"So our mission is to protect Lady Rhea this month..." Rhajat said. "Hm... something's wrong here..."

"No doubt." Byleth agreed.

"Ah, so we're on the same page." Rhajat seemed impressed.

"What do you mean?" Asugi asked, he seemed lost.

"Why would Lonato carry around some letter saying they were planning on killing Lady Rhea? Seems a bit... weird I guess. I think it makes more sense that this is a distraction."

"Oh that's smart Rhajat!" Corrin said beaming. "What do you think their true aim is then?"

Rhajat shook her head. "That's where I'm lost. I'm not sure what they could want exactly. Just that whatever they want, they're trying to accomplish it while no one's looking."

"What about the treasure vault?" Velouria asked. "I doubt it has anything interesting, but to a human maybe there's something there?"

"They could be after weapons too..." Caeldori mused. "I heard that the monastery is home to some rather valuable ones."

"Whatever it is, seems like it's up to us to stop it!" Shiro added. He seemed fired up.

"We should probably search the monastery." Forrest suggested. "That'll give us a better idea of what they could be after."

"Yeah. We should also be ready to fight, if needed." Rhajat thought aloud.

"A secret meeting, Professor?" A blue haired woman said upon walking in. "Oh, we haven't been introduced. I am Shamir."

"Shamir is a Knight of Seiros!" Selkie explained. "And this kid is-"

"I work for Lady Rhea! And I'm Shamir's apprentice! Oh, the name's Cyril." Cyril said.

"You work for Rhea?" Byleth seemed a bit surprised that someone so young was not a student, but an employee.

"Yep. I help Lady Rhea with all kinds of stuff. I've gotta protect Lady Rhea, so that's why I've gotta learn all I can from Shamir." Cyril explained with pride.

"Cyril adores Rhea. That aside, if you need anything, ask." Shamir told Byleth. She then left as quickly as she came.

Once that was over and done with, Rhajat left to do some research. The dragons were all out doing their own exploration, to see if they could find out what the enemies' aim could be. Rhajat wasn't sure where to start. She had already asked her professor to look into it and ask around.

"Rhajat..."

Rhajat turned around and saw Hubert, one of the eagles. She hadn't had a conversation with him since their first meeting. She wasn't particularly interested in trying again. "Yes? I'm busy."

"This shouldn't take too long." Hubert said with a smirk. He folded his arms as he walked closer to her. "How did your last mission go?"

"Fine?" She wasn't sure where he was going with this. "Why do you ask?"

"I was just curious. I heard... about something happening. I'll be straight with you. What is your connection to Lady Rhea?" He asked.

Rhajat could sense some sort of malice coming from the question. "I don't understand. I have no connection to her."

Hubert didn't seem convinced. "You have similar shades of hair. Not to mention... no. Never mind. This is unrelated but, you're a dragon hm?"

Rhajat's heart dropped, but she tried not to let that show. "How do you know that?"

"That's none of your concern." Hubert explained. Rhajat figured he must have overheard her conversation with Lady Rhea and Seteth. "I suppose it doesn't matter. Just know that I'm watching you."

Rhajat felt a bit unnerved, she wasn't sure how to respond to that. Before she could come up with anything, he walked away. "Ugh... what is up with that guy... whatever." She dismissed him, feeling that there wasn't much he could do that would bring harm to her. Even if he spread the word of her heritage, it was already out there. Considering how her classmates reacted, she doubted people outside her class would be too upset. However, that just made her more and more confused as to why it needed to be a secret. She wondered if her Mother was treated poorly over her heritage, and didn't want Rhajat to suffer the same fate. If that were the reason, she was glad she seemed to be around a better crowd. Ironically, Hubert may have made her feel a bit more comfortable. Unintentionally albeit, so she wasn't interested in becoming his friend or anything. She was just amused by how Hubert's plan backfired. Regardless, she figured she'd be better off doing more research on the enemy's objective.

Forrest wasn't sure who to ask or where to go. All he knew was that he wanted to help Rhajat. He was at least happy that she enjoyed the dress he made. He knew that he had a great eye for sizing. He hadn't talked to Rhajat much, but he was hoping to change that. However, his friendships weren't the focus right now. He needed to talk to someone at least. He figured that it was better than standing around thinking to himself. So he decided to keep walking and find someone who didn't seem to be too busy. He didn't want to be a bother after all. He quickly came across the crown prince of Faerghus in the cafeteria. He was eating lunch, but didn't seem to be enjoying it too much. Forrest wondered if something was wrong. He decided he could at least check on his classmate. Even if the two had never talked before.

"Excuse me?" Forrest said, standing over him.

"Oh hello. Did you need something Forrest?" Dimitri at least knew his name, but didn't know much else about him.

"Mind if I sit here?" He pointed at the empty chair next to him.

"Not at all. Feel free." Dimitri replied with a soft smile.

Forrest sat down and turned to face him. "Are you doing okay uh..." He then realized he wasn't sure how to address Dimitri.

"Just Dimitri is fine." He replied as if he read his mind.

"Gotcha. So Dimitri, is everything okay?" Forrest asked with concern in his voice. "You've got a weird expression and you're barely touching your food."

"Ah just, dueling with some unpleasant thoughts." Dimitri explained. "The assassination plot... it's just bringing up some unpleasant memories."

Forrest's eyes widened. He didn't know too much about Fodlan politics, yet as a member of a royal family, he was no stranger to assassination plots. "I'm sorry to hear that." Forrest considered putting a hand on Dimitri's shoulder, but he didn't know how he'd react to touch.

"No, I'm sorry I just... I should be focused on protecting the monastery." Dimitri said.

Forrest wasn't fond of the idea of someone dismissing their emotions. "You know you can... feel pain."

Dimitri swallowed. "I know but... now is not the time."

He had to respect how he had his priorities in order, but something about this was still bothering him. "I see where you're coming from. As a royal, sometimes you have to put your own feelings aside. I just hope that when the time comes, you'll allow yourself to be angry, or upset, or whatever you need to feel."

"...Right." Dimitri begrudgingly said. While he did no doubt feel intense emotions, he wasn't sure if he deserved to. In spite of that, he smiled. "Thank you Forrest."

Forrest smiled back. "Anytime Dimitri." He didn't know all the details, but he knew that Dimitri must have been carrying a heavy burden. He stood up. "I should probably get going. I'll let you enjoy your meal."

Dimitri made a weird face, but shook his head with a smile. "Right... thank you again."

Forrest waved before walking away. Dimitri watched as he left. Despite being a Nohrian prince, Forrest seemed like he was so much more free than Dimitri was. Dimitri felt he'd always have chains on him. He sighed before continuing his meal.

Rhajat had been asking around for a bit, as had Byleth and the others. She had found some things out, and was on her way to discuss it. She was a bit distracted by the sniffling. She looked at the source and saw a young boy who she recognized as Ashe who looked dead inside. Rhajat couldn't help but look deeper. She walked up to him without him noticing. "Hey! she exclaimed a bit too loud.

Ashe jumped in surprise. "Oh, Rhajat... I didn't notice you."

Rhajat giggled. "Good. If I may ask... why do you look so downtrodden?" Rhajat wasn't one to leave someone who seemed genuinely heartbroken. She wondered if she could hex it away.

"Mm..." Ashe looked downward again. "I just... Lonato..."

Rhajat's expression softened. "Lonato? Were... you close to him?"

Ashe nodded. "He was my adoptive father. He saved my life and... he's gone now."

Rhajat felt a flash of pain in her chest. She was there when his life was ended. Even if it was under orders from the church, she suddenly felt guilty. "I'm... I'm sorry."

"No... I'll be okay..." Ashe replied. "I know your class defeated him, but know that I don't hold this against you. You were following instructions. I just... I wish things could have been different."

"I understand..." Rhajat felt a bit relieved that he didn't hold any ill will, but she still felt bad. She just wished she could do something for him. She didn't know him well, but losing one's father couldn't be easy. "I... hope you know that he loved you." She wasn't really one to say things like that to someone she didn't know, but she felt this would be an exception.

"Yeah..." Ashe agreed. "I'm sure he did but... it still hurts so bad... Sorry, I think I need to be alone. Thank you for listening Rhajat."

Rhajat nodded. "Anytime. Please, take it easy." She then left him alone. While it wasn't her style, not by a long shot, she wondered if she could make some sort of charm for him. She didn't have time at the moment, but she resolved to at least do something for him. It would weigh on her conscience otherwise. She rolled her eyes, worried she was getting soft. She hoped not, but then wondered if that was inherently a bad thing.

Once some time passed, Rhajat was ready to discuss what had been gathered. The rest of the class seemed to have been out still looking. Rhajat still felt a bit odd about Rhea, but she still did her a favor, as did Seteth. Rhajat wanted to pay them back. She waited in the classroom, and Byleth eventually showed up.

"Professor. Did you figure anything out?"

"I've asked around, and it makes the most sense that they'll be targeting somewhere the church values most." Byleth explained.

"A place the church values most..." Rhajat thought about it for a bit. "There's a place here that's open only on the day of the rite. A place that surely holds important objects..."

"...The dining hall..." Byleth said with a nod.

"Seriously?" Rhajat glared at her. "Now's not the time for stupid jokes." She at least knew Byleth was smart enough to know what she was hinting at, which meant she was being goofy. "The Holy Mausoleum has to be their target."

"Of course." Byleth agreed. "We won't know for sure until the day comes, but I believe that's our best bet."

"Alright. Do you mind telling the others that we need to stake out the mausoleum? When the day comes anyway."

There were still a few more weeks until the rebirth. So Rhajat figured she'd just rest until then unless the professor wanted to train. Byleth waved as she left the room now that their plan was set. All that was left was to wait around.

Corrin had a lot of respect for Rhajat. She already had gotten a plan together to stop the attack. She even managed to realize that Lady Rhea wasn't the enemy's true aim. While she was a bit odd and aloof, there was no doubt in Corrin's mind that Rhajat was capable. She figured if she could be strong and brave, so could she. She had been avoiding Shiro since their awkward interaction at the beginning of the year. She wanted to give him space, but she wondered if she was just being a coward. She resolved to look for him, and at least talk to him. She figured they couldn't be friends much to her chagrin, but she wanted them to at least be cordial.

She did get it. She lost her family too. She's not sure if she could ever forgive their killer. She doesn't even know who it was, nor was she particularly looking for them. If she found out who, she's not sure what she'd do. If anything she appreciated how Shiro isn't trying to sabotage her or even bring harm to her. He was only staying away from her.

She inhaled deeply. She had arrived at his dorm. Her heart was practically in her ears, but she knocked regardless.

"Coming!" His deep booming voice called. Shiro opened the door with a smile, but it slowly faded away as he realized who it was.

Corrin wasn't sure what to say. Despite her height, she felt small. She cleared her throat. "Shiro I-"

Shiro immediately cut her off. "I don't care. I don't wanna hear it. Just go."

Corrin's heart dropped, despite the fact that she expected as much. "I'm sorry... about everything."

"I told you to leave, so leave." Shiro said, a bit more aggressively.

Corrin sighed. "Right..." She turned around and Shiro slammed the door.

She figured it wouldn't be easy. She wasn't even sure if she should keep trying to get through to Shiro. All she could do for the time being is return to her quarters. She constantly wished her family was still around, and at times like this was that feeling even stronger. She sighed as she walked away. She hoped that one day the two could reconcile, but today wasn't that day.