"Heh. I have already dedicated my life to Lady Edelgard. To throw my lot in with you is inconceivable. But if I had two lives to give… I might devote one of them to you. We could be a couplet of birds, flying along the sovereign of Black Eagles…" He stood confident; his dark attire bathed in the summer sunlight of the courtyard. His green eyes steady to the sky as if visualizing the scene.
"What?" Byleth found herself close to speechless. At what point did this man lay down assassination attempts in place of fondness? A strange, but not entirely unwelcome, feeling settled in her stomach. She had to admit, they had formed a strong bond over the course of the war, but she had never allowed herself time to understand those sentiments.
He watched her with humoured eyes. "Oh, apologies, I had no idea such words would leave you so… flustered. It is actually quite endearing to see your face as red as our banner."
She raised a hand to her cheek, feeling the warmth of her skin. The words still stuck in her throat.
"But make no mistake, there is no room for another in my life… I will leave you be. Good day, Byleth."
He strolled away without giving her room to respond, appearing to be most content with himself.
Byleth's mind pondered over the encounter, wondering why she reacted the way she did. Stammering and blushing like a young girl. An uncouth response to be sure. A wave of embarrassment trickled through her body. It was like a dam had broken with his words – letting loose a flood of sensations that she desperately needed to unpack. She stepped out of the radiating morning sun to spare her burning face, finding solace in the cool shade of the castle walls. Leaning against the cold stone her thoughts wandered before a familiar voice pulled her back to reality with a jump.
"Hello, Professor!" Petra said cheerfully, though her eyes were examining Byleth's face with kind scrutiny. "Have you been out long in the sun, professor? Your face is red. Though do not be discouraged! I believe a tan would be suiting you greatly!"
Byleth smiled at Petra's sweet words and cheerful attitude, as if they were a foil to her confusion. She found it quite charming that many of the strike force still called her professor, even after being appointed as a general of the Adrestian Empire.
"I – yes. Thank you, I will try not to overdo it in future. Was there something you needed, Petra?" She welcomed the distraction, allowing herself to control the reigns on tricky thoughts.
"Yes, I have actually been trying to find you all morning! I was wondering if you would be teaching me more about flying. I see you riding your Wyvern in battle and you are full of grace and power- inspiring I believe the word is. I wish to be as you are."
She thought for a moment. It was good to know that she inspired her troops, and through the niggle of pride that wormed its way in she wondered if such a thing could be taught. Well, she was always up for a challenge. She knew it was a good idea to make Petra a Pegasus rider, though the Brigid princess was excellent with a blade, atop a flying mount with a lance she was nigh unstoppable.
"I'll do my best. Ee can start now if you have the time?"
"Now?! But professor, it is your off day. I do not want to be taking from your leisure time."
Byleth began to stride in the direction of the stables, not giving any heed to the woman's words. "Hey, don't worry about it, I need the distraction anyway."
Petra smiled and quickly caught up; her purple eyes inquisitive as ever. "A distraction from what?"
"Forget I said anything."
After a hurried walk clouded with innocently veiled yet prying questions from Petra, they soon arrived at the stables for the winged mounts. It was a large keep which sloped down into a beautiful valley, plenty of space for them to stretch their wings. Petra's Pegasus was already waiting for her, longingly as ever, at the stable. The horse pushed its nose into her face, whinnying happily in greeting. Byleth looked over the valley, squinting at the mountains in the distance, looking for Hector amongst the vale. She drew her fingers to her mouth and let out a loud, distinct whistle. There was a distinct rumble of breath as both her and Petra became shrouded in shadow. She turned to find the great Wyvern spreading its wings in a large atop the keep, blocking out the sunlight.
"Hector!" Byleth said with a smile as he swooped down to greet her. The earth rumbled as he landed by her side, the wyvern purring as the professor stroked the warm scales of his cheek. She turned to Petra who seemed eager to start. "Shall we begin?"
This is where she belonged. The warm air rushing through her hair, the way the earth raced past as they glided together, the feeling that she could go anywhere on a whim. The craggy rocks of the mountains arched away from them revealing Garreg Mach in the distance. After training with Petra she had decided to take Hector out for a fly, though hadn't realised how far away from the Monastery they had gone. It was most likely subconscious, the need for space and reflection.
When her father died, it had been the first time she had experienced any strong emotion – the grief was so intense she did not know how she could move on. She had tried to bury everything, clinging to the notion that she could carry on as she always had. But it was clear that his death had shaken her. It had dislodged something that was keeping everything in check. Then, she merged with Sothis. Without the deities' presence – her pressure – inside, it allowed feelings she had never felt before to surface. She had no clue how to deal with such things, and before she could get a handle on her mind she then fell into a deep slumber.
For five long years.
She was more thankful that they did not lose anyone during that time. Especially…
She chastised herself, trying not to think about Hubert, still trying to claw back the calm rational mind she once had. In a way she was quite glad Sothis was not here, that wise, childlike god would have scolded her, or at the very least given some bad advice to sate her curiosity.
"Let's go home," Byleth said to Hector, who growled happily at her request. It was, after all, past feeding time for him. As they got closer, she saw distinctive red armour and pale hair, and the person she wanted to see the least stood beside her in all his sinister glory. Byleth's stomach felt heavy at the sight of him, somehow unable to pry her sights away.
When they landed Hector gently lowered his body so she could step off.
She turned to greet Edelgard, expecting a warm welcome but met instead by steeled lavender eyes and crossed arms.
"Training. On your day off? Really now," she said in a calm, fiery voice.
Hector turned, a deep rumbling in his throat, baring his teeth at Edelgard.
Although it was a simple warning – Hector was a defensive and grumpy creature – Hubert stepped forward and took the reins. Their fingers brushed for a moment, but neither of them reacted visibly, leaving her curious on whether he had done such a thing on purpose. Was he testing her?
"Come, Hector, let us get you something to eat," Hubert said as he took the rein with a snap. "Lest you become the next meal yourself…"
Byleth watched him haul the cowering Wyvern away, she was quite sure that if Hector were not her mount, he would have been sent to the chopping block many moons ago.
Edelgard appeared unfazed, and continued, "How many times do I need to remind you that you need to rest! You are no use on the battlefield, or in the council, if you're too burned out to even think."
"I know," Byleth replied. She was right, as usual. "I just… have some things on my mind at the moment. Besides, I find flying clears my mind, rather than clouding it." She followed that up with a smile, but Edelgard seemed unconvinced.
"Oh?" Her tone changed and she uncrossed her arms. It was easy to tell that her curiosity burned. "What things?"
How can I even try to explain this? Should I try to explain this?
"I'm… not sure myself. I know that sounds odd but -" she waved it off "- don't worry, it's nothing important."
"Well… If you say so." She seemed hurt. This great unshakeable ruler; A face that said 'darling' but an axe arm that'd put you in the grave – soft as a feather deep down. "Anyway, I also came to let you know that I'm not able to meet our plans for tea later. I've received new reports from the border, and I need to go over them."
"And you lecture me about burning myself out?" Byleth crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow.
Edelgard huffed a laugh. "Our roles are very different, as you well know," she said with a knowing smile. "So, instead of cancelling, I'm sending Hubert in my stead."
"Excuse me?" She gasped, feeling another hot blush creep up her face.
She was going to have tea with Hubert?
"I know it seems like I'm forcing you, but it will put my mind at ease if I know you're getting some downtime. Also, you may… want to fix your hair before meeting him." Her voice wavered into a light giggle at that last remark.
"What's wrong with my -" Byleth pushed a hand through her hair, fingers halting in the bird's nest of knots and tangles. She internally cringed at the mental image of how she must have looked.
"Also, did you catch the sun? Your face is looking quite red - "
"I must take my leave!" She turned, cupping her face in embarrassment for the second time today, trying to hide her flustered expression. She walked swiftly in the direction of her quarters, followed by Edelgard's muffled giggles.
