Glad to finally put out another chapter! Thank you Branded_King for betaing. Thank you to everyone for reading and reviewing. Without further adieu, I hope you enjoy.
"Sorry," Dimitri murmured weakly. The defeated look on the monarch's expression told that he genuinely did not expect this turn of events.
"Professor," The green-haired girl said with a gasp, "y-you're here. You really are here." Her eyes shot from the woman to the monarch and retainer frantically. "What is going on?" Her carefree gaze turned to one of complete fear. While Dedue tried to intervene and calm the girl, his silent reassurances were not enough to calm her.
The older-looking woman tried to salvage the situation. "Flayn," She said the other's name hesitantly, "I can explain. Just please relax. I can tell you everything." There was a lingering wariness. The girl was far more loyal to her father and Rhea than anyone in the Kingdom or Byleth. The poor girl was the only member of her class that didn't follow her path. Granted, Byleth could not blame her. Jeritza and Edelgard were responsible for her kidnapping.
The fact her professor aligned with the perpetrators was not lost on Flayn. The girl stared at Byleth with only uneasiness. Neither Dimitri and Dedue did well at resolving the female's fear. "I, I... I need to talk to my brother." She stuttered out and proceeded back toward the door.
Recognizing the danger, Byleth raised her hands to the air and tried to convince the other girl she was harmless. "Please, I did not come here for trouble. I'm trying to help you, all of you."
"How exactly can I trust you, Professor?" She was quick to fire back. There was little animosity in her tone, only sheer confusion. She looked somewhat afraid, likely since she saw something she should't've. The suspicious scene was bound to inspire the thought of conspiracy
"I... promise. My only intent is to make up for my mistakes." The truth was not enough to cut it. The revelation had the other completely frazzled. Byleth imagined Flayn's mind was only on flight. "I left Edelgard. I'm no longer your enemy."
Before either her or the men could react, Flayn retreated from the room and sprinted down the hall in a mad dash. Seteth was likely still minutes away. If he or any of the Church heard the girl's cries, it was game over. Byleth watched tiredly as she noticed the cleric draw the attention of nearby knights. The nature of the secret had the Kingdom's guards aid the younger girl over hamper her. They accordingly cleared a path for her.
Dimitri's orders to seize her were too little too late. In the span of seconds, she was gone. Flayn was out of sight. She was bound to alert Seteth too. This outcome was... not good. The forlorn expression on the king's face told that he was not ready to deal with the ramifications yet. The woman sighed at the outcome and decided to make use of her ability.
Byleth thankfully had the foresight to avoid the calamity. Parting with a time pulse so soon into her arrival was far from ideal. The woman knew that her limited amount would run out quickly. Accidents like her former student barging into the room she resided in were bound to happen often. Still, she needed to be prudent with her uses. She always needed to reserve a charge for Dimitri's health.
The march of time was halted and brought back to seconds prior to Flayn's arrival. The woman acted quickly to grab her helmet and cover her face. With her identity no longer at risk, she was calm as Flayn entered the room.
"Chef Dedue! Chef Dedue! I'm ready for our lesson."
Dimitri and his retainer did not understand Byleth's rash act until the female entered the room. They both spared glances to the woman before addressing the new female. "Please do not barge in on His Highness's room," The taller man stated bluntly.
His words made Byleth's student nod sheepishly at her faux pas. "Oh, my apologies, Dimitri. I did not mean to intrude." Her eyes wandered to the masked knight. She offered a small smile. "Who is this?"
The blonde was able to regain his composure and hide his confusion. "She is one of my new guards. Dedue suggested we add another knight, so that he can help instruct you on cooking." The lie earned a rare reaction from the retainer. Byleth could not tell if it was disappointment or fear, but she had to suppress a giggle lest she earned the chef's ire.
"Ooh, that is wonderful!" Flayn was brimming with glee. She was the same as always. "I'll share some of my dishes with you later to show my gratitude."
As kind as she sounded, Byleth already learned the horror that was Flayn's cooking. But, she knew better than to speak and reveal her identity. She stayed her tongue, more willing to choke on whatever abomination was conceived in the kitchen than expose her identity.
"I am famished from my journey here. I would not mind having a bite later," Dimitri offered with a smile. He truly was an angel.
"I will accompany you there," Dedue spoke up once more. He turned to the shorter woman and herded her out of the room dutifully. His initiative saved Byleth from possible exposure. With the revelation averted, the woman was saved from a nasty headache.
Even after she knew the duo was far off enough from the room, she kept her helmet on. Expending another time pulse would not be idiotic. Her finite amount put her in a difficult position. Her irregular sleep schedule ensured she would not have a lot of uses. Nothing about her current arrangement would make it easy to relax. Dimitri was no Sothis either. His machinations had risks. "Did you hear her coming?" The monarch asked.
His question had her pause, unsure of what to say on that matter. Her prompt move to shield her face was suspicious. Many in her class noticed her impossible reactions. Edelgard and the other lords saw her counter Kostas at Remire years ago. "Not exactly. It is... complicated to explain."
Her words spawned intrigue. Byleth recognized her fault for being so ominous. "Would you like to share with me?" Dimitri's inquiry was no command. He was only curious.
She took his words a bit differently. When Byleth truly thought about it, she was hiding key details from an important ally. Making the king suspicious would be the death of her. "I will. I promise," She was being completely sincere. The weight of her secret mattered less than her repentance. "It's not easy to tell. I haven't ever told anyone." She spared the detail from even her closest of friends.
"I see. Is it some sort of secret then?" Dimitri naturally prodded. She knew he meant no disrespect. Everything she said fed into his desire to learn more about her. She was a wild card in a chaotic period.
"Yes, it is," She was willing to admit that much. "Rhea, El, and my father never knew it." All three were oblivious to the true nature of her. To them, she was an enigmatic being. She always knew what was going to come. A part of her wished she told her father if only to reassure the man she would be fine.
Rather than focus on the meaning behind her words, Dimitri's attention was lost. "El..." The nickname was parroted. Byleth understood that mentioning his nemesis would earn a sour reaction. But, she noticed how he said her name. It was not in his voice animosity. It sounded like he was conflicted, unsure of how to feel.
Regardless, the mere mention tainted the mood. "Oh sorry. I didn't mean to use her name so flagrantly. I meant, the emperor." Byleth corrected meekly. She felt the need to apologize for the slip-up.
Dimitri did not respond immediately. He gave an absent stare toward a random direction. "It's no problem. I, uh, just let my mind wander a moment. Nothing more," He eventually answered. His lack of focus told that he was not all there. His expression inspired some worry in Byleth, but she did not press him.
"Well, I will tell you very soon. For now, uh... would you like for me to return to my quarters?" She assumed he was no longer in the mood to talk details. The glossy look in his eyes to his scattered attention supported the assumption.
Her words were enough to snap him from his delusions. His cool blue eyes asked her to remain sitting. "There is more to discuss. Now that there are no more interruptions, I'll continue. You will be acting as one of my primary guards, but I expect more than just protection. Your knowledge of the Empire and battlefield expertise are too valuable to have you remain on the sidelines. In that regard, it will be necessary to add your wisdom to our ranks." His explanation made complete sense. It gave the woman hope that she would be able to meaningfully participate in the war.
Before she could voice her doubts to his insight, Dimitri cut her off and continued his thought. "As you are already aware, having you participate in the roundtables and war conferences is currently not feasible. Relaying information to me in public is also an imperfect method. It will draw suspicion, having you whisper in my ear." It would not be a good look to have a masked soldier feeding the King information so flagrantly. Even in private, whispers and rumors could lead to scrutiny. Her identity was in jeopardy when with the monarch.
Byleth lacked the imagination to make up a new method of communication. She had her codes and signals, but sensitive details could not be expressed through smoke or hand gestures. "What would you propose then? I can neither speak to you or others."
"Not to worry, I have a plan." Dimitri smiled, proud of whatever came into his head. His confidence did nothing for the woman. After his earlier blunder, she did not think his idea would be smooth sailing.
"Need I remind you that Flayn almost discovered me?" Considering Dimitri's trust in her, the woman felt willing to be blunt with her thoughts. Everything hinged on her identity. So long as nobody knew who she was, she could easily feed the Kingdom necessary intel.
The blonde scratched the back of his neck sheepishly. "Well... I would've thought something out."
"You would've reacted too slowly. I saw that happen," she blinked at her misspeak as soon as it left her lips. She did not mean to blurt out the impossible reality.
"You saw what?" He asked, mildly confused about what she meant.
It was not yet time to fully outline her godly powers. They needed to focus on the task at hand. "Never mind... What exactly does your plan entail?"
Dimitri offered an apologetic smile. "It is... still in the works."
The former professor blinked and suppressed a groan. She remembered the Lion being far more thoughtful in the past. Still, she was not wholly surprised. "As in you don't have a plan?" She probed him, wanting to know how much she would need to involve herself in his politicking.
Some hope returned as he shook his head to her question. "No, no, I have one. I have been thinking it over since receiving Rodrigue's letter. I only need a little more time." Time. She likely did not have much. She would be at risk of revealing herself at every part of the day.
"Have you always been this vague?" She massaged her temples. Her exasperation was evident. In the past, she had her deadpan to hide her frustration.
Dimitri attempted to remain hopeful. His positive attitude was positively radiant but easy to see through. He was not entirely confident in the task ahead. "I'd like to think not. Please understand that I want your aid still and will mediate an agreement."
One word stood out in his sentence. "Mediation? Rhea will have my head if she so much as sees me." Byleth knew there was no room to talk. The archbishop's animosity toward her was indisputable. She would sooner see her dead than cooperative.
The blonde hummed at the comment. "Then, it is a matter of aligning ourselves with more sympathetic parties. I am sure not all in the Church think ill of you." His words raised an eyebrow. He almost made it sound like he sought to usurp Rhea's base. Whatever the case, Byleth knew his plan would require her abilities to see work.
"Alois?" Byleth inquired. Out of everyone, he cared for her the most. His optimistic nature too would make him willing to readmit her into their ranks. The only problem was that he lacked any clout outside of his division of the knights.
"He's not alone in his optimism for you," the king added. His remark had Byleth running through the roster of the Church. The other notable knights detested her.
It occurred to Byleth to think outside of that realm. She recalled another possible name. "Flayn? Do you think she could trust me after I betrayed her?" After Alois, the younger girl held her the most highly.
Dimitri's nod confirmed her thought. "In her case, we would only need to make sure she hears you out wholly." His idea had merits. Through Flayn, they can reach Seteth better. As the Church's second in command, he would have some sway. He could theoretically legitimize her position.
Byleth sighed to herself at how difficult that would be still. The girl fled the moment after she caught sight of her mug. "Good that did the last time..." She muttered to herself before collecting her thoughts. "How will you arrange that to happen?"
"I am getting there. No need to worry that far ahead," his remark only stoked her worries. Within enemy territory, she was beyond vigilant and hyper-aware of what one wrong turn could mean.
She still wanted to believe in her ally. Trust in him was what brought her to his doorstep. "Considering how easy it would be for me to be unmasked, you may need to plan for the near future."
The blonde appeared to agree with her sentiment. "You're... right. I may need to think over a few alternatives." He tapped a finger to his chin.
As he thought to himself, Byleth thought over if there were any means of salvaging her conversation with Flayn. She wondered if there was any better way of getting through to her former student. Were there any means of salvaging that situation?
Glass cracked. The world froze. Alone in the cosmic void between time, the woman decided on whether or not she was foolish enough to expend time pulses on a simple whim. It would be reckless, amount to little more than failure. She had little hope in convincing the cleric in their earlier encounter. Still, she wanted to make progress. They did not have the luxury of time.
But... Why waste two time pulses when she could only waste one?
Time resumed. Byleth's eyes intently honed in on the monarch. "I would like to try your plan, or at least talk with Flayn now. I think I have an idea."
Her sudden change of heart earned the rise of an eyebrow. Dimitri looked at her curiously, still oblivious to the lack of severity of her choice. He knew nothing of her time abilities. She was essentially taking a risky initiative in his eyes. Even if it was his thought to talk with the girl, he likely preferred taking his time with the approach. She thought that was the case.
"If you feel confident, then I will permit it." Dimitri responded causally.
"What?!" Byleth's jaw dropped. What spurred this level of trust? She was befuddled by his decision. "Do you really think it's smart? For all you know, she could tattle on us both."
"Yet, you decided to talk to her anyway. You seem assured," he answered cooly. The woman felt her blood course faster through her. She was more than overwhelmed by his faith in her. She was neither angered nor disappointed in him. She was flustered.
The pink dusting on her cheeks disappeared after a few moments. Byleth took a deep breath before giving a coherent response. "I... guess you are right. I do feel sure. Mostly." Her head was spinning, unsure of what to make of his behavior. There needed to be more at play, something that Dimitri was hiding. He already had her life in his hands. Was he trying to earn her obedience?
The woman shook her head at the very notion. He was not like that. Her attention returned to the monarch. He did not seem to fully register her inner turmoil. His azure eyes reflected only hope. "That is good enough for me. Do you wish for me to escort you to the kitchen? I assume they are still there."
His offer reminded her that the cleric was with the retainer still. Her stomach dropped when she thought of what Flayn was doing at the time. She did not mind the king's assistance in guiding her and his lack of taste. It meant that he could digest most of what she served. "I would like that."
"Splendid," his smile lulled her. She barely paid attention as they departed the personal quarters and entered the hall. The fellow knights saluted and trailed behind the duo.
The empty halls tempted Byleth to speak. The silence gave her ample time to think about what the other told her. She wondered if there was a specific reason for the level of trust granted to her. One idea came to mind. "Dimitri, do you..." she stopped herself, "never mind." They were still in public. It would be wrong to probe the monarch's feelings with an audience.
The blonde did not catch on to her initial intent, but he still dignified her with a smile. "We can talk later. I am more than happy to chat," his voice exuded warmth. His every invitation had her feeling relieved. She felt less and less afraid to speak her mind.
She wanted to continue her thought, spurred by his support. "You..." she lost her steam as she spoke. "Fine. We can talk more later." She resigned herself to another conversation. Her unofficial advisory role would allow her a chance later to discuss with him. Until then, she accepted the quiet that followed. She preferred the lack of conversation to the chattering of the clergy. Her body visibly tensed each time they passed a flock of priests. The emblem of the Church reminded her well of Rhea's scornful words.
The palace's sheer size made for many uncomfortable instances. Thankfully, she did not see any familiar faces. She was grateful to arrive at the kitchen with no incidents. There were a number of servants present, but it was extremely easy to spot the retainer in the bustling environment. Byleth's mint eyes honed in on the mountain of a man. He dwarfed all around him, especially the girl at his side. Flayn's bright hair color provided some contrast from the crowd at least.
Once noticed, everything came to a halt. The staff offered bows and greetings to their despot. The commotion drew both Dedue's and Flayn's attention. The people cleared a path as Dimitri approached his peers. "As much as I hate interrupting your lesson, I would like to ask for your audience, Flayn." He cordially asked the other girl to follow.
Not one to be discourteous, the cleric beamed. "It is no issue. Chef Dedue was about to partake in my boiled carrots." A look was shared between the former professor and royal retainer. He was a beyond-patient master. Had she only progressed to boiling vegetables since last they saw each other? In any case, she didn't have to worry about the girl burning down the kitchen. Then again, Annette was also in the capital. She shuddered at the memory of the smoke billowing from the mess hall. Seteth nearly popped a vein that day.
Still, that was not her problem. Her focus was on having a conversation with the girl. There were still some doubts about wasting a time pulse so flagrantly, but she knew that time was an equally fleeting resource. "Would you please follow me?" The monarch's kind smile and relaxed demeanor gave no clues into the revelation.
Dedue looked to catch on quickly. He appeared uncertain of the idea, but his trust in his liege kept him from speaking up. He had no reservations, merely nodded, and started to tidy up the kitchen space.
"But of course," The girl beamed and joined the king at his side. She had no qualms with standing beside royalty. "Where shall we go?"
"I was thinking we could talk in the study over some biscuits," he suggested. Byleth hoped that the room would be far more secluded, enough of a distance from any of the Church's prying eyes. For this conversation to work, she needed Flayn to be still. Isolation was not ideal, but it was the best she could do.
The promise of sweets earned a jubilant reaction from the girl. "That would be lovely. Will your knights be joining us?" Her gaze fell on the company. Byleth did not flinch, mentally readying herself already to do more than gawk at her former student. She stood firm, undaunted by her first challenge in Fhirdiad.
Dimitri shook his head. "Only just the one. The rest shall stand by for further orders," his words had the other knights cease their movements. They lined up, watching Dedue and Byleth act as the king's entourage.
Flayn appeared to register Byleth's presence immediately. "Ah, the new guard! How marvelous. Do you plan to have her learn from me?" The question had the masked woman blink. Her eyes went back in the direction of the kitchen.
The king chuckled at the idea. "Something like that." He said nothing more than that, merely guiding the two ladies and Dedue to the room. The winding halls and inexorable silence confirmed Byleth's assumption. Even if the blonde did not see the alternate events, he still had the better sense to go somewhere secluded.
The study matched that idea perfectly. The nearest rooms were unoccupied. The large bookshelves and clutter made a mad dash impossible. As ominous as the setting was, the other girl was none the wiser. The professor would have to talk with her former student on situational awareness.
"Allow me to prepare the snack," Dedue stated flatly. Unlikely earlier, the retainer remained near the door. He had half a sense to stop anyone from barging in like the cleric earlier.
"Would you care for a bite yourself?" Dimitri was a considerate soul. He so gladly asked his newest attendant. As much as his intentions were well-meaning, Byleth did not feel ready to reveal herself. She instead shook her head, plenty happy with the earlier hospitality.
The mute reply registered with the blonde. He rested his head against his hand, apparently embarrassed with himself. "Oh right. My bad."
Flayn was unbothered by the scene. She merely hummed and watched the small platter of biscuits. "What did you wish to discuss?" Her complete obliviousness made what came next much harder. The green-haired girl sounded so whimsical, unaware that she was in the same room as the Church's most wanted woman. "I imagine that my brother has said something unnecessary again. I can assure you that you needn't avoid me."
Her assumption was fair. Byleth blanched at all her students remarking on the father's overprotectiveness. Dimitri went ahead and responded to the idea. "That is not it at all. Rather, I felt... we felt the need to include you on a secret. A very big secret."
His wording earned Flayn's wonder. She was practically starry-eyed at the thought. She bounced in her seat across the desk. "Oh? Do tell! I mean, I am honored by your level of trust in me."
A look was shared between monarch and guard. "Shall I start?" The monarch asked his servant. When met with a curt nod, he gave a half-hearted smile. "Very well. I can make things easier to digest for her first. Flayn, what are your thoughts on the current state of the war? I want a serious answer." The king's expression remained pleasant all the same.
The cleric thought to herself briefly. As carefree as she was, the girl was not useless on a battlefield. She was very competent at leading her battalions too. It was a surprise to many that she managed to outmaneuver her peers during practice battles. "I am not certain what the future holds. We have yet to retake the monastery. It may take years before we make a breakthrough. Does that sound right?"
Dimitri hummed in agreement at the observation. "Indeed, the situation is bleak. Without the Alliance as a buffer, we are open to multiple fronts." His eyes trailed to a nearby map. Pins lined out the new borders with the Kingdom and Empire. They were almost entirely encircled on land.
Flayn's expression soured at the mention of recent events. She knotted her fingers and tried to hold back her frown. "It is strange to think Claude is no longer with us. I miss him dearly."
"As do I," the monarch agreed. "However, our position is not all bad." The optimism in his voice curried a reaction. His present company stared at him intently. They were all curious. Byleth, and likely Dedue, wondered how the blonde would proceed.
"Oh? Do tell! Is this the secret?" Flayn was practically bouncing in her seat.
Dimitri appeared to hesitate, unsure of whether to confirm or deny the thought. "Partially. It is something that Seteth only knows a little of."
His wording had the cleric captivated. Her eyes reflected sheer wonder. The biscuits offered by Dedue went ignored. "Then go on! I must have a listen."
The monarch seemed to take her words as an invitation. "Very well. There was a sighting of Byleth on the battlefield." The name caused a pin to drop. The silence was momentarily deafening. The girl looked perplexed by the news, unsure of what the report meant.
Her eyebrow raised. "Is she causing us trouble still? I... do not feel like it is in my best interest to listen." She acted visibly uncomfortable at the mention of her former professor. The complicated history between them likely put a damper on the conversation.
Rather than heed the sentiment, Dimitri raised his hands and motioned for Flayn to remain. Thankfully, the cleric stayed, still somewhat curious about the king's secret. "Now, now, you deserve to know. There were reports of her death."
The news had Flayn pause. She tensed up at the words. "She died?" There was some hurt in her voice. She surprisingly felt little relief at the idea of her enemy's death. "I... may not be happy with her actions, but she still is my teacher. Is there any reason you felt it pertinent to tell me this yourself? Is this about testing my loyalty?"
"Not at all," the blonde was quick to clarify. "Rather, I wanted to let you know that those were the rumors reported at the war council, but... they are not true." Byleth continued to hold her tongue, but it was getting harder. She was growing impatient.
Flayn frowned at the information. "Then what truly has changed, Dimitri? Forgive me, but I do not see the necessity of this news." From her perspective, reporting her professor's death was meaningless, counterproductive even. If she truly was still alive, what was the point in believing she was dead?
Byleth understood where the royal was coming from. He was working Flayn up toward the real truth. Still, she felt like it was time to lift the curtain and reveal the secret. "You don't have to be so vague, your highness. You are only confusing her. Allow me to help"
"I figured it would be wise to let her know what everyone believes first," he sheepishly explained.
Flayn's expression changed then. Clarity registered on her face. Her eyes widened and locked on the female knight. "That voice... It can't be."
The immediate recognition meant her helm was useless. With Dedue dutifully blocking the entrance and exit, she felt no fear in removing the headgear. "It has been far too long, Flayn. Please, all I ask is your ear. I mean you no harm." Her mint eyes met a similar pair. Byleth brushed back her unkempt hair as she deposited her armor to the floor beside her.
Much like before, Flayn looked fearful of her present company. "Why are you here? Have you come to kidnap me...?" Her eyes darted to the king and retainer. She only appeared to register then that she was cornered.
The woman shook her head at the idea. She kept her arms at her sides. Her relaxed posture was an unspoken attempt to ease the other's worries. "Not at all. I wish to be honest with you."
"Why are you here?" Flayn hissed, reiterating her question. The cleric at least did not think to flee. She thankfully remained in her seat.
Byleth felt it best to cut straight to the chase. "I am here to atone for my crimes. I have betrayed Edelgard," she stated bluntly. She no longer associated herself with the Emperor and preferred everyone understood that.
Flayn still looked doubtful. Her skepticism was not sated by mere words. "I was not born yesterday, Professor. Have you done something with the king and Chef Dedue?" Both men blinked at the idea.
Dimitri looked almost perturbed at the insinuation. "Flayn. I brought her here after she assisted at the Siege of Arianrhod. She was a valuable ally there and seeks to provide us valuable intelligence. I trust her." Though, his adamant belief in Byleth had her feeling in better spirits. She felt almost charmed by his insistence.
The cleric looked at the royal with disbelief. "You... must be playing a prank on me. This is not funny." She crossed her arms, not yet ready to believe reality. Byleth did not blame her. Still, the former professor would have preferred a warmer reception. She was spoiled by Dimitri's belief in her.
The mint-haired woman was compelled to deny the suspicions. Not that she deserved any better treatment, she rather felt a pit in her stomach at the thought of being complicit in Edelgard's schemes. She was, but she wished not to be any longer. "I did not want this war. I only went along with Edelgard because she was my student. On that day, I felt that I had no other choice than to defend her."
The plea earned a reaction. "I was your student too, Professor!" Byleth noticed the hurt in the other's voice. "I participated in the Battle of Eagle and Lion alongside you and the rest of the class. I lent my stave to those at Remire. I sought to aid you in your quest against Jeralt's murderers." Throughout each of those events, the girl was there with her. When the day came to choose between the Church and the Empire, she had to choose which of her students mattered more. At the time, she wanted to make sure her house leader lived. She did not think of how her actions may have hurt her newer addition.
"It was hard to make my choice when Rhea was ordering me to kill her. I hesitated. I wanted to protect her. She was like a sister to me. And, I… was unable to hate her," the woman tried to explain. She wanted Flayn to understand her urgency and duress. It was a difficult scenario that dragged her into the war.
Byleth's words managed to earn a meek nod. "I... don't doubt that. You cared for us all, but you still fought against the monastery. You invaded the Alliance, killed our friends." The reminder felt like a knife in the heart. The vivid memories weighed heavy on her mind every day. Her sleep was often disturbed by her regrets. Not a day would go by that Claude's shadow would not loom over her.
She solemnly nodded at the allegations. "Why do you think I left? I didn't want this war," she never wanted any of this. She wanted her class to remain whole. She wanted to protect her dearest friends. Hubert and Edelgard were the closest she had to a family after she lost her father.
"But you orchestrated the invasion into Leicester," Flayn pointedly mentioned. She was not wrong.
Therein lies Byleth's foolishness. If she wanted to protect all of her students, she would have abandoned it all. She would have stayed dead and never returned to the madness. Instead, she wanted to seek out her class and devote herself to their earnest ambitions. "I did so thinking that the bloodshed would end once the Empire won. I thought supporting her could stop the killing."
"You changed your mind?" The cleric still sounded guarded, unable to fully believe what she was hearing.
The answer was obvious. "I did. I couldn't stomach the devastation. I felt like the villain. I was fighting for someone that believed bloody upheaval was the answer. I knew Claude. I knew him enough. He sought to change Fódlan from the inside, and yet we sealed his fate at Derdriu." Claude's death was her turning point. What was the point of spilling his blood? To make sure he did not return with an Almyran army? She wanted to believe he would have disapproved of another invasion of the Throat.
"You regret supporting Edelgard," the words sounded so weird from the cleric. She did not sound like she fully believed herself. She said nothing more, too preoccupied with her own thoughts.
Still, Byleth gladly reaffirmed her new allegiance. "Correct. I do not think she should have the power to rule the continent, not when she wanted this war. She must be stopped and punished for her misdeeds, both against you and all of the continent." It was hard to wrap her head around the memory of Edelgard as the very Flame Emperor that ordered the Death Knight to retreat from the underground base. She imagined the revelation of Edelgard's identity hit the girl especially hard.
What she said felt like not enough. The quiet had the woman needing to add to her statement. "I do not expect your forgiveness. I only ask that you hear me out. Please listen to me and understand that I mean no harm."
"I will listen," Flayn replied quietly.
That... was not what Byleth thought the other would say. She assumed the cleric would still be critical of her presence. "What?"
The girl showed her more mature side as she leveled her gaze and remained composed in the face of her former enemy. "I said I will listen. Even if I do not trust you, you never lied to me before. You were always so kind and fought for what you held true to yourself. I want to believe in you, so I will listen."
"Thank you so much."