After their time in the Sausa, Edelgard and Petra were hanging out at the garden as Hubert pour both of them tea

"Hubert keeps an eye out for any unwanted attention," said Edelgard as Hubert bowed and left them alone without saying a word. She turns around to face Petra "Now that taken care of speak out whatever is within your mind," said Edelgard as she took a sip of the tea 

"Yes, Lady Edelgard, you already know my answer before a word," said Petra 

Edelgard smiles at her "So you accept the fact that we are going against the Church itself?" 

Petra nods "This is very dangerous why are you trusting me with this in...information. You know that Lady Edelgard don't you?" Petra took a sip of her tea 

Edelgard just smiles at her "It because, Petra, as a friend I am placing a great amount of trust on you if your people can fight alongside the Empire and..." set her cup down "I will be needing you for a mission,"

Petra kept a calm look as she also set her cup down "What do you need of me?" Petra asked in a serious tone 

Edelgard spoke with a careful voice as she looks away from Petra for a moment "It a little dangerous as I need you to 'take out' the nobles that will oppose my ideas of reforms once I become Emperor." 

"Take out..." Petra frowns and just sighs "Yes Edelgard, but tell me when do you become Emperor?" Petra asked

"We will have a special trip to Enbarr alongside the other Houses...the Professor will tell us when it ready," said Edelgard as she places a piece of sugar into her tea 

"Oh...the Professor is joining you?" Petra's face turns into a smile 

"Yes alongside the other House Leaders." Edelgard smiled back at Petra while she took a sip of her tea

"That is very good..." Petra soon stopped smiling as she stared down at the ground "Tell me Edelgard, what are your plans for Brigid once this is over?" Petra asked as her voice is filled with worry 

"Brigid completely independent from the Empire," said Edelgard as she calmly took a sip from her tea 

"Really? You are willing to let lose the chain that ties us?" Petra leaned in closer to Edelgard with her face filled with hope 

She calmly set her cup her down "Yes, once everything is finished Brigid will have it completely independent." Edelgard smiles at Petra 

Petra when back to her seat "Then I will grab the victory for you Edelgard," Petra's voice was filled with energy as Edelgard just giggles at the ground before looking up again and smiling at her 

"Please do Petra, please do." as she continues to smile at Petra 

Hubert peaked around the corner "Lady Edelgard, Claude what to have a 'chat' with you," said Hubert who has a clear frown on his face

Edelgard made a confused look at Hubert "Claude? Well what a surprise," turns back to Petra "It was nice talking with you Petra, now can you excuse yourself, it seems that Claude what his turn to talk." 

"Of course, let us hope for the future," Petra bowed towards Edelgard before leaving the garden.  Claude wicks at her as Petra just slightly looks away as he enters the space and sat across Edelgard

Hubert replaces the used cup from Petra and pours tea in Claude's new cup alongside refilling Edelgard cup

"You look lover than ever Edelgard," Claude smirks as Hubert frowned at that comment before leaving them alone. 

Edelgard just sighs as she closes her eyes "Claude how many times do I have to tell you?" 

Claude just shrugs "What? I was trying to be friendly...anyways, we need to talk about the future," 

"Oh, what about it?" Edelgard opened her eyes at stared at Claude

"It just that..." Claude's face started to be filled with worry "If we succeed in removing Rhea from power...what would we do with her?" Claude asked in a serious note 

Edelgard looked away and stared at the cloudy sky "...normally I would just suggest killing her outright or imprisoning her forever but after forming a bond between Dimitri and you that answer became foggy." 

"Whoa, that going a little too far Edelgard. How about I make a suggestion," Edelgard quickly turns her head towards Claude with a frown on her face

"A suggestion?" Edelgard sighs "Alright, I am listening but it better not be one of your jokes again," 

Claude just shakes his head and said"A trail...why not have a trail between the three of us and make Rhea tell us the truth about...everything," 

"...Normally I would try that but sadly...TWSITD is holding everyone hostage with a dangerous weapon named the Javelin of Light which can destroy any city if they please. They will most likely oppose any thought of a fair trial for Rhea," said Edelgard as she closes her eyes "Claude, I also what to know more about the truth as things don't add up within the books and history itself," 

"Oh my...I see..." Claude stares at the cloudy skies "So Edelgard got any ideas to deal with the Javelin of Light?" Claude asked with worried like voice

Edelgard shakes his head "They are currently allied with me even though I hate every second of their presents as every time I see them I am reminded of the tragedy of the past on what happened..." Edelgard clutches her fist as she set her cup down "To Dimitri and...to my siblings,"

"Edelgard...have you ever been in the wrong before?" Claude asked as Edelgard with a face of anger faced Claude 

"No! Of course not!" shouted Edelgard as Claude made a wide frown as he got up from his seat

Claude points his finger at Edelgard chest"Then maybe you should think that you are the problem...why do you even trust those monster that killed your siblings....look I joined in because you had good motives but your methods are starting to become more and more questionable," Edelgard fist started to tighten even more as Claude continues this comment "Edelgard, maybe Rhea isn't the problem...maybe it...." Claude got cut off as Edelgard got up from her seat and quickly dashes right into Claude

"Shut up...SHUT UP!" shouted Edelgard as she punches Claude in the face making go onto the ground face-first Hubert quickly check on it but Edelgard simply waved him off. Claude simply rubs the area where he was punched as Edelgard just stared at her fist as it starts to shake. Claude's face is somehow not bleeding nor have any broken bones as he just lowered his head in silence as they both walked back to their seats

They both stared at each other in silence until Edelgard decides to break that silence "Claude...I am so...."Claude raised his hand cutting Edelgard off

"I am sorry," Edelgard eyes when wide at Claude "I am sorry that I touch something sensitive and you lost cool...I understand I shouldn't have continued with my reckless talk..." Claude started to laugh a bit" You know I deserved that punch for once," 

Edelgard started to laugh a bit "Really...you mean it?" 

Claude smiles at her "Kind of, we talk about it later when you...cool down...for now let just switch the topic," said Claude as he rubs 

A couple of mins passed as the calm wind blows within the garden and the clouds still cover the sunlight 

Claude just stared at Edelgard as he waited for Edelgard to calm down. Claude sighs "Speaking of Dimitri, are you going to dance with him Edelgard?" 

Edelgard blushed slightly red as she slightly looks away "It would be fitting after all...as I am a Princess of the Adrestian Empire and Dimitri is the Prince of the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus. It would not be a surprise if people see us dancing during the ball." 

"It looks like you are in love with him Edelgard, I am impressed," said Claude as he took a sip of his tea

Edelgard sighed "Well we all 'friends' at the end of the day and well....would it be a surprise if I dance with you, Claude?" Edelgard smirks but quickly stopped when

Claude raised his hand and shakes his head "Don't even bother dancing with me at the ball Edelgard, I would just get in your way with your relationship," said Claude as he looks away

Edelgard just stared at Claude "Claude...that...that the silliest thing I ever heard...are you alright Claude?" Edelgard asked as Claude just stared at her with a serious look on his face

"Edelgard...look, once we take down the Church of Serios I..."Claude just stopped and stared at the clouds "You know what...we talk about this later once your relationship with Dimitri is fully developed," said Claude who has a sad look on his face

Hubert however, once again peaked around the corner "Lady Edelgard, Prince Dimitri request to see you," said Hubert 

Edelgard nods at Claude before turning towards Hubert "Perfect timing, let him in Hubert," said Edelgard as Hubert nods and disappeared within the garden 

"Well, it looks like your boyfriend is here," said Claude as he smiles a bit before turning it into a sad look on his face

Hubert just said nothing as he when towards Dimitri and let him in

"Hello, Edelgard and...Claude, what happened to you?" Dimitri asked as Hubert pulled a new chair and new cup as he pours tea into it before leaving them alone

"Don't ask about it. Just ignore it," Dimitri sat down onto his chair "Dimitri we were just having a chat about something...about the future," said Claude as he smiles at Dimitri but his eyes don't match his face 

"Oh...the future? What about it?" Dimitri asked as he stares at Edelgard and Claude 

"A question of," Edelgard took a look and Claude who taking a deep breath before turning her head towards Dimitri "What will we do once we succeed taking down the Church of Serios and what will be Rhea fate?" said Edelgard

"Oh, I see..." Dimitri just stared at Claude then at Edelgard "Both of you were talking about the future...that reminds me," Dimitri look at Edelgard with a straight face "My thoughts on it...if it possible, can we allow Rhea a chance to step down and to avoid pointless fighting? That all I am asking," said Dimitri as Edelgard nods

"Yes we shall give her one chance, once everything is set up and ready...we shall give Rhea one chance no more and nor than one to step down to avoid pointless war and..." She stared down at the ground "Bloodshed," said Edelgard as she looked back up to Claude and Dimitri

"That reminds me, we should get our relics ready just in case. If what you said is true then...we might need those legendary relics to fight against the Church of Serios and Rhea herself?" Claude asked as Dimitri and Edelgard nods

But soon Dimitri raised his hand "Wait min what about Edelgard? She doesn't a possible relic within her hands as the Sword of Serio is within the Church and we don't know exactly where it is." 

Edelgard however, raised her hand "I do have a relic...but it still being forged and will take time but when it ready. I will show it for the first time alongside its power." Dimitri looked surprised while Claude just place his right hand onto his chin 

"Oh...keeping a secret weapon from us...alright Edelgard, you impress me...anyways should we be talking about the upcoming ball?" Claude asked as he took a sip out of his tea 

"And the upcoming White Heron Cup. It appears that things are in order but...that reminds me Edelgard aren't you missing a student?" Dimitri asked as Edelgard eyes when wide 

"A student...." She put down her cup as she was about to slam her fist at the table but Claude simply stopped her from doing so she took a deep breath "It Monica isn't it?" Edelgard asked as her face is filled with worry 

Claude rolled her eyes "Oh, that red hair girl who is quite forgettable?" 

"Well....yes I think it her, I saw her all packed at the front gate and she appears to take a long request for leave to return to her family for a couple of months," said Dimitri as Edelgard looks down at the ground 

"No, no..." Edelgard muttered she looks at the ground before looking back up at Dimitri and Claude in which she took a deep breath "I...I should have told you about this earlier...that girl is not Monica...she already dead,"

"Wait? You are telling us that...girl that was in your class earlier isn't a real person?" Dimitri asked as Edelgard bit her tongue 

"You were close enough Dimitri but yes she isn't the real Monica and rather that person is using it as a disguise...sadly it appears that she got away," Edelgard replied as she frowns 

"Well then," Claude frowns at Edelgard "It looks like we got to be careful and watch out for her," said Claude 

"And I guess, we can't tell the Knight of Serios?" Dimitri asked in which Edelgard nods 

"I wish we could but...that would be very suspicious if we knew that she wasn't Monica without sold prove." Edelgard sighed as she turns to face Claude 

"Edelgard is right...we can't just straight up tell them otherwise they might question us instead of...' helping'," said Claude as Edelgard and himself turn to face Dimitri 

"Very well, I guess we have to watch out for...' her'. Anyways, about the upcoming ball...let pray that it goes, smoothy." said Dimitri as all of them started to smile but that when Claude decides to raise his hand "Yes Claude?" 

"Umm...yea I called you here because well..." he started to rub his arm behind his back "I can't dance that well...so can you help make a miracle happen?" Claude asked 

Dimitri and Edlegard just stared at Claude with silence until Edelgard decide to start laugh 

"Is this one of your jokes Claude? You...can't dance?" Edelgard asked as she slowly stopped laughing 

"You're kidding me? You're the Prince of Almyra and next in line to become Leader of the Alliance. Yet you can't dance?" Dimitri asked with a disappointed look on his face 

"Hey! I still have a few moves up my shelves but yes....please help me...as friends especially you Edelgard," said Claude as he stared at Edelgard who simply nods 

"Sure, just move the table, chairs, and tea set then we can get started on your dance lesson Claude," said Edelgard as she smirks at Claude 

They all started to get busy by moving the tables, chairs and putting away the tea set. 

"Edelgard taught me to dance during her stay in Fhirdiad and well she taught me well but...she can be a bit...boss at times," said Dimitri as he took a look at Edelgard 

"Hey! We were just little children back then and you were always making mistakes," said Edelgard as she waves her hand right in front of Dimitri 

"Oh boy, this going to be fun lesson isn't it?" Claude asked as he smirks at the two of them

"Oh Yes," Dimitri smiles at Claude "Just remember, stay calm like your normal self," said Dimitri 

"Now let get started on the basics," said Edelgard as she took Claude's hand and started to move in a gentle motion

In the background, they all failed to notice Byleth leaning near the entrance of the private garden as she stares at the Three Lords having an enjoyable time together. She started to smile as she quickly leaves them alone

"Hmm, it seems like the Professor is having an enjoyable time," said Hubert as he smiles at his Professor as she continues walking back to her room.

Claude accidentally steps on Edelgard foot "Claude, that the fifth time you messed up," said Edelgard with a frown on her face

"Well excuse me, Princess...it just that I am not used to Fodlan style of dancing as you know I am an outsider," said Claude as point out his feet 

"Alright, then how about we switch? Edelgard shall we?" Dimitri asked as he extends his right hand forward and slightly bows forward with his left hand behind his back. 

Edelgard smirks at Claude who just sat down at one of the chairs "Alright, pay attention Claude otherwise no one is going to dance with your horrible social skills." Edelgard accepted his hand as Dimitri pulls her closer as they both dance to a silent rhyme in their heads, their moves flows like water and smooth as silk. Both of them had a smile on their face as they continue to dance for a while forgetting that Claude still exists and is still with them 

"Wow, I was right, you were both made for each other," He started to look away "While I am just an outsider...like normal," said Claude as he stares at the Clouds above 

"Nonsense Claude, even if you are an outsider...you are still our friend...even though your 'pranks' can be annoying," said Dimitri as he smiles a bit at Claude 

"I agree, your schemes can be annoying not going to lie...like the time when you threw flour at Dorothea's eyes during a Mock battle," said Edelgard as they continued dancing 

"Oh come on...Dorothea was going to zap me," Claude whined at as just leans back 

"Even with that...' cheat' you did there, you were still beaten by the rest of the Black Eagles at the end of the day," said Edelgard as she smirks at Claude

"That true...Dorothea had been forced to take a long rest thanks to your 'clever' scheme." Dimitri made a frown at Claude but Claude himself just struggs 

"Fine, fine...anyways," Claude stood up once more as Edelgard and Dimitri stopped dancing "I better get back otherwise the rest of the Golden Deer are going to be bored without me," said Claude as he smiles but his eyes do not match his mouth

"Alright, see you later Claude. Just practice during your spare time and you be fine," suggested Edelgard 

"Just don't embarrass yourself at the ball although that would be nice...not going to lie," said Dimitri as he laughs a bit

"Yea yea, just enjoy your time Princess," Claude looks back at Edelgard as he wicks at her before waving goodbye for good 

"....So El, how about another round?" Dimitri asked as he moves his left leg back, left arm back, right arm forward, right leg forward and bowed slightly forward. 

"Within my heart, yes I accept your offer," said Edelgard as she places her right hand onto his right hand as they both started to dance within their heart's content

Dimitri smiled as he stares at Edelgard's face and hair "Am I getting good enough for your standards?" 

"Yes...you know Dimitri, it would be fitting for us to dance without any limits at the ball.  To them, you are the Prince of The Holy Kingdom of Faerghus and I am the Princess of the Adrestian." Edelgard smiled as they both continued to dance 

"We are siblings by marriage but to others, we are just royalty from different sides," muttered Dimitri 

"Dimitri...how about after the ball we go to the Goddess Tower as it where my mother and my father fell in love," Edelgard replied 

They both stopped dancing "I would gladly accept, but for now let us save our energy for the ball," 

The cloud soon moved out of the way as sunlight soon reached at the center of the garden "Yes, it was an enjoyable time Prince Dimitri and..." Edelgard stepped into onto the sunlight "We shall dance again at the ball by the oath of my axe," as she raises her right hand towards the sky 

"I also enjoy my time with you Princess Edelgard," Dimitri joined in as he also steps in the sunlight "As we shall dance once more at the ball by the oath of my lance," He grabbed Edelgard hand right hand with his right hand 

Both of them started to blush as they both split off from each other. They both left the garden with a smile on their faces 

"Lady Edelgard, it appears that you have enjoyed yourself," said Hubert as he smiles at her

"Yes...yes I have Hubert now...shall we prepare for the ball?" Edelgard asked as she smiles back