Chapter Text
(Y/N) was an empire born noble. One who got the esteemed privilege to go to the officers academy, after showing extreme prowess in reason magic. They were a part of the black eagles house, making many friends. In particular, that of the heir to house Vestra, Hubert. Alongside Bernadetta von Varely and Linhardt von Hevring. Her use of magic and calm demeanour attracting such a crowd. She would paint with Bernadetta, be taught about crestology from Linhardt and train her reason magic to new heights with Hubert. The pair of reason users got on swimmingly, their bond growing just as their magic skills. Soon finding each other as best friends.
Once professor Byleth saved her from the death night, Flayn joined the class. (Y/N)’s kind heart leading her to befriending the girl, to Hubert’s dismay. Hubert’s war plans against the church with Edelgard causing a drift in their friendship, as she drew closer to Flayn.
So when she ended up getting so close that Seteth became a father figure to her, always checking in on not just Flayn anymore, but also (Y/N), her soon learning about the true identities of her new found ‘family’ to be Nabateans, and saints from when the church began.
With this information, she felt trapped, unable to return to the empire when the war was declared. Because how could she abandon the people who took her in and entrusted her with their most kept secrets. So she sided with the church, leaving her empire friends behind. Leaving Hubert bitter, angry, and waiting for his moment to get his justice on his so called best friend!
This leads us to now. Deep in the empire dungeons, a poor young girl in a cell all alone. Wrists and ankles chained to the wall, sitting on the floor in a heap. Her church mage uniform in tatters, all that remains in good condition is the (favourite flower) embroidered onto the left breast, it was done by Flayn. Still covered in the grime of battle, the girl’s head hangs low, messy hair all over the place, with precious Nabatean hair pieces still clinging on as she looks down, in shame. Devastated of what her life has now come to, rethinking the choices that led her here. Into this dungeon cell.
The sound of boots echo’s through the halls of the dungeons, until it stops outside the girls cell, the rattle of keys then the creak of an open door. Sharp black shining boots now covering the stone patterned floor (Y/N) was staring at.
“Oh! Now look at what the cat dragged in.” Sneers a very familiar voice.
The girl keeps her head down.
“Look at me when I talk to you… traitor!” His voice dripping with the venom of disdain.
She looks up through her matted locks, gold hair beads and clips hiding within the mattered mess. To see an old friend. “Hello Hubie...”
“You don’t deserve to call me that after so long. It’s Marquis Vestra to you…”
“Apologies… Marquis Vestra.” Each word that leaves her mouth sounds hollow.
“Your apologies mean nothing to me… You abandoned our cause, left us in the dust. Do you have any idea what you cost us when you just vanished?”
“I did not wish to betray the empire so drastically. I sincerely apologize.”
“Well look at you now! Did that betrayal pay off? By the looks of it they treated you like royalty. Those hair pieces seem to be something found within the church’s divine vault.”
“I’m sorry…”
He snaps “Would you stop apologizing! Surely you have something else to say to me after being absent for so long!”
“I missed you…” She mumbles.
He freezes. “You-… You have no right to say such things to me. Not after what you did!”
“Hubert… please… how can I make it up to you? Up to the empire? I… just want to come home…”
“It will take more than simple apologies and pathetic begging that’s for sure.”
“I will fight for the empire for the rest of the war, I can heal your armies. I will do whatever is required… just to be allowed back home…”
“The empire is no longer your home. The moment you looked away from us was the moment you made that decision. It is not one we will take lightly and just allow you to take back because we have you in our custody.”
“I regret my decision! I did much earlier than expected.”
“Why?” He quietly prompts.
“At first… they welcomed me warmly, showered me with kindness, wisdom and special moments. They treated me like family, so much as to let me in on the church’s most kept secret, at the time… That they were Nabateans.” She explains. “So… when the war began I felt trapped, that I had to choose these beings who thought I was so worthy, and loved me so to let me in on such confidential knowledge. Then when the war began, and I lost my friends from the empire, I realised… how much of a home it truly was to me.”
“Hm, and to think you chose to call those creatures your family…” He snides.
“Do not misunderstand, they still mean plenty to me. But due to my newfound status… I was held to many high standards, so many strict rules, I no longer felt like myself. While I still cherish the love and kindness I was shown… I missed my real home.”
He sighs. “I hope you do not think your sob story is enough to convince me…”
“No! I… still wish to make up for my wrongdoings!” She begins taking each of the golden adornments out of her hair, compiling them in her dirty, shaking hands. “Here! These signify my connections to the church. Take them as proof of my renewed loyalty to the empire.”
He looks down at her. “I do not need those.”
“But I wish to prove my loyalty!” She pleads.
“No, put them back in.” He commands. “You have been far too pitiful it is much unlike you.”
“I will not be returning to the church.” She reasons upon deaf ears.
“Regardless. They were a gift to you. You cherish them do you not? I refuse to take such sentimental items.” He explains.
“Hubert. I-” She is cut off.
“I will not entertain further argument” He demands.
“Thank you.” She smiles, redoing her hair, adorning it once more.
His eyes linger on her face for a moment. “Do not speak of this to anyone. I will take note of your requests to aid the empire in whichever way you can. But at present I cannot do much more. Understood?”
“Yes Hubert. May I ask you a question?”
“Of course.”
“Since I was knocked out in the last battle, I was unable to see how it transpired. Were… any of the heads of the church… badly injured or captured?”
He sighs. “No, they were not, they all escaped unharmed.”
“I am glad to hear that.”
“Now, I must be going. I hope you have a suitable rest for your current quarters (Y/N)”