Chapter 3: Tea. At night.

Yes: we are still on this thing. However, I got an entire list of ways we could extend this, so we are going to milk it while it's going strong.

Disclaimer: How I wished I owned Fire Emblem.

Patrolling at night. One of Jeralt's least favorite things. Rhea insisted that Jeralt would do so to reassure students of their safety after the whole 'Flayn getting kidnapped' thing happened, saying that he was the one with the most chances of success at defeating the Death Knight in combat should he ever show up.

While he didn't want to get the archbishop angry if he refused, Jeralt thought it was obvious that the Death Knight would not come back to the monastery under these conditions. He was smarter than that. Aside from that, Jeralt could be doing better things right now, such as drinking, paperwork, or, better yet, sleeping. What is what he should be doing.

He was anyway almost done, waiting for the next man (the one that gets paid to do this) to take over. As he was finishing up at the Student Dormitories, he caught that a light was still on. While it shouldn't cause concern for most people, the light came from Byleth's room in the Student Dormitory. Rhea said that she wanted him to get better acquainted with the students, since he was close to their ages.

In all honesty though, it didn't make sense to Jeralt. Hannemon and Manuela's quirks are at least readable. Byleth is a blank slate; always has been, and will likely always will be. It's difficult for him to show emotion. He didn't catch on to things people said. And he sure as hell doesn't understand social norms.

Jeralt sighed. He might as well check on Byleth while he was awake. That way, he can help with whatever is bothering him. Also, no need to knock, not like Byleth was expecting anyone. As he opened and walked in-

'... Well this is an interesting scene.' Jeralt looked at what was before him, dumbfounded. His son was sitting at a table he pulled out, with tea and cake, and a girl that had just stopped stuffing her face full of it the minute Jeralt walked.

Jeralt let that sink in to him. A girl was in his son's room.

A GIRL was in BYLETH'S room. At NIGHT. With no one else around.

And not just any girl mind you; no, it was the future Emperor of the Adrestian Empire herself.

"... Uh…" Jeralt was still trying to process this. His son had a girl in his room at night. When the hell did this happen? When did his son learn how the hell love works? When the hell did he start to actually become socially aware? When did he learn about the 'birds and the bees'? How long has this been going for? Jeralt was pretty sure that he would rather die before having grandchildren at this point. And why the hell is no one speaking?

"Oh, hello Father. Would you like some cakes? I managed to get some from the kitchen at this hour, so the-"

It wasn't Byleth that freaked out first. Which was to be expected. It was the Princess. "Sir Eisner please don't get the wrong idea! It's not what it looks like! The Professor had merely invited me to have tea and cake-"

"She was having nightmares again." The future Emperor twitched at that sentence. From what Jeralt could tell, that was something she didn't want to be heard by anyone else. "Y-y-yes that is true, but-"

"Edelgard gets them frequently, so I stand outside her room until gets them so I can help calm her down."

"Professor, you don't nee- wait, what was that other part?"

Jeralt look at his son, pondering what he just heard. Byleth was always weird, but this was a whole new weird. Given though, he really cares for the brats, so he can only express that in 'Byleth' terms. "... Okay, so some information I didn't need to know."

"This time, I thought I could help her calm down in a better way if she had some of her favorite tea and sweets."

"... Okay, I think I get it."

"I assure you, there is nothing inappropriate going on. This is just, um, business. Yes, business! This isn't even my favorite tea!"

"Yes it is. It's Bergamot. I made sure of it when I made it. You always ask for it when we have tea on my free days, you always have one cup at dinner, and I make sure to always have some in stock for you."

Yep. A little creepy to most, but considering this is Byleth, it's about as far to 'normal' anyone will get to.

"I don't ev-even like sweets. I think th-"

"That's also false. After every meal, you have saghart and cream. After training, you have a trio of sweet buns, and when you study, you have cookies on reserve. Also, for desert, you always have the peach sorbert."

"That's bec-"

"Not to mention all of the sweets you have stashed in your room. I'm surprised Hubert hasn't found them yet."

"... Okay, kid, WAY too much. People will get the wrong idea." The Royal Highness' face could only get so red from Byelth's excessive information. "What wrong idea? I'm merely observing my student's likes and dislikes to better understand them." Jeralt sighed. "Yes, I understand. However, to others who don't understand they might find you a stalker."

Byleth pondered on that for a minute. "... I think I get it. But I don't understand why Edelgard is acting so unusual." 'Ironic coming from him.' Edelgard sighed. "Professor, surely even you understand why I would act so out of tune. The implications of our current situation would look inappropriate to a passerby." Jeralt did not pity the noble; she got herself into this mess that is present. And on que, Byleth turned his head. "... What implications?"

The Imperial Princess stood there, a little surprised by her teacher's response. Jeralt chuckled a bit; it's been awhile since he'd last seen one of these scenes play out, and he would be lying if he said he hadn't missed them. "Well, the fact we are in your bedroom, at night, with nothing but low lit candles providing light, and tea and sweets made."

"... I don't see the problem." Her Royal Highness looked at Jeralt, who was trying hard to not have a laugh at this, as if asking what exactly did Byleth know. Jeralt shrugged; he sometimes wondered what went wrong, but then he just assumed it was because he was so focused on his job as a mercenary. "Well, Professor, um, a couple, as in, one that is in love with each other, would usually stay up at night in conditions such as these, replacing the tea with fine wine. And they would…" Edelgard turned beat red. Jeralt let a few laughs slip at that moment; she didn't have the heart to tell his son!

"... They would sleep together. Correct?" Edelgard sighed. "Yes, but… They would go even further. They would… perform sexual intercourse." Jeralt couldn't help it; he burst out laughing at this. Byleth had just learned about the 'birds and the bees', and he didn't even have to tell him himself!

"Ah. I suppose that makes sense."

… Huh. His reaction was a little disappointing. Granted, he knew about the scientific form of explanation, but he didn't know about the 'full picture' so to speak. So, in the end, the effect was mitigated.

"I suppose that was what Manuela was planning on doing to me that night after our date." Jeralt stared at his son, as did Edelgard. What did he just say?

"What do you mean 'you suppose'? Are you trying to tell me that wasn't what you thought was happening?!"

"No. I interpreted it differently. I thought she was trying to goad me into making me an assistant to her in the infirmary. And I told her that was not the relationship I wanted; I preferred being fellow teachers instead of medics."

… Manuela tried to sleep with Byleth?

"What?! Then, why were you in your room the entire time sulking?!"

"I knew running the infirmary is important, but that would have hampered my time helping my students. I was conflicted on a reasonable duty versus my own selfish desires."

… Manuela tried to sleep with Byleth?!

"But that was not what it was! She was trying to have sex with you! Even I, who merely heard the story, knew what she wanted."

"And I now understand that. Thank you for clearing this up Edelgard."

… MANUELA TRIED TO SLEEP WITH BYLETH?!

"Professor, honestly, your lack of social awareness exasperates me. But I suppose that's what makes you… well, you. Please try to read the situation more effectively next time."

"I will heed your word Edelgard. I don't know if I could have done this without you."

… You know what, Jeralt was just going to drink on this one.

"Can you people stop yelling?! I can hear you on the way back from the library."

Jeralt looked at the doorway, and saw the amusement of many of the knights here. Not that the little 'Magic Monster', as some of the knights called her, was the target of their teasing; rather, they loved to watch Claude run away after angering her, with several a soldier making gold off of bets alone.

Edelgard had also looked at the source of the newfound member of the conversation. "Ah, Lysithea. I apologize. Can I make it up with some cake?" The 'Magic Monster' looked at the table. "... Well, they DO look tasty…" After giving it some thought, she went to the table and grabbed some cake.

Jeralt ran the numbers through his head. Two girls, one boy, in a bedroom, at night. "... You know what, I'm going to leave you three to yourselves. I know nothing wrong will happen, given who're talking about here, so just keep quiet and go to bed later." As Jeralt left and closed the door behind him, he sighed into the sky above him.

Definitely three or four drinks at the bar. Of course, he would need to drag Alois with him to pay the tab. And he would visit Seteth tomorrow.

…

Edelgard's face turned a little red at hearing Jeralt's comment as he walked out. "So, what was that all about?" Edelgard looked at Lysithea, who was stuffing her face full of cake. The sweet, delicious, cake… Focus Edelgard!

Before Edelgard could speak however, Byleth had spoken before hand. "Father had walked in while Edelgard and I were having tea. Apparently, it gives off the wrong idea at this time of night." Lysithea could only stare at him in confusion, and looked at Edelgard, her face showing her question as bright as day: 'Is he really being serious?' Edelgard sighed. "At least you are now aware of these things Professor. Although, I will admit, I do wonder how you've managed to get by without knowing these types of things."

"I don't know. I guess they really aren't as necessary as making sure you don't have nightmares." Edelgard's face quickly turned red. He mentioned that particular bit of information when Jeralt was here, and now Lysithea, who was trying her best to hold a chuckle or two. "Professor, I appreciate you being helpful to me. Extremely helpful if I do say so myself. However, I would appreciate it if would not spout that piece of information to anyone, and keep this to ourselves."

"But I don't see the problem with that though. I help many students with their personal problems. For example, Lysithea is afraid of ghosts, so I frequently walk with her throughout the Monastery at night so she doesn't get too scared." Edelgard wished he had waited to say that, because now, she was helping Lysithea not choke from the cake in her mouth.

"Pr-pr-Professor, I thought we had agreed to not speak about that!" Edelgard sighed, patting her fellow ally's head, earning a red face from Lysithea. "I know, he tends to do this, but trust me; even if he goes a little too far, the Professor does this for our well-being."

"Speaking of well-being, I think you would be better in my class." Lysithea and Edelgard looked at Byleth, dumbstruck by how casually he had brought that up. She knew the Professor was interested in several of the other students; Marianne and, more recently, Ingrid had joined the class afterall, and while it would mean much to Edelgard for Lysithea to join (even if she knew they would be on opposing sides in the future), even she thought this was a bit sudden. "Really? Why bring that up?"

"From what I know, you are very skilled at magic, and are one of the best students here due to your hard-work and dedication. The Black Eagle house, even before Marianne joined, has the most magic focused students out of the three houses. The Golden Deer house had you and Marianne, who had left. I believe that with you there, you can get the most out of your studies, due to a suitable environment for you."

Lysithea nodded. "Agreed. Continue"

"Also, it would help with personal connections. I don't really want Marianne feeling so lonely in the class, so with you there, I think she will feel a bit more comfortable. Also, I noticed that you and Edelgard get along with each other more than your own classmates, so I think this can help with opening up."

Edelgard looked at Lysithea, who in turn looked at her. Edelgard couldn't deny what the Professor had said; the two tended to be more honest with each other than with others. Edelgard felt it was like a sisterly-bond, something she had yearned for and missed after all of these years. And she would cherish this short lasting bond for as long as she could.

Lysithea turned towards the stoic Professor, who was sipping tea. "I see all of your points as very valid. However, as much as I would like to join, I simply cannot right now. The Battle of the Eagle and Lion is approaching next month, and if I would leave my current house, I would be looked at as picking the winning side instead of giving my all, considering me joining would ensure victory." Edelgard, while disheartened, could understand where Lysithea was coming from; as someone who was very devoted to perfecting her skills, Lysithea would want to prove herself instead of playing a lesser part.

Byleth sighed. "Really? Even if I threw in a guaranteed supply of sweets every month like I do with Edelgard?" Even if it was a bit embarrassing, Edelgard couldn't deny that the monthly supply, combined with the secret-stash-of-sweets-that-may-or-may-not-exist, truly make it feel like heaven can be obtained. "Re-real- No! Control yourself Lysithea. I'm sorry but I still can't."

Edelgard then thought of something. "Well then, I have a proposition, if you will hear me out Lysithea." Lysithea pondered on it for a moment. "Alright; humor me." Edelgard smiled, all while her Professor was curious to how this would go. "This one concerns the Battle of the Eagle and Lion. If you join us, I will guarantee you something that you can't turn down." Lysithea scoffed. "Really? What can be worth more than my pride."

"Claude."

Lysithea and Byleth both froze. Edelgard gave a brighter smile, glad at her accomplishment. 'Checkmate.' While the two respected each other, Lysithea and her current house leader were always on bad terms. So to the surprise of no one was it no secret at the Monastery that one of Claude von Riegen's favorite ways to get amusement was to push every single one of Lysithea's buttons, calling her a child, treating her like a child, and generally, while giving credit to her, tends to not trust her enough to entrust her with bigger duties. Something that Edelgard could capitalize on.

"... So you're saying that if I join the Black Eagles house, then I-"

"Will be given the responsibility to defeat Claude at the Battle of the Eagle and Lion. Additionally, I will entrust you to help lead a section of the house to face the Golden Deer house, while I would handle the Blue Lions." Byleth raised an eye to Edelgard, but she couldn't blame him; she was giving much trust to Lysithea.

But that was the key; the additional responsibility shows one's talents.

"... I accept these terms, seeing as I get to beat Claude at his own game, along with the benefits of joining." Edelgard smiled, and she can see her Professor soften up a bit. "Well then Lysithea, welcome to the Black Eagles." She handed a plate of cake to her newfound member, who happily accepted.

As time flew by, Edelgard laid on her bed in her room after they had retired for the night. She would never be on the same side as them when all hell broke out.

But she wanted these moments. To keep them. To let her know that her life was not one of pain and suffering, but that it had moments that allowed her to live free.

She would cherish every last moment.

Sorry to end this one on a downer note, but I thought it felt a little appropriate.

This one might be the longest chapter, but there will be more to come, so let's see if we can break a record.

Also, I have the next chapter planned: Claude von Riegan's Bizzare Adventure.

Until next time.