Edelgard carried on with any necessary arrangements and assumed—or hoped, at least—that cutting ties with them wasn't hasty.
Thales would hinder her whether or not they were still technically working together; that had been the case so far. With the Alliance aiding them, she didn't need those who slither in the dark to supplant her own numbers or strength.
It was, however, almost relieving to know she didn't have to pretend that Thales was a family member. 'Lord Arundel' disappeared about a week after Thales visited, and Edelgard took the chance to be rid of him. She put someone else in charge of those lands for now, able to claim he went into hiding due to implications with Cornelia and her mages. It wasn't a lie, although the true relation was stronger than 'implication.' She also officially disbanded the 'Arundel mage unit,' which hadn't truly helped them in months.
At the start of the Horsebow Moon, things seemed to settle down among the troops—they weren't as scared, at least, and a few were able to find other ways to accept it. Edelgard recognized that the process—as far as the Black Eagles, at least—was similar to when they came back from seeing the destruction of Remire. The only difference was that there was no ball to hide that fear, and any survivors had integrated into the main army or found homes in order to adjust.
Edelgard sent the groups out according to the decided routes and preferences; only the soldiers who seemed truly able to handle another march, especially those passing by Arianrhod, were assigned, and the rest stayed to defend the monastery. A portion of the remaining force was soldiers from Arianrhod as a result.
She finished the work she already had a little while after eating lunch, and decided to take a short break before any more work was given to her. Her intention was a quick walk around the monastery—she knew at least one paper would wind up on the desk in the meantime—but if someone needed or wanted her the work could wait.
Anyone she passed when she walked by the pond and marketplace just gave her a nod and a few words of greeting, many of them being simple soldiers. Hubert was in Seteth's old office confirming where the javelins of light had come from; Monica had asked earlier to take some of Edelgard's less important work, and sat in the Blue Lions classroom to finish it.
Edelgard noticed Byleth sitting on the stairs leading down to the graveyard. She was talking quietly, but when Edelgard came close enough to hear she stopped and turned instead.
"Edelgard," Byleth greeted. "Did you need anything?"
"I'm just taking a break from work for now," Edelgard said. She gestured towards the graves. "Were you visiting someone? I've only seen you here a few times."
"My mother's in that corner grave. Jeralt wanted me to visit, it's just…a bit strange to alone. The most I know of her comes from a few stories."
"I can understand it—it doesn't feel as appropriate when you don't have much or any memories of a person. I'm not entirely used to visiting graves, myself; too few moments that I can still consider happy." She walked a bit closer and looked at the grave; only one or two had flowers placed. She glanced at Byleth. "Do you know what kind of flowers your mother liked? You could put some down for her."
"I know what Jeralt usually gives her, at least," Byleth replied, looking back at the grave as well. "There are some in the greenhouse, I think. It's simply a matter of getting them."
"I'm sure Jeralt would be glad to see it, if nothing else."
Byleth gave a nod as agreement, then fell silent. Edelgard still lingered, despite her initial plan; not much papers will accumulate if she stayed a few minutes.
She stepped back after a few minutes to leave before glancing down to realize Byleth was holding something.
Partly confused and oddly amused, Edelgard asked, "Is that a ring?"
The mercenary looked surprised for a moment, then nodded and held up the object in question.
"Jeralt gave it to me as an early birthday present," Byleth explained. She looked at Edelgard while she said it, then nodded towards the corner grave. "Said I could give it to someone, like how he gave it to Sitri."
Byleth stood and turned towards Edelgard, holding out the ring on an open palm. Edelgard took it carefully, examining the jewels.
"It's a nicer one, at least," Edelgard said, giving it back to Byleth. She couldn't help something like a teasing smile. "Do you have any ideas on if you'll gift it to?"
Byleth almost chuckled, somewhat sheepish. "No. I barely even talk to anyone; you, some mercenaries, that's about it."
"Your father seems to think so, at least."
"That's what a friend of mine said. She has an idea too, she just won't tell me."
Byleth paused for a second, then cast her a curious look. "What about you? As far as romantic interests, I mean. If that's…not strange to ask."
It caught her off guard, but she still smiled when she recovered, even if it was a little sad.
"I don't have anyone in mind," Edelgard admitted. "Even if I did, it's possible that even after the reformation of certain systems, I could have to marry for politics. I need to focus on the war, as well."
Byleth nodded some understanding. "For me, I'd have to find someone before even knowing how I felt about them."
She paused for a moment, and her expression shifted to genuinely and noticeably joking. "Maybe I should just give the ring to you," Byleth said. "At least, you'll likely find someone that you could gift it to quicker than I would."
"Keep it. Maybe someone will come and surprise you—a close friend or a stranger."
Byleth nodded, falling silent for a moment. It was subtle, behind the stronger emotion, but for a second she looked confused—following that expression was a sigh of one used to teasing.
The mercenary tucked away the ring, glancing at the corner grave before looking at Edelgard.
"I should get flowers for Sitri," Byleth said. She gave a little smile. "You should probably get back to work, too. It was still nice talking with you."
"It was," Edelgard agreed. "And thank you for letting me stay a bit. I'll see you in the dining hall in a few hours?"
Byleth murmured an agreement, and they offered a kind of parting wave before going their separate ways. Edelgard returned to work, doing any papers were placed on the desk while she was away. Her mind wandered back to the conversation more than once.
It was an…interesting thought, actually being able to marry for love. Considering everything else, it felt childish to admit that was what distracted her from fully working. And that ring truly was beautiful; whoever received it couldn't ask for anything more.
