"Are you certain this is the time to be shopping?" Edelgard had once agreed to let Dorothea help her pick out a suitable dress for the ball, but as they neared the outer city's market, she grew more nervous.
"Oh, Edie, when is it ever a bad time to go shopping?" Dorothea happily skipped along the cobblestone walkway.
Edelgard eyed her comrades. Ferdinand happily joined them, as did Annette and Lysithea, though Ingrid and Bernie seemed to be as hesitant as she, "you said the entire class would be going to the ball in formal wear. This is hardly the entirety of the Black Eagles."
"Petra wanted to wear something more… representative of Brigid," Dorothea flattened her lips, "and I believe Leonie used some wording that I wouldn't dare repeat in polite company."
It had been just over a week since they returned from Remire village. While she noticed an increase in her classmates' physical regiment to keep themselves busy, for the most part, the ball was what consumed them. It proved to be a wonderful distraction.
"And while I may not be wearing anything formal to the ball," Lysithea walked beside Edelgard. "I do wish to purchase something more representative of my new class."
"Me too!" Annette happily agreed. "Ingrid and I truly need something more befitting the Black Eagles."
"Perhaps, just a class uniform," Ingrid grimaced.
"But Ingrid," Dorothea whined. "When will you have another chance to dress up?"
"Hopefully, never," Ingrid muttered under her breath.
"Here we are," Ferdinand opened a thick wooden door to a small shop that displayed many extravagant suits and dresses out front. He held the door open as his small group entered.
"W-wow," Bernie eyed the clothing that hung from the walls. "These are really lavish."
"We are still planning a class date, yes?" Annette was immediately drawn to rolls of fabric that sat on a stand. She used both her hands to feel the different ones between her fingers.
"I have no objections," Ferdinand grinned. "After all, the female eagles outnumber the males by more than two to one."
"Going as a class does sound appealing," Edelgard nodded as she eyed the various dresses. Many were lined with red, blue or gold. She assumed most of their business came from the noble student body of Garreg Mach.
"Absolutely," Dorothea beamed. "Except for Edie."
"L-Lady Edelgard has a date?" Bernie made a high-pitched moan. "I don't want to be the only one!"
"Dorothea!" She narrowed her gaze on her friend.
"They'll find out sooner or later," the mage shrugged nonchalantly. "The rest of us can go together, but we thought it might be nice to start a new tradition."
Edelgard could feel her cheeks reddening as her classmates gathered round.
"May I assist in finding anything?" An older, balding gentleman approached them. He wore thick glasses and a yellow cloth measure around his neck.
"We're just browsing for the moment," Ferdinand shook his head. "But we'll need assistance with measurements soon, I assure you."
"New tradition?" Annette queried.
"Mm-hm," Dorothea shuffled through the attire that hung from a wooden pole. "We thought it'd be nice for house leaders to be escorted by their professors."
"Are the other classes aware of this new tradition?" Ferdinand scrunched his brow.
"Not yet, but we Black Eagles have been setting precedent all year," Dorothea draped a few dresses over her arm.
It seemed her friend was not content with letting her weasel her way out of formally asking her teacher to accompany her.
"You're going with the professor?" Annette squealed. "What a fine pair for the ball!"
"B-but the rest of us are going as a class, right?" Bernie began to breathe harder.
"Yes," Dorothea threw a wink her way, "and I expect you'll save a dance for me."
"Nothing is set in stone," Edelgard dropped her head. She could not bring herself to meet her peers' gazes.
"I think it's a great idea," Ingrid assured her.
"Does this mean it would be inappropriate to dance with him?" Lysithea seemed less enthusiastic about Dorothea's proposal.
Dorothea brought several dresses over and stood beside Edelgard as she held them up to her body, "just because they're going together doesn't mean the rest of us can't enjoy a dance with our professor, right Edie?"
"O-of course," Edelgard tried to quell her heart. "After all, it's clear he's become dear to all of us."
Yes, it was a veiled attempt to deflect attention from herself, but one that she would gladly take advantage of.
"Oooh," Annette beamed at a dress Dorothea held to Edelgard's body. "That one looks fantastic."
Edelgard snapped her head to see the dress had a lot less… fabric than she desired, "perhaps something with long sleeves? And a little higher in the neckline?"
"You're no fun," Dorothea pouted her bottom lip as she handed the discarded dress to Ingrid. "Can you hold this for me? Maybe I'll wear that one, then."
"I think your tastes are a little… different, Dorothea," Ferdinand approached the same stack of dresses she shuffled through just a few moments earlier.
"And yours aren't?" She quipped as she held another dress up to her own neck. "What do you think of this one?"
"That is certainly… revealing," Ingrid worded her reply carefully.
"Perfect, I'll try on these two then," Dorothea positively glowed as she piled Ingrid's arms full of the other garments she had picked out. Annette had wandered off with Bernie, leaving Ingrid to bear the full responsibility of being Dorothea's helper.
"I think this one will suit Lysithea," Ferdinand looked at one dress in particular.
"I'm not looking for a dress," Lysithea snapped. "There's nothing wrong with my current attire for the ball."
It appeared Lysithea and Ingrid were not interested in dressing formally with their few classmates, which made Edelgard's palms perspire. Many already expected Dorothea, Ferdinand and Annette to go all out, however, unless more of her peers joined her she feared her teacher would think she dressed up just for him.
"Won't you at least try it on?" Edelgard pushed as she peered at the garment Ferdinand had retrieved. It was quite nice. It was mostly black and bordered with a deep red frill. It even had larger puffs at the end of the sleeves like her current shirt did.
"Oh, Ingrid!" Something caught Dorothea's eye. "That is a dashing pant suit! You'd look quite dapper in this and me on your arm."
"Must you always tease me?" Ingrid groaned as she followed the mage. Edelgard could relate, though in her heart, she didn't believe Dorothea to merely be teasing.
Lysithea dropped her head and let out a long sigh, "I do not wish to wear such a thing if none of my dance partners are only wearing their class uniforms."
"I most certainly will not be!" Ferdinand gave her a wide smile as he approached her with the dress folded across his arm. "One doesn't often get the chance to dress gallantly. And I know I will expect a dance from you."
"What about the professor?" Lysithea was clearly annoyed though she brought up a good point.
Edelgard had not considered that he would most likely attend in his usual attire. In comparison to whatever extravagant garment her classmates chose, there would be a stark contrast that would certainly draw attention.
"Don't fret," Ferdinand continued. "We gifted him a gorgeous nobleman's cape and gentleman's shirt for his birthday. I'm sure he would wear it to the ball."
Both she and Lysithea perked up at his words.
"How can you be so sure?" Edelgard inquired. "Lysithea clearly wants to ensure she isn't overdressed."
She felt cheap using her younger friend as an excuse to obtain her own answers, but Edelgard did not wish to be the subject of her class's swirl of questions.
"I give you my word," Ferdinand gave the young girl a playful bow. "I will personally make sure our professor is appropriately dressed to dance with you if you wear this."
Edelgard had a new mission. She must secure Lysithea's attire for the ball, "I'm sure I will also be wearing something formal, and I would most certainly feel better if you decided to do the same."
She let out a long sigh before she snatched the dress from Ferdinand's arm, "fine." She trudged along the hardwood floor toward the back where the shopkeeper stood. Lysithea didn't lift her head once, even after the shopkeeper pointed to an area closed off with a long sheet.
"Edie, honey," she only knew one person that would call her either of those names. She turned her head to see Dorothea and who she assumed to be Ingrid, though it was hard to tell from the pile of garments that blocked her face. "I think we've found it."
"It?" Edelgard lowered her brow.
Dorothea held up a long dress, the collar was high and bordered with black. While most of the garb was a crimson red, the frill on the long sleeves exploded with a black lace. The corset was more see-through but where the lower torso began, a wave of black flowed to the bottom.
"It has longer sleeves as you wanted, and you'd like stunning in this gothic collar," Dorothea hopped up and down with excitement.
"Can I put these down, Dorothea?" Ingrid called from behind the pile of clothes she weakly held in her arms.
Edelgard's eyes grew wide. It was true she was beginning to doubt her friend's ability to fulfill her promise in finding something suitable to wear due to her own… unusual tastes, but the dress the mage held in front of her was gorgeous. And it met every requirement Edelgard had given her, the long sleeves would certainly cover her scars and the high collar would hide her… well, she could be sure she wouldn't reveal too much.
"It's…" Edelgard couldn't find the words to say. "Beautiful."
"You simply must try it on so the tailor can take your measurements," Dorothea pushed it into Edelgard's arms. "That way he'll have enough time to make any adjustments."
"Lysithea is currently engaged in her own fitting," Edelgard felt the fabric between her fingers. It was as smooth and silky as it appeared.
"There's room enough for two," she brought her finger to her chin. "But you're right, you'll need help with that corset, so we'll wait for her to be done and we can go together."
"Together?" Edelgard felt a lump begin to form in her throat. While she knew of Dorothea's promiscuous ways, what bothered her more was that her teacher was the only one that had ever laid eyes upon her scars.
"Mm-hm," Dorothea nodded. "I'll need help with mine as well."
"What a stunning dress!" Annette skipped as she approached them. Bernie followed close behind.
"Looks like there's a line behind us," Dorothea made note of the garbs the two girls carried.
"I-I don't know about this," Bernie was visibly quivering. "M-my father always said he'd s-sooner put our horse in a dress before me."
"Don't listen to him, Bernie," Dorothea waved her hand and sucked her teeth. "He sounds like one of the more colorful words Leonie used when she declined to come."
"That's what I told her," Annette nodded in agreement.
They began exchanging garments and comparing colors, but Edelgard rested her eyes on the young girl that had just exited from behind the long sheet.
While she had not lifted her head yet, and her footsteps were just as heavy as when she went in, she now donned a beautiful black dress that covered her feet.
Edelgard made her way to the back as the girls continued on.
"Lysithea," Edelgard smiled as she eyed the younger girl from head to toe.
At the sound of her voice, Lysithea turned her body and threw her arms up briefly before letting them fall to her sides.
"You look absolutely lovely. Very mature," Edelgard held out her own garment in an attempt to lure the girl's head up. "Look, I have one of my own, you won't be alone."
It worked. Lysithea lifted her eyes to peer at Edelgard's garb as she flattened her lips.
The shopkeeper nodded his head vigorously as he pulled the cloth measure from his neck. He knelt on the floor as he held the length of the measure against Lysithea's body, "I can certainly shorten this a bit. Other than the waistline and the shoulders, I think the rest of the fabric falls nicely."
"What do you think?" Edelgard rested her hand on her hip. "I think the colors compliment our hair very nicely, don't you?"
"Oh, you simply must," Dorothea called from behind her. "You look so good, Lysithea!"
"Very well," Lysithea huffed. "It'll be only for a night, after all."
"Goo-" Edelgard was cut short by Dorothea's forceful tug on her arm.
"Our turn!" Her voice was almost ecstatic as she pulled Edelgard toward the changing area. Dorothea pulled back the sheet and let it fall behind them.
No sooner than the sheet had swung to a stop, Dorothea had begun to disrobe.
Edelgard hesitated as she peered at her surroundings. There was a single bench in the center of the small room and even more garments lined the walls. She wondered if she might be able to outlast her friend, judging by how quickly she was changing.
"What are you waiting for?" Dorothea tossed her shirt onto the bench. "It's nothing I haven't seen on myself… or Ingrid."
Edelgard had momentarily considered prodding her about her last remark, but quickly decided against it, "it has nothing to do with that, I assure you."
"Then what does it have to do with?" Dorothea kicked her skirt from her foot. It landed a short distance from her other clothing, "I won't get grabby, at least, not yet."
Edelgard forced a chuckle, "I'm not afraid of you, Dorothea."
"Then what is it, Edie?" The mage laid her dress across the bench as she lowered her brow.
"I just…" Edelgard paused. "I have some unsightly markings. Not many people have ever seen them."
"Markings? Like Petra's?"
She wanted to avoid using the word "scars." Edelgard hated to think about how her body had been violated and every time she would disrobe at night, or don her class uniform, the scars remained to taunt her.
Edelgard shook her head, "not like Petra's."
"Can I see?" Dorothea only grew more inquisitive.
She paused as she dropped her eyes. It seemed her friend would not simply dress and exit the dressing room. Edelgard shoved her garment into her friend's arms and quickly began unbuttoning her class uniform. The less she thought about it, the faster this would be over.
As soon as the last button unhinged itself beneath her fingers, Edelgard gripped the lining and threw the clothing off her shoulders and let her shirt fall to the ground.
She kept her eyes on the cracks on the wooden floor as she tried to study each one. Edelgard desperately wished to avoid Dorothea's judgemental eyes, or horrified gaze. Instead, her mind wandered as she tried to recall the armored bear stuffy her teacher had gotten her. She wondered if she had remembered to place it on her pillow before she left her quarters this morning.
"Oh, Edie," Dorothea's voice seemed far away as Edelgard thought only of her silly stuffed bear. "They look like Petra's markings to me."
She darted her eyes up to meet Dorothea's, her gaze followed Edelgard's contours. But the look on her face was not that of horror.
"They're nothing like Petra's," Edelgard swallowed hard. "Hers are a sign of the warrior, customs of her tribe. Mine… well, they were not by choice."
"They might not have been by choice," Dorothea's voice was soft and low. "But they're certainly markings of a warrior."
Edelgard chuckled, "I wouldn't say that-"
"I would," Dorothea flattened her lips. "They're a reminder, are they not?"
She thought for a moment and gave her friend a slight nod.
"A reminder to never let anyone hurt you again?" Dorothea continued. "That's why you keep your guard up all the time."
"I suppose that's true…"
"And yet here you are," Dorothea shrugged. "Trying to woo the professor and showing me what you've hidden beneath."
Edelgard didn't answer her.
"That's at least two people you've let in," the mage stepped closer as she held out her dress. "So you didn't allow whoever did this to you succeed in turning you to stone, full of distrust and hate."
Edelgard took the dress from her as she pondered her words.
Dorothea wrapped her arm around her neck and pulled her closer in a tight embrace, "that sounds like a warrior to me."
Byleth hadn't expected as much company for his afternoon tea as he received. Somehow, Leonie, Ferdinand and Flayn had found him in the hedge garden and he was forced to put his latest book on crests on the table.
"I still don't see why you didn't join us, Leonie," Ferdinand sat in one of the chairs across from Byleth.
"I already told Dorothea days ago," she vigorously shook her head. "I'm not wearing a dress."
"We found quite a dashing pant suit for Ingrid," he tried to reason with her. "We could have found you the same."
Byleth wasn't certain why they came to the hedge garden for this conversation when they could have just as easily argued in the dining hall. However, he had noticed many of his students clung to not only him, but one another since they returned from Remire nearly a fortnight ago.
As his father would've said, it was a perfectly normal response.
"I do hope my ceremonial garb won't clash too much with the others in the class," Flayn tightened her lips.
"Considering we don't have a unified theme," Ferdinand shook his head as he shot Leonie a glare, "I highly doubt it will clash with anything."
"That is wonderful, we are still going as a class, yes?" Flayn queried.
"That's the plan, except-" he cut himself off short and took a long pause.
"Except?" Leonie lifted her brow as she awaited his answer. "I'm not going if everyone's going to have dates except me."
"Lysithea shares that exact sentiment of being left alone on the ballroom floor," Ferdinand turned his attention to Byleth. "She was brave enough to agree to a formal dress on the condition that you would save a dance for her, professor."
"I haven't decided if I'm going to attend…" Byleth still held reservations. He had rather enjoyed how much attention his students had paid toward the upcoming event, it kept their minds away from things much darker. However, his own presence shouldn't affect their enjoyment.
"See, the thing is," Ferdinand began as he hesitated. "You simply must go."
"Must I?" Byleth chuckled as he voiced his skepticism.
"I did promise Lysithea that you would be there," he brought his hand up to rub the top of his hair. "And that you'd also wear the attire we gave you for your birthday."
"I must agree with Ferdinand, professor," Flayn's voice pleaded. "I do hope you'll choose to go!"
"That's an awful big promise to make without consulting me," Byleth's brows twitched. While he was able to avoid wearing the clothes they gave him for his presents for the most part, what his student was asking of him was to not only don them again, but in front of the entirety of Garreg Mach.
"I know," Ferdinand swallowed hard. "But I beg of you, professor, do not make a liar of me. You're the one that said we should be looking out for one another, I was simply attempting to put our newest and youngest member at ease and make her feel welcomed in our house. Surely, you can understand that."
"I think he got you there, professor," Leonie tightened her lips.
Byleth heard whispers on the other side of the hedge. They had been there for quite awhile, but still lingered. He briefly considered the possibility that Lysithea was there with some of her peers, waiting to hear his answer for herself.
"Very well," he answered as he brought his cup to his lips. Byleth was not particularly thrilled about what Ferdinand had promised on his behalf, but his students were showing signs of moving through their trauma, and Byleth would assist any way he could.
"Thank you, professor," Ferdinand let out a deep breath. The matter must have been weighing on his mind heavily to show such relief.
Though, he couldn't help but notice the whispers hadn't ceased. Byleth could isolate Dorothea's rising and sinking tone, but there were others. Annette?
"Leonie? Flayn?" Ferdinand interrupted his thoughts. "Won't you join me in the dining hall? We don't have long before class resumes."
"Most definitely," Flayn stood from her seat.
"Um…" Leonie seemed less certain, "I was hoping to learn more signals-"
"I'm sure there will be plenty of time for that," he interjected. "But for now, we must eat. Right?"
"We'll make time," Byleth nodded as he placed his hand back on his book. Perhaps, he'd finally get a chance to make progress through the chapters. "I promise."
"Ok," Leonie wearily rose from the table like a small child being sent to the corner.
The three waved their hands as they made their way to the gate and Byleth cracked his book open. He heard the gate creak as they exited but they did not make their way to the dining hall. Instead, he could hear Ferdinand's whisper join the rest on the other side of the hedge wall.
"No… can't," that sounded like Edelgard. She was clearly protesting against something.
Byleth was unsure what his students were up to, but didn't want to intrude. He returned his eyes to the words on the pages of his tome.
There was nothing new in the books he read that Hanneman couldn't tell him, he imagined his colleague had every word memorized. And while he knew he couldn't hope to achieve what an esteemed crest scholar couldn't, Byleth hoped that something, anything would spark a memory within Sothis.
"Are you reading again?" Sothis must have heard her name within his thoughts.
"Mm-hmm," he quietly answered as he took a sip of tea and returned his cup to its saucer.
"Anything new about me?" Her curiosity got the better of her.
This one's mostly about the research done on crests, Byleth thought it best not to vocalize full sentences, not with his students acting strangely just on the other side of the greenery.
"I much prefer the other book," Sothis hummed. "The one of Seiros's teachings. She apparently thought very highly of me though I cannot say I agree with what Fodlan has become in my absence."
Well, you are the progenitor Goddess, Byleth lifted his eyebrows. If we can figure out what blocks your memories, you may very well have a chance to right those wrongs.
"I simply cannot condone the horrific things done in the name of the gifts I bestowed on my people, we must fix this," Sothis grew agitated. Since finding out her true nature, Byleth noticed she very much enjoyed the use of the words "her people."
The gate creaked once again.
Byleth didn't turn his head, though he noticed the hedge was quieter than before. The loud whispers were now coming from behind him and their footsteps grew closer.
Were they attempting an exercise?
"Dorothea, no-" that was definitely Edelgard.
Perhaps, they wanted to test their expanding abilities to see if they've managed to surpass their instructor.
Rapid footsteps. Heavy. Uneven.
Byleth didn't think. He grabbed his teacup by its handle, tucked his book under his arm and quickly rose and sidestepped.
He swiveled his body just in time to see Edelgard trying to catch her balance. Her stomach collided with the table with such force that her upper body flung on top of it. But it allowed her to grip the table with both hands as it shook from her impact. One of the chairs toppled to the ground.
"Edelgard?" Byleth tried to reason what had just happened. He turned his head to the gate to see Dorothea quickly exiting, leaving the latch unhooked in the process. "Are you… alright?"
If this was a surprise exercise, Edelgard needed more work. But something told him it was more of an intentional accident set in motion by the brunette mage.
"I am fine," Edelgard quickly stood as she pulled on the seams of her class uniform to straighten it. She quickly brushed the many stray and messy strands of hair from in front of her face neatly behind her ear. "I apologize, I tripped."
She did not look at him. Byleth could see her bright red face turn in all directions but his.
"I will be on my way now," she dropped her head in a hurried bow.
"No!" Dorothea yelled from the other side of the hedge divider. "She needs to talk to you, professor!"
He watched as Edelgard clenched her jaw, "is that true?"
"I-" she stopped short. Her eyes darted wildly across her surroundings until they finally rested on his hands. "I see you managed to save your tea."
She was obviously much too flustered to speak to him about whatever was on her mind. Byleth pointed his cup to the table, "why don't you have a seat?"
He watched as Edelgard's head turned to the gate, he imagined she was considering making a quick exit despite Dorothea's persistence.
Byleth lowered himself back into his chair, "please, join me."
Edelgard released a long sigh before she bent over to pick up the chair that had fallen in her collision. She rigidly took a seat, "if you insist. Did I interrupt your reading?"
Interrupt was a very… light description. More like crashing and burning into his reading time. The spectacle could not have been louder or drew more attention even if Edelgard had retrieved a trumpet from the choir room and marched to his table.
"Crest research," he placed the book on the table once again. He quickly decided against making any remarks over her grand entrance, it would only serve to push her further from whatever the urgent matter was. "What is it that you need to speak to me about?"
"As you know, the ball is but a few days away," Edelgard still kept her eyes plastered on his book though the redness of her face was starting to clear.
"So I've heard," Byleth took another sip. "If this is regarding my attire, I've already told Ferdinand that I would wear… something formal."
"No," Edelgard shook her head, her eyes darted to the grass beside them. "Not at all..."
She didn't elaborate as her words trailed off into the air.
Byleth blinked a few times as he waited for her to continue. But she did not.
He leaned across the table and lowered his voice, "we've shared much over the past several ethereal moons. What's going on, El?"
Edelgard finally lifted her eyes to meet his. For the first time, he saw a panic glisten in her pupils that he had never seen before.
"Is there something wrong?" Byleth felt his own internal alarms sound, "are you in danger?"
"No," Edelgard swallowed hard. "I mean, not presently."
He looked at her expectantly as she drew a deep breath.
"Before, we spoke of finding you an escort to the ball," Edelgard finally found fluid words.
"Did Dorothea send you in here to ask?" Byleth laughed softly.
"No, but I had forgotten about a Garreg Mach tradition that would solve your dilemma," she placed her hands on the table, her thumbs fidgeted on top of her fists.
"Okay," it seemed he would be forced to pry her thoughts from her mind. "What is this tradition?"
"Class leaders are typically escorted…" Edelgard scrunched her brow as her lips moved several times to speak. It took several moments before she muttered her next words, "by their professors."
Byleth took his own moment to ponder her words. He had never heard of such a tradition, certainly his colleagues would have given him fair warning. In addition, Manuela had never bragged about taking Claude nor did…
"Does that mean Hanneman's date will be Dimitri?" He interrupted his own thoughts and then chuckled at the imagery in his head.
"It's a new tradition," Edelgard averted her gaze as he could feel the table slightly tremble at her bouncing leg. Her words didn't make sense. The very definition of "tradition" contradicted-
"Very new," Dorothea added from across the divider.
It made sense now. Her reluctance, the unusual entrance and nervousness.
Byleth let a small smile form from his lips, "are you asking me to be your date?"
Edelgard did not speak, instead, she only nodded her head.
"I accept," Byleth did not wish to torment her any longer. Clearly the simple request caused her distress, and he would do what he could to relieve her of that feeling.
Her leg stopped bouncing. Her hands no longer fidgeted on top of the table.
He was unsure of what else to say. He had already given her his answer and saw the nervousness subside.
"Are you certain, my teacher?" Edelgard met his gaze, her movements were less rigid than before.
Byleth chuckled, "am I certain? You appear to be the one unsure if you were going to ask or not. But yes, Edelgard. I would be honored."
"Wonderful," she tried to keep her voice low. Edelgard rose from her chair, "very good, I will see you then."
She took a few steps toward the gate.
"Edelgard?" Byleth called without turning his head. He heard her stop. "Class resumes within the hour."
"Right," Edelgard forced a laugh. "I suppose that's when I will see you next."
He nodded his head as he finished what remained of his tea, "unless you plan to skip class until the ball."
"Of course not," Edelgard replied. "I will see you shortly."
Byleth heard her hurried steps and the creaking of the gate. This time it latched shut.
He rested his eyes on the words embossed on his book as the whispers resumed from the walkway.
The History of Crest Research and Bloodlines.
Byleth had made many promises lately. However, none were as important as this one. This promise meant the difference between life and death not only for Edelgard, but Lysithea as well. He sighed loudly as he batted the book into the center of the table, reading was getting him nowhere.
He felt guilty taking pleasure in the upcoming festivities while days, weeks or even years of life slipped between Edelgard's fingers, never to return.
"I know what you're thinking," Sothis interrupted his thoughts.
You always know what I'm thinking, he thought to himself. But in this case, please tell me that you do not object.
"I agree we cannot let them die," she hummed. "If my memories will not return on their own, perhaps it is the only way."
Reading doesn't help, Hanneman only knows what he's read and researched. It's time we get more information from the source, Byleth nodded.
"I don't know how you intend to prove it, however," Sothis chuckled. "There's a very good chance you'll come off as a raving lunatic."
Perhaps, but if I expect Edelgard to open up about all the sordid details of her torture, I need to offer her more hope in return than just my word.
"And you think I can offer her that hope?" Sothis seemed skeptical.
I can't think of a better beacon of light than knowing the progenitor goddess, herself, is on her side, Byleth tightened his lips. I'll tell her everything… about you, after the ball.
"Very well," Sothis sighed, "if it does not go well, at least we'll still have each other."
Always, Byleth smiled.