyes for our Teach here," Claude winked her way.
Edelgard sighed. "Is there even one man or woman in this monastery who doesn't wish to court my professor?"
"Well, I know now that Dimitri's eyes don't veer her way."
"Alright now!" Both the princes and princess' faces went beat red as they started stuffing their faces with food to avoid degrading themselves further.
"Well, I personally don't think there's anything wrong with admiring a strong, capable individual like Teach. If I'm being honest, I don't think anyone from the Leicester Alliance can hold a candle to her in battle."
"I have to agree with that," Dimitri said. "Though, I'm sure some of our knights, both in service and out, could at least match her."
"Like who?"
"Well, there's...um…"
"Ah, I thought so," Claude rolled his eyes. "Always playing up the Kingdom. At least I can be honest…"
"That's the funniest thing you've said all day, Claude," Edelgard said. "Of course, the Adrestian Empire is full of 'capable individuals' as you refer to them. Off the top of my head, Lord Arundel is renowned as the mightiest of all the lords. It's said that he's fought over three hundred duels and hasn't lost a single one."
"'It's said'? Kinda grasping at straws, aren't you, princess? Anyway, I'd put more stock into some of the knights here, like Alois, and of course Captain Jeralt. Say, professor, have you fought your dad at all?"
Aster finally looked up from her food upon hearing the question. "Many times, in training."
"Have you ever won?"
"No."
Claude grinned. "See? She's not invincible."
"Yes, but that seems a bit unfair of a comparison, don't you think?" Dimitri frowned. "Jeralt has many years of experience past what the professor has. I think it's likely that she will have surpassed where Captain Jeralt is now by the time she reaches his age."
"What about someone closer to her age, then?" Edelgard asked, both looking to Claude.
"Why me?"
"You seem to put your ear to every place it'll stick."
Claude sighed, but regurgitated some information. "Well, there's Seteth. Most feared lance in the skies for over twenty years. Then there's Gilbert the Dauntless, Rhea's most prized shield. To round out the Big Three, there's Thunder Catherine, Rhea's so-called sword of judgement."
"So, she's a butcher," Dimitri didn't hide his disdain very well.
"And of course, there's Rhea herself."
"That's Lady Rhea," Dimitri said.
"Right, right. Anyway, no one has seen her fought that I can tell, but I did some digging in some old history books, and apparently Rhea has got some serious firepower. Like, legendary-type stuff."
"So, you were snooping around where you don't belong...again."
"Oh, Edelgard, you pretend like that's a surprise," the dark-skinned boy chuckled. "And anyway, why are we comparing Teach to some random knights and holy people? Isn't she talented enough as it is?"
"Well, there's no doubt about that."
"Let's not count each other out either," Edelgard interrupted. "I was personally impressed by your scheme during the mock battle, Claude. I certainly know that Raphael didn't have much to do with that plan."
The boy shrugged. "Well, you know; I knew that you two would want to kill each other."
"That's taking it a bit far…"
"And anyway, while my plan was sound, I was personally dissatisfied with my performance. I missed my shots far too much and didn't react as well as I could've. You two, on the other hand, were incredible as always."
"Well, thank you," Edelgard smiled bashfully.
"I'm surprised to hear a simple compliment from you, but I'll accept it nonetheless," Dimitri smiled.
"Of course, with all of that brawn, that leaves the brains, of which I'm sure neither of you has any. So, spill; who came up with the plans?"
"Should've known…" Dimitri lamented.
"As for us," Edelgard began. "The Professor came up with a sound plan that was promptly ignored. After we regrouped, it was once again her who figured out what to do next."
"For the Blue Lions, it was a group effort. It was quite the headache to go through all of our options and determine the best one. I swear, I'm not cut out for that sort of thing. All the more reason I had hoped the Professor and her mind to be on my side."
"Speaking of, how come you're so good at that, Teach?"
"...Just experience," she said. "Life was spent on the battlefield. You need to plan to survive, so I did."
"And what about how you somehow wrangled in the rowdiest house Garreg Mach has ever seen?"
"I assumed she just used her tactical mind to plan it out like a battle," Dimitri said.
"It's certainly been effective so far, whatever method she's been using."
Aster shrugged. "It's easy when everyone's against you."
They all nodded at that. "So, not to change the subject or anything, but I'm curious as to your monthly assignments," Dimitri said.
"Bandits, same as yours," Claude leaned back in his chair. None of them questioned how he knew what the Blue Lions' assignment was; he was snooping again. Edelgard nodded in agreement.
"I see. So, it seems we all have to face reality at the same time once again."
"And so soon after the last time. Jeez, talk about bad timing."
"When would it be a good time, anyway?" Dimitri agreed. The table got scarily quiet then. Edelgard broke it with a sigh.
"It's just something we'll have to accept. It's just...how the world has to be," Edelgard said with a somber look in her eye. Dimitri followed soon after, appearing like he wanted to say something before gaining a keen interest in his food.
"Well, thanks for the downer, your highness," Claude groaned. "How about a happier topic instead?"
"Like what?"
"Like...how about Garreg Mach Ball?"
"It's about seven months too early to be discussing that, don't you think?"
"Really? Ah, but of course Dimitri wouldn't know the finer points of wooing a fair dame," Claude looked almost stricken.
"I'm not sure you do either, clod."
"You wound me, princess," the leader of the Golden Deer chuckled. "On the other hand, it isn't hard to imagine who's going with whom here," he winked toward his fellow students.
"U-um, excuse me?" Dimitri's face went as red as the apple he held in his hand.
"Claude, I'd advise you as Adrestian royalty to revoke that statement."
"Not sure that argument will hold up in court, considering I didn't mention names."
"The context was clear!" Edelgard slammed her palms onto the table as she stood, jostling all of the food out of place and spilling some of the tea. Claude burst out laughing at her flustered episode. Dimitri just tried to avoid Edelgard's glances. The princess sat back down, cheeks rosy, as she tried to eat properly.
"So, Teach, what about you? I know you're new here, but has anyone caught your eye yet?"
"No."
"So, you're available," Claude noted. She eyed him.
"No."
"Aha...noted…" he barely contained his disappointment.
Just then, before he could tease the prince and princess further, the bell rung. Until the eighth month of the year, all students had a curfew on their free day, to avoid...complications for the following day. The same went for off-days, including those for holy recitals.
"Oh, blast! And we don't have time to clean this up either!" Edelgard cursed.
"I'll clean," Aster said quietly. "You three go."
They gave her some worried glances, but none of them argued as they shuffled away. With a sigh, Aster stood and started stacking used plates and cups, silently hoping that one of the servants would happen upon her to help. Her wish half came true, as someone approached, but it wasn't one of the servants.
"Um, Professor…" Dimitri's voice was sullen.
"Go to your dorm," Aster repeated her order.
"I will, but first I would speak with you, if you'll allow it."
Aster straightened her posture as she turned to the young prince, who still stood almost half a foot above her. She nodded, allowing him to sit on a nearby bench. Aster waited for him to speak.
"Apologies if this is out of line, but I fear Edelgard and Claude may be too secretive. Or perhaps...I'm just bad at hiding compared to them. It's about our missions; killing bandits...more specifically, the last time we all fought bandits."
"You three handled yourselves well," Aster said. "For your first time killing."
"I'm afraid that's the issue. For me, at least, it was not my first time encountering such bloodshed," he rested his elbows on his knees, kneading his knuckles into his palm repeatedly. "What do you know about me, Professor?"
"Not much," she admitted. She generally didn't bother with learning the statuses of the nobility. Dimitri nodded solemnly, and though didn't partake in their personal matters, Aster had a guess as to why. Even she knew of why the Kingdom was in disarray. In fact, she knew all too well. "The Tragedy of Duscur?"
The prince nodded. "A rebellion soon formed in the power vacuum left by my father. I...appointed myself as responsible for bringing those traitorous curs to justice. My intent upon making that declaration was to capture and try them as is customary."
"It was a slaughter. No one was taken."
"So...you are familiar."
"I was there."
Dimitri blinked. "...How?"
"You forgot. The Kingdom Forces were in disarray, and the crown guard was too few in number to fight off the Duscur people. They hired mercenaries to bolster their numbers."
"..." Dimitri hands tightened. "So...you saw me, then?"
"I didn't know you were there," she said.
The prince took in a sharp breath. "I...I lost myself...professor, I'm glad that you did not see me, because all you would lay eyes on is a wild boar, just as Felix says!" another sharp breath. "I...I knew in my heart that the people of Duscur were innocent, yet my rage blinded me. I have no greater shame than that day, standing upon dozens of dead men, friend and foe, bathed in their blood and laughing like a hyena that had somehow slaughtered a pride of lions single-handedly," another sharp breath. Dimitri let it out in a heavy sigh, easing the tension in his body. "...When I regained myself, I was overcome with guilt. My only solace was that I was able to save a young, orphaned Duscur man, who became my loyal retainer."
"...You don't like to kill, do you?"
He let out a humorless chuckle at that. "I doubt any man likes to kill...I'm sorry. Truthfully, I couldn't tell you why I needed to tell you this. You just seemed...trustworthy...I thank you for understanding, Professor," she nodded. "Oh, my apologies. To a hardened mercenary like yourself, this talk of guilt and conscience must seem petty," Dimitri stood. It took him a moment to understand what he just said. "Oh! I-I mean, that wasn't meant as an offense, Professor. I just-"
"Edelgard said that too."
"Um, excuse me, professor?"
"She said that her worries were petty too. Why do you think it is?"
"Well...to be honest, I never thought about it," he crossed his arms in thought. "I suppose I would say that it's because your worries appear absolutely alien to me, so I would likely find them as incredulous as you likely find mine."
"Everyone has something that keeps them up at night. Just because yours and mine are different doesn't make either of them any less valid."
"Truer words, Professor," Dimitri smiled and bowed respectfully as she stood. "But...I truly must be going. Thank you for your time, and once again for your understanding. Sleep well."
She nodded his way and watched him walk off.
Author's Note:
Apologies for the late upload and the shorter chapter. I was busy uploading a video and then helping around the house until like six, and by then I'd all but forgotten about this. Thankfully, I remembered before it got too late.
Anyway, this was just a nice gesture from teacher to student, and I'm glad I sectioned it off for its own chapter, to get away from the angsting of that red-headed asshole Aster is dealing with now.
But enough about what I thought, I want to know yours. Let me know with a review, Discord link in my profile for questions, and I'll see you guys tomorrow!
