Jeralt and Byleth approached the quiet sanctuary of her mother's grave, nestled beneath an ancient tree whose branches stretched like arms lifted in prayer. The surrounding silence seemed sacred, the air thick with reverence, broken only by the gentle rustling of leaves in the evening breeze.
It was just a few hours ago that Jeralt had asked Byleth to join him, an affair that was par for the course for the two. Usually though, it was to train, back when they were traveling mercenaries. This time though, there had been something different with her father's gaze when he asked, so much so that barely after her classes ended, she went straight to the location he had asked to meet him in.
The blue-haired woman didn't expect this, however.
Jeralt's usually steely gaze softened as he looked at the grave, his eyes flickering with memories that clung to him like old ghosts. "It's been a long time since I came here." His voice was rough, almost a whisper, as though anything louder would disturb the peace that settled over the resting place.
Byleth stood by his side, her expression as composed as ever, yet, she knew Sothis could sense a quiet yearning or perhaps an ache, lurking beneath. She knew that she was bad at expressing her emotions, so the fact that the man was trying made her feel something unfamiliar. Something she couldn't quite name.
Jeralt cleared his throat, breaking the silence, though his voice remained low. "I never meant to keep so much from you," he murmured, his eyes cast down at the grave. "Your mother…She was the kind of person who left a mark on everyone she met. She changed me, softened me in ways I hadn't thought possible." He hesitated, as if searching for words that had been buried as deeply as the grave itself.
"I thought I could keep you safe by not talking about all this. But I realize now that was wrong. You deserved to know her."
Byleth's hand twitched by her side, her gaze still fixed on the earth that held her mother's memory. She felt Sothis stir within her, a comforting presence, one that nudged her to ask the questions she'd carried for so long. "What was she like?" she asked, her voice quiet, almost unsure, a strange vulnerability flickering in her eyes.
Jeralt's smile softened, touched with nostalgia as he looked down at the grave. "Your mother…Sitri, she was a kind soul, quiet in her way. She didn't show much on the surface, a lot like you," he murmured, glancing at Byleth as though seeing both of them there, side by side. "She was gentle but had this stillness about her, like the calm in the eye of a storm."
Sitri.
It was the first time that Byleth had ever heard her name from Jeralt. The first time that her father had ever really spoken about her. Not for her lack of trying, even. Just, every time she did, she hated the look of despair that would overtake her father's face. Enough that she eventually stopped asking.
Jeralt continued, his voice low and steady, though tinged with an emotion that made it almost unrecognizable. "Sitri was different from anyone I'd ever known. Quiet, yes, but not out of shyness or timidity. It was more like she carried the weight of a world she couldn't fully see." His gaze drifted as he spoke, as if he were following the invisible trail of memories. "She'd look at me with those eyes of hers, wide and wondering, always listening. I think that's what made her so unique. She took in everything, not just with her ears, but with her heart.
"When she died, she took my own heart with her."
The man was quiet for a moment, before turning to Byleth, "I know I don't always say it, but I am proud of you. I always have been." Putting a hand on her shoulder, Jeralt's gaze turned just a bit steely, "But you are still my daughter, and I'll always worry for you. Always. That's to say, be careful. Your next mission, I have a feeling that it won't be as easy as it's made out to be."
"Aren't they always?" She gave a wan smile as Jeralt gave a similarly weak chuckle.
"Just, keep yourself safe."
"I will."
In the back of her mind, Byleth could feel Sothis retreat to give the pair of them some space. The professor gave the girl as much appreciation as she could.
Said pair continued to talk well into the night.
…
The next morning arrived cloaked in the soft haze of dawn, casting Garreg Mach Monastery in a pale light that stretched across the rooftops and fields. Byleth moved through the familiar stone corridors with an unusual weight, her thoughts lingering on her father's words from the night before. She shouldered her bag and checked her gear, ensuring the Sword of the Creator hung securely at her side. Everything was in place, but an ache in her chest remained, a small, gnawing worry that felt almost foreign.
A familiar voice stirred within her, Sothis's presence quiet, almost reflective. "I sense hesitation, Byleth. Unusual for you." Sothis remarked, her tone softer than usual, as though she were picking up on Byleth's unspoken concern.
Byleth hesitated, mulling over the strange feeling she couldn't quite shake. 'It's my father.' She replied inwardly. 'He rarely says things like that. Usually, he's steady, not prone to worry.'
Sothis hummed thoughtfully, a contemplative warmth filling Byleth's mind. "Perhaps it's nothing. But he's not a man who speaks lightly, is he? Trust your instincts. They've served you well so far."
"Besides, you've your students with you. I doubt they'd be willing to let anything happen to their precious Professor." There was a teasing glint to her tone that made Byleth chuckle out loud.
"Hm? Professor, you seem to be in a good mood." Dimitri, heading out as well, spotted her. Dedue was dutifully trailing behind him with the rest of the Blue Lions. Strangely enough, Sylvain was not his normal self, opting to stay much, much quieter than normal.
Byleth narrowed her eyes at that.
As a Professor, it was her job to make sure all her students were safe. If something had happened to make the red-haired noble lose focus, then it was her duty to put him back on track. Still, it wasn't like it was trouble yet, what with them still in the monastery. If it came down to it, she'd talk to him when she needed to.
"Is everyone here?"
Annette's words were tinged with confusion as they waited, snapping out Byleth from her thoughts. She shook her head, "No, we're still waiting for two more."
"Ah, if I recall, Sir Gilbert shall be joining us." Dimitri nodded, glancing around the courtyard. "He'll likely arrive any moment. He never keeps us waiting for long. Though, I do have to wonder just who the second one is."
Her small smile strained at the last part. At this point, her students should know by now who that one would be. Maybe they did, and much like her, wished that it wasn't.
"Byleth, I'm sorry to say this, but no matter how much you and I deny it, we know that that bastard will be joining."
'I know.' She sighed, 'But a woman can dream, right?'
The Archer was still as incorrigible as always. Byleth had no qualms about his capabilities. He had proven himself to be one of the deadliest combatants she had ever seen. He had probably helped them in more ways than she could possibly know.
That didn't make her grievances against him any less valid.
More than that, she still didn't know what was up with those dreams that she was recently getting. Byleth was almost certain that they all had to do with the Archer, but at the same time, without actual confirmation, she couldn't be completely sure.
Not even Sothis could see them, and the green-haired girl was in her head.
As the students gathered, the atmosphere buzzed with a palpable energy, excitement intermingling with the undercurrents of tension that seemed to swirl in Byleth's mind. She caught Annette whispering to Ashe, her animated gestures punctuating the early morning calm like a gentle summer storm.
Byleth watched them, feeling a flicker of warmth in her chest. These were her students. She'd taught them a lot of what they knew, and in turn, they gave her their trust.
Sometimes, she didn't think she was worthy of such.
"Why do you always do this?" Sothis's voice rippled through her thoughts, a gentle yet firm reprimand that felt almost like a maternal embrace. "Why do you insist on doubting yourself?"
Byleth blinked, a moment of silence hanging heavily between them. 'It's not doubt.' she replied softly, though defensiveness crept into her tone. 'I wonder if I'm doing enough. If I can protect them. If I'm a good teacher.'
"Your heart is too heavy with burdens that are not yours to bear." Sothis chided, her tone laced with exasperation. "You carry the weight of their destinies as if they were your own, and yet you forget that you've already altered their paths simply by being in their lives. Trust in your strength; it is greater than you know."
'...Why do I get the feeling that you just don't want to hear me talk like that?'
"Byleth, is it so bad that I don't like hearing my friend badmouth herself?"
No, no it wasn't. Closing her eyes, she felt her lips form a small smile. Yes, if it was Sothis talking like that, she could see herself saying something along the same lines.
"Oh! I think that's Gilbert, right?"
Indeed, the older Knight of Seiros had arrived, and was now talking with an animated Dimitri and an attentive Dedue. Makes sense, since Gilbert was himself a formidable warrior whose expertise lied in lances and axes.
There was a lot that Byleth could do, of course, but her expertise lies in swords more than anything. She was more than happy for her students to find whatever lesson they could from anyone. It was what she had done as a mercenary after all.
"Professor Byleth." Waving off the students for a bit, the knight approached Byleth with an extended arm. Byleth grasped it firmly and shook it, "It's a pleasure to work with you. I've heard good things about your prowess in battle, and I look forward to seeing it in action."
"Likewise, I have heard nothing but praise for you."
"You flatter me, but thank you."
"Hmmmm." Sothis hummed, and Byleth could practically see her squinting her eyes, "Doesn't he sort of look familiar?"
'...I think so? Actually, yes, I see what you mean.'
With a discreet glance around, Byleth immediately spotted Annette. Her normally sunny disposition had wavered and in its place was a melancholic air around her. The professor could immediately see where she was looking. Or rather, who.
Gilbert himself.
It didn't take a genius to see the resemblance. And with their age gap, Byleth doubted it was some sort of weird crush.
Truly, her relationship with her father had certainly left a lot to desire, but that was infinitely better than whatever was going on with these two, especially as she could see Gilbert dutifully ignoring Annette the entire time.
She had half a mind to interfere, only to stop herself.
Family matters were a different breed altogether. Especially in Garreg Mach. Politics were involved a lot of the time, and if she interfered where she wasn't welcome, the consequences could be dire. So, as much as she worried for her student, she held back.
With hope, they'd be able to use this mission to mend whatever had happened between them. Byleth mentally noted to put those two in situations where they must interact.
"I don't exactly know if that's the wisest choice…"
'Maybe, maybe not. It's better than a father ignoring his daughter though.'
Now, they only needed to wait for-
Speak of the devil. The Archer emerged from a corridor, his trademark scowl in place. Neither of them said anything as he fell into step behind the group, though the questioning and cautious looks thrown his way were certainly many.
"Everyone's here. Shall we go?"
…
Commissioned by: FireRogueWolf25
A/N: Now, this one was a little weird in terms of timing. Right now, this is the same as the in-game timeline where Byleth meets Jeralt, Jeralt gives the ring, then they go on the mission. However, Jeralt was seriously letting out some 'I'm going to die soon so imma give this to you before that' vibes in canon that I was considering pushing back this interaction till later. Still, it's there now, so just think of it as foreshadowing (or is it?).
If you like what I do and want to support me, check out my P-atreon at P-atreon•com(slash)Almistyor.
And a special thanks to: FireRogueWolf25, brutalcrab and Tassimo.