Imperial Year 1180, Garreg Mach Monastery

My Dearest Helga,

Garreg Mach is massive. Easily the largest fortress I have ever been in, although I'm told it is a little offensive to refer to it as such. My office is small, smaller than those of the other Professors, but it suits my needs. My 'living quarters' are cozy (and I actually have a proper bed. I can't remember the last time I had a proper bed.) and big enough for both myself and our precious one to be comfortable.

Apparently I will learn which class I will be the 'Head' of today. I am not certain as to how they are chosen, but I doubt we will simply get to choose. I can hear your approval even now, you know? One should never play favourites.

Yours Always,

-B


Opening the door to his private quarters, and stepping out into the morning light of the monastery, Byleth Eisner took a deep breath of fresh and cool mountain air. It was something he could come to have a fondness for, perhaps. That first taste of a new day and all the possibi-

"..Papa? 'M hungry!" A small voice at his side drew him out of his pleasant thoughts. Not that thoughts of his daughter weren't pleasant, of course. His daughter looked up at him, her eyes wide and pleading, her hair messy and lacking her usual ribbons. She was in a fluffy white sleeping gown, and holding Sir Reggie with one hand.

"I know, Amy." Byleth told her, kneeling down with a smile. "So, how about you and I go and grab some breakfast, then go take a look around the cathedral, hm? Introduce ourselves to the other people here.."

Amy's eyes lit up and she all but leapt at her father, throwing her little arms around his neck. "Thank you Papa!"

He embraced her for a moment, before standing up and offering her a hand. Her small hand clasped his tightly, before she proceeded to try and drag her father off. Byleth, trying not to smile, didn't budge.

"Ah ah ah, slow down little one." He gently chided. "We need to get ready first. You're still in your pajamas. Much as you are adorable, it wouldn't make the best first impression, hm?"

His daughter pouted, but nonetheless retreated back inside.

"..Now that's not something I ever thought I'd see..."

Byleth glanced towards the owner of the voice. The young woman had ginger hair, and wore the white version of the Academy's uniform he'd seen some of the young ladies wear. It took him a moment, but he soon recognised her.

Leonie Pinelli. The girl from Sauin Village that had followed his father around. She had been thirteen or fourteen at the time, but he could not remember which. If she hadn't been so young, she might have joined the Bears. Byleth thought as she approached. She had been a quick learner, if he recalled correctly, but a little...jealous perhaps, that he was Jeralt's son. But regardless, they had made their peace before parting ways. This will be fun, Byleth thought, and slipped on his emotionless mask.

"Duckling." Byleth inclined his head, his expression unreadable.

"Demon." Leonie replied, her gaze narrowed.

The wind whipped at the ground that separated the pair, tossing dust and leaves around. All the while, the pair held their gazes.

It was Leonie that broke first. Soft giggles soon gave way to genuine laughter. Soon joined by Byleth's own chuckles. Soon, the pair were cackling with amusement. Almost as suddenly as it started, the laughter subsided, but both remained smiling.

"So." She began. "You're a father now?"

"Indeed." Byleth nodded. "Miracles can happen, hm?"

"I'm more amazed that you seem..happy." Leonie smiled. "Last time we met you had the whole 'brooding unemotional mercenary' thing going on."

Byleth shrugged. "..I know, I know. I was a brat. But my dearest Helga saw that nonsense off quite quickly. 'It is impressing no one, and makes you seem overly dickish.', I believe were her exact words. Then she roped me into helping with collecting firewood and herbs and entertaining the children. I was quite bewildered about the whole thing, to be frank."

"Helga the Demon Tamer." Leonie replied. "She sounds like quite the woman."

"She was, yes."

Byleth's tone had been light. Fond, even. so much so it took Leonie a few moments for realisation of just what he had to set in. But when it did, her eyes widened ever so slightly, and her shoulders slumped. She was uncertain of what to say in response. But then, as if the Goddess herself was answering her prayers, she didn't have to.

"Papa! Can you do my ribbons please?"

The small girl that had trotted up Byleth's side was waving ribbons around with one hand, and tugging at his sleeve with the other. Her father knelt down once more, and gently weaved the red and white strips into Amy's hair.

"There we are." He smiled. "You look ready to face the day!"

His daughter grinned at him happily. "Now breakfast?"

Byleth let out a soft laugh, and scooped her up into his arms. "Yes, my precious one. Now breakfast. Milk and sweet pastries and fruits. Does that sound good?"

"Strawberrys?" Amy asked hopefully.

"If they have them." Byleth nodded.

"Yay!" Amy beamed, and clapped her hands with glee. Then her green eyes found Leonie, and she came to an abrupt stop. The youngest Eisner maneuvered herself behind Byleth, and gestured towards her. "Papa? Who is she?"

Byleth pondered for a moment or two as to how to introduce the young woman, who now had a startled expression on her face. Their eyes met, and he offered her a reassuring nod. "This, Amy, is Leonie. She's probably your grandfather's best apprentice."

"Only probably?" Leonie fired back, goodnaturedly. She grinned towards Amy. "I'm definitely Jeralt's best apprentice."

"Grandpapa Jerry's apprentice?" Amy's tone was hesitant, but hopeful. She stepped out from the 'safety' of her father's shadow, and smiled, almost shyly.

"H-Hello! I-I'm Amy. It's nice to meet you!"


It was later that morning, after what was an admittedly late breakfast for him, that Byleth was called to the Archbishop's office. Or..the Headmaster's office. Byleth wasn't entirely sure. Perhaps it was both!

Archbishop Rhea was there already, along with two others. An distinguished looking older man, and a woman who probably just rolled out of bed if her clothing was anything to go by.

"I am surprised that your daughter is not with you." The Archbishop commented as he entered the room. "Is everything alright?"

"Karin is looking after her." Byleth replied. He liked Karin. One of the Bronze Bears healers, and a native of Brigid. She brooked no nonsense, but as she had long since lost her family, the Bears had become her family, and as such she cared deeply about all of them. The fact that she was the closest thing Amy had to a grandmother had helped considerably. "She would find all this a bit boring, I'm afraid."

"..I see." Rhea's tone was..strange. It wasn't one of acceptance, nor of insult taken. But some, murky middle ground between the two. "Is Karin trus-...no, you would not leave her with someone you didn't trust."

Obviously. Byleth thought, fighting back a frown. "...Each member of the Bears has long since earned my complete trust, Your Holiness."

"Of course." Came the absently spoken reply. The Archbishop shook her head, and met his gaze again. "Forgive me, I have not slept well for..some time now."

"It's fine, Your Holiness." Came his quick, almost unthinking response. "Think nothing of it...but, might I have some introductions please?"

"Of course. These are your soon-to-be fellow House Heads, Professor...Doctor Manuela Casagranda.." The Archbishop sent an apologetic smile towards the other woman as she corrected herself. "And Professor Hanneman von Essar. Manuela, Hanneman, this is Byleth Eisner."

Byleth stepped forwards, and shook their hands. "A pleasure to meet you both."

"The pleasure is all mine." The elder woman all but purred, much to the elder man's exasperation.

"Manuela, enough." He sighed, and turned to address Byleth himself. "Forgive her. May I ask if you are aware how the House system works, Master Eisner?"

"More or less." Byleth admitted. "I would like a rundown of the House's themselves, however. From an...experienced, perspective."

"Of course." Manuela spoke up, suddenly professional. "Each house corresponds, more or less, to one of each of the three major nations in Fódlan. The Black Eagle House is for students from the Adrestian Empire. Their House Leader this year is Edelgard, the Princess Imperial, or in other words, the next Emperor."

Hanneman cut in. "The Blue Lion House is for students hailing from the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus. Their House Leader this year is to be Prince Dimitri, the first in line to the throne."

"Lastly, the Golden Deers. They are, of course, for students of the Leicester Alliance. Claude is to be their House Leader this year." Manuela finished, and turned to Rhea. "Shall we commence then, Your Holiness?"

"Indeed." Rhea nodded, and removed a small velvet bag from her desk. "Within this bag are three stones. One Blue, One Yellow and One Black. Each corresponds to one of the three Houses. Whichever one you pick is the House you will head. All down to the will of the Goddess."

"You can choose first, Professor Eisner." Hanneman told him, with a kind smile. "Manuela and I agreed to it."

Nodding in thanks, Byleth stepped forward and inclined his head respectfully as the Archbishop offered the bag to him. Dipping inside, he closed his eyes and made his choice. He removed his hand, took a single step away, and opened his palm out flat, revealing the stone he was holding.

It was yellow...


Golden Deer!

Gotta clear a few things up:

Helga is actually deceased. Byleth 'writes to her' because he's really, really not come to terms with that fact. At all. Which isn't exactly surprising. Imagine if you lost the only person you've ever met that actually understands you, on top of the fact that you were in a relationship with them...you'd certainly have to find a coping mechanism, no?

And second, whilst Byleth will head up the Golden Deers, that doesn't necessarily mean that the story will follow the Verdant Wind route.