Hello and welcome to another chapter~ Very quickly, I'd like to thank everyone who has been commenting so far. Comments are always appreciated and welcome as long as they're story relevant and polite. The only thing is, I have gotten a few guest comments asking some questions and I generally try not to respond to too many before or after a chapter because I'm aware it gets cluttered and I can get carried away with side chat. On the other hand I didn't want to leave anyone hanging when readers have given me a warm welcome to writing for the fandom thus far. So here goes.
Yes, the twins are 17 right now. It's already been mentioned a few times in the first three chapters and to change it would mean a lot of editing, as well as revising of future plot plans. I do have a plan about how aging them down could still work with some parts of canon, and don't worry too much about them not aging after the timeskip. I have planned for that as well. So no they won't stay the same age or anything. A lot of people keep telling me how old they are in canon, and yes I was always aware of the canon age. I simply want to be clear I'm disregarding it in this fic. Events surrounding their birth have been shifted accordingly.
Everyone, and I do mean everyone, wants Bylara to be paired with Claude. The good news is, she is. He's simply not the only one, hence me mentioning multiple love interests much later down the road (nothing extreme number-wise, but my mind is made up there). All of Bylara's romance options are already locked in. I know exactly how many/who she will be with. With Byleth I have his love interests nearly locked as well. Bernadetta is a definite. Probably Hilda as well. Anyone beyond that? I don't know.
Kitty suggested an accidental prank Claude could pull on Edelgard as well as if it was alright to send me suggestions/ideas. To answer their question and possibly the questions of others who may be wondering, sure! Sending ideas doesn't guarantee I will use them if it contradicts too much with what I have planned, but I still don't mind and do read suggestions. In fact I like a lot of what people have suggested thus far and may sprinkle things in!
Lastly, Houses! There was a lot of speculation about how Rhea would make use of two Byleths with the House system. But since I felt it was too early to do a poll on that, I decided to just use my original idea of one twin per House. Which goes to which House will be revealed this coming chapter! And please don't think that means they won't still heavily interact with the third House. They do!
The ceilings of the entrance hall seemed to stretch to the heavens. Byleth could see the minute they set foot inside the majestic monastery that it was unlike anyplace they had ever been before.
The red length of carpeting that stretched along the main path through and bisected the shining tiles was made of thin, velveteen cloth. And the stained glass windows far above their heads threw back sunlight that splashed the room in radiance. Red and white banners of a dragon curled around a symbol he was unfamiliar with hung from the ceiling.
The very air was charged with a feeling of sanctity hard to ignore. He, a mercenary whose hands had been stained red since he was knee-high, felt not only horribly out of place, but almost…unworthy. Bylara shifted closer beside him, gazing upward and nearly stumbling into him. He caught her arm quickly, drawing her attention.
"Impressive, isn't it?" Alois chuckled, his loud voice echoing even louder through the room. "I always thought you feel closer to the goddess here than anywhere else in Fodlan here at the Central Church."
"Sure, if you're into that." he heard Claude whisper.
Alois stopped walking and spun to look at the three students. "I'll take the captain and the others to see Lady Rhea. That'll be all for now. Why not go rest up back in your quarters?"
"Well," Edelgard closed her eyes with a little smirk. "I do believe we're being dismissed. I suppose I should go and see how Hubert has been rallying the others together in my absence. I suggest you two go and check on your own classmates as well." Regarding he and Bylara with one last smile, she inclined her head to the side. "I hope you'll both stick around. Talking to you more when you next have a moment would be nice."
Then she was off with a swish of the red fabric draped across her shoulder.
"Well I…guess she's right." Claude mused. "If we're not invited then we should probably check in and see how everything's going." Unlike Edelgard's polite goodbye, the yellow-clad boy gave them a wink and a mock salute. "House leader duty calls. Leave them alone for too long and things get a little…wild." They watched him jog off in the opposite direction Edelgard was going before stopping abruptly, almost causing a poor monk to run into him. "But hey, feel free to drop by and see me anytime if you feel like chatting."
Byleth let his eyes drift to Dimitri, who stood hunched in on himself, smiling shyly. "I…I should be going as well then. Please, if either of you need assistance, I will do my best to provide it. And my offer for a tour of the monastery still stands." he explained, punctuating his words with a bow.
"They're good kids," Alois chortled. "Hopefully you'll get to see more of 'em and the way classes run soon. We've got a promising crop this year!"
"Alois," Jeralt sighed. "Shouldn't we be going?"
"Of course, Captain! On to see Lady Rhea. I'm sure she'll be just as enthusiastic to have you back as I am!" he crowed, clanking down the hall at a surprising pace. "Well, maybe not as enthusiastic as I am, but close enough."
Jeralt and his men followed, many of the mercenaries drinking in the building's interior just as they had been. He and Bylara followed behind them at a slower pace. Byleth noticed a small frown forming on her lips, and, knowing instantly what it was about, he couldn't help but comment.
"You'll have to take Dimitri up on his offer of a tour after all, Byla."
She glowered, lips pressed tightly together. Her tendency to get lost indoors was one she didn't appreciate being reminded of, insisting that as long as she was competent enough with a map while outdoors it didn't matter.
Byleth narrowly avoided a jab from her padded elbow into his ribs, allowing his sister to brush by him to catch up to their father. Jeralt had just reached the grand wooden doors at the end of the corridor, pushing them open as if he knew precisely where they were headed.
A clear sky hung above them, spongy grass bending beneath their feet as they entered into a peaceful courtyard with yet another part of the monastery looming over it. Jeralt stopped, craning his neck back and muttering low. "Rhea's here."
Byleth squinted against the sunlight, noticing the regal woman on the stone balcony watching them with her cool gaze. He considered himself adept at seeing what people tried to hide in the depths of their eyes, but the longer he looked the more it felt like she was picking through his head.
With a graceful turn, she walked away, and whatever spell she'd been holding him under was released. "Three guesses who she could be," Bylara remarked as they continued on.
Yes, Byleth knew they had just glimpsed the most powerful person at the monastery.
The entrance hall had been overwhelming enough, but the audience chamber felt as though the spiritual essence dwelling in the walls of the monastery had been channeled into an enclosed space that ensnared all visitors. Byleth joined her in taking in the room carefully, while their father only shook his head impatiently. "It's been years since I set eyes on this place." he said. Considering they had recently discovered their father had a very intimate relationship with the Church in the past, that he was neither impressed nor overwhelmed by the monastery was not surprising. "To think I'd be forced to see her now…"
Forced was a very interesting word choice that Bylara couldn't help but pick up on. It said a lot about the frustration Jeralt held onto ever since Alois shepherded them along after the skirmish.
"Her who, Father?" Byleth asked.
"You saw her earlier in the courtyard." Jeralt explained. "You both did. That woman was Lady Rhea." She and her brother must have been wearing blank expressions, because their father's face pulled in a small frown. "What's with the lost faces? Huh. If I'd known we'd end up in this position I would've explained things sooner… Listen up, as you know the majority of Fodlan are followers of the teachings of Seiros." He paused, and they nodded to show they were with him thus far. "The leader of that ridiculously large religious organization would be the archbishop, Lady Rhea."
Bylara had felt in her bones that the woman from the courtyard was uniquely powerful from others they had met at the monastery. And once again her intuition had served her well. If the Church was to be their new home into the foreseeable future, and this Lady Rhea was its leader, than she effectively held their fates in her hand.
That realization didn't sit well with Bylara, and a new understanding of the apprehension her father had been displaying struck. They were used to the lives of mercenaries. Answering to no one and moving from place to place where they were needed.
It might have been unconventional or impossible to imagine for those like the nobles they met, but it was the only existence she knew. What new existence would she be forced to carve out here? And what if she didn't like it? She got the impression leaving the Church wasn't easy, and she'd only just arrived.
Careful footsteps echoed in the large room, and she turned with her father in brother, in time to see Lady Rhea entering the room with a stern-looking man at her side. They stopped not far in front of them, the archbishop all the more stunning up close. She had a tranquil face with soft lips curled in a demure smile, though there was no hiding the quiet ferocity in her bright green eyes. Her long, mint hair flowed down back and over her shoulders, a heavy golden diadem encircling it. White flowers were tucked into her locks on both sides of her head, and she wore a white dress accented by a navy and gold shawl.
The man beside her had a face Bylara supposed could be handsome in the right light, if not so severe in his expressions. His hair was a dark green and shoulder length with a part in the middle that exposed the thin golden circlet resting across his forehead. His eyes were the same forest green as his hair, and the tidy chinstrap beard he sported.
It was the solemn man that addressed them first in a self-important tone of professionalism. "Thank you for your patience, Jeralt. My name is Seteth, an advisor to the archbishop." It was no surprised he went directly to addressing their father, seeing as it was he who apparently had former ties with the Church. He who Lady Rhea would have the most to talk about with after so many years. After all, he was once someone with a very high position amongst the Church's warriors. The highest position. And he had vanished without a trace, presumed dead, from what they had gathered from Alois' ranting.
"Right. Hello," Her father's greeting was so stiff, there was no way that the two church officials couldn't have taken notice.
But Lady Rhea only continued to smile her serene smile, hands clasped in front of her. "It has been a long time, Jeralt," Even her voice sounded pious, edged with a silent but tangible authority. "I wonder…was it the will of the goddess that we have another chance meeting like this?"
"Forgive my silence all these years," Jeralt bowed respectfully, and knowing her father that was the best the archbishop could hope for. He'd never been the kind of man to bow and scrape. No, whether addressing wealthy clients or the leader of the Church of Seiros he held his solemn dignity intact. "Much has happened since we last spoke."
"So I see," Finally, her eyes drifted, stopping on Bylara and her twin. "The miracle of fatherhood has blessed you. These are your children, are they not?"
"Yes," he didn't spare them as much as a glance. Bylara kept her eyes focused ahead, adopting the passive expression she often wore in front of strangers she didn't know what to make of. "Twins. Born many years after I left this place. I wish I could introduce you to their mother, but we lost her to illness long ago."
That was as much as they had ever heard about the woman who brought them into the world. Once when asked, Jeralt's face became tight, his eyes misty in a fog of memories. And then he carefully explained how a terrible sickness had ravaged the land shortly after their birth, claiming their mother's life.
Looking back, it had been odd how quickly they had both accepted the explanation with no further insistence for elaboration. Asking innumerous questions the way children were wont to do. Instead, they had trusted their father, taken them at his words and silently bid farewell without fuss.
They lost their mother before they could get to know her, nor she them… that was…well, in childhood it had been disappointing. But as years went on, Bylara thought even less of the mysterious woman. She wondered if Byleth had given up too.
He must have, because even when it was just the two of them, when they would share private thoughts they didn't dare express with anyone else, he made no mention of it.
For the first time in more than half their lives, the somewhat taboo topic was being brought up. If that wasn't a clear sign the new environment would inevitably bring more changes, she wasn't sure what was.
"I see, my condolences," Rhea dipped her head shallowly, "As for you," Intent eyes refocused on them. "I've heard of your valiant efforts from Alois. What are your names?"
Only a beat passed, and then her brother was introducing himself. "My name is Byleth Eisner." he bowed the way their father had—at the waist.
Rhea smiled, pleased, and then her fine brow rose in question as her head swiveled in Bylara's direction. "And I am Bylara Eisner, milady." She curtseyed (out of practice with the gesture as she was) to follow her brother's noble example. She couldn't have the archbishop thinking he was the one with all the manners.
"Fine names indeed," Rhea complimented. "From the bottom of my heart I must thank you for saving the students of the Officers Academy."
To the side, she heard Jeralt let out a derisive "hmph" as if to silently object that if they hadn't helped, he wouldn't have been dragged along back to the monastery he'd been avoiding.
Bylara pointed to give him a pointed look, but considering the company they stood in front of, she refrained. If he hadn't wanted them to be the kind to step in when a stranger was in need, he had only himself to blame. He'd raised them to have a code of honor, even if they were mercenaries.
Pleasantries with them over, Lady Rhea dutifully turned her attentions back to their surly father. "Jeralt…you already know what it is I wish to say, do you not?"
"You want me to rejoin the Knights of Seiros, don't you?" he heaved a burdensome sigh. Bylara couldn't help the look she shared with Byleth. Had this been what the trip was leading up to? She had suspected for a time that their arrival at Garreg Mach would be an indefinite hiatus from mercenary work—at least in the capacity that they had been doing it—but this was unexpected. "I won't say no, but…"
"Your apprehension stings. I would have expected that Alois would have already asked this of you." The archbishop canted her head thoughtfully, impressing Bylara with the way her headpiece stayed in place. "I must step away for now. I expect they will soon wish to have a word with you."
Bylara was again a bit befuddled. The archbishop was considering them in all of this? "Please listen carefully to what they have to say. Until tomorrow, farewell."
Lady Rhea and her advisor left the audience chamber as gracefully as they had entered. Leaving the three mercenaries in an awkward bubble of silence no one was sure how to break.
It took some time, but in the end it was the one among them with the deepest understanding of what was going on who spoke up. "Tomorrow, huh…?" Jeralt muttered, stroking at his beard. "Well. It looks like we'll be here at least for the night. Not that you two couldn't have already guessed that, eh? Come on, let's see if we can find someone to point us in the direction of somewhere we can all lodge. I'll have to find our men and tell them too."
'And then, will he tell us why all the secrecy was needed?' she thought. She ended up staring into a pair of dark blue eyes identical to her own. Byleth shrugged.
Though Lady Rhea had been gracious enough to encourage them to speak among themselves, not much new information had been revealed to them. Instead, Jeralt made himself busy instructing his mean on how to conduct themselves when in a place like the monastery.
They were, after all, mostly if not entirely common-folk in their mercenary band, rough around the edges and not used to formalities. They were given a light meal the night before, shown to their temporary chambers by servants of the Church, and left alone.
He and his sister had been placed in rooms right next to each other, but she had come to his quarters and they'd talked long into the night. Their father had never shown, further proving the point that he had something to hide from them.
The circumstances were so unique that for the time being, Byleth was willing to forgive him his secrets. With all their years on the road they had learned to trust Jeralt did everything with good reason, and in all their lives, he hadn't led them astray so far.
But as they stood together waiting on the arrival of the archbishop in her audience chamber again, it was painfully obvious Jeralt would rather decline the whole thing and be back on the road. "I can't believe it. Forced back into the Knights of Seiros." he complained again. Byleth also knew what was coming next when Jeralt looked at them. "I'm sorry I dragged you into this. Looks like I'll be stuck here for a while…and normally I'd say you could take our men and do the job in the Kingdom without me, but…"
"But what?" Bylara pushed.
"But I'm afraid your services are being requested here as well…"
He had to admit, that was an admission he hadn't planned for whatsoever. 'We're…we're going to be working here?' he wondered. 'This doesn't seem like the type of place to have use of mercenaries when they already have the Knights.'
"Father…in what capacity do you mean?" Bylara squinted. "Are we going to earn our keep as…servants?"
"Nothing like that," Jeralt calmly waved the notion away. "They want to offer you both teaching positions by the sound of it."
Bylara's mouth parted slightly. Her jaw hadn't dropped open, but paired with the way her pupils blew wide, it made her feelings pretty evident. Byleth worked his jaw around as he tried to piece together exactly what he'd just heard.
Teach? A teaching job? Jeralt had long since trusted them with instructing new additions to their mercenary group when he didn't have time, but it hardly crossed the blue-haired boy's thoughts that the Knights of Seiros or any other Church-affiliated warriors would need help from two mercenary kids. And that wasn't to undersell their immense skills, either.
Then, he thought of one more possibility. "You couldn't mean…"
"The Officers Academy." Jeralt confirmed. "They're down a professor this year, but that damned Alois recommended you both and Rhea took it into consideration."
"I'm having a hard time understanding how we've been brought into the fold so quickly." Byleth voiced. "Your affiliation aside Father—"
The hurried clack of heels on stone plowed clean through the conversation. A woman with short cinnamon brown hair curled above her shoulders rushed toward them, wearing a turquoise dress with a neckline that displayed her ample cleavage and a slit in the side that made her legs appear a mile long. A white cloak was pinned around her shoulders. "You must be the new professor!" She leaned forward, flashing their father a flirty smile. "My how stern and handsome you are!"
Bylara made a noise somewhere between a laugh and a cough.
"Er, no. I'm not the one you're looking for." Jeralt said through a tight smile.
An older gentleman in a long, drab coat with a monocle in front of one blue eye, who looked every part the esteemed academic, walked in to stand beside the woman. "Remember, Manuela, we're getting two additional professors. Did you hear none of what Seteth explained?"
"It looks like you can handle things from here. Good luck." Their father had never been a man who coddled, so it wasn't surprising he was leaving to attend to his own duties. Nevertheless, Byleth wished they had gotten more answers from him before being thrown into the middle of all this.
Adjusting to whatever was ahead for them would leave precious little time to interrogate him properly. Jeralt clapped a hand onto both their shoulders as he passed. "Watch out for Lady Rhea," he whispered, tone grave. "I don't know what she's thinking, making you both professors like this. She might be up to something…so stay on your guard." He leaned away as if he'd only meant to impart friendly, fatherly advice, strolling out without a look back.
The warning alone had put Byleth on his guard (and no doubt his sister as well) so there was no need for Jeralt to concern himself with them being caught unaware. Questioning the archbishop's motives so plainly was tantamount to heresy, wasn't it? And right in front of two members of her staff, though they probably hadn't heard… For their father to have not waited until they were somewhere private to warn them, well...it spoke of a whole new level of seriousness from him.
Byleth took in a deep breath, closing his eyes briefly and then letting them open again. 'He's never guided us in the wrong direction. If he's telling us to act with discretion, then maybe he knows something…maybe that's why he never brought up the Church before now.'
It wasn't the time to ponder over it, not when the two professors before them were staring with intrigue. "It's you then?" the woman gawked. "So young…"
"Age and competence aren't necessarily correlated." The monocled man reminded her. "I am Hanneman. I am the resident Crest scholar here, and a professor at the Officers Academy." He gave a short but polite bow at the end of his introduction, and Byleth nodded a curt response.
"Byleth Eisner."
"I have to wonder, hearing of your exploits, do you either of you bear a Crest?" Hanneman asked. "When next you have a moment, I insist you pay me a visit so we can delve into the subject further."
Byleth wasn't sure he'd agree to something like that so hastily. Introductions rolled on without giving him time to formulate an answer.
"I'm Manuela. I'm the academy's physician, a songstress, a professor and…available," she purred. Her brown eyes fluttered beneath the orange accenting of her makeup. Byleth shifted his wait from one foot to the other, wondering exactly why she'd give out that information. "It's nice to meet you." You truly did seem to mean just him, because it was almost as if she'd forgotten Bylara was there too.
Choosing to be diplomatic, he stowed his discomfort over her seductive leer, focusing instead on the accomplishments she'd mentioned. "Songstress?" he repeated. They had met one once, long ago. She combined her singing with magical spells that allowed her to invigorate her allies in battle. It was a technique he hadn't witnessed since.
"Of course," Manuela perked up at his show of interest, no matter if it was simply an attempt at a nicety. "Before I came here I belonged to a famous opera company. Perhaps you've heard of me?"
"I can assure you we haven't." Bylara wasn't one to take kindly to being blatantly ignored.
Manuela pouted. "How is that possible? I was the Mittelfrank Opera's beautiful, peerless—"
"I'm sure our new colleagues would rather hear about the duties they're expected to perform." Hanneman cut in. Manuela seemed the type who could talk about herself for an undetermined amount of time, something he'd have to keep in mind if ever cornered into a conversation with her again.
"You'll both be tasked with taking charge of one of the academy's three Houses."
Byleth may not have known exactly what that meant but he could already tell it was a grand undertaking of a task. "Take command of them? Like leading soldiers?"
"Oh, heavens no!" Manuela gasped. "Like leading students." Right. Students. Not soldiers. "You really don't know, do you?" Sympathy washed over her face as she shook her head. "I suppose I'll do you a favor and explain then."
Fate was such a strange thing. To think, the three nobles they had met were the House leaders they would now be tasked with guiding throughout the year. "How do you think they've taken the news?" Byleth asked, his head bent low over a text. The academy held no shortage of new books to read over, about every subject imaginable. Her brother had set to work delving into a tome on strategies through the ages of the Adrestian Empire.
"How would you take it?" she countered. "We're going to be tasked with teaching them, yet we could all be peers…I'm sure when they entered a prestigious academy they expected to be learning from only the finest and most qualified scholars." She slipped down from her perch on a nearby desk just as the cathedral's bells rang out. Byleth shut his book and rose from his chair.
"Lady Rhea wishes to speak with us again before we officially meet the students." Byleth's longer legs made short work of the distance to the door. "Let's not keep her waiting."
Bylara huffed, a thick piece of hair that had fallen into her face stirred by the action. They had spent two nights here thus far, and hadn't explored much yet. She was in no hurry to get lost, so as interested as she was in touring the old structure, she was also fine with the wait.
In the meantime they spoke yet again on why they had been chosen for such an important role, what their father's cryptic warning could have meant, how they would adapt to their new lives as professors, of all things.
Byleth was the one to guide them around the many twists, turns and stairs of Garreg Mach. Bylara only concerned herself with trying to stay close and memorize the layout so she could do it herself in the future.
By the time they reached the familiar audience chamber for their third visit, Lady Rhea stood alone, waiting patiently. "Welcome again," she greeted, her face gentler than previously. "I trust you're now fully informed on what your positions here will be?"
Bylara refrained from shrugging. "We get the gist, yes."
"Excellent." Rhea hummed. "The students are given a grace period after arriving to unpack and familiarize themselves with the academy. It only seems fair you have the same before the first day of classes. Please, speak with each of the House leaders and learn more about your new home. That is the first assignment I am giving you as professors."
Knowing the woman likely expected some response, Bylara dipped into a small bow. "That's very kind of you, thank you Lady Rhea."
"Please, no thanks are necessary." Her expression and the warmth she openly expressed was so unlike the Lady Rhea they had first met. She conversed with them as if they were dear to her, like she could spare them all the patience in the world. "When you're finished, return to speak to me here."
She gently ushered them out, perhaps more eager than they were for them to begin their teaching experience.
Speaking to the House leaders was easier said than done. The grounds were vast, and they had no idea where to really began looking. Each time they approached a random student, one look at Byleth and they clammed up. Bylara supposed his face could be intimidating if one wasn't used to it. And she was mildly curious why her presence didn't generate the same response, but either way they were getting nowhere.
"Not a single student seems to know any of their whereabouts."
"Maybe we should split up?" Bylara suggested half-heartedly.
Unsurprisingly, her brother saw right through her. "You don't mean that. You haven't gotten acquainted to the layout here yet. Splitting up would be pointless."
"I know," She just wasn't sure what else to suggest. Looping back around to ask Lady Rhea how to go about locating three students would surely look bad.
Her eyes drifted around the hall, hoping someone competent-looking passed by. Instead, she met eyes with a fairly tall boy with messy red hair who had been speaking to a blushing girl. When she walked off, he turned and sent Bylara a dashing grin.
"What is it?" Byleth questioned, "Do you see someone?"
"He looks like someone who might know something."
His retort was a quiet but pronounced sort of grunt. She was sure he'd rather they find someone else, but she'd already started toward him so of course Byleth followed.
"Hello,"
"Well, well! It must be my lucky day, being approached by such a beauty." His light brown eyes lit up, notably lingering on the space below her collarbone. One glance at her brother and she saw his jaw tick tellingly. It was best to speed the interaction along, for the redhead's sake.
"I'm Sylvain Jose Gautier." Almost too eagerly, he reached down and took one of her hands, turning it to expose the flesh of her palm. She stared incredulously as he closed his eyes and leaned forward, only for Byleth to snatch her hand away by the wrist, his other hand seizing Sylvain's. Eyes still closed, he chuckled. "Your hands are a little rougher than I was expecting, and you're pretty forward. I kind of like it." He pecked Byleth's wrist, then frowned. "Wait…"
All the mirth drained from his face in an instant, faced with her brother's most menacing glare. There were many dead men who had faced that same scowl. The last thing they saw on the earthly plane. But this wasn't out in the field cutting down foes, so it might cause problems if Sylvain joined them.
Bylara carefully stepped in front of her brother, aware that it did not do much to block either male's view of the other. Sylvain took a careful step back. "A pleasure to meet you. I'm Bylara, and you've already acquainted yourself with Byleth." she smirked, watching the flustered redhead rub his neck and avert his gaze.
"Y-Yeah…sorry about that…anyway, I'm assuming you didn't come over for a tea date?" Regaining some of his previous confidence, he wiggled his eyebrows. "Although—"
"Tell us where to find any of the three House leaders." Byleth demanded, his tone flat. When his fingers moved to the sheathed dagger at his hip, Bylara reached behind her and brushed them away.
Slow, and probably painfully aware of the bloodlust rolling off Byleth, Sylvain lifted his hands into view.
"Right. Uh…Edelgard's right over there." Following his stare, they saw that the Empire's princess had been in the far corner of the room the whole time.
Ironic they hadn't spotted her first when she was hard to miss with her eye-catching hair and penchant for wearing red. Byleth's vice grip latched onto her wrist, and he began dragging her with a final disinterested stare at Sylvain.
"Thank you," she tossed over her shoulder.
"No problem," The further away her brother was from his vulnerable person, the less anxious he looked. "Feel free to say hi whenever you like."
"Don't even breathe in his direction or he'll take it as interest." Byleth hissed.
"You're overreacting." She jerked her arm free with a roll of her eyes. "I can handle one flirt."
"Hmph…"
Everyone in the courtyard was so taken in by the pleasant day the goddess had blessed them with. People stood huddled close already exchanging their hopes for the year, some lounged on the grass as lazy cats ambled around. Dimitri leaned against a pillar, observing but not really taking much in, his shoulders slumped.
His time at the Officers Academy had certainly started off unexpectedly. To be killed before even attending his first class would have made him a disgrace to his Kingdom and rendered any hopes at achieving his goals lost forever.
Luckily, a peculiar team of mercenaries had come to the rescue, among them blue-haired twins Professor Manuela had informed would be joining them all at the academy. Not as fellow students though, but as professors!
Had he known that either Bylara or Byleth could end up being his instructor, he would have perhaps tried conducting himself in a different manner. On the road they had talked as equals, happy acquaintances, and he'd hoped in time they could perhaps come to be friends… Then when the time came to return home, they might be willing to lend their aid and—
Distracted as he was, even Dimitri could feel it when all eyes in the courtyard shifted and lively conversation became hushed whispers. Looking up and to the west, he saw the twins he'd just been thinking of speaking to Claude.
No doubt the confident and carefree Golden Deer leader was regaling them with some tale or another. His heart sank when he imagined they'd be taken in by his charisma, more likely to choose to join with the Alliance after graduation.
Byleth nodded, saying something than made Claude laugh—probably not intentionally, the stoic mercenary didn't seem the type for casual jokes—and then he pointed. Two heads turned, and he realized they were already walking over. Dimitri put on a friendly smile, fidgeting with his gloved hands in a way he hoped was discreet. "Please accept my apologies for the other day," He couldn't help himself. He had to make them aware he hadn't meant to be so rude, assuming them all friends so quickly and addressing them as such.
"I'm not sure why apologies would be necessary…" Byleth said, his blank expression giving nothing away. During the travel to the monastery, Dimitri hadn't been able to get much from him. He spoke when spoken to, but hardly went out of his way to strike up conversations.
Sometimes, he even seemed to hesitate on how to answer, and at those times it was Bylara who explained in his stead. She appeared the more open of the two, although nonetheless calm and hard to read.
They both intrigued him, and now that he knew they'd be teaching classes, he could only hope one of them took an interest in the Blue Lions. Or rather, that Lady Rhea saw fit to assign one of them his House.
"Yes, well…if I've done anything rude during our short acquaintance I'd ask that you forgive me." he went on. "I've heard you're both to be teaching here at the academy? Delightful news! Are you investigating the Houses?"
"That we are," Bylara crossed her arms. "So Dimitri, what should we know about your House?"
He shored his confidence, ready to present to them all the reasons the Blue Lions were a wonderful class to teach. "Ah, where would you like me to begin?"
"With its leader." Byleth commanded. Dimitri blinked, feeling a little embarrassed. Bylara raised a hand to place on her brother's arm as if staying him, then dropped it.
"We'd be interested in learning about all the students in your class, starting with you," Her gentler tone coaxed him to relax a bit, but he was flustered on the prospect of having to start with himself.
"M-Me?" Unbidden, he felt the beginning of a blush creep onto his face. "Oh. Um…it's difficult to open up on the spot, don't you think?" A nervous chuckle trickled out. Dimitri began fidgeting in earnest, avoiding their eyes as he continued, "I'm afraid my story has not been a pleasant one…" His eyes peeked up. "I do hope that doesn't color your view of me, but I understand if that can't be helped…" Even to his own ears he sounded pitiful and far too eager for the approval of near strangers.
'This is not the impression I intended to make,' he thought in frustration.
"If anything, it should be us asking you not to let our pasts color your views." Bylara sighed. "We were mercenaries not so long ago, and many view our work as less than noble. Our positions here are unique, but that doesn't change who we are."
"N-No," he gulped. Somehow, her words had lessened his worrying. "I suppose it doesn't."
"You shouldn't expect us to judge based on whatever lies in your background," Byleth added. "Our lives have taught us to see people for who they are in the moment."
That was not how it was in the world of nobles. Often, preconceived notions of you were decided upon long before a meeting actually occurred, based largely on bloodlines, Crests, and the deeds of your family. Dimitri supposed if anyone were to ignore all of that, it would be those raised in a world where none of that equated to much.
"That aside," Bylara tilted her head, large blue eyes inquisitive. "What of the others in your House?"
Dimitri scratched his neck, the sun beating down making his skin itch. "I…Well my retainer is Dedue. It's rare that he's not by my side, so you're likely to meet him soon anyhow. He was born in Duscar."
He stopped and waited to see if the telltale widening of eyes or sneers of disgust would follow, but not the smallest trace of disdain appeared. Promising to think that his friend and retainer would have fair treatment from at least two members of the staff. "He's been with me for the last four years. He's a bit on the taciturn side, but once you get to know him, you'll see he's a kind and good-natured person."
"He sounds like someone else I know with a taciturn personality," Bylara snickered. Byleth looked down at the top of her head in boredom.
Ah yes! She made a good point. Byleth was also reserved, but didn't seem to be unkind. He certainly had a close and attentive bond with his sister. That much he had already observed.
Relief washed over him yet again. "I am glad that you're both understanding. The other Blue Lions are also unique individuals as it were. Felix is the heir of House Fraldarius and possesses a sharp tongue…he's a good guy deep down, of course. He has a tendency to gravitate toward the strong. He may challenge you both to a spar once he learns of your time as mercenaries."
"A new challenge?" Byleth muttered, fist clenching.
"It's his way of saying he's excited." Bylara said. "Please, continue."
"Yes, gladly." Dimitri thought of the other classmates he had yet to mention. There were many, some he had never met. He decided they could introduce themselves at a later time, and he would only focus on those he could provide reliable information on. "Hmm…Well there's Ashe. He's the adoptive son of Lord Lonato of Castle Gaspard. He's incredibly earnest. Any teaching you have to offer him I'm sure he'll approach enthusiastically."
Who wouldn't appreciate an earnest student who hung on their every word?
"Then there's also Sylvain of House Gautier. He's capable, but…a bit of a, erm…a skirt-chaser, to put it bluntly."
"Yes we've met him."
Curious, the clear displeasure in Byleth's eyes versus the calm exasperation in Bylara's.
Could he have done something to upset them and diminish their opinions of the Blue Lion House? They had said they preferred basing opinions of others on what they saw in the moment, and at any given moment when Sylvain saw an attractive woman… which many would easily say Bylara was—oh, no.
Dimitri couldn't stop the sinking feeling. "Oh! I sincerely hope he didn't do anything unbecoming. I apologize on his behalf if so. I'll be sure to speak seriously with him about his behavior the next time I see him." The talks had never helped much in the past, but, if they were going to have either of the Eisners as professors for the year, it was time to lay down some ground rules with more insistence.
"See to it that you do," Byleth growled. His sister nudged him softly.
"Dimitri, if I may ask…is the Blue Lions House entirely male?" Byleth's glare sharpened at her question.
"Certainly not! It is true that the number of males enrolled does seem high this year, but we are not lacking female classmates. Off the top of my head, I cam think of several."
Bylara nodded for him to go on. "Mercedes is carefree on the surface, but a kind-hearted and attentive soul. She always strives to be helpful to those around her. And Annette is her close friend. She's very eager and studious, with a background in studying magic. If either of you happened to have any knack for spells…"
"We've both dabbled," Bylara explained. "Although I focus more on White spells."
"And I prefer the Black arts."
"Very impressive," Dimitri had never had any particular proficiency for magic or interest in learning advanced spells himself. But mages were valuable fighters, and being able to switch between physical and magical skills kept a warrior versatile. "I should however mention Annette tends to be a touch oblivious with matters outside the classroom," he sighed deeply. "I think it's best to keep her away from the kitchen, if rumors of her causing an explosion there last night hold any truth."
"Noted." They chimed in unison.
"Good," Dimitri smiled, "The last member of our House I'm familiar with is Ingrid, a daughter of House Galatea. She is also a childhood friend of Sylvain, Felix and myself. I hold her in high regards as a principled, industrious and dutiful individual. I would go as far as saying she presents herself as more knightly than seasoned knights you might meet." Trying to gauge their reactions, he found them wearing identical thoughtful expressions, taking it as a good sign.
"Like the others, the Blue Lions sound like a House of many personalities." Byleth reflected, hand on hip. "Thank you for speaking with us."
"My pleasure," Dimitri bowed.
"We should go and inform Lady Rhea we've spoken to you, Claude and Edelgard. I'm sure she's expecting us," Bylara commented.
"Then please don't allow me to keep you," Dimitri suddenly felt self-conscious, hoping he hadn't talked for too long. He'd just been so enthused to get the chance to tell them about what made the Blue Lions special.
They departed, already talking amongst themselves. 'I've done my best…I suppose the rest is a decision far out of my hands.'
Lady Rhea wasn't alone anymore. Seteth, Manuela and Hanneman stood with her, and as their footsteps rang out and echoed in the chamber, Byleth could see they were evidently the last to arrive.
"Have a nice tour?" Manuela asked. "I take it you're at least a little more familiar now?"
She still had far more interest in looking at Byleth than anyone else in the room, but she was to be their new colleague. Jeralt had always fostered in them a need to know and trust anyone they called a colleague. Bylara cleared her throat. "Yes, so it would seem."
"Excellent!" Rhea beamed.
"Forgive me," Seteth grumbled. "I still have my own reservations about your student appointments here, as professors no less. But I trust Lady Rhea's judgement. And, because you are both new here, we have elected to allow you to choose which Houses you will watch over for the year. Know that it is up to you to shape the impressionable young minds of this academy into upstanding members of Fodlan."
There was an inherit threat to ward against their failing somewhere in there, Byleth could just sense it. "We understand."
"Wonderful," Rhea answered, "So…have you made your selections?"
Al eyes honed in on them, and they shared a small nod. They had already spoken on the way over about what they would do if given the choice. As Lady Rhea would have it, they were.
"We have, Lady Rhea," Bylara was all business now, standing as straight as she could even at her short height.
"Don't keep us in suspense then!" Manuela urged. "Out with it!"
"Patience," Hanneman scolded. But there was no hiding he was just as eager.
"I'd like to take on the Golden Deer House." Byleth announced. Claude and his schemes, this Raphael and his excessive eating, the girl named Hilda and her laziness… From the sounds of it, they could all use a firm and structured hand to reach their potential. He had strongly considered Edelgard's House, but the students of that house sounded highly self-sufficient and orderly. In short, the Golden Deer herd needed him that much more.
"A…surprising choice," Seteth remarked. "And you, young lady?"
Bylara was as straightforward as he knew she'd be. "The Blue Lions." Her choice was hardly surprising. Bylara had a strong affinity for the kind of firm but nurturing way of instructing he thought the Blue Lions might need. If Sylvain became a nuisance, though…
"Then your hearts have made their decisions. Congratulations," Rhea's clear voice was like a holy anointment as she said, "You are homeroom professors of the Golden Deer and Blue Lion Houses respectively."
"That just leaves one of us the Black Eagles." Hanneman cupped his chin. "Well, I— "
"Go ahead, Hanneman." Manuela winked. "We both know you're probably more suited as a homeroom professor for this year's crop. I'll still be teaching them everything they'll really need to know in my lectures anyway."
"Like what?" Hanneman scoffed. "How to procrastinate, the best herbal remedies for—"
"This should conclude the meeting." Seteth was evidently having none of their bickering or antics. "While you go and officially introduce yourselves to your students, we'll get your quarters prepared."
"Oh! I'd be happy to point them in the right direction~"
A girl with green hair in two ringlets down her shoulders skipped in, from seemingly nowhere. She regarded he and Bylara with sparkling verdant eyes and a cheerful smile. "Hello! It's wonderful to meet you both!"
"Flayn!" Seteth squawked, his voice rising an octave. "You cannot just barge in! This does not concern you. It is..."
"Oh hush, brother," she giggled. "None of that. I simply wished to meet the new professors you've spoken about." Walking closer, she tilted her head up to meet eyes with Byleth. "Hm...your face is perhaps a tad intimidating, but I feel certain I sense none of the 'shifty presence of a cold-blooded mercenary' my brother..."
"Flayn, please!" Seteth protested, plainly flustered.
Byleth wasn't surprised Lady Rhea's advisor didn't trust them. He'd been told even as a child his neutral expressions didn't lend him to a harmless impression.
"And oh!" Flayn stepped in front of Bylara, "I have a good feeling about you too, of course."
"Alright." Seteth, pinching the bridge of his nose, walked over to place a hand on Flayn's shoulder and gently usher her aside. "This is Flayn, my younger sister. She is not a student here so she will not be attending your classes. You will no doubt see her around the monastery nevertheless."
After, the meeting was truly over, Byleth and Bylara led out and to their quarters. The next day was sure to be eventful, he thought, and if the other students were half as animated as the House leaders and staff, then time teaching at the monastery would require serious adjustment on his part...
In the end it's the Blue Lions and the Golden Deer that gain the twins as their homeroom professors. No, the Black Eagles will not be left out of the narrative. I'm quite fond of many members of the BE and I think they've got too many interesting characters to go excluding them. And although Dimitri is the first character outside of Byleth/Bylara to get a POV he won't be the last. I simply felt his perspective fit best in this chapter vs Claude's or Edelgard's, but we'll be hearing from the House leaders in the future. Just have patience there.
We see a little bit of Byleth running interference in action with Sylvain being shot down. I don't see that being the last time he has to try to keep Sylvain (and others) away. Maybe he and Seteth should form a club for overprotective relatives? lol
I tried to make this chapter longer to cover their initial introduction to academy life. More will be explored in their day to day, how they handle classes, interacting with students, and plot bits, naturally.
Thank you for reading and please do take the time to review.
P.S. I am new to writing for this fandom so I want to add, I don't update on any schedules. Quite a lot usually goes on for me between chapters (right now I'm in the process of moving and just got my internet reconnected), so all I can say is I'll steadily keep writing the story but it's not going to be updated on a specific day of the week every two weeks or anything like that.