Chapter 40 - Reunion: Part 1

12th Blue See Moon; Imperial Year 1186

Edelgard was happy that they finally reached Garreg Mach. After all, she was really worried about Hubert. During the travel his condition had worsened and he got a terrible fever. His wound on his side had opened again. Flayn had constantly used her healing spells in order to keep him alive. It had drained her more than anything and she was barely conscious. Seteth, of course, was fretting over her and tried to push her to take a break. However, Flayn didn't want to and continued healing Hubert.

The Empress admired Flayn for her stubbornness. Still, she needed to rest. They had healers in Garreg Mach. Just as this thought struck her, a petite woman came rushing towards them shouting Hubert's name in happiness. Edelgard turned her to the side unable to look into Bernadetta's eyes. Once the woman saw Hubert, her eyes widened while they filled with tears. Her hands pressed onto her mouth and she took some steps back colliding with Jeritza's chest in the process.

"Wh-what… happened?" she asked shocked.

"It was my fault, Bernadetta. I had to deflect an attack and then… the attack hit Hubert. But I can assure you… He is still alive." Edelgard explained. "And trust me then I say this, it was entirely my fault."

Slowly Bernadetta walked towards the carriage in which her lover was placed and took his hand. It was at least warm. However, his breathing was shallow and ragged. He was also very pale and shivering while drops of sweat had appeared on his skin. Gently, the petite woman put her hand on his cheek and caressed it softly. A hiccup escaped her throat.

"We need to bring him to the medical room. Otherwise, he might die." Edelgard exclaimed with a heavy heart.

"I'll go with him!" Bernadetta replied.

"Rest, Bernadetta. You are in no state of being with him."

"I rested enough! No one is going to deny that I stay with him!" she yelled at the Empress.

"Very well then." Edelgard said closing her eyes before turning towards some of her soldiers. "Take Hubert to the medical room."

The soldiers followed the order almost immediately and dragged Hubert away. Bernadetta and even Flayn, even though she could barely stand on her feet, followed them closely by. Meanwhile Edelgard closed her eyes and sighed. Nothing good came out of conquering Arianrhod. Nothing good at all. The only good things were that from her classmates only Hubert had been injured badly and they had managed to capture Cornelia. She was going to be executed soon for her crimes against the Kingdom and her mother. At least her stepbrother would be happy about that, even in his death.

Edelgard opened her eyes again and looked straight into Jeritza's eyes. First, she didn't even notice that he was back. He was just there… Standing there seemingly unharmed. So, he had been freed from the clutches of Those who Slither in the Dark. Somehow, she just hoped that he hadn't to endure painful torture. Then again, every torture was painful, even psychological one's.

Her eyes travelled towards Byleth and then Macuil. The latter had a smug expression on his face as he was smirking and mischief glinted in his eyes. It was kind of off-setting. A sinking feeling appeared in her stomach.

"You might throw a celebration. We managed to destroy the Agarthan completely." the saint exclaimed. "Oh, and their home base on top of that."

"What?!" the Empress replied in shock.

No… No, this can't be true. Those who Slither in the Dark were whipped out completely. Then that would mean… No… All hopes for a longer life and the removal of her Crests were gone. Gone simply by destroying this organization. Because they thought it would be a good thing. She couldn't blame them because they didn't know. But still… She was angry.

"How could you?! How could you kill them?!" she screamed at them. "Do you have any ideas what you did?!"

"We destroyed an organization who threatens the peace of the world." Macuil said calmly. "Why are you so upset about that, Your Majesty? Should you not be happy that an enemy of the empire is completely whipped out?"

"I should… However, they knew how to remove Crests! Because I have two Crests, my lifespan had been shortened significantly!"

"Oh, stop fretting about that. I have found some research notes on that topic. I will be able to remove your Crests." he dismissed it. "Besides… Should you not be happy that we found your mother in this base."

"Wh-what? My… mother? No… She can't be alive…" she declined almost immediately shaking her head in denial.

"Well… How about you talk to her and see if she is alive or not. Because to me, she very is alive." he replied intervening his arms in front of his chest.

"Wh-where-"

"In your room." he interrupted her.

Edelgard's eyes widened before she ran. Her goal was clear in her mind. Reach her room, meet her mother. She still couldn't believe it. After all those years… After wishing for her to be alive and eventually concluded that she was also killed in the Tragedy of Duscur.

After the Empress reached the stair case, she took two stairs in one step. However, she didn't stop until she stood in front of her door. Her hand hovered over the handle wanting to press it down but still hesitating. What would her mother's reaction be? How would Edelgard react? Was this going to be a happy reunion? Or was her mother so traumatized that she wouldn't even recognize her daughter.

Memories of then Edelgard had returned to the castle and how happy her father had been, after they had put another Crest into her. He had hugged her, something he had never done before. He had muttered her name in happiness. Her father had looked so much younger this day, then he had been reunited with at least one of his children.

The Empress felt a hand on her shoulder. She already knew it was Ferdinand. Again and again he was giving her support, never asking something in return. They had been engaged, even before they met in Garreg Mach. First, they didn't know about this connection and Ferdinand started forming a one-sided rivalry with her. It was really annoying… But then again, it had been enjoyable as he treated her normally and not some royalty.

"El…" he said drawing her out of her thoughts.

"I am just nervous. I haven't seen my mother for a long time. Will she… will she recognize me at all?" she questioned.

"Well, there is only one to find out, El. Knock on the door politely and then open it. Do not worry, I will be at your side."

"Alright." she replied and took a deep breath.

Her hand moved upwards in order knock on the door softly. She didn't receive any acknowledgement from the other side of the door. She took another breath and opened it before stepping into her room. Her eyes scanned her surroundings until they settled onto a thin woman. Despite having not seen her for years, Edelgard immediately recognized her as her own mother. She took a step towards her, however, she flinched and distanced herself from her. Edelgard's mouth opened then closed. She had expected such a reaction but it still hurt.

"Mo-mother…" she said.

"Who… who are… you…?" Patricia asked her. "Please… don't harm… me…"

"I won't. I am your daughter… Do you remember me? I am Edelgard von Hresvelg…"

Edelgard could feel the eyes of her mother on her. Mustering her, staring at her unbelievingly. She was probably not recognizing her at all because of her white hair. Patricia shook her head causing the lips of the Empress to quiver. Her eyes widened. She had calculated that her mother would not recognize her but it still hurt.

Edelgard turned around and ran out of the room. Her eyes were filled with tears. Ferdinand wanted to rush after her but then he heard a small apology from the elder woman. His light brown eyes fixed onto Patricia. She, on the other hand, had bit her lower lip and was shivering. The motion was familiar to Ferdinand as it reminded him of his fiancée.

"Please… bring her… back to me… I just… couldn't… recognize her… first…" Patricia mumbled.

"As you wish, Your Highness." Ferdinand confirmed the order.

Mercedes closed her eyes in concentration. White magic travelled between her finger tips until both her hands were covered in a faint glow. Then she pressed her hands onto Hubert's wound. She could feel the depths of the injury. At least he hadn't been poisoned. That would require another high-classed healing spell. A spell she hadn't time to learn due to…

She shook her head not wanting to remember this. Instead she focused back on healing Hubert. That proved to be more difficult because of Bernadetta who constantly got between her and her patient. Just right now… She had somehow managed to press herself between Mercedes' hands and Hubert's body.

The blond-haired woman looked towards her brother, who had leaned against the wall, and Byleth who sat on a chair. If Bernadetta didn't stop she had to call them both in order to guide the petite woman out of the room. Her eyes travelled back to her patient.

"Bernadetta, please let me do my work." Mercedes told her calmly.

"B-but-" she protested.

"Bernadetta." she interrupted her. "Please keep a distance. I can't heal him then you are constantly between me and my patient."

"But what if he wakes up then I am gone? And he wonders where I am? And because of this his condition gets worse? And what if… what if…"

Jeritza stepped towards her. Only his mere presence seemed to calm down Bernadetta. However, she began trembling in fear. Not because of him but rather because she feared about Hubert. She wanted to be at his side again and hold his hand, not only for her sake… Bernadetta felt Jeritza's hands on her body. She screamed trying to wriggle herself free. She knew it was pointless to fight him. He was, after all, stronger than her. Still… He would not drag her away from her lover!

The tall man managed to drag her outside of the room before he rushed back into it and locked the door behind him. Bernadetta slammed her fist to the door and called Hubert's name over and over again until her voice gave up and she slumped to the ground. Tears streamed down her face. Then she screamed loudly in hopes that someone might open the door. However, no one answered her. And no one came for her and checked if she was alright.

Afterwards she began hitting her fists against the wood again. Suddenly the door opened and Bernadetta fell forwards to the ground. Then she looked up, she saw Byleth who bent down. The petite woman watched her with hopeful eyes. However, her hope of being at Hubert's side again was quickly destroyed as the Ashen Demon closed the door leaving her and Bernadetta outside. Before the latter could react, Byleth had punched her fist into her stomach causing her to double over. Then she picked her up and threw her over her shoulder.

"No, put me down!" Bernadetta screamed. "I have to be at his side!"

"You are only getting in Mercedes' way." she replied while walking away.

"But what if-"

"Bernadetta." Byleth interrupted her and put her down again then they were far enough away. "You will prevent Mercedes from helping Hubert because you are always standing in the way. Please, let her handle this situation alone."

The petite woman looked down but understood. She was partly ashamed that she had intervened in the healing process because she was too worried about Hubert. Bernadetta muttered a silent apology and turned her gaze sideways.

In the corner of her eyes, she saw Jeritza. His expression was as usual… He looked bored and seemed to care about nothing. However, that was only the first impression. Then Bernadetta looked closer, she could clearly see a small smile tucking at his lips.

"Hubert had woken up." he declared.

"R-really? Can… can I bet at his side?" she asked.

"He actually-"

He stopped himself because Bernadetta was already rushing away. He didn't even look after her, instead focusing on Byleth who had tilted her head sideways. She smiled up at him slightly before tilting her head towards a direction. Somehow, the tall man knew what she wanted and started smirking. A sparing match was just the right thing he needed.