Useless, worthless! Unmarriageable!

He was right! Stupid…. Stupid Bernie! I just had to go and run off again didn't I? All because of a stupid fish! I must have made Edelgard mad this time, I definitely did! And Dorothea had to come for me again. She has to keep looking after me. She… she can't be near me because she's a commoner but she has to because I can't look after myself. My father will find out and… and… it'll be my fault because I'm-

Bernadetta mashed her eyes shut and punched her thigh.

Because I'm so useless! I-I even tried to get out of the mock battle yesterday… what a stupid coward you are! You've cried all week too! Stupid cry-baby Bernie!

B-But I don't want to fight!

Bernadetta opened her eyes and saw the professor looking at her. She froze, her heart pounding and her skin crawling. She flicked her eyes away again and trembled.

I-I can't run away again… I can't be useless anymore…. I can't. I have been a disgrace to the Black Eagles all week… that look Edelgard gave me today… if I do anything else she'll-

She gulped.

'She'll execute me.'

She dug her fingernails into her legs.

'Professor I've really enjoyed this morning!' Dorothea said. 'I didn't realise just how much better I'd feel by taking my mind away from the battle for a few hours.'

'I agree,' Petra said, smiling. 'It is challenging yet most fun.'

'This has been the best morning I've had since arriving.' Linhardt said, dropping another fish into his now-full basket.

Dorothea turned to the steps. 'Edie, I think you should give it a try!'

Edelgard, who was still seated, froze. Her eyes widened and her white face seemed to go paler still. In that moment, the fiery heiress now looked like a petrified child.

'Me? I can't say that I'd be good at it I'm afraid, (she cast her eyes downward) it looks too challenging. I would mess it up.'

'Oh c'mon Edie, it'll help you feel better! I know you've been feeling stressed as well. I can see it in your eyes,' Dorothea said. 'Don't worry, I won't let the fish eat you!'

Edelgard's eyes darted upward and her face flushed red. 'That's not what I'm scared of!'

'Fishing is so much fun Edelgard! I most recommend it,' Petra said, gaining more applause from Ferdinand and Linhardt for reeling in another fish.

'Edie, Edie, Edie, Edie'-, Dorothea chanted, Petra joined in.

'Do not feel intimidated,' Ferdinand said, scratching his head and looking down at his empty basket. 'Even the best in our class struggle.'

Edelgard's eyes flickered in Byleth's direction and then she sighed. 'Well, I suppose I could give it a try.'

Hubert gawked at her. 'My la'-

'It's fine Hubert,' Edelgard said. 'Just… (she looked back at Dorothea) promise me that you won't let me fall in. (Her face reddened further.) I-I don't feel comfortable around water.'

'We'll look after you Edie!' Dorothea chimed. 'Hubie, you need to try as well.'

"Hubie" glared at Dorothea and shook his head. She shrugged and then looked further up the steps. 'And because Edie is being brave, I think you should too, Bern. I think you'd really enjoy it if you gave it a try.'

Bernadetta's froze.

I don't want to I don't want I don't want to-

But you have to! If you don't then Edelgard will get mad and maybe she'll execute you this time!

Stupid Bernie, stop being scared!

But I don't want to! Useless! Worthless! Unmarriageable!

No… I need to. This surely has to be the last straw, just look at how Edelgard is looking at me right now! Oh no she's angry!

'O-ok, I will, I promise!' Bernadetta said, springing to her feet. Her legs trembled.

Dorothea's eyes widened. 'G-great Bern… c-come on down then.'

Byleth watched. The girl clearly didn't want to and yet she was forcing herself to. He didn't know why, but he wasn't complaining. The rest of the class watched her as well. Even Hubert looked surprised. The girl trembled violently and screwed up her face as if in an attempt to egg herself forward.

'C-c-can the p-professor stand to the s-side whilst I t-try?' she asked.

'He will Bern, I promise,' Dorothea said. 'He won't be near you.'