Chapter Text
Byleth Eisner:
Her Father sat across from her in silence, waiting for her to speak first.
She knew this day would come...
Despite what he'd told her before. It was always a gut feeling Byleth had that told her that her Father would leave her again and return to the Kingdom.
It seemed that time had come.
Uncle had informed her of it this morning. She wasn't given the details exactly.
Seteth thought it would be best for her to speak with Jeralt about it... But Byleth couldn't help but feel that it was a horrible idea.
She took a deep breathe then looked up to her father from her teacup. "Uncle told me that you will be leaving to the Kingdom" she said in a carefully neutral tone. Ensuring that any hurt she felt would not be evident.
A sad expression fell over her father's face, but it was gone as quickly as it came.
"Yeah." An awkward silence fell over the two of them for a couple of seconds before being broken by a cough from Jeralt. "It's not of my own volition Kid... King Lambert sent a request to Lady Rhea for my service for a mission." He looked sincere enough. "And the King of Faerghus isn't exactly someone that you can reject to assist."
Yeah... She supposed that made sense.
Byleth looked away from her father's gaze. "King Lambert said you were free to stay here." Her chest felt tight. "I thought... You wanted to stay."
King Lambert had promised that Jeralt was here to stay... Why didn't he want to stay?
"Kid... I'm sorry but I really don't have a choice." His expression softened. "Of course, I want to stay here with you, but King Lambert needs help. I will be back before you know it. I promise." A hearty chuckle sounded from the man, "Lambert is a man of his word after all."
Yeah. Byleth, supposed that was true.
She was silent for a moment then looked up at her father, "You promise that you will be back?" He'd been gone for so long... It was one thing when she didn't know that she had a father, and he was there... But things had changed.
She... Didn't want to lose her father a second time.
Jeralt's eyes widened, "Of course, Kiddo. It's just going to be a quick and easy mission. His Majesty only needs help with a diplomatic mission to Duscur." That seemed easy enough, she supposed. "Not to mention the Royal guard will be joining us as well. So, there is nothing to fear."
That was true.
Byleth wasn't worried about her father being in any sort of danger. She had faith in his abilities as a Knight, Grandmother didn't make just anyone Captain of the Knight's of Seiros. They had to be the best of the best.
No. What worried her was that he might not want to come back in general.
But... She would have to trust that he would.
Jeralt said he would after all.
Byleth sighed, "Fine then. I guess you can go then."
An amused smile fell over her father's face, "Heh, I'm glad to have gotten your permission Kiddo." He leaned over his office desk and ruffled her hair. "Try not to be so glum, I'll bring you back something nice. What do you say?"
"There's no need." She said with a shake of her head, "But will you tell Glenn that I said hello? He should be joining you and the King, correct?"
Jeralt nodded, "Yes, he will. I'll be sure to tell him." Her father was silent for a second. He looked to be thinking something over. "Would you like to send a message to His Highness as well?"
Ah.
Byleth wrinkled her nose slightly, sure they were friends... But the freshness of Grandmother's latest attempt at trying to marry Byleth off to him still left a sour taste in her mouth.
But... She did tell Dimitri that they were friends. "I suppose so." Byleth sighed "Send Dimitri my regards as well."
An amused look briefly fell over her father's face before he shook his head at her. "You know Kiddo, you should really be nicer to the boy." Nicer? Byleth was already nice enough given the circumstances. "He is a Prince after all. And not to mention he worships the ground you walk on."
A horrible mistake on his part.
"That's unfortunate." Byleth murmured then took a sip from her tea, it was long cold at this point.
Her father sighed and shook his head once again. "Kid... You know he has no control over it either, right? You can't hold it against him, it's not fair to the poor boy."
Byleth mulled over what he had just said. There was truth to it for sure. Now that she thought about it... Dimitri probably didn't even know.
King Lambert didn't seem the type to force this onto his kid at such a young age. His Highness was what, fourteen?
If he did know he was probably just as unhappy about it as she was.
"Hmm, I suppose you are right... I apologize, perhaps I was a bit unfair to him".
Jeralt nodded his head in approval, "He's a good Kid... Plus he might be the only one who could understand how you feel." Understand... How she feels? Byleth didn't get it.
But she wouldn't push the issue any further.
All she knew is that she might have been quick to condemn him. "When do you leave?" Byleth asked, changing the subject.
An amused smile fell over her father's face, "Tomorrow, Kid."
Oh.
Tomorrow? Byleth knew it would be soon... But she hadn't anticipated that soon.
She supposed that was expected for a diplomatic mission.
"I see. I will try to see you off, but should I fail. I wish you a safe travel Father".
A hearty laugh came from her father, "Sleeping in huh?" His eyes crinkled in amusement as he shook his head. "No worries Kid, I understand." he chuckled. "And don't worry, I'll be safe."
Yeah... Byleth knows that.
Her Father will be back.
King Lambert is a man of his word after all.
Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd:
Dimitri frowned and looked at the letter once more, "I don't get it?" He genuinely didn't. Rather than explain it he simply pushed it over to Glenn. "Does this mean that Byleth and I are... Going to wed?"
The older boy grabbed the letter and skimmed over it.
"Maybe?" Glenn didn't look all that convinced, he shrugged. "Essentially Lady Rhea is saying wait till you're older before you try to get with her Granddaughter."
Dimitri frowned. So, he wouldn't get an answer for another four years?
That didn't make sense.
Normally that was for the wedding in general. Not for a response, "Glenn are you certain? Maybe she means I have to be of age to marry her."
A grimace fell over the older boy's face, "Your Highness... I am certain." he swayed the letter around in the air. "This is a possibility that you can discuss marrying her at that age. What Ingrid and I have is a betrothal... What you and Byleth have... Well, honestly I'm not certain." he murmured then shook his head. "Just ask His Majesty."
Goddess no.
Dimitri learned his lesson the last time, he was teased relentlessly by his father.
Not to mention he's been referring to her as his future daughter in law.
No. It was best to get the help he needed from the older boy.
Glenn was silent for a moment as he looked at the letter once more, "Say... Your Highness, where did you get this from any ways?"
Dimitri shifted around uncomfortably for a moment, "Well you see Glenn, I happened to notice the letter on my father's desk from the Archbishop-".
"You took it without permission didn't you." Glenn sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose, "I swear Dimitri, if I don't have my eye on you for a second you go and get yourself in trouble."
He had a point. But... It's not like this didn't concern him. "Father was bound to show it to me regardless." Dimitri huffed out and crossed his arms at the older boy, "I merely sped up the process."
Glenn looked at him with an unconvinced look on his face, "You just didn't want to wait until we got back from Duscur, didn't you?"
Absolutely.
He dreaded the idea of waiting that long, but in the end, he would have to wait four years. Huh, the irony of that matter was a bit cruel now that he thought about it.
"The anticipation was killing me" Dimitri huffed out and looked away from the older boy, "Anyhow, care to spar?" he went to the training rack and plucked a lance from it.
The older boy let out an irritated sigh, "Your Highness you are ignoring the point."
Dimitri frowned and set the lance down, "Fine, you probably wouldn't have been able to beat me anyways." he said then turned back to the older boy.
Glenn was silent for a moment considering his next course of action, "This discussion isn't over Your Highness" his tone was stern and much to Dimitri's surprise the older boy walked over to him at the weapons rack and pulled a sword from it.
Dimitri nodded and smiled at him then grabbed his lance once more and walked to the center of the rink.
Lately the two of them had been tied.
When Dimitri was younger, he had been able to beat Glenn with no issue, because both of them lacked proper training and well Dimitri had the crest of Blaiddyd.
But as Glenn furthered his training to become a knight, he had become... More challenging to face.
Although Dimitri had also gone through his own rigorous training, running around the mountains surrounding Faerghus in heavy armor had helped him as well! Plus, the training lessons with Gustav.
That had helped but Glenn was still challenging to fight regardless.
Glenn stood directly across from him, "Ready Dimitri?" he asked.
He nodded and the older boy immediately acted. Glenn was fast, fortunately enough Dimitri was able to meet his blows with his lance. But... His luck would not hold out. Soon enough Glenn was able to overpower him and-
Oof.
He landed hard on the ground, Glenn looked down at him with an amused look on his face and offered a hand to him. "I think I won this one, Your Highness." A smug look fell over the older boy's face.
Dimitri nodded and grabbed the boy's hand and Glenn helped him up. "It appears you have bested me" Dimitri murmured and dusted himself off.
"You'll beat me one day, but not today." Glenn chuckled then put his sword back on the rack "Now come on, you need to give the letter back to King Lambert."
Dimitri sighed. He knew he had too. But... Did he really have to give it directly to his father?
Couldn't he just leave it on his desk where he had found it? "Fine." He grabbed the letter and left from the training grounds.
...
Fortunately for Dimitri his father wasn't in his office.
Glenn sighed and shook his head, "You lucked out Your Highness" he remarked as the Prince put the letter back onto the King's letter pile.
And right on cue the door to his father's office opened and he walked in, followed by-
"Captain Jeralt?"
A surprised look fell over his father's face, "Dimitri? What are you doing in here?" The King shook his head, "How can you not greet your father first. You wound me, my son." Lambert sighed.
Dimitri chuckled and shook his head, "My apologies Father. I was just surprised to see Captain Jeralt."
His father smiled then ruffled his hair, "It's alright my Boy, Captain Jeralt is here per my request."
His request?
"Ah, does that mean you are coming with us to Duscur?"
Jeralt nodded his head, "Yeah."
Ah! Did that mean... "Is it just you?" Dimitri asked hesitantly.
The older Knight chuckled, "Sorry, Your Highness." Amusement shone in his eyes, "No Byleth, she has stuff to take care of at the monastery. She does send her regards. To you as well Glenn."
Dimitri nodded, "Thank you Captain Jeralt."
"Ah, how is Byleth by the way?" Lambert asked then fell silent for a moment. An awkward expression crossed his face, "Was she upset that I requested your assistance?"
Jeralt's smile faltered slightly, and he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. "Heh, yeah. She was a bit upset, I think."
A pang of guilt settled in his chest.
They took her father... And in doing so it had hurt her. Had the roles been reversed, Dimitri was certain that he would have been upset as well.
His father looked conflicted, "I'm sorry Jeralt. Once we return you are free to return to Garreg Mach. I did promise it to Byleth after all."
Jeralt chuckled and nodded his head, "Don't worry about it too much Your Majesty. The Kid knows that you wouldn't have asked had it not been important."
A soft smile fell over his father's face, "She is very wise for her age" he remarked.
"Heh, yeah... The Kid takes after her mother" An awkward silence fell over them.
Her Mother... Dimitri had never met her before-
Oh.
Right.
Her Mother had passed away.
Dimitri remembered Byleth telling him that when he lost his own mother, all those years ago.
Byleth's last parent... They took him from her for years. No wonder she had always seemed so upset with him.
"Well, I'm glad she's doing well." Glenn was the one to break the silence "Gustave has been anticipating your arrival Captain Jeralt. I believe he wanted to spar against you."
The older Knight nodded his head, "Alright, tell him he's on. Maybe we have time before we leave for Duscur, if not we'll do it when we get back." he looked to Lambert, "When exactly are we leaving?"
"Early tomorrow morning." Lambert replied, "The staff have been preparing the carriages and the horses for tomorrow all day today. You should have time for that fight against Gustave, Jeralt."
"Heh, sounds good." Jeralt nodded his head then turned to the exit "I'll see you early tomorrow morning then." And with that he left from the room.
Glenn followed after him, most likely wanting to witness the battle. It was always interesting to watch the Captain of the Knights of Seiros battle. He was a skilled individual, no doubt.
His Father chuckled lightly as he watched them leave from his office, "So my Son, do you care to tell me what you were doing in my office?"
Ah, so he hadn't forgotten.
Dimitri was silent for a moment, thinking over an excuse but his father was no fool. "I saw the letter from Lady Rhea."
An amused smile fell over his father's face, "I see, so you wanted to see what she said." He was silent for a moment. "You must have been disappointed then."
"A bit" Dimitri had expected a response... "I suppose I just don't understand why we have to wait until I come of age before I get a proper answer."
Lambert was silent for a moment, thinking something over "My boy, you don't have to rush this. You are young, both you and Byleth are" A smile grew on his face. "This gives you a chance to get to know her better."
Yeah... That was true he supposed. "I guess."
His father chuckled and ruffled his hair, "It's alright my Son, I am confident that Byleth is my future Daughter in law. Just be patient with her."
Dimitri sighed and nodded his head, "I will Father." It wasn't like he had much of a choice after all.
"Good, now care to come with me to see Patricia?" Lambert asked, "I think she should be finished with her tea session with Cornelia by now."
Dimitri nodded, "Of course." The two of them left from his office to the parlor room.
When Dimitri and his father walked into the room Patricia looked to be in the middle of a deep discussion with Cornelia.
The mage looked up from his stepmother, settling her gaze on them "Ah, Your Majesty." A wide grin fell over her face. It unsettled Dimitri a bit with how forced it looked. "To what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?"
An irritated look briefly flashed over his father's face, "I didn't know I needed a reason to see my wife."
The wide grin she wore thinned, "Of course not. Feel free to join us, we are about done here." She looked to his step- mother "Right, Patricia?"
His step- mother was silent for a moment, "Yes." she replied in a soft voice, then gestured to the sofa across from her.
Despite what they said... Dimitri couldn't help but feel as though they were intruding. But then again, it always felt that way he supposed.
It mattered not. Father was happy. They all were.
"So, you all will be leaving tomorrow, correct?" Cornelia asked once Dimitri and his father had sat down.
Lambert nodded his head, "Yes, we leave tomorrow morning."
"You all must be excited."
"Indeed." Lambert replied, "Going to Duscur is necessary for Faerghus."
The mage was silent for a moment, "Yes, let's just hope those savages don't try anything."
A deep frown settled over his father's face, "I expect better from you Cornelia. As someone of the court, you should understand how important it is that you refrain from remarks such as that."
An irritated expression flashed over the mage's face, and she opened her mouth to say something but was cut off. "In any case it matters not." Step- mother called out before the argument could progress any further. "That's what this diplomatic mission is about, is it not?"
His father was silent for a moment, mulling over her words "Yes... I suppose you are right."
"Well, I'll leave you all. I'm sure there is much to discuss for your trip tomorrow." she concluded then left from the room.
Huh... That was a first.
Normally Cornelia was insistent on being in the middle of everything they do, it had gotten to the point where his father had to ask her to leave them countless times.
He supposed she had finally gotten the hint.
Regardless, it didn't matter.
"I was thinking..." Patricia's voice drew Dimitri's attention back. "We should go in separate carriages tomorrow. We will be going through territories in Faerghus before we reach Duscur, my presence could lead to scandals arising."
Oh.
Dimitri was a little disappointed, not for himself... But his father had been very excited for that purpose, it wasn't often that the three of them spent time together as a family.
His Father was silent for a moment, "I suppose you have a point." he sighed "I just had thought that it was a good chance for the three of us to spend time together."
Lady Patricia nodded her head, "Yes but you are a King, you need to maintain your image first and foremost."
"Right." His father looked disappointed, "I guess it doesn't matter. We won't have to worry about that in Duscur."
That was true since it wasn't a part of Faerghus, he didn't have to worry about this sort of thing there.
A small smile grew on Patricia's face, "I look forward to it."