Chapter Text
Edelgard, Dimitri, and Claude got attacked by a group of bandits, but were rescued by Captain Jeralt and his mercenary son.
That’s what Ingrid heard anyway, from Hilda during their early morning stable duty. Even as she relayed the information to the rest of her classmates, she was questioning the legitimacy of it.
“Dimitri was rescued during officer training?” Mercedes asked confusedly. “That doesn’t sound like the Dimitri we know.”
“His Highness is capable of protecting himself from lowly bandits,” Dedue added, in his permanently stoic tone. “The other officers were with him as well. Such a scenario would not necessitate the trouble of needing rescue.”
Annette looked unsure. “You really think so, Dedue? If it was an ambush attack, I can imagine that being enough to rattle anyone.”
“Like the boar would need help killing,” Felix scoffed, sharpening a blade. “You speak as if Hilda wouldn’t embellish the truth for the fun of it.”
That’s a fair point, Ingrid thought. Hilda had a penchant for gossip, and it’s possible she was exaggerating the story (or even making it up entirely). The theatrics of doing so would have provided a good cover for doing as little of this morning’s cleanup as possible. Ingrid would know, having done the bulk of the work.
Ashe gave a thoughtful hum. “It does sound rather unbelievable that the former captain of the Knights of Seiros was the one to do the rescuing. Does Hilda know he disappeared around twenty years ago? Although I must admit, meeting such a high-ranking knight would be quite exciting. I only ever got to read about such people.”
“You and your admiration of knights,” sighed Sylvain, laying on one of the desks. “Fanciful as this little rumor is, I can’t find myself interested if there are no lovely ladies in it.”
Ingrid huffed. “Sylvain! Will you ever express interest in literally anything other than women?”
“Kidding! I’m kidding! But in seriousness, I’m not sure I’m buying this story. You remember where Dimitri said the camp he’d be at was located?”
Annette nodded. “It was some secluded location near Remire Village, I believe.”
“Right. Most likely placed strategically so that no one would stumble upon it by accident.” Sylvain put his arms behind his head. “Sorry, Ingrid. Sounds like Hilda’s just making up tales to amuse herself.”
Several of Ingrid’s classmates muttered in agreement. The more they talked, the less convinced she was of what she had heard.
“Maybe you’re all right,” she admitted. “I guess Hilda did hear it from Claude after all, and both of them aren’t above this kind of fabrication.”
“No, it’s all true,” came a voice from the classroom entrance.
The Blue Lions collectively turned. At the entrance stood Dimitri, their crown prince leader of the Holy Kingdom, dressed in royal blue, the daylight outside illuminating his figure. Despite the gallant presence he carried himself with everywhere, he joined his classmates with an air of comfortable casualness.
“Bandits attacked our camp where we were resting by surprise. Thankfully, we were provided assistance by Jeralt, former captain of the Knights of Seiros, and his son, Byleth. They took command of the situation, and yes, they were as skilled as everyone’s been saying. I fear to imagine what would have happened had they not been there.”
The confirmation erupted the whole class into a flurry of responses.
“All you alright, Prince?”
“No way!”
“Did you say they took command?”
“You met the former captain!?”
“I should have been there for you, Your Highness.”
“Wait, so it’s all true?”
“Amazing!”
Dimitri gently waved them down. “All right, everyone calm down. As you can see I’m fine; in fact, encountering them was fortuitous beyond saving my life. I heard word that Alois recommended Jeralt’s son, Byleth, into becoming the new professor.”
“The new professor?” gasped Annette. “So, do you think—”
“Yes,” he smiled, having read her mind. “But still, best not to have any expectations. It is only by luck that he ends up teaching our class. If not, Professor Manuela and Professor Hanneman are perfectly capable as well.”
This reveal of news was all too exciting to take in. The Blue Lions chatted amongst themselves in rapid fervor, multiple conversations overlapping. Ashe and Ingrid had fun theorizing what the son of a former Knight of Seiros could be like. Dedue, in adamant concern, requested further details from Dimitri about the attack, along with any possible injuries. Mercedes and Annette craftily formulated a scheme of potentially bribing the new professor into teaching their class with baked sweets and tea.
Seeing as how the rest of his classmates were engaged with each other, Sylvain turned to Felix.
“So, our academy’s getting a new professor?” he asked. “Shame it’s a former captain’s son and not their cute daughter. What do you think, Felix?”
“I think I’ve had enough being here,” Felix said. “I’m off to train.”
Felix got up and left, leaving the cacophonous group. Sylvain playfully rolled his eyes, the conversation having ended as quickly as it began.