Author's Note: A bit of a shorter chapter this time around for you all! To preface this story: while I personally enjoy tea very much, I am not knowledgeable of all the specifics and nuances that go into preparing tea professionally. However, I'd like to think I did my best to research at least the basics in order bring you all this chapter.

Regardless, I do hope you all enjoy, and I wish you all a wonderful day. Thank you all, as always, for your support!

Half-beastdragonsoul2013: Or it could be a combination of Breidablik's magic and Kiran himself, but who can say? As for Hilda, while it would be completely on brand for her to do something like that, she genuinely was oblivious to Fjorm's feelings this time around. I also personally believe that Anna, for all her crazy 'get-rich' schemes, genuinely does care for Kiran's safety beyond 'he's the summoner', just as she does for the Askr siblings, though I have my own plans to explore this idea more in-depth in the future~

The Art of Subtle Tea

"Um, pardon me, Professor Byleth?"

The female professor paused where she stood, turning to greet whoever had called out to her. "Good afternoon, Princess Fjorm." She greeted in her usual flat tone as the Nifl princess approached her. "Did you need something of me?"

Fjorm nodded. "Yes, as a matter of fact. If it's no trouble to you, I was wondering if you would lend me your expertise."

Byleth nodded in understanding. "Of course."

Fjorm smiled brightly in gratitude. "I appreciate your help, Professor Byleth." Curiously, her smile became slightly bashful as she made her request to the stoic professor. "You see, I would like to ask you to…teach my how to prepare tea the way you do!"

Byleth blinked as she registered the princess' request. "The way…I do?" She repeated with a hint of curiosity.

"Well…" Fjorm began, fidgeting slightly in place. "There is…someone within the Order of Heroes that I…admire greatly. He – er, they, work very hard, even if they do not always realize it themselves. I wanted to do something special for them, to show them how much I appreciate them. A-and their efforts, of course!"

Once more, Byleth nodded. "I see. Although, I am still unsure by what you said before. About how I prepare tea."

"Oh!" Fjorm remarked, internally thankful for the change of subject. "Well, I heard from all your students that you host the best tea parties, and that your tea brewing skills are exceptional!" With an expectant look, Fjorm smiled at Byleth. "So, I was wondering if you might be able to instruct me?"

Byleth considered Fjorm's words before nodding. "I see. I do not mind teaching you. In fact, I was on my way to the kitchen to make a pot of tea right now. You are welcome to join me."

Fjorm's eyes brightened as she nodded enthusiastically. "Oh, thank you! I appreciate your instruction."

Upon arriving at Askr Castle's kitchen, Byleth procured an available tea pot and proceeded to walk Fjorm through her personal process of preparing tea.

"It is important to match the correct temperature to the proper tea and how long to let it steep," Byleth explained. "It's a delicate balance one must find to best bring out the flavor of the tea you are using. You must also account for your guest's personal tastes; they may prefer their tea soft and subtle, or they might prefer it strong."

"I see…" Fjorm murmured in understanding before smiling gently. "You truly are quite talented, Professor Byleth! I can see why your students think so highly of your tea times."

Byleth shrugged. "It's nothing special, although I'm glad to hear that my students are enjoying themselves. During my time at Garreg Mach, I've found that sharing tea with another individual is an excellent way to understand someone and foster camaraderie, on and off the battlefield." Setting aside the brewing tea pot she was using, the stoic professor turned to face Fjorm. "Anyway, that's all there is to it. I hope my demonstration was helpful."

The Nifl princess nodded. "Yes, it was very helpful! Thank you again for your time." With a confident smile, Fjorm added, "I cannot wait to put into practice all that I have learned."

Though her expression remained neutral, Fjorm could see the faintest twinkle of satisfaction in the professor's eyes. "That's good, Princess Fjorm. I wish you luck." Fjorm nodded and with a slight bow of appreciation, she began to make her exit to put into practice her newly acquired tea skills.

"Princess Fjorm?"

"Hm?" Fjorm paused and turned at Byleth's beckoning, only to see the professor holding out a small box. Removing the lid, Byleth revealed the contents of the box to be a collection of white-petaled flower heads.

"It's chamomile." Blyeth stated plainly as she securely fixed the lid back onto the box and presented it to Fjorm. "To help you get started."

Fjorm accepted the box with a grateful smile. "Oh, thank you! You're much too kind." With renewed excitement, Fjorm turned to resume making her way out of the kitchen…

"I've found that Kiran prefers chamomile the most."

…only to freeze in her tracks at the professor's innocent statement.

"I'm…sorry?" Fjorm questioned nervously as she slowly turned to face Byleth, wondering why the stoic young woman mentioned the summoner out of the blue.

Unperturbed by Fjorm's sudden shift in behavior, Byleth elaborated. "You are planning to invite Kiran to tea, are you not? I thought it would be best for you to use his favorite tea rather than to guess on your own."

"How do you know his favorite…?" Fjorm shook her head, stopping herself. "N-no, wait! Why do you assume that I would be inviting Kiran?!" Was Byleth truly that perceptive? Surely, the princess reasoned, she couldn't be THAT easy to read, right?

If Byleth was puzzled by the princess' flustered behavior, she didn't show it as she gave her answers. "To answer your first question," she began, "he told me so himself the last time I invited him to tea. As for your second question, I have noticed during my time in Askr that the two of you seemed to share a close bond. Where one of you is, the other is usually not far." Byleth paused before adding, "Also, during Kiran and I's last tea session, I noticed you monitoring us from behind a hedge of bushes."

Fjorm felt like she could die of embarrassment at any moment. Not to mention the matter-of-fact tone Byleth was using seemed to make this subject more embarrassing than if she were being teased.

"I-I…" Fjorm stuttered. "I was just passing by and happened to notice the two of you! I did not mean to appear as if I was eavesdropping!"

"But you kept watch over us for quite some time," Byleth calmly rebutted. "Nearly until Kiran and I parted ways, in fact."

"Th-that's…" Fjorm couldn't form a reply to that, her face burning in shame at being so blatantly exposed.

"You know," Byleth spoke up when it became clear Fjorm was unable to. "You don't need to be so timid with your feelings."

"H-huh!?" Fjorm nearly exclaimed, her hands clutching the box of chamomile in a vice grip.

"Based on how intently you were observing Kiran and I, I considered that you desired to join us for tea, though I assumed you simply did not wish to intrude." Byleth explained. "However, Kiran and I were not discussing any of significance, so I would not have minded if you wished to join us. I'm certain Kiran would not have objected, either."

"A-ah, I see." Fjorm murmured with a shaky smile, thankful that she hadn't been completely found out. "I…will be sure to keep that in mind. Thank you again for your assistance, Professor Byleth."

"Just Byleth is fine." The professor stated with a nod as she retrieved her pot of tea. "If that is all, then please excuse me." With the tea pot in her possession, Byleth made her way past Fjorm and towards the kitchen's exit.

"U-um, Byleth?"

"Yes?" Byleth paused as she turned her head at Fjorm's call, the princess's gaze nervously fixated on the box in her hands before lifting to meet Byleth's attentive gaze.

"Do you…know what other blends of tea Kiran prefers, by any chance?"