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Byleth held a hand out to Ignatz as her former student carefully made his way down the ladder. Despite their preparations for war, the holidays rolled around as they normally did. Perhaps it was the wake of their reunion, but everyone seemed to be in high spirits. As the monastery’s old knights returned and worked to restore the place to some of its former glory, Byleth decided it would do well for morale if they decorated and celebrated the holidays to the best of their ability. The cathedral was the last of the areas that needed attention. As Ignatz brushed off excess garland from his hands, Hilda came running. In her hands was a wooden box and trailing behind her were the rest of the Golden Deer.
“Is everybody ready?” She held the box aloft proudly and Byleth raised an eyebrow. Of course she already gave the okay for a ‘secret Cethleann’ event, but now that they were actually doing it she was rather nervous. As they all gathered around, each person reached a hand into the box and drew out a card. “Now remember, this is supposed to be for fun and a secret. So no trying to figure out who has you.” She gave Claude a long pointed look and the others snickered while he tried and failed to look affronted. “And no swapping!” Once the last of them had picked, Byleth sent them off to bed. Most of them unfolded the slip of paper as they walked and Byleth enjoyed watching the mixture of reactions. After the last of them left, she turned her attention to her own. Opening it up, written in Hilda’s neat writing was the name Marianne .
“ARGH! I swear to you this is rigged!” Lorenz paced the room. His hands gripped the paper and he moved as if to tear it to pieces before shaking his head and returning to his pacing. “Rigged I tell you!” Lysithea rolled her eyes as her gaze tracked his movement.
“Honestly, Lorenz. I already told you a thousand times that there’s no spell on the box that would’ve allowed Hilda to choose for you.” Knowing the words were wasted, Lysithea sighed and munched on some of the cookies Lorenz brought as a bargaining chip. “And is it really so bad that you got Claude?”
“Yes, dear Lysithea. Yes it is.” Lorenz flopped onto the chair at her desk and tapped his foot. “Me, getting a gift for that- that- argh. I cannot even imagine! Truly the world has a cruel sense of humor.”
“Or a good sense of karma,” she muttered under her breath.
“What was that, dear Lysithea?” Sighing, the young woman wondered how best to get the nuisance out of her room so she could focus on her own gift.
“I said, surely there has to be something you can get him. Think of it diplomatically.” Leaning back, Lorenz’s frustrated expression changed to one of thought. “Imagine Claude were a foreign ambassador,” even though he’s been living in Fódlan for over five years now and been leading the alliance during the war , “what would you get him?”
“Brilliant! Utterly brilliant!” Lysithea started as he jumped out of the chair, knocking it into the desk.
“Watch it,” her words of warning for the papers stacked there fell on deaf ears as Lorenz shook her hands vigorously.
“Thank you so much for your help, Lysthiea.”
“Of course.” Sighing, she watched him go and tidied what he’d messed up. While it felt nice to be of help, she wished it hadn’t taken so long. Pulling the papers closer, she read through her notes and tried to remember which formula she’d left off on.
For her gift, Lysithea was hoping to home brew something special.
“Ow, ow.” Leonie winced as the needle once more pricked her finger. This sort of work was nothing like mending a tear in her clothes or a hole in her tent. With those kinds of patches it didn’t matter how straight the line was or if it looked even. Even the color of the thread didn’t matter. Originally she thought embroidering a handkerchief would be easy. How silly she felt now. Embroidering was a noble's pastime and time again, Leonie was reminded she was no noble lady.. Heaving a deep sigh, she closed her eyes. “Maybe I should pick a different gift.” Holding up the cloth, she squinted at it. The rose she’d been trying to make was lopsided. One of its petals was much larger than the others as well. The outline she’d made for herself didn’t do her much good even though she traced a picture of a real rose onto it.
“Oh, Leonie.” A soft voice spoke from behind and Leonie jumped.
“Wha-!” Falling off the ledge she’d been lounging on, she let out another yelp as the needle stuck her finger once more.
“I’m so sorry for startling you.” Blinking up, soft brown eyes stared down at her. The corners of those eyes were tight with worry. “You just… seemed to be having a hard time.” Sighing, Leonie straightened.
“No, no. I’m alright. I just… I was trying to…” For some reason, she found herself embarrassed to admit she’d been attempting embroidery. Marianne’s eyes traveled across the space Leonie had been occupying.
“Were you embroidering?” Leonie felt her face grow warm.
“Well, yes. For the secret Cethleann.” For a moment they simply stared at one another and Leonie was about to excuse herself as she gathered her dropped things.
“Would you like some help?” Marianne’s question caught her off guard. Leonie stared and the other woman blushed “I- I mean.. I don’t mean to intrude. Or- Or assume anything. But you.. you just looked like you were having some trouble..” Leonie was about to refuse when she paused.
“You know Marianne? That’d actually be great.” Smiling, she held the handkerchief out for her to inspect. “I appreciate it.”
“Well, first off we should find you a frame.”
With Marianne’s gentle guidance, Leonie had her finished gift. She hadn’t realized women embroidered off a frame to ensure the fabric remained undistorted while sewing. The activity wasn’t nearly as enjoyable as, say, making arrows for her bow, but she had to admit it was still rewarding. And the process wasn’t as terrible as she thought it would be. Now, if she were expected to do it every day for article after article of clothing she’d probably lose her mind. But for a gift? It was pretty fun.
“Marianne, you really helped me out. Please, if there’s anything you need help with just let me know, okay?” Marianne flushed red.
“Please, it was nothing. And I was happy to help.”
“And I’ll be happy to help you. So just let me know, promise?” Leonie held the other woman’s hands until she nodded.
“Alright. I promise.”
“Ooh. Whatcha got there, Claude?” Hilda wiggled her eyebrows at the leader of the alliance. Presently, he didn’t look very leaderly. Rather, he looked as suspicious as Lorenz tended to make him out to be. Claude was wearing a long winter coat which, by itself, wouldn’t have been very eye-catching. Instead, it was the fact that he was attempting to hide a square shape against his chest that caused Hilda to hurry over to tease him. “Is it for the professor?” Claude’s ears were red by now and she was prepared to push the teasing further, but he shook his head.
“No, Hilda. It’s not. This is my gift for secret Cethleann.”
“Hmph. So then you didn’t get the professor?” Claude shook his head. “But you are still getting her something, right?” Hilda pressed closer and stared at him. He rolled his eyes.
“No comment.”
“I swear Claude; if you didn’t get her anything, you’re a fool.”
“You know, that sounds like Lorenz.” Hilda snorted at the memory of what Lysithea had complained about a couple nights before. With the hours Lorenz spent in the other girl’s room simply ranting on and on about how he had to get something for Claude. He gave her a curious look, but she waved her hand. It was supposed to be a secret after all.
“Alright then, smarty. Who did you get?” He smirked.
“Can’t tell you.” Pouting, Hilda crossed her arms over her chest. She was about to ask why, when he jerked his head. “But I can show you.” Normally she wouldn’t encourage Claude’s ‘mysterious’ vibes he tried to give off, she was curious. And curiosity always won out.
In his room, Claude gently set the box down and opened it up. Pulling out a glass jar, he handed it over to Hilda. Holding it up to the light, she inspected it carefully. Inside, a liquid rolled around slowly. At first, she wondered if it might be some sort of glue. Opening it, she sniffed.
“Ignatz!” Claude grinned and she knew she had it right. “Oh, he’s going to love these. Where did you get them from?” Handing the jar back, she peppered him with questions as he closed the lid back up. According to him, he placed a special order with the merchants who traded with Almyra for the crate to be sent back with another group that would be returning to the monastery.
“So what did you get?” Settling down he stared up at her curiously. Now it was Hilda’s turn to smirk.
“My gift is being kept safely at the blacksmith’s until the day of.” There. That should give him plenty to think about . And sure enough, his forehead crinkled he frowned. No doubt he’d be checking off a mental list of people it might be. Raphael was the obvious choice, but it could just as easily be the professor or Lorenz. For all he knew, it could even be for him. “But enough of that. What did you get the professor?”
“And what makes you think I got her anything?” Hilda gave him a pointed look and his face only turned a darker shade of red. Really, there were only two options. He was either an idiot and didn’t actually get her anything, or he was simply trying to hide it from her. Which obviously would not fly. Who knew what Claude might come up with on his own? “Well, I may have.. gotten her…”
Raphael scratched his head thoughtfully. The woodworkers had done a great job with his order but he felt like it was missing something. While beautiful, it lacked color. It wasn’t something he’d give to his little sister just yet. Not, of course, that he viewed Lysithea as a child. But simply that he wished to give her something that would make her smile and trying to imagine his sister was far easier. He knew the younger girl felt pressured by her age and respected her as an adult, but without the color the furniture was just too lifeless. And it made him fear the piece would fade into the background of Lysithea’s mind.
“Something the matter, Raphael?”
“Agh!” The large man jumped at the sound by his elbow. As Ignatz dodged Raphael’s flailing arm, he pushed his glasses back up. “Oh, hey Ignatz.” The smaller man smiled, no doubt remembering the countless times Raphael had startled him . It felt strangely nice to be the one doing it. But, that was besides the point. “Didja need anything?”
“Me? Not at all. But you looked troubled. Need help?” Raphael scratched his head once more.
“Well, I mean-” An idea popped into his mind then. “Actually!” At the sudden rise of voice, Ignatz jumped a little. Raphael failed to notice as he gripped the other man’s hand. “You came at a great time, Ignatz. Do ya think you could add some life to this here?” He gestured towards the furniture.
“Life? I’m not quite sure I understand what you’re asking for, Raphael.” Ignatz shook his head.
“Well, just.. life. I want whoever looks at this to sit back for a moment and remember that life is good. And pretty. And should be enjoyed.” Ignatz’s gaze flickered between Raphael’s beaming smile and the wood beside him. Slowly, he smiled in return.
“You know what? I think I might be able to do just that…”
It was finally the day. After the holiday feast, the deer wandered back to their old classroom. Everyone had dropped off their gifts on the way so hopefully no one knew who left what in the room. Byleth chuckled as Hilda once more presented the group with the box of choice. Drawing numbers or going around in a circle simply wouldn’t do for this occasion, she’d said. And, well, no one seemed to have any objections. So when Hilda held it out to her, Byleth dipped a hand inside and read the name she drew out.
“Ignatz.” At the sound of his name, the young man jumped.
“M- me?” Byleth smiled encouragingly.
“That’s the name.” Flipping it over, she showed the rest of the group. Rising from his seat, Ignatz carefully combed through the pile of gifts for his own. Finding it, he picked it up and brought it back to the others. Carefully, he undid the paper and held in his hands a wooden box that looked to be a little larger than a jewelry box. The others unconsciously drew closer as he opened it and pulled out a glass jar, undoing the red topper.
Well, all of them except for two. One young man was trying very hard not to look at Ignatz as he opened the gift. Byleth held back a chuckle. Really, Claude was so obvious. And the fact that their second nosiest one of the group wasn’t craning her neck to see meant that Hilda knew what it was beforehand. Green eyes flickered towards her and she shot him a knowing look. Claude’s ears turned red and he averted his gaze once more.
“Oh my… I-” Tears welled up in Ignatz’s eyes.
“What is it, Ignatz?” Leonie inquired.
“They’re paints. But.. but they’re so beautiful.” If Byleth had to guess, the colored toppers were what the paint would finish as. There were varying shades of reds and blues and others. “These must have cost a fortune. I- I can’t possibly accept this.”
“Oh come now, Ignatz. We were very strict that no one was to spend out of their limit. It’s the holidays, so just accept it and say ‘thank you’.” Hilda told him sternly.
“Thank you.. whoever was my secret Cethleann.” Ignatz met each of their eyes sincerely and they all smiled back.
“Now draw a namecard, Ignatz.” Hilda held the box out to him.
“Raphael.”
“Oh boy! My turn.” The large man immediately found his gift. “Oh, it’s kind of heavy. I wonder if it’s new training equipment.” He spoke as he unwrapped. “This.. is kind of a weird weight.” There was a soft giggle and Byleth as well as the other instinctively turned towards the sound. Leonie held a hand out and turned it rightside up.
“It’s not a weight, Raphael. It’s a birdbath.”
“Birds take baths?” His head tilted to one side and Leonie nodded.
“Yes. It’s actually really important. It keeps their feathers free of dirt and encourages birds to pre- or groom their feathers which, in turn, helps to preserve their wonderful, natural luster. In the wild, a bird may bathe during a rain shower or in a puddle, lake, or stream.” She explained as clearly as she could. Byleth raised an eyebrow. It sounded almost as if the other girl had rehearsed it. Does that mean this was Leonie’s gift? “But humans can make them too. And if you keep it filled with clean water, you’ll get lots of birds stopping by.” Soon, the confused expression was replaced by one of pure happiness.
“Wow! I can’t wait to bring this back home. This will look so great in front of the inn. Thanks so much, Mar- er. I mean, secret Cethleann.” Byleth studied Marianne as the other girl blushed and shifted to hide behind Claude. So it was Marianne’s gift… Byleth smiled. How sweet. Without wasting any more time, Raphael plunged his hand into the box. “You’re up Lorenz.”
On the gift opening went. Lorenz was quite pleased with his new embroidered handkerchief, immediately placing it into the breast pocket of his suit. Byleth gave Marianne a charm bracelet. She’d selected a charm of the gladiolus in the hopes that it would help remind her how far she’d come. In addition, she added charms for a hummingbird and the crest of Cethleann. All in all, she was pleased with the reaction she got from the shy girl.
Claude’s gift was a lovely, new tea set accompanied by expensive teas from around the world. Knowing how seriously he took his tea, Byleth immediately glanced towards Lorenz who was doing his best to wipe the satisfied look off his face. Well, so long as Claude liked it she supposed. Hilda received a basket of bath oils that she was all too happy to uncork and begin smelling. With each one came a new complement and Byleth was glad all of Lysithea’s hard work paid off. The younger girl spent hours in the kitchens after dark trying to perfect her recipes for the oils. Finding that delicate balance of scents and usefulness coupled with what she believed Hilda would enjoy.
Meanwhile, Lysithea’s gift seemed to be the biggest of them all. Byleth had been the one to help Raphael build the bookcase after the carpenters finished it. The man hadn’t wanted to go walking through town with it and so after it was disassembled and brought back to the monastery, he’d asked for assistance putting it back together. However, Byleth didn’t recall the shelf being painted black with blue swirls and bright white spots. It resembled the night sky. Lysithea’s eyes widened in awe as she ran her hands over it dreamily.
“And if you need help moving it,” Raphael couldn’t help but speak up, “don’t be afraid to ask, ‘kay?” Knowing that it was him, she turned and nodded, still too speechless to say anything. It wasn’t until she was prompted that she drew Leonie’s name from the box.
The gift was well met. A hunter’s knife, the blade was smooth and glinted in the dim light. With shining eyes, Leonie drew a strand of her hair and dropped it onto the edge. The piece split in half with no effort. Carved into the handle was the motif of a falcon. Byleth raised an eyebrow. She hadn’t expected Hilda of all people to give Leonie a weapon, but the girl had asked what kind of knife a hunter would likely use and Byleth had rattled off a few possibilities. Byleth always knew Hilda could be very thoughtful when she wanted to be.
Of course, the last gift was meant for the last person. Byleth picked up the rectangle curiously. Turning it over in her hands, she wondered what it could be. It felt like a book. Unwrapping it revealed a leatherbound journal. Painted on the first page was a portrait of the Golden Deer. Byleth’s eyes widened as she ran a finger over each and every face. They were all smiling and holding onto each other. Since keeping things secret seemed to be out the window, she looked up and met Ignatz’s eyes.
“Thank you.” Ignatz smiled.
“I hoped it would help you in the coming war, Professor. I can imagine a lot will be happening and sometimes it’s… nice to simply write things down. Helps to process it all.” Slowly, their night came to a close and everyone shuffled off to bed clutching their gifts tightly. True to his word, Raphael helped Lysithea move her new shelf to her room. As Byleth finished cleaning the wrapping paper, Claude approached. In his hands was another gift. Staring down at him, she straightened.
“I.. umm.” Claude’s face was red as he scratched the back of his head. “I know I wasn’t your secret Cethleann, Teach, but I hope it’s still okay that I got you something.” Unable to resist, Byleth gave him a teasing smile.
“And if I said it wasn’t?” He coughed and struggled to find a response. Taking pity, she shook her head. “It’s alright Claude. I appreciate the thought.” Ducking his head, he held it out to her. Accepting it, she undid the ribbon. Unfolding the cloth inside, Byleth shook it out. Inside was a long, wool cloak.
“Winters in Fódlan can get pretty cold. I figured your old one would be gone by now and I.. I hope you like this one.” Pulling it over her shoulders, Byleth slowly stroked the outer material.
“Thank you, Claude.” His face turned even redder at her words, but he turned to face her. Taking her hand, he brushed his lips across her knuckles.
“And I hope this will help you see that, no matter what, I’m here with you.” As he began to pull away, Byleth caught his hand.
“I- I… have something for you as well.” While he blinked at her in surprise, she used her other hand to pull out a small box from her pocket. Claude opened it and drew out a silver chain. Hanging off it was a deer. Its antlers were painted gold, its body silver.
“I want you to know that, wherever you are, the Golden Deer will always be with you.” Stepping closer, she placed her hand on his chest. “ I will always be with you.”
“Byleth…” Claude’s whisper was hoarse.
Slowly, he leaned down.
Byleth’s eyes closed as she tilted her head up to meet his.