"Words cannot express how grateful I am for this opportunity, Professor. Despite the rivalry between our houses, it gladdens me to know we can still take part in some inter-house cooperation."
Byleth clasped the prince on the shoulder.
"Think nothing of it, Prince Dimitri. I have a hunch that were the shoe on the other foot, you'd offer me the same chance."
Dimitri smiled, giving a single nod of thanks.
The two stood in the homeroom for the Blue Lions house, discussing the finer points of the Eagles mission this month to take out Miklan and his band of thieves. Classes were long since over for the day, leaving only the Lion leader and Byleth alone to talk.
Byleth preferred it this way. If word got out that he was enlisting not only Dimitri's help, but that of some of his house members, he was sure a certain two members of the Eagles would be a tad annoyed. It'd be better to have this meeting in some relative secrecy to iron out the details before bringing it to his own house's attention.
It only seemed right. This was the second assignment they've been given that took place within the Kingdom's jurisdiction, and the second assignment that involved putting down a family member of one of the Lions. To not invite them to take part seemed callous. Hopefully his class would see it the same way.
"Rhea and Seteth may have given me the permission to take the Blue Lions along for this month's outing, but it seems Professor Hanneman is too busy with his research as of late to be able to join us."
"I apologize, Professor." Dimitri winced. "Professor Hanneman is a wonderful instructor, but he can occasionally get… sidetracked, with his studies."
Byleth snorted, his expression blank. Oh, yes. He knew that better than anyone.
"I fear I'm the one that should be apologizing," Byleth said. "Ever since the mausoleum incident and this whole Sword of the Creator business, Hanneman has been buzzing around me like a fly."
Hours worth of talk over Byleth and his 'Crest of Flames' flooded his mind. Hanneman had been so enraptured in Byleth's supposed crest and his ability to wield the fabled sword. He must have talked his ear off for the entire day, going on about the rarity of this particular crest and what it might mean. Byleth didn't mind answering any question the scholar might have for him, he just hoped the blood draws would only be a onetime thing.
"Anyway-" Byleth shook his head, getting back on topic. "Since Hanneman won't be able to join us, I'm afraid I alone won't be enough to supervise the entirety of both houses. I'll need you to select just two students to come along with you and Sylvain."
"Of course!" Dimitri replied earnestly. "I wouldn't want to be any more of a burden on you than I already am."
Byleth smirked, patting the prince on the back. He was a good lad. It was a shame Byleth couldn't teach his class as well.
"You are of no burden. I just don't want to let all of you down."
Dimitri raised an eyebrow and tilted his head to the side, his blonde hair swaying in the wind.
"If you don't mind my saying, I don't see a reality in which you could let us down. You've already done me a great service simply by offering me this chance in the first place. I relish the opportunity to work with you and the Eagles in a setting where our rivalry doesn't weigh down on us."
Byleth hummed to himself, nodding absently. Truth be told, he did find it rather strange how the monastery did things. One would think they would want the houses to cooperate with each other. Each house held the future leaders of all three nations, wouldn't it be more beneficial for them to interact with the others on a daily basis in order to prepare them for peace in the future? To pit them against each other on a constant basis- even going so far as to offer rewards to the winning houses in mock battles seemed… a little cruel. It's as if they were preparing them for war, instead of trying to prevent it.
The prince of Faerghus frowned as a thought occurred to him.
"Speaking of, have you already spoken to Edelgard and the rest of your house?"
Byleth grimaced and rubbed the back of his head. The rest of his house he didn't worry about. They were pretty agreeable.
It was Edelgard and Hubert that would be the real problem. Byleth couldn't gleam just how deep her relationship to Dimitri was, but even he could tell there was some type of history there. A blind man could see the tension between the two heirs.
And Hubert…. Well, he knew nothing of Hubert. The man would do whatever his majesty ordered, and by extension, most of what Byleth ordered, but he knew Hubert didn't trust him. Given the fact he had spotted the mage following him on more than one occasion, he imagined that disdain ran deep.
"Don't you worry about Edelgard," Byleth assured. "She might not be thrilled with the idea, but she's a rational person. Once I explain it to her, I'm sure she'll agree to it."
"I'm not so sure…" Dimitri mumbled. The mercenary noted the crestfallen look on his face at hearing Byleth's words.
Hmmm. It appears the prince wishes the distance between them wasn't so great… I really do wonder what happened between those two.
Byleth gave the Lion another pat on the shoulder.
"Decide on who you want to accompany you. I'll fetch you later in the week for some practice battles with the Eagles so we're ready when the time comes."
"Understood, Professor."
Dimitri placed a hand to his chest and bowed. Ever the noble.
"Ah, there you are, son."
Both men looked to the door to see the legendary mercenary, and Blyeth's father, enter.
"I've been looking everywhere for you," Jeralt said as he approached, his usual easy smile adorning his features.
Jeralt's eyes flickered to Dimitri, only now noticing his presence.
"Oh, hey, kid. Hopefully my boy here hasn't been giving you too much trouble."
Byleth rolled his eyes.
"O-oh, not at all, sir!" Dimitri stammered. "In fact, the professor has been of great help to me."
"Glad to hear it." Jeralt grinned, giving Byleth a few rousing slaps on the back. "I hope you don't mind if I steal him away for a bit."
"Of course not," Dimitri replied. "Don't allow me to get in the way. I'll see you later then, Professor Byleth."
"Till then, Dimitri."
The prince gave the two mercenaries another bow before excusing himself from the Lions' homeroom. It was impressive how much he could do that in one sitting.
"Seems like a good kid," Jeralt remarked as he watched him leave.
"Indeed."
"Having second thoughts on the house you picked?" Jeralt asked, glancing over at his son.
"Not in the least." Byleth shook his head. "So, what is it you wanted to speak with me about?"
"Follow me. There's something I wanted to show you first."
Byleth shrugged and went along with his father as they made their way out of the classroom.
Classes were over for the day, but the monastery was still bustling with students as they made their way through the grounds. The two weaved through the crowd, Byleth giving occasional nods or greetings to the students they passed.
"Good day, Professor! Do you have time later to help me with my certification exams coming up?"
A passing Lysithea asked.
"Another time, Lysithea. Perhaps later this week."
The young girl beamed and went on her way.
"Hey, mercenary. Come spar with me."
The usual brunt request from Felix.
"I'll find you later, Felix. I'm busy at the moment."
The swordsman scoffed and kept walking, but Byleth caught the hint of a grin on his rough features.
"Ah, Professor! Do you have time for a meal with me?"
An overly flirtatious suggestion from Dorothea.
"I'll catch up with you this evening, Dorothea."
The singer winked at him as she walked past.
Jeralt watched all of these students come to Byleth, his eyes wide with surprise. This was quite the change from the hushed whispers and the following eyes Byleth had received during his first few weeks here.
"How's the new gig treating you?" Jeralt asked, his curiosity at the events getting the better of him.
"I feel like I'm getting the hang of it."
"Good. I was starting to worry after the last time I asked. You were looking like a fish out of water back then."
"Yes, well…" Byleth drifted off, his mind going back to those early days. It truly was a challenge getting accustomed to his new role. While he had the experience he felt was sufficient enough to teach, he was afraid of how well he might do at the actual teaching part. It was one thing to have knowledge of the battlefield and how to fight, but it was another to actually impart that onto someone else. "I've got my bearings, now. The students seem to be satisfied with my teachings."
"No kidding," Jeralt said under his breath, his eyes following yet another student that propositioned Byleth for some sparring. This time it was a young woman with blonde hair braided back into a ponytail. "They seem to have taken quite a liking to you."
"Perhaps. I do my best, but I worry the increase in requests comes from this sword I carry or the crest I bear rather than any skill I might have as an instructor."
Jeralt looked to the dormant sword strapped to his son's waist.
"You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?" Byleth shot his father a sidelong glance.
"I'm afraid not. The news was just as a surprise to me as it was to you."
Byleth kept up his gaze, unsure as to whether or not his father was telling the truth. Byleth had come to realize that there were many things his father had kept from him, either intentionally or unintentionally. For all he knew, this Crest of Flames could have been something his father had been privy to all along, but Jeralt wasn't one to talk much of the past. Byleth always assumed that the pain of losing his mother had always been too much for him to talk about anything regarding his past, but now he was beginning to wonder if he was keeping that from him purposefully.
But his father was a trained mercenary. He knew no matter how hard he looked, Byleth would find no answers through his facial expressions or hidden truths behind his words. Jeralt's grizzled face may not look it, but the man was intelligent and more careful than anyone he knew.
"I'll take your word for it."
"Besides, does all of that really matter?" Jeralt shrugged. "Some of these kids might be coming to you just because of all the rumors floating about, but as long as you do your job they'll keep coming back."
"I suppose you're right." Byleth nodded. "I just can't help but feel that this sword and this crest were something handed to me, rather than earned."
Byleth's fingers brushed against his sword. All it took was a tap of a finger for the sword to spring to life, its entirety glowing a bright red. Even with the slightest touch, he could feel the tremendous power that pulsed through the hilt of it.
"Although it does feel familiar to me…" Byleth murmured to himself. He couldn't shake the feeling that somehow he had held the Creator's Sword once before, yet no such memory existed. How such a thing could be possible, he had no clue. Sothis had no answers for him either, but she too felt a sense of familiarity with the blade. In her words, 'it felt like some piece of her had been returned,' but had no reason for such a feeling.
It was all so confusing.
Jeralt hummed to himself, his eyes once again being drawn to the glowing red sword.
"Where are we going exactly?" Byleth asked as they passed the Knight's Hall.
"You'll see."
The father and son duo continued walking down the pathway that ran outside the Knight's Hall. Bushes and shrubs lined the walkway, painting the area in a deep green. The herd of students began to thin as they made their way further and further away from the main hub of the monastery.
To Byleth's knowledge, there wasn't much here in this little corner Garreg Mach. There was of course the hall that they had just went by, but outside of that all that was out here was the edge of the ramparts. Granted, the scenic view of the mountains that surrounded the monastery was a rather breathtaking sight, but Byleth doubted Jeralt would take him out here just for that.
"It's right down here."
Byleth followed behind his father as they descended a flight of stairs to a secluded area he had never seen before.
"I didn't know there was a cemetery here," Byleth commented, his eyes immediately drawn to the couple of gravestones in the grass.
Jeralt came to a stop at the bottom of the stairs, his gaze fixed upon a single headstone.
"This is what I wanted to show you," he said, nodding towards the grave. "…This is where your mother was buried. I was thinking it was about time we visited her."
Byleth's eyes widened, his feet shuffling to a stop.
"Mother…?" he mumbled, his eyes following Jeralt's. Whatever idle thoughts Byleth was having vanished at the sound of the foreign word.
Byleth stepped towards the grave. Time had worn away the name, making it completely ineligible. Even now, he couldn't even learn her name… Talk about a cruel joke
He had never known his mother… It hurt, but it was something he couldn't change, so he tried not to dwell on it. The only thing he truly knew about her was that she had passed away shortly after he was born. Jeralt didn't tell him anymore than that. It angered Byleth at first that his own father would seemingly refuse to discuss her with him, but whenever he brought up the subject the utter sadness in his father's eyes made it hard to press the issue.
The one thing Jeralt told him about her held true at least. Given the dates, she must have died shortly after Byleth was born.
Byleth knelt beside the stone, his fingers running over the lines of where her name once had been.
"What was her name?" Byleth asked. It was a question that had gone years without an answer.
Jeralt remained silent, his eyes never leaving the grave. It was as if his question had gone in one ear and out the other.
"Father."
Jeralt exhaled slowly, closing his eyes.
"Sitri."
Byleth repeated the name softly to himself. The feeling of her name on his lips would be the closest he would ever truly be to her.
A myriad of questions stormed in his mind. Why was she buried here? Why didn't you tell me about her grave sooner? Why didn't you tell me about her at all? Why did it take some twenty odd years for you to finally tell me her name?
All of these questions were worthy of answers, but there was only really one answer that ever mattered to Byleth.
"What was she like?" He asked, his face blank.
Jeralt took a deep breath, a hand resting on his hip.
"She was gentle and smart," he began. "So smart. A wonderful cook. Always kind to everyone."
The corner of his father's mouth turned upwards as he recalled the memories of his beloved wife.
"And…"
Jeralt paused, pulling a single, unfamiliar looking flower out of his overcoat to place on her grave.
"She loved flowers. Whenever I brought her back an unusual flower, her face would light up."
Byleth tried to picture his burly father giving his mother a flower, but seeing as how he had never seen her face, it was an incomplete one. He always assumed that she must have had blue hair and blue eyes given Byleth's looks, but he just couldn't picture her face.
"I really do cherish those memories," Jeralt continued, his brown eyes elsewhere. "I can't count how many times she made me happy just by smiling."
The mercenary returned to reality and placed a hand on his son's shoulder.
"And she smiled the most when she was pregnant with you."
Byleth rose to his full height, his gaze never leaving the gravestone. He remained silent as to let his father finish, but truthfully, Byleth had no clue how to respond to that.
"She died right after you were born. She… She wasn't able to spend much time with you." Jeralt's expression darkened briefly before he smiled again. "But she loved you with all her heart. That's the truest thing I know."
Jeralt squeezed Byleth's shoulder, an unusual showing of affection from the man.
"Never forget that."
Byleth met his father's eyes and nodded. He had no face to put to his mother's name, and before today he didn't even know her name, but somehow his father's words brought a warm feeling to Byleth's still heart.
And yet… there was still one thing nagging at Byleth in the back of his mind. Something he had always suspected had been the case. Seeing the dates on her tombstone only strengthened his suspicion.
"Mother died shortly after I was born, right?"
"That's right."
"Did she die because of my birth?"
Jeralt sighed, closing his eyes.
"…Yes."
Byleth frowned. It was the answer he expected, but hearing it confirmed made his chest heavy and only gave birth to new nagging doubts.
"Do you ever regret having me, then?" Byleth asked before he could stop to think.
His father's eyes shot open, his brow raising in disbelief.
Followed by perhaps the angriest expression he had yet to see the collected mercenary make.
"How could you ask such a thing?" Jeralt smacked the back of Byleth's head. Hard. "Your mother would be rolling in her grave if she heard you speak like that."
Byleth mumbled an apology, gingerly rubbing the new bump on his noggin.
"I don't regret having you. Not for a second," Jeralt scoffed, shaking his head. "Out of all the things I've done in this lifetime, fathering you has been my greatest and proudest accomplishment. I'm sure your mother would feel the same."
Byleth watched his father with wide eyes, his words leaving him dumbstruck.
"Which is why-"
Jeralt reached down the collar of his armor, pulling out a chain. Attached to it was a silver, ornate ring. Gems were embedded in its center, surrounded by finely etched engravings that snaked down the band.
"-in time, I want to give you this; the only keepsake I have of her. One day, I hope you'll give this ring to someone you love as well as I love her."
Byleth stared at the piece of jewelry. This was the first time he had ever laid eyes on it.
To someone I love…
"I… I don't know what that means," Byleth admitted, his brow furrowing. He loved his father, and he loved his students. That much he knew. But this type of love Jeralt spoke of was unknown territory for him.
"You will." Jeralt smiled, placing the chain back down his neck. "Once upon a time, I felt the same, you know."
"Really?"
"Hmhm. When I was your age, I wasn't so different." Jeralt nodded. "Then I met a girl that could make me smile without even trying. A girl that could brighten even the darkest of rooms just by stepping through the doorway."
Jeralt's smile grew as he placed a hand over his heart, directly over where the ring rested.
"Then, not too long after that, I had you. Then the rest was, well, history."
Byleth turned his head back towards the resting place of his mother, Jeralt's words rattling around in his head. They held great meaning to the man. They gave him… hope.
And longing. Longing for something Byleth had never realized just how much he wanted.
Maybe one day, even I could…
"Thank you, Father," Byleth whispered, his rare smile showing its face once more. "Thank you for bringing me here and for telling me all of this."
Jeralt returned the smile with a small one of his own, placing a hand on Byleth's back.
The two of them spent the rest of the afternoon there together, long after the sun disappeared under the mountains. No more words were spoken between the two, but not out of a lack of something to say to one another. Far from it. They simply wanted to bask in the warmth of a family that had finally been reunited after so many years apart.
The next day, Byleth sat alone at his desk in the Eagles' homeroom, his mind wandering as he idly graded papers.
Since the events of the prior evening, Byleth's thoughts had been filled with nothing but his mother and father. It would start with him thinking of the reality he found himself in, but eventually, his mind would always drift towards thoughts of what could have been. What if she hadn't died? How different would Byleth's live had been? Would his memories still be that of death and bloodshed? Or would they be of love and warmth, bottled up in some secluded home far away from it all?
Byleth knew Jeralt had always given him all he could, but even so, his life had never been easy. Byleth never lost sleep over that fact. It was what it was. There was no changing it, so why go trying? All that mattered was that he was happy with where his path had taken him, and he wouldn't trade that for anything.
But that didn't stop the man from thinking about the life he could have had, had his mother lived.
Sitri… Mother…
He didn't want to trade lives with the fictional, innocent Byleth he daydreamed about, but he couldn't help but regret the fact that he never had the chance to know the woman that loved him so much. It felt… unfair. Not to him, but to her. To give up so much for him without ever getting the chance to see the man Byleth had become. It was heartbreaking.
How he would love to just meet her, if only once.
Would you be proud of me, Mother? Of who I've become?
Byleth sighed, his free hand grasping at his hair. That was an answer he'd never hear.
"That was a rather heavy sigh, Professor."
Byleth flinched, his head shooting up to see the friendly smile of Edelgard. He had been so lost in his thoughts, he hadn't even heard her approach.
"Is everything all right?" Edelgard asked, the tinge of concern in her voice betraying her smile.
"I'm fine," Byleth replied, rubbing his closed eye with a pair of fingers. "There's just a lot on my mind, is all."
"If there's anything I can help with, you only have to ask."
Byleth looked down at his mountain paperwork. Truthfully, he did have to discuss their next mission with her. While he would much rather converse with his student regarding other, happier topics, he figured it beat grading essays any day.
"Now that you mention it, there was something I wanted to discuss with you," Byleth said as he stood.
"Oh?" Edelgard raised an eyebrow, her eyes following him as he walked closer. "My ears are all yours, Teacher-"
The princess hesitated and looked around before continuing.
"…Byleth."
"You don't have to make it sound like you're pulling teeth." Byleth smiled. "It's just a name."
"I admit, I find it rather difficult to address you so informally…" Edelgard grumbled, her hands busily straightening the hem of her skirt. "I will get over that feeling it in time, I assure you."
"I have no doubt you will," Byleth laughed, a not so rare occurrence for him anymore. "Now, come along. We can talk over a quick spar. I need to move my body after all that grading."
"Fair enough." Edelgard nodded, her hand moving to her hip. "I could use some extra practice with a sword as well."
"After you." Byleth motioned towards the door.
Edelgard nodded her thanks before heading through the doorway.
He knew he had to follow her, but Byleth couldn't stop himself from taking one last glance around the room as a singular thought occurred to him.
"Hm."
The professor stood like that for a few seconds, perfectly still as he observed the room. It was the same classroom it had always been. The very same room he had taught countless lectures in. And yet… there was something different about it.
He shook the thoughts from head. If he didn't get a move on, Edelgard would take notice.
Byleth walked off after her, closing the door to the well-lit classroom behind him.
And that's that! Thanks for reading everyone!
Before the usual end-of-chapter Author's Notes, just wanted to give a huge thank you to everyone who left a review with input on last chapter! I've taken all you've said into consideration, and I think the gameplan is I'll keep Moments Lost in Time chapters to a minimum, fit what I can where I can, but leave the opportunity open should I come up with a scene that I have to write and can't find a solid place to put it. I appreciate it a lot guys! Your reviews are all so great and a wonderful source of motivation.
Anyhow, now on to the chapter!
Little insight as to why I (ORIGINALLY) chose "Eleanor" for Byleth's mother's name. First off, I've always kind of liked the name haha. Second, and a very nice coincidence, the name "Eleanor" happens to be Greek for "Bright, shining one." Considering how I'll be using Byleth's mom in terms of the story and his own character development, I couldn't hope for a better name. Super lucked out there.
Let me tell you, I'm an ABSOLUTE SUCKER for characters with tragic backstories regarding their parents. I'm terribly intrigued with Byleth's mother, so don't be surprised if I continue to come back to her as the story progresses. I might even write a one shot for their family one day in the future.
And Jeralt? Holy shit do I love Jeralt. Legit did not expect to like him that much when he was first revealed, but I absolutely adore his relationship with Byleth. Hopefully y'all could tell with the little bits I added to perhaps my second favorite scene with Dad.
His parents will definitely be a catalyst for some of Byleth's own dreams that I've begun to hint at here.
Hope you all liked the chapter! I'm having so much fun with this.
