After all these years, Jeralt's world was falling apart.

"Seteth will be along shortly. I will ask that you bring the child here immediately. I would like to be introduced to her. Have no fear, I will feign ignorance towards your daughter. We can pretend that we never had this conversation." Rhea's calming voice cooed.

"And you give your sworn word that no harm will come to her?"

Rhea's face shone with kindness. Jeralt didn't trust it.

"Jeralt, you know I will show your daughter the utmost care. But you must trust me. If not as the Archbishop of the Church of Seiros, than as a former close friend and ally."

"Rhea..." Jeralt began, only to be interrupted abruptly by the archbishop.

"I know, Jeralt. You must fear that I had something to do with the child's abnormalities. I can assure you, all those years ago I acted only in the name of saving your daughter's life. I cannot stop you from having reservations towards the Church. But I pray that in your time with us again, you might allow me to earn back your trust."

"Wanting to hire my daughter as an instructor for your Officer's Academy does little to inspire trust, Rhea." growled Jeralt, suspicious of her intentions.
"What are you playing at, I wonder? The girl's got a knack for combat, for sure. But putting her in charge of teaching an entire class of stuck-up nobles?"

"If your child is anything like her father, she'll be perfect for the job. You yourself are a natural born leader; I'm sure she'll find a way."

"But why a teacher?"

"Jeralt, we have three houses to instruct; and currently only two professors I trust enough with the positions. Prior to the bandit attack, the student's Academy escort was to be our third professor. His whereabouts are unknown, but we've reason to believe he's no longer among the living. I earnestly believe your daughter will be a wonderful addition to the faculty. Alois went out of his way to praise her skills in battle."

Of course that damned Alois would do something like that, thought Jeralt.

"Additionally, the role will surely fill in any gaps in her own education, and provide room and board for you both."

Looking out of the window into the courtyard below, Jeralt could see all the excitement around the monastery was settling down. He felt no better about Rhea's offer now than he had at the beginning of their talk together, but he couldn't deny that settling down for a while might be helpful for Byleth.

"It's not like I have much of a say in the matter. So who's this Seteth guy, anyway?"

"A very old and dear friend."

Some time later

"Sorry I dragged you into this. Looks like I'll be stuck her for a while...and I'm afraid your services are requested as well."

Byleth contemplated what Jeralt meant by that. She was to work here? At the monastery?
Her father's conversation with the Archbishop had felt awkward, as if each line of their's was rehearsed. There was something neither of them were telling her, and she had a bad feeling about it. Jeralt was to take on his old role of Captain for the Knights of Seiros. That was news to Byleth. Her father had never before mentioned being affiliated with the Knights, much less their leader! And now they wanted to hire her?

"I don't think I'd be an ideal housekeeper." she said flatly

"Sorry kid, it doesn't sound like they want you to take on cleaning duties. Although you might prefer that to what they actually want you for." Jeralt hoped the news he was about to break to his daughter wouldn't come as too much of a shock.

"From the sounds of it, they want you to teach at the Officer's Academy."

Before she was able to process anything, her thoughts were interrupted by a sing-song voice coming from someone behind her. Byleth spun around and saw two adults walking towards her and Jeralt. One an older dignified looking man, dressed in a manner that both called him out as a scholar, and befit his dignity. The other, a woman, wearing heavy makeup and wearing the kind of clothing that put most of her "dignity" on display.

"Professor Hanneman, Father of Crestology, at your service." spoke the older gentleman, and he bowed respectfully.

"Oh my, aren't you quite a looker? So stern and handsome, and exactly my type of man, just tossing that out there." the woman winked at Jeralt, who was visibly uncomfortable at the moment. She continued on, gazing up and down Jeralt's body.

"I'm Professor Manuela, but I'd rather drop the professor part and have you call me just Manuela, unless you can think of anything else?" Manuela batted her eyes before continuing. "Oh, I think we're going to get along very nicely professor...?"

"I'm actually not the new professor." Jeralt gulped and averted his eyes. "That's her, right there." and he gestured to Byleth, who was also very uncomfortable in this conversation. Jeralt leaned in and whispered to his daughter "You've got things from here. Good luck, and... watch out for Lady Rhea. This is all her idea. She may have ulterior motives in making you a professor. Stay on your guard." He then walked away, determined to get as far away from Professor Manuela as he could.

Byleth spent the next few minutes enduring Hanneman and Manuela deliver exposition and bicker back and forth about each other before Hanneman finally gave up on lecturing Manuela about her drinking habits and turned in interest towards Byleth.

"Ah, I simply must ask; do you have a crest? I have a device for examining a person's crest in my office. If you happen to have a free moment, I'd very much like to analyze yours. Unfortunately, I have many important duties to attend to. I hope to see you soon, Professor."

Byleth still couldn't fathom that it was her he was referring to as "Professor". She had no idea what she was going to do. Part of her wanted to run away. Another part of her knew that she would just have to endure it. Like everything else about her life so far.

Manuela mentioned that the house leaders had already been informed that she was to be the new professor this semester, and she encouraged Byleth to seek them out and learn all she could.

"I'm sure you'll do great here, Professor. But just in case, I wish you good luck."

And with those words of encouragement, Professor Manuela exited the room, and Byleth was left alone to think.

Jeralt squatted with one knee to the ground in front of a tombstone. He laid a few assorted flowers against the cold rock, then affectionately placed his hand on it.

"Sorry I haven't been around lately," he quietly spoke aloud.

"Got caught up in work, you know how it is..." he trailed off, then breathed a heavy sigh and added

"We've got a lot to catch up on, don't we?"