Chapter Text
Jeralt sighed and closed his diary, leaning back in his chair to rub his eyes. He was reluctant to return to Garreg Mach, still was reluctant if he was being honest. At least it seemed to be doing some good for Byleth.
His thoughts drifted back to the afternoon. He'd been sitting on the dock fishing with Alois-well trying to fish. That man had a talent for scaring the fish away. But he'd sat in silence, letting Alois prattle on about whatever came to his mind. It made Jeralt almost nostalgic.
From the corner of his eye he saw Byleth exit the greenhouse. He nodded to her as she noticed him. She nodded back her hands seemingly full. Jeralt furrowed an eyebrow but turned his attention to the fish on the end of his line. It pulled up with ease-small, barely worth a meal. He rebaited and cast the line. As he did so he heard his daughter's footsteps behind him.
Jeralt turned to see his daughter standing there-arms full of flowers and hair rustling in the wind. Dirt and petals scattered over her clothes. Wordlessly, she held one of the lilies out to him, a small smile, the most she ever had, on her face. Jeralt's eyes widened as he reached out and took the flower. It was as though time froze-even with Alois going on in the background about how sweet it was that the captain's daughter would bring him a flower and how he couldn't wait for his darling daughter to do the same for hers. Jeralt could barely hear any of it. For just a moment, Byleth looked so much like her.
Then a fish took his line, a good sized one from the way the line ran, breaking Jeralt from his trance. Quickly Jeralt placed the flower into his shirt and grabbed the line. He began to bring the fish in, Byleth looking over his shoulder. Within moment Jeralt pulled the bullhead in.
“Those are good-if you don't want food from the dining hall we should cook that.” Byleth said-monotone as ever.
Jeralt looked at her. Her face was blank again. Her lightly colored eyes revealing nothing of her thoughts. Though still covered in flower petals and dirt. So very similar.
“Sure kid, we'll make it tonight.”
Jeralt sighed again returning to the present and ran his hands over his face. He couldn't get the image out of his mind. He grabbed a small leather pouch and tipped its contents into his hand. He turned the ring between his fingers over and over-his other hand holding the lily from Byleth.
“Eucharis”
He had tried so hard not to dwell on it over these past 20 years. Occasionally remembering the good and trying to forget those doubts plaguing the back of his mind. Even when his little girl started growing to look so much like her mother-he tried not to think about it. But seeing Byleth at Garreg Mach, and slowly changing, those old questions and doubts were returning. Was it safe to remain here? It seemed like it would be hard to make Byleth leave. If she was in danger then he needed to take her away now before it only got harder.
There was only one way to know. He had questions that needed answers-answers that were 20 years overdue. And there was only one person who could give them to him.
~~~~~~~~~~
Rhea bid good evening to the various staff in her meeting chamber as they left. Soon leaving just her to retire for the night. She cast a glance at the throne behind her-a poor imitation to remind her of her mother. She pulled out the lily the professor had given her and placed it upon the throne. Soon-surely soon she would see her mother again, feel the warmth of her arms and voice. That must be why Byleth had been returned to her. Suddenly another young blue haired woman came to mind, one with a kind heart and dazzling smile.
Rhea's heart clenched. She took a deep breath. A thousand times she had told herself no matter the shame it will be worth it once mother is returned. No shame or guilt could be worse than this aching emptiness her mother had left behind. Rhea closed her eyes and offered a prayer before turning to leave.
As she moved towards the doors-they opened. Jeralt entered, a stern expression on his face. The only expression he seemed to wear around her now.
“Rhea we need to talk.” Jeralt said simply standing there.
“About what Jeralt? Are you having a work issue?” She asked. He wouldn't talk to her of anything else since he had returned.
A heavy silence hung in the air before Jeralt spoke, “Eucharis.”
Rhea didn't reply.
“Rhea I need answers. I needed them 20 years ago. I need to know that my daughter will be safe.”
There it was. The threat that went unspoken between them. Rhea had been doing what she could to ensure the professor could grow and awaken-building a bond between them. However it was clear who Byleth would choose if it was a choice between Rhea and Jeralt. And Jeralt had already made it perfectly clear he would go to any length for Byleth.
When had things fallen apart so badly? When had the trust between them been so utterly destroyed? Her heart clenched again, but Rhea ignored it. She didn't want to know if there was a shame that could outweigh her grief.
“Yes. Perhaps if we had just spoken honestly 20 years ago, we both could have avoided much heartache.”
Not that either of them would tell the whole story now. Rhea knew that. She would never tell him of Byleth's true purpose, and there was no chance Jeralt would share just how much he knew. But they were both going to have to sacrifice some of their secrets.
“Alright Jeralt I will tell you, but in return I wish to know the story of the two of you. How you fell for each other and the side of her I didn't get to see.”
“Fine.” Jeralt nodded.
“Then let's go to the third floor. There's more privacy there.”
Wordlessly, Jeralt followed after her.