Archive of Our Own

Byleth awoke with a strange, but tender weight on her shoulders. The wick from her candle had melted into the wax some long hours ago, and the sun, as it rose, had begun to burn away the shadows that nestled in the halls right outside the room.

The night must've passed by without her noticing.

Rising from her slouched position, Byleth stretched out her arms until a slightly painful yet satisfying crack rolled across the arc of her back—only to be alerted by a soft yet echoing thud.

She thought it was only the weights in her shoulder blades before straightening them, but as she stared at the hardwood floor, a lying patch of deep blue fur stood out like a sore thumb.

Cocking her head briefly to the side before pushing her chair away from the table, she crouched to her knees, and picked up the furry hide. The cloth was plain as the eye could see. Its only notable features were the ragged tears around its edges, and how heavy the fur weighed in her hand. She scrunched her face a tiny bit. This pelt… Could it have been made from Faerghan boars or Leicester wolves? And who had come by to set it on her shoulders?

A hunter came to mind and she drew up a few possible suspects. She turned the cloak around as she held it up, trying to feel more of its texture. Maybe it was a wealthy noble's, but why was it tattered?

Setting it on the desk beside her main working area and she quickly got out her pocket book, flipping through the worn pages methodically. Ever since being accepted into the academy, Byleth knew there was a new set of rules and responsibilities for her now. While Jeralt had been her one and only teacher when it came to learning the ways of the world (or lack of, judging from the various reactions she had from her peers), they both knew that teaching a group of students that were growing to be the next leading bodies of the country was far above what was expected of a hardened mercenary.

And yet it landed on Byleth's lap for some odd reason.

So, with this new position in life, Byleth did what she always excelled in, preparation. Buying a new leather pocket book from the nearest market, and wrote down everything that she needed to keep track of. Jeralt had mentioned before how Byleth was exceptional when it came to organizing and keeping track of the supplies while they traveled, and this was no different.

Except, it was.

Standing in front of unfamiliar faces within the Blue Lions classroom proved as a lesson to her more than anything. She mostly left all of the talking and negotiations to Jeralt during her time as a sellsword, since people were unnerved by her unchanging presence, but he wasn't there, and she had to deal with the fluctuations of every characteristic that made each student unique in their own way. Once class was dismissed, she was given a roster list from Seteth, a small blessing, but she knew it wasn't enough.

She had to analyze every single detail about her class in order for them to bloom into people worthy enough for Fodlan. Their names, behaviors, patterns, their likes and dislikes, just like how she and her father did when studying their opponents. After every interaction, she would write down one detail about them that she learned, and this extended to towards the staff as well, despite their looks of confusion they had on their faces.

One time Manuela brought it to her attention after Byleth was jotting down how messy her room was.

"It's quite impolite to do that, you know?"

Byleth looked up from her scribbled words for a moment and tilted her head. "Is it?"

The red on Manuela's face bloomed into crimson and before Byleth could raise a single concern for her—

"Yes!" she practically screamed. "It's quite intrusive, and I don't think anyone wants every single secret written down like it's a comedy!" She wasn't doing it to publish a stage play. "How would anyone feel if they wrote down your secrets!"

It took a moment for Byleth to think on it. That was a good point on Manuela's part. Byleth didn't think she wanted her secrets revealed to her enemies, especially if they have it on record. So after that encounter, Byleth took to a secluded corner that wasn't too dark and penned the details there.

And those words especially helped her in times like these. Flipping through the worn pages, she had everyone's names and facial descriptions before it listed their interests and habits, one by one, she tried to mentally highlight the people who would own this cloak. Let's see…

Jeralt (Good place to start)

Leonie

Cyril

Shamir

Catherine

Hapi

Petra

Caspar

Felix

Ferdinand

Lorenz…

Byleth wondered if this was enough. It might not be, after all, she still didn't know everyone here, and it was only the Wyvern Moon, just after the Battle of the Eagle and Lion. Even though everyone was in perfect synergy with Byleth during the mock battle, that wasn't a good indicator of their bond with their professor, it was more or less respect and trust in her, which she didn't mind at all.

It didn't change the fact that Byleth might have left some missing links out, but these people were her best leads.

"Hey kid, you in here?" Perhaps the goddess personally blessed her. Jeralt came walking in with a bit of a tired stride in his step, cracking his neck back into place with a grunt. Knowing him, he might've gone drinking in town before bed. Byleth was never one to judge, especially in that moment since she just spent her whole night in the library.

Standing up from her seat, she picked up the cloak and the pocket book—knowing she'd probably be back to sort the mess later. Going over to Jeralt with her hands full, Byleth shoved the cloth into his vision. "Do you recognize this?"

His bleary eyes glazed over the fabric, a bit blood shot, it seemed like Byleth's suspicions about him drinking were right, she thought about getting him some water later. "Uhh, can't really tell right now. although…" he trailed off as he tried to get a feel for it, rubbing the fur between his fingers. "It's a bit worn, but it feels like high quality. Probably a rare sort."

Before he could add anything else, he let out a large yawn and the scent of aged mead introduced itself with an unceremonious presence. "Listen, I have to sort myself out. You know how it is." Byleth nodded. Jeralt took a moment to straighten his back. "Just, don't sleep in the library, alright? It doesn't do well for your stance, especially if you're hunched over at the desk," he shrugged with his left shoulder, "you get it, right?"

She gave another nod, she knew he meant well, after all why would he come to check to see if she was alright even after swimming in a sea of booze? "I'll be able to make up for it," she said with an assuring tone, "I have to give this back after all."

Apparently, that made Jeralt more awake, his eyes expanded and he pursed his lips for just a moment before following up. "Are you sure? This place is a home to a lot of folks here. Who knows, maybe they'll come back for it?"

That didn't really satisfy Byleth. Giving her first shake of the head, she followed up, "If that's true then there's a fair chance someone could steal it for themselves."

Jeralt only gave another sighed as he tilted his head down to the steady wooden boards that hold the library in place.

"You're getting pretty persistent lately—not that I mind. It's good that you're making your own decisions." His gloved hand perched itself on top of Byleth's shoulder as his gaze became more focused. "Remember, know your own limits you-"

"-never know when you need to retreat?"

"…Yeah, that's right." There was a new expression on his face, now his iron gaze almost looked…embarrassed? No, it couldn't be that, it was something else, he looked surprised more than anything. Whatever it was, she might write it down later if she got the chance.

Taking his hand off her shoulder, he placed it on his hip. "Wish you luck kid." And with that, he took off, hopefully to his chambers rather than his office in the next hall over.

Byleth didn't have a moment to spare herself, it was time to begin the search.

Leonie was easy to find. She normally resided in the early mornings near her dorm room. Right in front of her door, she was pulling up her boots while sitting on top one of the crates to gain more leverage. Byleth checked the accompanying pocket watch that rested in her skirt, it was apart of the uniform she had to wear as being apart of the faculty because apparently the clothes she had were too… inappropriate (a shame, since she was more used in those clothes). It appeared to be 8 in the morning, mental note taken.

Byleth knew that Leonie was sharp enough to hear her steps and immediately looked up with a curious and cautious look before letting her guard down upon seeing one of the professors. "Oh! Professor Byleth, what's up?"

Briefly, Byleth questioned Leonie like with Jeralt earlier, to the only response being a harsh frown and shake of her head. "Sorry I don't know who it belongs to, although…" Leonie, after shifting in her boots a little to make sure they're on right, waltzed right over to feel the pelt. After getting a feel, a delighted hum purred from her throat along with an 'ooo' to compliment it. "This is nice! It has to be from a rare animal breed!" Rare animal fur, got it.

On the first chance, Byleth pulled herself back as Leonie loosen her grip and did a little bow with her head. "Thank you, I'll go and check if anyone else has seen it." After taking her leave, Leonie was left to her own devices. Maybe Byleth would gift her something similar to thank her properly, she would have to write that down.

Time for the next one on the list.

"Wait! Let me feel it a little more!"

Cyril and Shamir were together in the outskirts of Garreg Mach, even though it took some difficulty asking around to gain some information for their whereabouts, it was good fortune that they were both together, that killed two birds with one stone. It was a good spot too, shaded by the fluttering trees, targets were set up on the bark on a few. The easier ones were clear as paintings in a museum, but the whole course wasn't as easy as it looked. Others were camouflaged in the nestles of leaves, squeezed in the pits of branches, and awkward angles. Maybe Byleth should ask Shamir for more tips on target placements, she knew that Annette could use the precision, it would help her with keeping her focus.

Approaching from behind Shamir, it looked like she was guiding Cyril on proper stancing and there was an arrow snagged into the drawstring, so Byleth backed away slowly. It was better to stop before an accident occurred. That did give more time to analyze their training though. Even though Annette could benefit greatly from this, Sylvain was also a contender for practicing his line of sight.

He didn't pay much attention like he did in his attempts to flirt with her, but there was one day where Ashe accidentally took his seat and he had to sit all the way in the back with Annette. Byleth didn't see much use in assigned seating so she didn't press on the issue, but during one of her lectures, Sylvain asked if she could bring the chalkboard closer and even squinted his eyes afterwards. After writing that down in her pocket book, she also included a note on there to talk to Sylvain about that.

There was also Dimitri who came to mind, she heard from other students that he struggled with his own strength and snapped weapons like no tomorrow. But it was more hearsay rather than tangible proof, after all, Byleth hadn't heard it from his mouth or seen it herself. So there wasn't much point to write it down in the pocket book. But then again…

"Alright, you can come out now." The harsh voice shattered Byleth's thoughts as she was suddenly confronted with the indigo haired individual staring daggers into her while the youth that she was tutoring, was eyeing her with a curious gaze.

"Professor Byleth? What are you doing here?" Cyril asked with a quizzical look before Byleth walked up to the two of them and held out the pelt like a child showing a drawing to their parents.

"Do any of you recognize this pelt?"

They both looked at each with the same questioning looking expression, and then looked back at Byleth.

"Let me see it," Shamir said before walking up to Byleth and getting a feel for it, rubbing it against her fingers as her eyes scrunched up as if trying to imagine the feel of any animal that she's hunted before. After doing so, Shamir noticed the focused gaze of her student and eventually handed it to him.

"It's pretty thick," Cyril commented, his eyes wandering on it. "It's pretty well put together despite the tears."

"This is the skin of a Faerghan wolf," Shamir responded to Cyril before focusing her attention towards Byleth. "They're typically from Adrestia but during warmer climates in the south, they moved to Faerghus for the colder atmosphere," as the archer continued, Cyril handed her the cloth back and she held it in one hand before weighing it up and down, "but they are rare, whoever owns this is either a skilled hunter or a really wealthy noble man." Once Shamir finished, she gave Byleth the furred comforter back, leaving her to contemplate in her thoughts once more.

Okay that crossed some people off the list, but not all of them. There was Petra, Casper, Felix, Ferdinand, and Lorenz left. "Thank you, Shamir," Byleth turned to Cyril and nodded to him next, "and thank you Cyril. I'll try and check the other people I got marked down."

With that, she was already off in a standard strife that exuded no unique character.

It was around 10:40 when Byleth was investigating back in the reception hall, her stomach ached for food despite the dining hall closing fourty or so minutes ago. It was fine though. She could go through entire days without food, that's what life as a mercenary taught her. She could steel her appetite for however long it may take.

Dorothea and Edelgard gave some directions on Petra's whereabouts and it led her to the commons room, its purpose being both a relaxation hub for visitors and occupants equally, structured specifically for interaction and reverie. However, its purpose was used for something else at that moment.

"…you….hate….fine…."

Byleth's brow cocked to the side as she slowly approached the room, the booming voice crept through the bricks in the walls and only seemed to grow louder when she approached the door. Was a fight brewing?

"Just….give it….me straight."

Her steps turned into harsh footsteps as she sped up her walking. If there was going to be a fight then she'd settle it herself. She'd done it many times before, and if one of the students was going to get hurt, they'd have to answer to her.

"…I'd able to forgive you. I don't understand how you can-"

Before the young man could finish, Byleth busted the door open with both hands, only for her to stop herself in her footsteps as she stared at the two. A boy with an angular blue hair cut and a girl with a long beautiful high braid. It was Caspar and Petra, both from the Black Eagles house.

Their eyes, mostly Caspar's, were near bulging out of their skulls as they were encountered by one of the staff members of the academy. "P-Professor Byleth?" Caspar stuttered, eyes darting around as of to see if there were any other people who were snooping around listening in.

"Listen, Professor," Caspar readied his excuse with pursed lips, "we weren't-"

"It is alright, Caspar," Petra turned to him with a stern but not quite a harsh look, then looked back at Byleth with a curious expression. She had always been like that, eager to learn everything she could from Byleth's seminars (whenever she taught a topic she was interested in) to even the mundane behavior of the people around her.

In a way, Byleth could relate, examining the whole world around you proved for excellent and necessary survival skills.

"What do you have need of us, Professor Byleth?" Petra asked with her hand on her hip. "Caspar and me are both engaging in…a discussion, but there is no fight."

The reassurance gave Byleth some ease before she showed them the fur pelt with Petra stretching her face in astonishment and Caspar throwing a wide eyed gaze towards the cloak.

"Woah, that's one hell of a fur coat!" Caspar exclaimed, racing over and snatching it excitedly, it seemed like the stressful conversation the two of them were having was under the rug for now. It was an endearing sight to see how the young boy fitted the pelt around his shoulders, giving into the fantasy of being a feared general.

Petra on the other hand, grabbed the end of the pelt, examining the fur with a glimmer in her eyes. "This fur… Is m-marvelous! Truly the highest quality," she expressed with glee before her face fell in disappointment. "Shame I am not the one who it is belonging to."

So that narrowed the search a little more. If Byleth was honest here, there was a slight twinge that echoed through her body. The thought of her not actually knowing her students well enough only drove the stake deeper. Quickly, she reassured herself that she'd take more notes, especially about everyone's preferences on this pelt.

"I see," she nodded slowly before looking up at the two of them, both anticipating answers. "Do you know anyone who would own something like this?"

Caspar looked like he was using all of his brain-cells to conjure a sizable thought in his head before looking back up at Byleth. "Well, I bet Ferdinand would have something as fancy as this. I'm not a great hunter myself but my da-" he suddenly stopped in his tracks, his eyes widen as he caught something in his throat before side-eying Petra, trying to see her reaction.

Byleth took a brief look at Petra too, although her face was calm and collected, her fingers twitched slightly and her bottom lip shrunk back briefly, her teeth biting in it from the inside.

"It's alright, Cas-"

"Petra, don't you hunt as a hobby?" Byleth interjected before getting a surprised reaction from her. It appeared that they were discussing some sensitive talks due to familial differences. It didn't seem right for Byleth to interrogate them on the matter if they didn't exactly feel comfortable with sharing that information with her.

"I… Yes! I do indeed hunt," Petra's eyes glimmered a little, that was better. "This animal is of great quality to we who hunt, but this animal is not familiar to me at all. The hide is big, a person have to be talented to hunt a beast like this."

It was more or less repeated information, but it did rule out the possibility of the animal coming from Brigid in case Shamir was wrong, and plus it further confirmed Shamir's statement.

"Thank you, you two," Byleth nodded at the both of them, and her lips twisted upwards slightly again. Was she smiling again? It'd been happening often and the last time she noticed it, was when Dimitri first commented on it. Apparently it had some sort effect on Caspar and Petra, both gleaming brightly in response. "Don't hesitate to call for my help if anything arises."

"We sure will!" Caspar affirmed with a proud huff of his chest.

"I will call you when we are needing the help, thank you ever much!" Petra politely bowed.

Figuring that she stayed for long enough, Byleth decided to leave the commons room and closed the door behind her. But once she did, she stayed for a while longer until she heard a firm female voice.

"Caspar, you are not the one who did the killing…"

With that, Byleth was off, perhaps she'd check on the both of them again to speak of the private matter between the two separately. It seemed like a complicated matter that needed proper attention to. She did trust them though, to handle the matter with enough maturity needed, and she believed in them enough that they'd grow to be fine people.

"Ahh…. This aroma, is it not simply exquisite."

"Ah yes, Leicester Cortania. Its blend is made of the finest ingredients from the alliance, am I not wrong?"

"Right again, my friend."

Byleth's stomach roared, soon the two pairs of eyes were on her and she could feel some heat in her cheeks.

It was around 1:30-ish when she came across Lorenz and Ferdinand. It had been a while but while asking for directions on their whereabouts, she was sent on a wild goose chase, running errands in the market in exchange for information, only to notice that the person who sent her on that chase had no idea as to where the two were, which made Byleth bubble inside slightly, but as it turned out, they were easier to find than the others.

Together, they sat under one of the many gazebos in the monastery, talking amongst the two of them with proud smiles and tea cups in hand. Their set was filled with tarts drizzled with a deep bright red and blanketed with powdered sugar, the next layer above contained the savory section where finely cut sandwiches sat. Bright colors of the lettuce, tomato, and ham shined brightly, reflected on the surface of the plate. All of it tormenting Byleth's hunger as she continued to stare between the noble pair and the table set up.

"Professor Byleth, are you quite alright?" Ferdinand tried to cut through the tight silence between the three of them as he set his cup down.

Before Byleth strung up a reply, the sound of her stomach croaking betrayed her. She quickly clutched at it with her arm, in effort to silence the rumbling. It was never like this though. During her mercenary days, she only ate what was available to her and even went through days without food. Had her time at the monastery changed her diet and thus her body's intense craving?

"We are happy to share some of snacks with you, if you desperately need it," Lorenz's voice snapped her out of her thoughts as she was suddenly met with a plate of two triangular sandwiches, both of them having an egg salad filling with thin tomatoes slotting in between. It looked so delectable…

But soon, she felt her pride stabbing her in the back. If she ate something, she knew it would waste more time and no where near closer to who the cloak belongs to. Maybe she'd ask for some sandwiches later.

Holding up her hand, she shook her head (with some hesitation, but she quickly recovered). "Thank you, Lorenz, but I'll be alright."

Lorenz released a huff of frustration as he set the plate back on the set.

"So be it, however it would be unfitting as a noble to let one of our dear professors starve themselves."

"Indeed, it would not befitting of our stature at all!" Ferdinand remarked, raising his cup as if to metaphorically cheer his partners before taking a sip of it. Byleth still didn't get these two or how they thought, no matter how many notes she took on them.

She'd even kept a counter in it for how many times they said "noble". She'd have to add a few more tallies to it.

Anyways, business. Byleth promptly got the pelt out in her hands and showed it to the two, hoping that they would at least recognize it in all of their 'noble' wisdom.

"Do you two recognize this pelt? Does it possibly belong to either of you two?" she asked.

And was met with the simultaneous clattering of tea cups meeting their saucers as they widen their faces that threatened to stretch off of their skulls.

"I-Is that..?"

"Is it yours?"

"It couldn't possibly..!"

"Is it yours????"

"Lunar Wolf hide!?" They exclaimed in unison together.

"Lunar Wolf hide?" Byleth repeated after them with a raised brow, a tad bit annoyed she didn't get the answer she wanted.

"Lunar Wolves are native to the Faerghus region, they say that they follow the will of the stars above, protecting the holy land," Ferdinand started to narrate, "They are considered a rare species but whenever they are spotted, they are either disguised in the woods or the moonlight gives its radiant fur its sheen that's unlike any other mammal in the region!"

Lorenz gaped his mouth open as he followed up with a dreamy gaze. "Goddess, to think I would lay my eyes on such a pelt, I am almost tempted to steal it for myself," he jested before his friend laughed heartily in agreement.

"Indeed, whoever owns it must have the luck of goddess with them," Ferdinand remarked before sipping more of his tea.

So it didn't belong to either of them… But they knew what it was and where it came from, and that was enough. "Thank you, Ferdinand, Lorenz. Your insight was greatly appreciated." And with that, Byleth was off again, leaving the two higher class-men to chat and be merry.

If it was a Faerghan wolf skin, then she knew that one of her students would have the answer. She remembered at one point in class, Felix came up to her with a proposition to learn the ways of the assassin in order to improve his agility with the blade. Byleth figured it wasn't a bad idea but she was more worried about his precision that came with that type of class, so she brought up the idea of practicing with sniper equipment and a bow first before training to be an assassin. Conveniently, that was also his other reason for wanting to go into that.

He used a bow a long time ago but he mentioned that it had been a while, and he wanted to refine his skills from when he used to go hunting. So, Byleth gave him a hunting knife and assigned him various targets to practice with every single day and every portion of the day to improve his reaction time and eye sight. Ever since then, he dedicated every moment of his free time to throwing that dagger at the targets that Byleth assigned to him after each class period (with Shamir's help, of course).

He was in the training grounds as predicted. Across the stone floor, he sat there, staring at the targets while twirling the knife in his hand. His face conveyed deep thought as the hilt of the blade circled his fingers. In the beginning, Felix was always the one who challenged Byleth's lessons, raising questions or suggestions for where he wanted the lesson to go, but as time went on, she gained his trust and a sort of admiration for how Byleth was trained under multiple mercenary jobs, showcasing her clear experience for combat.

Byleth began to approach him from the shadows, but the first step she took, a dagger dashed straight towards her face, only for it to graze past her head and into the column, shaving a bit of her hair off.

"You're getting better," she bluntly stated before prying the blade off the pillar and throwing back at Felix with an underhand motion causing it to flip through the air.

"The dagger is pretty nimble, don't understand why you gave me this rather than a bow." As the dagger flipped towards the ground, he grabbed it with one hand and pushed his feet up from the ground, standing up right. "When are you giving me a bow?"

As Felix turned his head towards Byleth, it was almost too quick, too insignificant to see, but his eyes flickered at the sight of the pelt in Byleth's hands before he quickly looked at her face. His face twisted slightly as if he tried to shove something down, afraid of it resurfacing.

Deciding to push that subject aside for now, Byleth reassured him, "I'll be training you with a bow tomorrow during class so no need to worry about that."

His posture straightened as he nodded in understanding before looking at the targets. "Good, I was hoping to advance as soon as possible." He was an impatient sort but like Shamir, he was straight to the point with what he wanted.

Byleth was going to pop the question that she was asking everyone else before her stomach betrayed her once more, earning a raised brow from Felix this time. Dammit! How had her years of training her hunger betrayed her at this moment?

"Professor? Was that you?" Felix asked with a slight bit of concern laced in his voice.

Byleth cleared her throat and took another step forward, shaking her head to the side. There were other matters more important than that. "It's alright. I went through days without food before, this is nothing."

Before Felix could say something (most likely asking some advice on endurance), she hoisted the pelt up, bringing it both to their attention. "Do you recognize this pelt?"

There was a brief silence before Felix sliced through with his harsh tone, "Lunar Wolf hide?" Something swelled in Byleth's chest.

"Is it yours? If not then-"

"It's not mine." And just like that Byleth's hopes were dashed in the wind, although Felix did have that twitch in his eye again.

Looking more irritated than he did before, he looked to his left as if he didn't want to even acknowledge its existence. "You're wasting your time. Just leave it where you found."

Byleth wanted to press him further, she knew that he had some sort of connection to the hide, but sadly her stomach betrayed her again.

"And you need to eat something too."

Defeated and with no energy left to argue, she left, her feet trudging along the ground and her stomach painfully empty.

It was a lost cause. She crossed out everyone on who the cloak could belong to and was nowhere near the answer. The sun was setting as well, and with her incredibly strict schedule Byleth would have to wait until the next week to go off searching again. Surrendering to her fate, she laid across one of the stone benches between the training hall and the graveyard, where her mother resided, staring up at the sky in the defeat, its beautiful orange hues jeering at her.

There must've been something she missed. Maybe Hilda would own something like…no, Hilda was much too eccentric and she liked things with grace and shine. Raphael? He seemed like the type of sort that would hunt beasts and that sort. That was something to consider for next week. Ah, but Claude or Hubert could own something like this, they both seemed like a ruthless bunch, although both probably couldn't care less.

"Professor?"

But Alois could also be a possibility, he surely must've done some hunting.

"Professor?"

Anna! Anna might've lost this, she carried so much stuff so surely it might-

"Professor!"

A gentle shake of the shoulder and deep voice pulled Byleth out of her thoughts, making her jump in place. She almost reached for her sword and snapping her head backwards before taking a long pause to examine his features, she could recognize that stature from miles away.

"Dedue?"

His broad shoulders almost made him seem like a giant from a fairy tale, but the calm and collected expression on his face dictated otherwise. Relaxing herself, she heaved a deep sigh as she settled her hands on both sides of her seat. "I'm so sorry, Dedue," she lamented, hoping he wouldn't take offense.

He shook his head and walking around. "It's alright, it's good that you're still cautious around someone like me." Byleth sighed, that might've been worse than him taking offense.

"Dedue, you are my student. You pose no harm to me," she reassured him, although his expression remained unchanged, much to Byleth's dismay. But typically he would rebuke but this time… he was focused on the cloak?

"What are you doing with his highness' pelt?"

It was like millions of bricks rained on Byleth.

His highness? HIS HIGHNESS???

The mind melting realization would've been enough to make Byleth sink into her knees become one with the earth but she had to hold herself steady as she processed his words. "Y-You mean this… Dimitri's?" she almost mumbled unsure if Dedue even heard her words.

From his reaction, her expression must've been a shock to him as well. "Yes, both me and his highness tried to find it after looking in the library. After, we searched the monastery for it."

So after all of this time… they were both trying to find it the whole day while Byleth took it to every single corner of the grounds as possible. She needed to reel her head in. She leaned back until she was close to perpendicular with the bench as her eyes became blurry and her breathing slowed. It wasn't long before Dedue sat right beside her.

"If I could ask again professor, how did you find his pelt?

She turned to him with curious eyes before looking back down at the pelt. "I just found it on my shoulders when I woke up in the library."

Dedue blinked a couple times before a soft and gentle curl of his lips spread across his face. "It doesn't surprise me that he was at the library. I wish that he wouldn't though."

Byleth started to remember when she first encountered Dimitri in the library, during the time Flayn went missing. Her and Dedue found him under the pretense that he was searching for clues for her disappearance, only for it to be something completely different after examining the book he was reading.

1,000,000 gold from Duke Arundel

500,000 gold from Duke Arundel

He was most likely researching more for his own personal reasons if he continued to be out after curfew. The incident with Flayn had already passed so it gave more reason for concern as to why he did so, but Byleth thought it was already too soon to ask and Dimitri already kept his fair share of secrets within him.

While Byleth contemplated her thoughts, she noticed Dedue leaning forward in his seat with his elbows on his knees as he pressed his hands, curled into a fist, to his mouth. "That's his highness's special blanket. He's had it since childhood.

"I remember the first time when he first did the exact same thing as he did with you. I was still in tremors after my homeland was devastated. During that first night, he came into my room to check up on me, to see if I was comfortable with my room. Once he saw me trembling, he ran out of the room and came back with this." Dedue then reached for the pelt and rubbed it across his fingers, a soft smile gracing his face. "It was a gift from his father, the king, and he said that he wished to share it with me if I was not too offended. Even though I couldn't speak any of his language, he kept on comforting me with his stories until I could only fall asleep to his voice."

After Dedue finished his story, Byleth took another look at the fur, how its dark bluish hue stored countless memories for the prince and his vassal. "I'm sorry then," she followed up, feeling her lips being pulled down, "I regret having separated you two from this gift." From the moment she said that, Dedue straightened his back and looked at her with his usual serious face.

"His highness must value you a great deal if he was willing to lend his treasured gift to you, like he did for me, however unworthy as I am. He would want you to value it the same." Dedue's words hit a cord somewhere deep within Byleth. Even though she may not know her students fully, they still trusted her and cared for her like an ally. The pocket book felt heavy in her own pocket. People are full of surprises, she thought to herself.

"Dedue?" he quirked his brow at her in curiosity, "Could you tell me where Dimitri is?"

Taking a deep breath in, he revealed the answer. "He requested that we both split up and search for the blanket together, however I do not know where is he right now." And just as Dedue finished his sentence, Byleth's stomach growled angrily. "Professor Byleth, you need to eat something."

But she couldn't stop now, keeping hold of Dedue's words with her new mission in mind, Byleth jumped up and wished Dedue well with a bow. "I need to find Dimitri, thank you."

It was another lap around the monastery.

The bell rang for 8:00 pm. In a moment, the students would be going to their dorms for curfew. The dimming sun already disappeared beyond the monastery's walls and faded, night veiled its companion along with its partner, the moon. Byleth hadn't felt this starved in a long time. It seemed that Dedue wasn't lying about the three of them going around and around in circles with one another.

She scaled up and down the monastery, combed through every entrance and any possibilities of where Dimitri could be, but she found no trace of him, and it always seemed like she was too late. So here she was, back near the greenhouse, the last area she'll check before retiring for the night. The usual colorful greenhouse didn't sport its bright hues in the evening, the plants that gleamed brilliantly were almost meshed together with the darkness.

Entering it, she surveyed the short walk way where anyone could tour or do their gardening, both ends of the path, but no Dimitri. Her stomach growled again, and it started to annoy Byleth at this point—at least Sothis wasn't here to taunt her about it or lecture her, and even if she did, the dining hall was already cleaning up from dinner time. It was much too late for it now.

Byleth sighed, it was alright, she went through days without food, she reminded herself, it was nothing compared to her time with Jeralt. She'd just sleep it off and ask for extras in the morning (she didn't have much for personal funds so she'd have to sacrifice some of her pay). The pelt felt heavy in her hand, almost mocking her for how she failed one of her students and at such a simple task at that.

Turning her heel, she walked out of the greenhouse with laden eyes and a hunched stance, the silent defeat echoing in her footsteps.

"Professor?"

Her eyes were wide shot, she knew that voice anywhere.

Glancing up, almost believing it, to not be true, she saw her beloved house leader standing there, holding his breath like she was. His usually kept golden locks were a mess, fraying here and there, and his eyes displayed faint dark circles in them while his blue pupils zoomed out. He was standing here. She finally found him.

"Di-" before she could even say anything, another growl rumbled through her stomach, and both her and Dimitri's attention were drawn to it. Goddess, she was so hungry, but…but…

A snort forced itself from her nose and soon a burst of energy overwhelmed her like a torrent that she had to hold her head in place in fear of getting it blown off. She wasn't sure, but was she laughing? Was this what laughing felt like? Why was she laughing?

It didn't distress Dimitri too much, as he slowly started from soft chuckles to laughing alongside her too. His mouth hung loose, letting the absolute hilarity and irony of this situation take control. Apparently the stress had finally caught up to the both of them.

Trying to wipe away a tear, she walked up to Dimitri, recovering from her fit of laughter still, and held up the cloak to him with a bright smile on her face. "Is this yours?" she teased.

And Dimitri responded to her joke in kind, "Yes, I do believe I was looking for this." He took it from her hands and smiled fondly at it and looked back to her. "I'm so sorry to have caused you so much trouble, Professor Byleth," his eyes then went to the floor in shame, "I was planning on coming back to retrieve it but I should've expected that you were an early riser, considering your mercenary origins."

Byleth shook her head, even if some part of her wanted to get angry at Dimitri for running away from her for so long, it was cleared that this ordeal was also quite taxing on him, so she couldn't fault him. "No, I believe I should apologize. It would've been a better arrangement for the both of us if I just left it at the library like Jeralt told me," she reminisced, stretching her lips into a sour smile.

"You didn't know it was mine and it never should've been your responsibility to-" Dimitri was cut off again by Byleth's stomach making its appearance once more. She clutched her torso in agony as the tendrils of hunger squeezed her body for all its worth until she was lifeless. For a moment, Byleth was sent tumbling back before quickly being caught by strong and firm hands sent on her shoulders. "How long was it since you ate?" he asked, that darkness in his eyes showed serious concern as Byleth prolonged her answer.

Sighing, she patted Dimitri's hands as she hoisted herself up. "I'll be alright, I went without food before." The fact only seemed to trouble Dimitri even more as he frowned strongly.

"I don't think anyone should go without food for any long period of time. You need food in order to regain strength, that's what Lady Manuela told us," Dimitri lectured. "Do you have anything saved?"

Byleth looked to her side and shrugged with a sigh. "The dining hall is already closed and I doubt anyone would still be there to make any meals for us."

It didn't seem to stop Dimitri however. "How about I make you something? Surely the faculty wouldn't have any problem with it."

As tempting the idea was, she couldn't put her own student through the labor of preparing food like a worried mother, her face weighed heavier. "That's sweet of you, Dimitri, but I want you to just get in bed in time for curfew."

Her heart ached when Dimitri frowned so deep, it felt like she kicked a dog over. "Professor, I won't rest knowing that I deprived you of food for so long trying to give my inconsequential blanket back. And I won't rest for a long time knowing that."

Dammit, he could be stubborn at times, she thought and almost coming in to prove his point, her stomach growled again. "Fine," she relented, "but I don't want you to cook anymore for me, especially after curfew."

His smile slowly grew back on his face and Byleth could feel a weight lifted from her chest. "Thank you so much, professor Byleth. It relieves me a great deal." And from his infectious smile, Byleth grew one of her own.

"No, thank you."

The two of them traveled to the empty dining hall, there was barely any light in it left. It was most likely 8:30, curfew, but Dimitri already had his mind set, with his reassured strides, that is until he made it to the kitchen. Even in the pitch black, Byleth could faintly see his silhouette hesitating.

Summoning an incantation, a few flames burst into life and magnetized themselves to the candles near the kitchen, illuminating it in a soft glow. Dimitri looked behind him with a soft smile on his face, "Thank you, Professor Byleth." And he turned to face the kitchen counter once again.

Byleth remembered that for some reason, Dimitri wasn't always good at cooking whenever making class meals and almost always, he would ask Byleth to eyeball it or taste test whatever it was they were making. With that knowledge in mind, she walked over behind the counter that separated the seats to the kitchen and went over to the icebox. "The least I can do is help you."

Dimitri looking flustered, raised his hands in opposition and waved them. "Professor, please! You're the one who's on an empty stomach, just sit down and take a rest."

Grabbing the ingredients from the icebox and moving onto the cupboard, she looked over at him, "It's probably better I help you so at least I would explain to the staff why you're here." It took several moments for Dimitri to contemplate his answer, only for it to never come as Byleth took out the necessary items.

Soon he came right beside her as they readied to prepare her meal. It was a nice change of pace from the whole day. Having to worry about different details about different people and never getting the chance to write it down, it left her uneasy. But as she stood here, chopping up some garlic and Dimitri practicing his technique on dicing the onions, she thought again about Dedue's words. How much Dimitri truly trusted and respected her despite never fully knowing her. When the thought came around to that, there was something warm blooming in her chest. Knowing that she was relied on and trusted.

Carp soup was what they made in the end, it was filling and there was plenty for seconds. Byleth downed every single bowl with Dimitri by her side, close enough where he was in danger of ruining his uniform with soup specks but when Byleth brought it to his attention, he simply smiled and brushed it aside, saying he would like nothing more than to stay here forever. He said the strangest of thing sometimes.

Suddenly, a yawn interrupted her thoughts.

Ah… What are you doing? And why do I feel so full I might burst!?

Another laugh left Byleth's lips that night and in his willing confusion, her companion did too.