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Ray never missed sword training now that Professor Byleth had become their co-teacher. He hadn’t understood why his friends had begged that uptight prince to teach them in the first place. It’s not like a pampered noble would have any real experience fighting, and the sword wasn’t even his preferred weapon!
But a hardened mercenary, that was someone Ray could respect and learn from. The professor had seen real battle and didn’t shy away from dirty tactics that would make these chivalrous knights at the monastery blush.
That was the kind of teacher he needed if he was going to avenge his parents.
At first, Ray had the new teacher almost entirely to himself, as the other orphans were too afraid to approach her. But as her face softened and her smiles came more readily, everyone wanted to learn from her, much to Ray’s annoyance.
Professor Byleth probably became so popular because of the way she managed to be both kind and stern. She talked to the kids as if they were adults, never sugarcoating the truth or praising them for a job done poorly. It was a refreshing contrast to the nuns and servants with their “you poor dears” and “you’ll understand when you’re older.” Orphans lived hard lives. They didn’t need coddling.
But the professor wasn’t all severe scoldings and slaps on the wrist like their school marm, either. Miss Byleth had a knack for reading people’s moods and knowing exactly how to comfort them. No sooner had you realized your favorite toy was lost than she was right there handing it back to you. She always brought cakes and cookies for the children to share after training, too.
Ray liked Professor Byleth, and he could recognize the familiar loneliness she’d carried when she had first arrived. So he was happy that she was settling in at the monastery— really, he was.
It was just that... the orphans weren’t the only ones enamored with her.
“I overheard one of the Blue Lions saying His Highness broke three lances during training this week,” whispered Nino conspiratorially as they waited for their sword lesson to begin. She was a scrappy sort, always covered in bruises, and ready to throw a punch at the slightest suggestion that girls were less capable than boys. “Every time, he was sparring with her.”
Lucius tutted. With exaggerated disdain, he threw his hair back over his shoulder. It was long, golden, and glossy. He attended to it obsessively after they had to shave it off due to lice when he first arrived. “Such gossip about a future king is inappropriate. He possesses a powerful crest that is difficult to control. That is all.”
Ray shared a look with Nino. Unlike them, Lucius had been born into a minor noble house of the Kingdom before his parents had died in the plague there. Having three names hadn’t saved him from ending up in an orphanage like them, but he still thought noble blood made a person special.
“That spoiled brat doesn’t deserve her anyway,” Ray grumbled. He did not share Lucius’ respect for the nobility. Quite the opposite. The old viscount of Hrym had been bad enough, but after the emperor killed him, Lord Arundel took over their lands. He demanded higher and higher taxes until farmers couldn't even feed their own families. When his parents finally refused to pay, he sent soldiers to make an example of them. They were murdered in cold blood and the farm seized. That was how nobles treated people like them. “Professor Byleth is too good for the likes of him.”
The instant gleam in Nino’s eyes made him regret the words as soon as they were out of his mouth.
“You’re just saying that because you want her for yourself!” she teased.
“That’s not—”
“Oh, yes,” drawled Lucius. Ray was constantly playing peacemaker between his two friends as they argued about anything and everything, but they managed to team up quite readily when it came to teasing him. “Why be the Queen of Faerghus when she could marry a penniless orphan eight years her junior!”
“All I care about is her skill with a sword,” said Ray to the increasing giggles of his so-called friends.
“Then why are you tending to that plot of valerian in the greenhouse, huh?” asked Nino. Damn, how had she found out about that? “The professor’s favorite flower!”
“It’s lots of people’s favorite, including yours!”
“That’s only ‘cause the professor showed me how to make that tea that makes you sleep without nightmares.”
Nino flushed; it was sort of an unspoken rule that they didn’t acknowledge the horrors inherent in their lives. They were supposed to be strong, to spit on the pity adults thought they deserved. Not be frightened of what lurked in dreams.
He knew from experience that the kindest thing was to ignore her slip-up, so he carried on as if nothing had happened. The fact that this avoided incriminating himself was a lucky bonus. “I didn’t choose those flowers,” he lied. “I asked to help in the greenhouse, and that’s the task they gave me. It’s only so I can learn about plants for when I win back my family’s farm.”
Lucius scoffed. “You still think you’ll be able to stroll into Lord Arundel’s home and demand he sign over your land?” He softened his voice to add, “It’s a fool’s errand, Ray. He’s far too powerful.”
“You always take the noble’s side, just like with the prince.” Ray deftly directed their conversation back into the safer waters where they’d begun. He’d never stop them bickering, but he didn’t want them fighting over serious matters that could permanently damage their friendship. “And anyway, it doesn’t matter if he does have a crush. Professor Byleth’s not stupid enough to fall for someone like His Highness.”
“That’s not what Iiiiii heeeeeard,” Nino said in a sing-song voice that promised a juicy secret.
He made an effort not to appear too interested, but curiosity was just human nature, right? Even when it came to useless topics like romance. He didn’t want to lose his best teacher when she went off and got married, after all.
He crossed his arms and huffed. “Well? Spit it out. You’re obviously dying to.”
She scanned the training grounds for eavesdroppers and motioned for the three of them to lean in closer. “Prince Dimitri asked the professor on a date, and she said yes.”
“Surely there are rules against relationships between a teacher and a student!” Lucius said, scandalized. “To say nothing of a commoner with royalty!”
“Who cares? Those things are nothing compared to true love!” Nino insisted. “They’re going to a fancy restaurant in town after training tonight!” She pitched her voice as low as she could to imitate the prince. “Please, allow me to express my gratitude by taking you to dinner. After all, such magnificent guidance must work up quite an appetite. And she said she would be delighted.”
“To thank her for her help teaching us?” Lucius gasped. “That means we are responsible for their romance!”
“Ooh, imagine if we were invited to the wedding feast!” She sighed dreamily, probably imagining a buffet table piled to the ceiling with extravagant foods.
“What are you two on about?” asked Ray, puzzled at the deeper meaning his friends seemed to see. “It’s just a thank-you dinner, like he said.”
Lucius patted his shoulder sympathetically. He shook him off. “Oh, Ray. You are positively hopeless in matters of romance.”
“Seriously!” Nino agreed. “All you think about it swords and that old farm. You wouldn’t know love if it slapped you in the face!” She sighed dreamily. “A handsome prince falling head over heels for a commoner and whisking her away to be his queen! Isn't it romantic? If only I could be so lucky...”
Ray’s anger was rising. These two were never serious about anything. All they ever wanted to do was play and gossip. Nothing but distractions. He did not need this nonsense interfering with his training anymore.
“Who’d want you for a queen?” Ray said with a huff of annoyance. “You’re always causing trouble, and you eat like a pig! And you, Lucius—you know better than anyone that nobles don’t care about commoners at all. You only talk to us because nobody else can stand you!” Hurt and anger flashed across their faces, and Nino opened her mouth to deliver what would surely be a scathing review of his own character. He cut her off before she could start. “If you two can’t be serious, I’ll just go train by myself!”
He was too worked up to train properly, though, so he kept right on walking, through the Officer’s Academy and past the gatekeeper. There was a corridor here where hardly anyone went, and the stray cats had taken to gathering, waiting for the professor to come with her daily catch.
He scratched behind the ears of a grateful Dominic Gray, stewing in his misery. He shouldn’t have snapped at them. It wasn't actually their fault. Sometimes his frustration with the world just boiled over. He always hurt people when those moods overtook him.
“Ray? Oh, thank goodness I found you! Are you all right?” Oh, that was just great. Mr. Perfect Prince himself. He was a bit out of breath, as if he’d run here from the training grounds. “It’s not like you to miss sword training.”
“I’m fine.”
“Right. Of course.” His Highness rocked on his heels a few times, looking awkward. “If there’s anything you wish to talk about...”
“I said it's nothing.”
Dimitri didn’t take the hint and settled on the ground facing him, back against the wall. “So I suppose it is merely a coincidence that your friends were crying when you fled?” he asked.
Ray shrunk in on himself, pulling his knees to his chest and hunching his shoulders. “You wouldn’t understand.”
“If you think I do not understand lashing out at those who don’t deserve it, then I can assure you, nothing could be further from the truth,” the prince said, his mouth twisted into a crooked, sad sort of smile.
“Fine. I’ll apologize later,” Ray snapped. “Happy?”
“While I do believe an apology would be a excellent start, I’m not convinced that will solve the root problem. And anyway, the professor sent me to inquire after your well-being. As you know, she tolerates no failure in a mission of this sort.”
Ray looked at the prince, really looked, and for the first time, saw the familiar marks of sleepless nights and hidden darkness. Why would someone who grew up with everything they ever wanted be so weary?
Maybe he would understand—a little, anyway.
“The other kids are always talking about silly things, like who has a crush on who,” Ray said. “I’ve got stuff I need to do. Important stuff. I can’t just play around and gossip all the time… and they don't deserve to get caught up in my problems, either. So I think it’s better for everyone if I just don’t talk to them anymore.”
“Yes, I believe you mentioned taking back your family’s farm? Is that why you’re training in the sword?”
“Yeah. I’m gonna challenge Lord Arundel to a duel. I’ll avenge my parents and get back what’s mine.”
A pained expression passed over the prince’s face briefly before he smothered it. “My uncle is indeed a wicked man, with many misdeeds he must answer for. And reclaiming your farm is an admirable goal, truly,” he said, putting a hand under his chin in thought. “But recently, I have begun to question the wisdom of a life devoted to the past, forsaking the future. What good is amassing more strength, if you have no one to protect?”
That’s right, he was an orphan, too, and probably wanted revenge against the people who killed his parents just as badly as Ray did.
“What changed your mind?”
“Well, the professor, for one.” A little grin tugged at the corner of Dimitri’s mouth, nothing like the fake princely smile he normally wore. Ray doubted he even knew he was doing it. “She lived a life of violence, and it left her empty. But since coming here, she has changed her path to one of kindness and friendship. Now she’s...” He seemed to struggle for a word to convey the enormity of his feelings, then chuckled, finding it impossible. “Simply mesmerizing. If I could offer my people even a fraction of the help she has given me—given all her students, then maybe... Maybe there’s a reason I survived after all. Maybe if I accept the kindness of others and let it guide me, the ugly parts of myself need not rule me forever.” He rubbed the back of his neck self-consciously. “Anyway, sorry, I didn’t mean to burden you with my own troubles.”
“No, that’s okay,” Ray said. “You might have a point.”
When he used to think of his farm, he thought of the days he spent there with his parents, or how he would manage it on his own. But lately, those daydreams had started to include his friends there with him, not just to share the workload but to be a family again.
And a family like that was worth more than one already underground.
He should really get back and apologize.
But after a few steps, he stopped. “Hey, um, Your Highness? There’s a patch of valerian in the greenhouse. I was growing it for a friend, but it’ll make more tea than one person could ever drink. You should pick a bouquet for the professor before your date tonight. It’s her favorite flower.”
“D-date?” Dimitri spluttered. “That’s not—”
“And if she likes them, just remember to invite us to the wedding feast, okay?”
The prince’s face was a shade of red Ray had only ever seen on tomatoes. Nino and Lucius were going to love hearing about this development.
“Wedding?! Are you mad?”
Whatever else Dimitri said, Ray was already out of earshot. He had to get back to his family— and the professor’s training, so he would be strong enough to protect them when the time came.