Byleth had gotten through with telling Jeralt about Mercedes' sadness about leaving her friends in the Blue Lions behind to join the Golden Deer, which he thought was quite an interesting story.
"It must've been hard for Mercedes to walk away from everything she's gotten used to", Jeralt said.
"It was", Byleth said, "but now she understands that her friends are still close by, and she's also gotten to know every student in the Golden Deer house and has formed close bonds with many of them."
"And how about you", Jeralt asked, "does she have a bond with too?"
"I suppose so", Byleth said, "she gave me advice about not pushing myself too hard, and we also helped a monk walk to church for his daily prayer."
"I can tell you're very fond of her", Jeralt said, "especially going off of what happened when you went to check on her in her room."
Byleth began to blush at her father's mention of that particular interaction.
"Can we not talk about that, please", Byleth asked.
"Sure, kid", Jeralt said, "whatever you say."
Byleth picked up her dish and set it in a pile of dirty dishes.
"Well, I think it's time I was going back to my room to get ready for bed", Byleth said, "I really enjoyed eating with you, Dad."
But before she walked out of the dining hall, Jeralt went over to her.
"Hold up, kid", Jeralt said, "there's something I want to tell you."
"What is it", Byleth asked.
Jeralt put his hand on Byleth's shoulder.
"You're doing really well with your students", Jeralt said, "you're teaching them well, and you do so great leading them when you take them into battle."
"You really think so", Byleth asked.
"Yes I do", Jeralt said, "you're an amazing professor, and those kids in your class couldn't be luckier to have one like you."
Byleth couldn't help but feel touched by her father's words.
"You're doing great, Byleth", Jeralt said, "you really are."
"Thanks, Dad", Byleth said, "it means a lot hearing you say that."
Jeralt noticed the smile on his daughter's face.
"There's that smile", Jeralt said, "each time I see you smile feels better than the last."
"That's nice to know", Byleth said, "well, I'll be off to my room now."
"Okay", Jeralt said, "goodnight."
"You too", Byleth said.
Byleth made her way to her room, and when she got there, she stepped on something and looked down, and noticed that it was a folded-up piece of paper.
"What's this", Byleth asked, "a lost item?"
Byleth picked up the piece of paper and unfolded it to see what was on it.
"It's a note", Byleth said.
The note said:
Professor Byleth,
We would like to thank you for letting us join your house. We truly are grateful for you taking a chance on us and allowing us to become your new students. We've already learned so much from you, and we feel good about fighting in battles with you as our leader. We've also made many new friends in the Golden Deer, and we really feel like true members of your house. But none of this would be possible if we hadn't gotten to know you. You're the greatest professor any of us has ever had.
Your Three New Deer,
Bernadetta, Petra, and Mercedes
Byleth smiled at the note her new students left for her, and the voice of Sothis spoke up.
"It must make you happy having students who appreciate you this much", Sothis said.
"More than you can possibly imagine", Byleth said.
Byleth went into her room and began getting ready for bed, all the while thinking about the three new members of the Golden Deer House.
