Enbarr, 1167

Edelgard flipped her light brown hair back as she played with her kitten. Hubert hovered behind her to make sure the feline didn't scratch her. Three of her sisters practiced musical instruments at the other side of the courtyard while another danced. Her oldest brother quietly read a book under a tree. Her other siblings played hide and seek. Emperor Ionius watched with his beloved consort Patricia and her brother, Volkhard. Patricia smiled over her embroidering as she watched Edelgard play, while her husband and brother talked politics.

"Ionius, are you sure punishing Hyrm is the best move? Won't it send the wrong message to the other Houses?" Volkhard asked.

"Wrong message? It will let everyone know that I rule this nation - not those self-important nobles. I will burn Hyrm to the ground and salt the earth beneath it. Any other Noble House that thinks it can assert itself will meet the same fate," Ionius snapped.

"Shh, you two." Patricia placed her hand on Ionius' knee. "Don't talk like this so close to the children."

Crestwood

Byleth stepped outside of Ashe's and promptly got drenched in the rain. She wrapped her arms around herself and started to walk. The rain stopped for a moment, and she realized that Dimitri was next to her with an umbrella. "Dimitri, this is nice, but it doesn't make up for what you did to Edelgard. Seriously, what has Edelgard ever done to you? You accused her of being a serial killer. She trusted you. I trusted you."

They continued to walk side by side. Dimitri spoke sadly, "I know. I messed up. My head is so screwed up lately. It all seemed so real, and I lashed out. I know she didn't kill my parents, and I know she didn't kill Monica. May I please see her?"

"She doesn't want to see you, Dimitri. I'm sure you regret what you said, but right now the last thing she wants to see is you."

Dimitri looked at her pitifully, and Byleth touched his cheek. "Just give her time. And when your head feels screwed up again, just come to me first, okay? We can talk it out." Dimitri nodded and held the umbrella over her as she got into her car.

Now out on bail, Edelgard returned to work at the mayor's office. Arundel sauntered over to her desk, "Bold of you to assume you still have a job here," he said icily.

She stared at her computer intently as she checked her email and hoped that Arundel would just walk away. Instead, he put both hands on her desk and leaned forward, "You could just confess now. Save everyone the expense of a trial."

Edelgard's shoulders slumped, and she turned her chair to face Arundel. "But I didn't kill Monica, Uncle. I'm your niece. Why don't you believe me?"

He smiled, "Let's see - the murder weapon was found in your apartment. Your fingerprints were on the box containing Monica's heart. Shall I go on?" He took his hands off the desk and stood tall. "Why not, for once, make it easier on everyone? Because confession or not, you're leaving Crestwood."

Edelgard stood up, "And you like that. Why? Why do you take such pleasure in this? What did I ever do to you to make you hate me so much?"

Enbarr, 1171

Edelgard's mother woke her in the middle of the night. She lifted her out of bed and shushed her. Her Uncle Volkhard was waiting with a bag outside of her room. They crept out of the palace where a carriage was waiting for them. As Patricia put Edelgard inside, she dropped her beloved bear. Before she could cry out, her uncle smiled and put him in her lap. "We would never leave, Sir Bear behind, my dear Princess."

Crestwood

Hubert may have overseen the arraignment well, but Byleth thought his next idea was awful. He wanted Edelgard to give a pretrial interview with the prosecution. They continued to argue. Byleth thought that would just give the prosecution more rope to hang her best friend, and Hubert insisted that it would show the District Attorney that she had nothing to hide. Finally, Edelgard told both of them to be quiet. She would do the interview because she was going to be completely transparent. The three sat in awkward silence until Ferdinand entered the station and asked to speak to Byleth alone.

They stepped off to the corner. Ferdinand looked apologetic, "I'm sorry. All I can find is that she never bought a dagger. I've checked Arundel's phone records, tried to find witnesses around the pond, and I've found nothing."

Before Byleth could respond, Moe French entered and dumped a floral arrangement on her desk. Byleth snapped at him, "Hey, what do you think you're doing?"

"I've still got to make deliveries while I wait for trial. How else am I going to pay rent? This is from the VFW. Some bullshit about thanking you for keeping this town safe, blah, blah blah. If you don't want them, throw them away. I don't care." He threw the card down on the desk and stormed out.

"Anyway," Ferdinand said. "Arundel covers his tracks, but I promise I'll find something."

District Attorney Myson was a severe-looking man with an impeccable suit and beady gray eyes. He looked like he hadn't encountered an innocent defendant in his entire career. He entered the station and glared at Edelgard. Edelgard was visibly shaking but Hubert put his hand on her back. Arundel stood behind Myson. He could barely contain his enthusiasm.

Byleth led them to the interrogation room. Hubert and Edelgard sat at the table next to each other while Myson sat across from them. Byleth and Arundel watched through the one-way mirror. Myson battered Edelgard with questions about her relationship with Monica. He asked how Edelgard felt about Monica coming between her and Arundel as well as Monica coming between her and Dimitri. Edelgard admitted that Monica's presence in Crestwood made her annoyed. Hubert stood up and coldly said, "I thought you were supposed to ask questions based on the evidence, not wild psychological speculation. My client has nothing else to say."

But Myson ignored him and narrowed his eyes at Edelgard, "You wanted Monica Ochs gone, didn't you?" he said.

"We are finished here!" Hubert snapped.

"I thought your client didn't have anything to hide," Myson sneered. "Why can't she answer the question?"

"I don't have anything to hide!" Edelgard cried. "And I didn't want Monica gone!"

Myson stood over Edelgard, "Even though she took away the only family you had left? Even though she followed you around and tattled on you? Even though she made things difficult at work?"

Edelgard threw her hands up and said sarcastically, "Yes, she was irritating. So yes, I wanted her gone—is that what you want to hear?"

Myson smiled and stood up to leave. Edelgard looked around in horror, "You didn't actually believe that? It was clearly sarcasm!"

Myson smirked and left without saying a word. Hubert sighed deeply and put his hand on Edelgard's shoulder.

Faerghus, 1172

Volkhard and Edelgard settled into a quiet life in the Kingdom. By a stroke of fortune from the Goddess, Patricia had caught King Lambert's eye and was now secretly living in the palace as his wife. To avoid a scandal, Volkhard kept Edelgard with him, much to Patricia's dismay. They couldn't risk Ionius finding out one of his daughters was now related to the King of Faerghus. He promised Patricia that he would bring Edelgard to the palace when things in the Empire settled down. Once, Lambert secretly brought the young prince Dimitri to spend time with little Edelgard. The two were friends in no time. Edelgard was usually in charge of whatever game they happened to play, and the shy young boy was happy to follow her lead. Volkhard and Lambert snickered as they watched the serious Princess try to teach the Prince how to dance.

If he could encourage this little childhood friendship, Volkhard thought he might be able to secure himself a nice future in the Kingdom. Patricia would have to understand that taking things slowly would work out the best for both of them.

Crestwood

Byleth plopped down on a park bench and tried to concentrate. She had looked everywhere for something that would exonerate Edelgard, but she hadn't turned up anything. The key Claude found wouldn't be worth anything in court. She noticed a scooter pull up next to her. Bernie sat down and joined her on the bench. "Something bothering you?" she asked.

For some reason, Byleth opened up to her about the case. She sighed, "Yes, Bernie. I can't help Edelgard. Every time I find a lead, it ends up hurting her. I thought I was finally in a place where I was doing good, but I'm useless, just like always."

Bernie suggested, "You're not useless, Byleth. You're just blocked. Do you know what helps when I get struck by a block? I usually reread what I've done. Rather than plow ahead blindly, sometimes I find there will be a little nugget of inspiration left behind."

"I can't start over with a real-life case, Bernie. It's not a story."

Bernie looked over her shoulder. Usually, she would run away at this point in the conversation, but she seemed to will herself to stay, "I mean when I start writing. I usually have one idea. And then in the middle? I make it another idea, and things are different. Take this case: first, it was a missing person, then it was a murder, now it's a cover-up. If you knew it was going to be a cover-up at the beginning, what would you have done differently?"

"I would have gone straight to the pond!" she blurted out.

Byleth suddenly felt a jolt of energy and leaped off the bench. She took off walking, and Bernie called out to her. She insisted that Byleth ride on the scooter. Together they took off to the pond.

The area where Monica's heart was found was still marked off by yellow tape. They walked together, but Bernie hissed and stopped. "Shin splints - ignore me. Anyway, this must be difficult for you. Edelgard is practically like family to you now."

Byleth knelt on the ground and felt around for clues. "Don't pretend to know me, Bernie."

She continued to look until she noticed something shiny. She picked it up and examined the shard of metal. It appeared to be broken off a shovel. Byleth was ecstatic. "Come on," Bernie said with a smile, "I bet you know exactly who's shovel that belongs to."

Arundel was such an arrogant bastard that he left his garage door wide open for Byleth and Bernie to creep inside. His shovel was conveniently propped up against the wall, and it was missing a piece. They shared a look and Byleth said, "We've got him. The warrant application is at the station. This is going to be the most fun I've ever had with paperwork."

Fhirdiad, 1174

Volkhard hurried to Court Mage Cornelia's home. Cornelia was a fellow Adrestian and a helpful messenger between the Faerghan Court and himself. Cornelia said that she had an urgent message from Patricia. Hopefully, his sister hadn't fallen out of favor with the King. How many times had he told his sister that the homesickness would be temporary? Cornelia greeted him warmly at the door and asked him to follow her. He obediently followed her through the corridor until she turned to the right and stepped inside a room. As he stepped in the doorway he said, "Now Cornelia what did Patricia - "

Something plunged into his stomach and Arundel felt something wet on his hands and inside his throat. He tried to speak but he couldn't make a sound. He looked down to see the hilt of a blade sticking out of his abdomen. Cornelia pulled it out and smiled at him as he fell to the ground.

He heard a deep voice say, "These beasts fool so easily."

Cornelia laughed, "Get a good look at him, Thales. You're going to be stuck with that face for a long time."

He tried to crawl away but no longer had the strength to move.

Crestwood

Byleth triumphantly waved her warrant in front of Arundel's face. He snatched it from her and mumbled something, but he opened the garage door for her. Byleth wondered for a moment why it was locked now but pushed that thought aside. It was time to finally pin something on Arundel that could stick. She was stunned to see that the shovel was gone. She rounded on Arundel, "You knew I was coming. How?"

Arundel merely laughed, "How could I possibly know something like that?"

Byleth stood in Arundel's face, "Edelgard is a good person. She doesn't deserve this."

Arundel turned around to go back inside his house, "My niece is a liar. No matter what accusations you throw my way - that won't change. She is finally going to pay for what she's done."

Byleth banged on the door at the motel. She heard a squeak and then frantic rustling, so she banged on the door harder. She shouted, "I know you're in there, Bernie! How could you do this to me? To Edelgard? I thought you wanted to help."

Bernie cracked the door and Byleth pushed it open and shoved past Bernie. "Eep!" Bernie cried. "Eep! Please, Byleth. Stop raging - what happened?"

Byleth cornered her, "The shovel was gone when I got there with a warrant. You were the only person that knew about it. Arundel knew we were coming. You must have told him."

She cowered before Byleth, pleading, "Please have more faith in me, Byleth. I swear I didn't tell Arundel! I am on your side. I'm not a spy."

"That is exactly what a spy would say!" Byleth cried.

Edelgard sat on her couch, crying as she attempted to distract herself with a magazine. She heard a knock at the door, and she answered it. Arundel was there, ready to gloat. "What do you want, Uncle?" she sighed.

"I wanted to see my dear niece while I still could. The trial starts soon, and it will be quick. Soon you'll be gone forever from Crestwood."

Edelgard sobbed, "I don't deserve this. I didn't kill Monica."

Arundel's smile faded to a look of utter hatred and contempt, "I know you didn't kill her. But you definitely deserve what is about to happen."

Enbarr, 1174

Arundel shoved Edelgard into the palace, and she clutched her bear tightly. Everything was different now. There were no signs of her family anywhere. Duke Aegir looked at her in disgust as her uncle said, "Put her with her siblings, Myson. Now we have the whole set. Maybe this one will be a little sturdier." A mage in black grabbed her and began to drag her away. She dropped her bear and tried to pick it up, but Arundel kicked it away. She cried out for her father as the mage dragged her down the stairs.

Crestwood

Byleth returned in defeat to the station. Hubert was there waiting for her. "You," she said, "you told me you could fix this. You told me you would make sure that Arundel didn't win."

"He hasn't won yet," Hubert replied coolly.

Byleth sat down at her desk, "Well, now Edelgard is going to pay the price."

Hubert stood at her desk. She wouldn't look at him. He said, "Look, Sheriff, I know this is emotional, but it's also not over. You must have faith, there's still time for me to work a little magic."

He quietly left the station. Byleth tried to finish the paperwork sitting on her desk, but Moe's damn flowers were in her way. Full of frustration, she heaved the flowerpot into the wall where it satisfyingly shattered into pieces. She felt better for a moment until she realized that she would have to clean up all the broken glass and dirt. She reluctantly got the broom and dustpan and began to clean up. Something shiny caught her eye and she stopped to pick it up.

It was a bug. Someone had been listening to them the entire time.

Enbarr, 1185

Edelgard and Hubert set up camp. It would take another day to get to Garreg Mach to discuss the Professor's peace offer. Suddenly, Thales warped into her tent. "Edelgard, what is the meaning of this? Are you truly going to side with the Fell Star, your insane brother, and that smarmy duke?"

She straightened her crown and calmly looked at him, "I am Emperor of Adrestia. Where I go is no concern of yours, Thales, Uncle, or whatever you are."

He snarled, "You've forgotten who created you, foolish girl!" Hubert readied a spell, but Edelgard raised her hand to stop him.

She looked at him resolutely, "Oh, I remember. I remember the sleepless nights in the dungeon, the excruciating pain, and the terror that you put me through. I remember my siblings' dying screams and wishing that I could die too. Meanwhile, the Professor was nothing but kind to me all those years ago, and you blasted her off of a cliff. You forget that I don't need you to achieve my dreams."

"Then I will make sure that you receive the punishment you deserve, stupid child," he raged. "Never forget what I can do to you. You will suffer immensely, and neither the Fell Star nor your little attack dog will be able to save you." He warped out before Hubert hit him with Miasma.

Crestwood

Bernie cried in her room and clutched her bear. She heard something outside her door, so she ducked behind the bed. When the noise stopped, she cracked the door open. There was Byleth with a hedgehog plush, "I'm sorry. I should have trusted that you wouldn't go behind my back to Arundel. That asshole, Moe, planted a bug in my office. I should have seen it. I should have known after that mess with Hubert that he would team up with Arundel."

She stepped outside, took the plush, and gave it a big squeeze, "Don't beat yourself up about it, Byleth. Sometimes it's hard to see what's right in front of us. But I knew you would."

Byleth started to speak again, but she was interrupted by an ear-piercing shriek nearby. They both ran towards the diner. There they found Hapi, Ashe, and Dedue in the alley behind the restaurant. Ashe had his head buried on Hapi's shoulder and Hapi was staring at the dumpster. Dedue was trying to block their view to protect them from whatever was there. When he saw Byleth, he stepped out of the way and pointed. The corpse was beginning to decompose, but the plaid pleated skirt was easily recognizable.