For Hubert standing by Lady Edelgard's side was all that truly mattered to him. It wasn't overstating to say that she was his everything, his entire life was devoted to serving the Empress and her alone. Even should he have to paint the path ahead of her with the blood of her enemies, he would gladly do it until his every being was stained red.
This blood-soaked path of madness that they would tread was one that had belonged to just the two of them for so long. Now however his liege had deemed it fit to test others, to see if they would be worthy to follow their path.
Hubert wasn't delusional, despite his devotion there was only so much that he could do for her alone. An ally or two that they could trust could go a long way to lifting her burden and carve a way forward, but very few were worthy of that role by her side. And even fewer among them could be trusted.
That was why he had once threatened the Professor with death should he ever betray his liege and that was why he now sat in his study with the heir to House Ordelia in front of him.
Edelgard liked her, that was the simple truth, and she had also demanded that he begin to spend time with Lysithea. It was an order he couldn't refuse and it was also a chance for him to test and judge her properly.
What he didn't expect though was for Lysithea to be surprisingly tolerable to be around. Though she was quite well known for her rather abrasive and short-tempered nature, he had been able to avoid most of that by avoiding speaking of certain sensitive subjects. The only thing he had to deal with was her inquisitive nature.
She asked a lot of questions and inquired his opinions on dark magic quite often as they studied. He was able to easily answer her inquiries though and soon found that there was much that they could agree on. With magic at least.
"A ban is rather pointless… I've also noticed you have a lot of material that wouldn't be allowed in the Monastery," Lysithea replied after he had expressed his opinions over the church's ban over certain Dark magic.
"I don't think either of us care about that. Do we?" Hubert replied.
"Nope. We'll just have to make sure Seteth doesn't know about this. It'd be a shame to see all these books thrown into a bonfire."
"I can assure you that they are perfectly replaceable. I have sources that can gather me the materials I need."
"Do these sources have to do with the people that had experimented on me and Edelgard?" Lysithea asked. As she picked up another grimoire to read.
"No," Hubert lied. "But I did learn quite a bit from what little they left behind." That part was true
"I also learned a lot by watching those mages as they worked. I assume it's the same for you."
"Know the capabilities of your enemy and utilize what you can. There is also a perverse sense of pleasure that one can have of the fear on their faces once you use their own power against them," Hubert replied.
"I agree. There is something enjoyable about seeing the horror on their faces when they realize that they are about to be destroyed by the thing they created."
"Are you aware of the mental and physical corruption darkness has on the human body?" Hubert asked the white-haired mage.
"If I didn't when I started practicing then I wouldn't be standing here before you today," Lysithea replied bluntly. "Why do you ask."
"Most people would believe we are corrupted anyway, for the way that we act."
"Or perhaps Dark magic simply draws people of a certain temperament…"
"And what would that temperament be?"
"Those with the will to act and take the risks necessary to succeed. Much like you and Edelgard I suppose."
Hubert chuckled. "There is much you have to do before you are worthy of standing with Edelgard or I for that matter. The reason you sit here today is because of Lady Edelgard's will. Take heed to remember that."
"Of course. I'm quite aware that you'd invite me to study without her order. You do everything for her. And I'll do everything to achieve my own goals. Let's hope that we don't have to end up clashing one day."
Depending on the choices this girl made in the near future, they might very well have to fight each other. "You better hope, for your sake at least."
Lysithea grunted and continued reading her textbook in silence.
Of the two that Edelgard sought as allies the Ordelian heir was the easier to discern. She did not hide her emotions behind a blank face and her next actions could usually be predicted. That made her easier for him to handle, easier to potentially turn her to their side, and easier to dispose of should the need be.
The Professor on the other hand was an enigma. Potent in combat, wary of his surroundings, and show very few weaknesses to exploit. It would be difficult to deal with him should the need arise… but there was something that Hubert could exploit. The Professor labored intensively for those he was teaching, that much was clear, and so it would come to reason that one of his students would be the way in.
And what better student than the one in front of Hubert right now? It was simply a matter of ingratiating himself to her.
"I see that you're attempting to learn Hades," Hubert observed from the diagram she had laid on her lap, "that is a rather potent spell."
"It is one of the, if not, the most destructive dark magic. At least in terms of raw might," Lysithea replied plainly.
"Rather potent I'd say, but raw might alone isn't always sufficient."
"Banshee to lower mobility, Mire to strip away defenses, and Death to potentially strike a critical blow," Lysithea listed the spells that he had used in front of her during their sessions, "You value weakening and tormenting your opponents before landing the finishing blow. I on the other hand prefer to see them gone in an instant."
"And yet you sacrifice your range for that raw power. Most mages here have learned spells for striking from a further distance such as Thoron, Bolting, Meteor. Even Mire can outrange all of the spells that I've seen you use."
"Most of my enemy die before they can get close and those that do will fall by my blade," Lysithea argued.
Those were no denying Lysithea had become somewhat offensively potent with a blade, but he had little worry about Edelgard defeating her in close combat should it come to it.
"What about archers? Or other mages? They'll strike you down before you can even get close."
"Which is why I often rely on Raphael and my other classmates to serve as a defensive wall. They get me into the range I need to get to."
"It is foolish to always rely on them for aid."
"It is foolish to always do everything yourself. There must be some people that you can rely on in order to achieve your goals."
Naïve. That was how the two of them differed. She was still willing to give her trust out to other people that showed her even the smallest amount of kindness. She would have to harden herself if she was going to survive the path that he and Edelgard walked.
"You trust too easily," Hubert replied. "And there is a strict criteria for those that wish to serve Lady Edelgard."
"Do I meet them?" Lysithea asked.
"Some, but not all. The rest only time will tell."
Lysithea closed the book she held in her hands and shot him a steady gaze. "It would be foolish of me to suggest you open up to others… but perhaps you should do well to emulate your Lady more. She at least has made some effort in ingratiating herself to people like me."
"I live to serve her, not be like her. There is no one like her."
"So, what would you do for her sake?"
"Everything and anything. I do everything for her good, even acts that she does wish me to do. Some that she will not even known that I have down," Hubert looked Lysithea down carefully as he said that.
"Is that another threat?"
"It is. I would dispose of you should I see a need to, even if she doesn't demand it."
"It would be a shame for her to lose such a loyal liege though."
"You sound confident."
"I am. You do not frighten me… there have are others that are much scarier than you possibly could be."
"You haven't seen me at my best then," Hubert replied. Though this girl's magical strength was potent, rivaling his and perhaps even slightly surpassing it, she was quite physically frail and had many weaknesses that he could exploit. Her fear of ghosts for one could unnerve her in a fight and her addiction to sweets would make it a very simple task to poison her. The poison he used was nothing compared to the Von Reagan brat carried. No. A bottle of what Hubert carried could snuff out the life of a Demonic Beast in an instant.
"Well if you truly are superior to me, then maybe you can figure what's getting me stuck on this spell," Lysithea offered as she stood and smugly plopped her book as his lap.
One glance at it told Hubert everything that she was doing wrong. "You're spending an unnecessary amount of time setting up a safety mechanism for it."
"So, what do I put in if the spell fails?"
"Don't let it fail. Skip the safety when you create the structure to cast it."
Lysithea crossed her arms. "Didn't we just talk about the corruptive nature of dark magic?"
"We did."
"And you expect me to risk my mind and body casting a spell without a failsafe?"
"If you are truly confident in your abilities then it's unnecessary." Hubert also considered making a comment about the limited time she had to do anything but decided against it. "Magic is but a tool and you are the one to command it."
"Do you also cast magic like that?"
"Of course, I do…" Hubert let out an evil grin as he found the correct words, "but perhaps that is only to be expected of an exemplary magician like myself."
Pride. Pride in her magic and determination. That was another one of Lysithea's weaknesses and the way that she began to glare at him proved that he had struck true with his words.
"If you can do it, then I can too," Lysithea replied firmly.
"I hope that you will produce the results to back such words."
She had a genuine gift with magic, it was simply a matter of getting rid of what few restrictions she placed on herself in order to get her to thrive. And if she ended failing in the process… well then perhaps she wasn't worth his or Edelgard's time in the first place.
Spurred by his challenge she began to work again with renewed vigor, something that Hubert himself decided to match. They would spend hours like, buried in their respective work, when someone suddenly knocked on the door.
That was strange. An intruder wouldn't have the decency to knock, he hadn't invited anyone else over, and very few people actually sought him out.
Hubert glanced at Lysithea who looked just as confused as he was. He stood up and made sure to hide the more sensitive materials, before walking up to the door and opening it. He nearly winced when he saw the bundle of green hair behind it.
"Hello there Hubert!" Flayn said to him with that unendingly bright voice of hers. "And Lysithea! What have you two been up to in such a drab and dark room?"
"Studying," Lysithea replied before glancing around the room. "Though I do agree Hubert's room could use some decorating."
Says the girl whose room was decorated with a medley of stuffed animals and dolls that would all be stuffed away into a closet the second a guest came in. But then again even Edelgard seemed to delight in a stuffed animal or too. Perhaps that was just something women enjoyed in general.
"What purpose do you have to come here?" Hubert asked Flayn.
"I was wondering if you've seen Edelgard? I was finally able to convince brother to let me perform a task in the Monastery so long as I do so with supervision."
"And you wish to go her Imperial Highness for this task? What is it that would require one such as her?"
"Stable duty!"
"Stable… duty…" Hubert replied cautiously.
"Flayn I can help out if you want," Lysithea suggested from across the room.
"Brother says it has to be someone who's physically strong as many of the tasks involve a lot of heavy lifting," Flayn replied
"Stable duty is simple enough. You'll only need a modicum of strength to do the tasks necessary. Even I could do it, Lady Edelgard's strength is unnecessary for such a thing," Hubert said.
"Does that mean you're volunteering?" Flayn suddenly asked.
Wait what.
"I think he is," Lysithea suddenly commented with a grin that rivaled his on her face. "He is clearly the strongest one here and he seems more than willing to help you with this task."
"I would greatly appreciate if you were to assist me!" Flayn looked at him with pleading eyes.
Such eyes didn't work on him though. "I have more important things to do with my time."
"Then do you know where Edelgard is?" Flayn asked once more. "If I can't find her then I'll have to return to brother with my task incomplete."
"And how is that an issue for us?" Hubert asked
"… I already told him that I had acquired Edelgard's aid," Flayn admitted.
Hubert bit back a curse. If Flayn's task was left undone, then Seteth would likely begin to scrutinize Edelgard for a perceived disobedience. They needed to avoid that at all costs, they couldn't have any more risks to their plan now, but he was also damned if he would let his liege do something as demeaning as stable work.
"I'll do it then," he eventually conceded.
Stable duty was dirty, grimy, and damn horses could certainly shite for a ton. Hubert was completely covered in manure by the time he was done shoveling it all away into wheelbarrows so that they could be used as fertilizer for the gardens.
The only saving grace of this entire task was a chance to observe the Pegasi up close. Pegasi who unfortunately seemed to favor Flayn much more than him.
"Easy there, there's plenty for everyone," the green hair girl giggled from their tongues as she continued to feed them by hand.
Unlike regular horses, Pegasi were sensitive and elegant creatures that would give their riders their unending loyalty. A Pegasi would stay by their side until either of them died. It was truly rare and admirable trait to find in a creature but in exchange they required constant care and affection in order to truly thrive. This necessitated the need to feed them personally, a task that Flayn had personally took up much to his chagrin. Hubert would've much preferred to do the feeding himself, but unfortunately their skittishness around his presence made doing so difficult.
Hubert sighed as he tossed the shovel he had been using aside, before carefully walking up to her. "I believe that we are done here."
"Almost. There's one more thing we have to do."
"And that is?"
"One of the messengers got sick and I volunteered to deliver his missives in his place."
"Does Seteth know of this?"
"No… but he doesn't have to."
This girl was surprisingly defiant toward her own family… not that Hubert could complain. "And where do these missives have to be delivered?"
"Atop the towers where the watchmen are posted. We'd have to mount up and fly to get them delivered on time."
Wait a minute.
That would mean that he'd be sitting on the back of a Wyvern.
As it flew.
High above the Monastery for him to see.
Oh no.
"I believe that you are more than capable of doing this task yourself," Hubert quickly replied. Acknowledging one's weaknesses was the path to success and it was because of this principle that Hubert knew to avoid getting on the back of any winged creature at all costs.
He was not good with heights. It was his one weakness that he made sure to keep to himself. Not even Edelgard knew. The only person who had an inkling on knowing was the Professor that his liege was so fixated on and that was only because he had written a note to the confessional on a whim before he had known the Professor read those.
"We'd get it done much quicker if we split the letters between us," Flayn replied.
"It would take too much time to get a Wyvern ready," Hubert quickly argued.
"Then we can use these Pegasi."
"Men can't ride them." That was another unfortunate truth that would forever bar his way to his dream. Pegasi would only accept female riders.
"You could still sit behind me while I act as its rider," Flayn suggested. "It would still be easier if you were to help hand out the letters while I focused on flying."
"I still must refuse. It's dangerous to ride a Pegasus with an inexperienced rider, much less while ferrying a passenger."
Flayn pouted. "I'll have you know that I've ridden plenty of Pegasi in my youth."
"How old are you?" Hubert asked. It was a question that he along with many others in the Monastery had.
"Who, me?" Flayn replied skittishly. "Well, I am roughly the same age as the other youths here!"
Not only did she look younger than most people, but she was she phrased it was rather strange. Her speech had always been peculiar, but it was difficult to discern why. He personally had a few theories, but it was nothing conclusive like the knowledge that the Slitherers had. There was a reason they had gone after her for her blood and he intended to figure out why.
Once this matter was dealt with of course.
"I still do not believe that it is good to ride a Pegasi without your brother's permission," Hubert argued.
"Well if you're going to tell him, then I might as well do it now while I still can," Flayn huffed before quickly heading over to grab the closest saddle.
Hubert was now left in a conundrum. If he went to warn Seteth then he'd likely receive Seteth's ire anyway for leaving her alone. If he stayed on the ground while she flew in the air and ended up getting hurt in the process than it would be even worse. There was no stopping her either. She seemed well intent on doing this.
Hubert gulped and stepped forward just as Flayn had finished saddling the Pegasus that she had picked. Unfortunately, the chances of him going unnoticed while carrying her cold corpse were too low. That meant there was only one viable option left to him.
"Let me assist you then," he reluctantly replied.
It couldn't be that bad right?