Her, in love with Claude? Preposterous.
Byleth watched the sun set out the window. Behind her, the dining hall of Castle Bergliez. Their entire group had coopted it for their party—Hilda and Ignatz' party was more appropriate, actually. They had made a rule before it began: no talk about the war.
It was supposed to be a time for them to relax. But Byleth's mind kept replaying the words Tiana said to her. "Do you love him?" she'd asked.
She didn't. But why had she been so insistent on it? Maybe the better question was why did she have the idea in the first place. Tiana was a character, but Byleth couldn't make heads or tails of why that would spark in her mind. It was illogical.
Besides, Byleth couldn't wave a hand and make what had happened between her and Mercedes vanish. She glanced over her shoulder, looking at Mercedes talking to Dorothea. They were laughing, being entertained by some story Hilda told with mostly her hands.
Byleth turned back to the sunset. Spring was almost at its end, but the rainy season wouldn't let up for another three months. Clouds lingered in view of the sun, a blanket for it to bed down with.
"Someone looks rather deep in thought."
Fuck. Claude.
"Guess relaxing is a little more difficult than I thought it'd be," she said with a slight smile.
Claude laughed and set a goblet in front of her. "Well, that's what friends are for. To help us calm down when we need to."
She glanced at the drink. "Is this alcohol?"
"No," Claude said, lips going tight.
"Good," she said, tipping it back and downing it with a single gulp. "Been trying to stop."
"I know," he admitted. "You left your flask in my room that one night."
Byleth chuckled. "Sorry, just didn't want to see it again. Not after Mercedes."
He patted her shoulder. "You don't need to apologize, I understand."
Her gaze turned to him for the first time that night and looked at his smile; the intensity of his gaze radiated with concern, but also care. It was a look she was familiar with, back when she was with Mercedes five years ago.
And just like that, Byleth realized where Tiana had gotten the idea from. Pieces clicked in place, why her friends always gave them looks when they were together. Why Tiana would pointedly ask her such a question. Why Claude bent over back for her.
Claude von Riegan was in love with her.
His smile faltered. "Something on my face?" he joked.
"No," she said, turning away. "Just thinking."
"Must be important thoughts," Claude chuckled. "Anything I can help with?"
Almost certainly, but that was a subject she'd no idea how to broach. Goddess, why did someone like Claude love her? She was nothing, a mercenary turned teacher turned soldier for Leicester. And he, Sovereign Duke and likely leader of Fódlan when they won, loved her?
No, she had to be mistaken. It couldn't be true. Claude could have any person he wanted. But her? It was idiotic.
"Just wondering what comes next," she said, lamely.
Claude bought into it, poor a deflection as it was. "We just keep pressing on. We've made it this far, we'll overcome whatever the world throws at us. You, me, the Deer, everyone. We're in this together and we won't back down. Of that, I have no doubts."
Byleth began to respond when she saw Yuri stand on one of the three long tables in the hall. They held a chalice in hand and clinked a fork against it. The group quieted down, turning to him.
"I don't mean to interrupt," Yuri said, "or violate Hilda's rules about the war. But I do have some important news to share for all of us that I just received."
"Yuri!" Hilda yelled. "Stop working!"
"No," they dryly followed up without missing a beat. A rare grin manifested on his face. "I just got word from my contacts in Faerghus. Sylvain and the loyalists have retaken Fhirdiad."
Silence, then an uproar as everyone cheered. People hugged and jumped up, celebrating however they could.
"The war isn't over," Yuri continued, speaking over the noise to calm everyone. "But this is certainly the first step to our friends in the north joining us. So let's toast, to the Kingdom of Faerghus!"
Glasses raised across the hall as everyone toasted. "The Kingdom of Faerghus!"
Yuri jumped off the table and the din of conversation settled back in, a spark of excitement hitched in everyone's voice.
"Wow," Byleth said. "They really did it."
Claude grinned uncontrollably. "I knew Sylvain had it in him. I'm looking forward tomorrow to seeing what details Yuri has about it."
Byleth laughed. "And here I expected you to run off to your ducal duties after hearing that."
"And upset Hilda?" Claude said. "I'm rather attached to my head. I can give her one night of relaxing. I probably need it too. Plus a night of talking to you isn't going to hurt me too much," he teased.
It was at that point she noticed how close he was standing to her. Did he always do that? Was she just noticing now?
Oh, Goddess, did he really love her?
Focus, By. "Well, I guess I can fit you into my schedule."
"Did I tell you what my mother told me? About me having a sister?" Claude said, voice quieter. From the way he spoke, it clearly had been weighing on his mind.
"You haven't. Congratulations," she said.
He smiled. "Thank you. I am happy, just caught off guard. After this long, I assumed I'd always be an only child. My mother, and don't let her hear I said this, isn't as young as she pretends to be."
"Careful, I think she'd behead you for saying that," Byleth said. "I always wondered what it'd be like to have a sibling."
"Come find out then, after this war," Claude said.
"What?"
"Come to Almyra with me, after the war," he invited, smiling cautiously. It was the kind of smile that was easily breakable. "Just a visit. Let me show you where I was born."
"Yes," she accepted without having to think much. "I've never been."
Claude immediately perked up, as if he'd had a full night of sleep. "Excellent. I can't wait to show you all of it. There's so many places I've dreamed of showing you—pardon, show anyone who visits."
Goddess, she was an idiot to have not noticed before.
Claude von Riegan loved her, preposterous as it was.
"So, Albrecht, heard my son kicked your ass yesterday."
"Hello to you too, Tiana," Balthus said cheerily as she sat down at the table across from him. His heart picked up a little at her attention on him, but the time that he was enamored with her was long past. It'd been years, plus there was someone else he had his eye on.
"Finally, someone who doesn't use titles," Tiana said, reclining in the chair. "About damn time. Never liked them and most people disrespect me by not using them in Almyra. Nice to see a lack of respect be well meant here."
"Good to see you're still just like I remembered," he grinned.
"A pain in the ass?" Tiana grumbled. "That's what Silas always called me. 'Oh Tiana, be more like your brother!' Fucker."
Balthus scratched his head. "I guess you're not upset to hear of his death?"
Tiana threw back her head and howled, a noise that went relatively unnoticed in the rest of the party's volume. "Goddess, I'm proud of my son for killing him."
He froze. "I'm sorry, did you say Claude killed Silas?"
"Huh, guess he didn't tell people," Tiana said, far less bothered by her father's death than she should have been. "Don't tell him I said that, deal?"
"Sure," Balthus said, uncertain. Claude killed his own father? Well, Silas was quite the racist, from what he remembered. Maybe it was for the best?
Still, killing your own father?
"I can tell you won't let that one go," Tiana said. Her voice dropped low, a husky drawl flecked with an Almyran accent. "Then let me make it clear. You tell anyone, then it won't matter how cute of a kid you were. I'll take your head off and punt it myself." She paused, then continued, "Old man was a blight on Leicester. Hated me, hated Almyrans. I certainly don't miss him. Khalid made the right choice."
"Khalid?"
"Oh, that's my son's name," Tiana said. "I know you all call him Claude, but I prefer the name I gave him. It's much prettier. Anyway, do we have an understanding?"
"Yes," Balthus said, finding some resolve tucked away in him. "Just hard to reconcile patricide."
"Some sins are worth what they dispose of," Tiana said with a shrug. "Khalid and I don't lose sleep over it, neither should you."
"Unless you decapitate me, then I'll lose some sleep," Balthus said.
"Unless I decapitate you," Tiana said, baring her teeth like a wolf. "Glad we see eye to eye."
"Anyway," Balthus said, changing the subject, "have you been to visit Holst?"
"He's here?" Tiana said, grinning. "Haven't seen him in years. Why isn't he here tonight?"
"Oh, no one told you." Maybe this was a bad subject change. "His army was attacked and he was gravely injured. Holst is in a coma."
Sadness, a rare emotion for Tiana, fluttered across her expression. "Tell me everything."
Byleth found Catherine sitting at the edge of a long table, watching the musicians they recruited for the night set up.
"I'm surprised you're not with Shamir," Byleth said, taking the seat next to her.
"Me too," Catherine said. "She's talking to a few people and I don't want to deal with everyone asking questions about the two of us."
"You're together again though, aren't you?"
"Yeah," Catherine said, grinning like an idiot. "But not looking forward to being the talk of the party. We agreed to not make a fuss of it tonight."
Byleth nodded. "That makes sense to me." She paused, wondering how to approach the topic she'd come over for. Instead, she asked Catherine something else, "How do you know you're in love?"
Catherine choked on the sip of wine she was taking, hacking a cough after. "Wow, wasn't expecting that. There a reason you're asking?"
"Kind of. I guess I'm wondering if I ever really loved Mercedes, or if it was something else. I…think I loved her. But I have nothing else to compare it to."
Her companion scratched her head. "Don't take this the wrong way, but does it really matter?"
Byleth looked at her, question in her eyes.
"I mean, you two are done, right?" Catherine went on. "Who cares if you loved her or not. You won't really know that until you find someone else to compare it to. Probably."
"I guess you make a good point. I…think there's someone else who has their eyes on me," Byleth admitted. "I don't understand feelings very well, so I'm not sure what to do."
Catherine's full attention turned on her. "Wait, did Claude say something?"
Stricken, Byleth said, "How do you know I meant Claude?"
"Man's been in love with you since the academy," Catherine dismissed. "Did he finally say…wait, you figured it out?"
A bit offended, Byleth nodded. "Since the academy?"
"Fuck, probably wasn't supposed to say that," Catherine mumbled. "Look, By, he's always been taken with you. Is it really a surprise?"
"Yes!"
"Huh. Well, I think the rest of us had figured it out already. Or at least most of us." Catherine shook her head. "Wait, so what does this mean? What are you going to do about this?"
"Catherine, I figured this out about fifteen minutes ago. I have no fucking clue."
"And you came to me?" Catherine asked, clearly flattered. "Don't get me wrong, I'm glad you came to someone, but what gives you the idea that I'm an expert? I've got to have one of the more complicated romantic entanglements here."
"Takes one to know one?" Byleth shrugged. "I don't know, I just thought you wouldn't tease me about it."
"Yeah, you're right about that," Catherine said, looking back to the musicians. "So, do you love him?"
"I don't know."
"Do you like him?"
"He's my friend. My closest friend."
"You know what I mean, By."
"I don't know. He's attractive? But he's my friend, I don't know. This is why I wanted to know about love."
"Alright, word of advice, don't go to Hilda about this," Catherine advised. "She'll push you towards it. Not maliciously, she just wants Claude to be happy. And you, too."
Byleth nodded, saying nothing.
"So I guess to answer your question, being in love is like…" Catherine trailed off, looking over towards Shamir. Her partner caught her looking and gave her a slight smile, before returning to her conversation with Ferdinand. "Being in love is like feeling safe. Like everything's just going to be alright."
"I guess I feel like that with Claude," Byleth said shyly.
"Then maybe you do?" Catherine said, shrugging. "Look, if something happens between you two, I'll support it and cheer you on. You're my friend, By. I want you to be happy. But don't rush into something you're not sure about."
"I won't," she promised. "Done enough of that for one life."
"Just think about it. See if you can picture yourself with him. Maybe talk to Marianne, she'll keep the secret," Catherine suggested. "I imagine Marianne's got a good read on things like that."
"I will," Byleth said. "Thanks, Catherine. And for the record, I was so happy to hear about you and Shamir."
Catherine blushed. "Thanks."
"That's kind of why I came over here to begin with. It's about Rhea," Byleth said, hesitation bleeding off her.
Catherine said nothing, taking a sip of her wine.
"She's dead," Byleth said, expecting the worst.
But Catherine just nodded.
"You're…not angry?" Byleth asked.
"I don't know," Catherine said. "I think I expected that, maybe made peace with it. Maybe in five minutes it'll hit me and I'll be bothered. But…" She cast another look to Shamir with a smile. "I think I found a new person to fight for."
"I know we've all changed, but Catherine…" Byleth smiled. "I'm really happy to hear that from you. Extremely."
"Had a lot of time to think about it without her around," Catherine said. "Helped me get my priorities straight. My sword's better meant for Shamir, Ig, Petra, you, and the rest of your Deer."
"Our Deer," she corrected.
"Our Deer," Catherine smiled. "You know, I was a Lion in the academy when I went. Never really thought I would ever make a good Deer."
"Well, you were wrong," Byleth said, patting her on the shoulder, then pulling her into a sideways hug. "You're one of us."
Catherine smiled, fondly.
As Shamir walked away, Ferdinand glanced at where Byleth sat with Catherine. He'd had his reunion with Byleth, but the weight of Ignatz' letter rested on his mind.
Claude hadn't confronted him about it, yet. Maybe Ferdinand would get lucky and Claude would understand. But that would do nothing for the guilt devouring his insides. Were he less of a coward, he'd cross the long room and apologize to Claude now.
But he didn't. And day after next, he'd be leaving with Constance and Hapi to go to Aegir. His opportunities were fast diminishing.
Still, it was a balm to his heart to see Byleth again in the flesh. She was alive, well and truly. Whatever his sins, there was at least that to calm him.
"Ferdinand, have you a moment?"
"Archbishop," Ferdinand greeted, turning to Seteth. "Something you need?"
"Something for you and your journey, actually," Seteth said. "Stop by my tent tomorrow. I have a gift for you."
"A gift?"
"Assal, my spear," Seteth said. "A holy weapon of Saint Cichol himself, tied to the Crest you and I share."
Ferdinand's eyes widened. "Archbishop, I couldn't accept such a gift. That weapon is yours to wield, not mine."
"Wield?" Seteth chuckled. "I don't do much of that these days." He gestured with his only arm to his lack of another. "A powerful weapon does no good in the hand of one who cannot make use of it. You are worthy of it, so I should like you to have it."
"Worthy?" Ferdinand laughed, darkly. "I am a coward, someone who sat on the sidelines at Derdriu. I don't know if worthy is apt."
Seteth nodded. "Then as your former teacher at the academy, let me impart a final lesson. It is rude to refuse a gift. I deem you worthy, as this lance's wielder for quite some time. You are my blood in the Crest we share. The bravery I've seen from you is immense, and I will not listen to you disparage that."
"I—thank you, Archbishop."
"Good." He smiled. "The von Aegirs have always been a house I was fond of, us being of the same blood. I can think of no one I'd rather have it."
"You flatter me." Ferdinand looked away, embarrassed.
"Flattery implies feigned compliments," Seteth said. "I happen to think Saint Cichol himself would see you as worthy to his legacy. Do not try to refuse it, rise to that burden you feel. I have no doubt you will succeed."
Ferdinand had no words. Instead, he just said, "Thank you."
Seteth smiled. "Of course, Ferdinand."
Couples and friends started to dance as the musicians finally finished setting up. Raphael watched his sister be twirled around by Mercedes fondly.
"That one's your sister, right?" Balthus asked, idly watching the couples as well from his seat adjacent to Raphael.
"Yup, Maya. What gave it away?" Raphael grinned.
"Besides the hair? The attitude," Balthus chuckled. "You two twins?"
"No, just pretty similar looking," Raphael said. "She's a few years younger than me."
Balthus took a moment to do some mental math. "Wait, does that mean she's not even an adult? And she's chief of trade in Almyra or whatever it's called?"
He shrugged. "Maya's always been smart. I got the brawn, she got the brains. She's barely an adult, but already does so much. Makes me proud."
"I'm surprised you're not beside yourself with worry. Your sister, not even an adult and in a foreign country?" Balthus gave him a concerned look. "I know if my brother were in that position, I'd be constantly nervous."
Raphael laughed. "If she ever needs me, I'll come. War be damned, she knows she can count on me."
"You'd desert?" Balthus asked, shocked.
"What? No," Raphael said. "You think Claude would stop me?" Claude would never, the man was far too sympathetic to be so cruel. "But even if it was, I'd still do it. What does criminal matter in the face of never seeing your family again?" he said, words that'd been said to him long ago.
"That's some admirable conviction," Balthus said. "Wish I had that kind of strength when it came to family members."
Raphael wanted to ask, but he could tell when a topic was sensitive. Plus, he'd heard plenty about Trevor von Albrecht over the past five years. Balthus showed up out of nowhere, there had to be a story behind that. Probably one that didn't reflect too kindly on him.
"Well, you know what's good for conviction? A great training routine." Raphael puffed his chest out proudly. "Between that and plenty of meat, there's nothing that can stop you."
Balthus rolled his eyes, but seemed to appreciate the change in direction. "You're talking to the Undisputed King of Grappling, Raph. I know plenty about regimenting."
"Undisputed?" Raphael said. "Says who? I don't remember you ever challenging me to a contest of strength."
Balthus laughed until he realized Raphael wasn't joking. "Wait, you really think you could beat me?"
"These muscles aren't for show," Raphael grinned, leaning forward. "Arm wrestle?"
His friend nodded. "Arm wrestle." Balthus stood up and crossed to the opposite side of the table, rolling up his sleeve.
Hapi materialized on his other side. "B, you kick his butt. I've got ten gold on this."
"How do you have a bet on this? We literally just agreed to it," Balthus asked. His surprise was genuine, but he didn't seem all that caught off guard by who was saying it.
"Shh," Hapi said. "That doesn't matter."
Hilda slipped into the seat beside Raphael. "Raphael, you better win me my money. Hapi, for some reason, doesn't think you have what it takes."
Hapi stuck out her tongue. "Better surrender, Belle. B's the Undisputed King of Grappling. It's in the name."
"Hapi," Balthus said, exasperated. "Just yesterday you called me, and I quote, a 'fucking weak old man'."
"Yesterday I didn't have gold at stake," Hapi said. "So let's get this going, yeah?"
Raphael grinned, Balthus following suit. The reached out to each other, clasping hands, and put elbows on the table.
"On three," Hilda began. "One. Two. Three!"
Anna watched the stars come out as the night drew on, nursing whatever hard liquor had found its way to her cup.
It was nice to see everyone cut back and relax, even if she didn't know most of them. Reminded her of the days before the uprising in Hrym. Back when she had a group of people she could call friends.
Now, it was just her. Anna sipped the bitter liquid that tasted like muddy water. But damn was it strong, and that was what she needed.
She'd been to plenty of parties before, long ago in a different life. She and Jake used to have quite the little enterprise. She'd been the brains of the operation, while Jake the charismatic face of both of them. They'd been invited to plenty of galas and soirees while they lived in Derdriu. Jake had been well connected with the Merchant's Guild.
Then they'd had Riley and moved elsewhere. Then Jake passed. And then Riley.
Her little girl had always liked gatherings of people. She'd loved watching all the people talk, even if she were too young to track most of it. It was the energy in the air, Anna suspected, that really drew her. A true daughter of a merchant, Anna had thought proudly.
Parties like these, now they just made her remember what she'd lost. Anna had retreated to one of the windows away from the excitement, not wanting to be a joykill. These people deserved this. She shouldn't step on it.
Idly, she flipped a coin between her fingers, wishing for the days she'd been a greedy woman looking to provide for her daughter the best she could. Money didn't seem to matter much now.
"Anna!" Flayn squawked behind her, angry. "What are you doing so far away from everyone?"
A reflexive smile bounced onto her face. She liked Flayn. "Hello, Flayn. Just thinking."
"Do you…not like parties?" the girl wondered aloud, concerned. Goddess, the girl was too selfless for her own good. Anna just wanted to mope in peace.
"No, just haven't been to one in a while. Or had to interact with this many people." Anna shrugged. "Don't really know what to do with myself." It wasn't a total lie.
But maybe she should have just spoken the truth, because Flayn's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Oh, Anna, do not worry. I have an excellent idea for what you can do."
"Flayn, what are you—"
Flayn grabbed Anna's hand. "C'mon!"
Leonie wrapped her arms around Byleth, tightly. "Goddess, it's so good to see you, By."
"Likewise," Byleth said, holding her just as tightly. "It seems this series of reunions will never end. Not that I mind."
"You don't know how much I wanted to come see you after we found out you were alive," Leonie said. "But Derdriu needed me. The refugees needed me."
"You made the right call," Byleth said.
Leonie grinned. "Just remembered your teachings. Always look out for the innocent."
Byleth blushed, looking away. "Good, I'm happy to hear it." She recovered and looked Leonie up and down. "Maybe this isn't right to say, but I heard about what happened to you after Garreg Mach. I didn't know what to expect when I saw you again."
She continued. "But look at you!" It was Leonie's turn to look away. "Leonie, you've changed so much. And I can't help but think you're better for it, from what I heard from Claude about how you've been. Jeralt would be proud of his apprentice."
"And…and you? Are you proud?" Leonie asked.
Byleth hugged her again. "Yes. I am so proud of you, Leonie."
Tears escaped her eyes and Leonie returned the hug. "Thank you. For teaching me to be a better person."
"I learned plenty from you all as well," Byleth whispered. "I think I'm the lucky one."
"I'm glad you're back, By."
"Me too, Leonie."
"I was happy to hear that you two have reunited," Seteth said, smiling. "Seeing you each smile makes me feel like a younger man."
Shamir chuckled. "We that obvious?"
"Catherine's been miserable for months," Seteth said. "And now she suddenly is happy all the time? It doesn't take a genius to put two and two together."
She snorted. "Sounds like her. Still the same woman in some ways."
That drew a laugh from Seteth that rose above the ambient dancing music. "I always thought you two were excellent partners in the knights. I suppose that chemistry extends further. I am happy for you, Shamir. You seem happy as well."
"I am," she admitted. "Being back here with her, seeing Ignatz again, I feel a lot more like myself."
"I often find," Seteth said, "that after reclaiming happiness, it really puts the past in perspective. After reuniting with everyone here, I find myself realizing how much I struggled the past few years."
"You, struggle?" Shamir asked. "Doesn't sound like the Seteth I know."
"I am human," Seteth chuckled. "I am prone to emotion, as much as some students might disagree."
"I guess we're a bit similar," Shamir thought aloud. "Most students thought I was devoid of emotion."
"Brother!"
Their conversation died as Flayn rushed up to them, pulling Anna by the hand. Nearly flinging her into Seteth, she said, "You two should dance!"
Both recovered from the collision, exchanging glances. "Flayn," Seteth stared to say.
Flayn put her hands on her hips. "You two should dance. It's a party, you should have fun." It sounded far less like a suggestion and more of an order.
"Flayn," Seteth tried again, but stopped as she frowned at him.
"C'mon, if it'll make her happy," Anna said, offering a hand for him to take.
"I suppose," he conceded, letting Anna bring him to where others were dancing.
Shamir glanced at Flayn. "You trying to hook them up? After a new mother?"
The girl didn't seem surprised Shamir knew the secret of her birth. "No, they just both looked lonely. I think they could be friends."
"Hm," Shamir hummed, watching the two work through the awkwardness.
"They're more alike than they think," Flayn murmured, smiling as she watched them. "And dancing is fun."
"If you say so."
"Shamir! We should dance!"
"No."
"Aw, please?"
"No."
"Why not—hey, stop walking away!"
Author Notes: Last chapter a reader asked the question "When did Byleth fall in love with Claude?" And it's an excellent question, one I hope the first scene adequately answered. I love fanfiction's chapter by chapter format for so many things, but it does make it a little harder to do linking scenes like this that I want a chapter in between them for. Novels don't have this problem because you can flip to the next page. My personal philosophy for writing fanfiction is to write it as if it were going to be binge read, so I always try to orchestrate scenes/conclusions that push a reader to read the next chapter. So if you ever see me hit a stark moment that feels unresolved or random, chances are I intend to focus next chapter. So sorry to anyone who had that note of confusion! I totally get it.