Chapter Text
The monotony of these private war councils had become rather disheartening of late.
“The situation within the Alliance remains stable—up to a point,” Hubert said. “Our allies make little progress in engaging diplomatically with the other lords, and – well. Judith of House Daphnel is currently conducting ‘training exercises’ in Lord Gloucester’s lands.” He gave Edelgard a wry smile. “He seems to think making an aggressive move now would be a mistake.”
“So the situation there remains in a stalemate, just as Claude wishes it to.” Edelgard sighed. Four years of this and they were no closer to realising their dream. “If the Professor were here, perhaps things would be different.”
Hubert pulled a face. “The power of the Sword of the Creator would turn the tides.”
“More than that, she has a unique way of looking at the world. I’m sure she would be able to come up with a solution…”
“And so will you in time, Lady Edelgard.”
Hubert always had such faith in her, even now, when the borders of the Kingdom had barely moved at all. What little ground they’d gained had no real strategic value to them or to their enemies. The Alliance quagmire was another reminder of how much she’d failed to achieve – and she felt the press of time more and more. But they could hardly afford to take decisive action against the Alliance and open up a war on two fronts…
Edelgard paused. She’d always assumed that they would have to fight Claude – the only conclusion she could draw from Claude’s constant manoeuvring to keep the Alliance intact and under his command. But Byleth’s faith in her had shown her that unexpected allies could be found if she was willing to extend her hands. It would be an insult to her teacher if she failed to consider all possibilities, even if she thought the chances of them working were low. And whilst it was a longshot, it offered the possibility of avoiding conflict altogether… even if it did not work, they might have the opportunity to learn more about their foe.
“Actually, Hubert, I have a proposal.”
“Oh? Excellent.” Hubert set aside the stack of reports he’d entered with and picked up a blank paper and a quill to take notes. “What is your plan, Lady Edelgard?”
At least he listened to all of her explanation before folding his arms and saying, “Absolutely not.”
Edelgard sighed. It wasn’t like Hubert to reject any suggestion out of hand, but he also found it difficult to trust… something she could understand, but which she was determined not to let hold her back from other possibilities. “You will have to explain your reasoning.”
“Lady Edelgard, it’s—” He seemed to struggle to find the words, and he was fidgety in a way which was rare for him, his flexing fingers almost completely hidden by the folds of his coat. “It’s preposterous that you should have to offer yourself to this man,” he said, eventually, in a calmer tone. “He’s an outsider and we know very little of his motives, except that he’s placed himself in opposition to you.”
“Then the negotiations ought to reveal more of his character,” Edelgard countered. “You’ve always said that knowing a man is key to understanding his actions. If we know Claude even a little better, we’ll be better able to anticipate his moves.”
Hubert frowned. “And this is sufficient reason to offer him your hand in marriage, Lady Edelgard?”
“I have no intention of accepting him as a husband unless I can be sure it would be to our benefit,” she said. She couldn’t help being a little confused – Hubert seemed so resistant, but he was offering so little logic by way of objection. “We have always agreed that a political marriage might be necessary for our plans, and if we can come to some arrangement which integrates the Alliance into the Empire, a political match is a small price to pay for avoiding conflict with them.”
“I understand, but…” Hubert sighed. “Have you not always said that you felt sure the professor would return to us one day?”
Edelgard did believe that. She knew it seemed to illogical on the face of it, and she could not really give a reason why she felt so strongly that Byleth must still live – it was like a part of her was connected to the professor, a phantom pulse that sometimes echoed in Edelgard’s head during quiet moments.
She just knew somehow that their dearest teacher would return to them someday. But she owed it to her people – to the people of all of Fódlan – not to live only for that wish.
“I can’t only wait for Byleth to come back and offer her expertise,” she said quietly. “As much as I wish she were here, if we have a plan which might change the course of this war, we have to act on it.”
“Yes, but…”
Whatever Hubert’s resolve was, it weakened. She watched it die in the hardening of his expression. Hubert had always been quite contrary like that; in order to deceive people, he let his face remain neutral and relaxed when he had some purpose in mind. Edelgard knew, of course, as she knew him better than anyone, however little he liked to tell her personally.
He sighed and bowed. “Very well, Lady Edelgard. I will have an offer drawn up for your approval immediately.”
“Thank you, Hubert. I appreciate your efforts.”
Even if she wished that he would see fit to confide in her more… perhaps he would tell her his real reservation another time.
*
“Huh? This is weird.”
Claude was more than happy to have an excuse to look up from decoding reports from his spies. “What’s up, Hils?”
“Ugh, I told you not to call me that.” She shook her head, but it wasn’t as funny to tease her since she got rid of the stupidly long pigtails. Now dear old Hilda’s hair, kept long but away from her face, was practically… well, practical. “Never mind, that only encourages you. Anyway, we received a diplomatic missive from the Empire.”
“A diplomatic missive… Wonder what it’s about.”
As the Alliance and the Empire were not officially at war, there was in theory nothing wrong with this. House Gloucester received diplomatic missives from the Empire all the time; private ones, as was their right as one of the five major houses in the Alliance. Claude hadn’t even interfered with most of it, as it wasn’t worth pissing off the other houses by violating their rights.
To have the Empire send one to him, though, made him pretty curious.
Hilda’s eyebrow twitched. “Have you considered opening it?”
“In a minute.” He knew he’d left his riding gloves in the drawers of this desk somewhere… “There might be a contact poison soaked into the paper.”
There was a quiet slap of parchment hitting the floor. He glanced up with confusion to find the gloveless Hilda giving him a disgusted look. “You what?”
“Oh, don’t you worry about it,” Claude said. “The contact poison wouldn’t be placed on the envelope – makes the scheme a bit obvious, you know, if everyone who touched it before me dropped dead suddenly.”
“And what if I’d decided to open it by myself?!” She sighed, ignoring that of course she should never open Claude’s correspondence without his leave, since she’d already been doing for the past four years and now would be a bad time to start complaining. “Honestly, Claude, I’m not one to lecture anybody about responsibility, but you really have to warn people about these things.”
The way she maintained this belief that she was a totally irresponsible person with no authority whilst being his right hand in Dedriu was kind of adorable. The fact that everyone else fell for it just made it admirable, too.
“Okay, okay, I’m sorry. But in seriousness, Hubert’s people haven’t killed anyone that way for several years. Since before the war.” He’d only traced that death to Vestra after the battle of Garreg Mach, of course, or he would’ve been more prepared to meet Edelgard in battle. “Maybe he thinks it undermines the Emperor’s power to use such underhanded tactics now that she’s officially ascended. It’s better safe than sorry in my case, though, don’t you think?”
“Uh, and in mine,” Hilda said, but the venom had gone out of her voice and he knew she was just complaining for the fun of it now. She only proved his point when she picked the letter back up again and dropped it onto his desk. “Just open the thing, I want to know what it says!”
Claude finally found the gloves and made a show of slowly pulling them over his hands, making Hilda sigh. But he was equally curious as to what had prompted the Empire to write to him, so it wasn’t long before he’d torn it from the envelope and begun to read it.
Then he read it again.
And again.
Okay… well played, Edelgard, I have to admit that I didn’t see that coming.
“What does it say?” Hilda demanded.
Claude turned it over to her to see for herself. “It’s not poisoned,” he assured her. Oh no, the Emperor was far more ambitious than that.
“Hey, this is in Edelgard’s handwriting.” Hilda frowned. Of course she would know that sort of thing. “She wrote to you personally…”
Claude watched with amusement as her eyes grew wider and wider until they were nearly ready to pop out of her head. “It’s a very interesting proposal, huh?”
“It’s a very literal proposal, Claude!” She groaned. “Goddess, why would she want to marry you?”
He gave a fake gasp as though wounded. “You could sound a little less surprised.”
“That’s not what I mean!” Hilda said snippily. “Although, yes, I was sure she was head over heels for that Professor Byleth… that’s beside the point! Why would she offer you her hand in marriage when she knows you won’t accept?”
“On the contrary, I absolutely have to accept,” Claude said. “Or at least look like I’m seriously considering it.”
“What.”
“Don’t you see what an opportunity this is?” Hilda normally had an excellent instinct for these things, so he suspected she might have stopped reading after she got to the offer of marriage. “She’d even offered for the negotiations to be conducted in person. She’s practically inviting us to place a spy in her upper echelons. It’s brilliant.”
Hilda groaned. “Not only are you going to accept, but you want to negotiate with her directly?” He watched her eyes flicker as she scanned her paper, and her exasperation changed to a concerned frown. “She wants for your negotiator to come to Enbarr… Claude, this is really dangerous. And who’s going to take care of things here if you go?”
“Well, you would, obviously,” he replied, ignoring her squawk of protest. “But I don’t think it will be as dangerous as all that. Enbarr is the centre of Edelgard’s power, especially as she’s had all these years to remove those opposed to her. Knowing that my death would certainly mean the Alliance going to war with the Empire – even Lord Gloucester wouldn’t stand for that insult – it will be in her best interests to have me protected even more carefully than any representative I might have chosen.”
“Lord Gloucester hates you with a passion.”
“Yeah, but he also wants to be the next leader of the Alliance territories,” Claude said, “and not feel like he could be bumped off whenever it was convenient.”
She groaned and buried her face in her hands. “Why do you have an answer for everything?” she asked, her voice muffled. “I’m going to end up going along with this madness, too…”
Claude grinned. “That’s the spirit!”
Hilda’s posture relaxed suddenly, and she emerged from her hands with a smile that sent shivers down his spine. “Well, it’s not all bad. I have to see you run the idea past Judith first.”
His smile faded. Uh… shit.
“I’m sure I can convince her,” he said out loud. You know… eventually.
“Maybe, but she’ll want to beat the crap out of you to ‘test your will’ first.” Hilda gave him a bright and innocent look. “And I’ll be there to witness the whole thing – as your support, of course!”
*
Judith’s response was predictably negative and loud, but she felt better about it after sparring with Claude and leaving a few bruises. ‘Every one is a lesson,’ she told him, ‘on how to do better next time. And I’ll need to beat even more lessons into your head if you insist on going there alone.’
Yes. Far too much like Mother.
Claude’s first instinct was to go alone to the Empire and he stuck stubbornly to the idea through legions of objections and a slow exchange of letters as the negotiations progressed. He didn’t want to have to worry about keeping any allies abreast of his plans, which could change rapidly, or, well… in an absolute worst case scenario, no need to have more people aboard the sinking ship, right?
Going in person also had advantages. Observations even from trusted confidants couldn’t beat getting your own first-hand impressions. On top of that, Edelgard would be forced to offer a political hostage of roughly equal value – and the only fitting candidate was her second-in-command and spymaster, Hubert von Vestra. Anything else would be a grave insult. Claude, specifically, would be highly insulted and probably cry.
Separating Edelgard from her man in the shadows really opened up possibilities for him, snooping in on places and people he shouldn’t. Maybe he would even get the chance to have some real conversations with the lady herself and trick her into spilling a little more than she intended if he was especially clever. And there was the opportunity to put a certain spin on it…
Claude thought it was a decent plan, all told, and with the new month dawning, the time fast approached for him to put it into action.
*
The trip to Garreg Mach was tense – not as Edelgard would have wished it, since she did not expect to see Hubert or Dorothea for several months.
“I don’t like this,” Hubert muttered.
If he wanted to raise a sincere objection, he would have done so before they were less than a mile from Garreg Mach. The familiar countryside sent a painful stab of nostalgia through Edelgard’s heart. She couldn’t put into words how much she missed those peaceful days—lessons with the professor, spending time with classmates in the dining hall, being able to feel like she had no worries beyond their next assignment…
One day, she would restore Garreg Mach to its former glory. Let students of the future have the happy, uneventful schooling that she and the others had not. Not that I have anyone to blame but myself.
“Lady Edelgard?”
Hubert’s voice roused her from her thoughts. She blinked. “I’m sorry, Hubert, I was… distracted. Did you say something?”
“No. You merely seemed uncomfortable.”
Edelgard turned her gaze out of the window again. Despite the stark trees and the patches of snow blanketing the land, the scenery was still beautiful. It seemed nearly untouched. She could almost believe a battle had never taken place here at all. “I was just thinking about when we were students here. I miss it, I suppose.”
“It wasn’t an unpleasant time,” Hubert admitted. “But what you are doing now is more important, Lady Edelgard. For the future of Fódlan.”
“I know.” She did know, and yet… the harsh necessities were difficult to bear at times.
Hubert seemed to consider the matter closed. After a short pause, he said, “Why would he ask to meet at Garreg Mach? He knows this is Empire territory; it would have made more sense to meet at the Bridge of Myrddin. Not that I am displeased, as it is much safer for you Majesty, but I cannot fathom what he is thinking.”
“Maybe it was simply more convenient,” Edelgard replied. “If you spend so much of your energy analysing every single decision Claude makes, you’ll drive yourself mad.”
“But there must be a reason,” Hubert insisted.
Edelgard raised an eyebrow. “And if you’ll remember, I have an order for you to treat this as a chance to rest. You’ve been working yourself too hard.”
“I do what I must to best serve you, your Majesty.”
She resisted the urge to pinch the bridge of her nose. Hubert was an invaluable ally, who had stood by her through everything… and yet sometimes it was like trying to reason with the walls of Garreg Mach. “Well, now you must rest.”
Hubert made a disgruntled noise and did not reply. Edelgard doubted that she’d really gotten through to him, but he wouldn’t be able to get up to anything too strenuous whilst in Dedriu.
…She hoped.
The rest of the journey was spent in quiet contemplation. When the carriage drew to a halt, Edelgard immediately recognised the flag of House Riegan, as well as House Daphnel. Hm. Not House Goneril, though… perhaps Hilda had remained in Dedriu. Their information said that Claude had been relying on her recently, so it wasn’t likely she had been shut out altogether. They seemed to have become quite close…
And his friendship with the Hero of Daphnel was already well known.
“Your Majesty,” Lady Judith said, extending a scarred hand to help Edelgard down the carriage steps.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Dorothea from the second carriage waving away some guards who looked like they wanted to intervene. She was always quick to appreciate the symbolic importance of gestures such as this. Maybe the joke she’d made about the Mittelfrank Opera Company preparing her for politics wasn’t so far off.
Edelgard accepted Judith’s hand with a nod of recognition. “Thank you, Lady Judith.”
As her feet hit the ground, Judith let go. “Took a look around while we were waiting for you,” she said curtly. “Your men pass muster, I suppose.”
Edelgard couldn’t exactly blame her for her caution, or the near hostility. “I’m glad to hear everything met with your satisfaction,” she demurred. “My men will be pleased to hear such praise from the Hero of Daphnel.”
“Hmph.” If Judith was mollified by the compliment, she didn’t show it. “I would speak with Duke Riegan before the two of you make the final arrangements. If your Majesty would not mind waiting a few more moments?”
Edelgard inclined her head. As the party making the offer of alliance and marriage in the first place, it behoved her to be accommodating. A small gesture, but the impact of a good impression was not to be undervalued. “Of course. Send a message when the duke is ready to receive us. In the meantime, I will speak with the commander here.”
Judith gave a shallow bow and walked away without further comment.
“She ought to treat you with more respect,” came Hubert’s voice at her shoulder.
Edelgard sighed. “She has no reason to. And plenty of reason to be nervous about meeting here.”
“She should raise that with the duke, then.”
Hubert was right, as much as she wished him not to drive himself mad over it. It was an odd choice to meet here. Even as equals at Garreg Mach, she had never pretended to understand Claude’s character. Maybe she would learn more about him and make sense of his decisions during their ‘discussions’ in Enbarr. At the very least, she was sure he must have some reason behind it. Claude was certainly not stupid.
Rapid footsteps signalled Dorothea’s arrival. She linked her arm through Edelgard’s with an easy smile, ignoring Hubert’s frown. “So that was the Hero of Daphnel, huh? She’s more beautiful than the stories say. I was expecting a soldier through and through, but she has a certain elegance about her as well, doesn’t she?”
“I suppose her reputation is quite intimidating,” Edelgard replied. “Perhaps that causes people to dwell more on her exploits than her person.”
“At least I can look forward to correcting this dreadful oversight.” Dorothea laughed. “And look forward to getting to know the lady herself.”
“You truly know no fear,” Hubert said dryly. “Do remember that we have an actual purpose in being in Dedriu beyond flirting.”
Dorothea waved his objection away. He followed behind them as Edelgard lead the way towards Commander Randolph, whilst Dorothea continued, “I wonder if Claude is still as handsome as he was during our Academy days. If he is, I’ll be quite jealous, Edie.”
Edelgard smiled. “That’s not the point, but…”
Dorothea’s eyes glittered with mirth. “But a nice bonus, right?”
She effortlessly kept up a light conversation until the commander came out to greet them. He saluted smartly. “Your Majesty!” He bowed to Hubert and Dorothea. “My lord, my lady.”
“At ease,” Edelgard said. She quite liked Randolph. Although he had no blood relation to Caspar, he struck her as a similar soul… optimistic. And, of course, he was as talented a soldier and military commander as any of House Bergliez. “Anything to report, Commander? Has there been any disturbances? Signs of intrusion by the Kingdom or the Knights of Seiros?”
“Nothing of the kind, Your Majesty,” Randolph said. “And I have made sure to double the patrols as you suggested.”
It was what their scouts had reported, but hearing it directly still gave Edelgard a sense of relief. “I’m sure you have been extremely vigilant. Even the Hero of Daphnel found it in her to praise your arrangements here.”
Despite his attempt at seriousness, Randolph’s face lit up at the compliment. “She did?!” He cleared his throat. “Er… of course, I will find time to thank her for this kindness before the party from the Leicester Alliance leaves, Your Majesty. And thank you for conveying Lady Judith’s words.”
“Is there anything else?”
“If you have time to spare, Your Majesty, I’m sure the troops would be gladdened to hear from you in person.”
“Of course,” Edelgard said. “It is the least I can do for all their efforts.”
Such ‘meet and greets’, as Dorothea called them, had always been exhausting for Edelgard, but she made herself speak to every soldier with kindness and a smile. It really was the very least she could do. Their enthusiasm was overwhelming, and she couldn’t help wincing internally as they heaped praise on her. It felt quite unearned.
Dorothea’s presence was a blessing. Her warmth – metaphorical and literal – at Edelgard’s shoulder helped her feel more at ease, and she was able to chip in with comments when Edelgard struggled to find something to say.
Still, it was something of a relief when the messenger came from the Alliance party and she was called away. “Thank you for your help,” she made sure to say to Dorothea under her breath.
“Any time, Edie!”
Edelgard’s thanks were sincere, but it still felt hollow when the closeness was partially for show. Not that she didn’t think of Dorothea as a friend, or found shows of closeness unwelcome, but… oh, there was always another layer to it. Despite her many talents and her own fame, Dorothea had little apparent value as a hostage to the Empire’s good will unless she was seen to be a close personal friend of Edelgard’s.
She tried to put those thoughts aside for now. She would need her wits about her for the meeting with Claude and Judith.
The Alliance messenger led them to the old cathedral, which was little used by the troops in the area and the closest thing to a private space Edelgard had been able to provide. She was embarrassed by the poor state of repair. I wonder if we can spare some resources to begin fixing it up? Regardless of how it’s been used by the Church, it’s still a beautiful building, important to the history of Fódlan.
Edelgard was a little too focused on trying to work out if the structural integrity of the building had been compromised, because it didn’t full register that they were in the presence of Duke Riegan until Dorothea whispered, “Ooh, damn.”
Edelgard blinked and found herself looking at Claude Riegan for the first time in five years.
He reacted with a broad smile. “Hello, Edelgard. You’ve certainly grown easy on the eyes.”
Compliments. Flirting. There was a certain amount of artistry to it which Edelgard had never grasped. At least on this occasion she couldn’t go wrong with being honest. Claude wasn’t so different. His hair fell in the same waves of russet-brown, the sun-kissed skin still made a stunning contrast to those bright green eyes… yes, he was as good looking as he’d ever been. “You look very handsome yourself, Claude. You look… mature. It suits you.”
“I miss the braid,” Dorothea whispered.
Edelgard found that she rather preferred him without it. The sideburns—the missing braid—made him him seem less boyish. He looked like somebody one might rely on.
“How delightful to see you after all these years,” Claude said. “We never did spend much time together at the Academy, did we?”
Her heart sank. The pleasantries were over already. And whose fault was that? he must be insinuating. Not entirely hers, she felt. Claude had very carefully kept everyone at arm’s length. Still, standing in the ruins she had made, it was hard to hold this recalcitrance against him. Could he really come to see eye to eye with her? She had vowed to try, but…
“I’d love to catch up,” he continued, “but I think Judith is getting a little antsy… besides, we’ll have time for that in Enbarr, won’t we?”
He said it in the same light and lyrical manner, but still managed to make it sound vaguely threatening.
I hope I don’t regret this…