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Bernadetta’s leg bounced under the table. Her hands were clenched in her lap, fists wound as tight as her insides. No matter much she mentally pleaded, Professor Byleth wasn’t handing back their tests any faster. It was as if they knew Bernadetta was about to pass out from nerves and took pleasure in her discomfort.
It wasn’t even her own test Bernadetta was anxious about. In front of her, Edelgard sat upright and sure, eyes also tracking the Professor as they moved around the classroom. Beside Bernadetta was Raphael, hands clasped on the table top. It was their test scores Bernadetta wanted to know so badly.
Edelgard and Raphael had met multiple times that week to study for this particular test. More accurately– Edelgard had tutored Raphael several times that week for this test. The guilt of it lay thick in Bernadetta’s gut. Edelgard was royalty. She was next in line to be Emperor! If anyone should have been tutoring Raphael, it should have been Bernadetta. And now there was a chance Edelgard’s test score could be affect by her lack of proper studying.
Stupid Bernie! Why didn’t she offer faster? Why didn’t she interrupt their sessions to take over instead? Her own scores could get as low as dirt– they didn’t matter compared to Edelgard’s.
“It’s easier to study in the library with the materials close at hand,” Edelgard had explained when the tutoring plans had first been made. “I know you dislike being out of your room for so long. You may join us when you have the confidence.”
But Bernadetta had talked herself out of joining them every time. Even when Raphael had offered to make her a ‘Bernadetta Book Barricade’ to keep her safe from the rest of the library, Bernadetta had yelled that moving so many books would draw attention and to not go through the trouble. Inside, however, she was happy at his attempt to keep her safe. Even if Edelgard had been shaking her head at the pair of them during the whole conversation.
“Here you are.”
The Professor was standing beside Bernadetta, holding out her test. Bernadetta took it and placed in on her desk without looking at the grade. Her gaze was locked on the Professor’s hand, which had reached into the stack to grab the next paper. Slowly– or perhaps it was just slow to Bernadetta– they handed back Raphael’s test. Then Edelgard’s in the next row. Then they began speaking to the class about something that went in on of Bernadetta’s ears and out the other.
She didn’t register anything until the lunch bell rang. Immediately she grabbed Raphael’s arm, stopping him from leaving as the rest of the class filed out. Seeing this, Edelgard hesitated by Bernadetta’s desk, then waved for Hubert to leave with everyone else.
“What’s up?” Raphael asked once the three were alone.
“H-How did you guys do?” Bernadetta’s own test crinkled in her grasp.
Raphael grinned with all his teeth. “I nailed this one! Thanks to Edelgard, of course!”
“You knew more to start with than you thought,” Edelgard praised as she held up her own passing test score for Bernadetta to observe. “You just needed some help with–”
“I’m so proud of you two!”
Bernadetta buried her face in her palms, trying and failing to hold back sobs of relief. Raphael had gotten a better grade than Bernadetta! Her country’s princess had passed with flying colors! The guilt and anxiety that had made its home in her chest all week had vanished, leaving Bernadetta feeling lightheaded and shaky.
A strong arm wrapped around her shoulders and Edelgard’s laughter seemed to wrap Bernadetta just as tight. “That’s what’s got you so worked up?”
“One test shouldn’t cause so much grief,” Edelgard said, holding out a handkerchief.
Bernadetta sniffed and took it. “Sorry.” She dabbed at her cheeks. “Um, c-could I join in your study sessions next time?”
“Sure yah can! That okay with you, Edelgard?”
“Of course.” Edelgard smiled softly as she pushed Bernadetta’s bangs away from her tear-sticky face. “We will tackle the next test together.”
Relaxing into Raphael’s arm, clutching Edelgard’s handkerchief, Bernadetta returned the smile, confident that she could easily brave a few hours in the library next time.