Chapter Text
Professor, huh, Byleth thought as she made her way around the monastery. She had no idea what Rhea was thinking, making her a professor after minutes of knowing her. Seemed like she hadn’t even shared her idea with her own staff, given how Seteth had reacted as well. She let out a sigh. I’ve never taught a day in my life, she thought. These kids are in for a disappointment.
Those "kids," as it turned out, were nearly all around her own age. Hardly children at all. Some of them, she later learned, were even a year or two older. Clearly, she had to be doing something right, because after her first month or so of teaching, she already had students from other houses wanting to transfer to her class.
When given the choice, Byleth had chosen the Blue Lion House. It was a hard decision, as she had taken a liking to Claude of the Golden Deer almost immediately. Edelgard of the Black Eagles had been particularly interested in her and the feeling had been mutual. But in the end, it was the Blue Lions that had won her over. Specifically, their House Leader, Dimitri. Byleth supposed some long forgotten girlish part of her was thrilled at meeting a real prince based on the way her stomach fluttered whenever he greeted her. So casual. But then again, she’d never been used to formalities.
When word got around that Jeralt was the new professor’s father, Leonie of the Golden Deer had immediately transferred to her class. After Byleth’s teaching skills clearly proved to be impressive, she’d had Linhardt of the Black Eagles and Lysithea, Marianne, and Hilda also of the Golden Deer transfer into her class as well.
The former mercenary fell into a steady rhythm eventually. Mornings were spent teaching. Afternoons were spent eating with her students and fellow staff members. Afternoons were for training. Evenings were spent however she wished. Lately, she’d been spending a lot of time training with Dimitri and Felix. Although, some nights, she would venture over to the library and find Linhardt lost in some book that Seteth would inevitably snatch away. But that never seemed to deter the young mage.
After one morning of a particularly exhausting lesson, it was finally time for lunch, and Byleth dragged herself into the dining hall. She was so tired from teaching all morning that she barely paid attention to the food she ordered. She carried her plate across the room, scanning the crowd for any familiar faces. She spotted an empty seat across from Linhardt, who had his nose stuck in a book, and hurried over to join him.
“Hello, Professor,” Linhardt lazily greeted her without looking up from his book.
“What are you reading?” she asked, trying to catch a glimpse of the cover. Linhardt held the book up momentarily to show her the title. “Magical Creatures of Fodlan? Really?”
“He’s such a nut about that kind of thing,” said Lysithea, setting her plate down next to Linhardt’s barely touched one. “Crests, vampires, werewolves, he never shuts up.”
“It really is quite fascinating,” Linhardt replied. Byleth nodded slowly, not quite convinced. The mage ignored the two girls, who had begun to chat, and was soon lost in his book once again.
“Would it be alright if I joined you?” All three of them looked up to see Dimitri hovering close by. Byleth gave him a small smile as she patted the empty seat next to her and the prince’s face momentarily lit up. “Thank you, Professor. Sorry to disturb you.” He nodded at Linhardt and Lysithea in greeting. Linhardt gave a distracted wave in return.
Dimitri attempted to make awkward small talk while he and Byleth ate. Suddenly, Linhardt slammed his book down.
“Professor, you used to be a traveling mercenary with Jeralt, right?” Byleth nodded, unsure of where he was going with this. “That means you’ve been just about everywhere and seen things most people never will in their lifetimes.”
“I wouldn’t say everywh-”
“Tell me,” Linhardt continued, ignoring her comment. “Did you ever come across any vampires during your travels?”
Byleth sensed Dimitri stiffen beside her. She paused to think. “Yes, I’ve seen a couple, but I don’t enjoy fighting them. They’re strong.”
“They’re despicable.” Dimitri muttered darkly. Byleth, Linhardt, and Lysithea turned to stare at him, eyes wide. “They live alongside us, pretending to be civilized, when they are really just wolves in sheep’s clothing.” The prince’s eyes were hard and his hands had clenched into fists. “Monsters among men.”
“Dimitri...” Byleth gently called out to him and placed a hand over one of his clenched fists. He seemed to snap out of his sudden dark mood and his eyes widened slightly.
“Ah, my apologies,” he said quickly. “I had a bad experience with vampires four years ago.” He attempted to wave it off as nothing, but Byleth could see something sad and lonely behind his eyes. She wanted to reach out to him, but it was almost as if, for a moment, the prince had gone somewhere she couldn’t reach him.