(A/N: I will admit this chapter does stick out a little…as per usual. But it does build off of the 'what happened at the Holy Tomb' things and continues character/relationship development.)
Edelgard would have preferred to stay at Myrddin until the entire situation was taken care of, but Enbarr held most of her work. What initially brought them back was a message from the capital; Arundel had visited, however briefly, and she thought it best just to make sure he didn't do anything. He wasn't there by the time they returned, and only a few days later Claude sent a letter explaining that the other Alliance lords would have to consult on the matter.
Negotiations officially started in the Ethereal Moon, and continued into the Pegasus Moon. Most of that time, she understood, was spent with the Alliance lords talking it over—every time Edelgard and Claude met to discuss terms, Claude had to introduce it to the roundtable. Apparently they were stubborn enough not to come to Myrddin themselves and save them all some time.
She had been hoping to make more progress, but at least Thales's mages were finally out of Enbarr. She could walk around the palace without anyone watching too closely—no one let their guard down, but they accepted that she didn't need constant protection.
Edelgard came back to Enbarr in the Pegasus Moon after what both her and Claude hoped would be the last meeting before coming to an official agreement. Claude, at least, seemed understanding and willing; now they just had to wait for the others to give their consent as well.
Sometime during the trip—on their way back, she guessed—her father passed away. For her, the news didn't change much; it hurt, but she couldn't and didn't want to linger on it. Edelgard tried to work as she had been, only to find the others pestering her—trying to help or suggest rest when she didn't need it.
She was expected to mourn, so her solution was to sit in the graveyard and do work there. She had relative silence, and not many people came by to ask for her.
…Edelgard refused to admit that sitting in the graveyard actually made her think about it more.
Generally speaking, the only one brave enough to ever interrupt was Hubert; his way of 'helping' was providing her with more papers. Edelgard's only distraction was her mind wandering—she just looked at the graves and wondered if she even had any fond memories of the people underneath them that didn't involve or end in blood and screaming.
Someone came to the graveyard's entrance. Edelgard sighed and began a response.
"I haven't made much progress with the last batch, so—"
She stopped when she realized it was Byleth standing there and not Hubert.
"…You don't usually come to the palace," Edelgard noted after a second. "Did you need anything?"
"No; Jeralt's busy and I wasn't doing anything, so a friend wanted me to visit." Byleth lingered there for a moment, almost visibly debating taking a step in or leaving.
"I don't mind the company," Edelgard offered.
Byleth nodded, and stood next to where Edelgard sat. The mercenary noticed the work, but didn't question it—Edelgard tried to continue looking at it, only to go back to her earlier musing. She entertained conversation; it felt more natural than sitting there in silence.
"…Do you remember that night at Garreg Mach, when I told you about my siblings?"
Byleth murmured some agreement, and Edelgard gestured towards a few graves.
"They're buried there, if you're curious. I…assume they are, at least—I never saw their bodies after they died, nor where they went. Hubert was the first one to bring me here, after the experimentation ended."
There was more silence for a few seconds; Byleth glanced at the graves in question, then looked away again.
Her question was a bit quiet—a bit hesitant and mournful. "What's it like—having a loved one die, I mean?"
"It hurts more when it's unexpected," Edelgard admitted, first looking at Byleth and then back at the graves. "Everyone has a different experience—some hate it, some enjoy it, some turn towards the goddess or seek to find solace in their own skills—but I've grown to anticipate it. I can't sit down and mourn—not for enemies, allies, or family—for as long as I'm fighting; too much needs my attention and not enough people can make up for my absence."
"I guess I'm fortunate, then; I've inflicted more losses than I've personally experienced, so my view has always been closer to that of an outsider. My mother's dead, but I never met her; if I went by Jeralt's example, mourning would mean focusing on what's ahead, not even revisiting the past to talk of fond memories."
Byleth hesitated, turning towards Edelgard for a moment—when Edelgard met her gaze, however, she turned away again.
"I was…close to losing someone once, though. Watching them fall was…difficult; I wasn't even mad at the person who threatened them, just…confused on how someone like them could die. I'm not quite sure how I'd feel if I did lose them."
Edelgard knew something was being omitted—Byleth seemed hesitant to truly admit who it was. Edelgard tried to give the mercenary a curious glance; she noticed and gave something close to a small, forced smile.
"It's my turn to say that I'll tell you the full story some other time," Byleth said. "Is that all right?"
"It would be a bit hypocritical to force you to elaborate. You can tell me on your own time."
Byleth cast her something like a thankful look, then after a moment fell blank again. A few minutes passed, with Edelgard succeeding in focusing on her work, and Byleth left when Hubert came to check on her progress.
It left her a bit curious, but she knew it would be best if she didn't pry. She had her own things she wasn't ready to share.
