Voting for the White Heron Cup representatives went…interestingly. A basic list was comprised of people who volunteered, but ultimately the students were free to choose whoever they wanted.
Dimitri thought it was a harmless comment—simply, that he wouldn't be a good candidate. However, one student noticed the firm resistance and opted to write him in; many others followed suit, some only because they had no preference either way. Out of all three houses, he faced the least opposition when his vote was nothing more than a mere joke.
The other two representatives were Dorothea—from her skill and background—and Hilda—she broke a tie with Lorenz by voting for herself. He knew he was outmatched, but with a majority of the class determined to watch him fail, he couldn't argue otherwise.
Still, he tried to practice, albeit in the Blue Lions' classroom with the door closed and Dedue standing guard outside. He knew a few students, Blue Lions and otherwise, occasionally paused near the windows just to watch. He…did his best to ignore them. He knew he was terrible at this and attempted to take solace in the fact that someone would enjoy his performance, albeit to his detriment. Glenn was likely laughing at him from beyond the grave, mocking his clumsy movements.
He heard the door open and immediately stopped. Dimitri turned to see Edelgard wearing an almost surprised expression.
"You weren't kidding when you said you were bad at this."
"Did you think I would joke?" Dimitri asked, a little embarrassed actually talking to an observer.
"I thought you were exaggerating, honestly," Edelgard admitted. "Dorothea wanted me to see her, and while I had the time I wanted to look at how you and Hilda were doing." She paused for a moment, then took a step into the classroom. "Here, let me help. You won't survive the ball like that, much less compete."
"I'm sure you have something better to do," Dimitri reasoned. He didn't want to bother her; he received her instruction once, and he could manage on his own.
"Dorothea's finished her practice and Hubert and Monica are in town trying to determine when my uncle will be visiting. Like I said, I have time."
"Lord Arundel is coming to the monastery?"
She frowned at his attempt to make her talk about something else. "Don't try to change the subject—I'd much rather help you than speak about him at the moment. It doesn't have to be long; just let me guide you through a few basic steps."
The mere memory of his first lessons under her distracted him enough that she took his silence as a proper response. Edelgard got into position before he could protest.
"You lead with your right. At least you have that down."
If he knew anything from their childhood sessions, it was that. Fortunately, Edelgard's instruction wasn't as harsh as it was all those years ago.
They entertained some conversation while Edelgard led first, interrupted on occasion by her instruction. After a few minutes, she let him lead.
Dimitri heard Dedue being called away by another student—they wanted his help in the greenhouse, it sounded like, and while Dedue glanced inside he must not have wanted to interrupt, thus murmured a promise to return before leaving. Edelgard spoke up after he left.
"I actually have a question for you," she said.
He led them into a turn, a little too sharp according to Edelgard's muttered direction.
"What did you want to ask?"
"Even on that first day," she said, gaining a confused frown for a second as they turned again, easier this time, "You've been…oddly nice to me."
He chuckled a bit. "Are people usually rude?"
"They don't have that same look as you do—and you don't give that same look to others." Edelgard observed his expression for a moment, then looked away. "…It's something I haven't seen in years. That…kind of happiness one gives their sibling when they've given them a gift or finally achieved something difficult."
"You have siblings?"
"They're all dead by now."
Dimitri opened his mouth and she cut him off before he even started. They turned for a third time.
"Don't. They've helped shape my path and for that I'm grateful, but it doesn't give them anything if you offer condolences when you did nothing to them."
"I'll still say it: I'm among the last of what remains of my family as well, so I apologize for mentioning it." She sighed, appearing somewhat frustrated that he still insisted, but…overall, she truly didn't seem to mind. He couldn't tell if that was strength or indifference. "To answer your initial question, however—you do still have another sibling. Anselma never said much about her past to me, but I know she must have still thought of you."
Her grip loosened when he said her mother's name, although he didn't immediately notice; after he finished the sentence, Edelgard had completely pulled away and taken a step back. Her expression was nothing short of confusion.
Dimitri hadn't quite thought it possible for her to be unaware, and similarly he did not expect to be the one that explained it to her.
"After leaving the Empire, Anselma married my father; not many were aware of it, but I know her brother was informed sometime after she died. I…assumed Lord Arundel would have told you some time ago, if not when the school year began."
Edelgard let out something like a humorless chuckle. "My uncle won't tell me when he plans to come to the monastery—why would he tell me something like my mother marrying Faerghus's king?"
Another apology tried to come out, but she stopped him again.
"It's surprising, but I believe you. You wouldn't go that far just to give me false assurances." She took a breath, then nodded to herself. "We lost the flow of the dance, so we can stop there. Practice somewhere without windows if you don't want to be interrupted again."
"Duly noted," Dimitri replied. "Have a good rest of the day, Edelgard."
"You as well." She walked to the door, then paused and offered a very small smile. "And thank you for telling me about Anselma."
"You have a right to know," he reasoned simply.
"That's more sense than him, at least," she murmured. After another moment, she waved and left.
He tried to continue practicing before deciding he had done enough for the day, then went to find Dedue.
