"We meet again, professor this is my friend Felix and my friend Ingrid," Politely, I introduce the two, Felix huffing, still pouting as he puts the blades away, turning his back to continue training while Ingrid graciously greets the professor. However despite the greetings in return, her focus remains solely on me with her creepy fish like stare.
"You know if you got something to say, say it," I scowl at her arms crossed.
"You don't spend time with your fellow classmates." Sternly, she deadpans as I note her stoic features once more making me frown.
"Um what do you think I'm doing now?" Teasingly, I smirk hoping for some sort of reaction only to be disappointed to find none.
"I mean with your Golden Deer classmates." She points out blandly.
"And what be subjected to the day-care? No thanks." Scoffing, I shake my head at the thought.
"They want to get to know you." She tells me as I roll my eyes.
"No they want to get to know the prince's sister that's all and I don't have time for it." Annoyed, I deadpan to the moron.
"Claude seems to like you," Professor says to me.
"Yes he 'likes' a lot of people that boy. Look professor that kid lies through his teeth all the time f you hadn't noticed while all the girls and boys swoon they have no idea the hidden reason for it, he's not to be trusted." Tiredly, I warn her, not wishing for another victim of Claude.
"And you know this when you haven't even bothered to spend time with them all?" She crosses her arms making me go silent.
"She's got you there." Ingrid points out making me frown playfully at the smirking blonde.
"Isolating yourself from your peers will only causes more suffering, give them a chance that's all I ask," She requests turning her back to me.
"I'll think about it." I mutter as she nods and leaves.
"You going to think about it?" Felix questions as soon as the professor is out of earshot.
"Hah no!" Cackling, I laugh at the silly thought shaking my head as we return to training…
Humming, I smile as Ingrid and I approach the stables, my smile brightening at the sight of a peculiar raven Pegasus earning a few looks from other students fearful of Cress.
"Shouldn't you be in lesson?" Ingrid questions me as we approach our Pegasus's.
"Shouldn't you?" I counter opening the door to the stable allowing Cress to stretch her legs a bit more.
"The professor gave us a day off today," Ingrid informs me as I reach out petting Cress' beautiful murky mane leaning into my familiar touch.
"Wow, great start in her career…" Sarcastically, I remark as I get her gear on, giving her a quick breakfast.
"I'm sure she has her reasons." Ingrid reasons following after me.
"Suuure….now come on if we're fast we can catch the sun rising up from the clouds," Excitedly, I smile eager to see the beautiful scene high in the heavens as I get on Cress, Ingrid following my movements on her own Pegasus.
"Alright, alright." Ingrid sighs smiling as we take off, my smile widening at the ice cool winds brushing past my blonde locks, enjoying the cool wind combing through my locks as Ingrid and I begin performing manoeuvres.
"It's gorgeous," Dazzled, she compliments in awe as we watch the sun rise from the heavenly glow of the soft clouds.
"Told ya! Hah I remember when I was younger. I used to come out here all the time," Chuckling, I recall fondly.
"You ever brought Dimitri? Ingrid inquires.
"Sometimes though he would cling to me one time he even broke a rib," Pained, I grimace at the memory my hand briefly touching the old wound.
"I thought you fell from a tree." Ingrid frowns.
"Well…" Sheepish, I trail off remembering my worried father gushing over to me with a wailing Dimitri and concerned step mother fretting over me.
"Mallory." Firmly, Ingrid frowns.
"What I couldn't let Dimitri know he'd be all teary eyed and it would be bothersome!" I complain annoyed at the thought.
"Hey don't you have class today though?" Ingrid brings up.
"Maaybe…" I trial off cheekily.
"Mallory!" Ingrid hisses.
"What!?" I frown perplexed.
"You complain about these guy not being studious or attending class and what are you doing?" Ingrid points out frustrated.
"Well I know what I'm doing I don't need some teacher telling me what I already know." Smirking, I huff.
"Just cause you have Hanneman doesn't mean you can do this sort of thing," Ingrid furrows her brow.
"Oh please that moron is too obsessed with his research to realize he's teaching." Aggravated, I huff.
"That's cruel Mallory." Ingrid points out.
"That's life Ingrid." I counter smirking.
"Come on we should get going I don't want an argument today." Exhausted, Ingrid sighs as we return back to the monastery, landing.
"Fine by me." Stretching, I smile enjoying the comforting warm glow of the sun as Ingrid leaves, going off to study while I turn to Cress, gently placing her in her stable, her long coal back feathered wings fluttering as I gently soothe the excited Pegasus, calming her down as I get out my brush beginning to comb through her long feathers, tending to her that is until, the soft sound of meek footsteps echo making me frown as I turn to find to my surprise guest, with bright blue hair much to my annoyance…
What could she want?
"You. Just what are you up to?" Scowling, Lorenz approaches Claude.
"Well, if it isn't Lorenz!" Happily, Claude greets his sceptical ally.
"Yes, it is. Try not to sound so affronted. And you're just whimsically wandering the monastery grounds again, I suppose?" Lorenz scoffs.
"Oh, naturally. After all, I really do adore the Garreg Mach Monastery," Sarcastically, Claude smirks.
"No, I think not. That impish look on your face does not suggest innocence. You are up to something." Lorenz accuses.
"Lorenz, control yourself. Let's not start throwing around baseless accusations. It's not proper. This monastery is packed with a thousand years of history. Well, five years shy of a thousand, if we're going for accuracy. Those pillars, these walls, even the floor... They've all seen more than we can possibly imagine. Our distant ancestors may have walked these halls. Doesn't that excite you?" Claude questions him curious.
"Perhaps, if this were a discussion about art. But I'm afraid walls and floors are not sufficiently interesting to hold my attention. Nor will they suffice to distract me from what is plainly suspicious about you. House Riegan was on the brink of collapse until they suddenly revealed you as their legitimate heir. That was only a year ago. Where were you before that? Are you even a true heir to House Riegan?" Lorenz considers questioning Claude.
"If I weren't truly of House Riegan descent, how do you imagine I acquired my Crest?" Calmly, Claude rebukes.
"A Crest is insufficient! I am referring to your noble disposition— or lack thereof!" Furious, Lorenz snaps.
"Well, that's what I came here to hone, after all. I can only hope that you will assent to instruct me in the art of snobbery, Professor Lorenz!" Claude mockingly bows to the scowling Lorenz.
"I do not think you grasp the significance of the responsibility you bear. Do you even know what it means to lead the Leicester Alliance? I take no pleasure in saying this, but much of the chaos in our ranks right now is due to the failings of House Riegan's leadership. I intend to set things right. And once I expose you for the fraud you are, and reclaim my rightful place, that is precisely what I will do. To be blunt... it would have been better had you never shown your face around here. And I am glad I am not the only one to think so…" Proudly, Lorenz declares storming off leaving Claude to this thoughts after that declaration.
"Sheesh, that guy. He just can't be reasoned with." Disappointed, Claude shakes his head at the lost cause, leaving to tend to his own matters.
"Hey, Lorenz. Got a minute?" Frustrated, Lorenz after his little tiff with Claude halts in his steps at the call of his name, making him turn to his housemate Leonie.
"Certainly. I trust you're well?" Calmly, Lorenz regains his composure turning to Leonie.
"Doing great! I found a load of old weapons. Just got done hauling them out of storage, Leonie reports to him smirking, pleased with her catch.
"Old weapons you say? If they are any interesting swords in there, I would love to see them." Hopeful, Lorenz requests.
"They might only be good for training, but with a little care, who knows? Here, have some oil," Leonie passes him.
"And...why exactly are you giving this to me?" Struggling, Lorenz stares down at the object in his pure snow white gloved hands.
"Like I said, they need a little care. With a bit of maintenance, some of these will really shine!" Leonie reasons.
"Yes, I heard you. So why did you give me the oil?" Perplexed, Lorenz enquires.
"Leonie: It's for polishing, Lorenz. Don't tell me you've never polished a weapon before." Leonie exclaims.
"That is hardly a task befitting someone of my station. If you had an exquisite blade, something of real historical significance to complement my noble heritage, that would be another matter." Lorenz explains making her frown.
"In that case, appraise while you polish. You're bound to find something good, working through these," Leonie tells him.
"This seems as fine an occasion as any to air my grievances. I am a highborn noble. As such, it is my sworn duty to protect the common folk. I have no time for trivialities. What's more, you seem to be under the misapprehension that you can order me about. Please think carefully about how you speak to me," Calmly, Lorenz exclaims oblivious to the rising tension caused by himself.
"I'm not ordering you around. And I'm not talking to you as a noble either. I'm asking you to help me with this. As a friend." Gently, she tells him reigning in her burning fire.
"I am your friend, but I am also a noble. Those two qualities are not mutually exclusive, Lorenz reminds her.
"Oh, good! Let's get to it, then, buddy! Brightly, Leonie smiles.
"Nnngh..." Grimacing, Lorenz begins shining the weapons with Leonie by his side, learning the aspect of hard work…
"G-Good morning," Shakily, Marianne greets me, her head down shyly fearful.
"Morning," I mutter boredom evident in my tone.
"Y-You weren't in lesson today." Marianne points out.
"Yep." I confirm noting her brief flinch fearful of my harsh tone as I frown.
"T-The professor wanted you there." Marianne tells me.
"Wait what?" I frown confused.
"She's planning to cover both the lions and the golden deers due to professor Hanneman's research," Timidly, Marianne informs me.
"That's a bit selfish." Snidely, I remark making her flinch
"Professor H-Hanneman had a scientific discovery," Shakily, Marianne whispers..
"Right and you're here?" I furrow my brow confused.
"T-The professor is looking for you," Marianne informs me.
"Right…" I trail off.
"Sh-Shouldn't you go after her?" She frowns when noting me kneeling down tending to Cress.
"After tending to Cress," Simply, I shrug focusing on Cress's hair, trying to braid it without any interruptions but….
"Cress?" Marianne questions as I frown at the bothersome girl, why is she still here? I gave her the message I didn't want her here but still urgh how annoying. My eyes narrow at her nervous onyx hues, her light blue blueberry shade almost hair colour tied into a braided crown of sorts, wearing a rather modest female uniform in contrast to someone like Dorie's attire.
"The Pegasus who else do you think I'm referring to you?" Tired, I tell her.
"S-sorry!" Scared, she squeaks back scared.
"Um…okay? Strange girl…" I mutter turning back to Cress.
"I didn't know Pegasus's could come in black." Marianne whispers amazed.
"Cress is rare." I shrug not wishing to speak of it as I gentle caress Cress' soft fur, my fingertips brushing through her soft mane, feeling the faint tugs from the ravenous wind. Delicately, I try to comb through those tough tugs.
"She's beautiful," Smiling, Marianne praises.
"That she is though she can be a bit of a spoiled madam at times," Cheekily I remark as mischievously, Cress gently pushes me back with her head.
"Hey you know its true." I scold her playfully taking out an apple which she easily devours happily.
"Heheh…" Giggling, I turn to the source finding Marianne smiling.
"What's so funny?" I question lost to the humour.
"N-nothing it just you seem less scary with Cress," Softly, Marianne smiles.
"Scary?" I raise a brow standing up, turning to her making her flinch.
"I-I mean…well…" Fretfully, she begins fidgeting.
"Just spit it out." Frustrated, I deadpan.
"You're scary, like super scary," Terrified, she whispers once more terrified.
"Thanks." Bitterly, I grumble.
"O-Oh no problem…" Marianne lowers her head to the ground, shyly.
"Right…" Sighing, I shake my head turning back to my work or try to…
"Oh professor!" Horrified, I turn sharply to my slight relief at the sight of not the freak, relieved at the lack of the emotionless professor but Manuela, riding corp in hand smiling at ease as I feel nothing but dread flow through me.
"Sh-"
"Hello Mallory you missed lesson today, mind explaining why?" Playfully, Manuela greets me as I scowl.
"Mind explain why you weren't in lesson," Snidely, I remark hand on hip as I leave the stable to scowl at the smiling woman.
"I had things to do." Scoffing, she scowls at me.
"Like crying yourself to sleep or drinking yourself to stupidity. You don't need to do that you know," Cockily, I smirk as she glares at me.
"Urgh for a royal I thought you are meant to respect your elders and superiors!" She barks stomping her foot on the ground like a child making me roll my eyes.
"I do. Just not you." Bluntly, I deadpan making her scream as to my shock she fires a spell, my ears hearing the terrified scream of Marianne present as without even registering, next thing I know I blink raising my hand as the spell is almost deflected, briefly hissing from the stinging burning pain as I cradle my shoulder, fortunately hitting back on Manuela, leaving her…
"You…Y-You killed the teacher!" Horrified, Marianne screams panicking.
"Right I'll need a shovel and from her height I'd say I'd need to dig about yeah that will do. Marianne you find me a shovel I can handle it…" Stoically, I begin already getting measurements as I get the shovel from the stables, my brow furrowed already taking over, surprising and disturbing Marianne.
"She's breathing," Marianne whispers kneeling down checking her over. I frown remembering her to be some faith mage, a healer if I recall as she checks her over.
"Oh…welp guess plan B will have to do…" Disappointed, I sigh tossing the shovel aside ignoring the disturbed expression of Marianne as I walk over the unconscious woman, picking her up by the head.
"Plan B?" Marianna questions perplexed following my movements.
"You pick her up by the legs I'll take the head." I instruct. Dumbly, Marianne complies not sure what to do.
"Now then to her room." I whisper as Marianne complies the two of us heading into the monastery to the teachers quarters.
"Wh-why did I agree to this?" Petrified, Marianne whimpers as we make our way to the top of the stairs, fortuitously after a struggle catching a few eyes on us but no one questioning it adjusted to Manuela's behaviour. That is until…
"Mind telling me why Manuela is knocked out?" Horrified, I feel my blood turn icy cold as I turn to stare blankly at the smirking Dorothea, eyebrow raised cheekily smirking as I feel my features pale.
"Had one of those nights again." Quickly, I lie as she raises a brow.
"I'm sure she did." Giggling, Dorothea smirks
"Look there's Claude maybe he could help," Hopeful, Marianne whispers.
"I think he's a bit busy now," Cheekily, Dorothea giggles as we hear the sound of girls giggling making me feel a twitch of irritation at the future leader, smooth talking ladies like an idiot. How can this creep be the future of the alliance? Honestly I share Lorenz's worry for the future of the alliance. My brother expects me, expects us to get along with this child. He knows nothing but only the delightful pleasures of being a lord no doubt.
"Oh you're right," Blushing, Marianne turns away ruby red faced at the scene.
"Didn't he come back drunk? From what I heard last night he was out drinking with some girls again," Eagerly, Dorothea gossips.
"Probably to gain some sort of info on some sneaky scheme of his…" Snidely, I remark scowling at the idiot, probably gone for a quick run with one of the foolish tavern whores, tch.
"Oh…" Marianne whispers head down blushing ruby red, still not sure how to process or what to do as we all see the group around Claude, groping at him almost clawing at him making me shiver in disgust, repulsed at the nerve of the woman, do they have no shame? No respect for themselves throwing themselves upon people like Claude with social standing tch now I see why Sylvain rejects them so harshly, they deserve it urgh…
"I think it's in his culture though," Dorothea whispers as I frown at her, trying to defend the child that isn't fit to be the ruler of the alliance.
"Oh don't defend the child Dorothea," Harshly, I snap angered at the thought as Dorothea sighs.
"I'm not I just heard that where he comes from, that sorta place men can have many wives you know and they sortta push that onto their kids, young, lords in particular," Dorothea whispers lowly as I shiver horror-stricken, offended, horrified at such a culture.
"How gluttonous, can a man not be happy with finding the one?" Haughtily, I scoff shaking my head in repulsion at the thought.
"Sounds to me like you believe in true love," Softly, Marianne and Dorothea smile as I frown.
"I grew up with that belief I have seen how happy my father was with my step mother," Simply, I shrug smiling softly fond of the thought of my loving step mother, one of the few to treat me like a child, closing my eyes as I feel them moisten at the thought of my brother and I clinging to our step mother, gushing as she smiles softly at me, me eagerly begging for a Pegasus and her kindly promising me one as he held Dimitri and I as though we were her own, reading the tales of the dark flier, encouraging my fondness for the flier, even sewing an outfit for me to wear when I got my Pegasus, my dark flier outfit, only then to falter, to diminish at the memory. To think a woman that loving, that kind, that generous would disregard Edelgard so easily though…I feel a prick of pain at the thought and I sigh, shaking my head at the loving memory dampened by my thoughts. Briefly, I flinch at the sudden stench of smoke and ash wafting into my nostrils, my body freezing, my ears ringing hearing the sound of screaming, the crackle of flames, the pleas, the screams, the shouts of aid falling to my deaf ears, simply silencing those deftly cries of agony…
"And your own mother…?" Shocked, I flinch feeling my muscles tense as Dorothea looks concerned at me noting both of their concern. I exhale a tired shaky breathe, my smile faltering at the mention of my mother, my eyes narrowing at the thought of that coward.
"Sorry." Apologetically, Dorothea sighs.
"It's….nothing." Bitterly, I grumble shaking my head dismissing her as we tend to the issue at hand, taking Manuela back into her room.
"Are you sure about this Mallory?" Marianne questions concerned.
"Marianne you look like you're about to keel over and vomit go play with pinkie or something," Bored, I sigh as shyly she nods leaving us, looking grateful smiling softly as she leaves, most likely to go pray to her false god for forgiveness…
"No offense professor but don't you think you should be having lunch with your house members not the golden deer?" Frowning, I furrow my brow at the bustling sound of people eating as I lean back into my seat in the dining hall, after being called to dinner by the professor, not that I can complain free food is free food after all.
"I'd like to get to know you more." Simply, she shrugs as I frown still finding her lack of facial expressions unnerving, making me frown at the brief creep of paranoia at the freak that is her reactions.
"This is my favourite dish; tell me sister do you remember this dish back home?" Animatedly, my brother breaks my tense features as I turn to smile sensitively at him, noting the sparkle of youth in his bright blues meeting my own bright blues.
"If you mean the one I tossed your head into then yeah," Chuckling, I smile at the memory.
"It was fortunate it wasn't hot," My brother pipes in.
"True, true." I nod my head recalling my foul temper and hissy fit, including my step mother scolding me with my father, remembering the sore flick on the wrist done by the maid for ruining her dish as well as endangering my brother.
"You shoved your brother's face in the pie?" The Professor exclaims as I expect, hope for some sort of frown only to find none, making me frown annoyed, perplexed and disappointed with her lack of reaction, come on do something, its freaky.
"Cold pie professor," Calmly, Dimitri corrects assuring the professor acting unfazed by her stoic features.
"Yeah we had just finished training and…" Embarrassed, I trial off scratching the back of my neck at the memory of my childish ways.
"I had won, someone was a little bitter," Chuckling, my brother gestures to me.
"I was not." Defiantly, I pout only increasing my brother's laughter.
"Sure you weren't," My brother plays along.
"I feel like I'm being bullied on this table," Whining, I slump my shoulders, lulling my head to the side as my brother simply chuckles, enjoying the meal.
"Mind if I cut in?" Smoothly a familiar voice cuts me making me scowl.
"Heavily yes," Coldly, I scowl at the smiling fool sitting purposefully next to me, looking down at me smiling as his arm brushes against my shoulder.
"Please sit with us Claude," Happily, at least I presume the professor greets Claude as I frown.
"Thanks teach. So what's this about you dunking your brother into some food…?" Curious, he turns his eyes on Dimitri and I. I scowl returning my focus to my food while my brother smiles pleased to enlighten Claude of the tale.
"Excuse me I suddenly feel queasy…" Politely, my ears ring hearing the clatter of cutlery as I place my fork down standing up.
"Do you? Sister are you alright? Shall I call Dedue?" Worried, my brother questions frantic as I see the panic in his eyes and exhale tiredly, feeling all eyes on me as I ignore the urge to scream at them to leave me alone.
"No I'll be fine, excuse me…" I leave them, storming off scowling as I head out of the dining hall deciding to go and train.
"Your highness I had heard of you not feeling well." Loudly, the sound of footsteps echo in the training hall as I finish my manoeuvres with the spear, taking in a few steady breathes following the pattern of breathing I have grown accustomed to.
"Oh Dedue, hey what's up?" Brightly, I smile at my brother's retainer and my friend.
"Your highness, are you alright?" Stoically, he questions me concern laced in his tone despite his stoic features.
"Dedue I'm fine I just said that to avoid people," Calmly, I assure him returning to a few movements of the spear, focusing, concentrating.
"His highness spoke of you freezing," Dedue brings up making me falter in my steps, my shoulders slumping scowling as I feel my blood still turning icy cold. I grimace, noting my eyes sharpen, my breath quicken as my other free hand reaches my chest, clutching my chest curling into it. I hiss, feeling my breathe quicken, feeling my chest tighten in pain as I note the shaking spear in my hand, feeling beads of sweat cascading down my form. Quietly, I try to level my breathing, trying to regain some sort of composure but failing internally. I did not freeze, I am not weak, I can still…I can still fulfil my purpose. I'm not useless, I'm not a burden, I'm not weak; I can still fight. I am not feeble, I am not afraid. I can't be I refuse to be I won't be left behind. I'm not a burden.
"I did not freeze!" Fed up, I scowl turning to pivot on my heel, scowling glaring as I snap at Dedue earning a few looks but no one questions it. Saddened, Dedue sighs tiredly, feeling my veins burning, my muscles tense feeling a familiar wave of rage engulf me, briefly seeing red as I take a step back, pinching the bridge of my nose, trying to hold back and manage to push aside that brief moment of weakness… of bloodlust.
"I…see," Pained, Dedue turns away as I feel the burning rage flowing through me diminish into sombre sorrow making me groan, face paling at my idiotic nature of rushing in screaming and shouting rather than explaining myself. I can't do that I try to but my temper hasn't been the greatest…I feel a wave of guilt hit me at my stupid silly move.
"No way urgh Dedue I'm sorry I just…" Aggrieved, I reach out to him but stop faltering in my steps as I trial off conflicted.
"No its alright…but your highness no matter how much you torture yourself. No matter how much you are hurting just know I will always stand by you and your highnesses side," Respectfully, he bows to me, his voice filled with conviction making me frown as he leaves…
Dedue…I don't deserve your kindness. I don't deserve any sort of it, not after what I did, not after what I robbed you of, not after everything I did that ruined your life.
