It took Byleth surprisingly little time and effort to jump back into the previously established routine. A couple of weeks after getting her teaching post, the woman felt like she'd been a professor her whole life. From memory, she was even able to recreate some of her lesson schedules. Thanks to them, both lectures and seminars had a sense of familiarity. As if she'd already done them before.
Only the students were different.
"Uh, P−Professor. Would I… Could you maybe− Can I open the window?"
Whatever experiences she might have previously shared with these kids, Byleth could recall very little about the Black Eagles. Thank Goddess she at least got their names right, because Sothis knew she had problems with everything else. Whenever she found a lost item, the woman ended up walking around the entire monastery, trying to hand it back to every one of her students. Only to find out that the object actually belonged to a Golden Deer or a faculty member.
This gave Byleth a pause. Did Edelgard's men rarely socialize with people outside their own house? This would certainly explain why she didn't know much about them.
Or maybe she'd simply forgotten.
Fortunately, the students were very friendly towards their new professor. Even though the newest addition to the staff was keeping the details from her life private, wore an expressionless face, and apparently lacked a few social skills. Years of being the youngest mercenary, a woman nonetheless, meant that she lacked proper manners, a formal way of speech, and many other features that were usually associated with crest-bearers. The more happy she was that the Black Eagles accepted her into their inner circle. She liked them a lot. They were good kids, really.
Still, she couldn't help but miss the Blue Lions.
"Here you are, Professor!" Sylvain said to Byleth just the other day. "I must tell you, I can't get over the fact that I'm not taught by such a beauty as yourself. Just imagine all of my potential that could be unleashed in your capable hands! So, what do you say? Can I join in your class?"
She couldn't help but smirk. It was somehow comforting to have this one person that found her pretty regardless of her house choice.
Now, the woman was standing outside the Blue Lions room, looking through the window at her former students. There was a kind-hearted Mercedes that never turned her back on those in need. Next to her sat Annette, who cooked the best Nirvana Cake Byleth'd ever had. Ashe, an ever-optimistic soul, as well as her source of good chivalry novels. Sylvain, of course; always in the centre of attention. Ingrid, whose goal was to become the best knight that ever was. The lone wolf Felix with his quick-wit and sharp-tongue. All healthy and happy.
Byleth took a deep sigh. She knew the Blue Lion students well enough to be able to recruit them into her class if she wished to.
The thing was, she wasn't sure she did.
She couldn't have known for certain that her decision to join Edelgard was the right one. Even though she would appreciate the Blue Lions support as their companion, as their professor, Byleth didn't want the kids to get involved. Just in case, if her plan did not work, after all.
And even if it did, she didn't want Dedue and Dimitri to be all alone.
"Are you looking for someone, Professor?" asked a low voice inches from her ear.
On the inside, the professor jumped two steps away, readying herself for counterattack. On the outside, however, she calmly turned around to answer the posed question.
"Actually, I've been looking for you."
Dedue stood up straight, his expression that of a mild start. He and Dimitri glanced at one another.
"I see," said the house leader, giving Byleth a half-bow. "What do you want with us?"
"Oh, I meant only you, Dimitri," said the professor, wishing she wasn't caught up in the pronoun game. "Apologies, Dedue."
"None needed," the woman heard in response. "Your Highness."
As Dedue left to join in with the rest of the students, Byleth put her hand on the young prince's shoulder.
"So, tell me, would you fancy a cup of tea?"