AN: Gotta answer some of them reviews!
To chromeillusion (Mar 4, 2024): All that glitters is not gold. I hope I don't make myself out to be a fool, and hope you keep enjoying it!
To Bustertank (Mar 8, 2024): Ghost shenanigans would be great indeed! Unfortunately, the last six chapters have barely passed 4 days, Byleth shows up on the 20th of the Great tree moon, that's 16 days away! Which by my quick math and the current... would be chapter 30. Oh boy, haha.
To joshiro99 (Mar12, 2024): True, definitely not adopted. No sir-ee. Why would anyone think that?!
To all of you, thank you, here is the next chapter!
Haunting Daybreak - Meetings and Authority
They'd done it.
In the grand scale of things, it was a minor deed. A trade route from Duscur to the Galatea domain, across the border to the Leicester Alliance, and then back to Duscur. In fact, Reidun was barely involved personally at all anymore, having delegated most of the work to other skilled individuals at Joseph's recommendation.
There had been difficulties of course.
At first, when it was just her, Joseph had to Warp her and the wagon across the border in and out of Duscur because the knights wouldn't let her through.
There was the language barrier to get through, and most of the adults had trouble taking her seriously to begin with!
Not to mention the bandit problem. Even though the Knights of Seiros and various noble houses of Faergus managed to keep the issue subdued, they're still around enough to be a danger. Joseph would fight them off when he could, and once Reidun was comfortable with a spear she helped as well. Though most of the time they were outmatched and Joseph needed to Warp them out.
…but they managed to overcome the challenges.
Once the men of Duscur started to realise that the flow of goods was a boon, their trade was mostly left unharassed, and in some cases even defended. Reidun had made some good friends there.
As for the bandits in Faerghus… they worked for her now. Okay, that was an exaggeration, but her initial band of employees had been recruited from people trying to rob her at the time. Which meant that the caravan grew large enough that most bandits weren't a threat, since everyone involved was confident with a weapon.
Having the adults acting as the face meant they were taken more seriously as well, which was a nice bonus.
Finally at that point, the business was profitable enough that they could afford to pay the bribe- toll to get in and out of Duscur, and they could set up industrial efforts in the Galatea domain on the way.
During all this, Joseph had confessed to Reidun about her parents…
"Oh… they were scared, right? Then it's okay, I forgive them."
…that had been all she had to say about the matter. Though Joseph had still suggested that Reidun keep her distance for now, just in case they tried to exorcise him or something, which was fair.
…and within his own heart, Joseph was not nearly as forgiving.
As an unintended consequence of their involvement in the Galatea county, the company had a permanent liaison with Count Gunnar Galatea himself.
So Reidun had managed to arrange a meeting.
Which was why she found herself dressed in her finest waiting outside the man's office to be called in.
The castle itself was surprisingly warm, despite being made of stone. Not in terms of the temperature, but rather the atmosphere. Filled with things such as worn carpets and tables that didn't seem to be quite aligned or in place, slight marks in the doorway after repeated use, and many other signs of life. On top of that there were efforts to keep the interior bright, both in terms of light and colour.
The guard that had escorted her inside and told her to wait was stiff enough that he came off as professional, but not so rigid that he seemed uncomfortable.
With little to do, she smoothed out the unremarkable creases in her finery. It wasn't nerves. If Gunnar Galatea refused to take her money, she could simply go to someone else.
She felt Joseph float back through the door, and heard him warn her, "he's ready."
Then the door opened.
Without missing a beat, Reidun strode in and executed a curtsy.
'Defer, but do not submit,' Reidun recalled from some of the tutoring she'd managed to pay for over the years, then she introduced herself with a polite smile and a managed tone, "Reidun Stoiche, at your service."
Centred within the lantern lit study was a sturdy desk, one which was likely older than the castle itself. A guard manned the door, but two other figures occupied the room as well.
Standing to the side was the company liaison, Declan Lead, who gave her a deferential nod as she entered the room.
Sitting on the other side of the desk was the lord of the land himself, Gunnar Galatea. The man's clothing was of a fine make, if a bit out of fashion. It did a good job of obscuring how his bones peaked through his unhealthily skinny build. His medium length blonde hair was well groomed, doing much for the illusion of stability the man put forth.
What Reidun didn't catch was the mild look of surprise that momentarily crossed the man's face as she entered, or how that coloured his tone as he spoke. "I heard you were keen to meet me, but before that, I know little about who you are or why you want this meeting. What is your connection to the Blind Scale Company?"
"I am the owner, my lord," she answered curtly. Prompting another expression of shock.
"You mean to say you inherited it?" he queried, doubtful.
"No, my lord. I built it." Reidun clarified, completely oblivious to the intent of the question.
"...but you couldn't be any older than my daughter…" he muttered.
"It's true, sir," interjected the liaison. "I had the pleasure of seeing her man the route alone before the company was founded four years ago."
The lord closed his eyes and took a deep breath, no longer disbelieving, but rather… sad? If Joseph was to be believed.
"I won't ask what pushed you to pursue work at such a young age," he finally said after recollecting himself. "It has been a boon for my domain to be where the Blind Scale Company set roots. Sincerely, I am thankful. A meeting is the least I can offer you."
"I am honoured, lord Galatea, but there is no need for thanks. What I've done, I've done for myself. As for what I want from you, my lord?" Reidun answered. "South in the Leicester Alliance, it is common practice for commoner's to pay their lord in order to attend the Officer's Academy at Garreg Mach, and I-"
Gunnar held up his hand, his expression serious.
"I think I understand. You wish to attend the academy yourself," Gunnar surmised, folding his hands in front of him, "may I ask why? A merchant hardly has need for such a martially inclined education."
Reidun's back straightened and a sparkle sang in her eyes before she spoke.
"I want to be a knight," she declared with joyous conviction. "You do not need to worry about the Blind Scale Company. I spent much of the last year making sure that it could work without me, and am ready to step down. I have the money, a bit more than the usual rate in the alliance to be safe-"
The man held up a hand to interrupt her again.
"Dear Reidun, there is no need for that," Gunnar said kindly with a large smile, "if that is truly what you wish, then it is no issue for me to accommodate. Your actions have proven your character quite soundly. It would be improper of me to extort you for it-"
"I refuse," Reidun interrupted with a declaration, startling all three of the men in the room. She rested a hand on her heart as she continued, "my lord, I don't want your pity, your kindness, or even your gratitude. If I am to travel the path of the knight, then it shall be by my efforts! It is the principle of the matter!
"If you wish to be kind…" she trailed off, her voice calming down from an explosive boil, to a controlled simmer, "...use the money to improve the lives of your people."
The room was silent and Reidun worried for a moment that she had overstepped. The silence was broken by laughter, the mirthful sound filling the room like caramel over a hot pan. It was then that she noticed Joseph's vicarious pride.
"When you put it like that, how could I refuse?" the lord jested, then leaned forward eagerly, "though in that case, I must trouble you with another offer as well."
Reidun nodded her affirmation.
"Once you've graduated, would you consider entering the service of my house?"
4th of the Great Tree Moon, 1180
Unlike then, Reidun and Joseph were far from prepared to talk with Professor Hanneman. They had the duration of one class to change that.
"Let's begin with clarifying the issue at hand: we can see when crests are used and others can't." Joseph began while Reidun paid attention to the class. In hindsight, he quickly realised that it made a lot of sense. Otherwise Edelgard and Byleth crests of flame would not have been much of a secret. Speaking of… "This is a problem, because it draws a lot of attention to you. Attention you don't want."
'Like…?" Reidun tried, knowing that Joseph wouldn't tell her.
Ignoring the question, Joseph continued, "the attention might also dismantle our little deception, which will make your life more difficult."
'Are we sure it will get out?' she asked, turning her focus away from the lecture for a moment. 'From what you've said, neither Ingrid nor Hanneman are the type to gossip about it.'
Joseph shook his head.
"If it were just them, we'd be fine," he explained, "but the rest of your cohort were already discussing it among themselves during the training."
'Ah…' Reidun realised, before visualising a sigh. '...does this mean Ingrid is going to find out about my deal with her father?'
"Probably," he confirmed, "though we might be able to put it off depending on how we navigate the meeting."
They both knew how that chain of events would go: Ingrid finds out where Reidun came from, then who sponsored her education, and finally how she convinced him to do so.
This was a problem because Ingrid had issues with Duscur. That meant Ingrid probably had problems with the Blind Scale company, which primarily traded with Duscur. The company Reidun had built.
Reidun, Joseph, and Gunnar had all agreed that being a knight of house Galatea would be very impractical if the head of said house despised her. The hope was that Ingrid might think differently if she got to know Reidun first.
'So much for that…' Reidun mentally groaned.
"I think that's as far as we'll get just talking about it, you should focus on the class again."
As was becoming usual, the cohort fortunately went over the content of the class afterwards, more than making up for Reidun's lack of focus during the class. It also meant that there was no polite way to escape Ingrid.
"...you do not have to accompany me, Ingrid. There's no need to sacrifice your spare time on my account." Reidun tried to suggest.
"Nonsense. I'm happy to help bring up issues and concerns with the staff," Ingrid reassured. "You are a member of my cohort after all. Coordinating between you and the academy is one of my duties."
Joseph sighed and muttered "it was worth trying…"
Reidun agreed.
'I think… it might just be best to be honest.' she thought.
"By all means, go ahead," he exasperated.
Reidun took a step in front of Ingrid.
"Pardon me and allow me to speak plainly," Reidun started. Garnering a curious look from the blond girl. Then Reidun explained, "in truth, I am concerned that in being there you'll learn more about my origins than I am comfortable sharing at the moment. Like Prince Dmitri, I would like to be seen here as who I am, not what I am."
There was a mild look of surprise on the other girl's face, but it quickly settled back into a comfortable smile.
"I thank you for your honesty," she answered. "In that case, I will refrain from prying and beg the professor to be discreet with your history. Is that acceptable?"
Internally, Reidun's shoulders loosened, but outwardly, she simply maintained her artificial smile and said "thank you."
Reidun stepped aside, and the two fell in step once more.
…
Three knocks sounded through the professor's door.
"Professor Hanneman?" Ingrid called.
"Come in," the old man's voice answered back. The click and creak of the door announced their entry. The well groomed elder was sketching something on a piece of paper while looking through some sort of microscope. "I'll be with you in just a moment."
Ingrid and Reidun waited by the door respectfully. The floor of the room hosted only the desk where the professor was working and a strange device that Joseph explained had something to do with Crests. Everything else was stocked neatly in the drawers or on the bookshelves that lined the outer walls. Even the notes pinned to the wall itself were arranged in an orderly fashion.
With a final scratch of his quill, the professor returned the implement to its holder, then rose to his feet to address his visitors. "Ah, Lady Ingrid and… I do not believe I have had the pleasure of meeting you directly, miss..?"
Reidun smiled and stepped forward with a bow, "Reidun, I am a part of Ingrid's cohort."
Ingrid stepped up alongside her to elaborate, "it is her we would like to discuss, professor."
"Oh?" the man asked with a raised eyebrow. Neither Joseph nor Reidun could tell, but the man recognised the name from the student roster. "Do you perhaps believe that she may possess a crest?"
Ingrid turned the question over to Reidun with a questioning look.
"No, I don't believe so. I have never felt or seen anything from myself that could resemble a crest. Nor do I know of any ancestors who bore crests themselves." Reidun answered, before attempting to move the conversation along. "Ingrid was kind enough to inform me that seeing Crest activations is unusual and recommended we discuss the matter with you."
"Truly?" he questioned, with a notable grain of enthusiasm.
"My exposure to crests in action is admittedly somewhat limited. I saw Dmitri's crest of Blaiddyd during the entrance exams and Ingrid's crest of Daphnel earlier today…" Reidun amended, elaborating with a more in depth explanation. Ingrid also chimed in, adding some details about the manner in which she'd used her crest and what she observed of Reidun.
"Hm, such a talent is unprecedented, and as you yourself have noticed, it is possibly just coincidence," Hanneman concluded. Then with assurance, he continued, "such mysteries must be resolved with observation and experimentation. Tomorrow, each house is slated to hold an internal mock battle. While I had been assigned to oversee the Black Eagles, it would be a simple matter to switch to oversee the Blue Lions instead.
"Then, if you are willing, you could stand aside with me and observe the exercise, informing me when each of your classmates activates their crest. The students will be required to write an after action report, and I will be able to compare your observations with the claims of the students themselves. That way, we should be able to verify whether or not you truly are able to see crests."
"A well thought solution," Reidun assented, turning her head to Ingrid, "as long as my cohort leader finds it acceptable?"
"That may be for the best," Ingrid agreed with an expression Joseph pointed out as thoughtful. "I'm certain the battle will be balanced based on the abilities of the honour students, but in terms of combat ability, Reidun is my equal, if not superior in several fields."
For the third time, Hanneman was surprised.
"Peculiar. While her academic score was horrendous, such capability should have easily made up the difference," he theorised.
'Joseph….' Reidun worried at the subject of her grades being mentioned.
"Try directing the conversation elsewhere," Joseph suggested.
'Right,' she thought back. "We should probably get going soon, I'm sure you're very busy. So before then, would discussing the usage of Crests I do see be considered rude?"
The professor cut himself off from completely revealing Reidun's academic history, instead nodding understandingly, "I have had many individuals request that I keep my findings and their crests secret, I imagine it would be much the same. I would caution restraint."
"I understand, thank you."
"Speaking of my research, would you perhaps be interested in confirming that you do not have a crest?" he asked, indicating to the device, "with this device we can know for certain, and even should you not, more control data to compare to is always beneficial."
"Of course, I'm happy to help."
Ingrid also agreed to provide a blood sample, and surprising no one, she had her major crest of Daphnel while Reidun had none.
Supper was a mild affair.
Ingrid and Reidun were amongst the first to arrive, and they sat together at an empty table. It wasn't particularly unusual, but they were soon joined by Sylvain…
"Rediun, I wasn't expecting to see you here."
"A pleasant surprise I assume?" she jested.
"Of course." he answered back, "are you available tomorrow evening?"
"Absolutely."
Ingrid looked between them with wide eyes as she put together the sort of relationship the two had, and then moved into a social attack position.
…followed shortly by Felix…
The frowning boy glanced her way, and disregarded her, before sitting down and barely partaking in the conversation.
'Good choice, Ingrid does not seem happy with Sylvain 'poaching' from her cohort.' Reidun thought, disappointed that she could not do the same.
…thereafter, came Dmitri and Dedue…
"Pardon the intrusion, but may I join you?" the humble prince asked.
"Always," Ingrid answered happily, having moved away from the previous argument, "I believe you've met Reidun?"
"Indeed I have, I'm glad to see you in good health this time," he answered back as he sat and Sylvain brought him into the current conversation. Something about horse breeds.
For the first time, Reidun and Dedue saw each other directly, and while she couldn't see it, Joseph could-
"He knows who you are." Joseph explained. Reidun tensed for a moment, before Dedue wordlessly sat by his prince's side, assuring that he would likely not mention it.
…Ashe arrived next…
"Ah, Ingrid, you were absolutely right about…" Ashe started excitedly babbling about a book recommendation, which Joseph noted perked Reidun's interest.
"That sounds fascinating, do you reckon they have a copy in the library?" she interjected.
"Just the one I'm reading, but I'll be done with it by tomorrow." he answered, "do you read often?"
"Mostly foreign work my mentor translated. I've been meaning to delve into local fiction, but never found a good starting point…"
…and then finally Annete and Mercedes…
"Ooh, just in time!" the little ginger girl cheered, "we spent so long talking to professor Maneuela after class that we almost missed supper! Thanks for reminding me Mercedes."
Said pale blonde smiled faintly, "Oh my, it was no issue. I'm only happy that we made it in time."
…meaning that Reidun was sitting together with all of the Honour students of the Blue Lions. She hadn't even noticed that Joseph had been completely quiet for the last 45 minutes, content to watch her enjoy herself amongst her peers.
'Unfortunately, not everyone thinks the same.' he thought grimly, keeping his more negative feelings away from Reidun. Several of the regular Blue Lions students looked on the scene scornfully when they thought no one was looking.
More severe than that though, they talked. Then their neighbours talked, and so on, and so forth. It was far too much attention. Following the words, Joseph could see the moment the conversation reached the Golden Dear and the Black Eagles.
Most concerningly, he saw the look on Huberts face.
'Someone who can see crests is a threat to Edelgard, and any threats to Edelgard…'
Joseph would have to be alert.
4th of the Great Tree Moon, 1180
Flayn was simply going to get something to eat before heading to sleep. Crimson Flower was still fresh in her mind, and she found herself walking aimlessly.
"Flayn, you seem lost," said a soft voice with a serene tone. The voice brought a passage from the book to the forefront of the girl's mind.
'Set fire to the city. The Imperial army will burn in the flames of eternal torment!'
"L-lady Rhea. Sorry, I simply… have much on my mind," Flayn quickly lied, trying to keep that version of Rhea's future out of her mind.
A couple of days ago, she would say that she could not have imagined Rhea doing any of those things. But Cethleann had fought alongside the vengeful Seiros, and with the possibility laid out for her, she saw clearly that should Rhea take up the name Seiros once more…
'I shall sacrifice as many lives as it takes! That apostate who insists on taking everything from me… will be crushed by my own hand!'
"You seem troubled," Rhea noticed, genuinely concerned. "Please, know that Seteth and I will be there to listen if you need it."
"O-of course," Flayn stammered. "I must be going. I seem to have missed supper!"
With her excuse given, she ran off.