Chapter Eight: The Blue Lions
Author's notes:
I am feeling the love here; you guys are awesome! I hope you continue to enjoy the story, and how I make Dimitri suffer...muahaha!
TamaeKurogane: This story can use a few more occasions where Dimitri holds Byleth's hand(s) right! ;D
lychee-ran: Lols, stalker Dimitri. Hmm, for now it's a yes to following the major plot lines as I don't want to deviate too far. But I think I still might change things up with the Flame Emperor, at least just a little.
Steelrain66: It's that good 'ole Fire Emblem magic right? Though I too wish we got more information on that. Maybe the future DLCs will have more explanations? I would love to see Byleth's mom for one!
Sparks101: Thank you :) Yeah, I wanted to have a little bit of a different take with how Dimitri interacts with Byleth. Hopefully it will be interesting and a refreshing!
Fantasy Fan 223: I loved those scenes where Dimitri hold Byleth's hands in the game. Oh and I think Byleth looks adorable in the officer uniform too! I hope they come out with some more cool DLC stuff soon! Yeah, Sothis really grew on me through the game, and then just to have silence except for that one time...I almost feel like I should do something about that, huh...
"Hey, did you hear?" whispered a female Academy student in the bustling hall. "Someone saw Prince Dimitri and that mysterious young woman walk out of the courtyard together." More ears twitched at the juicy news and turned towards the hushed gossiper. "Apparently they were in there for quite some time," the voice whispered scandalously.
White hair could be seen ducking around the stone corner, but not fast enough to have not heard that bit of whispered gossip. Edelgard frowned slightly at the news that reached her ears. But surely it was just that, rumors…
Unbeknownst to the Black Eagles leader, Byleth was just overhead meeting with Rhea about her decision.
Rhea gently titled her crowned head to one side as she appraised the young woman before her. "Your eyes are alight with decisiveness. So, what is it that you have decided so ardently to have awaken such a fire within?"
"I accept your offer," Byleth stated calmly. "And, I will teach the Blue Lions House." The young woman ended with a confirmatory nod.
"Interesting," Rhea whispered, more to herself before replying in her usual tone. "Then, may I introduce you to your new colleagues, Professor Manuela Casagranda and Professor Hanneman von Essar. They will be teaching the Black Eagles and Golden Deer, respectively." Rhea bowed herself out, leaving Byleth with the other two professors.
"It's a great pleasure to make your acquaintance Byleth," Hanneman greeted in a polite nobleman-like manner. He was an older gentleman with greying well kept short hair and equally trimmed mustache. His right eye monocle bespoke of a respectable scholar. "In addition to being a professor at this esteemed institution, I am also a Crest scholar. I do wonder if you bear a Crest of your own." Hanneman stroked his beard as his light blue eyes gleamed with intrigue at the mystery before him.
"Hanneman, I believe it is my turn to talk to our new colleague," Manuela interjected with a step forward. The confident woman had a voluptuous figure and light brown hair that was swept back into a voluminous bob. Her striking eyes were highlighted by orange eye shadow and her lips were splashed with an orange gloss. A delicate mole under her left eye heightened her beauty.
"As for me, in addition to being a professor, I am also a physician, a songstress, and...available. It's nice to meet you." Manuela stated in a lively musical voice that lingered upon certain notes.
"A songstress?" Byleth asked with interest. She had never met a songstress in person before.
"Why yes," Manuela remarked with joy. "Before I came here I belonged to the renowned Mittelfrank Opera Company. Perhaps you've heard of me? I was the company's most beautiful, peerless…" But Hanneman interrupted her loquacious speech by clearing his throat, loudly. "Ah, yes, well before you begin teaching you must have a health check. Please follow me into the infirmary." The lady beckoned as she began to walk away.
Hanneman bowed as Byleth followed Manuela down the hall and into a large room with multiple beds. "Now I am sure you are the very essence of health and fitness, but I still need to check a few things for documentation sake." The lady chatted as she indicated for the young woman to have a seat. Byleth sat down on the closest bed and allowed to have her ears, mouth, and eyes examined. Next Manuela retrieved a stethoscope from her drawer and placed the diaphragm upon Byleth's chest. "Hmmmm," she hummed as she placed the diaphragm on different places about the young woman's chest.
Manuela paused and straightened up with a confused expression. "Well, I guess this contraption is just broken since I can't hear a thing," Manuela remarked as she carelessly tossed the stethoscope out of sight and planted her own ear right on Byleth's chest for a good listen.
Just then Hanneman walked in carrying a pile of papers when he paused at the sight before him. "Manuela what in Fódlan are you doing?" He asked with a surprised expression, and nearly lost his monocle.
"I'm listening to her heart, isn't it obvious?" Manuela answered with a frown as she straightened up.
"Don't you have a stethoscope?" Hanneman asked.
"Well, apparently it's broken," Manuela waved her hand at the forlorn stethoscope on the floor.
"Well maybe if you didn't toss delicate medical equipment around it would still work," Hanneman rebuked in exasperation.
Byleth quickly slipped out of the infirmary. Upon realizing her absence, Manuela quietly stated to her colleague, "Hanneman, I don't...I don't think she has a heartbeat."
Hanneman blinked at this astounding and utterly wild claim. "Really Manuela, sometimes you can by overly dramatic," Hanneman sighed with a little sad shake of his head. "Yes, she is a little...stoic...but to state she has no heartbeat is a little over the teacup's edge even for you."
"I'm reporting facts that scholars like yourself just love!" Munuela snapped back, her hands upon her hips now.
"Well if she didn't have a heartbeat then wouldn't she be dead?" Hanneman pointed out as he rubbed his forehead.
"Obviously! Really Hanneman!" Manuela huffed with a flick of her hand.
"Oh come now Manuela," Hanneman sniffed.
Byleth could still hear their quarrel down the hallway when Jeralt stuck his head out of a side room. The young woman was utterly relieved to see him, and quickly ducked into the room.
"Go ahead and close the door, at least we'll get some reprieve from Manuela's and Hanneman's bickering," Jeralt stated as he shook his head. Then he realized that his daughter was checking out the room. "This is my old room," Jeralt informed her with a small smile as Byleth walked about. A full silver armor set hung upon an wooden display stand. There was a thin layer of dust lingering upon the gleaming armor. Upon seeing his daughter admire the set, Jeralt remarked, "I've been asked to rejoin the Knights of Serios, and I have accepted the offer." He paused a moment before adding the part he worried his daughter would not take well. "This means I may have to leave you from time to time to go on missions."
Byleth suddenly looked up to stare at her father. She realized that it would be the first time she would not be with him. Even as a babe, her father was always near if she needed him. The young woman was torn at this news. On one hand, she would have independence and be a professor, on the other hand, she would no longer be fighting at her father's side.
"Hey now," Jeralt pulled his daughter out of her deep thoughts. "Teach those brats well. Remember how I taught you?"
"You threw fish at me," Byleth recalled one memory. Jeralt had her stand at the shoreline and tossed fish he caught on the boat. But at the time the fish were large and wriggled for their lives.
"Ah, well, maybe don't go throwing flopping fish at the noble brats," Jeralt remarked as he stroked his beard.
"You also sent me into a bear cave with just a spear," Byleth added. She reminisced about how she had made her own spear and then her father sent her into a nearby cave to 'kill the sleeping bear'. What she didn't know was that the cave was empty and Jeralt was just testing his daughter's bravery.
"Uh, skip that one too," Jeralt added, now trying to remember himself how he trained her.
"You had me learn horseback riding blindfolded," Byleth recollected.
"You know, on second thought, forget how I taught you and find your own style." Jeralt finally decided as he rubbed the back of his neck. If Byleth tried any of his unorthodox training plans both of them would get kicked out of Fódlan for sure.
"Here come with me," Jeralt prompted as he opened the door into a now quiet hallway. The two made their way into a large room lined with bookshelves filled tightly with volumes upon volumes of books. And if that wasn't enough for those hungry for knowledge, an additional second story wrapped around the room. Long wooden tables with comfortably cushioned chairs were set about for studious individuals to read with the aid of lit candles, though extra light currently streamed through large stained glass windows above. The most amazing piece in the entire library was a giant bronze globe near the end; it displayed the known continents and territories in great detail and craftsmanship.
"You know, I met your mother here," Jeralt remarked as he showed his daughter around the library. "She spent alot of time in the library reading about Fódlan's history. As a budding knight I didn't have much care for books, but when I saw your mom in here, I suddenly thought to myself that the library was the place to be. Of course, your mom saw right through me, heh…" Jeralt chuckled at the memory. Byleth felt warmth blossom inside her as she heard more about her mother and saw how much her father cherished those memories.
"Oi! Jeralt! I've got a few battle tactic questions for you!" Came Alois's booming voice from down the hall.
"Run, while you still can" Jeralt whispered urgently.
Byleth had stepped back into the shadows of a nearby pillar and just in time too. "Ah there you are, in the good 'ole library huh, some habits never change!" Alois remarked with a hearty chuckle.
From the shadows, the young woman stealthily outmaneuvered Alois's excited entrance. 'Good girl,' Jeralt's glance said before Byleth slipped out of the library and quickly down the hall.
But Byleth had miscalculated the vastness of Garreg Mach. The monastery was like an enormous stone labyrinth, and the young woman found herself in a dead end...again. If Byleth had to pick a flaw, it was that she was directionally challenged. This task of traversing Garreg Mach will prove...challenging.
"There you are," Came the soft yet confident voice of Edelgard. Byleth turned to see the Black Eagles leader smile at her then gesture, "Here, follow me." As Edelgard led Byleth out of the main keep, she spoke up, "May I asked you something, and have your honest answer."
"Always," Byleth responded. Curious as to why Edelgard even had to frame her question in such a way. Byleth never lied. It was as if she was incapable of doing so. Maybe another flaw of hers.
"Why him?" Edelgard asked, looking Byleth directly in the eyes. As if this connection would yield the complete truth.
"He questioned my authority and eligibility as a professor, we need leaders like that," Byleth replied without hesitation.
"But, do you not see what lies behind those eyes. Do you not see the darkness?" Edelgard continued as her expression became stern.
"Everyone has a light and dark," Byleth replied, remembering that her father told her something similar upon her first battle...her first kill. "Myself included, and you," Byleth added causing Edelgard to quickly look away, though she was clearly ruminating over the professor's words as they continued to walk.
Byleth realized that Edelgard had lead her right to the Blue Lions classroom. "He is lucky to have you, as I professor I mean," Edelgard remarked as they came to a halt near the classroom. Once again she looked straight at Byleth as she stated, "I hope he doesn't waste your talent. I...I hope he doesn't let you down." With a graceful bow, Edelgard turned upon her heels and retreated into the Black Eagles classroom nearby.
Byleth silently watched Edelgard go, before realizing that there were several faces pressed up against the window of the Blue Lions classroom. Upon being spotted, the students ran out to meet her.
"Ohhhh! Is it true?" Annette cried out with bubbling excitement.
"Do please tell us, Dimitri wouldn't utter a word," Mercedes's dulcet voice stated causing everyone to peer over at the Blue Lions leader.
Dimitri had his arms crossed and was watching the excited group until the glaces turned towards his direction. "Well, I believed it would be better for the news to come from our Professor's own mou..." Gasps filled the air as Dimitri realized what he had let slip.
"OHHH I knew it!" Annette gushed as she jumped up and down at the news.
"Welcome aboard Professor," Ingrid remarked with a confident nod.
"I am every so happy you chose us," Mercedes added delightfully.
"We won't let you down," Ashe added as he fist pumped the air.
"I hope you realize what you signed up for," Felix remarked smugly.
"With a young beautiful woman such as yourself teaching, how will I be able to focus on the lecture?" Sylvain teased, then winced in pain as Ingrid pulled his ear.
And finally Dedue just nodded his head.
Byleth made her way to the front of the classroom to inspect the desk when an eerie silence filled the room. The young woman turned slowly around, only to see that the students had all taken their seats. Now eight pairs of eyes were transfixed upon her; books open, and quills at the ready, hovering over fresh new parchment.
"..." Byleth.
"..." The students.
The Professor had not planned on teaching right at this moment, she had nothing prepared! Then she recalled something Jeralt did to initiate new members of his mercenary company. Maybe this time without the walking over hot coals part…
"Follow," Byleth instructed as she briskly walked right out of the classroom. There was a pause, then hasty noises of wooden chairs scraping the stone ground as the students quickly pursued their Professor. They exchanged quizzical gazes between each other as they silently followed. From afar, Byleth looked like a mother duck with a trail of ducklings in line behind her as they headed towards the training ground. Once inside the young woman spoke, "I want to see where each of you stand." The young woman waved her arm towards the rack of assorted training gear. "Grab your preferred weapon," Byleth instructed.
She watched intently as Dedue reached for a training axe, Dimitri grabbed a training lance, and Felix obviously went for the training sword. Ashe tested a training bow, while Mercedes grabbed a worn magical wand. Byleth noticed Anette's hand strayed towards a training axe, but she then paused and grabbed a worn magical wand instead.
"Alright, you will now fight amongst each other. Here are the teams." Byleth based her selection from whom the classmates each gravitated towards. Annette, Ashe, Mercedes; Ingrid and Sylvain; and finally Dedue and Felix, against Dimitri.
Felix paused at this, "You think that is wise?" He asked with an brow inquisitively raised.
"I can handle it," Dimitri remarked confidently as he twirled his training lance. Plus Byleth already knew how capable he was, and the prince wasn't going to let either Dedue or Felix make him look bad.
"Don't make it easy for him," Byleth added before walking away to watch the other teams.
"Hmph," Felix huffed as he took his stance with the hilt of the sword gripped between both hands.
"But, I am to protect his highness, not cause him harm," Dedue remarked on the internal conflict he felt at this match up.
"Think of it this way Dedue, in challenging me to fight better, you are ensuring that we will fight well together out on the real battlefield," the prince explained.
"Fair enough," Dedue conceded with a nod and slid into a prepared fighting stance of his own.
Meanwhile, the professor walked about the perimeter of the training area noting that Sylvain was far more interested in teasing Ingrid then testing his skill at the lance against her. Annette, Ashe, and Mercedes took turns aiming magic and arrows at targets. Byleth noted that they had calculated appropriate range and had good aim, but not enough 'umph' to do real damage. They also took too long in preparing their magic and arrows.
Dimitri thought he was doing a pretty solid job. He was even managing to defend himself against Dedue's powerful blows and Felix's dizzying flurry of swipes. The duo were definitely taking Byleth's words to heart and not going easy on the prince for he was now working up a sweat as he flexed his biceps taut to thwart Dedue's axe. From the corner of his icy blue eyes he saw Felix rush towards him with sword raised. Dimitri whipped around, blocking Felix's attack with a well timed parry by his lance. However, Felix must have anticipated this, for the young man swept his arms upwards to lash out a counter strike. Luckily, the prince was two steps ahead for he leapt effortlessly away, whipping back his head as beads of sweat were tossed into the air.
The prince wondered if Byleth was watching. It was quite a display he had to admit and Dimitri chanced a glance in the young woman's direction. But she seemed busy telling Sylvain to practice properly from the look of things. Dimitri felt an unusual twinge of disappointment that Byleth had not been watching. Though, as to why this affected him so, the prince could not fathom.
'WHACK!'
Dimitri nearly went sailing over the ground as there was a collective gasp. Darkness had engulfed the prince until his eyes flitted open to see a blurred Byleth kneeling at his side and peering down upon him. Her face was still, but her eyes were full of concern as she searched his face. Her dark blue eyes softened with relief as he blinked a couple more of times and focused his gaze up at her.
"How many fingers?" Byleth asked as she held up two fingers before him.
"Two," Dimitri grimaced, not because he was in pain, but due to feeling utterly embarrassed at his predicament. In fact, you probably could have fried an egg upon his forehead.
Byleth rose back to her feet. "You're fine," she announced. "Back to practice," she instructed to the rest of the students, who resumed their fighting.
Dimitri grumbled to himself as he pushed himself up to a sitting position before seeing a familiar hand reach out to him. "Tha-thank you Professor," he acknowledged as she helped pull him up, and this time he was mindful not to hold onto her warm hand for too long.
"Don't get distracted," Byleth whispered before stepping away, leaving Dimitri to realize...she had been watching him! Dimitri smiled, then became aware of how his uniform had become uncomfortably warm. No doubt it was all due to the warmer climate around Garreg Mach, surely that was it. Dimitri would have not felt this warmth had he been training in the cooler climate of Faerghus. The prince retrieved his lance and rejoined his group. Felix looked utterly smug, while Dedue looked as if he was contemplating throwing himself into the fish pond for his action.
Byleth felt that this exercise was a success. By just watching the way the students interacted with each other yielded invaluable information for her. All of this gave the professor a better idea of where to begin in the classroom. Unfortunately...it was at rock bottom. She signaled for the class to stop, and the students collected around her. "You are all beginners," Byleth bluntly stated.
"Hmph," Felix huffed, "Well, I think that I am…" "A beginner," Byleth finished for him.
"You need practice, learn the art of combat, and above all achieve unity," Byleth continued as her eyes appraised each student. "Without unity battles cannot be won and monsters cannot be killed."
"Wait, you've battled monsters!" Sylvain interrupted with a shocked look. "I thought that was just a joke. A scary tale to tell naughty children, or something."
"Yes, they are real and difficult to bring down. But," And now Byleth remembered how her father would rouse up his mercenary band. "If we practice with dedication, have tactics at the ready, and fight as one, then the Blue Lions will be victorious, always."
Silence met Byleth's ears and she worried that the speech was not good enough, until the clapping began. First it was Dimitri, and the rest quickly followed. Byleth observed their moved and earnest expressions and was relieved. "I will do my best as your professor," she finished with a bow.
The students put away their weapons as the monastery bell tolled loudly, ringing that the day had come to an end. Byleth waved her students goodbye as they dispersed, chatting eagerly amongst themselves. The young woman then headed towards the guest room to find a brown paper wrapped package and note waiting for her on the bed. The letter read, 'This bedroom will now be yours, Professor Byleth. Please see the enclosed requisition list to request any additional items you require. A monthly stipend will soon follow. The package is a personal present from our esteemed Archbishop, Lady Rhea. Best regards, Seteth.'
Byleth eagerly ripped open the package to find a unique Academy uniform similar to what the students wore, but in the colors of silver and black rather than the gold and black arrangement for the students. The set came with matching black ankle high boots, white calf high socks, and a soft pink hair band. The young woman eagerly changed out of the mercenary garments and armor. She slipped into the light breathable fabric of the collared long sleeved blouse and black mid-thigh skirt. Byleth admired herself in the mirror, hanging over the desk, as she draped the black coat over her shoulders. The uniform was well fitted and looked quite nice upon her, though her hair was a bit disheveled. Byleth reached for the requisition list and wrote with a nearby owl feathered quill, 1 Hairbrush. Her stomach gave a loud ravenous growl, indicating to the young woman that it was dinner time.
More rambling notes from the Author:
So, the moral of this story for Dimitri is 'don't get distracted!' Yep, we'll see if he can manage that with Byleth around!
Another round of thank yous to those who wrote reviews! You guys rock!
(DISCLAIMER) I do not own nor claim to own any of the Fire Emblem Franchise, Intelligent Systems Co., and Nintendo's exceptional work. It is from the team's own brilliance…my additions are from my own madness.