Chapter Text
In the Crimson Light
When Byleth vanished off the face of the Fodlan, Bernadetta believed that all her courage went with her. So, even as Edelgard and the rest of her classmates prepared for the reunification of Fodlan, Bernadetta hid inside her room, as she always did.
Yet like nothing had changed since the academy days, Edelgard knocked at Bernadetta’s door early in the morning, asking her to take part in the war council. When she refused, Edelgard accepted- never forced Bernadetta to leave if she didn’t want to.
Even so, Bernadetta could feel a desire to step outside, and do her part. Byleth wasn’t here to rally everyone like she always did in the past. Edelgard was doing her best to lead everyone, but every little bit helped, right?
So one year after Byleth first disappeared, when Edelgard knocked on her door, Bernadetta answered. As she opened the door, she noticed something that surprised her.
“I can see eye level with you, Edelgard. Did I grow taller?”
Edelgard smirked, amused. “You did. I’m sure there is much more you could see, if you use your own eyes.”
“I’m ready, then!” Following behind Edelgard, Bernadetta made her way to the second floor of the monastery, after which she entered the meeting room. The rest of her former classmates were already there.
“Bern, is that you?” Dorothea asked, surprised. “You’re a sight for sore eyes!”
“Please to be joining us. Your input was sorely missed.” Petra added.
The warm greeting was so overwhelming for Bernadetta, she couldn’t help but occupy the sole empty chair near the table. As soon as she did, she got a feeling that she'd no longer be able to help herself from coming to all future meetings.
Edelgard took her place at the front of the table. Bernadetta found herself drawn to the air of authority she exuded.
Edelgard began, “Today, we must discuss possible ways to contact the Alliance…”
Two years since the start of the war, and Garreg Mach Monastery still needed extensive repairs. Everyone pitched in to help with the effort, and Bernadetta was no exception.
“Today, she found herself tending to the grass near the stables. It wasn’t too different from the gardening Bernadetta already did, so she enjoyed the work.
Then, she felt a chilling presence in the air, and slowly turned around, to see Hubert standing over her.
“Eeek! Whatever it is, I’m sorry!” Bernadetta cried out.
“Please, do not be alarmed. You have done nothing wrong,” Hubert said, bowing in apology. “I am merely here because it is my duty.”
Not a moment later, and Edelgard walked onto the lawn as well. “Greetings, Bernadetta. I will aid you in this task.”
“But you’re the Emperor. Surely you have better things to do than pull weeds,” Bernadetta pointed out.
“It is because I am Emperor that I believe that no task is beneath me,” Edelgard answered. “With everyone’s help, I’d like to rebuild the monastery.”
“Really? That’s so admirable of you!” Bernadetta found herself looking at Edelgard in a new light. “You’re always working so hard. I’ll probably mess it up, but I’ll do my best too!”
“Don’t decide that you’ll fail before you begin,” Edelgard said firmly. “I’m sure you can do this.”
Hearing this from Edelgard did encourage Bernadetta. Even the presence of Hubert didn’t encourage her- she happily did the lawnwork along with Edelgard.
“We are done for the day.” After saying that, Edelgard smiled at Bernadetta. “As I thought, you performed well.”
Bernadetta felt her face heat up, and she knew she was blushing. “Okay, that’s enough of being outside for Bernie! I’m going to my room now!”
She rushed out of the stable area before she could embarrass herself further.
Three and a half years into the war, Bernadetta once again noticed a certain change.
She could now see over Edelgard’s head, to Lindhart’s amusement, and Caspar’s eternal annoyance.
“Even Bernadetta’s taller now?” Caspar asked in dismay. “It makes me wonder what I’m doing wrong.”
“I wonder if having a Crest affects a person’s growth rate,” Lindhart murmured to himself. “Caspar lacks one. Then again, so does Hubert, and he is taller than a few people…”
“Please do not spend your time on such pointless experiments.” Edelgard said, irritated.
“Why did you need to meet with us?” Bernadetta asked meekly. “Hopefully not more talk about Crests.”
“Actually, it is Crest related. If you wish to discuss this privately, you could ask Bernadetta and Caspar to leave,” Lindhart said. “Then I will make my report.”
For a moment, Edelgard remained quiet, as if contemplating something. Then she said, “No, they may stay. It is important for the Black Eagle Strike Force to know why we are fighting.”
“Very well.” With the same flat tone he usually had, Lindhart said, “Professor Hanneman believes it should be possible to remove a Crest from a person, and even reverse the effects of forced implantation. However, having seen his research, I must warn you that further results will take a few more years.”
“That is acceptable. Thank you for your report.” Edelgard said, her expression neutral.
“You want to remove a Crest from someone?” Caspar asked, scratching his head.
“I am not at liberty to disclose who at the moment. But I will say this- there are those that would force Crest on others for their own selfish gains,” Edelgard said. “I will make sure nothing like that can ever happen again!”
“I think that’s very admirable of you! You always fight for other people, and that’s why I look up to you!” Bernadetta exclaimed. Then her face went beet red, unable to believe she’d just said that.
“Okay, that’s enough. We do have work to do.” Yet, while it could have been a trick of the light, Edelgard’s cheeks seemed to be light pink. “Everyone has something to contribute.”
“Alright, that’s what I like to hear!” Caspar exclaimed, while Lindhart discretely tried to escape to take a nap.
Bernadetta still couldn’t imagine what she could to help Edelgard accomplish, but she’d come this far with her- she wanted to see this through to the end.
Almost five years since the start of the war, and one night Bernadetta found herself restless. She wandered outside, feeling the brisk night air on her skin. Then she saw the moonlight reflect off of something, and she followed the source.
The light turned out to be from the greenhouse, so Bernadetta went inside. She spotted Edelgard watering some flowers.
“Greetings, Your Majesty! I hope I’m not interrupting anything…” Bernadetta said.
“Oh, Bernadetta. No, your presence is welcome,” Edelgard said. “I couldn’t sleep, so I wanted to do something to clear my mind.”
“If you need to be alone, I probably understand that better than anyone,” Bernadetta said softly. “Sometimes it’s hard to be around people.”
“This is true. However, I see you trying your hardest to go out into the world, and get to know others, and I can’t help but feel like I need to follow your example.”
Bernadetta did a double take, wondering if she heard that correctly. “Wait, but I’ve been following your example this entire time! You’re so strong, and brave. I’ve always admired you for it.”
This time, there was no mistaking it: Edelgard was blushing. “You may see me as brave, but I’m only doing what I must. However, seeing you overcome your fears has shown me that there is more I can do too.”
“Please don’t overwork yourself, Your Majesty!” At that moment, Bernadetta got an idea, and pushed past her fear to speak it. “In fact, I could help you with your gardening! I want to help these flowers too…”
From there, the two of them tended to the flowers in companionable silence. But Bernadetta knew the significance of this- Edelgard was letting her walls down around her.
Much like the time Edelgard told her about her fear of the ocean, so many years ago, Bernadetta was seeing a side of the Emperor that no one else knew existed. This was a show of trust that Bernadetta would not take lightly.
She would support Edelgard in her own, quiet way, for as long as Edelgard needed her.