Edelgard sighed, standing up to clean up the room a bit so Manuela wouldn't have as much to do when she came back; the students weren't even there for half an hour, and the place was chaotic. Hubert offered his help by putting away any books that had been left out.
"The timing is rather ideal, if sowing restlessness was the aim," Hubert mused.
"Unfortunately, the extra worry would mean some will be more cautious. Some part of this is him, I know it—and he's making it unnecessarily difficult. I can't even say it's unwittingly."
"I wouldn't be surprised if he knew how much trouble he causes. Jeritza's leave is undoubtedly him, and I can imagine that Flayn's absence is as well."
Edelgard frowned. "She has a Major Crest of Cethleann, doesn't she? I can't blame Seteth for trying to protect her; her blood would be valuable to people like those."
"Things will only get uglier for everyone involved if they manage to get their hands on her. It would be best to prepare for anything."
She murmured her agreement, and the conversation ended there. After they finished cleaning the classroom and putting everything away, both went to take care of other tasks. Edelgard had many things she needed to do in preparation of the coming months—meetings she needed to arrange and arguments she had to win. Thales's plans wouldn't interfere with her own; the time was coming to make new allies and cast off the old, even if such a day was still a ways away.
…
Flayn didn't return that day like many hoped, and Jeritza remained unaccounted for. By the next morning, the students murmured that Seteth had called back some knights to look for his sister. Edelgard knewat this point that Thales was involved—she wasn't fond of any of the reasons why he would go to such lengths, understanding fully what he would hope to achieve.
In Jeritza's absence, the Blue Lions were divided between the other two classes, and a few knights were tasked with teaching combat lessons. She didn't find it particularly efficient—the three houses had learned and understood things at different paces, so effort had to be made so everyone was at the same level—but she knew it was easier than finding a qualified professor that would only be teaching temporarily.
Exactly one week after Flayn disappeared, Claude waved her over after the afternoon's classes had ended; Dimitri chose to be with the Golden Deer, so he was right behind that house's leader.
"I wanted to talk to you for a second," Claude said to Edelgard.
She nodded her acknowledgement and paused, halfway between the two classes. "What about?"
"I've been looking into things that could've happened to Flayn," Claude explained. "I just wanted to run a few things by you first, since it involves Professor Jeritza."
Edelgard looked at both of them for a moment. "I'm listening," she said after a second. "Do you think he's is involved?"
"It's just a theory," Dimitri replied, "But he was hired thanks to recommendation of imperial nobility, correct?"
"He was," she answered, nodding. "It was Lord Arundel that put in the good word." She didn't see any point in lying—they could just as easily confirm with Seteth or Rhea. Unlike her, Thales wasn't limited by public appearances; he could just as easily achieve his aims if he had to stay hidden.
Claude paused for a moment to think, then spoke up. "Arundel's your uncle, isn't he? Do you think Professor Jeritza could have gone to that family's territory?"
"I could send a letter to ask," Edelgard said. "If nothing else, it might determine where he went."
"It feels better knowing we're making some progress," Dimitri decided. "We will keep looking around the monastery as well. If nothing else, classes could resume as they previously have when Professor Jeritza returns."
They all gave some agreement—some small murmur that resembled teamwork—and they all separated. Most students had left the classrooms by then, only a few scattered here and there to hold conversations or question the day's learning. Edelgard noticed Hubert standing not far off from the entrance of the Black Eagles' classroom, and went to him first.
"I assume you heard everything?" Edelgard asked.
"Just about," Hubert replied simply. "It does seem I didn't give them enough credit—they're close enough to our own theory, without any of our knowledge. I'll have to keep a closer eye on them."
"Let them be for now," she said. "Things will be easier in the future if they don't hold any suspicions. I doubt Jeritza or Flayn would have gone far—he's too smart to let them anywhere close to him—but it's better if they suspect him."
"And you're sure they wouldn't look to you with caution, if he is implicated somewhere along this path?" Hubert asked, frowning. "We need to stay here for a little while longer. Many things still need to be done."
"I know. Don't worry, Hubert; for better or worse, they won't see past the student."
He didn't look entirely convinced, but she knew he would cover for her. He did plenty for her without ever mentioning it, especially now—if he thought she was making a mistake, he would take it upon himself to fix it without saying a word, even if she preferred it when he told her everything.
She continued on after a moment of silence. "I want to get the letter written and sent, regardless of what may come of it."
"I will locate someone who can send it," Hubert offered.
"Thank you."
(A/N: I'm fully aware this chapter's a bit short. Sorry about that!
And, yes, I know Miklan comes first in the game. I decided the pacing felt a little better if Flayn's disappearance came first. You'll see what I mean later!)
