Crestwood

Manuela handled the grim job of Monica's autopsy. Unfortunately, she wasn't able to find any evidence that might exonerate Edelgard or point to a new suspect. Someone, probably the same person that had run her off the road, strangled her and then cut her heart out of her chest. Since the person would have needed to get close to Monica to carry out the murder, Monica must have known her attacker. Byleth was going to have to find something fast that could help Edelgard.

Dimitri installed a new deadbolt on the apartment's front door and both Edelgard and Byleth's bedrooms. After he finished, he looked down at the door and attempted an awkward apology, "I'm so sorry, Edelgard. My head has been so out of sorts lately, and I never should have believed what I saw in Seteth's office. You've been nothing but kind to me while I've been struggling. The times we played together as children are some of the only happy memories I have left. Please forgive me."

Edelgard closed her eyes for a moment and took a deep breath, "Dimitri, what you said was devastating. I thought we were at least friends, and then you turned on me." She paused, "But I need all the help that I can get right now. Do you promise to trust me from now on?"

Dimitri's face lit up, "Of course! Thank you for giving me another chance. I will not screw it up." They embraced and there were tears in both of their eyes. Dimitri gave Byleth a kiss and bid them goodbye.

Byleth was finding herself enjoying his company more and more. Even if they had never had an official date yet, they were doing a lot of kissing and talking. Byleth was very much hoping that they would progress further but getting Edelgard exonerated would have to take priority.

She walked by herself to work, and Bernie rode up on her scooter next to her. Byleth continued to walk as Bernie said, "I'm glad you're speaking to me again. I know you're worried about Edelgard, but you need to see the big picture, understand what you're up against. That's the only way you can beat Arundel."

"I understand plenty, Bernie. This town is run by a man who's such a bully that he will clonk his nephew over the head and frame his niece for murder."

She continued to ride beside Byleth, "Please take a leap of faith. Come with me, and I promise you'll find what you're looking for."

Byleth shook her head, "Faith is not what Edelgard needs right now."

Adrestia,1172

Bernadetta was finally about to get back to her room after a day of her father's "training." Her wrist burned from where he had left her tied to a chair, and her throat ached from screaming. She crawled under the bed and pulled out her manuscript. She put her handmade stuffed bear in her lap and began to write.

Crestwood

She didn't know how long she had lived in Room 2 of Raphael's motel. From what she could remember, there was a bright light, and she awoke in this little room. At first, she tried to find the Professor, but she couldn't find her anywhere. This new world was so different and terrifying. She couldn't leave her room without having a panic attack. But she soon learned that the laptop in her room opened up a world where she could live a perfect anonymous life. So, Bernadetta wrote volumes of stories from her time at Garreg Mach and the War and even found a publisher through the internet. Surely her old friends and the Professor would read them and realize what had happened to them. The stories were successful, but there was still no sign of Byleth Eisner. She continued to write, hoping one story could bring the Professor back to save them all. She returned from being sent to a void by Solon and falling off a cliff – surely she would come back if Bernadetta was just patient.

But things hadn't worked out that way. The Professor was back but she didn't remember and certainly didn't believe that she was the key to helping everyone. She was trying, little by little, to leave her room and forge a relationship with Byleth, but it took so much effort to leave the safety of her motel room. To her horror, Bernadetta realized that the Curse had a different effect on her than the others. She could remember everything but, her body, was now turning into a plush.

She placed a call to Hubert's pawnshop and set up a time to meet. She wondered if he actually knew who she was, or if he just thought that she was a customer. She tried to stand but lost her balance and sat back down on the bed. She squeezed one leg. Her leg was getting softer and harder to use. She was running out of time.

Adrestia, 1174

Her father found the manuscript and threw it into the fire. "Fairy tales? Stupid, useless, unmarriageable girl! Why can't you learn a skill that someone might actually need?"

Bernadetta looked away as her manuscript went up in flames. Her father grabbed her arm and dragged her over to the fireplace. "Don't look away, you will watch it burn. If you can't learn to conduct yourself like a lady, I will throw every little stuffed creature into the fire next - starting with that ridiculous bear."

Crestwood

Raphael loudly thanked Hubert for the Big Spoon he purchased from the shop. He explained enthusiastically how it was going to add "kitsch" to one of the rooms. The large man had recently read an article on the Internet about how people loved to stay in "kitschy" places. Hubert noticed a new customer dressed in purple enter the store, "One moment, Ms. V. - oh, on second thought. As one creative person to another, do you think this spoon will create the kitsch Mr. Kirsten wants?"

Raphael recognized her, "It's you, Room #2! What brings you here!"

She froze and couldn't think of anything to say, so she turned away from him. Confused, Raphael looked back at Hubert. "I'll take your stunned silence as a 'yes.' Good day to you, Mr. Kirsten." Raphael happily left with his new spoon

Bernie felt relieved and approached Hubert's counter. She avoided eye contact with him and looked at the counter instead. Noticing her anxiety, Hubert said, "You know, what surprises me? For someone who seems to have all her memories, you can't even bring yourself to say hello to your boyfriend—what are you afraid of?"

She looked up, he was wearing a flower on his lapel, "You know who I am?"

Hubert chuckled, and Bernadetta flinched, "Of course, I do Bernadetta. We're the same. You author stories to try to get Ms. Eisner and our comrades to remember while I sell keepsakes from the monastery to jolt their memories. And we are both failing spectacularly." He walked around the counter and stood next to her. "But let me guess, you're going to say that you are finally going to convince her. That you're going to persuade her to do exactly what she was brought here to do, and yet, for someone who's running out of time - "he tapped Bernadetta's left leg with his foot, and her leg buckled. "- you don't seem to be in a hurry."

Bernie put her hands on the counter to regain her balance as she said sheepishly, "Yes, that was what I was planning to say."

Hubert returned to standing behind the counter, "You must know, Bernadetta, that it's not enough for Ms. Eisner to remember for us to get home. There's something else that she has to do – something that if we tell her what it is, it won't work."

Her shoulders slumped and she said, "I know, that. But I can still guide her. Byleth is distracted by Edelgard's court case - it's all she cares about right now. She's going to come to you for legal advice."

Hubert crossed his arms, "And you want me to steer her in your direction, I presume?"

Bernie threw her shoulders back, "I can do this. I will be brave. I can get her to believe me."

Hubert burst out laughing but put his hand over his mouth to stifle it as Bernie shrunk away, "I'm sorry, Bernadetta. It's just knowing your nature - bravery is a monumental challenge." He extended his hand to her, "But I believe you. Fear not, a gentle nudge I will provide." They shook hands.

Garreg Mach, 1180

She thought that she had finally found a private spot to practice her trumpet. She looked all around her and then gently removed it from the case. After playing a few scales to warm up, she launched into a complex cadenza. All was going well until she heard a deep voice exclaim, "That was amazing!"

She grabbed her case and ran out of the greenhouse with the trumpet in her hand. She could hear heavy steps behind her, but she didn't turn around. Bernadetta was running out of breath, and the footsteps were growing louder. Having no choice, she turned to face her attacker. He was an immense blond man with a shirt barely held together by the buttons. He stopped and put his hands on his knees to catch his breath. He panted, "What instrument is that? I came from the training grounds to hear it. You sound so good!"

He didn't speak like her father, but that didn't mean he wasn't just as evil. She couldn't take any chances. "Good? No. No, I'm on to you. First, you flatter me. Then you get me to perform on stage in front of everyone to humiliate me!"

His large face looked confused, "Uh, no – but hearing you on stage would be awesome?"

So, she was right - he did want to humiliate her. "Monster! I won't fall victim to your schemes!" She ran to her room and locked the door. Now she could sew her plushies. This was a hobby that wouldn't attract unwanted attention.

Crestwood

Byleth burst into Hubert's shop, and he steeled himself. He needed to piss her off enough to run to Bernadetta. Fortunately, Hubert knew just what to say to make her explode.

"I'm here to discuss Edelgard's case, Hubert," she said curtly. "What are you doing now that Monica's body has been found?"

He looked her straight in the eye and said, "I've tried everything and now it's time to face reality. There's just too much evidence. I'm going to ask Myson for a plea bargain."

Byleth's eyes practically bulged out of her head, "Are you kidding me? You know what Arundel did to her!"

Hubert kept a solemn expression, "Yes, but we can't prove it! And given the mayor's sway in this town, no jury would exonerate her. This is the best that I can do for Edelgard now."

Byleth slammed her fist on the counter, "Well your best is total shit, Hubert."

He shook his head, "I'm sorry, Ms. Eisner. I'm just not the person that can beat Mayor Arundel."

She was enraged, and Hubert struggled to keep from smirking, "Yeah? You're sorry? Well, I'm sorry I trusted you since you're a lying asshole. Next time, just lurk at a Hot Topic instead of wasting my time and getting Edelgard's hopes up."

She stomped out of the shop and slammed the door so hard that Hubert thought she might shatter it. He sat down and smiled. "I hope you know what you've gotten yourself into, Bernadetta," he said softly.

The walk to Raphael's was a quick one. The innkeeper waved to her, but she ignored him and headed straight to Bernie's residence. She banged on the door and shoved right past Bernie into her room. Bernie ran and ducked behind the bed, but Byleth didn't have time to be gentle. "Bernie, I can see your purple hair on the other side of the bed. You said you could show me the big picture. So, are you going to come out from there, or should I just leave?"

Bernie slowly rose, "You're right. Let's go."

Garreg Mach, 1180

Bernadetta attempted to throw all her plushies in the closet as Byleth watched, holding a complete tea set. Byleth begged her to stop because the tea set was getting heavy, so she dropped all her plushies in defeat. The Professor would see her for the stupid childish girl she was. To her amazement, Byleth set down the tea set, picked up the stuffed pitcher plant, and gave it a big squeeze. "Did you make all of these yourself, Bernadetta? That's amazing!"

Bernadetta watched in shock as Byleth examined every plush and hugged each one.

Crestwood

Byleth rode on the back of Bernie's scooter, deep into the woods. She followed Bernie to the remote cabin, where she and Dimitri took shelter from the storm. "You've been here before, right?" Bernie said as she knelt by the bed. "With Dimitri? It's no wonder you both were drawn here, it's where I keep my artifacts. "

She pulled out a small chest from under the bed and opened it in front of Byleth. It was full of drawings and drafts as well as other objects. She held out a wooden flask that looked oddly familiar to Byleth. Byleth took it from her and examined it closely. "I thought you would like that," Bernie said. "It was your father's."

Byleth was shocked, "How do you know?"

Bernie pulled out drawings of a ginger-haired man with a kind but weathered face and a young woman that looked remarkably like herself. "These were your parents, Byleth. Their names were Jeralt and Sitri. I knew Jeralt at the monastery so I could draw him. Your mother was a little trickier because I had to go off what I heard after that terrible incident with Aelfric, but I guess you don't remember that do you?

"What the hell are you getting at, Bernie? How could you possibly have met my parents? They've been dead since I was a baby, and we're the same age." Byleth couldn't believe any of this.

Bernie acknowledged her suspicion, but she continued, "I know it's hard to hear, but the reason that you've never been able to find anything out about your parents is that they never lived in this world. They lived in Fodlan before The Curse brought you all here."

Byleth couldn't deny that the man Bernie called Jeralt looked familiar, but this was all too much. She dropped the flask and backed away, "Who are you? Why are you telling me this?"

She was shaking, but her voice remained even, "I'm Bernadetta von Varley. I wrote my stories to try to make you and our friends remember who they are. I thought if I stayed hidden away, that my stories would be enough. But I failed. I realize now that I have to be brave and tell you in person."

Byleth felt rage boiling up inside her, "You can't make up stories about my parents and curses and expect me to believe you? I don't have time for this bullshit. It's beyond cruel. And Edelgard needs my help!"

Bernie tried to stand but lost her balance. Byleth felt slightly guilty and knelt next to her, "What's wrong? Why can't you stand?"

She pulled up her legging to show Byleth her leg. It looked perfectly normal to Byleth. "Okay, you have a healthy-looking leg - why can't you stand?" she said impatiently.

Bernie sighed in sadness. "It's my curse. Most people here are cursed with forgetting their true selves. My curse is to remember everything but be too afraid to do anything about it. Now I'm almost out of time. You don't see, do you? Even after what happened with Sylvain and Jeritza?"

Byleth stepped away from Bernie, "Why does it matter what I think? Why do you care what I do? What difference does it make?"

She staggered towards Byleth, "Because the town needs you! We have to go home! You're our only hope!"

"Then you're all screwed!" Byleth screamed in frustration and ran out of the cabin.

Garreg Mach, 1185

Bernie was relieved to be back at the monastery. It was the only place where she felt safe in her entire life. Gronder Field was a nightmare. In the chaos of battle, Edelgard mistakenly thought that Kingdom Archers slew Bernadetta, and so she decided to avenge her friend by burning everything in the vicinity. It would have been a really touching tribute if Bernadetta weren't still alive trying to defend the ballista. Raphael risked the flames and carried her out. Edelgard apologized profusely after the battle, but Bernadetta was done with war. Raphael had always accepted her, and the War hadn't changed that. Despite her anxiety, she was determined to do something nice for him. So, she fixed the largest cut of meat she could find with a side of vegetables.

He devoured her cooking with joy, and Bernadetta felt pride swell up in her chest.

"If you like it, I wouldn't mind making more," she offered.

He was elated, "Really?! That would be great! We've got to get this war over with so you can have more time to cook!"

She smiled, "I would like that."

Crestwood

Bernie returned to the motel in defeat and found Raphael in the middle of redecorating a room. He was hanging the large spoon on the wall. He heard her approach and turned around, "Hey, Room #2! Do you need something?"

She limped into the room, and Raphael rushed to her side, "You're hurt! Let me get you to the hospital!" He helped her to a chair.

"No, no, my leg is just acting up. I wanted to see how you're doing. Can I watch you decorate?"

"Well, sure! I bet you have all sorts of clever ideas!" he said enthusiastically.

Byleth stormed into the apartment, startling Edelgard. "I need to ask you something important - do you want to get away from Arundel?"

Edelgard nodded, and Byleth took her hands, "Then let's go. We're leaving Crestwood."