"Lady Byleth" a voice called out.
Byleth immediately shot up in her bed and looked to see one of the nuns.
"Yes?" Byleth asked.
The nun shifted around uncomfortably for a moment, "Lady Rhea has requested your presence in Seteth's office" she said.
Byleth frowned, this early in the morning? And her Grandmother normally didn't meet with her till at least the afternoon. "Did she say what this is about?" Byleth asked.
The nun's face went pale and she shook her head, "Go there as soon as you are dressed Lady Byleth" she concluded then left from the room.
Oh, sweet Sothis.
Byleth isn't sure how but Grandmother must have found out.
Aelfric said he wouldn't tell, is it possible that he lied about keeping it a secret?
Maybe... That was always a possibility.
Byleth got up and slowly got dressed, how would Grandmother react? She had never really seen her angry before, perhaps she would just get scolded and that was it? Although that seemed like wishful thinking if Byleth were being honest.
Would her Uncle be there as well? If Grandmother didn't scold her Uncle Seteth would without a doubt.
Byleth sat on her bed for a moment and sighed, she really shouldn't have gone down into the Abyss. She went against all of her better judgement and look where it got her.
Well for all she knew Grandmother didn't know, maybe it was just some news about something else? Like turmoil in the Adrestrian Empire or something? Or maybe the Count from the Alliance was visiting again?
Right?
Byleth's stomach churned, there is no use stalling the inevitable. She stood up and left her room to go to Uncle Seteth's office.
It was the longest walk of her life.
Byleth stood outside of the door for a moment then knocked.
"Come in" Seteth's voice rang out.
Oh, sweet Sothis he sounded upset.
Byleth opened the door and walked in.
"Close the door" Rhea said, and Byleth complied.
"Grandmother, Uncle Seteth..." Byleth squeaked out
Grandmother furrowed her eyebrows at her, "Dear, are you feeling alright?" she asked "You look pale take a seat" she said and gestured to a chair at the opposite side of Seteth's desk. "We have good news Byleth'' Rhea said.
Byleth sat down, "Good news?" she recited. She still feared that they knew, they had to know.
Seteth nodded, "Yes, good news" he said "My younger Sister will be paying a visit to the monastery for a couple of weeks" he added.
Byleth frowned, "Uncle you have a Sister?" she asked "Why is this the first you have spoken of her?" she questioned.
"You never asked," Seteth rebutted.
That... Was a fair point.
"I see" Byleth murmured "My apologies then" she said.
Uncle Seteth chuckled, "Worry not young one" he said "My sister is quite young, I am certain the two of you will be fast friends" he added.
Byleth's eyes widened at the prospect of a new friend, "Really?" she asked.
Seteth nodded, "Indeed" he said.
"Anyhow Byleth, that is all we wished to speak with you about" Grandmother said "You should go and join Glenn and Sylvain for breakfast, they are already in the dining hall waiting" she added.
Byleth nodded, "Will do, thank you Grandmother" she said "I will see you both later in the evening" she added then left from Seteth's office.
Sweet Sothis, she can't believe they didn't know. It felt like every worry just melted away from her. Byleth smiled softly then went to join Glenn and Sylvain in the dining hall.
When Byleth arrived at the table both Glenn and Sylvain were quiet. Glenn sat there pushing around food on his plate, he looked up to Byleth as she approached them, "Oh, took you long enough" he said quietly.
Sylvain stared at her with wide eyes, "You didn't get in trouble did you, Byleth?" he asked in a loud whisper.
Byleth shook her head and set her food down besides his and then took a seat, "No" she said quietly "I thought I had but it had nothing to do with that" she added.
"Phew!" Sylvain sighed "When Lady Rhea told us that she needed to speak with you, we thought that you had gotten in trouble" he said.
Byleth nodded, "I thought so as well" she said "But I think Aelfric kept his word" she added.
"I still can't believe Glenn beat him up" Sylvain snickered.
A grin grew on Glenn's face, "Hey! In my defense I thought he was going to kill us" he said, "It was self-defense" he added "Plus he should be worried if a kid is able to overpower him like that" Glenn concluded.
Byleth shook her head, "You have a crest" she said "He more than likely doesn't" she added.
Glenn frowned, "So?" he said "It's just a crest, it does nothing" he declared "An adult should have had no problem overpowering a kid" he added.
Sylvain looked down at the table.
"I agree" Byleth said "But from what Grandmother has told me it is a big deal where you are from" she said "Also in the Adrestrian Empire and the Leicester Alliance" she added.
"That's stupid" Glenn replied, and Byleth nodded her head in agreement.
"So why did Lady Rhea ask you to meet with her so early?" Sylvain asked, changing the subject.
Byleth quickly took a bit of her food, "My Uncle's Sister is coming to the monastery for a couple of weeks" she said as soon as she swallowed her food.
Sylvain frowned, "Does that mean that you'll be spending your time with her instead of us?" he asked.
Byleth tilted her head in confusion, "Can't I spend time with all of you?" she questioned. She didn't really get Sylvain's concern on the matter.
"I guess" Sylvain huffed, "You promise you won't ditch us?" he asked.
Byleth nodded, "Of course" she said "Who else will spar with me" she added.
Glenn chuckled slightly at that remark, "Sylvain, you know we won't be here, forever right?" Glenn asked.
The younger boy's face grew red, "Well, yeah..." Sylvain murmured "But it doesn't change anything, Byleth already promised" he added then paused for a moment "Plus we'll be back again" Sylvain said "Oh! Maybe next time His Highness, Felix, and Ingrid will be with us"
Byleth furrows her eyebrows, "Felix and Ingrid?" she said in a questioning tone.
Glenn opens his mouth to speak but Sylvain beats him to it. "Felix is Glenn's Brother and Ingrid is Glenn's fiancée" Sylvain declares.
Byleth's eyes widen, "Oh my, you already have a betrothed?" she said, a little surprised.
Glenn was silent but nodded his head.
"I think you would like Ingrid Byleth, she's a lot like you" Sylvain said, "Actually scratch that" he said "You're nicer than Ingrid" he concluded.
Byleth wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not, "Uh, thanks?" she said in an unsure tone.
Sylvain smiled at her and Glenn kept his gaze on his food, Byleth was worried. The second the chance arose she would question him on what he saw in that room in the Abyss, she was certain that is what was plaguing his mind.
Author's note:
Hello everyone who reads this! I have some slightly bad news, I will be putting this story on a temporary hiatus, I am guessing that it will be for two to three weeks. worst case scenario four weeks. But once I am back I will be able to update this story more frequently if that's any consolation. I am drawing to the close of my first fanfic that I started and I wanted to invest my full energy into it's ending, I'm sorry about the inconvenience. Anyhow till then I guess?