Prologue: Guardian Moon

R:

Enbarr, the capital of the Adrestian Empire. I don't really know much about the history of the Empire but it's what I call home. I'm always getting hounded by Captain Veltus to start studying but I always shrug her off. A mercenary doesn't need to know who founded this land to do his job. I just turned 18 yesterday so I can decide what I want to do with my life. I'm currently in a tavern celebrating my post birthday alone. The owner lets me drink for free since he owes me for helping him with some bandits last month. The tavern is quiet since it is quite early in the day to be drinking but I like the peace and quiet. It's a nice change of pace for me. I just sit at the stools alone.

As I finish my second drink, the tavern doors open. The cold air fills the tavern as it's the beginning of winter and two people enter the tavern. They both seem to be wearing uniforms that I don't recognize. A man and a woman. I say that yet they look to be my age. The man is tall and looks rather suspicious. His hair covers one of his green eyes which increases my suspicion that he is not someone I want to mess with. The woman is shorter than him. She has greyish hair and has a red cape hanging from her left shoulder. She looks more approachable than her companion which makes me think that she is the talker of the two. The owner seems to be in the back so I'm the only one in the tavern. I try to act like I'm drinking and minding my own business but I forgot that I already finished my drink. Now I just look like a drunk trying to finish every drop of my drink. I hear their footsteps approaching me and I get slightly nervous. I didn't bring my sword with me since I just came here to drink but now I understand why I should never be so careless. I can tell that they are right behind me so before they could say anything I speak up first.

"What do you want?"

I don't turn around but I soon regret that decision as the suspicious man speaks up.

"You will stand up and face Lady Edelgard when you speak to her."

Wait a minute. Edelgard? Why does it sound familiar? Before I can continue to ponder, the woman, which I assume is Edelgard, speaks up.

"That's enough Hubert. I apologize for his behavior. My name is Edelgard von Hresvelg. I just wanted to ask you if you know anyone by the name of Richard? I don't believe I ever heard his last name though so I don't know if you know anyone with that name?"

I was glad that I had my back facing these two since my eyes widen after she finished talking. I'm pretty sure she is the daughter of the Emperor of the Empire. Worse than that is that she is looking for me. I begin to feel a cold sweat fall down from my face as I try to calm my nerves. I take a deep breathe and I respond to Edelgard.

"And what exactly do you want with Richard?"

"Don't make me repeat myself you drunk. Stand up and address Lady Edelgard with respect."

I could hear the venom coming from his mouth. I only had 2 drinks so I'm not even close to being drunk but maybe this can be used to my advantage. If they think I'm some drunk then they won't suspect who I am. Edelgard once again reprimands her guard.

"Hubert, I told you I would do the talking. Again I apologize for Hubert. To answer your question, I was hoping to recruit Richard to attend the Officer's Academy in Garreg Mach Monastery."

What?

"From the sound of it, you seem to know Richard so if you can tell me where I can find him it would be much appreciated."

This doesn't make any sense. Why does the Princess of the Empire want to recruit me to the Officer's Academy? How does she even know my name? I decide to stand up from my seat and turn to look at the two of them.

"Sorry but I don't know his exact location. Last I heard he was out on a mission outside of Enbarr so I doubt you'll find him here. Sorry."

I bow to the both of them and I walk out of the tavern. I can't believe I couldn't even enjoy my free drinks for that long. I begin to walk home but my mind is muddled by what just happened. I can only reach one logical answer to why they know me.

Captain Veltus.

I bet she told them that I was perfect for the Officer's Academy. She has always tried to convince me to become a knight but I always declined her offer. I bet she thought she could force me to go if she told the Princess about me. How did she even come in contact with the Princess of the Empire anyways? I don't even know what she must have told her to make her seek me out in person. Hopefully the Princess just drops the search for me and I can continue my life as it is.

I arrive home and the first thing I do is grab my sword. I was stupid to leave this at home. What if that Hubert guy became more aggressive with me? I would have been defenseless against him. Well not truly defenseless but still. I strap my sword on my lower back and position it diagonally with the hilt of the sword pointing upward and to the right. The sword is small compared to most and can be held by either one or two hands. I then hear footsteps outside my door. I quickly grabbed the hilt of my sword and I slowly walked towards the door. There has been a few robberies recently so I consider myself lucky that I was home. I stand close to the wall so when the door opens I would be behind it and not in the robbers field of vision. Hopefully they try to pick the lock to the door since that usually means they'll open the door slowly rather than bust in and smash the door towards me. I can hear whispers outside and I can hear at least three different people outside. I begin to wonder how odd this situation is. I only arrived in my house a couple of seconds ago so either these guys never saw me come in or this is something completely different. I didn't have time to ponder as the my door's handle is turned with ease.

I forgot to lock my door.

The door slowly opens as it reaches me. I grab the handle to prevent the door from actually coming in contact with me. The robbers assume that it hit the wall and let go of the handle. I peek my head out and I see three guys dressed as bandits walk into my home. I say dress since they look a little off to me. Something is definitely up right now. I quietly slip out of my cover and sneak behind one of the bandits. I quickly cover his mouth with my left hand while I hit his adam's apple with my right. I then pull my blade out with my right hand. The other two haven't noticed and I use that to my advantage. Once I release the bandit from my grasp he immediately drops to the floor trying to gasp for air. Once the two other bandits hear him they turn around but I swing the hilt of my sword which comes in contact with one of the bandit's face. He drops to the floor and I quickly charge at the final bandit left standing. He has a dagger in hand but doesn't react in time to the swing of my sword. I also bash my hilt to his face and he drops as well. I quickly charge at the door as I sense another person standing there. I raised my sword so the tip of the blade was at the throat of the fourth man. My eyes lock in with his and my suspicion was one again confirmed. I hear him laugh and he starts to talk.

"My My. How scary. I guess what Captain Veltus said about you was no joke. But I do have to say that lying to not only me but to Lady Edelgard as well is something I can't overlook."

Even though he had his hands up I saw magic circles begin to form. Before I could react I heard Edelgard yelling from a distance.

"Hubert! What did you do?!"

I see Edelgard running towards us as I lower my sword. Hubert also lowers his hands and places one on his side and the other behind him.

"Don't worry Lady Edelgard. I was just disposing of a drunk."

I return my blade back to its sheath and Edelgard finally reaches us. She begins to yell at Hubert.

"Hubert! I specifically said to follow him not to attack him!"

"But Lady Edelgard I never laid a single hand on him."

Edelgard than looks inside my home and sees three bandits on the floor. Two of them were knocked out while one of them is trying to control his breathing. Edelgard shot a deadly glare towards Hubert. I really don't know how Hubert got three guys to dress up as bandits and follow me but it seems like he is someone I don't want to continue to be on his bad side. I decided to cover for him even though he is obviously at fault here.

"Look Edelgard, he is telling the truth. Once I got home I saw those three in my house. I took care of them and then Hubert arrived. I didn't seem him though so I thought he was another bandit. I lunged at him but stopped before anything else happened. He just came to see if I was okay."

That might not be the most believable lie but it was the best I could come up with. Hubert's eyes widen after I finished talking. I bet he didn't think I would try to cover for him. Edelgard is staring at me trying to decide whether to believe me or not. She then looks at Hubert.

"Is this true Hubert?"

"Yes Lady Edelgard. It is."

Edelgard still seemed unconvinced but decided to shake her head at us.

"I can't believe it would be so much trouble just to find you. I want to know why you lied to me Richard."

Now that she believes my terrible story, she begins to question me again. I see no reason to keep lying to her so I decide to speak the truth to her.

"I mean anyone would be scared if a Princess and her scary guardian came looking for them. You could have said that you wanted to marry me and I still would have lied to you. I'm sorry."

I then bow once again to them. I don't look up but I continue to speak.

"I also have to apologize because I reject your offer."

"Please enough bowing."

I straighten my back and I looked Eledgard in the eyes. She has the look of someone with determination, like she has something to prove. I can't lie and say that I find it difficult to keep eye contact with her. I don't know how I look in her eyes but I begin to feel nervous. I just rejected an offer from the Princess of the Empire. Edegard still doesn't break eye contact with me when she speaks.

"I see."

She then looks at Hubert and I follow her lead. Hubert merely nods to Edelgard like he heard her ask a question that I didn't hear. She then closes her eyes as to say that she was pondering over something. She nods to herself and opens her eyes when she begins to speak again.

"You have until The Lone Moon to study for the entrance exam. Don't worry about the expenses. Once you pass the exam, and you will pass, during The Great Tree Moon, you will move into Garreg Mach Monastery."

"Wait Wait Wait. What are you talking about? I just said I reject your offer."

"I know. I heard you and now you will hear me. I have heard that you're not the brightest one so you better study up."

I just stared at her with my mouth open. Is she really forcing me to go? I turn to look at Hubert and he just smiles at me. Such a creepy smile. I turn back to Edelgard and she has a smile on her face as well. I want to try to defend myself but the words fail to leave my throat. She then speaks once again.

"Just from what I heard from Captain Veltus and with whatever happened here I can assume you'll be able to become a knight in no time. I don't place my trust into just anyone. I probably don't have to tell you what will happen if you fail the exam. Good luck."

She then turns around and walks away. Hubert starts to move as well but he stops right in front of me with his back facing me.

"Your very intriguing Richard. I still can't tell if you'll truly be beneficial to Lady Edelgard and her goals but for now we'll keep an eye out for you."

Hubert then speeds his stride until he is behind Edelgard and they leave my eyesight. I just stand in my doorway with a dumbfounded look on my face. I hear the three bandits groan on my floor and I turn around to look at them. What just happened?

AN:

I fell in love with Three Houses. This has been the only game I've been playing ever since it came out. This is my first ever story so please tell me where I can improve on. This story will follow the game story to an extent. There will be two other OC in my story to balance the house numbers and they will also be main characters but Richard will be the one with the most focus. My goal is to write a long story that covers the entire game. The next chapter will also be a prologue and the one after that will start to follow the beginning of the game. I hope you enjoy this story and have a wonderful day.-Omas125