"So that is the overall plan of attack, in the coming days, we will revise and build upon it. Does anyone have anything else to add?" Edelgard's voice echoed over the stagnant room. Her eyes fell over her advisors for any sort of response, but it seemed the room was in agreement.
Anyone not too hungover had already contributed, the rest looked like wilting flowers left in the sun too long. Byleth watched her lazily, wondering whether she was annoyed at them for drinking too much, or angry at herself for holding a council meeting so soon after a party.
Hubert looked as though he was ready to murder half the room, gaze sweeping over each face as if he were compiling a mental list. "That will be all then. We shall adjourn for now and pick this up another time… When everyone is more prepared."
Everyone began to leave the room, through the dragging of chairs and background chatter she heard a familiar voice.
"So…" Dorothea leaned over and whispered in her ear. "What happened between you and Hubie last night? Spill."
"What are you talking about?" she replied just as covertly, her eyes still on Edelgard. Considering the amount Dorothea drank last night, she looked and acted surprisingly chipper.
"Caspar said he saw him carrying you back to your chambers… whilst he was carrying me, might I add."
"What?" Byleth almost squeaked. Luckily, it was obscured by the sounds of everyone leaving. She covered her mouth and felt herself go beet red; Oh no, not again.
Thea giggled, trying to contain her laughter. "Are you trying to tell me that you don't remember?"
Byleth held her head in her hands, her voice grim and muffled, "I don't remember anything…"
"Professor," Edelgard said, catching her attention. "Would you stay behind? There is a matter we need to discuss."
"Yes, of course," she replied without a second thought.
Dorothea was trying to subdue her amusement, but it was easily apparent. "Well, speak to you soon!" she said cheerily, stepping out of the room.
Byleth shifted in her seat as she waited. Hubert walked over to close the door behind them. It seemed like they wanted to keep this private.
"Now then, seeing as this is quite a… sensitive matter, I decided it best that you know first before we inform the others," Edelgard said formally.
"Alright. What did you want to talk about?" she asked, genuinely curious. Hubert walked back, standing next to Edelgard, she tried her best not to reflect his piercing gaze.
"I think you would appreciate me not mincing words, so I will get right to the matter at hand. We have decided, considering your ongoing issue with injuries from the last battle, that you will not be leading on the front lines in the coming incursion."
"Come again?" Byleth stammered, brow creasing.
"It has not come without careful deliberation. You will be taking command of the healing regiment. you also have some proficiency with white magic, so I doubt it will be an issue for you."
Byleth stayed silent for a moment, her knuckles whitening through clenched fists. She let out a deep breath. "I will be ready to take the frontlines, I have two weeks to heal –"
"- We cannot take that chance, nor can you battle effectively in your current state. We need to prepare now." Edelgard's features softened. "Not only am I commanding you as my subordinate, but also as my friend. This is not a decision I've taken lightly. You seem to forget that I am the Emperor. This is not a request."
"I understand," she replied defeated, trying to bite back the failure.
"Good." Edelgard nodded as she headed towards the door. Before she exited the room she brought up a hand to halt Hubert, who was following closely behind. "Additionally, I ask that the two of you stay behind to sort out this absurd difference between yourselves. There are limits to my lenience."
Hubert knew better than to question her and, instead of disagreeing, stayed silent. Byleth sunk further into her chair, head leaning upon the backrest, quietly pondering on how the day could get any worse. This was a conversation she was not ready for, nor wanted to have.
Edelgard took the silence as an agreement. "Good. I'll leave you both to it."
When council room door clicked to a close a void-like silence loomed over them both. They stayed like that for a moment, not moving. Byleth watched him through the corner of her eye, deciding to break the quiet.
"I heard you may have helped me back to my room last night." She gave a wry smile, trying to admonish the awkward feelings welling up inside.
"I had little choice in the matter," he replied as he walked over to the table, placing a hand upon the beautifully varnished surface. He was handsome in this light; tall, imposing. Yet knowing the tenderness he was capable of – and, for a moment, she allowed herself to recall the feeling of his lips brushing against her own.
She sought not to let her mind wander. But the question of whether she had made a move in her drunken state had been on her mind since the morning. "Did we..?"
"No," he replied sternly, "The fact that you would even suggest that of me." He scowled, crossing his arms and lowering his gaze.
"Well then… Thank you for getting me back to my room in one piece."
"It would hardly be a good rumour; our leading general found passed out in the gardens," he replied, tone bleak.
"So I didn't say anything unpleasant to you?"
"Unpleasant wouldn't be the word. Spiteful. Hostile, maybe? You do have a certain way with words when intoxicated."
"I have a feeling you deserved to hear some of it."
"Perhaps."
"Well then…" She clapped her hands on the table, rising from the chair in a fluid movement, hiding the pain that flourished over her flank. "Good talk. I think that will be all for now." She paced towards the door but hesitated when she passed by him. She couldn't decide whether she wanted to punch him or embrace him.
"You've been avoiding me for two weeks now." He spoke cynically, noticing her hesitation.
"I suppose we don't have much to say to one another," she replied, turning to face him.
"You need to put your personal feelings aside. We are Lady Edelgard's most trusted advisors – if we cannot communicate effectively then it will surely be a detriment to her cause. Need I remind you that we are at war?"
"You do not need to remind me of that, I am well aware." She needed to stay firm, although speaking with him in this manner went against everything she felt, it was for the best. In a way, it would be less painful for them both if she steeled herself.
"Good, so are we on the same page?"
"No, but I won't make this any more difficult than it has to be." With that, she turned to walk away, but Hubert stopped her with a gentle touch to her arm.
His voice fell softer. "How are you taking this? It must be quite difficult knowing you won't be in the upcoming battle."
"Don't," she said, pushing his hand aside. "I know you had a say in this, so please, just don't." Walking briskly to the intricate oak door, she grabbed the handle, only to find it locked from the other side. "She locked the door behind her," Byleth muttered in frustration.
"Lady Edelgard is ever shrewd as she is formidable. Perhaps she is expecting more than just an exchange of words."
Hubert smirked, Byleth bristled.
She pinched the bridge of her nose; the hangover wasn't helping the situation. "She's going to be disappointed, I'm sure." She turned, her cape billowing behind as she strode across the room towards the balcony. "I need some fresh air."
The caress of the brisk, cool breeze was a welcome one as she leant forward against the stone veranda. It was a clear, crisp day. The sun was high in the sky; filled with the quaint sounds of songbirds chirping along with the distant crashing of training swords. She watched the soldiers training far below as the smell of food cooking in the mess hall sailed up the castle walls.
"It seems My Lady has planned this in advance," Hubert muttered, coming out onto the balcony to join her, staying a few paces away. "She has placed a ward upon the door – she most likely employed Linhardt's skills from what I can tell. Unfortunately, I cannot employ any magic to aid us in opening it."
"I'm surprised you contemplated blasting it open." She looked back to him, noticing the distance at which he was standing. "Is this just as hard for you?"
He appeared to be handling things between them well, but that subtle touch and softness to his voice earlier spoke otherwise.
"Indeed. I wish to cause no further animosity between us. You are right, I did suggest that you stay on the backlines for the coming battle. I desire to see no further harm come to you." He took a pause, diverting his gaze away from hers. "Perhaps… After the war is over…"
She blinked, perplexed. Was he suggesting they get together after the war? After treating her like this?
"You can't have it both ways, Hubert. You say you don't want me to come to further harm, but what you're doing is causing more harm than good."
"Hmph. I miss the moments I could make you blush purely by looking at you in a certain way. Being on the receiving end of such calm yet ferocious eyes has its benefits though. I've tried everything to take my mind off you, but for now, at least, keeping you off the battlefield will suffice."
She raised an eyebrow at him, crossing her arms and leaning her back against the balcony. "My injury will heal; you can't keep me from danger for long." She had accepted her current state, but she was not a woman to be pinned down. Especially not over some infatuation she could hardly wrap her head around. She had to admit to herself though, being able to have such an effect on him gave her a strong feeling of satisfaction.
Hubert placed a hand to his chin. "There are of course other ways of pacifying you. I am quite familiar with certain paralytics, among other methods of subterfuge. Naturally, my position calls for certain measures at times."
She could tell he wasn't being serious, but she felt the need to rise to the challenge.
"You can certainly try." She smirked, walking closer to him. "I'd just have to get to you first."
Hubert took a couple of steps back, in turn, trying to keep the distance; halted when his back became pressed against monastery wall. She noticed him grimace as she placed a hand against the stone, preventing his escape.
"You said you weren't going to make things difficult," he whispered, their faces so close she could feel his breath.
She could smell his scent and feel the tension radiating between them. This wasn't something they were going to escape simply by avoiding one another. It quickly became apparent that what she was experiencing was deeper than a mere infatuation. It was as if they were two halves a whole, and she only felt fully complete when he was close. She smiled as she noticed a hint of a blush upon his typically faultless complexion.
"Why, Hubert, are you blushing?"
"Speak for yourself, I've never seen your face such a shade of crimson."
Byleth stopped, bringing a hand to her face, feeling the heat of her cheek against her fingertips. She hadn't noticed until now just how flustered she was.
He brought an arm around her, pulling her closer, his voice a whisper in her ear. "Any thoughts on how we get out of here before I do something I'll regret?"
A shiver ran down her spine like her body was begging for them to go further. He loosened his grip on her and she managed to break away at his behest. Aware of how conflicted he was.
"Well…" she mused, turning her back to him in a feeble way to cool down. "Hector may well be able to hear me whistle from here. Perhaps we could fly down from the balcony?"
"I see one significant flaw in your plan," he replied, crossing his arms.
She remembered, cursing herself for not realising sooner. "Ah, yes, your crippling fear of heights." She felt a giggle coming on, but repressed it, instead she scoffing into her hand.
"I would hardly call it crippling," he brooded.
"Hm. Why don't you warp me down into the training grounds? Then I can return and unlock the door from the other side."
"Hmph. Seems like a good enough plan."
Without warning she felt herself plummet towards the ground, landing gently within a column of violet light. It dissipated, and she found herself looking up towards the balcony, the view obscured by the bright sun. She turned to head up towards the council room, but then a deceitful thought occurred as she cracked a devilish smile.
And so, she turned, heading in the opposite direction. He would be furious with her no doubt. But the thought of leaving him there gave her a pleasant thrill.
