I'm alive. I have no promises on the next chapter, but neither I nor the fic are dead.
The final stretch of the journey was spent lost in her thoughts. The interaction with Dimitri still lingered in her mind. The lord held in his heart darkness. She heard whispers of the extent of his madness, only murmurs from Hubert and Felix's ramblings. Nothing was as substantive as their brief chat. It was nothing akin to the thoughts of grandeur by the Flame Emperor. Dimitri's vision was clouded by personal ailment. It was not debilitating, but she knew better than to ignore the dark clouds.
It was her willingness to overlook Edelgard's apathy that spurred the war. There were so many hints that she outright shrugged off, believing them necessary movements for some greater scheme toward progress. Her mind went as far back as Kostas and his attack on the lords. Her student was willing to incite war as far back as before the former professor's service to the Church began. Edelgard was implicated in Flayn's kidnapping. Even more so, she used the very opportunity to introduce herself and pitch her cause. She turned her back on Remire village, only giving empty platitudes after the crisis. She knew Monica's true identity, the assassin that cut down her father. All these details were available to the former professor at the Holy Tomb. Yet, she believed in El.
Byleth gritted her teeth and clenched her fist. She was not about to pretend that all was well. Her belief in the king was not shaken. That much remained true. If anything, she felt responsible for seeing him get better. He was the hope of Fódlan. His regime would usher the continent into a better age.
Her desire was to both dethrone the tyrant and install an enlightened despot. The very man that Dedue swore his allegiance to serve. Her conversation with him told of his confidence in Dimitri. Hubert was much the same. Unlike the dark mage, the fortress knight was an honest man. He showed his hand. He was a shield, not a dagger. A bonafide knight. Her glassy eyes landed on the city ahead, Fhirdiad.
It was by no means as grand as Enbarr. The Imperial capital was the continent's greatest city and an epicenter for culture. There was no way any location could compare. However, the Kingdom's heart was worth its dues. Poverty was easy to spot just by entering the gates. And yet, the famished and wounded looked resolved. For the people nearest the losing faction's seat of power, they seemed generally content with their lot in life. Food scarcity and civil unrest were likely present but less pronounced.
The reason why that was the case was obvious. The green-haired woman took notice of the priests and soldiers bearing the emblem of the Church. With Garreg Mach in the Empire's hands, the clergy's base of operations was seated in Fhirdiad. The Church offered the people of the city both prayers and bread. Zealotry was in the air. While the Empire and the Alliance were slowly purged of their religious elements, Seiros' name entered a renaissance in the very city they arrived in.
Her hand went to the helm that obscured her face. It was an idea that Dimitri proposed. He had one of his men offer up a smaller set of armor. The acceptable fit told that he procured the equipment likely from House Rowe over taking a spare from their company. The attire would hide her physical appearance from the Church. With a bounty on her head, there was bound to be hostility.
"Byleth?" She nearly jumped. Due to the sensitivity of her situation, hearing her name caused her momentary panic. Her eyes shot to Mercedes with a knowing look. The older woman had a habit of being a bit spacey. Current circumstances left her little room for slip-ups... barring her time pulse. Her manipulation of time had to be used sparingly, however. She was deep in enemy territory.
She knew better than to lower her guard in Dimitri's domain. Outside of elements like Cornelia and the dark cult, Rhea was bound to be hostile. "Lady Mercedes, please..." She played the role of a guard dutifully. Acting overly familiar with someone in the king's inner circle was not a wise move.
The plea earned an epiphany from the bishop. Her mouth formed an "o" at the realization. "Oh! I'm sorry," She was quick to apologize for her faux pas. Her words were genuine, enough to keep Byleth from being disappointed.
"It is fine," The younger woman sighed, "What was it not you wished to ask?" The cheery expression had her assuming it was not necessarily negative. Her mind went back to the night prior. The talk around the Death Knight, her brother Emile, surprisingly left the older woman on a better note.
"I was going to suggest that you attend tea... escort Annie and me to tea. I can imagine that the assignment will help you relax," The former professor was grateful for the bishop's consideration. Her friendship with the Lion was bound to be her only means of passing the times outside of training and strategizing.
Byleth was unsure if she truly deserved a reprieve. Her body was a vessel to correct the course of history. For the sake of sparing the continent from further bloodshed, she would sacrifice her budding emotions and tender heart for redemption. "I am grateful for the offer, but I must decline," She responded staunchly, "You needn't worry for me, Lady Mercedes."
Her plans were simple. She was to either report to Dimitri or await any of his orders. Anything else was frivolous and risky. Gaining the monarch's approval was one matter. Survival was the next step. Rhea and her cohorts were bound to make her role complicated. Her attention fell on the palace ahead. Many of the vacant rooms were filled with her former allies... former enemies? It was hard to say who was truly in her corner anymore. "You can give Lady Annette my regards."
Mercedes was quick to accept the request and offered a wide smile. "You can tell her yourself later. I am sure she would not mind welcoming you to Fhirdiad once you're settled." Their march had them nearing the great castle. It was only then that Byleth truly took in the swarm of the clergy. The emblem of the Church had her uneasy. As opposed to the Kingdom, the forces under Rhea were none too willing to accept her. She imagined that the archbishop was actively seeking her out most of all.
"I'll keep that in mind, milady," She meekly replied to the older woman. The newly appointed knight nearly forgot to give a proper response to the lady. The situation was starting to overwhelm all her senses. As a born mercenary, her life was dictated by her innate instincts. At that moment, her instincts shouted at her to flee.
Upon arriving at the first checkpoint, Mercedes' gaze shifted. Byleth followed her line of sight and noticed a small chapel. Her eyes were toward the rest of their company, particularly the king's carriage. He was in the process of being welcomed into his home. "Is this where we part ways?" The blonde asked, saddened by her early departure.
The other woman offered a curt nod. "I'm afraid so."
Before parting, they both offered the other a smile. Mercedes's gesture was far warmer and natural. Byleth's was somewhat crooked and invited suspicion. "If you are ever free, don't be shy." The blonde was not at all put off by her present company's awkwardness. She parted without a shred of discomfort.
Byleth continued to watch the woman disappear into the distance. She rejoined the company without another word. The visor on her helm hid her wandering gaze. Truth be told, it was her first time in Fhirdiad's castle. Unlike Enbarr, there were far few ornaments to line the halls. The decor consisted only of pelts and weapons, much her style compared to the luxurious vases and grand paintings. The then professor felt unnerved treading the imported rugs that filled Edelgard's estate. While they ventured further into the royal dwelling, there was little change in terms of the quality of materials.
Her gaze fell to the ground as she spotted more knights. The Knights of Seiros were everywhere. They mingled with the Kingdom loyalists like they were one and the same. This environment was far too dangerous for her to relax. Unlike the priests and priestesses of the faith, the knights knew her face well. Her father's tenure as Knight Captain and coupled with Alois's boisterous nature made her once a prodigal child to the order. Catherine too once sang her praise. But, her betrayal earned the ire of all her former allies. They sooner wanted her dead rather than on their side.
She did not blame them. Rhea's behavior earned some suspicion, but her rage was justified. Byleth had turned her blade on the woman and her people with the intent to bring them to ruin. She sought to realize Edelgard's dream of abolishing the entity entirely. It was only sheer luck that Dimitri accepted her. She trailed behind the king and his retainer, not at all wishing to draw any attention to herself. Officially, she was a new conscript in Rowe territory, a simple addition to his entourage. Her place in the Kingdom's knight order was supposedly near the bottom.
Yet, she was given no other orders than to follow the king. Dedue or the would-be guard captain said nothing to her. Without quarters or a general sense of layout, she would easily draw suspicion. That was not to say her best bet for surviving was remaining in Dimitri's range. She realized that as the king and his few remaining guards entered into the... war room.
Her face paled as she took in the occupants. Seteth, Alois, Catherine, and Gilbert were the faces she noticed immediately. None of them would likely treat her with any warmth. Barring Gilbert, the three others had reason to think her nefarious. Her father's former right hand, Alois, was tough to say. She believed he would think she desecrated her father's legacy. It was imperative none of them caught sight of her unmistakable mint eyes and locks.
"How fares the situation, your majesty?" Seteth began. His formalities were relaxed. As Rhea's advisor, his position likely allowed him to take a more casual tone. Granted, Dimitri was a big advocate of more direct speech.
The blonde offered a thin smile. "The reports I heard from Arianrhod tell that the Imperial invasion was pushed back. Reinforcements from House Rowe will further secure the fortress. Though, Cornelia's betrayal demands a more thorough screening of the broader army." The professional air around the king had Byleth momentarily awestruck. It was much the same with Edelgard and Claude when she first saw them. All three of them grew to be fine commanders. The Alliance deserved better than to be usurped.
She opted to remain with the other knights against the wall. The only one permitted to stand at Dimitri's side was Dedue. She stayed her tongue, not wishing to ever use her voice until she was vacated from the church's eye. Any clue could lead to her immediate downfall. For now, she needed to maintain as minuscule of a presence as possible.
Gilbert frowned at the almost harrowing news. The old knight was very expressive when it came to his emotions. His concerns were apparent before he even opened his mouth to speak up. "Your highness, you need not go on missions yourself. Your life matters more than anything else."
"I see no issues with any direct correspondences with the lords and generals," Dimitri was quick to respond. He crossed his arms and stood his ground. There was no stubbornness or grumbling. The monarch had command of the conversation and the room as a whole. He was larger than life, even with someone as tall as Dedue at his side. It had her momentarily in amazement.
His point was not enough to reassure the elder. His disapproval remained. "You could ask them to meet in Fhirdiad. We would do all we can to ensure your complete safety," The old knight suggested. He came from a place of care, completely intent on the preservation of his liege's life. In that way, Byleth secretly agreed with his sentiment. She shared the thought of ensuring Dimitri's preservation, even if it meant staying at his side constantly. Her time pulse would be his to command.
Despite being oblivious of her abilities and being well aware of the validity of Gilbert's words, the blonde shook his head to the notion. "That would only separate them from their territories or armies. We cannot afford to displace our troops at this crucial time. The fall of the Alliance has us fighting a two-front war." Their predicament truly did require maximum efficiency. Edelgard's victory was almost assured. If not for her sudden departure, the top brass would have their minds solely on the march to the Kingdom's heart.
"Ailell certainly has become a hotbed for violence," Alois added to the conversation. He sent glances around the vicinity, even turning his gaze to her. Her nonexistent heart nearly fell out of her chest at the attention. Thankfully, there was not a spark of recognition upon trying to catch her eyes. The visor worked to shroud her face entirely. Her father's friend continued to read the room. No one seemed to be entertaining his joke. Though, Byleth swore she spotted the king placing a hand over his mouth. "I'm, uh, sorry. That one just came to me."
The awkwardness lingered a few seconds more, much to the poor man's dismay. It was Seteth that cleared his throat and returned their collective attention to him. "Anyways, I should voice my agreement with Gilbert. Your life is vital for the war effort." There was no doubt that Dimitri was the last leg of both the Kingdom and the Church. His territory served as a base. His leadership unified the secular factions of the resistance against the Empire.
The blonde hummed to the man's input. "I assure you that I will be careful. I would rather not die either." His awkward chuckle at the grim topic was enough for Seteth to sigh and move on. There was no swaying the lord's foolhardy nature. Yet, his physical prowess was nothing to scoff at. Their time at the academy was told that he could handle himself well.
Seteth's eyes wandered to the knights present before he returned to the present discussion. "I should also mention the likes of Emperor and her Strike Force have been a concerning topic as of late." The shift in topics had everyone promptly reacting. Everyone had a stake in the state of Edelgard's place. Byleth already had an inkling of what was about to be said. A part of her hoped he was not too informed. Her whereabouts remaining a mystery was necessary for her survival.
"This is the first I'm hearing of this," Catherine finally butted into the conversation. Her behavior was consistent with how she was five years ago. The war changed little about her. That said, her age showed far more than Seteth. The stress of the ongoing conflict took a little toll on the man. Even for a simplistic mind like the holy knight, the bags under her eyes told of her state. "What's going on now?"
"A few informants stated a change in Edelgard's behavior. She has made no public appearances since her return from Derdriu." His answer attracted intrigue. Byleth too had to wonder what news he collected from the Empire. The eyes of spies went beyond hers at times. They had a greater chance of overhearing something sensitive, far too sensitive for a cold-hearted killer like herself. The former professor knew that some of her pupils saw her in a new light. The war made her appear more like a weapon than a mentor.
Catherine scratched her head at the knowledge. "So what? Maybe she's actually wimping." As crass as she put it, the older man humored her with a tired shake of the head. She was still a member of their round table. Her battlefield prestige out-shined her manners.
"If that were the case, then I would highly doubt she would have launched an attack on Arianrhod so brazenly," The reference to the fort had Byleth stiffen. The invasion was likely the talk of the castle. Nevertheless, he likely had enough intelligence to find an odd report of a green-haired woman armed with the Sword of the Creator. "On top of that, Hubert led the attack. Awfully suspicious when he was supposed to be under Edelgard's direct command, right?" His point stood. Until Arianrhod, her student participated in all major battles with the rest of their team.
It was Alois that reacted first to the implications. "What are you thinking then? Is she getting desperate or is this some kind of ploy?" There was genuine worry in his tone. The man was not devoid of fear or fury despite generally being cheery.
Seteth placed a hand to his face, likely contemplating the two thoughts. "I merely think something is off. This change in behavior and tactics seems rather unwarranted. With their victory in the Alliance, they would feel more inclined to continue their current strategy and use their momentum to launch a calculated strike. That is to say, if they can." All heads nodded along to the musings. Alois and Catherine both remained silent. Everyone was scrambling to find the missing puzzle piece, unaware the piece itself remained in the very room.
"Are you suggesting that they took heavier casualties than our estimates?" Gilbert added to the discussion. As a veteran knight, his presence in their council was understandable. Yet, the idea was not enough to convince Seteth to drop his suspicions.
The man scratched his chin. His attention was not all there at the moment. "Possibly. I cannot confirm my theory. All I know is that Edelgard is no longer present at the monastery. Hubert and his forces are situated along the southern border. None of this matches the accounts leading up to Leicester's surrender." Accounts of Edelgard's and Hubert's whereabouts were new for Byleth. She did not believe Hubert would remain on the battlefront for long. While a valuable member of her once proud Black Eagle Strike Force, his greatest use was at the Emperor's side.
Catherine frowned at the news, not at all keeping up with the unspoken words. Much of their discussion was spent crafting explanations. They all struggled to illustrate Edelgard's schemes. "Don't you think that's their intent then? They want to confuse us and make us unprepared for a sneak attack."
Once again, the answer was not enough to placate Seteth's thoughts. His expression still visualized his inquisitiveness. "That could be so, but this erratic behavior has us on higher alert. They did not make use of their full momentum either." Recent events were what warranted this particular war council. The need for representation from the Kingdom and the Church was a testament to the gravity of the situation. If it was truly Edelgard's intent to strike the Kingdom, she lost the perfect opportunity.
"Might I interject?" Dimitri spoke up. All eyes fell on the monarch. The calm disposition of the blonde had everyone beyond curious to know what he had to say.
Gilbert quickly nodded to the question. Byleth learned some time ago about the old knight's relation to his homeland. As she consoled Annette years ago, the girl confessed her father's background as a high ranking knight in Faerghus' court. The man swore himself directly to the royal family. "Of course, your majesty."
Dimitri offered a small smile to his knight and faced the war council. He carried himself with the utmost confidence, unbothered by the gap in experience between him and the rest. "Rodrigue informed me of a few possible developments. For one, Lysithea was found escaping to the Kingdom. She was briefly collaborating with the Black Eagle Strike Force." The news was not earth-shattering, but the promise was enticing to the Church representatives.
"Did she say anything to give clarity?" Seteth promptly asked. A firsthand account of Edelgard's circle provided a chance to explain her tactics. Though, the former professor could go into greater detail. She knew best to let the monarch speak for her, lest she revealed her identity and be executed.
The king's small nod was enough to capture the whole of Seteth's attention. The green-haired man's hands gripped the table, braced for any sort of answer. "She relayed an interesting message. The professor, Byleth, was caught in a scuffle near Arianrhod and was slain in the confusion." The aforementioned woman blinked at the news. Her confusion was thankfully obscured by her helm. Her mint eyes wandered to the others. Dedue and the other knights of the company looked unfazed by the news. That was not the case for the others.
Alois's reaction was the most pronounced. "She's dead?!" There was no glee in his voice. She knew he was resolved to kill her if need be, but she did not know if he would mourn. "Well, uh... she's with her father now." The knight's voice was small. His disbelief and sorrow were both suppressed by the setting. There was no room for remorse for a traitor.
"Are you absolutely certain?" Seteth on the other hand was candid with his surprise. His emotions were momentarily revealed. The thought of her death was likely out of the equation for him. Considering Rhea's involvement in her birth, Byleth wondered if Seteth was aware of her abilities. She imagined that most would think her immortal if they knew of her time pulses.
Dimitri once again affirmed the Church's advisor. "Lysithea witnessed the event firsthand. It was why she opted to reach out to us at this time. Both Rodrigue and Felix attested to me that her allegiance is to our cause." His even tone and unwavering gaze looked to reassure all present. Not a single soul showed any outright suspicion to his lie.
The news spurred further discussion. Seteth's sights returned to the map strewn across the table. "I see, that would explain recent events. The personal loss likely had Edelgard rethink her approach. This is possibly good news." The emphasis on the word was noticed by Byleth. She imagined the man was not fully convinced of her death or rather... it had something to do with her relic being unaccounted in the report. Whichever the case, the man did not explain himself fully.
"It's great news! Lady Rhea will be quite relieved to hear this," Catherine chimed in with absolute glee. Even if they were acquaintances, the jealousy built up by Rhea's favor for Byleth mixed with bad blood at her betrayal gave mirth to the swordmaster's voice. She was ecstatic at the thought of the former professor's death.
Seteth gratified her thoughts with a reluctant hum. "I suppose that could be the case. For now, we have to use new information accordingly. Retaking the monastery should be more feasible now. We will need to be cautious." The uncertainty of Byleth's fate had him even more lost in thought. The turn of events caused by a single woman's alleged demise would likely come to change the entire war.
Alois looked to be in agreement there. "That would be most prudent," He acknowledged absently. The man's usual brand of optimism and confidence were depleted. "Say, could I be excused?"
"Of course, Alois. Our meeting has been brief, yet fruitful. I will need time to further refine the plan before discussing it in greater detail," The green-haired man was not paying any mind to the order's knight. He continued to study the map and defer back to his notes.
Gilbert approached Dimitri as the meeting casually concluded. "Your highness, I will take my leave as well. Would you like me to report back tonight on any updates within the city?" Regardless of his parenting or messy stubble, the veteran did his due diligence.
The selfless offer was met with warmth. "That would be appreciated. Thank you, Gilbert." Dimitri's kindness toward his allies was always constant. She remembered well the genuine concern he showed his peers in the mock battle. He lacked the same kind of wicked efficiency that Edelgard and Claude displayed. At first, she thought it a weakness. It seemed easy to exploit his gentle side. Yet, his sheer strength and strategy of minimizing casualties served him well.
With a curt bow, Gilbert left. The king said nothing as he led his escort from the room back to the winding hallways. Once they were out of earshot, he leaned in and whispered directly into Byleth's ear. His voice and proximity had her momentarily flinch. "Come, we have our own meeting to attend. Will you be silent the whole way there?"
Byleth took a moment to compose herself. She needed the time to let her emotions calm. The thoughts that spawned in her head were inappropriate. "I don't want people to recognize my voice. I am supposed to be dead." She responded once the king and his entourage were far enough from the Church's representatives.
"You're right," Dimitri stated with a frown, "but it was not wholly my idea that we act as if you died. The thought was to tie up any loose ends for the time being. We will have more time to think up a better explanation. Though, I should've asked first if it bothers you." His concern for her once again had her brain going places. She opted to ground her imagination and keep from thinking too much about his politeness. He was that way with everyone. She was not special.
"It doesn't bother me. It's wise. Grim, yet wise." Byleth admitted. The sight of Alois's momentary grief had her, however, think that it was imperfect. It was uncomfortable to play dead at such a time too. She already spent five years presumed as much.
Dimitri saw right through her words with a frown. How he read her so well was beyond Byleth. But, she was certain that his stare reflected his doubts. "I'll make it up to you later. For now, we must plan accordingly. Your whereabouts will not matter if you're presumed dead."
The woman was willing to go along with that line of reasoning. "They won't be trying to actively search for me, right?"
"Exactly. I cannot say how events will play out. So for now, our best bet is to keep your fate to ourselves. Them working under the assumption that you're no longer alive is not too far from the truth either," the Church needed not to plan around on the off chance she was alive and in waiting to strike. She was no longer a variable for the counter strike.
Byleth continued the thought. "If you said I was out of commission or missing, they would believe that the strike force's next attack would be imminent. They would think it a ruse or a minor inconvenience." They continued down the hall and rounded a corner. Dimitri opted for the other knights to guard the door as he motioned for the female and Dedue to follow him into the nearest room. Instead of his throne room or anywhere as grand, it looked to be his private chambers.
The blonde rewarded her thought with a smile. "You catch on quickly. You have yet to lose your wit."
In response to his comment, the woman raised an eyebrow. "And what's that supposed to mean?" She spoke naturally. It was hard to be formal or respect his station when he spoke to her so casually.
"N-nothing!" The monarch squeaked, "I was only surprised... It is strange to see you act so similar. What were five years to me was months to you, right? It is hard to wrap my head around." She received that comment so many times. Everyone either commented on her appearance or her personality. While she felt like she was growing emotionally in that short amount of time, some habits and mannerisms would never leave her. She still resembled the person she was at the beginning of her appointment as a professor. She resembled herself far more than most others.
"It's fine, really. I forget my place. I should be bowing my head and kissing your feet," She made use of her rare kind of humor. Her interactions with Edelgard were what had her warm to the idea of being so blunt with the highborns. She did not need to hold her tongue like she usually would wealthier clientele.
"No need for that! Please!" It took a moment for Dimitri to realize her joke. In his defense, her deadpan tended to make her sound serious. "Oh... I see." He muttered out before giving a hearty laugh.
Byleth matched his laughter with a polite chuckle, at least it was more than Dedue. The retainer said nothing, only focused on preparing some tea. The woman seated herself on a nearby chair. Before she could tease him, the blonde added on another thought. "You should remove your helmet. It is only the three of us here."
It took a full minute of weighing her options to concede to the suggestion. "If you think it wise," She finally responded. She placed the piece of equipment on the ground beside her. If someone knocked, she would be able to grab the headgear and have it on in seconds.
"I bet it was getting stuffy in it. Once I have a room prepared for you, you can get rid of the armor too." The man seemed eager to let her relax. As much as he wished to prioritize her comfort, being stuck in a holding cell and bound had her happy with any kind of arrangement.
"It would be unwise to start undressing in your room," She let the words leave her mouth without awareness. The gravity of the situation continued to elude her. Dimitri's disposition was more akin to Edelgard's than Rhea's or Seteth's. She felt permitted to act however she liked.
The thought had the poor king double over. "No, no, I meant nothing like... You're teasing me again. Goddess, I'm too easy." He took a seat across from Byleth. Dedue all the while offered the two cups and went to stand beside the door. The woman imagined that the retainer preferred standing watch than joining them in conversation.
Byleth chose to remain at ease in his presence. It was what made the king happy. "Do you regret taking me along?" She initially meant to ask the question jokingly, but the delivery had it seem like she had her doubts.
Rather than question in the sudden dip in mood, the king pondered the question respectfully. "I don't see why I wouldn't. You're good company. It's far better than the alternative."
"Alternative?" She wondered what exactly he meant. Was he referring to Dedue? He was not exactly the best for conversation.
"Some nights I spend in Lady Rhea's company," He admitted to her. The small confession earned more confusion.
Dimitri frowned, his blue eyes fell to the floor. "You may have realized by now, but I'm not what you may have thought of me as. I'm no paragon knight or perfect hero. I have my struggles. To combat my episodes, the archbishop took it upon herself to console me."
When Byleth felt a sudden urge to grip her helmet, he was quick to dissuade her with a shake of the head. "She will not visit unannounced. She prefers to send a messenger first to invite me over. You don't have to fear the thought of her barging in."
The reassurance sufficed. Byleth believed in the king's words. Her blind faith with him made it easier to breathe and settle in her seat. Her blind faith had her put her instincts to rest. She was safe. Dimitri ensured that she would not need to be on high alert. His place across from her was soothing. She knew it was wrong to betray her earlier sentiments. She knew that using her voice, taking off her helmet, and dozing off were all bad ideas. But, she trusted him anyways.
She was completely confident in the king's judgment. He grew greatly over the years… but he really was not perfect. As soon as her worries were in the back of her mind, someone did barge into the prince's room.
"Chef Dedue! Chef Dedue! I'm ready for our lesson."