Author's note : Hello everyone. You thought I was dead right? Well I'm alive and TWSITD didn't kill me yet! I had to sort out my chapters in advance and life itself was busier, this is why it took this much time.
It's been few weeks since Cyril started working. Despite that, he still had a lot of difficulty to adapt himself at the work. He missed lady Rhea a lot and it simply didn't feel the same now. Yes he got money and the pay was good like Ferdinand promised, but the overseer wasn't nor he can replace lady Rhea. Cyril was working time to times as a blacksmith, but since he gained a new wyvern for being one of the few who could ride one, he was mostly doing the messenger and giving the necessary materials. Since Arianrhod was badly destroyed, the smithy and other essential construction company were working togther to put back the city in good shape. The working conditions were...surprisingly good and Cyril got the sunday as a break. He did like the overseer even if they didn't talk a lot as he reminded him of a mixed of Alois and Seteth. He time to times liked makes bad jokes, but knew when to keep his distance from his employes when necessary. The others seemed to avoid Cyril because of many reasons. For some, they were jealous of his fantastic work ethiques which didn't go unoticed by the overseer. For others, Cyril was only an Almyran brute and the rest didn't like his attitude as he was unfriendly.
The young man was now trying to forge a piece of metal support with the help of overseer Rim. Right now it was quiet and peaceful. Rim noted that the almyran was really concentrated and a good worker despite his shortcoming. 'Such a shame, for someone so young to be as serious as that' thought the older man. Cyril was hammering the material, until he saw a face of Rhea lying dead in the capital on his mind. That enraged him that he inconsciously hammered the metal harder and faster, as if he wanted to destroy someone. It was truly enraging, especially since Shamir was also making apparences in the young man's mind as well, to the point of being unbearable. It was obvious, he still haven't gotten over their death. A hand on his shoulder put him back on earth and he looked at Rim who asked, being concerned "are you alright?"
Cyril's breathing slowed down a little bit, but took some time to respond. When he finally got the guts to respond, he replied while trying to not waver "ya I'm doing fine"
Rim sighed "did you know, have I had not interfered, you would have broke the piece you were suppose to forge?"
Cyril looked at that with surprise and was now ashamed "I'm sorry Overseer"
The superior waved off his hand "I don't think somebody died because of this-" a knock on the front door of the smithy place interrupted the older man.
Rim said "continue, I will check."
Cyril nodded and the overseer went to the client. He concentrated to melt the metal so he could fuse with other metal pieces. After a few minutes, the almyran heard "Cyril, someone wants to see you" Cyril frowned in curiosity and wondered who could come up at such time. He went to the entrence and saw a familliar nun that he encountered five years ago.
He said in astonishment "Mercie?"
"Hello Cyril, I'm so glad to see you. When I heard you were working here, I had to say a hello to you"
Mercedes was smiling, but the wrinkles on her face showed how the war took a toll on her. Cyril wasn't sure how to respond this. He gave something however "why do ya want to see me? We were ennemies few weeks ago"
Mercie's face saddened "my my, I'm sorry if this is how you feel. However the war is over. Hostilities doesn't need to continued"
He remembered Ferdinand saying something similar out there so he wasn't surprised. He asked "what are ya going to do now"
her face left a tired smile "I'm going to travel the world, healing people still having scares of the war. Then I think I'm going to open an orphenage for children who are alone." Cyril didn't expected Mercedes to be steeled enough for her convictions. Five years ago he would have say that something as the war would have broke her resolve, but now he understood she was stronger than she met the eyes. "why didn't ya believe in Rhea?"
"ah it's true. I haven't told you about my story. This is why you were in shock that I, a devote follower of the faith, would turn againts the archbishop" she took a breath, not a remorseful one, but a serene one. "Because of the crest system, how it ruin my brother's and my life. I couldn't let him alone this time"
he remembered Mercedes once said she had a little brother. A question came which calmed him down "wait! Does that mean ya found your little brother?"
"Yes, it might shock you, but his name is Jeritza"
Cyril didn't spoke at that. He cannot said that was expected, but more importantly her reasons. Nobody could say she was an heretic, him included even if he didn't really believe in the faith. He was starting to realised that maybe Rhea wasn't as good as he thought, which fustrated him to no end. Cyril being on the side of lady Rhea was what he called home and now Mercie was saying his home was terrible. He wanted to turn away, but Mercedes took his forearm and put him in a hug.
She mumured calmly with a smile "I still remember when you told me years ago that I was a sister to you, it made me started to look after my brother Jeritza...and you. Today it still hasn't change. I will always look at you as my little brother and I will always help you. Tell me what is bothering you" the tone was showing that she won't take no for an answer.
"even if we were enemies?"
"Yes, I want to heal wounds as much as possible from people."
Cyril didn't know how to start. He confessed "I have difficulties to adapted myself. Lady Rhea was everything to me. After what you told me however, I don't know what to think anymore. I cannot think Rhea was evil, it is simply not possible. Also I still see them time to times"
Mercedes could relate to that somehow. That was extremely dangerous for someone's health and now was time to act "calm down, let's break it down. I see… you still haven't gotten over their death. Now, loneliness in the unknown territory, I know that feeling too well…"
Cyril was impressed by her assessment. That was speaking her strength, not physical strength, but the inner strength. Someone who could heal anything. He could respect that and was now calmer.
Mercedes continued wihout hesitation, but with a caring voice "As for lady Rhea I never said she was evil Cyril. You have perfectly the right to love her. Cyril, I sense grief and confusion. Take a many deep breath in possible and empty your mind. Move on, the future will be bright for everyone, including you"
Cyril took the moment in the hug to take some deep breath. Fortunately for the young almyran, that situation was something he was used to, so he knew he will do fine afterward.
"It will be difficult, but I'm sure under the guidance of the goddess, you will do really fine." She explained and stopped the hug and smile warmly at the almyran.
Already he felt better, which he was grateful. Few days ago they might have been on the opposite side, but now Cyril understood he didn't lost an ally. Cyril could now see Mercedes in good light and wish her luck.
The nun left and the overseer returned "I didn't heard anything, now up. We have work."
Cyril nodded and they returned to work. Another shackle of the past had been let loose.
Lysithea was in her room at her home in Ordelia territory, reading about crest to search for a cure. Thanks to Hanneman and Linhardt, her hopes for finding a cure had increased by a lot. In fact, her parents often complained how she doesn't rest enough since she came out from a grueling war. She was reading about crest implantation, but all she could find was how to implant a crest and not the reverse. "huh!" She growled in fustration. "Why can't I find anything that I want! I don't have time for useless basic info that everybody knows!"
She closed the book for a break and to calm down. What calmed her down is that she will soon take part of raiding the headquarters of Those Who Slither in the Dark and they could search for missing data there. All she had to do is wait for a message from Edelgard to join. At first, Edelgard refused because of how much the younger white haired girl had been through, but the fire inside Lysithea conviced Edelgard to come with them. Lysithea sighed when she heard someone knocking the door.
Lysithea replied "what? I'm busy!" until she realised it was her mother who came and not a servant. "Huh! Mom why are so persistent?"
her mother Elena replied with a soft smile "well my Lysie, your former professor and a friend of yours brought you a message from a certain Dorothea."
she was surprised and curious. She knew Bernadetta and Byleth were travelling together for a while until the faithful moment. "Did they left?" Asked the daughter.
"Yes indeed. They said the news from Dorothea should make you happy."
"Could they have at least stop to- huh just nevermind, let me read mother" said Lysithea with a sighed of irritation. She open the letters and upon reading, almost cried.
Dear Lysithea, I hope you are fairing well. Ferdie and me are doing fine in our side. We are trying to make things better at Enbarr, even I started to take the stage again to ease the suffering of others. You know, there was a girl trying to flirt with Ferdie and the poor soul had no clue. Ah how cute he is!
Lysithea face palmed at that. Really Dorothea will always remain the same, still the white haired princess was glad the songstress was doing fine. It's true Ferdinand and Dorothea were a match. Anyway she continued
but enough about me. Anyway few days ago did you know Ferdie and me encountered Cyril in the woods for Ser Village?
Lysithea's heart aches seeing the name written. 'He made it' she thought.
we sent him to Enbarr to help him back on his feet. Lysithea, you and him must reconcile and get closure if necessary. He was still in pain each time your name was mentionned. Take care Lysie.
Dorothea
This time, Lysithea shed a tear when reading a second time. Her mother noticed and asked "why are you crying my child?"
"I'm not crying mother"
"who is this Cyril?"
She recomposed herself and said "he is someone that I met five years ago at the academy. He was working for Rhea. We became friend and..."
"you two fell for each other. Oh Lysie, why didn't you tell us that you met a boy?" giggled the countess.
Lysithea huffed "oh mother! You don't need to know every details in my life! Besides we didn't confessed, so I have no idea if he felt the same"
Her mother replied "still, for you to cry, I assume something-" she connected the dot "let me guess, that Cyril boy felt betrayed that you switch side"
"yeah. Dorothea wrote that there might be some hope, but I'm not sure if it's true" Lysithea replied sadly.
Her mother however supported her "Lysithea, listen. I have no idea what happen, but you should give it a try. Why don't you invite him to our house? Your father and I would gladly have Cyril with us"
"are you sure mother?"
"yes of course. You two need closure for any misunderstanding."
"But what if-"
"if he refuse your invitation or doesn't return your feelings, it is his loss. Not yours. Come on my daughter, write him a letter. Besides, we want to meet him as well"
"even if he is a commoner?"
She waved her hand off "statue have no importance as long as he makes you happy"
Lysithea paused and process what have been said. "Alright I'm giving it a try."
"Good! I'm going to see your father. Have stuff to do in our hands. You should go downstairs after that however" and the countess disappeared from her chambers. Lysithea immediatly took a sheet and quill and went to work.
Once it was done, she went downstairs to grab something to eat, but when Lysithea entered the guest room, she was surprised to see them. "Professor! Bernadetta? What are you guys doing here? I thought you left!"
Byleth didn't smirked, but it was clear by his tone that he was playing with her "I know. We pranked you because why not?"
Elena and Leo, Lysithea's father, came behind her to serve the tea. The parents went outside to do their business, so it was the three who sit to talk.
"How have you been Lysithea?" asked Bernadetta. Lysithea was one of the few people she wasn't afraid to talk. The white haired mage shrugged "fine I guess. I'm quite busy as usual"
she then smile "I'm glad to see you again"
Byleth curiously asked "I know it's aren't my business, but what was the letter about?"
"It was about….an old friend of mine"
Before that, she would have answered that it was none of their business, but during her short time with the Professor and the black Eagle, she now open up more. Her light shade of pink however betrayed the mage that Bernadetta knew. "don't tell anything! Your friend Bernie know the answer. It is Cyril right?"
Byleth was surprised at that. Lysithea growled "hey! take that back! whatever, yeah it's about him"
the professor was glad to hear it "it's nice to see him alive. It's true now that I think about it, you two were almost inseparable at the academy"
"inseparable is a strong word Professor"
Byleth let a sly stare, more or less knowing what is going on between the two. He smiled "you know, we must go at Enbarr to mop the rest of the devil. Give me your letter. We will say a hello to him and try to make things right"
Lysithea didn't object at that. That was the easy and simple way so why not. "efficient and nice of you. I'll take that offer. Besides this is your punishment for pranking me" she concluded.
The three laughed and Bernadetta get up along with her soon to be husband "we-we must go it seems. I- I mean we are quite late." which Byleth nodded. She gave the letter to the couple and they departed.
Lysithea felt happy to have good friends, even if her life will be short.
Author's note again: I think I mess up with Lysithea's and Bernadetta's character, so sorry if it fell off. Look I don't think it need to be said, but I'm not a trauma expert, but considering Cyril's strength and how it wasn't the first time he experienced it, I think he is capable of adapting fast and efficient given the right advices.
Well then, see you next time!