Chapter Text
Where was she?
Deafening silence. She could hear nothing but the sound of a sudden rattling chain.
It is suffocating. The darkness. Consuming.
Where is Byleth?
El.
Edelgard snaps awake, heart pounding, to Byleth calling her name for what feels like the thousandth time. Just as every time before--barring once--the first thing she sees is Byleth knelt beside the bed and gazing at her, eyebrows just slightly drooped at the ends in a look that Edelgard has learned is concern. Gathering herself, she raises her hand to cradle Byleth’s cheek for a second before letting it fall away. “I’m fine, Byleth.”
Byleth only lets out a small hum, already expecting that answer but still unconvinced. Edelgard’s response was part of their routine within a routine just as much as her own was. “I’ll stay until you fall asleep again.”
“If you’re going to stay again then get in. I won’t have you sleeping in that poor position any longer.” Edelgard pulls at Byleth’s arm to coax her, scooting back on the bed to give her space to lay down. She knows that Byleth would inevitably pass out while waiting for her to fall asleep again--as she had done so countless times before. Byleth weakly argues that the bed was a poor tactical position, but settles on top of the blankets after a sharp look from Edelgard.
The bed is easily large enough to accommodate them both, even with the amount of space they leave between them. They gaze at each other until Byleth reaches out to lightly run a finger just below Edelgard’s brow, a surprisingly gentle motion. It was something Jeralt had used to do to help her fall asleep at night. “Sleep, El.”
Edelgard’s eyes involuntarily close at the touch, and she does not know when she falls asleep, but when she wakes up in the morning she is pressed against Byleth, the gap that had been between them is completely gone, and Byleth’s arm is thrown over her waist. She nuzzles closer into Byleth's neck in her drowse, caught between wakefulness and sleep, caving into her desire to indulge in being surrounded by warmth for a moment longer. She thinks she will be fast enough to back away before Byleth wakes.
“Your heart is beating so fast, El.”
Edelgard pulls back as fast as lightning now fully awake, startled by the sudden comment and heart hammering even faster than before. “You’re awake?! Why didn’t you say anything?” she asks incredulously, flustered.
Byleth is looking down at her now. “I thought you were still asleep.”
A mortified sound escapes Edelgard, “I thought you were asleep.”
“I woke up when you started shifting closer while you were sleeping earlier." Byleth brings her hand up, poking Edelgard's cheek with a finger, "It was cute.”
Edelgard’s expression immediately shifts at the word, eyebrows furrowing and eyes narrowing, and she grabs Byleth by the wrist to halt her hand, quickly sitting up. “Cute?!”
“Yeah, cute,” Byleth continues, sitting up as well and freeing her hand from the grip to tuck stray strands of Edelgard’s hair behind her ear. Her hand falls until she is able to softly tug at the ends of silver strands.
“You know how much I despise that word, and yet you insist on using it,” Edelgard says, torn between being annoyed at Byleth’s words or endeared by her actions. "Anything else is preferrable."
“Hmm, very cute.” A tiny grin pulls at the corner of Byleth’s mouth, the same one Edelgard remembers seeing for the first time all those years ago.
Edelgard shoves Byleth lightly, unamused at the teasing, but not truly wanting to push her away. “And what of yours?”
Byleth's head tilts to the side, “My what?”
“Your heartbeat." Edelgard huffs, arms crossing over her chest, "All this teasing from you, but I would think yours must be the same.”
“It can’t be because I don’t have one.”
“What?...” Edelgard stares at her, eyes wide and disbelieving, “Is this another one of your father’s jokes?”
“No.” Byleth returns the stare, the two of them watching each other, until she offers up her hand to Edelgard, who takes it without hesitation. She brings their hands to rest over her chest, where her heartbeat should have been, pressing Edelgard’s palm down firmly against the spot. “See?”
Edelgard leans closer, staring intently at their hands and whispering, “Impossible.” Her hand fists in the material of Byleth’s shirt, gripping it tightly. “How?” How had she missed such a detail before?
“I don’t know. I’ve just never had one.”
Edelgard pulls her hand away to press her fingers over Byleth’s neck instead, “But you have a pulse, and you draw breath just as everyone else.” It should be impossible for Byleth to not have a heartbeat, and yet the proof is right in front of her. Was it a possibility that something had been done to her? Who could have done such a thing?
“Does it bother you that I don't have one?”
Edelgard’s head immediately rises to meet Byleth’s gaze at the question. “No! Of course not. I admit it’s odd, but you’re hardly at fault. You couldn’t have asked for such a thing.” She presses her hand over Byleth’s still heart again. “Does your father know?”
Byleth shrugs, “I’m not sure. He’s never mentioned it." She listened to his heartbeat sometimes as a child, but had not realized that having one was the norm until one of the mercenaries in her father’s company reported the lack of one to confirm a deceased bandit during one of their jobs. It still did not bother her even after that discovery, and her father did not mention it at all so she always assumed it as an unimportant detail. Edelgard’s reaction clearly tells her otherwise.
“Truthfully, I would be surprised if he didn’t know. I highly doubt that Jeralt wouldn’t notice such an important detail.” Edelgard leans closer, pressing her forehead against Byleth’s neck. “Regardless, it doesn’t bother me. You’re still you, Byleth,” she continues when Byleth only hums in acknowledgement. It seemed that even after all this time there were still things to learn about Byleth. Edelgard wished to learn everything there was to know.
Edelgard brings her hand up to Byleth’s cheek, gently stroking it once to gain her attention. Byleth innocently stares at her, and she gazes back at her for a moment before leaning in. An unfamiliar knock on the door interrupts their attention at the same moment. Byleth turns her head towards the door at the sound, causing Edelgard’s lips to meet her cheek instead.
The voice of one of the maids carries through the door. “Good morning, Your Highness. Lord Vestra has instructed me to awaken you. He wished to let you know that breakfast is ready, and to inform you that there's a delivered package awaiting you.”
Edelgard sighs lightly, pressing her forehead to Byleth’s temple before pulling away. “Thank you. I will be there shortly."
Byleth is already out of bed and checking her sword when the maid leaves. “I’m going to go get ready and I’ll be back to help you with your hair,” she says, heading towards the bathroom connecting their rooms.
Edelgard sits morosely for another second before sliding out of bed to start her own routine.
A set of armor waits on the long desk they usually worked on. It is full-bodied, with long black cloth that draped and covered both the front and back. A helmet rest beside it, and a mask painted red and white lay on the table alongside a note from Hubert.
Edelgard lifts the helmet, inspecting it closely. “They delivered on this quickly.” She had only discussed commissioning something to disguise her identity with her uncle a week ago. It had been his idea for her to wear a suit of armor.
You are bringing war, reckoning. It is only fitting that you look the part.
The armor certainly did look the part. Imposing and daunting.
Whoever dons the armor will become the figurehead behind their plans, and become the primary target of blame. Byleth makes the easy choice to volunteer herself, “I’ll put it on, El.”
Edelgard shakes her head fiercely, pulling the helmet away from Byleth's reaching hands. “No. It must be me. Playing this part is my responsibility, and I won't allow anyone else to bear its burden.” Her unwillingness to bend is clear in the stubborn set of her jaw, and the unshakable determination burning in her gaze. She will shoulder all of the hatred and blame that will inevitably be pointed at the one held responsible for the happenings during their time at the monastery. It would all be worth it in the end if they played their cards right.
Byleth reluctantly relents after a short staring contest, backing down because she knows this is a fight she would not win, and she sets her attention to helping Edelgard put on the armor instead of arguing. It takes more effort than necessary for a suit of armor, but they manage to get it on her without any real trouble. “How does it fit?” Byleth asks as she slides on the final piece, the painted mask.
“Sufficiently enough." Edelgard's voice is altered with the mask on, sounding robotic and nothing like herself, and her glinting red eyes are far from the familiar lilac Byleth is used to. The biggest change is that Byleth has to look up rather than down to meet Edelgard's eyes.
Edelgard pulls the helmet and mask off, grimacing down at them before continuing, "Now we just need a name for this persona.”
“Do you have something in mind already?”
“Actually I do." Edelgard pauses, whether for dramatic effect or a last second hesitance to share Byleth is not sure, but she continues after only a moment, "What do you think of ‘The Flame Emperor’?”
Byleth blinks. Is that not too obvious? Just having 'Emperor' in the name seems to be a huge clue, and she thinks that someone will put two and two together if given enough time, but seeing the hopeful expression on Edelgard’s face and unable to burst her bubble she says, “It’s great, El.”
Edelgard's face lights up after the validation, looking proud at having Byleth’s approval, head held high and back straight. “I was sure you would agree.”
“What did Hubert think?”
“I haven’t told him yet. You are the first, but I believe he would say the same.”
“He would,” Byleth easily agrees. Of course he will, it is Hubert after all. Although Byleth is in no position to criticize him when she is really in the same boat. “So, is it time for the next step,” Byleth tugs at one of the feathers lining Edelgard’s shoulders, “Flame Emperor?”
Edelgard nods, "Yes, we leave for Garreg Mach in just a month’s time. All of the misery and suffering they have caused to the innocents who did not even know what they were dying for, my siblings, and even to you, my light. The church and the slitherers. This is only the first step, and I will do everything in my power to put an end to all of it. We cannot change the past, only shape the future.”
Byleth steps closer, bringing a hand up to cup Edelgard’s cheek. “I’ll stand by you every step of the way. I promise.”
“Together.” Edelgard closes her eyes, pressing Byleth’s hand closer with her own and taking comfort in the touch. “We will make it so that no one will ever suffer this way again." Opening her eyes, she looks up at Byleth, gaze admiring the figure she cast. “Byleth…”
Byleth hums in response, and Edelgard leans closer at the sound. She tugs at Byleth’s collar with her free hand, but Byleth only looks down confused at her. It takes two more tugs and her leaning up for Byleth to understand that she wants her to lean down. Her eyes slowly falling closed again in anticipation when their lips brush.
A crisp knock on the door interrupts them, breaking the moment and startling Edelgard into pulling back immediately. She presses a hand to her flushed face, calming herself before addressing the presence on the other side of the door. “What is it?”
Hubert’s voice flows through the door. “It is me, Lady Edelgard. Apologies for the interruption, but the Death Knight has been delivered. I will have him brought to you whenever you are ready.”
“Thank you, Hubert. Please give us an hour and then inform him to go to the training hall we normally use for our practice sessions. We were planning on going there for some sparring, so we will wait for him.“
“Understood, Lady Edelgard.”
Edelgard sighs and turns back to Byleth. “Let’s not waste any time and head over now.”
Byleth nods, head tilting at the disappointment in Edelgard’s voice, and lets Edelgard pull her out of the room and down the halls.
The mysterious figure that enters the room is imposing. Black armor covering his entire body with a mask in the shape of a skull, and a crescent scythe strapped to his back. They stop to watch him approach, and thinking him an unknown threat, Byleth makes to take a step forward, but Edelgard brings her hand up to stop her. Edelgard only speaks when he stops in front of them. “So you have finally arrived.” She introduces him to Byleth, “This is the Death Knight. Outside of his armor, he goes by Jeritza, and as of today, he works for the Flame Emperor.”
Byleth eyes the dark knight. “Where did you find him?”
“In Hrym. I discovered information on him, and had Hubert make arrangements to have him brought here secretly. He is...a special case.” Hubert had managed to dig up his past, and once Edelgard learned of his history, she reached out with an offer Jeritza could not refuse. She wiped his slate clean and provided him a new start, a purpose. All she needed was his service, and for him to follow her commands as the Flame Emperor unquestioningly.
The Death Knight’s gaze locks onto Byleth. “You…” Even his voice has an ominous timbre to it. “Fight me.”
Byleth stiffens, dropping into a combat stance when he suddenly pulls his scythe from his back. She moves forward when Edelgard steps in front of her, but she is stopped from advancing by Edelgard’s arm. “Stand down, Death Knight! There will be no fighting today.”
He takes another menacing step forward, undeterred. “Do not get in my way. I must fight her.”
Edelgard’s grip tightens around her axe. “Control yourself. That is an order.”
Byleth moves as soon as the Death Knight runs towards them, pushing Edelgard out of the way just in time for his shoulder to ram into her. The blow knocks her back, but she is able to recover, rolling to her feet and drawing her sword in one motion. He is immediately on her, his scythe already mid-swing. She barely manages to block the attack, their weapons locked against each other, and the tip of his curved blade nearly cutting into her shoulder. Byleth catches sight of Edelgard’s axe glinting in the light as it arcs towards the Death Knight’s back. He manages to twist away in time to avoid the swing, and they end up back in the position they started in, Edelgard between the two of them.
“We are off to a poor start, Death Knight. You have a lot of nerve, raising your weapon against Byleth.” Edelgard’s eyes betray her composed voice, glare so piercing that it seems to bore through the mask covering the Death Knight’s face. “You are lucky that disposing of you now would only be detrimental to our cause.”
The Death Knight readies his scythe heedlessly again, “I do not care. This need must be satiated.”
“We will find you suitable prey in due time. Stand down. Now.” Edelgard commands without room for objection.
No one moves during the tense silence until the Death Knight slowly relents at the promise of foes, returning his scythe to his back before backing down and turning to leave. He pauses at the door, and grumbles without looking back, “They will be but mere distractions. In the end...we will fight.”
Edelgard turns to Byleth after they are sure he is gone. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine." They are lucky that they had begun to practice with steel weapons. It might have ended poorly if they were still using wooden training weapons. “You shouldn’t put yourself in danger like that for me, El. Especially against someone as dangerous as him. It’s my job to protect you, not the other way around.”
“I disagree. I believe it’s my responsibility to protect you just as much as it’s yours to protect me.”
“El…”
“Byleth,” Edelgard stares back defiantly, “I will never just stand back while you are in danger. Don’t ask such a thing of me. I’m more than capable of protecting you now, so I will.”
Byleth only grunts in response, they would have to agree to disagree. The point of her existence is to protect Edelgard, and every effort she makes, all of it is for her. For Edelgard to be injured because of her is a completely unacceptable outcome. She tears her gaze away to stare at the door.
Edelgard grips Byleth's arm, gently tugging to regain her attention. "I think that's enough practice for today. Let's go to the gardens for a walk before heading back to the office."
The couch in their base of operations room has become basically home, with hours spent on discussing logistics and refining their plans. It is currently just two of them--Edelgard going over a checklist of what they need to bring for the fifth time, and Byleth tinkering with her sword. Hubert had left earlier to run an ‘errand’ or so he called it.
“How’s your knee, Byleth?” asks Edelgard out of the blue. “I feel as though I have been neglectful of asking if it brings you any discomfort.”
Byleth looks at her curiously before moving her knee to test it. “It’s okay. It hasn’t been hurting these past few days.”
“Perhaps we should look into getting a brace for you,” Edelgard offers as she sets a hand on said knee.
A brace would be nice Byleth supposed, but only if it met her needs. “It would have to be durable and flexible. I won’t wear it if it limits my movements too much.”
“Of course. I’ll ask Hubert to procure one that meets those requirements for you.”
A week later, Byleth waits in her room per Edelgard’s instructions. Edelgard had given her a firm stare when she tried to follow her out the door, “Stay, Byleth. I’ll be back shortly.” She does return quickly, with both hands occupied. When she extends out both of her hands there is a dagger with a finely crafted handle and hilt in one palm and a black brace in the other. The dagger is protected by a well-designed blue sheathe, almost identical in color to the blue of Byleth’s eyes. “These are for you. The brace as we spoke of, as well as a gift from me.”
Byleth takes both from Edelgard, the length of the dagger just longer than her hand. “A dagger?”
“Yes. Like the one I carry around that you gave me. It has given me strength, and I thought gifting you one would be a fitting exchange.”
Byleth stares at the dagger Edelgard pulls out, realizing which it is. “I didn’t give you that.”
“Oh?” Edelgard’s eyes widen slightly in surprise. “Then how did it come into my possession? I had assumed that you were the one who gave it to me. A dagger seems like something you would give me.”
Byleth silently watches her inspect the dagger.
“Do you remember where I got it?” Edelgard asks.
“You got it while we were in the Kingdom.”
“I see. Most of my memories of that time are vague and muddled. I’m afraid I don’t remember much outside of you.”
Byleth pauses for a moment before asking, “Do you remember a boy?”
“Just barely. I remember the moments we spent with him in little detail. I cannot remember his name nor what he looked like, just that he was a noble’s child.” Edelgard closes her eyes, fingers pressing her temple and concentrating on trying to work through her shattered memories of their days in the Kingdom.
Byleth sets a hand on her shoulder, seeing the clear discomfort forming on Edelgard’s face as she tries forcing herself to remember. “El, don’t push yourself.”
"Won’t you tell me?"
Byleth shakes her head. “It’s causing you pain."
Edelgard sighs, relenting. “Then perhaps it will come back to me in the future if it’s really so important.”
They stop speaking of the topic after that. Edelgard lightly pushes at Byleth's shoulder, coaxing her to sit on the bed and taking the brace back from her. She crouches slightly, carefully wrapping the brace around Byleth's knee.
"How does it feel?" Edelgard asks after securing the brace.
Byleth stands, stretching and then walking to the door and back. She nods, "Good."
"Good." Edelgard smiles, knowing that is all she is going to get out of Byleth.
The rest of the month passes with more planning. The Death Knight is definitely the most interesting out of the people they had found. Byleth had yet to see the man underneath the mask. Although his thirst to fight is concerning, he is still useful as long as he obeys orders well enough. Edelgard and Hubert had recruited more than just him to work for them. It had taken weeding and culling, but they managed to find more than a handful of people loyal to the crown and the Adrestian royal family rather than Arundel's putrid group of nobles.
Two notable soldiers that swore fealty to Edelgard alone stood out to Byleth, Ladislava and Randolph. They have only met a handful of times, but she gets along well enough with Ladislava, conversation amiable between them as well as mutual respect for each other. Randolph, on the other hand, is a mixed bag. He is always eager to prove himself, challenging her to a duel the first time they met after Edelgard had made an off-hand comment about her skills. Since then half the time he would be cordial with her, and the other half he would be short.
Hubert suggests that it is perhaps because Randolph is torn between his admiration for her skill, and his jealousy of how close she is to Edelgard. He will see her as an adversary whenever it is a ‘competition’ for her highness’s attention. “To be seen as your equal in Lady Edelgard’s eyes is an impossible feat, but if it will keep him motivated then I see no harm or foul play in allowing it,” is Hubert’s opinion. Byleth did not care either way, she is fine leaving him be as long as he did not overstep and impede her ability to protect Edelgard.
Ladislava and Randolph would work in the background while they attended Garreg Mach. They would wait and assemble only after Edelgard notified them that it is appropriate.
The Death Knight will be coming with them under the guise of his unarmored persona, Jeritza, and on the recommendation of Arundel. Byleth herself has yet to see what he looks like under the mask and expressed a few misgivings about bringing him, but Edelgard wishes to keep him close for they had need of his services.
On the day of their departure, Ionius calls them into the throne room early in the morning to say farewell. He squeezes Edelgard’s shoulder and nods at Byleth before sending them off to the entourage awaiting them. The carriage provided to them is spacious and needlessly extravagant in Edelgard’s opinion, much like the large group assigned to accompany them to Garreg Mach. Hubert takes it upon himself to speak to the captain of guard, citing that it would be wiser to travel with a smaller group since they would be travelling quite the distance. He manages to reduce their escorts to just a handful of soldiers, and also secure them a simpler carriage, one that did not announce that the convoy was an Imperial one.
“At least they didn’t argue much. Although I doubt many people would want to argue with Hubert,” Byleth says as she settles into her seat, which is still comfortable enough for her despite their basic design.
Edelgard takes the seat beside Byleth. “Arguing would only have been a waste of everyone's time. It may be more proper for us to arrive in our previous...accommodations, but we are hardly ones advocating for propriety.”
Hubert sits across from them, looking unperturbed. “Lady Edelgard made a request, and I merely fulfilled it. If such a reputation makes my job easier, then I see no reason to rectify it.”
The carriage begins to move shortly after, and the three of them fall into a comfortable silence. When night falls, Byleth personally makes the tent that she and Edelgard will be sleeping in, commenting on how she did not feel comfortable with someone else pitching a tent for them.
Edelgard only smiles knowingly at Byleth, reassuring the soldier that was originally supposed to set up the tent. She thanks them, and tells them to leave it to Byleth and to go rest. The soldier reluctantly leaves, glancing back every few steps until they reach the campfire and sit with the rest of the group.
Byleth also packs their supplies herself in the morning, refusing when one of the guards offers their assistance. She carries their packs to the wagons after finishing, taking close note of the orientation of their totes as she sets them with the other baggage. She is adamant that no one but Hubert or herself be allowed to open their packs, not wanting anyone rifling through their belongings.
Thankfully the journey is peaceful. They stay on schedule to arrive at Garreg Mach before the entrance ceremony without a hitch.
“I think I’ve been having dreams,” Byleth says on the third day of their travels.
Edelgard looks at Byleth to see her profile, staring blankly out the window of the carriage. She follows the sudden topic without missing a beat. “How interesting. I’ve never heard you speaking of your dreams before.”
"They only started happening recently, and I can't really tell what they're about."
“I had always assumed you just never wished to speak of them.”
Byleth’s head droops, "I would've told you."
Edelgard pats Byleth’s cheek endearingly. She appreciates Byleth’s ever-present honesty. “I have no doubt. I know I never have to worry about secrecy with you.”
"Speaking of…,” Edelgard turns her attention to the person sitting across from them, “Hubert, I would appreciate it if you at least make an attempt to not accost anyone while we’re at the monastery. I’m going to be a student just as everyone else, and should not receive any special treatment."
“You may punish me how you see fit, but I will do as my duty requires,” Hubert says, unmoved. There was little that could stand between him and ensuring that his lady was treated with ill-intent. "Perhaps such instructions should be directed towards Byleth," Hubert suggests. "She has a notable tendency to be rather...overprotective of you."
Edelgard does not fall for Hubert’s ploy to distract her, eyes still pinning him. “You're both so, but Byleth will stop if I ask it of her. You won't.” She shakes her head exasperatedly at him. "I understand your intentions, but please at least show some moderation."
“I make no promises, Lady Edelgard. Anyone who bothers you will be swiftly dealt with,” Hubert says with a gleam in his eye.
A knock from the carriage driver prevents Edelgard from pushing further on the topic. "Your Highness, we are about to arrive at the monastery gates."
The carriage comes to a halt shortly after. The sounds of the soldiers accompanying them beginning to move about and the activity of the monastery reaches their ears.
Edelgard casts a look at her two companions. “And so it begins.”