Author's note:

Due to the "reviews" I received here, I can't continue this fanfiction. That's why this is the last chapter.

Chapter 47 - Adrestia's Nobles

10th Verdant Rain Moon; Imperial Year 1186

"Thank you all for gathering here in Garreg Mach." Edelgard began smiling slightly. "I want to discuss the upcoming invasion of Fhirdiad. Hubert, would you tell them of our current plan?"

Silence occurred and the Empress cursed under her breath. She had forgotten that Hubert wasn't here with her and instead with Bernadetta recovering. And because of this Bernadetta's father (despite his house arrest) was present.

"I apologize for my assumption that Hubert would be present. He is still recovering from his wounds." Edelgard said looking ashamed.

"None taken, Your Majesty." a man with blue, almost white hair replied. "You are still young and make mistakes. Some of us, don't care about your inexperience."

"Leopold… Please refrain yourself of insulting Her Majesty in such a rude demeanor." a man with green hair and glasses scolded him.

"Hey, someone needs to call out her mistakes, Waldemar." Leopold exclaimed.

Waldemar sighed and adjusted his glasses over his nose. He shook his head because of the behavior of his best friend. Afterwards his gaze travelled to the Empress. A sad expression formed in his eyes. Edelgard closed her eyes giving him silent comfort. Linhardt had been an only child and losing the heir of house Hevring was heavy on his father's shoulder. House Hevring's bloodline would diminish as Waldemar and his very sick wife were too old to conceive another child.

"Anyway, let's continue with your plan, Your Majesty." another man, this time he had violet hair and a beard, pressed.

Albeit his voice was like venom. Grégoire von Varley disliked the Empress very much. And she returned those feelings of dislike. Even Jeritza von Hrym had problems containing his disliking of Bernadetta's father.

"As you might already guessed, I want to invade Fhirdiad at the end of this month. However…" she stopped herself shortly and gestured to Macuil. "Macuil suggested that we shouldn't leave Garreg Mach unprotected."

"So that is why we are here." Baron von Ochs concluded. "Some nobles and their men stay here while others march towards the capital of Faerghus. Let me make myself clear… I will not support this. I still grieve over my daughter, Monica, although it has been five years since she died."

"I deeply apologize for every loss we had to endure." Edelgard said.

"And still you claim-" Grégoire started.

"However, you can see that the loss of some dear friends to Her Majesty caused her great suffering as she feels responsible for their death." Macuil cut in. "Are you implying that she is lying, Count von Varley? If so, then it might be considered as treason. And I think you are aware of what happens to traitors to the Empire."

"I… I n-never said those th-things!" Count von Varley defended himself. "I don't even imply those things!"

"Good. Then stop insulting Her Majesty." the saint concluded before clearing his throat. "Where were we? Right. I would like to station our troops according to this list I and Hubert have created."

Macuil gave a paper to the nearest person which was Leopold. His eyes skimmed through the paper before he handed it to Waldemar. His eyes widened and he clearly fought off a grin upon reading a name. Linhardt's father handed the paper to Duke Gerth who made a tch-sound. The Duke then handed the paper to Viscount Hymir. And so, it went on until the paper was handed back to Macuil.

"I think that no one has objections of how we diverge our troops." the saint concluded.

"I- I have!" Grégoire said raising his hand slightly. "Why should I stay in Garreg Mach? My safety is in danger if the Central Church attacks me here! N-Not to mention that I will be sitting in the cathedral if it should come to an attack."

"I doubt that the Central Church will attack Garreg Mach in the first place." Macuil replied calmly. "Even if they do… half of our troops are placed here… Including my presence, my brother's and my niece's. And not to mention, the Ashen Demon and the Death Knight."

"I forbid that my daughter is placed here with a mass murderer!"

Jeritza furrowed his brows at the clear insult on his person and clenched his hands. Meanwhile Waldemar leaned towards Leopold and put a hand over his mouth so that no one could read his lips. He whispered something to his best friend causing him to grin slightly. Baron von Ochs shook his head while Viscount Hymir sighed. Eventually, Linhardt's father spoke up again:

"I am actually thankful that Baron von Bartels is dead. He would be opposed to the idea of placing Count von Varley here."

"Agreed. You know what they say… Opposites attracts." Leopold chimed in.

"Err, Leopold… I think this is the wrong saying. I would rather say that Baron von Bartels and Count von Varley are very similar meaning that they had gotten along rather well… Much to everyone's dismay."

"I still cannot believe that my friend Erik died, slaughtered by his very own son." Grégoire lamented.

Jeritza was basically now glaring daggers at Bernadetta's father who shrieked in fear. Although the older man had no idea that he practically spoke about Baron von Bartels in the presence of his son, he was actually afraid of him.

"I think he deserved it." Baron von Ochs exclaimed trying at least to calm the mood down a little bit. "Erik von Bartels was a cruel man and only sought more power. I have even heard a rumor that he wanted to marry his own step-daughter… Although, I do wonder what had happened to his son. Was he executed?"

"Who knows." Caspar's father shrugged.

"Aren't we diverging now?" Linhardt's father asked, a frown appearing on his face. "Besides, we shouldn't speak behind the backs of others."

Macuil cleared his throat trying to get everyone's attention again. And he was successful. Everyone's eyes turned to him again. Everyone's except for Jeritza who took a calming breath and clenched and unclenched his hands in order to calm himself again.

"I will excuse myself. I… have other business to attend to. However, I agree with whoever decision you have, Your Majesty." Jeritza said and stood up.

He didn't say anything else, instead he left the room in fast steps. In the distance he could clearly hear Macuil shouting after him. He was probably ordering him to stay but he didn't care. This entire conversation was pointless to him. He had no saying in this, other than always agreeing with the Empress. And that sucked to him. He sometimes disagreed with certain ways. But it didn't matter. What mattered to him, was that the ones he cared about would be happy. Even if he had to walk through hell. Although, his life was already hell. No… His life had always been hell.

He stopped in the hallway and gazed down at his hand. He clenched it tightly. But his hand started to tremble either from the force he put on it or because of his state of mind. It didn't matter. His father was dead. If they talked about him he shouldn't, wasn't allowed to care. He was a monster. And monsters didn't deserve to live. He wasn't much different from those Demonic Beasts which roamed the lands of Fódlan.

Sighing, Jeritza shook his head. It didn't bring him much if he was thinking about things he couldn't change. Instead, he should focus on the here and now. In other words, the present. He opened his eyes again just in time to see Byleth walking some feet away from him with a tome under her arm. Did she got lost again? It wouldn't be the first time… Part of him found it actually quite funny at how often Byleth got lost even though she should clearly know this place now. Another part of him, however, took pity. That was why he followed her until she was standing in front of a window.

"So, I should have taken the other way…" she mused aloud.

"Were you searching for the library?" Jeritza asked her.

The Ashen Demon turned around. He had actually expected her to press her knife against his throat… But she didn't. Maybe she already had heard him coming. Part of him was somewhat concerned. Another part of him noticed that his anger was almost gone just by seeing her and hearing her voice. And he was happy about it.

"Yes, I am." she confirmed his suspicions. "I want to read the next volume of this book series."

Jeritza tilted his head in order to read the book title on the cover. It read "The Ultimate Guide to be a Knight: Part 1". He furrowed his brows and glared at the book. He was forced to read it on numerous occasions because his father thought it was a good idea and because the author was an ancestor of his. Part of how he fought with a scythe was actually derived from the book.

"Why do you want to read this particular book?" he questioned her. "It isn't a good one."

"I find some of the described techniques there rather intruding. For example, that certain combat arts are better suited for a sword than other. Did you know that the combat art Astra is best suited for a rapier?"

"I did… But that shouldn't stop you from learning it."

"I just kind of thought about learning Astra first by using a rapier." she mused smiling slightly.

"Do you know how to battle with a rapier? It is very different than any other sword. A rapier is much lighter and focuses more on agility than damage output." he explained. "Your fighting style is completely different."

She hung her head in disappointment. Meanwhile Jeritza smiled and put a hand on her shoulder squeezing it lightly. She was no doubt a really good fighter… But learning a new fighting style was, if you asked him, a terrible idea. Movements could be mixed up costing the one in a panic probably their life. And he didn't want to lose her. Not now, at least. Besides, she should focus on learning how to use Astra first.

"Now that I notice it… The author is someone by the name of Emilio von Bartels. Are you related to him?" Byleth suddenly asked him ripping him from his thoughts.

"Unfortunately, yes. He was my great-great-great uncle. I was even named after him." he replied, a frown appearing on his face.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have asked. You aren't too proud to be related to the author, right?"

"I would be proud… If this book wasn't constantly reminding me of my father."

"I see…" she muttered. "But you have to acknowledge that some of the techniques written there are actually quite good. I enjoyed reading this book here."

"I didn't say that you shouldn't enjoy it. I only say that I dislike it because it reminds me of my father." Jeritza exclaimed.

She nodded her head and sighed. The tall man could already tell that she was somewhat disappointed with him. Was it because he didn't like it? Maybe she had tried to get him to read something with her and later discuss it. If she really wanted that then why hadn't she told him about it?

"Well… If you really want to discuss some things in the book with me…" he trailed off.

Byleth immediately smiled and threw her arms around him. He was stunned by this behavior and that was why he stiffened. However, he forced himself to relax knowing that she was just really happy. He, honestly, couldn't bear seeing her unhappy. Mostly because he had caused her some suffering due to his behavior.