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Days grew shorter, and nights grew longer as the scent of spice drifted to the Officer's Academy from the village below. The warm glow of fireplaces and torches around the school pushed back Fodlan's crisp autumn winds in favor of inviting comfort. While some students took this invitation as a time to rest, telling stories of ghostly events that had long since passed, others were not so keen to stray from their studies.
One such student was contently sitting in the library at the same table she always used with piles of books surrounding her. Bruising marks under her pale pink eyes conveyed her lack of sleep as she read and reread the same passage.
"I thought I'd find you here,"
The 15-year-old snow-haired student looked up from her reading and toward the source of the interruption to find the leader of her class approaching her, as relaxed and casual as ever. "Claude, I'd prefer that you didn't make it a regular habit to interrupt my studies."
"I have my reasons." He replied as he stopped to stand by her seat.
"If that reason is to berate me about my sleep and age again,"
"It's not," Claude interrupted as he shifted to lean and relax in his stance. An annoying habit of his that signaled he would not be moved.
"Very well... what is it?" Lysithea asked.
"The main town outside of Garreg Mach is hosting a festival, and the School announced that students are allowed to attend since the town still counts as Neutral territory between the kingdoms. Everyone dresses up in costumes and hurries around to collect treats and play games set up by the towns folks and vendors."
"I fail to see how this information pertains to me," She stated as she tried to keep a neutral expression. If he was trying to insinuate she'd be interested in something so childish, it was quite rude.
"I was wondering if you're going?" Claude asked while raising an eyebrow as he tried to read her expression and came up with nothing.
"Of course not," She sharply replied as she turned her focus back to her books.
"Why? The whole school is practically going. Even the teachers?" The class leader in name alone asked.
"I came to Garreg Mach to learn battle tactics and further my magical studies. Not to run around like a clown and make a mockery of my family's name. As such, I'll be studying. Like you should be considering your grades." Lysithea sneered while renewing her effort to ignore Claude.
"I mean, sure. We all did. But no one's going to think you're making a mockery of your family for taking some time to rest and have fun." He said in an attempt to sway her. "Really, if anything, it's important to take breaks and recharge just as much as it is to study. You can't write if your quill runs out of ink. It needs to return to its pot for ink eventually. Isn't it enough that you're already 2 years ahead?"
"Not if it's the only thing you do," She pointedly remarked as she moved to stand up to show she was done. "Now, please leave."
"Hm. Nah. Don't think I will, princess," Claude replied with a chuckle.
"Would you stop calling me that?" She hissed as she closed her book with care despite her frustration. "I shudder to think of how our people must weep knowing someone so brazen and lazy is the heir to the alliance. May your grandfather have a long and full life." He may be the future leader of their country, but while they were here on neutral territory, they were equals. At least, they were supposed to be. Seeing that he was seemingly left speechless, Lysithea was content to pick up her book and walk to the nearby shelf she borrowed it from, and put it away. She fought back the twitch in her eye as he spoke again.
"Yikes, someone missed their nap today,"
"You-" Lysithea started as she turned on her heels.
"You know you could always just take those with you. You're a student here, so you can check out the books." Claude interrupted to deflect her ire.
"I know that, but unlike some people, I have enough tact to make sure that resources are available for everyone. Other students may need it for their homework,"
"Wait... we had homework?" He jokingly asked though it was not well received. Lysethia's nose scrunched in disgust before she stormed off to put the rest of her books away. However, in doing so, she failed to notice the thinking smile of Claude, who had slowly developed a perfectly wonderful idea. With that, he turned to walk away, whistling a little tune to himself while resting his hands behind his head.
'*'*'*'*'
Before long, the day of the festival arrived. Claude did his best to leave Lysithea alone after that encounter; there was much to do if his plan was going to work after all. The Lordling made his way through the halls of the Officer's academy towards the women's dorms. Before long, he stopped in front of a door that had been engraved with the logo of an eagle and rapped the back of his hand against the door.
The door opened shortly after, showing a student with long curly brown hair who was roughly a year older than him. "There you are. I was wondering if all my effort was wasted."
"Not at all, Dorethea," Claude replied with a smile. "Thanks again for your help, by the way."
"Of course, It's the least I can do," She replied before walking back into her room and returning with a soft package wrapped in delicate cloth. "I'm not surprised that Lyithea was too shy to ask for help with this. She's always pushing herself so much. It must be hard being the youngest student."
"Yeah, I'll go and leave this for her," Claude said as he accepted the first tool in his arsenal from Dorethea.
"Okay, See you guy's later,"
"See ya," Claude replied and waved while mentally shifting to phase two. This took a bit more work, but he hurried to the library and got to work. His prep work required a few trips to and from the library, but eventually, he left the wrapped bundle at Lysithea's usual seat and hurried off to get in position and wait.
Sure enough, Like clockwork Lysithea arrived at her usual seat table and stared at the package dumbfounded. "Oh... Is someone else sitting here?" She quietly asked herself as she looked over the bundle, only to find a note on top addressed to her. "A gift?" She cautiously picked up the note and opened it. As she read, her curiosity faded to annoyance.
Bipity Bopity Boo. A costume just for you.
Make sure you come back before midnight, or you'll turn into a pumpkin.
Your Knight in Shining Armor,
Claude
"That second line didn't even Rhyme," She grumbled.
"Well, I was kind of in a rush. I needed to change too," Claude answered as he stepped out from his hiding place dressed as a knight.
"What in Fodlan's name are you doing," Lysithea asked as she already felt drained from his presence.
"Escorting a young princess to the festival, of course," He replied with a teasing grin as if his answer should have been obvious. "Dorethea helped me get a costume that's perfect for you."
"I already said I'm not going." Lysithea huffed before walking over to the bookshelf to retrieve one of her books. Only to find it wasn't there. "Huh?" She stared at the empty space for a few moments as if the idea of the book not being there had never occurred to her. Not that it mattered. There were plenty of other books that she used for her studies. She haughtily stormed off to go and get those.
With each shelf visited, her usual reading materials we nowhere to be seen. One, three, seven books, all missing! Lysithea hurried over to the librarian's desk. "Excuse me, sir. I'm looking for a few books?"
"Yes, dear?" The elderly librarian replied.
"I-I'm looking for a few books. A history of Crests. The complete history of House von Cordelia, and A medical Journal of Crest and their effects?" She listed off the first three she'd usually read.
The librarian nodded. "I see. Well, I'm afraid those were checked out earlier today."
"Okay, well. What about Crests of old, Crests: a guide to your history and The study of recessive genetics?" Lysithea asked as her hope began to fade.
"Yes, those were checked out as well by the same person," The librarian confirmed.
"... Crestology: the symbolism and truth?" Lysithea asked as she started to connect a few dots.
"They checked that one out as well. I suppose there's an assignment coming up. If you ask, maybe they'll let you borrow the books? otherwise, they won't be back for another week." The librarian suggested with a sympathetic smile.
"A week?!" Lysithea cried in horror. A week of not being able to study at all when her time was already so limited?
"That's what I said," The librarian confirmed. "I'm sure Lord Claude wouldn't mind sharing. You're in the same class, after all. It would be in his best interest to allow his fellow classmates to borrow them if there's an assignment due."
"I see," Lysithea replied while fighting back a sneer. "I'll excuse myself and go see him now." Each step away from the front desk, back to her usual seat, felt more ridged than the last as she tried to contain her rage. It didn't help that when she arrived, Claude was still standing there with a smug triumphant smirk. "Give me back my books."
"Your books? Pretty sure they're the libraries books," Claude pointed out in return. "But, I suppose we could work out a deal if you want."
Lysithea remained quiet. Giving up a week when she didn't know how many she had left wasn't an option... "Fine. What do you want?"
"I'd like to escort you to and around the festival. Naturally, you'll need a costume so," He gestured to the bundle.
Lysithea walked over to it and finally opened it, only to find an ornate dress and crown of a princess. "Seriously?"
"Yep, figured it'd suit you. And we kinda match this way." He explained.
"You're attending an officer's academy for military training. Dressing as a knight isn't a costume," Lysithea crossed her arms while glancing at the dress. It was too frilly. It was hardly practical, and where did he even get it?!
"Well, to be fair, that wouldn't be a costume either then," He replied and gestured to the dress.
"What's that supposed to mean?!" Lysithea asked as she once more assumed a condescending tone.
"Nothing, Nothing," Claude replied while motioning for Lysithea to calm down and lower her voice since they were still in the library. "So, do we have a deal or not?"
"You'll give me the books?" Lysithea confirmed.
"promise," He replied while marking an x over his heart.
"... Fine. I'll go," She begrudgingly replied as she scooped up the costume and walked away to get changed.
While she'd never admit it, that festival became a fond memory for her as Claude made sure to dote on her and buy any cake, treat, or pretty thing his princess showed interest in. She didn't have much time, so he'd make sure what time she did have was full of memories worth fighting for.