Chapter Nine: The Tea Party
Author's notes: A shorter chapter this time due to an upcoming exam. But I hope the 'sweet' quality of this chapter makes up for it. *Author's eyebrows wiggle with delight*
Review responses:
Steelrain66: I am definitely thinking about it, but not sure who and how many students as I don't want to inundate myself with too many characters. Any particular student(s) you would like to see recruited into BL? Can't make any promises though...
TamaeKurogane: I'm happy to hear liked Felix's little pride deflation. Now, I present you with more Sensei notice meee, Dimitriii! I hope you enjoy it!
Sparks101: Thank you! Yeah, I loved that training cutscene when the game was being introduced. So happy the game turned out just as awesome! o3o
Guest: Thank you! Yeah, those pesky grammatical errors. I swear everytime I reread the chapter with fresh eyes I find something new to edit. But I guess practice makes perfect. I hope you continue to enjoy the story!
Einklley: Lols, 'For the love of Sothis' - Love that! Going to use it at some point for sure! Thank you for your review, you warm my shriveled cold heart, please continue to enjoy this story!
Fantasy Fan 223: I listen to my reviewers' desires. Can't promise everything, but I try to do my best! Yep, I plan to include all of the support conversations and side quests for at least the Blue Lions characters. I am happy that you enjoyed the past chapter, especially Byleth's slowly discovering her feminine side. Speaking of which...may you enjoy the effects of Byleth's outfit...muahaha!
The Apocryphal One: I am very happy to hear that! This has been very enjoyable to write, especially as I get to mess with poor 'ole Dimitri! I hope to explore Edelgard's character too as we go along and give her a bigger presence just like Jeralt's. Thank you for your review and I hope you enjoy this sweet chapter!
Dimitri had to coax Dedue a great deal that all was forgiven. "Really Dedue, you did exactly what I told you so please don't feel guilty. If anything I have learned greatly from our spar," The prince added as the pair entered the bustling dining hall. Picking up a bowl of the prepared dinner dish, the two found empty adjacent spots to sit in the sea of eating and chattering students, staff, and visitors. Today's dinner was Saghert and Cream; one of Dimitri's beloved childhood dishes. While he couldn't truly taste it, the texture and smell of the sweet noa fruit cream and slightly tart currents took the prince back to eating at the great dining table at home with his father, stepmother, and uncle Rufus, who regaled them all with grand tales Faerghus's most notable knights, while a nearby fireplace crackled with warmth. Dimitri sighed nostalgically between spoonfuls.
"There is the professor," Dedue remarked as he looked past the prince. Dimitri turned to look over his right shoulder, and nearly choked on his food.
Byleth had just entered the dining hall and tucked a few strands of dark blue hair behind her right ear. 'What was she wearing?' The prince thought as the young woman walked right passed them with her gaze set upon the assortment of delectable dishes set out on the main service table. As her cape flapped about, Dimitri caught a glimpse of her flowing skirt and shapely legs. The prince didn't even realize he was now leaning a tad off his seat for a better look.
"Highness, are you unwell?" Dedue inquired with concern at Dimitri's sudden flushed cheeks, odd facial expressions, and near fall off his seat. Did the prince have a sudden feverish illness? Was the food upsetting his insides? "Has this food made you sick? I will ensure that the cooks never make it again."
Dedue's questioning snapped the prince out of a trance. "Huh, oh I...no, I am fine Dedue," Dimitri answered distractedly. He then saw that Byleth was searching for an empty spot and waved his hand up trying to catch her searching gaze. Much to his delight, she saw him waving and began walking right over. The prince quickly scooched to his left to make room for the young woman as she plopped down with her own portion of saghert and cream.
"You look different," Dedue remarked as the professor sat down.
"You look nice," Dimitri quickly added with a smile.
Byleth peered at them with her daydreamer gaze before saying, "Thank you." Pleased at the responses, she tucked another strand of unruly hair behind her ear before dipping her spoon into the creamy dessert.
"Professor, do you enjoy saghert and cream as well?" Dimitri inquired with interest.
Byleth shrugged her shoulders, "This is my first time having it."
"Then I hope you will enjoy it immensely for it is a childhood favorite of mine." Dimitri then gestured to Dedue as the prince added, "And see that look upon Dedue's face, that means he thinks the food is pretty tasty."
"The food nearly killed his highness, please proceed with caution professor," Dedue warned in a concerned voice.
Dimitri had to resist slapping his forehead with his palm. Instead he continued to smile innocently...as he cringed internally.
Byleth stared at Dedue, then at Dimitri, and finally at the potentially deadly dessert. Cautiously, she scooped a spoonful into her mouth, chewed, gulped it down, and paused thoughtfully as her two companions waited with bated breath. "It's delicious," Byleth sighed before gulping down more spoonfuls of the delectable dish.
"Whew," Dimitri sighed with relief. He then realized that by studying Byleth carefully, he was able to pick out subtle details that hinted at her mood; like the way she closed her eyes gently between bites to savor the flavors.
As the prince observed Byleth, Dedue was watching him. The Duscar youth had known Dimitri for over four years now and never had he seen this expression on the prince's face before. Dedue had an inkling of what was happening, but would wait until his suspicion was confirmed.
The trio continued to eat in a comfortable silence until an owl swooped overhead and dropped a rolled up letter into Byleth's nearly empty dish. With one hand, the young woman unrolled the letter and read, "A mock battle between the three houses will commence soon to gauge the progress of the students, as well as ascertain your own abilities. Please do not disappoint Lady Rhea. Best regards, Seteth." Byleth nearly snapped her spoon in two.
"Is everything alright?" Dimitri inquired with concern. "You seem a bit pale." Byleth handed the letter to the prince as she continued to eat, though absentmindedly now as she missed her mouth a couple of times.
"I see," Dimitri murmured. For such an event to happen so soon, especially after calling the entire class beginners. "Well, we have our work cut out for us. You won't find a more earnest and hard working class, professor. We will win." The prince added in a confident tone, but Byleth looked more daydreamy than ever. He doubted that the professor even heard his words.
In her own mind Byleth recalled that today was Friday the 25th of the Great Moon Tree, she would have the weekend to hatch an effective training plan. "Excuse me," Byleth murmured as she stood up and gave the pair a cordial nod before returning her dirty bowl to the return station.
Dimitri watched her go. Just when he was on the cusp of reading her, he found himself back at square one. Now his main concern was that she was having second thoughts over the class she had chosen. The prince would spread the news to his classmates that they would have to work twice as hard.
Byleth let the cool night air soothe her as she stepped out of the bustling dining hall. "Wow, what a day," chimed Sothis's voice inside Byleth's head as the young woman entered her bedroom. "And I can feel that you are quite exhausted as well," Sothis added as Byleth wriggled out of her new uniform and slipped into a crisp white linen, long sleeved sleepwear provided by the academy. The young woman then sighed heavily as she plopped onto the bed. "Don't worry, we'll come up with something tomorrow," Sothis said soothingly before she gave a great yawn. "You'll see, it will alllll come together," Sothis's added sleepily, and her voice made Byleth's eyelids heavy. Soon the young woman slipped into a deep and restful sleep.
However, it seemed all too soon that the rays of the warm early morning sun filtered in through the window of Byleth's bedroom. The young woman rolled onto her face in order to block out its insistence to wake her up. Then a scratching sound came at her wooden door, followed by a series of urgent hoots. Byleth sleepily stumbled out of the bed to open the door a crack to peer down at a great horned owl, with snow white plumage peppered with dark spots. He hooted happily up at her as he puffed his feathers proudly at his successful deliver. As he took off, a small note was left behind. The professor was relieved to see that this was not another one of Seteth's perfectly rolled parchments. Instead, it was a piece of torn paper that appeared to have a bit of battle tactics scribbled on one side. Turning it over, the young woman instantly recognized the well printed handwriting of her father that read, "Meet me at the rose courtyard."
Quickly shutting the door, Byleth wriggled out of her sleep wear and decided to don on her mercenary outfit in case her father wanted to do their daily practice routine; though the rose courtyard was an odd place for sparring. The young woman exited her room, but paused at the doorstep, should she go left or right? Of course Byleth ended up taking the long way around to the rose courtyard. There nestled amongst the vibrant red, pink, and white roses was a little outside patio set with several white wrought iron chairs and tables, draped with ivory lace tablecloth. At the center sat her father, along with what appeared to be a full white porcelain tea set and a woven basket filled with assorted baked goods. It was quite a sight with Jeralt in his full armor set checking that his delicate teacup was perfectly at the center of its saucer. His expression was slightly dubious until he looked up and spotted his daughter.
"Ugh, tada!" Jeralt revealed with arms opened wide. As Byleth sat down he explained, "So, I was going through old boxes of stuff in my room when I happened upon this tea set. It belonged to your mother, and now it belongs to you." Jeralt smiled warmly at his daughter. Byleth could only stare with mouth slightly agape at this news. "Well, I know how much you wanted to have a tea party. I could see it on your face when we would go into town and pass by those little outdoor cafes. Now you have your very own. Your mom even has this three tiered one with matching gold embossed cups, take care of them alright," Jeralt added thoughtfully. He had nearly forgotten about his wife's love for tea and enjoyment of pleasant tea times with her friends. Just opening that box was like releasing a flood gate of memories. Jeralt had then realized why Byleth's eyes lingered upon those tea cafes in town.
"Alright, I had the chef prepare us some buttered croissants and pastries. And for tea," Jeralt explained as he poured his daughter some steaming tea into her cup, "Good 'ole chamomile. You can't go wrong with a cup of chamomile. Your mother was the great tea aficionado, as for me, I prefer the simple and soothing things in life." Jeralt then raised his tea cup and stated, "So, cheers to you on becoming a professor. I'm...I'm proud of you Byleth." Jeralt smiled warmly, but his smile fell the more he studied his daughter's face. "Hey now, why the long face?" Surely it wasn't due to the tea party. Maybe being presented with things that belonged to her mother was a bit overwhelming? 'Jeralt you oaf, just when you thought you understood your daughter.'
But Byleth shook her head and silently handed him Seteth's rolled letter. Intrigued, Jeralt set his tea cup down to read the perfectly penned letter. "I see…" he murmured. "Well, you've got time and the Blue Lions class seem like a good bunch of kids," Jeralt remarked as he rubbed his chin while he mulled over this dilemma. He could see why this caused distress in Byleth. She had barely started and had no actual classroom teaching experience under her belt. Yet, those kids could easily absorb the material from books and lectures, what they truly lacked was real time experience and practice working cohesively. "Hey, I know. Why don't you borrow my mercenary battalion. They've been bored cooped up in the monastery anyway. Even better yet," Jeralt mused with a sudden idea, "let's try this plan out."
"The hot coal walk?" Byleth questioned.
"Uh, no, definitely not that one…" Jeralt quickly shook his head before he went on to explain his idea as Byleth munched away on a flaky and buttery croissant while sipping calming chamomile. "Alright, you got that?" He questioned his daughter. Byleth nodded fervently, the flames within her eyes had reignited. "Excellent, now let's clean up and move this and the other pieces to your room," Jeralt clapped his hands together as he stood up.
Byleth, now in high spirits, helped her father tidy up, completely unaware that someone had been listening in on their entire conversation...
More rambling notes from the Author:
Why of course I'm not giving away the super secret training plan just yet dear reader! But the eavesdropper knows...
Also, you may have caught on that I've gotten Byleth lost numerous times in game. Thank goodness for fast travel!
(DISCLAIMER) I do not own nor claim to own any of the Fire Emblem Franchise, Intelligent Systems Co., and Ninetendo's exceptional work. It is from the team's own brilliance…my additions are from my own madness.