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When Edelgard finally found Bernadetta, she couldn’t suppress a smile. Bernadetta was crouched behind a bush in the tea garden, leaves in her hair, looking more akin to a cowering rabbit than a noblewoman being courted by the Princess of the Empire. Maybe someone else would have been embarrassed by the display. Edelgard simply found it endearing.
Kneeling beside her, Edelgard whispered, “Who are we hiding from?”
Bernadetta gave a small squeak. “E-El! Don’t do that!”
“I thought I told you to come find me if you ever felt scared leaving your room.”
“I was fine leaving my room– until Hubert started doing that!” Bernadetta pointed around the bush with a shaking finger. Leaning over, Edelgard spotted Hubert standing at the west entrance of the tea garden. He didn’t appear to have noticed either of them.
“What is he doing, exactly?” Edelgard asked when Hubert didn’t do anything more than stand there.
Bernadetta gestured emphatically. “He’s being scary! He’s glaring at everyone! I don’t want to get too close, he’ll attack!”
Perhaps Hubert was scowling more fiercely than normal but he didn’t seem violent. Not to Edelgard, anyway– though she admittedly had more experience with reading Hubert than Bernadetta did. “I wonder why…” She trailed off as someone approached Hubert. Bernadetta grabbed Edelgard’s arm and held on tight.
It was Ferdinand, who frowned as Hubert caught him by the shoulder to speak with him. Bernadetta gave another squeak. “Get out of there, Ferdinand!” She whispered urgently.
Edelgard watched as Hubert, still glaring, said something to Ferdinand. Then both boys turned bright red.
And it dawned on Edelgard what they were seeing.
With a snort she attempted to cover with both hands, Edelgard sunk lower behind the bush and tried, unsuccessfully, to hold in her giggles. “What happened?!” Bernadetta was shaking Edelgard’s arm. “Why are you laughing?!”
“I-I am sorry, Bernadetta,” Edelgard said through a bursting smile. “Hubert isn’t trying to be scary. I think he’s frustrated by the task I set him.”
“W-What did you tell him to do?”
“He has someone he would like to invite to the ball. I merely tasked him with finding the courage to ask them.”
Bernadetta peeked over the bush again. Round, smoky eyes grew even rounder as she put the pieces together. She too slid further behind the bush as she let out muffled giggles. Edelgard checked one last time that the boys were well and truly distracted before leaning against Bernadetta to watch her laugh.
“I can’t believe I thought he was gonna kill me!” Bernadetta said, still giggling with relief. “It’s so nice to see Hubert acting just like the rest of us!”
Edelgard rather thought it was nice to see Bernadetta acting just like the rest of them. Laughing, hand in Edelgard’s, cheeks flush with mirth.
Edelgard pressed a kiss to that cheek. Bernadetta froze. Her mouth snapped shut as her gaze met Edelgard’s. “As much as Hubert’s discomfort can be amusing,” Edelgard said slowly, “I must admit, I too have been… putting of inviting someone to the ball.” Bernadetta’s eyes looked ready to pop out of her face. Edelgard squeezed her hand. “I don’t know how you would feel about going. It would be crowded and loud and you have already told me you didn’t go to many balls as a child– so I held off saying anything. But if Hubert can do it…”
Bernadetta was smiling. Edelgard binked rapidly but the smile remained. Threading their fingers together, Bernadetta said, “It’ll be scary b-but, if you’re with me, I don’t think it’ll be so bad!” She giggled at whatever look Edelgard had on her face and kissed her, a quick thing Edelgard was too stunned to truly appreciate.