AN: HI! Happy New Year my friends! *blows kisses* thanks for the reviews and WOW fifty-one follows! Eek!

Hope you're enjoying 2020 so far! It's off to really poor start music wise with Justin Bieber's god-awful single but I'm PRAYING that the rest of this year's music will be good.

Anyway! Reviews!

Random Fan: Heh sorry! Not to worry though, there won't be blood for awhile. I'm glad you're liking my characterization and Crest abilities so far! I'm still pondering what to do with some, but if you have any ideas I wouldn't mind hearing them!

Matt Rogan: I know, but I am one of the ten people on the planet who actually killed him so TECHNICALLY he doesn't die in my books!

Anyway! Hope you enjoy!

Chapter IV: The Mercenary

The whole early morning had been a long nauseating blur.

After the second Dimitri heard Edelgard in danger, his vision had fogged like a melting painting—all disfigured images and muddled hues. The only thing he could rely on for information were his other senses.

Dimitri remembered his metal boots crushing plants and wildlife and the rush of rage and adrenaline blinding him from his weeping wounds. He remembered screams of agony entering his ears like a cruel symphony of violence as he plowed mercilessly through men to get to Her. His Crest sending shockwaves through his blood as he unconsciously called upon its full might and the way he had hauled himself back over the ridge faster than he had tumbled down.

And oh, even though he tried to deny it, it was thrilling. So very thrilling to take his rage on the pathetic low-lives that dared call themselves human, that dared to hurt El.

Until he remembered he had an audience.

Though quiet and nearly silent, a small gasp had tugged his rational mind from the brink of drowning and taped the mask of a prince back over his face.

Dimitri spun around. Edelgard's face was glossed with blood and for once there was no mask in place. She was clutching her limp right arm, her eyes were blown wide, and her lips were parted. What was she thinking? Was she horrified? Disgusted? Scared?

All of the above would be fair at this point.

"E-Edelgard," Dimitri stammered out. "I—" he swallowed and licked his lips, cringing as he felt the texture of dirt and blood enter his mouth. "Are you alright?"

Edelgard hadn't answered or moved. Still seeing Dimitri's atrocious behaviour in her mind's eye certainly.

If Dimitri had any hope they could be friends again, he was positive he had now completely squandered it.

Dimitri looked away from her as shame drowned his insides. Again. He had slipped again in front of Edelgard for the second time the very blasted week! Why was he like this? Why couldn't he be—?

The sound of rustling leaves and voices snapped the royals out of their mini trances. Dimitri forced himself to stand up properly and crouched into a fighting stance while Edelgard pointed her dagger threateningly towards the quivering foliage.

It was The Dagger, and despite the situation, Dimitri smiled softly at the familiar dangerously glittering metal.

Their stances loosened up however, when the familiar voice of Claude could be heard.

"...capable fighter! Haven't seen someone wield a sword the way you do."

This comment was met with zero response and Dimitri wondered momentarily if Claude was talking to himself before he emerged from the thicket of trees with a navy haired maiden in tow.

She wore the strangest armour Dimitri had ever seen; perhaps the shortest leather shorts known to man covered patterned tights and the metal breastplate that covered her chest left her midriff proudly exposed to both the elements and dangerous weapons.

Then there were her eyes. Dimitri didn't think it was possible, but this young woman had a gaze so cold and perfectly guarded that it made Edelgard's evaluating looks appear sheer and warm

in comparison.

'Or maybe,' his mind supplied, 'Maybe she isn't guarding a single emotion.'

Maybe there were simply none at all.

Claude whistled, taking in both Edelgard's and Dimitri's appearances as a man with dirty blonde hair and a multitude of men and woman stepped forward. "Yeesh, you two took a beating,"

"No thanks to you," Edelgard snapped as she sheathed her dagger. "It's nice to know I can't rely on you from here on out."

"Oh, come on! Give me a bit of credit," Claude jabbed a thumb at the entourage behind him. "I found these mercenaries in a nearby village and they forced those bandits to retreat."

Dimitri forced a smile onto his face and dipped into a painful bow. He tried his hardest not to let his discomfort show as he said, "Thank you ever so much for your aide."

"Don't mention it kid," the dirty blond haired man responded as Dimitri stood once more. The man's amber eyes trailed over both his and Edelgard's decrepit forms before he continued with, "But I have to agree with your friend; you two need help with those wounds."

-o0o-

The mercenary leader—Jeralt— and his crew helped as much as they could with Dimitri and Edelgard's wounds before escorting them back to the Monastery after the three lords had explained the situation.

The young woman—Byleth—stared at her surroundings with wide blank eyes while Claude tried and failed to start a conversation with her. Edelgard was ahead of the group and Dimitri was grateful for this; he was certain he couldn't look her in the eyes at the moment.

Or ever.

Goddess, he should have listened to his instincts! They were—he was so different now, of course he couldn't do something as simple as salvage a relationship—

"Dimitri."

Dimitri cried out in surprise before flushing in embarrassment. He hadn't realized that Edelgard had slowed her stride to walk by his side.

"Ah, Edelgard! How is your arm?" Dimitri said, eyes falling to Edelgard's right arm within its makeshift sling.

"It will be fine once Professor Manuela looks at it," Edelgard said. "And your wounds?"

"Not too painful, I've certainly had worse." Dimitri responded. His pant leg had been pushed up to allow room for the makeshift bandage on his leg and there was another underneath his shirt. He had a limp and the wound on his side stung, but the bleeding had stopped so there was no more danger.

The silence that followed was enough for the shame to return in full force and Dimitri's eyes found the dirt path before them as he inhaled shakily. "Edelgard. About...what I—the part of me you saw—"

"I would say I was baffled by what I saw," Edelgard cut in, that now very familiar evaluating side ways glance searching his face. "Except you've showed this side of yourself to me before."

Dimitri swallowed thickly, shame burned hot in his chest and seemed to dry out all the water in his system.

"Right. I-I recall."

"Even so, I was...surprised by the severity of the contrast."

"I know. I'm sorry," Dimitri sighed. "Ever since—for the longest while I had this sickness this horrible other self." He chuckled bitterly and shook his head. "One of my oldest friends even hates me because of it, and I truly cannot blame him. In his words, I am nothing more but a bloodthirsty boar and...he is correct."

Dimitri looked up at Edelgard again before murmuring, "And after today, if you were to hate me as well, Edelgard I would not blame you either."

Edelgard frowned. "Is that what you expect me to do?"

Dimitri's eyes widened and he opened and closed his mouth a few times before spluttering, "But—of course! I'm a monster Edelgard! A bloodthirsty—!"

"I've seen, spoken, and dealt with monsters, Dimitri," Edelgard answered. "Cleaving a bandit in two hardly makes you one of them."

"I...don't understand. Why aren't you absolutely repulsed by me?" Dimitri whispered in a mixture of awe, shock and disbelief.

Edelgard's gaze darkened and Dimitri was certain she would say something along the lines of, "Thank you for reminding me! Well, you may leave my sight now."

Instead she quietly said, "I know better than anyone that bloodied hands are inevitable in a cruel world like this. Those bandits were out for blood; you did what needed to be done."

Dimitri blinked slowly and a smile brightened his face as a breeze of relief cooled his previously heat shamed insides. "Oh," he breathed. "You don't know how glad I am to hear you say that."

"Besides," Edelgard pointed out as the shadows in her eyes cleared with a few quick blinks. "Your actions saved my life."

Dimitri smiled faded as he admitted, "I heard you scream. I was scared they'd killed you."

"You sliced a man in half for my sake? Prince Dimitri I'm oddly flattered!"

Dimitri's lips twitched into small grin. "Was that playfulness I hear? Princess Edelgard I'm pleasantly surprised!"

Edelgard let out an amused half chuckle. "Yes well, I'm not always a stick in the mud."

"I don't recall saying you were."

"Come now, you thought it anyway. Everyone does."

It was Dimitri's turn to let out a chuckle, and for a moment they were friends. Just like before. And Dimitri could tell Edelgard felt it too, because she gave him a smile, it was a simple quirk of her rosy lips and a lukewarm glow in her violet orbs, but it spoke a million words.

Though just as quickly as it showed it up, her smile faded and the glow in her eyes dispersed like the death of a candle's flame. And so badly did Dimitri want to bring it back, to grab that little glimmer of El and keep her with him.

"Alright here we are," Jeralt announced as the group stopped with the Monastery looming in view like large stony giant. "This is where we'll be leaving you."

"Oh, you won't be joining us, Captain?" Dimitri asked.

The prince could have sworn he saw the man wince as his amber eyes flickered to the Monastery. "Afraid not, kid."

"Hey come on! At least share a meal with us!" Claude insisted. "You guys must be starving."

Byleth's eyes widened. "Food?"

"Aye! She speaks!" Claude cheered as Jeralt turned his conflicted gaze to Byleth, then the Monastery, then Byleth again.

"Look...I don't think—"

"Captain Jeralt?!"

All eyes locked on the Seiros knight who was standing stunned in front of them on the path. "It is you! Man, wait 'till Alois hears this!"

Jeralt let out a long stream of swear words under his breath as the knight stepped forward and noticed the students.

"Your Highnesses? Goddess! You need to be checked into the infirmary right away!"

"Yeah, you do that," Jeralt said, stepping backwards. "I'm going to—"

"Father, can't we have breakfast first?" Byleth questioned, held tilted in a way that made it sound like a curious query and not a request.

"Not now, sweetie," Jeralt said through gritted teeth. It made Dimitri curious; why was he seemingly so fearful of the Knights of Seiros? Judging by the looks on Edelgard's and Claude's faces, they were curious as well.

"Wow! You have a kid too! Alois is going to love this!" The knight looked over his shoulder and called, "Guys, come here! Patrol just got interesting!"

If men could combust out of plain exasperation, Dimitri felt that Jeralt certainly would have done just that.

-o0o-

"There we go!" Manuela had said after healing Edelgard's arm. "All better, but I do suggest you and the prince stay in bed for at least an hour."

Thanks to those slithering bastards, Edelgard was forced to disobey.

Even with the healing magic, her right arm was mildly sore and frustratingly stiff. Rest would've been truly beneficial but alas, it was what it was.

With a huff of both indignation and exertion, Edelgard pulled the large trunk containing her armour from out underneath her bed. Why did Arundel insist on frivolous meetings anyhow? He had no problem sending her notes or talking through Tomas so why—?

There was a knock on her door and Edelgard gasped, shoving the chest back underneath the bed. She stood up and smoothed her uniform before calling, "Yes?"

"Edelgard? It's me," Dimitri said hesitantly. There was a pause before he continued with, "Do you like tea?"

"Seriously? 'Do you like tea'?" Someone whisper-shouted, although Edelgard didn't know who.

"Shut up, Sylvain!" Dimitri hissed back before in a louder voice he said, "Do you?"

Edelgard rose an eyebrow through she knew he couldn't see it. "Are you asking me out for tea, Dimitri?"

"I...uh, yes? I-if that's okay with you?"

"I'll have to get back to you on that. I'm afraid at the moment I'm a bit..." Edelgard glanced at the armour chest only half hidden and sighed. "...preoccupied."

"Oh! Yes, of course! I'm just going to—erm. Farewell!"

Edelgard heard one pair of hurried footsteps and another more casual pair before the other voice from before snickered and said, "Real smooth, Your Highness."

"I told you, I'm no good with woman! Blast, now I'm going to upset Professor Manuela for no reason!"

Edelgard opened the door a crack to watch their retreating forms and allowed the second amused smile of the day to grace her lips.

-o0o-

"You promised me an explanation," Edelgard said firmly from within her Flame Emperor armour. Her arms were crossed and her eyes were narrowed within the mask that covered her face.

In front of her, Arundel chuckled. A smirk decorated his face and his violet eyes glowed maliciously in the newborn sun. "Straight to the point. No greetings?

"I haven't the time nor the desire to give you any greetings," Edelgard snapped. "I must return to the Monastery soon before my absence is felt. Tomas said you wanted to give me answers, and I would like to hear them."

"Polite as always, I see," Arundel drawled as he casually inspected his fingernails. "It concerns the Blaiddyd boy. But you're smart, I'm sure you've come to that conclusion already."

Inexplicably, Edelgard felt a twinge of fear of hearing the possibility of Dimitri being ingrained into this monster's plans. What made my odder was that previously the thought hadn't done such a thing. She answered casually however. "Indeed."

"I will have to give you credit though; we never would've thought he could be a useful asset had you not attempted to evaluate him."

"If you've heard my evaluations than you would be aware that I don't find him suitable."

"That's because you're looking for his benefits as an equal," Arundel said. "We however, see his benefits as a useful weapon after we saw the rage spike from his voice and his fascinatingly intense training regime. We sent bandits to check his fighting capabilities and are more than pleased."

Well, that explained two things but...Dimitri? A weapon?

"How exactly would this work?" Edelgard questioned.

Arundel's grin broadened and a small part of Edelgard immediately regretted asking.

"That is where you come in. The two of you are friends, no?"

"Friends? No, I would say acquaintances."

Arundel rose two surprised eyebrows. "Just acquaintances?" He asked incredulously.

The way in which he asked the question peaked Edelgard's suspicion. "Is that a problem?"

"No, no. It's just the way he ran feral to your aid implies otherwise."

Edelgard was silent before responding with, "He claims that we had a past friendship, I don't remember such a thing however. Perhaps his feelings towards me are stronger than mine towards him for that reason."

Arundel's grin broadened and he chuckled as if laughing at a private joke and Edelgard frowned. "Why the laughter?"

"Ah, I suppose it can't be helped with all he's gone through. The boy is adorably delusional."

Edelgard only let out a hum in response. Not that it truly mattered if they met or not anyway.

"No matter," Arundel said, mirroring Edelgard's thoughts. "The point remains that he truly cares for you; this can be used to our advantage I believe in steering him to become a helpful tool against Seiros."

"You want me to get close to him? Is that it?" Edelgard asked.

"Yes. Plant seeds, use his rage, and I'm sure he could serve us well."

-o0o-

The mercenaries had not only stayed beyond breakfast, but according to a highly amused Manuela, after she had officially allowed Dimitri to leave, the young Byleth would be replacing Professor Edward.

Dimitri wasn't entirely sure how to take that news. On one hand, Claude's praise and what little he had seen of Byleth practicing showed she was rather capable when it came to fighting.

However, he would be lying if he said she didn't scare him. Byleth didn't smile, frown, laugh or...anything. It was off putting. How could someone not have emotions?

"What do you all think?" Dimitri asked his classmates later that day as they lounged in the Blue Lions classroom. "About the mercenary Byleth, I mean."

"Well, she's a beauty," Sylvain supplied predictably from where he stood leaning against the doorway. Felix and Ingrid simultaneously rolled their eyes.

"It's a bit too early to tell, no?" Ashe asked as he paused in stringing his bow. "I mean I only saw her."

"I'm with Ashe," Ingrid agreed. "We have to know more about her first before judging."

Felix scoffed and gave Ingrid a sideways glance. "You know, that's rich coming from you."

Ingrid clenched her jaw and glared but otherwise said nothing.

"It was partially due to her actions that you are safe," Dedue stated. "While I am grateful, her trustworthiness remains to be seen."

"She doesn't seem bad," Annette chirped. "I bet if we get to know her well we could really end up liking her!"

"She's a wee bit scary though," Mercedes mused with a frown. "I know it's wrong to judge but I've never seen her smile, not once!"

"What about you, Felix?" Dimitri asked. "We haven't heard your input."

Felix huffed. "There isn't enough words in the dictionary that could properly describe how much I don't care."

"A shame. Hypothetically speaking, what if I taught you?"

All heads snapped towards the doorway where Byleth stood blinking slowly. Sylvain scrambled away from the doorframe with a surprised swear and crashed into a desk.

"A-apologies, Byleth!" Dimitri said quickly as he dipped into a bow. "We didn't mean to—"

Byleth shrugged nonchalantly "I'm used to it."

"But still, it was rude of us to speak behind your back," Dimitri insisted.

Byleth simply shrugged again before entering the classroom. Her dark blue eyes darted from student to student and only Felix and Dedue looked unaffected by it.

She then turned back to Dimitri. "Tell me the best qualities of your Lions."

Felix scowled. "Why are you letting the boar speak for us?" He demanded. Byleth didn't even spare him a glance as she waited for Dimitri to answer.

Dimitri cleared his throat and stood up straighter. "Well, by my side is Dedue. A good-natured young man. Over there is Ingrid, the most chivalrous woman you'll ever meet. Felix may seem prickly around the edges but he truly cares for the people he lets get close. Sylvain is reliable and loyal, Ashe is wonderfully earnest, Annett is a delight to be around and Mercedes is a kind soul."

When Dimitri was finished, Ashe, Annette, Ingrid and Mercedes flushed at the praise while Dedue smiled lightly and Sylvain said, "Aw, we love you too, Your Highness." Felix merely harrumphed but said nothing otherwise.

"And yourself?" Byleth questioned, gaze unwaveringly locked with Dimitri's.

"Myself?" Dimitri asked with a frown. "Well..."

'I'm a monster,' his mind supplied. But just as quickly Edelgard's words followed. "I've seen, spoken, and dealt with monsters, Dimitri, cleaving a bandit in two hardly makes you one of them."

Dimitri smiled sadly to himself because as much as the words warmed his heart, he knew it wasn't true. Edelgard hadn't seen him two years ago, Edelgard didn't see his ghosts.

Edelgard was wrong.

"Byleth I'm...afraid there's not much to me," Dimitri answered finally. That was also wrong, but she didn't need to know that.

Byleth watched him for a few seconds longer before nodding. "Thank you," she said as she finally left the classroom.

Dimitri felt he could finally breathe properly.

It was a day later that Garreg Mach Monastery welcomed Professor Byleth, teacher of the Golden Deer house.

-o0o-

AN: I'm using Female Byleth because she is freaking adorable lol. Oh, and I've deleted Edelgard's crush on her, I've got a love triangle planned and this ain't it.

Anyway, I'm curious. Would you guys prefer smaller chapters a bit like chapter one or longer charters like chapter three? Longer chapters would take longer but obviously give more content though shorter ones would be easier to send out but it'd take longer to progress the plot along. Anywho, what do you guys think?

Well, I know I said it last time but I mean it this time; I'm going to post a new chapter Friday!

Fantasy Fan OUT!