18th of the Verdant Rain Moon

"Stupid boy. You run to her like a lapdog. You feed out of her hands, content with scraps and gristle your new mistress allows." Lambert's shade flickered in and out of the windows Dimitri passed. "You lower yourself to a common woman. You are a prince. She should kneel before you. Whatever power she possesses should be at the service of royalty!" The prince pressed his lips together.

The clang of steel from the training hall came into earshot next. Between the rhythmic clash, Glenn's voice slithered out from the walls. "Only you can avenge us. Abandon her. We can only be satisfied by your effort. Your strength." He hissed, and Dimitri looked down. "Your sacrifice."

A shadow of a woman came into view as Dimitri stepped into a hallway. "Dimitri, listen to your mother! You must-"

"Yes, Dimitri?" The prince looked up from the shadow to find Byleth, slowly blinking with soft, almost glowing green eyes. Dimitri coughed, and nodded to her.

"Can anything be done?"

"Byleth tilted her head. "For Sylvain, you mean?"

Dimitri's lip pursed. "I can't imagine trying to kill a-" He sucked in a breath. "Any family, no matter how they have wronged you."

Byleth remained quiet, her eyes studying Dimitri. He felt small as she looked up to him. "Miklan has made his choices."

Dimitri looked down. The shadows tugged at the corners of his eyes. "I see."

"There is something more you should know."

Dimitri looked up again. "Yes?"

"You should not allow Miklan to wield the Lance of Ruin for any extended period of time. The power is corrupting for anyone without a crest."

Dimitri's brow furrowed. "But Miklan has always known of the relic's power, and what it can do. Surely it has already corrupted his mind-"

"I am referring to physical changes that will take hold of Miklan."

"I…Physical changes?" Dimitri's brow furrowed. "What are you talking about?"

"If someone without a Crest tries to wield a Relic, their body will be put under enormous strain." Byleth said. "The power contained within the weapons require a Crest to channel their strength without harming a human body. Without the Crest, a Relic will begin to force changes onto the body. At first internally, but they quickly spread. Eventually, the wielder will transform into a demonic beast."

Dimitri's eyes shot open as he reeled back. "That's-" Byleth remained unmoved. "Professor, that's- you don't know if- could I-"

Byleth cut him off quickly. "No one with a Crest will ever suffer adverse effects from wielding a relic. You, nor any of your friends who have a Crest will ever need to fear any Relic not pointed at you."

"I…" Dimitri hesitated. "Are you…how can you be certain?"

"The lying little worm is taunting you, boy." Patricia's voice was like molten iron in his ear. "She could have saved Lonato." Dimitri felt himself shiver. "She could tell you how to save Gautier's brat." His father's voice joined, and Dimitri took a breath. "She knows who killed us. Force her to answer-"

Byleth took a step forward, and placed her hand on his shoulder, and the voices fell silent. "Years of experience."

Dimitri's eyes widened. "I-how-" Byleth's face remained stoic. "Did you know about- how could you-"

Byleth's grip was firm. "Years of experience."

"Is it-" Dimitri held his breath, "Am I- will I ever satisfy the ghosts of the dead? Will my mother and father ever rest in peace?"

Byleth opened her mouth, and then closed it. Her eyes wandered to her hand laying on his shoulder. Dimitri felt the hand shift between holding firm and retreating, and then back again. "…The killers are always brought to justice."

"She lies. They all lie." Glenn's voice was distant, but loud. "You can't trust her. She will dangle our revenge before you just to use you like all the others in Rufus' court. You must-"

"Dimitri." Byleth's voice was firm, but held a gentle note. "It rarely ends well when I come out and tell you what you want to know. The web of deceit is vast."

Patricia hissed. "She lies, the little sl-"

Byleth's other hand fell onto Dimitri's shoulder, and the whispers ceased again. Byleth's eyes glittered a stern determination Dimitri had only ever seen when Dedue swore his oaths. "I can only beg you to trust my experience."

"…When this is over, will the dead go to rest?" Dimitri asked.

Byleth was silent for a moment. "Those voices are not your parents." Dimitri stiffened. "The woman you hear is not your mother. Patricia…" Byleth's fingers pressed a bit deeper into his skin. "…Glenn, your father, would never say such things."

Dimitri stared at Byleth. "…How close were we…for you to know that?"

Byleth face was wiped clear of all emotion. "I will always expend a hand in friendship to someone who needs it."

Her face was unflinching. After a while, he gently removed her hands from his shoulders. "Thank you for your kind words." He turned away and marched to vanish into the training hall.


20th of Verdant Rain Moon

Byleth looked down on Sitri's grave. Rhea's artisans had done excellent work, as always.

"So this is your mother's gravestone?" Flayn asked quietly.

Byleth hummed back. Her eyes drifted to an empty space.

To her side, Jeralt sighed. "Yeah, there it is."

Flayn blinked. "What is the matter? Surely you do not object to her gravestone?"

Jeralt's craggy face softened. "Oh. Uh." He paused, and Flayn's frown lines grew more pronounced. "No, I'm grateful that Rhea gave her a new tombstone."

Flayn's lips pursed. "Then why…that couldn't…Byleth, is your mother's body like…?"

Byleth nodded. "Not quite like yours, but yes."

Flayn's expression flashed with sorrow. "Then I can offer my deepest sympathies. I'm terribly sorry for you. I had hoped no one else would ever have to endure such a unique suffering."

Jeralt bit his lip and looked to Byleth. She kept staring at the vacant lots. "Her mother's remains do not lie at her gravesite."

Jeralt's eyes shot open "Oh." He looked away, rubbing the back of his neck. "Um. I'm sorry for your loss."

Flayn's demeanor brightened. "It is quite all right. I've had plenty of time to come to terms with it." She bounced in her shoes, holding her hands behind her back. "Besides, this is your place of mourning, not mine. I had no intention of trying to unduly garner your sympathy."

"Uh. Alright." Jeralt face shifted to his usual expression of contained mild annoyance.

"Do you plan to place something on her grave? Did she like any particular kinds of flowers, perhaps?"

Jeralt's lips twitched as he let out a half a breath. "Foreign flowers. Stuff that Garreg Mach's greenhouses and surroundings can't grow."

Flayn's gaze darted towards Sitri's grave. "I suspect that I might understand your wife, even though we have never met."

Jeralt looked down at Flayn, before turning back to the new tombstone. "I'm sorry to hear that, kid."

Byleth turned back to the empty space between graves. She felt Jeralt eye her, but he made no comment. "A traveling florist comes in three weeks. He sells Almyran sunflowers and Tulips from Brigid."

"Hmm." Jeralt sounded very tired in that moment. "I'll be sure to get some."

"Will you be able to?" Flayn asked. "I had heard you and your mercenaries were going on a long march soon. Perhaps I can purchase them for you?"

"No, we should be back by then." Jeralt said. "We're just assigned to babysit the Black Eagles when they go to Arundel's lands."

Flayn pressed her hands together. "Oh, an adventure! What fun! I too shall be accompanying Byleth and my brother on a journey! My very first since arriving at Garreg Mach!"

Jeralt huffed with a dry amusement. "Good for you, kid." His eyebrow rose. "Your…brother is okay with that? I thought he wouldn't let you."

Flayn beamed as she nodded towards Byleth. "Your daughter was already accompanying the students from Abyss on a mission. Her promises and Lady Rhea's encouragement are most appreciated."

"So even he can't ignore her 'requests'…" Jeralt muttered under his breath before trailing off as he looked up the flight of stairs. "Well. Speaking of her."

Byleth turned to meet Rhea as she made her way down the staircase to the gravesite. "Hello Flayn. Jeralt, Byleth, my apologies for interrupting."

"No, it's fine." Jeralt said in an even voice. Byleth could not sense much resentment in him. "Nothing to solemn. Just making a shopping list."

Flayn nodded. "We were talking about the missions we are undertaking in the coming days!" she stopped to give a short curtsy. "and thank you for convincing my dear brother."

Rhea smiled. "It is no trouble. Seteth was considering it for some time."

The empty spaces called to Byleth. She turned back to them. Rhea and Flayn started a conversation about the climate in the northern empire, and Jeralt occasionally interjected with his own experiences. Odd jobs that had landed him and Byleth in that corner of the world. Sothis hovered at her shoulder, listening intently to the conversation. Byleth could barely remember the lands. Bits and pieces of traveling through a town that wasn't Remire. Odd fashions of noble ladies. Perhaps she had fed a stray dog. Or maybe it had been an orphaned girl. It was so very long ago.

Jeralt did not turn to look at her as he recounted the flowerbeds locked behind Arundel's gates. Perhaps Byleth had done something then. Or perhaps he recognized that Byleth would have almost no recollection of events lifetimes away. Perhaps she should ask her father to recount some tales from life on the road. That usually cheered him up.

"Ah!" Flayn gasped into her hand. "It's getting late. Brother is insisting I pack my things for our mission! I must be off!" She gave a quick curtsy and then ran to her room. Jeralt waved goodbye as he turned to Byleth. "Kid. Me and Rhea want to talk with you. Let's go somewhere private." Rhea nodded.

Byleth shifted her eyes away from empty spaces between graves and walked up the staircase. Rhea and Jeralt followed her down into an empty passage, towards the archbishop's quarters.

"So," Jeralt's voice was casual with just a cord of seriousness, like when he was about to ask a client about important information he should have been told. "Anything in particular I should know about Arundel?"

"He has a long fuse, but keeps grudges." Byleth said as she turned a corner. "Professionalism will keep everything smooth."

"Bad tempers and long memories. Right." Jeralt clicked his tongue. "Yeah. I know the type." Rhea almost sucked in a breath, but pulled back to a subtle, almost inaudible sigh. Jeralt rubbed the back of his neck. "Simple mission. Keep out of the lord's hair, make sure the princess' escort goes off without a hitch. No trouble."

It would require another month to move the church's forces into position to safely destroy Shambala. Until then, it would not hurt to try and get eyes on Arundel's lands- now that Solon was long gone and certain to have told Thales whatever he knew, Jeralt's position as her father would keep him safe. Thales was a very nervous man at this stage. An ordinary mercenary might disappear if sent, but the Agarthan would rightfully calculate that nothing could save him if he tried his hand against Byleth's father. It had worked countless lifetimes before, and occasionally given them a helpful nugget of information, from troop movements to Thales' own mental state.

"That is another thing I would like to know about." Rhea said as they reached her chambers, closing the door behind the group. "Edelgard's behavior has been- distant. Is this normal?"

Byleth tilted her head and told a white lie. "Yes. The stress of inheriting the empire always weighs on her shoulders."

Rhea clicked her tongue. "And does she know about Thales? What he has done to her uncle?"

Edelgard never appreciated anyone sharing her life story, least of all Byleth whenever she told Rhea. "No. But their relationship has always been rocky since the insurrection. She will weep no tears if Arundel disappears."

Rhea hummed. "For the bonds of family to be so frayed..." She glanced to Jeralt. He glanced back, before sighing. Byleth prepared herself.

"Byleth…Kid." Jeralt started. "Look, I know you've probably-" He paused. "-You've already heard this, but I want you to know that I'm here for you. You don't have to keep me in the dark about anything."

"I know." Byleth said. "And I thank you for your support."

Jeralt stared at her. His tongue struggled against his teeth, before he finally let out a sigh. "I know you weren't the most emotional kid growing up, and I know it isn't fair for me to expect you to act in any particular way, but…" Jeralt breathed. "There's this distance between us now, that I just can't explain. I know your keeping secrets from us, and I know you have good reasons-" His lip twitched. "Or better reasons then I did. I hope. But there's something-" His tongue caught in his throat again.

"Intangible. A barrier that wasn't there before." Byleth finished, as she always did. This conversation was a constant. And it thorns and lack of thorns always hurt in the most peculiar ways.

"Byleth, I have not known you long, but I feel the same." Rhea spoke earnestly. "You keep secrets from me-from your father- far to often. Keeping Hapi's powers away from me for example. You must have known I would learn the secret sooner or later."

"Because they are not my secrets to give." Byleth said. "None of them will cause much on any harm-" So long as Edelgard decided to stop the war. "-And if I were to just tell people secrets, that would destroy my relationships."

"Yes, I understand, but it's-" Rhea glanced at Jeralt.

He bit his lip and continued. "Look. Byleth. Kid- We're a family. No matter what. You can always count on us, and I know its strange, hell, I'm living it. But me and Rhea, you gotta understand, we're here for you."

Byleth reached out her hands and wrapped them around Jeralt and Rhea's, who held hers numbly. "And I am here for you."

As one, Jeralt and Rhea looked at her, before turning to each other. As always. Byleth had never been very good at expressing emotion. But they always understood, in their own way.

"Thank you, granddaughter." Rhea said softly. "You are a kind soul." A small smile grew onto her face. "You should spend some time with your father." It was not a suggestion.

"Alright." Byleth turned to Jeralt. "Where would you like to go, dad?"

"…Let's just walk." Jeralt took her hand and opened the door. Rhea waved goodbye to them, and Jeralt and Byleth began to silently wander through the halls of Garreg Mach. Eventually Jeralt paused, and settled on a balcony overlooking the canyon, gazing down into the growing shadows of the night. Byleth settled next to him, long used to comfortable silences.

"Hey, kid, I want to know…" Jeralt spoke up suddenly. "This afternoon, at the graveyard. You were…" His lips soured, and he looked away. "Actually, forget it."

Byleth's eyebrow perked. "Try me."

"No, I don't want to know the answer."

Byleth hummed. "I can tell you for certain, if you'd like."

Jeralt stared out into the darkness. The sun set and the moon rose. A priest walked by, igniting a few torches. A gentle breeze blew through the air. Steam rose from the Sauna not far away.

"I think I saw you looking at the space between graves. And then you started acting weirder than you already do in Rhea's office." Jeralt's voice wat heavy. "Do I want to-" He bit his tongue. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Byleth stared out into the distance. The absence of thorns against her heart was hurting the most now. She took a breath. "No, I-"

Tell him. Sothis spoke up suddenly. You need to tell someone.

Byleth bit her lip. Sothis hissed.

You can't just carry this thought by yourself forever. He deserves to know.

He wouldn't understand.

Sothis sighed. Byleth. Trust me. Trust yourself. Just this once.

Byleth sighed. "That is where I bury my children."

Jeralt snapped to attention. He opened his mouth, and then closed it, again and again.

Are you happy?

Sothis was quiet. …That was blunt, even for you.

"I…" Jeralt started, and then stopped. "Do-I…" He gulped. "I thought your kids would live as long as you."

"Generally. Some die in war. Other of sickness. A tragic few at birth." Byleth thought she saw a bird in the distance. She studied it. It didn't seem to be moving. Perhaps it was sleeping. Though the wide open terrain it was on suggested that it was dead.

"…You get married?" Jeralt's voice was dry.

"Many times."

"…Who?"

Byleth shifted. "A few people. It depends." She had been wrong. The bird was just a trick of the darkness. She kept studying it. "It's odd. No matter what I do, I always have different children with them too. No matter what precautions I take, they always change in shape, in gender, in personality. It's a peculiar problem." She kept staring. "Other times, the thought of it drives me mad and I swear off having kids. Eventually the loneliness gets to me, and I try again, with still more children. Sometimes I adopt. Sometimes I seek those children out, only to find they still have parents." Her eyes ached. "My memory is vast, so I can remember all their names at least. But then I know my memory is not infallible. I sometimes worry if I've forgotten any. It's not like I can write them all down between lives. I hope I remember them all. I'm certain I remember all their other parents, at least-"

Jeralt grabbed her roughly. "How the hell can you say this!" His voice cracked, and tears were in his eyes. "How can you- Byleth, what your saying, it's-" He let out a shudder. "It's horrible. How can you-"

"Years of experience." Byleth checked her eyes. No tears. Though she was beginning to ramble. Perhaps Sothis had been right. She did need to tell people from time to time. "Don't worry. You always meet them."

Jeralt looked as if he had been struck. Then he wrapped Byleth in his arms. "Come on, kid. We're getting hammered tonight."

Byleth looked up into the starry night. A bright star shone up near the moon. She could recall that in two centuries, it would never shine again. She returned her father's embrace.


Behind a corner across from the daughter and father, Dimitri could only dig his fingers into the cobblestone.


I've gone back and noticed a fair bit of chunkiness between chapters. I thought about editing it more, but I think I will let their awkwardness stand as a testament to growth, and work towards improving as I go.

Speaking of awkward chapters, the next one should be a lot better. I hope. And fear not shippers, the eventual pairings will be egalitarian. Dimitri just requires the earliest setup. For reasons.