Chapter Thirty
1.
Tapping her foot, Leonie hums as she painstakingly pens out a massive array. It's a copy of what was sent to – and approved by – Seteth. In the classroom, Lysithea sits on a nearby desk, watching with interest and copying down a version for later experimentation. They've been here since before sunrise, nibbling on Leonie's dwindling food stores in order to skip breakfast in the hall. Both know they're going to get nagged for it, but all has been worth the effort to put a few extra safety precautions in the Golden Deer's lecture hall.
"Do you think," Lysithea wonders, gaze unblinkingly at the complete circle. Doesn't even flinch when Leonie's joints crack from stretching, "Manuela is going to somehow punish you for this?"
"Absolutely," Leonie shakes out her arms. Let's the ink dry and goes to check out the other wards she had Lysithea help put on and test. It took a lot more energy then expected to get around the arrays already there, but now conversations in the classroom can be truly private. The design is a little different from the mechanisms in their rooms. This bit of magical engineering requires two people to activate it. "If she tries anything too blatant, I'll take it to Seteth. He did agree for the Golden Deer to house the lost and found."
Lysithea tsks, "I can't understand his motive."
"Whatever power move the Church is trying, it is our gain." Leonie kneels in a corner. Puts a finger over a dot on the wall and drags the appendage up with a short zap of magic. She can sense the privacy wards falling but can't see anything. Good. "Okay! Are you ready for the final piece?"
"I guess," Lysithea gathers her things. Stands and watches Leonie carry over a crate that's been cut lower on one side for an easy reach in. "I didn't notice any fail-safes in the array."
"That's the best part," Leonie grins like someone well aware that property damage is the only thing going to ruin all of her hard work. "There isn't."
"Isn't what-"
Leonie drops the crate into the middle of the runic writing. Shoots magic into the trigger underfoot and twists away as it sparks to life. Lysithea yelps, covering her eyes and not protesting being dragged back. The woman resolves not to look unless the room starts heating up. For all the light there is, it's very cool as it absorbs energy from the ambient magic.
Once everything calms down and they can see, Lysithea marches forward. Drops her things inside the crates with a level of trust that has Leonie gaping. The original plan was to throw in a pen, not irreplaceable school supplies.
The teenager crosses her arms, tapping a foot, "Well? Are you going to try and get it or not?!"
"Yah, yes, sure," Leonie shakes her head and throws her hands at the crate. Lysithea must have already figured out the array. No other explanation as to why she'd risk so much for a trial run. The woman's hands hit an invisible wall at the top, then the cut gap, and finally the wood presses back when she tries to bend it. It's a crazy feeling – the wood fighting back that is – but exactly as planned. Fishing out one of her pens, Leonie tosses it into the crate and then tries to grab Lysithea's things. While she can grab the items, her back strains and the supplies doesn't budge. She pulls out her own pen with a successful laugh, "The lost and found is good to go!"
"Finally," Lysithea whines like a tired teenager, but she's grinning twice as broad as Leonie. "Now, let's talk about some improvements-"
The classroom door bangs open. Hilda marches in, Marianne like a shadow behind her, "There you are! I told Claude you two would be fine, but did he listen? No! Now our classmates are looking all over for you!"
"Good morning to you too, Hilda," Leonie says sweetly. Uncaps her pen. "Hi Marianne. How was breakfast?"
"Much more difficult then if you two had shown up! What are you doing?"
Lysithea adds her feedback on Leonie's handwriting, "You should have written it on the crate."
"But what if someone missed it?" Leonie steps back and admires the wall she's defaced. The words Lost And Found are big enough that only someone on a half-hearted search could glance over it.
"Like you missed breakfast," Hilda crosses her arms and marches over to stand directly in everyone's view. "Whatever it is you're doing isn't more important then showing the Monastery that everything is fine."
"Everything is fine," Leonie walks around her. Starts tucking her materials back into her storage space. "I know what you're worried about, but Hilda? Everything. Is. Fine. We'll figure things out, and I am perfectly capable of smuggling anyone away from here if the need ever arises."
Marianne squeaks her protest that she won't need to be smuggled out. Hilda gives a harsh sigh and deflates, "That worries me, but somehow I'm not surprised." The pinkette marches over, pulling out a handkerchief. "Hold still, you have ink smudged all over your face."
Leonie glances to watch the teen lick the fabric. When Hilda moves it towards her, the woman trips while scrambling away. Lands on her back with a quick, "I didn't do anything to be cursed!"
Everyone freezes. Marianne breaks the silence first, "Pardon me, but what do you mean by curse?"
Leonie eyes the handkerchief with disdain, "Whatever spell Hilda put on, I don't think I deserve to be hit with it."
"Spell?" is echoed by the three nobles.
Following this, Hilda takes their accusing eyes with offense, "I didn't do anything! It was just a spit bath!"
Lysithea jumps at an idea and whirls around to point at the woman on the ground, "Leonie! Can you cast spells through your saliva?"
"Well, yah. Any liquid really, but spit is the easiest." The long-suffering pause clues her in that this is another faux pas she's made. Really though, it's not like anyone has ever tried to give her a spit bath in this lifetime. How's she supposed to know the protocol? "What's with those looks?"
Lysithea gives a little groan, Hilda looks like she's passed the amount of caring about sensible things she gives in a day, "Leonie-"
Marianne hurries forward, eyes wide and a bit of light to her ghostly form, "Please, can you teach me?"
"Sure…" the dots connect, and Leonie realizes this might not be a commoner from the middle of nowhere problem. "Do… none of you know how to apply magic through liquids?"
Apparently, they do not.
2.
As Manuela's least favourite student, Leonie gets put on stable duty right away. Since the main class will be gone on their mission later in the week, Raphael gets assigned it as well. He doesn't seem to realize Manuela likes him second least of all the main class, too busy cooing and making friends with the horses and pegasus. Leonie's good mucking out the stalls while he enjoys washing and brushing with the animals. They like him better, the non-magically-sensitive animals not used to how Leonie acts as an empty space in the thread blanket. A paradox she has not had time or precedence to investigate.
"What song are you humming?"
Leonie glances over her shoulder. Raphael comes into the stall with a bale of fresh hay as she loads the wheelbarrow. "I'm humming? Sorry, I didn't realize."
"It's no bother!" he assures, holding the wheelbarrow's body steady as it rocks under her last drop in. "It kind of sounded like this."
After a few notes from him, Leonie's face goes red when she realizes she was humming an old-life nursery rhyme about a farmer and his animals. She can only be grateful that Raphael caught her in the top of the loop, because if she was unknowingly making animal noises then it would have been much too awkward to explain, "It's a song I used to help the kids back home learn about animals. Dog goes woof, wyvern goes roar, that sort of thing."
"Oh! I used to do those with my little sister too!" Raphael sets the hay down and kindly takes the wheelbarrow. Leonie follows along, snagging a pitchfork for him to use when they get back. "Do you know if there are many kids in the Monastery? The only ones I've seen are in town."
There are some in the Abyss, but Leonie won't say that. Raphael will either find it, or he won't. Not her secret to give out without a reason, "It is rare for them to be up here. Usually it's only so the Archbishop can bless them, or so I've heard. I've never actually seen parents take their kids to her."
"I think that is an old practice," he nods. "A few merchant families do that in hope that their children will awaken Crests. Ignatz's parents believe in that, but only his older brother was given the blessing. He doesn't have a Crest, so they didn't try with Ignatz."
"That sounds crazy," Leonie makes sure to pitch her voice low. No need for the Monastery workers to hear them badmouthing their hosts. "I guess people can believe in anything."
Their conversation breaks while they dump into the manure pile. When they're wheeling back to the next stall, Raphael glances around before pitching his voice low too, "I wanted to ask, is everything okay?"
"Huh?" Leonie doubletakes. Isn't sure what signs she's presented that would cause him to ask. "I think so. Why, what's up?"
"I saw the other ladies leaving your room yesterday," his eyebrows furrow, concerned. "I know you're not as close with Hilda and Marianne as you are with Lysithea, and everyone looked really serious or nervous. If it's a female thing, I understand if you don't want me butting in – Maya has told me it can be rude if someone doesn't tell me first – but if you guys need any help, you let me know."
"Thanks Raphael," Leonie frowns, trying to keep the ember of a happiness-like feeling caused by his offer from sizzling out against realized consequences. "That really means a lot to me."
Unfortuantely, the when Raphael is referring to is definitely the Marianne can turn into an animal situation. Leonie's not yet at a point where she'll tell him unless he asks about it specifically, and even then she might evade because of the promise to Hilda to keep it quiet. She doesn't even think she'll tell Claude, but will absolutely push their leader towards Hilda if he notices something wrong.
After a few moments of thinking about what to say, a side problem she can tell him about pops into her head, "Claude has cut down on the amount of tea our House orders every month. Hilda and I have been working on supplying the Golden Deer who need it, and we've recently got specialty requests from a few Lions and Eagles that are allergic to the generic stuff the Monastery orders."
Raphael nods, a serious air settling around him, "I know Lorenz has been buying his own for a while now. What are your orders and prices?" When Leonie tells him, he looks upset. "You aren't making much of a profit, are you? Do you know if the merchants selling it are trustworthy?"
"I'm not, and they really aren't," Leonie admits. "Hilda has a good sense to make sure we don't get scammed, but one of these days I'm going to have to do more then stand there and act threatening."
"Ignatz and I can help – if that's alright with you," he looks sheepish and still a bit angry about the system in place. It's nice that he cares to even offer. Leonie thought he and Ignatz would be too busy with Monastery life. The only reason she gets anything done outside of classes is because she's fast and ignorable. "If you don't want us interfering, we can recommend some merchants or locations we know grow herbs for teas."
"I think Hilda would love some help with this," Leonie replies honestly. "I'm not involved much, but if you need me to jump in or setup a meeting with everyone, I certainly can. Maybe you should talk to Ignatz first? If he agrees, then the four of us talk over how to proceed?"
"That sounds great!" He sets the wheelbarrow down. Takes the rake she offers. "Even if Ignatz says no, I promise I can help somehow."
Leonie surprises herself, realizing she wholeheartedly means it when she says, "Thank you so much."
Hesitantly wonders if this is the start to a House as a family thing that she's given up hoping for.
3.
The knock on her door that evening is expected. Leonie and Lysithea oversaw the study group earlier, a perfect opportunity to search the shelves for something about Marianne's new ability. Unfortunately, it is looking more and more likely that the information is on the Monastery-only allowed shelves. Leonie's making plans to visit the Abyss when the class gets back from their mission, she's not even halfway through copying the books there and the ones she has on hand reveal no good secrets for this situation.
That Marianne could possibly summon fog on command is something to look into later.
Seeing Hubert's scowling face on the other side of the door is a surprise, "What's up?"
"Lady Edelgard has requested a meeting with you," he glares. "Follow me."
Leonie huffs a small breath, grins, and leans against the doorframe. He disappears from sight, and by the sounds of it only realizes she isn't coming when he reaches the top step. As he returns, angry is just the tip of the Hubert's expression, "Ms. Pinelli, you are to follow me to Lady Edelgard right now."
Leonie doesn't flinch as he stalks towards her, amused by his intimidation attempts where anyone could see, "I'm busy."
Using the shadows of the almost gone sun, he looms, "Doing what?"
Honestly, the sheer gall of this young man would be enough to make him persona non grata if any of the Alliance nobles heard him now. If he tries anything, the Golden Deer will obliterate any future Hubert has. Hilda, at the very least, has had it out for him and Edelgard for a while. Leonie may be expendable, but she does trust her House to avenge her if Hubert tries anything. There would be a lot less they could do if he wasn't the Black Eagles' second-in-command. A lot less backlash on him if he gave up some power.
Unfortunately for the young man, unless she's trying to hide it, Leonie has a habit of making sure attempts on her life are noticeable. "Being busy. Now either be polite about this, or I'm going back to studying."
He breathes heavy in her face. Leonie pretends not to notice the dark magic gathering in his hands as she discreetly magics his cinnamon-smelling breathy germs away from her personal bubble. Whatever he wants to say is cut off by another person; a nervously stern, "Hubert. What is going on here?"
Hubert leaps away like he's been struck. Ferdinand's confused expression goes tight, the teen crossing his arms and looking at his fellow housemate, "Well?"
"Leonie has been summoned to visit Lady Edelgard."
"Leonie," the woman breaks in, "won't be going anywhere until someone asks nicely. I have a busy evening and need to start getting ready for my class' mission while I have a moment."
The black-haired man snaps, "Your mission isn't until Wednesday."
"I have band practice tomorrow. That gives me barely any time to pack unless I start now."
"I understand," Ferdinand nods, stepping between the two. "Hubert, while I am sure what Edelgard has called Leonie for is important, unless it is life or death, the priority is school for someone not in our House. Is this life or death?"
"No."
"Then it can wait until either Lady Edelgard can talk to Leonie herself, or until you make it worth taking time away from her studies. She is not an Empire commoner; you will have to receive permission from one of the Alliance nobles if you need to make your orders a priority."
Leonie covers her snort with a cough. Hubert's expression says it all, no way would that ever happen. However, Ferdinand's words seem to get something through to him. Hubert manages a please in his demand this time.
"Sure," Leonie steps forward and shuts her door. Gives a nod to Ferdinand, "If you see Hilda, would you let her know I'm going to be late for our discussion?"
"Of course," the teen nods back to her. "I hope you have a nice evening, Leonie."
"You as well, Ferdinand. Thanks for the help!"
Hubert angrily grinds his teeth but nods to his fellow noble. He is very quiet on the walk up to the noble's dorm. Glares at her as he knocks on the door next to Hilda's room, "Lady Edelgard. Leonie Pinelli is here."
Leonie bares her teeth in a smile as the future Emperor calls back, "Thank you, Hubert. You can let her in."
"If anything happens to her," Hubert leans in the hiss, "it will be on your head."
He jerks back at Leonie's speed poke. Rubs his forehead with a scowl and opens the door as the woman plasters on a smirk and tells, "I wouldn't rile you up if you didn't make it so easy."
Instead of coming in, Hubert shuts the door behind her. If that wasn't weird enough, Edelgard is sitting on her bed, wrapped in an unfair number of blankets. The temperature isn't bad enough at night to warrant so many layers, but the princess has certainly looked warmer. Less likely to shatter if she moves. Whatever's wrong, not even when violently sick did Edelgard look so hollow.
However, Leonie doesn't have time for Eagle problems. "For goodness sake, what happened to you?"
Whatever greeting the teen had geared up suddenly leaves her. Shoulders roll forward and Edelgard rests her arms on her legs. Musters a wry grin, "It's been a long day."
Unsure what to do in this situation – Edelgard is the main side character right now, so why does she look terrible – Leonie grabs the desk chair and matches position. It's unfair, her mind wanders a bit, how much comfier this chair is compared to my own.
Edelgard's laboured breathing is a very worrying sign. Worrying, and curious. If the Golden Deer were the chosen House, how would Claude be fairing under Byleth's tutelage? When the princess finally speaks – eyes locked on Leonie's and voice even – it isn't what the commoner expects, "Would you make me a hiding charm like the one Bernadetta has?"
Leonie allows the silence to drag a few heartbeats. Leans back and flips open her side pack, "You can have the one I was going to give next. She's said that it's been fracturing, so I made a new one in preparation."
Edelgard takes the incredibly simple charm. A necklace with a piece of metal twisted into a circular-looking pendant. It's effective as long as it is on a person. From the automatic relief moments after the noble holds it, Leonie now has a decent idea that the princess' problem is Crest related. Possibly to do with the two Crests since Lysithea will no longer leave her room without a version of this protection on her.
"Thank you," Edelgard does not bow her head for a nod, but the smile is grateful. "I owe you a favour for this."
A thump outside hints that Hubert is eavesdropping and not happy. Leonie doesn't want the tie to them, not when she knows they'll have no choice but to discard the favour once war hits. The woman crosses her arms, raising an eyebrow, "Can I call it in now?"
Like a smart person, Edelgard immediately gets wary, "What is it you want?"
"Let Caspar and Linhardt share a room while my class is off on our mission."
"…Pardon me?"
"I know Linhardt's been avoiding me," the guy used to live in the library, and now he's only ever there when Leonie is very much not. "That, combined with rumors," Dorothea tattling, "that he's sleeping in class again means to me that he isn't trying to sleep on a schedule right now. If he rooms with Caspar again, then Caspar will make sure Linhardt tries to sleep. Even if it's just hours of laying down. He needs to get back into a resting pattern or else his body is going to start shutting down at random intervals again."
"I'll make sure Linhardt gets back into a regular resting schedule," Edelgard nods, expression having twisted into a look Leonie cannot place. Too many emotions before the princess wipes it clean. "Thank you for this, Leonie. That is all."
She knows a cue to leave when she hears one. Only because Edelgard still looks a stiff breeze away from shattering does the commoner leave without a backwards glance. Hubert isn't in the hallway, but that doesn't mean he isn't around. Leonie tries to shake the gurgle of unease popping with something wary in her chest. She goes over a door to see if Hilda's around for their talk.
Tries to remind herself that the Eagles are Byleth's problem, and his alone.
Isn't sure why there's a sickening, specific-like clarity around her thoughts when she tries to dredge up memories from Silver Snow and late-Edelgard route gameplay.
Not my problem. Not now.
4.
Lorenz: Leonie, why did Hubert ask for blanket permission give you noblesse orders?
Hilda: HE DID WHAT?!
Lysithea: I have some questions.
Claude: You didn't give him permission, did you Lorenz?
Raphael: I thought that rule had changed.
Lysithea: Leonie, what did you do to make Hubert mad enough to try and evoke blanket permission?
Lorenz: Or course I didn't. I was – and still am – greatly disturbed that such an upstanding member of the Adrestian Empire's nobility would dare to ask or even invoke the name of a rule so outdated.
Lysithea: Lorenz, what did you do to make him think you were the easiest to get permission from out of all of us nobles?
Lorenz: Pardon me?
Ignatz: The rule has changed. Since everyone is supposed to be considered equal in the eyes of the Officer's Academy, only the Archbishop is allowed complete blanket permission over all students within Church of Seiros territory. Certain Church-approved licences also remove the rule once we graduate, but in doing so remove protections commoners face against foreign nobles.
Claude: Leonie, I am in the dinning hall. Where are you?
Hilda: Can I ruin him?
Lorenz: Lysithea, what do you mean 'easiest to get permission from'?
Marianne: Would you like some help, Hilda?
Lysithea: Exactly what I mean. He went to you over those in the secondary and extra classes. Also, Hilda, I would be open to help you too.
Raphael: If you need any extra muscle or height, you can use me.
Ignatz: Are you all sure we should be writing this down?
Claude: No one's going to ruin anyone. I'm sure Hubert's going to have a bad enough month as it is. Has anyone seen Leonie?
Lysithea: Hold on, she wrote something in the instructions about this.
Lysithea: -at-Leonie where are you?
Hilda: We'll talk later, Claude. -at-Leonie.
Claude: -at-Leonie
Raphael: -at-Leonie, what does -at- mean?
Leonie: Hi everyone! I was talking with Sir Gatekeeper. What's up?
Leonie: Oh s**t.
5.
Good news: Lorenz didn't shout for all to hear about how Hubert is scum for trying to use his noble prestige to force an innocent commoner from the Alliance into doing work for the Empire. It is not broadcasted throughout the Academy that Hubert was trying it at all because said innocent commoner was busy doing work their teachers – the Church approved officials – assigned to her. No one had to pull rank as Lorenz lectured that the Knights are above all, the Alliance stands together, blah blah blah. Really, Heir Gloucester can write some beautiful poetry when he's passionate about something.
Bad news…
Well, Leonie doesn't think it's bad news. Her main class is currently getting along spectacularly. They're proving they can come together behind a common enemy and plan swift, coldly logical action. She'll be rereading some of the passages they wrote as bedtime stories. If she adds a little bit of pretend into the mix, Leonie could almost think they're defending her and not just up in arms about an archaic rule that she now has multiple plans and ideas in action to get around.
As it turns out, the rule Hubert summoned from the Valley of Torment was one of the reasons the Alliance rebelled against the Kingdom. They certainly don't teach that in Church history or etiquette class.
Well, Leonie thinks to herself, trying not to grin too proudly, I guess the bad news is that I am the one to talk them down, "Lorenz talks with Ferdinand, Claude tells Edelgard, and at least you two confront Hubert in the end. This way it gets resolved without bringing the Church on our heads."
"I don't think it really gets the point across," Hilda grumbles.
"If it happens again," Leonie shrugs, "then we go on the full offensive. You guys are saying it is rare for this topic to ever be brought up. Hubert gets one pass since it was a command from Edelgard that I ignored. If he ever tries anything like this again, I think we should be allowed to stab him."
"Leonie," Lorenz speaks up when it looks like Claude will agree with her. He glances at the classroom doors like someone might overhear them. Not likely, seeing as most people are busy with classes or clubs. To be fair, no one actually turned the new privacy wards on. Leonie and Lysithea never got around to explaining that it's even there. "Violence is not the answer. I will talk with Ferdinand since his suggestion began this, though I do not believe someone with his background meant what Hubert did. I do still urge we put in a notice with the Church of Seiros."
"As much as I'd rather follow that suggestion," Claude finally speaks up, not having looked away from Leonie since he sat atop the desk and let the discussion flow, "Leonie is correct that we cannot get the Church involved. The Archbishops of the past have been known to let this ruling go in the noble's favour, so Leonie may be forced to take Hubert's orders if we push for retribution. He picked an especially good time to strike, too. If we file a report, it will be decided without our input because we're to go on our class mission. If we report after, then we'll be questioned why we didn't send anything in sooner and make our entire class seem guilty."
Marianne speaks up, hesitantly looking around, "The Church of Seiros wouldn't be that cruel, right?"
Finally, Claude looks away. Expression blank, "Would you risk Leonie's freedom on it?"
Raphael and Ignatz, on either side of Leonie, shift like they're ready to block her from view. Marianne shrinks back, Hilda patting her before turning to Claude, "Would the Alliance go to war if Hubert does try to push this?"
"No," he replies easily to the discomfort and relief of everyone except Leonie. She couldn't care less about what the Alliance does when her end goal is still saving Jeralt. Hiding away from a Church mandated ruling would be a hinderance but would also give her more time to look for options.
With the way Claude looks back to her, eyes a blank green and Crest poking incessantly after his statement, he at least realizes they'd lose her completely if this problem goes further.
She doesn't… want? Like? Feel-any-kind-of-contentment at planning to leave him and Lysithea behind? Leonie could ditch everything in a heartbeat, but it isn't a decision she intends to enact unless something gets in the way of her goal.
"I'll make sure Edelgard won't let it get further then this," Claude continues. "Don't worry, everyone. This won't happen again."
"I believe you," Leonie grins something real-like and approving. Claude minutely relaxes, opening his mouth to quip something.
Of course, then Manuela bursts through the doors, "Good morning, students! Once more day until our mission, and I have something very exciting to teach you all!"
6.
By the time Manuela leaves, moving in a smug sashay, the silence her instructions created has only broken once… when everyone turned to stare at Leonie.
Not used to being the center of attention, Leonie caves rather easily, "To be fair, the last tome I tried to create with just magic caught on fire."
"So then," Lorenz's voice is tight, "how much magic is incorporated into the Scribing books?"
"Not much," she shrugs and closes the book in front of her. It's for the best that she sees less of the texting – the scripting –her classmates made. Them realizing she did something the wrong way isn't helping with the normal commoner pretense she's been hoping to keep a semblance of. "You tied it to your own magic when you put your hair in it, and it takes in ambient magic in the air to run the functions like changing colours or bringing forth the ink when you touch it."
Marianne, in a dazed voice, repeats, "Bringing forth the ink."
"I don't know how to do a one-to-one match without it also triggering with my own magic," Leonie explains. "It would be useless if only I could see every book when the goal is for several people to see it. I needed a way to separate a person's magic from the imbued magics."
"So you used matrices," Ignatz stares with something akin to wonder. "Leonie, what percentage of the workings for these books are matrices?"
"Oh, wow, would you look at the time," Leonie horribly evades. Starts packing everything as her face turns red. Can't believe this is what she messed up so badly. Leonie stays within range for the weaponry skills but it's the magical applications that reveals how practiced she is with Faith and Reason. "I've got band practice in a few hours and so many things to prepare for."
Raphael wonders out loud, "Professor Manuela said that it is incredibly difficult to make tomes out of matrices. That runes and magic are a lot easier and lessen the strain on our bodies when making them."
Without another word, Lorenz jolts to his feet. Leonie's mouth shuts with a snap as he storms off, leaving his things on the table for anyone to steal.
Hilda sighs, "I'll talk to him. Great job on ruining years of research, Leonie."
Lysithea pats the gaping woman's hand, "Don't worry, I'll teach you how not to burn your books."
Claude raises a hand, "All in favour of not telling anyone about this?"
"Aye."
"What?" Leonie whines, looking between everyone as them all seem to just... brush off the fact she uses matrices when Manuela repeatedly went over how that's just not done because it can kill you. Leonie has had multiple chances to learn that things can go wrong if she's not careful, but apparently matrices are known for draining people of their magics when applied. Ambient magic absorption is not a thing, according to Church research.
While Hilda dumps Lorenz's things into the lost and found, Claude pats Leonie's shoulder as they leave, "We'll talk about this later."
7.
Sunlight and the quiet murmur of tea timers fill the small clearing during lunch.
"Happy early birthday!" Leonie cheers, plunking down in the open chair her lady's group has left for her. Everyone stares as the only Golden Deer student in the vicinity hands over a basket of fruits.
Annette nervously laughs, face quickly flushing a deep red, "Thank you for getting me something!"
"Of course," Leonie winks. "I'm sorry I won't be here to celebrate. Do you have any plans for the big day?"
As Annette and Mercedes talk about their plans – apparently Ashe is the only one joining them on the venture into town – a very guilty looking Gilbert hurries away from where he was eavesdropping behind the hedge.
Dorothea blinks quickly when she notices his flashing orange and his glances towards their table. When Mercedes and Annette turn to each other to have a short disagreement about money spent on special people, Dorothea sharply jerks her head at Leonie to catch the Golden Deer's attention. Does a quick point of her fingers between Annette and where Gilbert vanished.
Leonie nods. Adds a quick point between Dorothea and the general direction of the Leicester Alliance.
Dorothea covers her gasp with a dainty cough, "Pardon me. Leonie, would you mind pouring some tea?"
"Of course!"
'His daughter?' Dorothea mouths when Leonie blocks people from looking.
'Yes.'
Dorothea looks more shocked about this then about finding her own father. To be fair, Gilbert is a well-known member of the Knights of Seiros, and Rhea certainly doesn't let any of her closest Knights have families. Just look at how quickly Alois was replaced with Jeralt. Leonie's pretty sure any Knight with Rhea's blood in them worships the ground the Archbishop walks on, but with how Gilbert is a Kingdom-only recruit he probably won't turn into a beast.
Probably. She doesn't remember where Gilbert is supposed to be during Rhea's route. Will need to see if it is in her notes, and if not then he may need to be marked as a potential threat depending on Byleth's final choice.
Leonie has a quick moment to wonder if Jeralt was one of Rhea's closely held Knights before he met Byleth's mother. Then the thought slips away and she's recommending restaurants for Annette's birthday while Dorothea comes to terms with not being the only secret love child around.
8.
"Remember," Flayn calls as she waves her students off, "the room is open if you want to practice!"
Vernan gives the waving-goodbye Golden Deer a side-eye, "Has your group come together to practice?"
"If they have," Leonie turns away from the music room door, rolling her eyes, "they haven't invited me. I'll deal with Avinna and Kaveran when I get back from my mission."
"Are you sure you do not want me to talk with them."
"Very sure. How's Aurora been?"
When he doesn't answer right away, the woman looks over. As they enter a stairwell, he sighs. Grips the railing a bit too tight, "While clubs have been alright for us, classes are not as exciting. I appreciate the lack of a workload. Aurora wants to give it another few months, but she has started entertaining the idea of switching classes."
"Really?" All Byleth has to do is sprout theories. Which, now that Leonie thinks on it more, might be a bit hard for a mercenary thrown into an educator position. "Well, we currently don't have anyone in extra classes. If she comes over to the Golden Deer, she might have to sit in with main or secondary classes. I'd have to ask Claude or Seteth about how that would work."
"Not Professor Manuela?"
"No way! She hates me enough that she'd move me into extra classes for even asking."
9.
"Leonie," Ferdinand stops her before she leaves the cafeteria, "may I have a word?"
"Sure," the woman turns to her walking buddy. Quickly forgets whatever goodbye she was going to say when she sees how puffed up Lysithea looks. Eyes narrowed at the Eagle, a shock of purple-black magic runs through white hair. Leonie feels a small urge to step between the nobles. She doesn't follow through on it, but Lysithea seems ready to burn someone with her glare, "You can go on without me."
"I'll wait over there," Lysithea doesn't specify. Instead makes an 'I'm watching you' gesture at a very confused Ferdinand von Aegir.
Leonie isn't sure if she's feeling pleased or embarrassed. The creeping warmth in her chest dies quickly. A step to the side and, once Lysithea is far enough away, the woman asks, "What's up?"
Ferdinand quickly bows to her. Leonie takes a step back, hands coming up in surprise, but what he says keeps her quiet, "I am deeply sorry for having suggested Hubert gain permission over you by asking the Alliance nobles. I did not understand the history nor the implication of requesting the power over commoners from the Leicester Alliance. I hope that you can forgive me, but I understand if what I did was inexcusable. I promise I will not mention the act as a solution ever again."
Her eyes are wide. Not having the complete understanding of the Alliance history combined with rarely giving anyone the ability to order her around means this insult hasn't cut Leonie as deeply as it seems to have hurt everyone else. It's been a wild day of learning on the fly. Even with what little she has gleaned about the topic, and Leonie knows she needs to do some more research into why Ferdinand would bow in his apology.
For now, "I forgive you, Ferdinand. I hope that we can still get along as year mates, and still have each other's backs as fellow redheads." Her weak joke doesn't seem to land, his face saying we have orange hair. Sylvain would have rolled with it, but he also wouldn't be in this position. Probably. More serious, she holds out hand for a formal shake, "Thank you for apologizing, and for the promise. It really means a lot."
A gloved hand shakes hers, his nod just as serious, "My father has used the rule a lot within the Empire. I can't make any promises about him, but I will write a letter requesting that he stops using it."
"I appreciate that."
With a few more words, they part. Leonie goes over to her Housemate in a slight daze, struggling to come up with any memory that would explain why this is such a huge deal. Lysithea is practically vibrating, "What did he want?"
"Ferdinand apologized for ever suggesting one of you nobles let Hubert have permission to boss me around." Leonie blinks a few times and then stares at her genius, noble heir of a Housemate. "Lysithea, I'm going to need you to explain this one to me. Why was everyone so upset about the whole thing?"
"You really don't know?" Lysithea's hair stops sparking and she stares up at Leonie's face. Her gaze trails down to the woman's heart, "I guess with your wards it probably wouldn't work anyways. Long story short, there's a kind of magic that gets activated when nobles of one territory give other nobles control over a commoner. It rarely fails, and that commoner gets compelled to do whatever the other noble says. This command magic can also work on nobles, but it's more obvious and will always fail if the target has a stronger Crest. This is insider information, so don't go spreading it, okay?"
"I swear I won't tell a soul." Leonie finds it odd that she's not horrified by it all. It sounds a lot like the effect of Crest bonds. The woman is more curious then concerned about a mechanism she hasn't seen used with the bonds. Maybe this does not feel horrifying because no way will she test giving control of one person to another. She'd rather kill someone.
"The Duke Riegan of the first independent Leicester Alliance resisted the control the original archduke's heir was trying to exert," Lysithea continues, voice hushed as they continue to the rooms. "He managed to free the other nobles, and together they created a territory where no one would be oppressed by the controlling magics and the commoners would never be traded around like livestock. The crueler territories in the Empire and Kingdom do it a lot. Rumor has it that the Church will participate in taking control of humans when they are low on Knights or faithful."
Leonie isn't surprised. She also has a strong inkling that no one is as free from control as they think. Just look at her village. All of the adults would live and die for Lorenz's father. "Thank you for telling me this."
"I'll see if the library has more information on it," Lysithea shrugs, a blush spreading on her cheeks. "Do not count on it though. We can have a longer conversation about this later, or I guess you can go to Marianne. She's the only one I would trust to give some unbiased answers."
Leonie thanks her once more and they split off towards their rooms for the night. There's a lot to think about, and no time to add it to an already packed schedule. An unsettling feeling pokes at her, leaving the woman to think about how this permission over the commoners and other nobles has more to it then what Lysithea revealed. It has to tie into the Crest bonds somehow, but what is the difference between a person with a blood-activating Crest in their veins vs. someone like Rhea or Seteth?
If nobles can control a person, how come the archbishop hasn't enslaved every human? How could Sothis have lost everything? How could Those Who Slither in the Dark not be controlling everyone with their fake Crests?
How much control is given up, and is it even the Crest bonds causing this at all?
"I'm missing something," Leonie mutters before tucking the note with her thoughts away for later review. She's expecting a guest tonight, and this isn't the topic they're discussing.
10.
"I hate this," Hilda vents, pacing around the room while Leonie goes over the list of books to copy from the library. "Crests are supposed to be celebrated, not sentenced to fearmongering. The Crest of Maurice has never done anything except to the first holder. It shouldn't be censored into becoming Crest of the Beast!"
"Don't forget about the fog thing," Leonie reminds her of the information shared the past evening. Although, she thinks Hilda makes a better metaphysical fog machine, what with how fast the teen's Crest fills up a room. "And I'm sure I remember reading about an ability to communicate with animals. Can we really not talk to Claude about this? His family library has some books about Crests."
"How do you know this?"
"Godfrey let me read one to pass the time. That was years ago, so who knows if it is still intact."
"I forget sometimes that he sponsors you," Hilda grumbles, pausing to eye the stack of blank paged books she brought to the woman. "Did he teach you how to use matrices?"
"Nope, that's all on me."
Finally, Hilda takes a seat on the bed. It's a relief to Leonie, she doesn't have to track the racing pink hair in the corner of her eye anymore. "How did you figure it out? Normally, kids automatically know how to use their magic if they have as large a pool as you obviously do."
"Well, there's your answer." Leonie puts the book request list inside a book cover. Stalls long enough that tremulous feelings won't show as she readies to tell the more embarrassing sections of her past. "Two answers, I guess. I didn't know how to instinctively use magic, and my magic stores were terrible."
"How does that even work? You probably have deeper magic wells than Mercedes. There is no way it could have been as bad as you say."
I almost died a few times, is not an acceptable reply here. Leonie feels her face heat up, probably the closest to ashamed she's ever felt in this life. Unable to look Hilda in the eye, it's harder to think back about how far she's come. Yes, Leonie is a lot stronger than what she was, yet still so underpowered for what she needs. "My magic only started working when I applied it to science. I knew what started a fire, so I could start a fire. I knew what pure water was, so I could filter water. The adults eventually taught me the alphabet, but before that I was going off of things around town. I was using up a lot of energy very fast, so I had to get creative. First, I managed to get arrays working. Then I started with matrices in order to make things last longer.
"Eventually, I was able to cast actual spells. If you think about it, it's like training any muscle. I may not look as strong as Raphael, but I can use more spells then Lysithea because I practice with magic every day."
Hilda groans, flopping back onto the bed with a flex. Leonie can't help but laugh as the teen throws a pillow at her. "Nooo. Don't tell me hard work will fix my problems."
Chuckling, Leonie tosses it back. Snickers harder when it lands on Hilda's surprised face, "It's going to help us solve Marianne's fuzzy problem. Does your home have anything in its library?"
"I wish we had a library," Hilda talks into the pillow. "Everything important is in father's office, and it's only about Goneril. Believe me, I've checked."
"Boohoo," Leonie taunts. At least Hilda had something to read that wasn't tax papers and bounties. "I'll check a few other places once we get back from the mission. Looks like this is going to get put on hold. Should Marianne leave the Crest Stones behind?"
Someone knocks on the door. Hilda quickly removes the pillow, sitting up and hissing, "Was someone supposed to come by?"
"No," Leonie says at normal volume because they are inside her active wards. She lets Hilda watch the key to dropping them before making for the door. "Claude?"
"Good evening, Leonie," his grin would make almost anyone swoon. The massive stack of paperwork is enough to make Leonie want to climb out a window and run for it. "Can I come in?"
"Claude?" Hilda repeats, appearing behind Leonie's shoulder. "What are you doing here?"
"Hilda!" he winks, "I was wondering where you went off to. This is perfect!"
"Oh no," the noble second child spots the stack of documents. Backs away slowly. "Leonie, close the door. Don't let him in!"
"You can't run from paperwork," Claude sings. Leonie chuckles a bit, stopping only when his Crest begins poking at her. Still, she steps aside as Hilda's Crest continues to flood the place with a sense of time warping. Hilda looks utterly betrayed as their House Leader drops the stack beside the empty books. The desk rattles and Leonie takes the chance to shut the door. Turns on the privacy wards to let them bicker. "This is just the pre-mission stuff that Seteth handed to me."
"To you. I don't want any part of this!"
"But Hilda-"
"No, stop-"
"I need your help. Desperately."
"That face won't persuade me, I swear to the Goddess."
Leonie nods along with Hilda, though she has to admit that most people would have crumbled when their House Leader managed watering eyes. She shakes off the Crest thread trying to slip around her wrist, and Claude seems to remember she's there. His expression turns to one of utter delight, causing Hilda to be even more suspicious when he swirls around to the second in command again, "Don't worry, you won't need to do more then a third."
Uh oh.
Hilda's eyes narrow, "Why a third?"
"Because Seteth gave permission for Leonie to learn the secret Church language in order to fill out the lost and found documentation. All three of us are going to finish this tonight,"
Leonie raises a hand, "Can I bow out?"
He whirls to her, a mock gasp as his features twist into hurt, "I'm sorry Leonie… you have to. The Church doesn't let just anyone know how to read their secret code, and Seteth believes this is a good opportunity for you to learn how to handle paperwork. I think they're hoping to recruit you as a Knight after graduation."
She was skeptical until the last bit. That sounds exactly like something this place would do. Leonie had hoped that Seteth wouldn't be so underhanded, but she has heard tales of what he's done to chase off people from Flayn. "Ugh, fine, I'll do it if only to make sure they don't try to loophole me into staying."
"That's the spirit!" Claude cheers. Meanwhile, Hilda's throwing the commiserating look of someone who doesn't want to read another person's handwriting for hours. Leonie desperately misses computers. "Oh, and speaking of things you should probably do… can you hold off on using wards, arrays, and runic patterns until Manuela teaches us them? The only other student who can use them consistently is Edelgard, and the Church confiscated one of her inventions the moment she unveiled it."
Leonie curses, hand unconsciously going to her side bag. The nobles seem fine with her language, so she curses again, "Do you know what they took?"
"A pen that never ran out of ink. Supposedly. It's been kept very quiet. I only know because I was there when it was taken."
"Okay," Leonie huffs out a breath. Nods her thanks for his warning even if it is too late to hide the magic creativity from Edelgard. If the princess has any skill, then she's already seen the unique designs on the charm Leonie handed over yesterday. Thankfully, Edelgard is the last person who would narc to the Church. Leonie's just got to worry about Those Who Slither in the Dark catching interest. "Okay, I'll try to reign it in. No promises if we get into any trouble on the mission though."
"I can live with that," he jokes. Pulls out three pens like he planned everything from the start. "Now, who's ready to do some paperwork?"
A/N: Happy almost-Halloween! Or Happy Halloween! Next chapter is probably going to be spookier than this though.
Thank you so much for reading! A really big thank you to xenocanaan, DestructionDragon360, Faranon423, Knucklejoe8, Xekinor, Monkey D. Umi, naWolfle, Hong-Meirin, guisniperman, NihthKuro, Guest, Guest, Ani-Me Fanboy 123, OnHoldIndefinitely, MysticSpider, AryaZEvans, Guesst, Guest, Guest, Trent8688, Guest, and Guest for reviewing! The support truly means a lot!
Been very busy between life and my not-a-new-year's-resolution to write a book. If I don't manage to get chapter thirty-one out this year, it will definitely be in January of next. Please no spoilers for Three Hopes. I have fallen into the pit of support grinding and haven't managed to finish a single route yet.
Next chapter will hopefully contain answers to some questions.
I hope everyone is well, has great luck this coming month, and has an amazing day! Please take care