A/N

After posting the first chapter of my side story I wish to work on, I realized that I'm on some kind of creative buzz. So, I have to get it out somehow. By the way, That side story is worth a read. If you're a fan of what-if scenarios and FE3H , that is. I like to think I've been getting better with each chapter I write. Essentially, I'm trying to say that it has good (imho) writing from the get-go. One of these days, I'm going to re-write the third part of my prologue to this story. I feel like I didn't give enough context to certain things, and it wasn't a decent ending in general. Consider it a WIP. Hadn't even realized that I reached the 10k marker, which is actually a helluva thing. To the reviewer CorvidsAreNice, Your generous words are appreciated. And if saying that Edelgard did nothing wrong makes us simps, then I for one will wear that title with pride.

What am I?

Chapter 3: Demons and Decisions

As the group of knights and students started coming through the gates of Garreg Mach, Byleth was hit with a strange kind of deja vu. As though this wasn't the first time he stepped through these gates. Shaking his head, he ran to catch up with his father. Noticing that his father was standing in one spot looking at a balcony overlooking the entrance. "Rhea's here…" Jeralt said. Following his father's gaze, he noticed a woman who now that he thought about it, was not looking at his father. She was only looking at him, a tired look on her face until her eyes met his and she gave a bright smile. Weird that she smiles at you and not Jeralt? Do you have some other memories that i cannot see? No, Byleth hadn't seen her in his entire life. The group finally dispersed as people went their separate ways. Rhea (if that was her name) made a come up here gesture. He and his father entered what appeared to be an entrance hall. As they walked by groups of people, Byleth heard their conversations.

"Hey, isn't that the Blade Breaker?" Another boy spoke up "Who?" The first huffed in annoyance "You know, the merc Leonie is always talking about?"

"Oh yeah, but who is that guy with the poker face?"

"You mean you don't know him either? Guy's a freakin legend. There are stories about him."

"Stories?"

"More like ghost stories. They say he kills without hesitation. And that's no poker face. Apparently, he's never shown any emotion. They say the last image his victims see is that blank stare. He is known as the Ashen Demon."

"What in the goddess's name is he doing here?"

"Beats me. Although, there is a rumor he saved Claude and the other house leaders. Rumor has it, he took 30 bandits down alone without breaking a sweat. Just strikes me as odd because he's our age."

"What in the abyss is he?"

"Who knows? I'm not even sure he knows."

Byleth, you must tune them out. They are mere gossipers. Byleth felt his hands relax as he and his father ascended the stairs of the entrance hall. Opening the doors to the Archbishop's meeting hall, his father said "Be careful. I don't like this." Byleth nodded, as they stepped up to the Archbishop. Rhea, was it? I don't like the look she's giving you. She reminds me of a predator. Be very careful how you deal with her, okay? Byleth hummed in acknowledgement and noticed a few people were present. The three house leaders were there, as well as a man with green hair. In fact, the archbishop has green hair. They reminded him of Sothis. Marking that down to be thought about later, he continued his sweep of the room. The knight who had come for the students was there as well. The whole time he and his father were there, the archbishop had never taken her eyes off of his. And people think you're intimidating.

He realized his father was bowing. Bow, you fool! Quickly adopting a bow, Byleth felt like a fish out of water. Eh, I'll give you an A+ for effort. You know, that's really funny. Wanna know what else is funny? Books on exorcism. You have a lot of nerve, mister. I have only one nerve for you, and it's the last one. THE GAUL! Byleth hadn't realized his father had stopped bowing, and hastily did the same. " Forgive my silence all these years, many things have happened since we last spoke. Rhea chuckled and said "Yes, it seems fatherhood has blessed you. Who is the mother?" Jeralt took a moment before saying "She died a few years after we last spoke." They're lying, she knows who the mother is, and she didn't die a few years after they last spoke. After this, Rhea turned her eyes back to Byleth. "I see… Regardless, I wish to thank you both for helping our students. What is your name?" Another lie. She knows exactly what your name is. "My name is Byleth, Lady Rhea." She smiled as she silently repeated the name to herself. "A fine name, indeed." There was a pregnant pause before she spoke again "I have an offer for both of you." Jeralt sighed and said "Look, I know you want me to lead the knights again. Alois talked my ear off. I won't say no, but... Only if my son gets to join as well." Byleth would've smiled at this if he could. Then Rhea did something no one was expecting. She laughed. Once she had stopped Rhea said "I wasn't going to offer your son a role in the knights. That is, if he accepts my first offer." Everyone was shocked. It was clear that Byleth's skills lied on the battlefield. Where else could he apply his knowledge? Seteth then realized what Rhea was thinking. "Rhea, are you sure-" Rhea gave a dismissive hand to her adviser and said "As it happens, we are down an instructor for this year. I was wondering if you would take the position." By now, you could hear a pin drop fall. The three house leaders looked at each other, the archbishop, and then back at each other. Each of them wanted to call dibs on the man who had saved them. Byleth was stunned. Suddenly, he realized he was tired of endless conflict. I mean sure, he could still fight. But when fighting becomes everything you do, you begin to hear the screams people made, and their pleas to live… he didn't want to fear sleeping anymore because of this. He needed a fresh start. If only to rid himself of the demon within. Looking at his father, Jeralt gave a shrug as if to say "it's your choice." Looking back at Rhea, he said "I'll do it."

Edelgard was moving very quickly. He said that he knew Hubert once upon a time. Helped him with a favor. Hubert practically never left her side. When she found the young man, he threw himself at her to make sure she was okay. "I'm fine, Hubert." Edelgard said, once more touched by his concern. "I had heard what happened in the forest. As Claude and Dimitri are still alive, I assume Kostas failed. It was supposed to be a very simple op. What happened?" After she gave him an explanation, he asked "You claimed to have been saved? By whom?" Edelgard wondered why he was interested. After all, as long as she was okay Hubert never questioned who she met with. Outside of the "unofficial" meetings with Kostas and Solon, of course. "It was the Blade Breaker's mercenary band." Hubert said "Just a mercenary crew?" Edelgard smiled. As good as Hubert was with knowledge, some of it just seemed to pass over his head. "No, the former captain of the knights of seiros." Hubert thought for a moment then said "Oh, yes i remember. Ok then. If that's all, I must meet with our "allies." The word disgusted him. Edelgard said "Hold, Hubert. There's one more part of the story. I think i might have found us an ally." That caused him to raise an inquisitive eyebrow. She never spoke about allies before, outside of the snakes in the grass. "Go on." She then explained about the blank faced mercenary who took down almost half of Kostas's horde by himself. By the end, Hubert's face was pale. Edelgard noticed this and said "Are you OK?"

Hubert realized he needed to find this man. He had changed very little over the years, but one thing that had changed was his opinion on the mercenary who had saved both of them in Enbarr. He realized that while he and Lady Edelgard shared a close bond, he could not bring himself to be her… friend. His liege had always lived a solitary life, even before the experiments. She reasoned before them that she only needed her brothers and sisters. Afterwards however, the both of them couldn't trust someone enough to let them "hang around". He noticed the positive effect the boy had on her. After the experiments, he didn't have the heart to tell her that in addition to losing almost her entire family, she lost the first friend she had ever made. That is, the first friend she had made on her own without someone practically handing them to her. Hubert almost laughed at his own sentimentality. He had been projecting his anger over not being able to protect Lady Edelgard onto someone else who had only helped them. "My lady, I have a selfish request." Edelgard just made a go ahead gesture. "Would you mind meeting with our allies? I find myself wishing to speak with him. After all, you are much more adept than I when it comes to controlling your emotions." Edelgard said "Okay, but try to go easy on him. He's going to be a new professor here at the monastery." Hubert gave a bow and left to find the mercenary.

Byleth was reading in the library rather comfortably when he felt someone sit across from him. Not looking up, he waited for the other person to speak up. Hey tall,dark, and scary wishes to speak with you. Finally looking up, he saw who he assumed was Hubert sitting across from him with a devilish grin on his face.

"It is you."

"It is me."

" I just wanted to… thank you for the help you gave us all those years ago. And for what you did in the forest. However, be very careful what you reveal to Lady Edelgard. A lot has happened in six years. If you bring up the life she led before… events took place, I will kill you. Her happiness is mine, you see." There was a sad look on Hubert's face. "My lady never had time to grieve, and I don't want any old wounds to surface."

"Seems she's been through a lot. If there's anything I can do to help, name it."

"While I have no doubt you care for my lady, I still have not… Ascertained your true loyalties. However, there is one thing you can do." The genuine look in his… friend's eyes (this sentimentality I've gained will be the death of me) was honestly baffling. Part of his duty was to uncover snakes and liars for Lady Edelgard, which means he could spot a liar a mile away. This man had never told he or his lady a lie. "I heard you are to be a professor at the officer's academy. Now I know the faculty chooses which house is theirs to teach. All I ask is that when the time comes, choose the black eagles."

"You want me to teach the house you're in? It almost seems like you are fond of me."

Hubert gave another one of those devilish grins "You are an enigma, professor. Someone who could make or break our plans. I'd rather have you teach us so we can keep an eye on you. Before I go, one last piece of advice. The archbishop is not who she seems. Keep your guard up around her." Nodding to each other, the two parted ways.

Rhea watched, as her mother's latest possible vessel came into the room. He is our greatest chance to bring my mother back. After Hanneman and Manuala entered the room, they explained to Byleth the nature of the three houses. Byleth then asked a question about the mock battle coming up. "Why are we actively allowing competition between the houses? It's almost as if we're encouraging conflict." Hanneman and Manuela gasped, as they had never heard someone question the church before and live to tell the story. Even if the question was valid and small enough that it didn't really oppose the faith. Rhea felt her anger bubble to the surface. How dare this insignificant… vessel questions my teachings! No, she thought regaining her composure. You want him to trust you. "I applaud your willingness to speak up, Byleth. So, why don't we focus on selecting our houses?"

She avoided your question. Something about it made her uncomfortable. Angry, even. Thank you, Sothis. Manuela cleared her throat and spoke. "Since you are the newest among us, we will give you first pick. So, will it be-"

"I choose the black eagles."

"Oh my, Professor Byleth. You sure answered that easily. Someone capture your eye?" She ended the teasing sentence with a wink.

"Uhhh, well... " Yes Byleth, why did you choose the black eagles? I am going to the library right after this and am getting out twenty books on exorcism. He could hear Sothis squeak out an apology.

"Spare our colleague the needless banter, Manuela." Seems like you escaped certain death then.

Byleth hadn't gotten out of a room faster in his life.

"Anyone know what our new professor is like?" Caspar said to the other eagles."He is surely noble!" Ferdinand said, earning a large groan from Hubert.

Linhardt who had just been woken up from his nap said "I thought it was supposed to Jeritza?" Dorothea spoke up "I heard a rumor that was tossed around yesterday. Apparently, our professor has quite a curious nickname. The… Ashen Demon, was it? Care to explain this Edie?" The class then exploded with worry and questions of why the school would hire such a man. Even Bernie called out "Ohnonononohono, he's gonna kill me!" The only people who were quiet were Edelgard and Hubert. Standing up, Edelgard moved to the front of the classroom, and yelled "Ok, that's enough!" Edelgard didn't know why, but she was compelled to defend the professor. "You'll find that you really can't judge a person on nicknames and hearsay."

Of course, Byleth had been waiting for an appropriate time to enter the classroom. Your flair for the dramatic is truly wonderful and.. Are you flustered? It's because she's defending you, isn't it? Sothis, can you please stop? Taking a breath, he entered the room and everyone's eyes were on hum. Without missing a beat, he said "You are absolutely correct, Edelgard." He stepped down to the front of the room and caspar broke the quiet "We didn't know there was supposed to be another student. Good to have you here!" Hubert then gave a laugh, a rare occurrence for the black eagles. "Oh, he's no student."

"Hubert is absolutely correct, Mr. Von Bergliez." The room suddenly became deathly quiet before-

"Oh my goddess professor! I'm so sorry! Hey, as an apology did you want to spar?"

"P-p-p-pleaaaaase, don't kill me!"

A loud snore was heard in the back.

"It will be great to be learning from you, professor!"

"Greetings! I am Ferdinand von Aegir, legitimate son of… "

A slap to the back of the head from Hubert silenced Ferdinand.

"Oh my, he's pretty cute" Dorothea said, sending a wink over to Edelgard.

Edelgard just sighed.

Byleth was processing this, and afterward thought "What have I gotten myself into?

A/N

I had a blast writing this chapter. I know there were a lot of OOC moments, but I felt that we needed one really lighthearted chapter before we got into the shitshow that makes up 80% of white clouds. Plus, the Black Eagle dynamic is to die for. I've taken the liberty of creating a *tentative* schedule for myself, that is releasing a chapter of this on monday, and a chapter of Knowing Time Betrays on friday. That's all, folks!