Claude stood at the table across from Edelgard and Byleth. They just exchanged basic pleasantries; thanks for coming, thanks for being invited. Meeting at Myrddin was just a start to something official—he didn't expect anything to happen today, though.

It almost seemed like neither knew exactly how to continue; they each had their points—what they wanted to say and how they wanted to say it—but couldn't figure out how to introduce the topic. He decided to just start them off.

"The situation in Faerghus must be interesting, judging by all the people you brought along," Claude noted. Half-joking, he asked, "Is there a reason you have the former mercenary-knight? I feel a bit outmatched here; I don't even have Hilda to combat the blank stare with boredom, or Judith to return it with a wary look."

"There are a few things I want to clarify about what happened last month in Fhirdiad," Edelgard explained, frowning a bit. "It's a bit confidential and, in all honesty, I'd rather not share—but it does hold some relevance to further discussion."

"That might somewhat say why there's no one with me," he reasoned, "But then why Byleth?"

"I thought Hubert might seem to threatening."

"Oh, so you are capable of joking?"

"Would you rather have Hubert glaring from across the table?"

Claude chuckled. If it was any other circumstances, he might've let his guard down. "I get your point; blank stare it is."

"Can we continue on, then?"

"Go ahead."

Edelgard nodded, going back to a no-nonsense kind of look. Byleth continued to stand in the corner, not quite ready to draw a sword but fairly close. Considering the two were last in a room together in the Holy Tomb, he wasn't surprised.

"I'll start with recent events," Edelgard decided. "Essentially, in the Red Wolf Moon the Kingdom's court mage Cornelia staged a coup and successfully took Fhirdiad. Dimitri disappeared after the battle; as far as I'm aware, Rhea did as well."

"Wait—'as far as you're aware?' Don't you have contact with Cornelia?"

She took in a breath, and muttered it like admitting it might hurt her.

"I wasn't the one to give the order. Cornelia moved on her own; I sent a small group to determine the specifics, but they haven't come back."

"That's…intriguing." He knew he understated it, but couldn't immediately think of a better word. "Is Cornelia apart of the Imperial army?"

"Not technically," Edelgard said. She did truly seem to struggle saying it, like it was a secret she would've much rather kept to herself—like admitting that meant admitting defeat. "She's a part of a separate group; said group did fight alongside the Empire and, in some cases, under my command, but they're not my soldiers. They consist mainly of masked mages."

It took him a second, then it clicked.

"Is it those guys that kept causing trouble at the academy?"

"Yes." He fell silent for a moment, and he knew she was watching his expression. "Negotiations from this point depend on you understanding this: I used their strength in the past, but that will change. I know the things they've done, and I don't condone them. If I the Alliance gave the Empire their full aid, then I can win this war without them and wipe out the remaining group. I understand if you can't overlook the past arrangement, but in that case we can't talk any further."

Claude considered it for a few moments; he knew he wouldn't be able to assess everything in that moment, though. "Can you give me a few days to think over it? I want to talk with most of the others to see what they say, as long as you don't mind me telling the other great lords about the situation."

Edelgard nodded, and he gave her something like a thankful smile. He noticed Byleth ever so slightly shifting position—slightly less defensive. It reminded him of something else he wanted to ask, while he still had the emperor here.

"I assume that's mostly it for now, then," Claude said after a few second's silence, "But can you humor me with something, Edelgard?"

"I suppose so," Edelgard replied.

"How do you remember the Holy Tomb, right before you left?"

Byleth stirred at the question; Edelgard just looked a bit confused.

"A mage came behind me, and Byleth killed him as you, Dimitri, and a few others were coming to fight," Edelgard recalled. That was the same as what he remembered, but… "Why do you ask?"

"Oh, no reason in particular," Claude said to cover it up. He'd sound slightly insane if he tried to explain. He kept an eye out specifically for Byleth's reaction as he added, "I just have a…weird feeling about the whole thing. Like something else might've happened."

Edelgard didn't seem any more convinced or any more understanding, but he was able to read a small flicker of emotion off of Byleth—surprise. In another minute, someone opened the door—Hubert, predictably.

"Lady Edelgard, there's a message from Enbarr," Hubert said.

It meant more than they bothered telling Claude—both Edelgard and Byleth tensed. Edelgard looked back at Hubert.

"I'll take a look. Fortunately, we've wrapped up for now."

She offered some kind of parting nod to Claude, then left. Byleth started to follow her.

"I would prefer it if you stayed a minute, Byleth."

The mercenary paused, and seemed to try to look for Edelgard's permission—the emperor had already wandered off, so Byleth turned back towards Claude without a single word or change of expression.

"How do you remember the Holy Tomb?"

Byleth let out something like a little sigh. He could hear, underneath the general evenness, a bit of regret or pain; he wondered if she noticed.

"I went with a group consisting a few students to fight the Flame Emperor. Edelgard turned to face us, and a mage hit her from the back; she fell, the mask shattered. She was just unconscious, but Hubert killed the mage. After that, Dimitri…"

She seemed to have trouble saying the rest, so Claude finished for her. "You can remember Dimitri killing Edelgard, can't you? For me, it's just a vague feeling; some of the Golden Deer can recognize it, but not everyone."

"Edelgard doesn't know, so I assumed no one did," Byleth murmured.

"You know more about what happened than what you're saying," Claude pointed out, curious but as gentle as he could be. He didn't see the mercenary much, but her expression now was the most he's seen. What happened back then must mean a lot to her, in one way or another.

"I do—but it's hard to explain. I know what happened—what I did—but I don't entirely know how."

"It's all right; I get it. Thanks for talking with me a bit—that's been bothering me, so it's nice to know I'm not imagining it. We're not exactly allies for as long as you want to work for the Empire, but if we do make an agreement and you're willing to share what you know, I'll be ready to listen."

Byleth's expression went back to relative blankness. "…I'm unlikely to ever share, if I'm being honest. But I'll…consider it."

Claude gave her something of a thankful look, and after another moment she left.

He was curious about the Holy Tomb even more now; the answer of one question brought about many others. At least it wasn't a curiosity that made him wonder if it actually happened, and they also started to get the situation with the Empire under control.