AUTHOR'S NOTES: More interactions between Hubert and Petra, and the foundations of their relationship built upon moves and countermoves. Hubert knows the game well, and respects Petra because she knows it too. As this chapter also demonstrates, there will be a few OCs here and there, but no one that will supplant Petra, Byleth, Shez, any of the lords, or really any of the canon characters for that matter. As for her relationship to Lysithea, she's likely just a 1st or 2nd cousin once or twice removed or so, at most.
Happy Reading!

PART ONE: GREY SKIES

CHAPTER 007: A PRESTIGIOUS INVITATION

=Enbarr Royal Palace Grounds, Adrestia, 4th of Great Tree Moon, Imperial Year 1180…=

The Annual Adrestia Founding Day Gala was something Petra had grown used to over the last five years, although despite becoming more familiar with it, she was still not overly fond of it. She had managed to steer clear of Ludwig von Aegir each time ever since their first fateful encounter where she had give his pride a well-earned beatdown, but ever since then, she did not wish to be confrontational and fortunately, other than a few sour looks from the Prime Minister to the little princess, their interactions were nonexistent. She sneered right back at him without a word, but to her relief—and perhaps to Ludwig's merit—he did not engage either.

This year it was less the gala itself that got Petra's attention, and more about what happened a few days later. When she wasn't outside, Petra was often shut up in her room reading and studying more volumes from the library, poring over large volumes. By this point she could read and write fluently, although her speaking patterns were still slightly irregular by comparison.

A knock at her door snapped her out of her focus, and she looked up behind her, rising to her feet. "You may enter." She spoke, only to find herself face to face with Hubert von Vestra, and more surprising than that, was that he was alone.

"Oh, hello, Hubert," Petra stayed composed and polite, "is something the mattering? Is Princess Edelgard alright?"

"She is hearty and hale indeed," Hubert nodded, "Does this surprise you?"

"No, and I have happiness that she is well." Petra admitted, "I am just finding it to have unusualness to see you without her."

"Rest assured we are not joined at the hip, dear princess." Hubert almost seemed amused. "For how busy I am, Lady Edelgard works twice as much, if not more."

"It would be having much pain to be joining at the hip." Petra pointed out, "and I am thinking you would have much difficulty walking."

"It is a turn of phrase," Hubert chuckled dryly, "if someone claims to be joined at the hip it implies that they are inseparable. That is not why I am here though, as I'm sure you know."

"Then why are you here?" Petra's tone was calm and curious without a shred of malice, and thus Hubert took no offense.

"Because Duke Gerth requested it, and the message he wishes to share involves myself as well," he explained, "Within two weeks' time, you will have the coveted opportunity to attend the prestigious Officers Academy at Garreg Mach Monastery. I presume that a fighting spirit such as yourself would not squander such a privilege."

"The Officers' Academy?" Petra let the name roll off her lips.

"Indeed," Hubert nodded, "it is an elite institution in the heart of Fódlan where the best and brightest learn might and magic, as well as a plethora of other wisdom that should ultimately make them into better soldiers and leaders—something I imagine the future Queen of Brigid would not only need, but would also want quite dearly."

"You are wanting me to become queen?" Petra tilted her head slightly, "even if that would have meaning that Brigid would not have vassaldom to Adrestia anymore?"

"With a woman like you in charge, Brigid would be a far more useful asset to the Empire as an independent nation than as a vassal state," Hubert mused aloud. He had clearly been discussing this at length with Edelgard over the months. "I will not try to sugar-coat it for you, Petra, but just as you have your own ulterior motives, so do we."

"I will not be having you make use of me without my consenting." Petra warned, "But I would be liking this. If I am having choosing, I would be wanting Brigid to be as an ally to Adrestia, not a vassal, and especially not as an enemy. If cooperation can help me be realizing this dream, I will have much happiness to cooperate with you."

"It is not entirely my choice to make, but I see potential in a woman as industrious and focused as yourself." Hubert promised, "The man you will want to speak to for further inquiry on your attendance at the academy will be Duke Gerth, as I said—a name I'm sure you're familiar with."

"Aye," Petra nodded, "so why are you the one that is telling me this? I imagine Princess Edelgard has her hands with fullness like you said, and that Duke Gerth might also have busy timing, but I did not have surety about you and how you are feeling me—how you are feeling about me and how much I am learning… or needing to be learning."

"I have that effect, I am told." Hubert chortled dryly. "That being said, I do not hold any disdain for you, Petra Macneary. If you are wondering about how I feel regarding the way you speak, I will not try and tell you it is perfect, but I understand your words well enough that I leave the further refinement of Fódlan's language in your capable hands."

"That has goodness then," Petra smiled. "Is there more you were wanting from me?"

"A curious inquiry, if you would," Hubert raised his eyebrow, "you always seemed to act with apprehension when I was nearby. Your shoulders tensed, your step and posture changes. I have an eye for such things as I'm sure you do as well."

"I have admitting that you scared me some of the times." Petra tapped the toes of her shoes against the floor, staring intently at them for a moment. "Much less so now, but before I knew how to be speaking, I…" she trailed off for a moment. "You do have a face that has much sinisterness. But I am not meaning to be giving offense; I was just always feeling like I was having judgment given to me."

"A keen eye indeed," Hubert offered a rare, albeit wry smile. "I did scrutinize you, and I will not try to pretend that I didn't. You were always so curious to me… who was the princess of Brigid that had been sent to Adrestia, and what value did she hold?"

"Well then," Petra looked back up, her fierce brown eyes locking onto Hubert's narrow yellow ones, "what value am I holding to you? Who am I? What are you thinking of me?"

"As I have said," Hubert maintained his composure, "you are a cunning and extremely intelligent woman who has proven herself worthy of my respect, your still slightly clumsy language patterns aside. You are ambitious, and not afraid to put in the work necessary to achieve your goals or to get what you want. This is why I believe you are a valuable asset to Adrestia."

"And I will be an asset of value to Brigid because of this." Petra put a hand to her chest, "I am thanking you for your candidness, Hubert. And it brings me much joy to know that you are respecting me for my working."

"Indeed," Hubert moved slowly towards the door, "if I did not see that potential in you I would have argued against allowing you to attend the academy, without hesitation. However, it seems my dossier on your actions and behavior worked in your favor. Keep up the good work."

There was something almost ominous about the way Hubert said this as he strode out of the room, although that may have just been his normally sinister tone. Petra would have much to reflect on tonight now that she knew his opinion on her. The idea that he kept a dossier on her was not lost on her either, and suddenly, her curiosity coupled with her primal fondness of playing cat-and-mouse with her own stealth skills gave her an objective to consider.

In light of Hubert's advice, Petra went to find Duke Gerth, which proved easier than it usually was, perhaps because he was looking for her too. She went to the library, which was where she usually saw him (due to that being usually where he found her if she wasn't in her room), and this intuition proved correct today.

"Ah, Petra," Gerth smiled, "just the woman I was looking for."

"You were wanting to have talk with me?" Petra smiled, "I had been sharing words with Hubert von Vestra very recently, and he was telling me I should be finding you."

"So he told you of the Officers' Academy then?" Duke Gerth smiled.

"Aye, and I am having much interest in attendance there." Petra nodded fervently. "You said you were having Hubert give assistance to you in this matter?"

"In a manner of speaking," Gerth nodded, "but the short of it is that I have been working hard to arrange this opportunity for you, and while I do not ask for anything in return, I want to see you thrive there. Garreg Mach has much to teach, and I believe that the Princess of Brigid would benefit immensely from taking advantage of everything it has to offer."

"Those are very high expectations for me," Petra smiled, putting a hand to her chest, "but I will be standing up to the challenge."

"And that mentality is precisely why I wanted to send you to the academy." Duke Gerth nodded his approval, "with your intelligence and work ethic you would be one of the top students of your year without a shadow of a doubt."

"I have many hopes that I will be living up to your expectations." Petra smiled, "is there anything I have need for doing in the meantime?"

'You will depart for the academy in three days," Gerth explained, "later today you will be visited by Zuzanna von Ordelia, who will have you fitted for your academy uniform. Beyond that, everything from room and board to meals and equipment will be provided for you at the start of the year—which is to say, in three days."

"Do you have recommendations for anything I should be doing?" Petra wondered aloud.

"Nothing that you are not doing already." The Duke smiled. "If there are any further updates on this regard I will do what I can to let you know."

"Thank you." Petra smiled as well, "I have much gratitude, and I will not be wasting this opportunity of so much value!"

Petra was so eagerly anticipating the arrival of Zuzanna that when there was another knock at her door a few hours after Duke Gerth had departed, she nearly jumped up with excitement.

"Enter," she called out, and immediately a tall, immaculately dressed woman with pale skin and jet-black hair stepped in. Her gown flowed with each step the same way her hair bounced; while most of it was done up in an ornate bun, a few strands had purposely been left loose, hinting at ringlet curls and waves. What nearly caught Petra off guard was this woman's striking red eyes, which had a certain fierceness she had not seen since her days back in Brigid.

"Petra Macneary, I presume?" The woman's voice was a low contralto that had an almost soothing tone to it, laced with just enough of a commanding accent that it betrayed the woman's cool and collected confidence.

"I am she," Petra gestured at herself.

"Aye then," the woman smirked, "I am Zuzanna von Ordelia, and while it's an oft-overlooked task at the Officers Academy, someone's got to design or produce or patch up all those uniforms the students go through. Times like that make me grateful to the goddess that I've got some degree of magic, but I'm sure you're not here to listen to a woman ramble. Come, come; we will take your measurements and get you fitted up and suited up for your debut."

"You said your name was Ordelia?" Petra asked as she followed the woman, "In my studying I was learning that House Ordelia was from Leicester, far to the east of here."

"Aye, they were, and most of my kinsmen have been wiped out," Zuzanna sighed, "do not fret much about me though; I was offered refuge in Adrestia under certain conditions, and then later was employed at Garreg Mach."

"Really?" Petra raised an eyebrow, "then why are you here and not at the academy?"

"This is actually one of my last days here before I return to the monastery." Zuzanna clarified, leading Petra to a small studio-type room, given the vast array of mirrors, racks, fabrics, and clothing surrounding them on all sides as she shut the door behind her. "But since you'll be attending the academy, you'll likely see me plenty when you need repairs or replacements to your outfit. Trust me when I say most of these kids go through them very quickly. Do you have a preferred weapon or fighting style of choice?"

"I have much enjoyment of swords and smaller blades," Petra smiled, "and I also have much liking for the bow."

"Oh, then you'll definitely be seeing me a lot." Zuzanna laughed dryly. "If you're up close and personal with a slashing weapon in your hand, drawing blood's going to become your thing I'm certain. Don't worry though, I'll make sure you have enough spares that you won't need to attend class covered in the blood of your enemies."

"I will be having cares then," Petra spread her arms as Zuzanna began to take her measurements, "within the reasoning of course."

"Don't worry, child; there are few things a little magic and some good old fashioned hard work won't take care of regarding damage to these uniforms." Zuzanna chuckled, jotting down some numbers, "tell me, child. Do you have a style preference? I suppose 'uniform' is a bit of a misnomer given that most students get some options on their designs."

"I am wanting something that is breezy and that gives me movement." Petra requested, "I am not meaning offensiveness, but so much Fódlan garb seems so… stuffy… restricting."

"Hmm," Zuzanna chewed her lip, "then I think I have just the thing for you."

Zuzanna returned a few moments later and offered Petra a change of clothes and directed her behind a divider so she could get changed. With no hesitation, Petra shed the stuffy noble clothing she had been wearing and slipped into the outfit she had been given. Whites and blacks were still the norms at this Officers Academy, it seemed, but the airy blouse with its breezy sleeves was a pleasant departure from what she had mostly been wearing these last four years, even if the sleeves cuffed at the wrist. The knee length boots added a sense of sharpness to her look, and the short and very high black skirt offered her the movement that she had requested her outfit provide. All in all, it brought a smile to Petra's face as she stepped back out to meet with Zuzanna again.

"Be completely honest," the older woman gestured, "you won't hurt any of my feelings if it's not your style, but I personally think it fits you."

This time it was Zuzanna's turn to be surprised, as Petra performed several agile, gymnast type kicks, flips, and movements right in front of her.

"I am liking it greatly!" she exclaimed, "You are having my thanks, Zuzanna."

"I can see why you wanted something that granted you ample movement," Zuzanna crossed her arms approvingly. "Do let me know if there are any adjustments I ought to make or if it pinches anywhere. There's only so much preparation I can do beforehand, but given how much you'll be wearing them, I figure it's best for them to be comfortable."

"They do not have as much comforting as my garb from home, but it is not giving discomfort." Petra nodded, "I offer my thanks again, Zuzanna."

"Don't get too gushy on me, alright kid?" Zuzanna shook her head, "I'm just doing my job. Save your praise for the people who actually serve to enrich your life at the academy, not just the one that makes you look good in a very specific set of clothes."

"I do not think I am having all of this understanding," Petra stroked her chin, clearly trying to decipher what Zuzanna might have been implying, "but I will not have nosiness. That does not mean I cannot still have gratitude for your help though."

"Heh," Zuzanna's arms loosened and her fingers intertwined instead, "you got me there, Petra Macneary. Still, run along… I'll make sure you have multiple sets waiting for you by the end of the week, likely waiting in your room at the Academy itself. In the meantime, don't get too reckless, you hear?"

"I will not be having wrecking… oh, you are having a joke!" Petra giggled, and the liveliness of said giggle caused the black-haired seamstress to smile herself as she waved Petra off.

She spent the rest of the evening in high spirits. Seeing herself in the Garreg Mach Officers' Academy uniform really made it hit home that she was about to attend this prestigious institution, and it made her curious mind wander all that much more as she wondered what she would learn; what skills she would develop, and perhaps even make a few friends. Not all problems could be solved by oneself, after all.

Petra bided her time for the rest of the evening perusing the library as before, except this time she remained there rather than taking books back to her room, imagining herself in a classroom at the academy. When the hour was sufficiently late, she returned to her room and collapsed on her bed, gazing up at the ceiling as she lay there on her back. She was still so jubilant that she did not even bother changing out of her attire for the night.

"For Brigid…" she sighed dreamily, letting her eyes drop their focus, "I find strength to carry on."

AFTERTHOUGHTS: A brief tidbit about Zuzanna, since we will be seeing her from time to time throughout Petra's time at Garreg Mach.
Zuzanna von Ordelia, Age: 38 (DOB: 5th of Wyvern Moon, Imperial Year 1141)
Likes: Fashion Design, Music, Hair Styling, Her Daughter, Curious Minds
Dislikes: Untidiness, Abusive people, Complacence, Chaos
Interests: Woodcarving, Sewing, Reading
Starting Class: War Cleric (Strengths: Faith, Reason, Axes; Weaknesses: Riding, Flying)
Occupation: Producer/Repairer of clothing and uniforms at Garreg Mach Monastery