I KNOW I'm gonna get some skeptics from this one.
Chapter 27 – The Good and Bad (Verdant Rain Moon)
"I have already heard Catherine's report about what happened," Rhea said as Byleth and the leaders of the three houses stood before the archbishop. "See to it that you all keep what transpired at the tower to yourselves. People would lose faith in the nobility should rumors spread of one using a Relic and transforming into a monster. All regions of Fódlan would fall into chaos. We must avoid that at all costs. Have I made myself clear?"
"Yes, of course, Rhea," said Byleth, with Claude, Dimitri and Edelgard nodding. "But I must ask, why did that happen to Miklan?"
"His transformation into a Black Beast was nothing short of divine punishment from the goddess. Punishment for someone arrogant and foolish enough to use a Hero's Relic even though they were unworthy and unqualified."
"Wait, you knew?" asked Claude.
"Of course, Claude. That is why we rushed to recover it. Sadly, we did not arrive in time."
Claude made an uncharacteristic scowl at this. Clearly, he didn't like being kept in the dark about it.
After a moment's silence, Byleth then asked, "Rhea, will I share the same fate…?"
The house leaders looked at Byleth with concern. The teacher had an unusual look of worry across her normally calm face.
With a reassuring smile, Rhea answered, "If someone without a Crest were to wield the Relic you possess, they would likely meet the same fate as Miklan. You, however, have been chosen. You are worthy of wielding the Sword of the Creator, so there is no need to worry."
"I'll take your word for it."
"Now then, the church will formally return the Lance of Ruin to House Gautier."
"Pardon, Lady Rhea," interrupted Dimitri. "But Sylvain told me that he received a message from his father. Margrave Gautier has given his direct approval for Sylvain to take possession of the Lance of Ruin."
"I see. I will permit this, but under one condition: He must never allow another to wield the Lance of Ruin. His brother clearly demonstrated what fate awaits those who break that restriction."
"Of course, Lady Rhea. I am certain he will comply with your terms."
"Good. You are all dismissed." Rhea began to head for her office, but after a few steps she stopped and added, "And Professor, please speak with Miss Arnault about her habit of eavesdropping on our meetings."
The sound of a sharp, surprised breath caught everyone's attention, and they turned to see a flash of wavy brown hair behind a pillar. Edelgard and Dimitri gave looks of exasperation while Claude made an amused smirk as Byleth walked over to the pillar. Taking Dorothea by the shoulder, Byleth led the singer out of the chamber with the house leaders in tow.
…
"Professor, I'm sorry," stammered Dorothea. "I was just curious of what Rhea knew about the whole thing. I–"
"Dorothea, if Rhea was going to punish you, I think she would have already done so," said Byleth. "But you can't just keep listening in on private meetings."
"Or you need to do a better job of not getting caught," Claude said jokingly, something that earned him a glare from both Edelgard and Dimitri. "Now if you'll excuse me, I've got something I need to look into."
Claude strode off as Dimitri said, "I understand if you wanted to hear it from the horse's mouth, Dorothea, but this isn't something you can go around gossiping to everyone else."
"Oh, don't worry about that," said Dorothea. "If I went around saying that the Hero's Relics were turning people into monsters, I'd have people trying to kill me for heresy." Then, more somberly, she added, "And I think I've had enough near-death encounters for now…"
The others nodded in silence.
Dimitri then said, "I was just thinking about something."
"Yes? What is it?" asked Byleth.
"The possession of Relics and Crests has been highly valued in Faerghus since ancient times. It's far from uncommon for someone to lose their ability to lead their house because they don't bear a Crest. Just like Miklan. It happened to my uncle as well. The eldest child of the king, and yet he never ascended to the throne. All families whose bloodlines carry Crests of the 10 Elites are much the same. But House Gautier takes it a step further, and absolutely requires an heir who possesses a Crest."
"Why House Gautier in particular?" asked Dorothea.
"To that house, the power of Crests is a necessity, not a luxury. House Gautier holds the most northern territory in the Kingdom, and they have fought with the people to the north for many years. The head of that house is responsible for protecting that territory from fearsome invaders, whom they keep at bay with the power of Crests and Relics. In exchange for that responsibility, they are granted special privileges within the Kingdom."
"So, just because Miklan didn't have a Crest, he got thrown out like trash? How in the world is that fair?"
"It isn't," answered Edelgard. "If you think about it, even without a Crest, Miklan was still a masterful thief and gathered enough ruffians to capture a fortress. Right or wrong, he was a gifted leader. He could have been a great asset to Fódlan, but instead he was cast aside. What a waste."
Dorothea stared down at the ground as Edelgard said this.
"It's true that a Crest can increase your magical abilities and allow you to wield the full might of a Hero's Relic. But one cannot measure a leader's worth based solely on whether or not they bear a Crest. There are plenty of talented people in this world without one."
"I concur, Edelgard," said Dimitri. "I too believe that Margrave Gautier was wrong to disinherit Miklan because he did not bear a Crest. Still, there is always a reason for why such customs stand the test of time. They are considered blessings from the goddess, after all, necessary to maintain order in Fódlan."
"Blessings?" Dorothea blurted out in a scornful tone. "You call them 'blessings'?! How are they blessings when they leave so many in the gutter? Only a select few ever get a Crest, and we elevate those people and let them rule the world, even if they're the worst possible people for the job, while everyone else is treated like… like scum! Crests are no blessing; they're a curse!"
"Dorothea!" Edelgard hissed with concern, worried that someone would overhear them.
Realizing how high she had raised her voice, Dorothea simmered down and said, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't be saying such things in a place like this. And just a minute ago I was talking about not wanting to be called a heretic."
Dorothea turned away from the others as she wrapped her left hand around her right elbow, her breasts resting atop her arm. The others could tell the topic wasn't something she liked.
Byleth then asked, "Dorothea, why do you hate Crests?"
"Huh?"
"I agree with you all that strength is strength, with or without a Crest. But Dorothea, you sound like you have some personal issue with them. What is it?"
Dorothea did not answer, standing still for a few seconds.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't be asking something so–"
"No, no, Professor, it's…" Dorothea sighed loudly and then said, "You're right, I do hate them on… on a personal level. You see… my father was a noble who had an affair with one of his maids. But when I was born, and he learned I didn't have a Crest, he threw me and my mother out into the streets of Enbarr. Before long, my mother fell ill and… I was alone, left in the alleys of the Imperial capital, just trying to survive from one day to the next."
"I see," said Dimitri, though he clearly wished for Dorothea to continue.
"Then years later, after I became a singer on the stage… I met the nobleman that I think is my father. His name was Lord Eadwald."
"I've heard of him before," said Edelgard with a frown. "He's only a minor noble, but in my eyes, few others are as undeserving of their title as he is."
"He told me he'd had a child with a maid, but the child didn't have a Crest… So, he threw them both away. Those were his very words. I can't prove that he really was my father, but… I suppose it doesn't matter. He didn't know who I was, and when he flirted with me, saying he wanted me to give him a Crest-bearing child, my feelings were something beyond fury. I was dumbfounded."
The others, even Byleth, were left with expressions of utter disgust at this.
"He wasn't the only one who came to me like that, wanting to… to use me, just so they could have a chance at a Crest-bearing child. But I knew better. I knew if I ever accepted their offer, I'd be living on borrowed time. None of them cared for who I was; many didn't even see me as a person, just something to make babies for them. And only so they could have a son or daughter with one of those damned Crests that everyone seems to worship!"
Everyone was left in stunned silence at Dorothea as she clenched her fingers.
"That's why I hate Crests. That's why I hate nobles who elevate Crests above all else. Nobles like my father, or Margrave Gautier, or all the others! THEY CAN ALL JUST GO TO HELL!"
Everyone was silent at Dorothea's outburst. And again, Dorothea realized just how loud she had been. Her anger quickly dissipated, replaced by a look of fear. Surely someone had heard them. The group was silent as Byleth looked around to see if anyone had been listening to them. There was no one else in the vicinity, but this gave Dorothea no respite.
"I… I…" Dorothea stammered.
"You have every right to be angry, Dorothea," said Byleth.
"Professor Eisner?" said Dimitri, surprised by Byleth's approval of Dorothea's outburst.
Byleth shut her eyes in brief contemplation, and then asked, "Do any of you wonder what Fódlan would be like if no one put any stock in Crests?"
The three students were silent at this question for a moment, and then Edelgard answered, "Honestly, I would prefer it. Take away Crests and people would have no choice but to rise and fall by their own merits."
"That… I'd be all for it," said Dorothea. "And not just because I'd no longer have people wanting to put a Crest baby in me."
"It is a noble ideal," said Dimitri. "But I question whether it is even possible. Would it be possible to cut away something like the Crest nobility, or must we find a way to accept it anyway?"
It was a question that the four would be left pondering for hours after the conversation ended.
I have to wonder if I'm having too many facts revealed between characters. Does Edelgard telling so much go against the plot? Am I being heavy-handed again?