(A/N: Yet another chapter where half of it is just text… Sorry not sorry, I wrote most of it out as dialogue originally but I didn't like how it came out. Now it's just…60% text, 40% dialogue. Also, I will point out that Edelgard and Manuela's supports have been quietly happening, hence the friendliness and some comments.)
They returned to the monastery and gave the full report—they didn't seem to have told Byleth about the earlier months' events, so they took the chance to explain that as well.
No students were killed, but there were a few casualties within the knights; a third of Remire's population died, either due to their madness or murder. Tomas was found on the enemy's side, later changing his appearance and reintroducing himself as Solon. Both him and the Death Knight disappeared after the battle ended.
The survivors were offered a place to stay in the monastery, albeit any adults without younger family members were 'encouraged' to stay for no longer than the end of the year. Supposedly, the church didn't have as much to spend housing and feeding no more than a few dozen extra people; Edelgard failed to believe it, wondering if they didn't want to encourage people using the monastery for an easy life. It would have been better to outright say it than lie.
Partially as thanks to the students who fought, the Ethereal Moon had no mission—barring the possibility of anything unforeseen, at least—and due to Manuela handling a majority of the preparations for the ball and related festivities, their schoolwork would be reduced slightly. It finally seemed like the imperial ministers understood what needed to be done, as well.
Edelgard needed the rest, however much she didn't want to admit it. Some of the others noticed her workload and constantly tried to get her to take breaks—to the point where, on the day they left for Remire, half the Black Eagles practically walked her back to her room to sleep after she yawned. She appreciated the worry, but to some extent it bothered her; she didn't know how many of them would continue to have that concern in the future.
Although worry still remained due to earlier threats returning, Rhea quickly announced whatever she seemed to think was necessary for the students to be at ease. Efforts would continue in locating the ones responsible; only now did they ask Monica what she recalled about her kidnapping, but ultimately they only received confirmation regarding Tomas's betrayal. Rhea also promised that a portion of the knights will remain at the monastery to watch over the students, despite a quick survey of the area proving otherwise.
It did work, however, and the atmosphere stayed relatively light as soon as the month changed. The house leaders were all asked to help maintain that, regardless of recent events—even if that just meant painting the ball as a 'reprieve from difficult battles' instead of an ill-timed celebration.
Edelgard opted to help Manuela with preparations for the ball in her spare time. Naturally, Hubert and Monica were there as well, although only Monica did much in way of assistance. Hubert still opted to stand by the window; she wondered if he enjoyed the other students' shocked reactions when they noticed him, or if he had accepted his reputation and didn't bother changing it so late into the year.
"Nothing changes that much between years," Manuela noted. "The decorations have always been the same and the food isn't far from the usual snacks they keep out for you kids."
"Last year wasn't very grand," Monica agreed. "I still have reason to believe we were served leftovers from dessert."
"You could've been," Manuela mused.
"The celebrations have been extravagant in the past," Edelgard said, handling some papers. "At this point, they could be keeping current parties relatively tame so whatever they have for the Millennium Festival seems fancier by comparison."
Manuela considered it for a moment, then nodded. "That does sound about right. My first year here, I know the ball itself spanned most of the monastery—students could be inside, outside, practically anywhere they would be on a normal day." She looked at Monica, adding, "You know, they almost didn't let you kids inside the Goddess Tower last year."
"Sneaking out is the most iconic part of the ball!" Monica noted, frowning at first but growing more wistful as she carried on. "Leaving the ball to meet with someone in the Goddess Tower, promising to stay together forever… Just the chance is enough to make all of the work in the academy worth it, never mind those that actually manage to get in."
"I know! However much it frustrates me, you kids need the excitement or else you won't focus in class. It's less trouble, too, since banning entry on a special day would only encourage it."
Edelgard listened as they continued chatting. The papers were completed forms of everything the students had requested the day before, and writing down everything that sounded reasonable; the professors usually made most decisions for the class, but the students were given the choices this year due to the stressful nature of their missions thus far. The same went for representatives for the White Heron Cup—although those votes would be taken tomorrow before class.
By the time Manuela glanced at her, it took her a moment to realize she was being spoken to.
"Edelgard, both your parents came to the academy, didn't they?"
"Yes," she replied after a second, looking at her former professor. "They came to the academy on different years, but they met on the night of the ball while my mother was a student."
"Stories like that make me so jealous," Manuela mused. "It shows that romance novels do happen in real life sometimes, and it's annoying."
Edelgard frowned slightly. "Bear in mind that my father was already married, and I have no knowledge of where Anselma went after she left the Empire. It's not a story with a happy ending."
"Well, you're still here, aren't you?" Manuela asked kindly. "Make it a happy ending through…whatever you chose to do, really. Many good operas—many good people—have sad starts. I know you're capable of it, Edelgard."
"You know you have my support for it, Your Highness," Monica added. She glanced at Hubert, who still stood by the window. "Hubert, you agree, don't you?"
"Anything else, and I wouldn't be fit for her side," he responded simply.
She managed a smile, looking at all of them. "Thank you for the support. I have a lot to do after the year ends—each one of you have shaped the path I take. I won't soon forget the encouragement."
Manuela returned the smile with her own, while Monica and Hubert nodded. After another moment, they continued work on the preparations for the ball.
