Byleth/Support

* **???**: *(Off-screen)* Uhh... Agh... Fath... Save...
* **Byleth**: Who could that be?
* **Sothis**: A ghost, perhaps? No, that is surely not the case.

*(Byleth ponders for a moment)*

* **Sothis**: What is that look upon your face? I am no ghost, if that is what was on your mind!

*(Byleth walks towards the voice; screen fades to black)*

* **???**: No... Agh... Huh?! Who's there?!

*(screen fades back in; the voice is revealed to be Edelgard)*

* **Edelgard**: Professor... What are you doing here?
* **Byleth**: I was restless.
* **Edelgard**: *(alarmed and blushing)* What could that possibly mean? *(regains her composure)* In any case, please don't scare me like that.
* **Byleth**: Bad dreams?
* **Edelgard**: Ah... So you heard me, then. Yes, it was a nightmare. I've had them since I was a child. Stupid, pointless dreams I can't control... It's terribly frustrating.
* **Byleth**: What are they about?
* **Edelgard**: Just...my childhood. A time before I had realized who I was destined to become.
* **Byleth**: You can trust me with anything.
* **Edelgard**: I had a feeling you'd say that. I suppose I could try...
* **Edelgard**: But only if you swear not to tell a soul.

*(Byleth nods)*

* **Edelgard**: I appreciate it. I dream of...my older brother, paralyzed, helpless... my older sister crying for help that never came... the youngest babbling words beyond meaning. I see my family dying slowly, waiting in the darkest depths for a glimmer of light. I once had ten siblings, eight older and two younger. Such a large family, and yet I became the heir to the throne. Do you know why? Every last one of them was crippled by disease or lost their mind or died. I was the only one left who could inherit the throne.
* **Byleth**: That's awful.
* **Edelgard**: Things kept getting worse. The darkness kept getting darker. In the end, I was the only one who survived. The nightmares are a reminder...to never forget. To never allow such terrible things to happen again.
* **Byleth**: Never again...
* **Edelgard**: Even now, I'm the only one who can carry the weight of the Adrestian Empire. The future of the Empire...of everything...depends on me. Hm... I shared more than I intended to. I suppose there's something in the air tonight. I've never told anyone about my past before. Please... forget I said anything. Sleep well, my teacher.

### C+ Support

* **Edelgard**: Ah, it's you. Out late again, I see. What brings you here?
* **Byleth**: Trouble sleeping?
* **Edelgard**: Is it that obvious? I despise being cooped up when sleep evades me. I just have to get some fresh air.
* **Byleth**: I couldn't sleep either.
* **Edelgard**: So I see. Still, it's ill-advised to stay up so late.
* **Edelgard**: I should get some sleep too, but... Have you ever felt a sort of longing for the outdoors? I have. There are times I long for the warmth of the sun, for a sweet breeze on my face... Do you remember what I told you the other night? About...my past? None of my siblings had a chance to lead the sort of life they deserved. An ordinary life.
* **Byleth**: I remember.
* **Edelgard: ...**
* **Edelgard**: My siblings and I were... We were imprisoned underground, beneath the palace. The object was to endow our bodies with the power of a Major Crest. I have always possessed the Crest of Seiros, inherited through the Hresvelg bloodline. But it was only a Minor Crest, and most of my siblings bore no Crest at all. In order to create a peerless emperor to rule Fódlan, they violated our bodies by cutting open our very flesh. Now here I stand, the fruit of that endeavor: Edelgard von Hresvelg! But that came at too high a price... The others were sacrificed. Ours weren't the only lives devastated by that terrible process. Innocents died as well, without even knowing what they were dying for. And there you have it, the truth of the Hresvelg's Empire.
* **Byleth**: Who is to blame?
* **Edelgard**: The prime minister and his gaggle of nobles. They had the Empire under their thumbs. My father, the emperor, tried to stop them, but...it was futile. My father was nothing but a puppet on a string by then. He was powerless to save us.
* **Edelgard**: I know how it all sounds. But when you see my true strength, you will know I speak the truth. I have kept it hidden all this time, but...I will reveal to you the power of my second Crest.

*(Edelgard displays her Crest)*

* **Edelgard**: It is the same as yours...the Crest of Flames. When it manifested for me, I swore a silent oath. For the sake of my family and for all the poor souls whose lives were traded for my existence... For their sake, I will build a world where such meaningless sacrifice is never again sanctioned. As emperor, I will change the world. I swear it.

### B Support

* **Edelgard**: *(annoyed)* Ugh... I'm so sick of it all. There is so much to be done, yet all I encounter are new problems and pitfalls. Ugh... Sometimes I wish I could spend just one day doing absolutely nothing and gorging myself on sweets!
* **Byleth**: Let's do just that.
* **Edelgard**: Do you mean it? Just the thought makes me happy.
* **Edelgard**: But...Hubert would never allow it.
* **Byleth**: That's too bad.
* **Edelgard**: Indeed. It may not be possible now, but one day we will know the joys of idling. Mark my words.
* **Byleth**: ...
* **Edelgard**: *(indignant)* Is that a smirk I spy? Is it so amusing to you, me daydreaming of free time?
* **Byleth**: You misunderstand me.
* **Edelgard**: Huh! Your silly grin says otherwise.
* **Edelgard**: But let's put that aside for now. There is something I've been meaning to tell you.
* **Edelgard**: *(blushing)* I'm afraid this might sound a bit...sentimental. However…
* **Edelgard**: I want to thank you. Because of you, I feel I can walk my fated path without losing myself. If I were alone, I might have lost perspective and become a harsh ruler with a heart of ice. But I'm not alone. With you by my side, I'm somehow free to be not only a leader but... simply Edelgard.
* **Byleth**: I'm glad.
* **Edelgard**: ...
* **Edelgard**: Until now, no. one has been able to surpass me—much less command me. I have always been seen as an untouchable princess or emperor. No one spoke to me as an equal or met my gaze without flinching. It was lonely. Terribly lonely. The only person I could rely on as I tried to claw my way out of the darkness was myself. But you...you have been a brilliant light. Somehow, you have chased the darkness away. And for that... I will always be grateful.

### A Support

* **Edelgard**: Yes? Oh! It's you, Professor. I was certain it was Hubert coming to drag me back to my duties.
* **Edelgard**: *(impersonating Hubert, with a stern expression)* "Your Majesty, you must know your supreme talents are needed at present. Why not gaze at these documents instead of the sky?"
* **Byleth**: That sounds like Hubert.
* **Edelgard**: Doesn't it? And the worst part is that he's always right, so I can't even argue with him.
* **Edelgard**: But that's enough about Hubert for the moment. While I have your attention, I'd like to thank you for your help in that last battle. As you well know, I'm perfectly capable of commanding the army by myself. However, when you're around, it's somehow different. I'm not sure I can properly explain it. I suppose your perspective on the battlefield is simply sharper than mine. When you're devising tactics and tricks for us, it's almost as though you can read the enemy's mind. There's no getting around it. Your talent for strategy far exceeds my own. I'm quite jealous in all honesty.
* **Byleth**: Sometimes, I'm jealous of you too.
* **Edelgard**: Is that a fact? Well, if you insist. I suppose a flower from another's field is always more beautiful. I'll admit, I think of you as rather detached, so to hear that you have emotions such as jealousy is... something of a relief.
* **Byleth**: could say the same of you.
* **Edelgard**: I can't deny it. Ever since I underwent those... procedures, I've certainly distanced myself from the ordinary world.
* **Byleth**: It seems we were fated to be friends.
* **Edelgard**: Friends... That word somehow doesn't seem adequate. Besides, we've been friends for a long time, you and I. By now, we're so much more than that, at least in my mind. You know...instead of Edelgard, you can call me just El. If you so please.
* **Edelgard**: That's what my parents and closest sisters used to call me when I was little. Now there's no one left who calls me El... But with you, well...I think I could allow it. In fact, it would mean a great deal to me.
* **Byleth**: Why is that?
* **Edelgard**: Why? Hmm...

*(Edelgard turns away)*

* **Edelgard**: Well, you have stood beside me and shared my burdens. As I said, you are much more than a friend. In truth, you are like family to me. I suppose that's why.

### S Support

* **Edelgard**: The children of the goddess have been defeated at last. The shape of the world will be forever changed. Humanity is free now. The world is ours once again. Can you believe it?
* **Byleth**: It isn't over yet.
* **Edelgard**: True. There is still much to be done. We can't ignore the possibility that our enemies will resurface one day. In the end, the fate of this world depends on the choices we make.
* **Edelgard**: I don't know what the future holds, but...come what may, will you stay by my side? You chose to protect me at the Holy Tomb. Will you choose me again?

*(Edelgard looks down)*

* **Edelgard**: What I'm trying to say is...I need you.
* **Byleth**: El... Please accept this gift.

*(Byleth presents Jeralt's ring to Edelgard)*

* **Edelgard**: (*blushing*) You called me El. That's... I... That means more than I can say.
* **Edelgard**: And this ring... It's lovely. Thank you, my darling. I will happily accept it.
* **Edelgard**: I must admit, I feared my feelings would be unrequited. So long as I had you by my side, it never mattered how many enemies I amassed. You were all I needed. All this time, I longed to share my feelings with you, and it seems you wished for the same. Now, our wishes have come true. This feeling... it's overwhelming.
* **Byleth**: I promise to always be there for you.
* **Edelgard**: I promise the same. Together, we can achieve anything.
* **Edelgard**: We will crush those who slither in the dark and restore peace and order to Fódlan. I will then find a suitable successor and hand over the reins of the Empire.
* '*Edelgard*: (*blushing*) When all that is done, it will be just the two of us. I look forward to starting our life together in the light of a glorious new dawn.
* **Byleth**: Let's make it happen.
* **Edelgard**: Yes, that is all we can do for now. We must remain focused on our goals.
* **Edelgard**: **To think that I may truly call you my partner and equal now... The solitary reign of Edelgard has come to an end. From now on, we walk this path together. With time and care, the darkness shrouding this world will be lifted. You and I will become the light that shines over Fódlan... just as you have shined upon my life.**

### Goddess Tower Support

* **Edelgard**: Ah, here you are. Are you waiting for someone?
* **Byleth**: I was waiting for you.
* **Edelgard**: For me? Well, you should have summoned me earlier.
* **Edelgard**: Regardless, here I am.
* **Byleth**: Has something happened?
* **Edelgard**: No, nothing in particular. In fact, that's why I came here. This place, the Goddess Tower... It was special to my parents. My father attended the Officers Academy himself. A few years after graduating, he was crowned emperor. One day, during a visit to the monastery, he snuck into the Goddess Tower on a nostalgic whim. And there she was, my mother. She had just enrolled in the academy that very year. They were instantly drawn to each other. Love at first sight, you could say. It was the first time either had truly been in love...or so the story goes.
* **Byleth**: Their first love?
* **Edelgard**: Yes. Of course, as emperor, my father had already married for political reasons. As the Empire demands many heirs, he also had numerous other lovers. In the end, my mother settled for becoming one of his many consorts. But I choose to believe there was genuine love between them. Heh, I suppose it's a silly story to cling to.
* **Byleth**: It's a lovely story.
* **Edelgard**: Isn't it? It's a shame that the lovely stories ended after I was born. For as long as I can remember, my mother had already been exiled from the capital. It's strange. Something about you makes me reveal all of the things I so carefully keep concealed.
* **Edelgard**: Anyway... What about you? It's your turn to reveal some long-held secret! You can share a story about your past...or perhaps tell me about your first love.
* **Byleth**: Please don't ask that of me.
* **Edelgard**: You realize that just makes me more curious than ever!
* **Byleth**: Sorry...
* **Edelgard**: Heh... No, I'm the one who should apologize. It wasn't my intention to pry. I'm just intrigued by you and your mysterious past. You have supposedly always been a mercenary, but I believe there is more to your story than that… Let's leave it there for today and return to the ball. There must be plenty of students hoping to talk with you...and to dance with you. I would not wish to prevent you from mingling. I cannot keep you all to myself, after all.

## With Dorothea

### C Support

*(Dorothea talks to a knight)*

* **Dorothea**: Well, I had fun today. Of course, you'll want to see me again, yes?
* **Knight:** O-of course! I'd love to, Dorothea!
* **Dorothea**: Well, until we meet again!
* **Dorothea**: Oh! Hello, Professor. Were you...watching that?
* **Byleth**: That's a different guy than I saw you with yesterday.
* **Dorothea**: Yes... Is there a problem with that?
* **Dorothea**: Look, I know what I'm doing. My acclaim as a diva won't last forever, after all. I must look to the future. You might think about doing the same thing. Your beauty — and you're gorgeous - won't last forever.
* **Byleth**: We all feel anxiety about aging.
* **Dorothea**: You? Really? I never would have guessed.
* **Dorothea**: Anyway, I'm not just playing games with these boys. This is for my future. You have no right to object. I very much want to find a good partner here at the academy. Someone who will take care of me for the rest of my life.
* **Byleth**: Do what you will.
* **Dorothea**: I'm glad you understand. Not everyone appreciates the necessity of taking the initiative while you're still in your prime. Or are you just saying that?
* **Dorothea**: Anyway, I value your opinion, Professor, but I won't have you interfering with my plans. Unless you'd like to take care of me into my old age? That'd be something, eh? How about it, Professor?
* **Byleth**: OK.
* **Dorothea**: I wasn't – You aren't being serious, are you? I was just teasing. Or did you really just consider spending your whole life with me? The thought hadn't crossed my mind before, but come to think of it...that might sound pretty nice. You've gotten awfully quiet... You might even be blushing a bit. Have I embarrassed you? If so, I'm very, very sorry. I should be going anyway. I'll see you later... Professor.

### B Support

* **Dorothea**: …
* **Byleth**: Troubles with love?
* **Dorothea**: Professor? I – Oh...don't worry. It's nothing.
* **Dorothea**: …
* **Dorothea**: Actually, could we talk for a bit? Somewhere a little more...private?

*(Dorothea leaves. Byleth follows.)*

* **Dorothea**: …
* **Dorothea**: I'm just gonna come right out and say it. I find you a little difficult to be around. I know, I know. I'm your student and you're just trying to watch out for me. But the way you look at me sometimes...it's like you're seeing right through me.
* **Byleth**: I'm sorry.
* **Dorothea**: No, don't apologize.
* **Dorothea**: I know you don't mean anything bad by it. I'm just self-conscious, I guess. The thing is, I don't have anything to call my own. No land, no birthright, no fortune. Little knowledge or battle skill. I think that's why I always clung to my popularity as a diva. Even after leaving the stage behind, I sort of kept up the act. When I look at you, it's like your eyes are accusing me... Telling me that you see right through it. That's what I mean when I say it's difficult to be around you. Hey, uh, this might be nuts, but maybe you could show me some kind of weakness of yours?
* **Byleth**: Excuse me?
* **Dorothea**: You know my biggest fear. If I know one of yours, maybe I'll feel less, I don't know...vulnerable.
* **Byleth**: Well, if it would really help...
* **Dorothea**: Excellent. Well then, don't mind me.

*(screen briefly fades to black.)*

* **Dorothea**: I bet I know your weakness. It's not mental, is it? It's physical! You're ticklish! Here, I'll prove it. That's right. The next time you gaze into my soul, I know just how I'll retaliate! *(Pause.)* Um... Professor? What's with you? Why aren't you reacting to anything I'm doing? Come on! I thought that was funny. I swear, it's like your heart isn't even beating.
* **Byleth**: Actually, my heart isn't beating.
* **Dorothea**: Ha, don't be so silly... Huh? It really isn't beating?! Is what I'd say if I was more gullible. You're just fooling around, Professor. I'm not sure how you did it, but that was a good one.

### A Support

* **Dorothea**: This may seem a bit sudden, but...I want to thank you, Professor. That is, for letting me live my life the way I want. I've noticed you've been giving me fewer of those soul-revealing gazes lately. I appreciate you making an effort to not trouble yourself over who I spend my time with.
* **Byleth**: So, you found me out…
* **Dorothea**: Well, of course. Did you think I wouldn't notice? It's kind of sweet, in its own way.
* **Dorothea**: Professor, may I tell you a story about when I was younger? I was an orphan, living in the back alleys of Enbarr, until one day I was overheard singing... That was when my new life began. I was suddenly a songstress in the Mittlefrank Opera Company. Performers, nobility...I met so may people. But none of them ever really knew me. I was just some young pretty girl who could sing, a spectacle to be admired. Even though everyone praised my looks and my voice, and they showered me with gifts... I knew, one day, I'd be old. My looks would fade, my voice would change, I wouldn't sound the same. And I started to wonder, when I did get old, what would I have left? I'd be old, alone...and back on the streets of the capital, right where I'd started.
* **Byleth**: I don't believe that's true.
* **Dorothea**: You can never be certain about what the future will bring.
* **Dorothea**: I never had much to begin with in life, and I worry that one day, I'll be that way again... That's why I keep searching for someone who will love me. Someone unaware of the songstress, who can love a girl that used to be scared and alone on the streets of the capital... I wonder if such a strange person can even exist.

## With Hapi

### C Support

* **Hapi**: Well, look who it is. How are you, Chatterbox? Gotten the hang of the whole teaching thing yet?

* **Byleth**: I would say so.
* **Hapi**: That makes sense. You certainly strut around here like someone who belongs. You seem like one of those people who blends in. I could see you just about anywhere and think, "Oh, that person's here. Makes sense."
* **Byleth**: Um. Thanks?
* **Hapi**: I wasn't paying you some sort of compliment. To me, it doesn't matter whether or not you believe in the goddess. You're here supporting the church, and that makes you no different from the others. I can't stand that.
* **Byleth**: Sorry about that.
* **Hapi**: No need to apologize. I just have a rocky history with the church, is all. They betayed me, or at any rate, horribly mistreated me. So I'm not a huge fan. But keep that to yourself.
* **Byleth**: You were mistreated?
* **Hapi**: When I was little, a lady locked me up and held me captive for a long time. The Knights of Seiros rescued me - promised to protect me. But they hid me away in Abyss. So all the knights did was move me from one cage to another. Wouldn't you call that mistreatment? It was all for the greater good. They didn't want to put anyone important in danger. As for me, my life was expendable. That guy Alois was nice to me, though. And he told me a bunch of hilarious jokes to cheer me up.
* **Byleth**: ...Hilarious?
* **Hapi**: I was being sarcastic. Alois wouldn't know a good joke if it landed in his mustache. Anyway, that's why I hate the church. Someday you'll hate them, too. They only hired you because they needed a warm body to fill the post. When you're of no use to them, they'll get rid of you without a second thought.
* **Byleth**: ...
* **Hapi**: Sorry, that sounded more menacing than I intended. I'm just telling you how these people think. They have rules, dogma. They want us all bound to their system so they can control us. I don't do well with that sort of stuff. That's why I ran away from home in the first place.
* **Byleth**: Ran away?
* **Hapi**: Yeah. Ran far, far away. But as far as I ran, it wasn't far enough. I got dragged back into society, chains and all. The kind of world I want doesn't exist.
* **Byleth**: I don't think that's true.
* **Hapi**: I'm getting too dark for you aren't I? Forget I said anything. Your future looks bright, at least. You can just sit back and enjoywhatever comes your way. I'm just saying, don't rest your entire future on the church. It's not as steady a foundation as it seems. Anyway, that's all. I'll be going now.

### B Support

* **Hapi**: Oh, Chatterbox, it's you. Do you need this room for something? Should I leave?
* **Byleth**: You can stay.
* **Hapi**: What do you mean? With me here, you won't be able to focus on whatever you're doing.
* **Byleth**: It'll be fine. Just stay.
* **Hapi**: All right...if you're sure. You're a strange one, you know that? When I came in earlier, people couldn't leave fast enough. They ran away like I was a bad smell. I should be used to that sort of thing by know, but... Well, it stung a little bit.
* **Byleth**: That's terrible.
* **Hapi**: I almost don't blame them. Everyone must have heard the rumors by now.
* **Hapi**: A girl who summons monsters when she sighs. That's not the kind of thing people keep to themselves. Anyway, I prefer solitude. It's easier that way.
* **Byleth**: Are the rumors true?
* **Hapi**: You really didn't know? Yeah, the rumors are true as heck. That's why the knights stuck me in Abyss. If anything was going to happen, better down there than up here. That was the idea anyway.
* **Byleth**: I see...
* **Hapi**: Oh, you had that look on your face.  That "yikes, get this creep away from me" look. It's OK, I'll leave. Look how dangerous I am, after all. You wouldn't want to be left alone with someone like me. Who knows? Maybe I'll get exasperated, and without thinking, I'll start to - Huuuh...
* **Byleth**: ...
* **Hapi**: ...aaaahhhh...
* **Byleth**: It was just a yawn. That's a relief.
* **Hapi**: Sorry to scare you, Chatterbox. I don't usually do that. Guess I haven't been getting enough sleep. Everyone talking about me like I'm some sort of freak... It's been bothering me.
* **Byleth**: You're worrying me.
* **Hapi**: It doesn't matter. Gossip is petty and a waste of energy, so there's no need for me to pay it any mind.
* **Byleth**: Still...
* **Hapi**: The funny thing is all this drama has made me more likely to lose my cool. If that happens, you'll help me out, right?
* **Byleth**: I'll do what I can.

### A Support

* **Hapi**: Oh, hey. I've been meaning to speak with you.
* **Byleth**: What about?
* **Hapi**: I heard that you've been telling people not to worry so much about my condition. Is that a fact?
* **Byleth**: ...Maybe.
* **Hapi**: No need to be coy. Thanks for doing that. But I do have one more minor concern... You said that I haven't sighed in five years?! What the heck is that about? Everyone's calling me "Half Decade Hapi" now! First of all, terrible nickname. Second of all, you weren't even here. Did you just make that up?
* **Byleth**: No, I asked around.
* **Hapi**: You asked around?! That's such a weird thing to do. I'm fighting the urge to sigh right now!
* **Byleth**: I though I was helping...
* **Hapi**: Well, the nickname's bogus. I have absolutely sighed in the last five years. You wouldn't believe what a hassle it was. Monsters rampaging willy-nilly through Abyss. Thanks to some help from the people underground, no one got hurt, but it was a close call. Maybe if you had been there. it wouldn't have been so much trouble.
* **Byleth**: Me?
* **Hapi**: Yes, you. You've got the Sword of the Creator. That thing can chop through monsters like nothing.
* **Byleth**: Is that all?
* **Hapi**: Are you fishing for compliments now? Fine. You're a good leader. You watch out for all of us. Even when the rest of the world turns and hides from me, I know you've got my back.
* **Byleth**: That's true.
* **Hapi**: You make me feel safe. Like I can be myself. Like I don't have to worry so much about keeping my emotions in check. I felt pretty sad all that time you were gone. I could've left Garreg Mach altogether. But then I started thinking...she might still be alive, after all. So I went looking for you. Back to where you'd fallen and all.
* **Byleth**: You really care about me, huh?
* **Hapi**: Ugh! Forget I said anything. Look at me getting all mushy and sincere. How embarassing. Let's just go back to earlier when I was giving you a hard time.
* **Byleth**: Don't be embarassed.
* **Hapi**: Hey, I can feel embarassed if I want to! I can feel however I wanna feel! Whoa. Did I really just say that? I think that's enough vulnerability for one day. I'll see you around.

## With Hubert

### C Support

* **Hubert**: Hello, Professor. You seem to be in good health.
* **Byleth**: Do you need something?
* **Hubert**: Indeed I do.
* **Hubert**: Hm. Doesn't seem intimidated.
* **Byleth**: Something wrong?
* **Hubert**: No, not at all. It's just that I find myself a little concerned for your well-being. You see, Lady Edelgard has taken something of an interest in you.
* **Byleth**: It seems so.
* **Hubert**: Don't be flippant.
* **Hubert**: There is something you need to understand about the role I play here. One of my many duties is to determine potential advantages and potential threats to Her Highness. If you prove yourself useful to Lady Edelgard, then all will be well. If you pose a threat...I shall have to dispose of you.
* **Byleth**: Dispose of me?
* **Hubert**: Yes. This is no joke. While I may be a student here, I am her servant first and foremost. Therefore, if an untimely demise is not to your liking, you would do well to demonstrate your utility with all haste. I should warn you that I am far less compromising than Lady Edelgard. Do not be at ease merely because you stand in her good graces for the time being.
* **Byleth**: I'm not worried.
* **Hubert**: Ha! Such confidence. I'm beginning to see why you caught her eye.
* **Hubert**: My family, House Vestra, has been sworn to House Hresvelg for generations. Since the dawn of the Empire, we have worked to protect the emperor by any means necessary—both in the open and in the shadows. If you incur our wrath, you will see just what I mean.

### B Support

*(Byleth walking outside. Byleth stops suddenly.)*

* **Byleth**: …

*(Byleth turns around)*

* **Hubert**: It seems I am discovered. I suppose that means assassination is out of the question. At least for now.
* **Byleth**: What do you think you're doing?
* **Hubert**: Merely keeping an eye on you, for the moment. Nothing to be concerned over.
* **Hubert**: Unusually watchful—difficult to steal upon in slumber. Perhaps an odorless, tasteless poison... Lady Edelgard certainly took interest in a difficult one this time.
* **Byleth**: Why are you following me?
* **Hubert**: I suppose that question does warrant a response, considering it may mean your life. The answer requires me to explain some of the complex internal politics of the Empire. Are you familiar with Volkhard von Arundel? He is Lady Edelgard's uncle. You may also know him as Lord Arundel, the Empire's Regent. Many years ago, he took Her Majesty and fled to the Kingdom of Faerghus. Then, after a time, he returned to seize power. Joining forces with Prime Minister Aegir and my father, Lord Arundel rendered Emperor Ionius IX...politically impotent. Lady Edelgard is Ionius IX's daughter. I cannot begin to fathom the depth of her sadness at his betrayal. I see something of Lord Arundel in you... When I look at you, I feel I can almost see a second self lurking beneath the surface. It is as if you are in constant dialogue with something inside your heart—something with desires very different from your own. Does that description feel familiar to you at all?

*(Byleth looks down)*

* **Hubert**: Because to me you seem unpredictable. As though you could turn traitor at any moment.
* **Byleth**: No, not familiar at all.
* **Hubert**: The more I learn about you, the less I like. I had thought you might be of use to Lady Edelgard. But now I am beginning to think you may, through no fault of your own, present too great a risk. I hope you will prove me wrong, Professor. I would hate for this to come to bloodshed.

## With Ferdinand

### C Support

* **Ferdinand**: Hello, Professor. May I speak with you? You seem to hold Edelgard in high esteem. That is my impression, at least.
* **Byleth**: She's a good student.
* **Ferdinand**: Hm. She is certainly talented. No doubt about that. But I wonder... What is your opinion of me? I am quite talented too, am I not?
* **Ferdinand**: Be honest. Do not hold back. Pretend that I am just a regular person, not the scion of a noble house.
* **Byleth**: I don't want to hurt your feelings, but...
* **Ferdinand**: You think she is better than me?!
* **Ferdinand**: I was just being modest before. Honestly, I have always prided myself on being superior to Edelgard. But evidently that is not your perspective. Hmm... I suppose there is only one thing to do. I must demonstrate my excellence!
* **Byleth**: That's not necessary.
* **Ferdinand**: Nonsense! You have entirely underestimated my abilities!
* **Ferdinand**: You think I could ignore such a slight upon my honor? Not likely. Come, Professor!
* **Byleth**: …

*(scene transition)*

* **Ferdinand**: We will begin with battle. Edelgard's skills in combat are no match for mine. I heard that, just the other day, she defeated a Demonic Beast without assistance. Well, anything Edelgard can do, I can do better—and in half the time! Professor, you can be my eyewitness and timekeeper. Here we go!

*(two Demonic Beasts appear)*

* **Ferdinand**: Two at once? That's... Well, it will be fine.

*(screen fades to black)*

* **Ferdinand**: Argh! I can't do it!

*(Sword swipes and growls of Demonic Beasts)*

* **Ferdinand**: It seems you have saved my life. I... Thank you, Professor.

### B Support

* **Ferdinand**: Hah! Haagh! Take that! Yaa! Aaargh!

*(Byleth enters)*

* **Byleth**: What's up?
* **Ferdinand**: Oh, you know. There is always something. It never ends. Lately I have been feeling uneasy. Impatient.
* **Ferdinand**: Edelgard claims victory after victory. She never stops. Five years ago, she ascended the throne and swept away the corrupt nobles. My father included. I always thought I would be the one to unseat him. But she did it instead—with all the ease and indifference of someone cracking an egg. Now, as the head of House Aegir, I serve Edelgard. I have to accept that I am her subordinate, working beneath her to reunify Fódlan.
* **Ferdinand**: The disparity between Edelgard and myself is...obvious. She never stops moving forward. Single-minded. Never wavering. But where does that leave me? Here, flailing about, going nowhere, contributing nothing...
* **Byleth**: That's not true.
* **Ferdinand**: But it is! That is the reality. Not once, since our days at the academy, have I exceeded Edelgard's abilities. I saw her as a worthy opponent. She did not even see me as a contender. She did not even consider me at all. As the head of the noble House Aegir, I must be able to achieve results. But all my efforts have come to nothing. Results are everything. I have not shown results, so I will be stagnating here forever.
* **Byleth**: t's the journey, not the destination.
* **Ferdinand**: I appreciate that, but it is not enough to persuade me.
* **Ferdinand**: I know that I have a massive wall to climb, and I must climb it alone. Even so...may I ask a favor?
* **Byleth**: Yes?
* **Ferdinand**: Professor, please keep an eye on my progress. I would appreciate if you were always by my side, bearing witness to my accomplishments.

## With Hilda

### C Support

* **Hilda**: Hey, Professor! What are you doing, daydreaming in a place like this? It's lucky. As spacey as you are, you're always reliable in a pinch.
* **Byleth**: I wasn't daydreaming.
* **Hilda**: Sure. Then what were you thinking about?
* **Hilda**: It's hard to tell what's going on in that skull of yours. Your expression is always blank. Come on... Smile! I was just playing around! Don't get mad. By the way, in the next battle, may I focus on logistical support... off the battlefield? There's no use having a weakling like me in the middle of the action. And it would bring down morale if I were killed.
* **Byleth**: You're not a weakling.
* **Hilda**: Have you even seen me, Professor? Look at these noodly little arms! I should be cheering everyone on from the sidelines. It'll certainly improve the boys' morale, don't you think?
* **Byleth**: Why don't you want to fight?
* **Hilda**: Because even if I do, I won't be of any help. My big brother is the type of person who's supposed to be on the battlefield. For me, it's just a waste of energy. It's pointless. Everyone's cut out for something different. The right person for the right task, you know?

### B Support

* **Hilda**: Hey, Professor! There are a lot of hardworking people here at the academy, huh? Everyone focuses on training without even needing to be told. Maybe they think, "I must protect my friends, even if I have to risk my neck!"
* **Byleth**: You won't protect your friends?
* **Hilda**: Of course I'll try to protect them, but...
* **Hilda**: I don't understand why anyone would want to risk their life for someone else. Why you die, no matter how you died, it's over. To me, it's more important to enjoy life. We only live once, after all. It's a waste to spend all your time working and being responsible, right?
* **Byleth**: I'm not sure.
* **Hilda**: Well, no matter what people may think, I'm going to keep being me. So, in my next battle, I'll support everyone from the sidelines!

*(Byleth shakes her head)*

* **Hilda**: Aw, come on! Please? How about I do something for you, as a way of saying thanks? Oh, I know! I'll let you join me for dinner in the city! Two pretty ladies strolling around town... I'm sure someone will treat us. OK, OK! Just think on it