Redemption (Fire Emblen three houses) (Byleth x Rhea)

Crimson snow

Fhirdiad castle. Imperial year 1185.

"Archbishop Rhea!" A guard would call out as he entered the throne room of the castle, where the Archbishop sat on the queens throne, the king of Faerghus, Dimitri, at her side. "We have captured a traitor we believed to be dead. He had bright green hair, and an array of weapons, including the sword of the creator."

The Archbishop, who had carefully listened to the report from the guard, who had entered most rudely, gasped. "The sword of the creator.... where is he." The woman asked firmly.

"In the dungeon, the bottom floor of the castle."

Rhea would stand up and walk, away from her throne and out of the room, swiftly followed by Dimitri.

"You don't think it could be him? Do you?" The king asked in disbelief.

"I thought I had killed him. This time I will make sure he stays down." The woman responded, a hint of anger in her voice. "The audacity to show himself here after betraying us is unacceptable, I shall offer him no mercy."

The pair soon entered the dungeon and made their way to the cell. Rheas face flared up with anger. "How dare you show your face here of all places, you failu-"

The archbishops expression soon changed. At first, the male in the cell was sat down, looking at his lap, his hands shackled together. His hair was dirty from the lack of ability to wash in his travels, his clothing, the familiar black outfit, ruined by defending himself where necessary.

However, when the woman spoke, his eyes slowly made their way to hers, and in that moment, Rhea could see all of the sadness and guilt he felt.

The woman sighed before continuing. "Why have you come here?"

The ex professor took a moment to finally start speaking. "Archbishop... I came to apologize... I have been... asleep, these past five years since I disappeared by your hand. After hearing of what Edelgard has done, I no longer wish to fight against you... but rather, with you, against her."

Rhea thought about what he had said. "And how do we know you are not spying for that woma-"

"With all due respect, lady Rhea." A voice rang out, coming from non other than the blonde king if Faerghus. "I doubt he is a spy."

"And what makes you believe that?" She questioned, turning to face him.

"You saw the look in his eyes. Before we met him, the professor never really expressed his emotions. I doubt someone who had never expressed himself could imitate such feelings accurately. Likewise, the guard reported he came heavily armed, and from the sounds of it, they are mainly relics and sacred weapons, for our men. The lance of ruin being one many. He has even returned the lance of Assal and the Caduceus staff, two very important items to the church. If he was a spy, he wouldn't certainly bring something of less value."

Rhea considered the princes evaluation before coming to a conclusion. "Professor. You may join us, and we are grateful for what you have managed to retrieve for us. However, you are not excused of your crime of betraying the goddess just yet. You have yet to prove yourself worthy of forgiveness."

The professor was already looking back at his lap. He nodded softly, and the cells gate was soon opened. "Show him to a room, make sure he is well clothed, washed and fed." The king said as the professor walked away with a pair of servants.

Days would pass as the professor would be treated, and made comfortable, however, it seemed he had reverted to his old self, showing little to now emotion despite what he was actually feeling.

However, inside, he still felt regret, self loathing and guilt for what had happened. He gave the imperial army access to garreg mach as a base, he even led the charge himself, and fought Rhea, the woman who ensured his survival in this world at birth, and somehow connected him with Sothis.

However, one day, while the professor was holed up in his room, a knock came to his door. A familiar voice rang out. "Professor. We have heard what happened. Can we come in?"

Byleth stood up, and made his way to the door. When he opened it, he was greeted by non other than Seteth and Flayn. Flayn would be the first to approach, wrapping her arms around the professor. "I'm so glad you came back professor! I am filled with joy knowing that you have come to your senses and sided with us!"

He didn't say a word in response, simply nodding as Seteth spoke up again. "I would like to than you for returning my lance to me, and Flayns staff. As you know, many of the empires houses possess crests of the saints as me an Flayn do. Allowing them to keep such weapons would be an issue to say the least."

"Of course... it was all I could manage... I wish I could have brought more." The professor said, looking down solemnly.

"Come now, old friend, you did what you could. And it is more than enough. Rhea is still... sceptical about you to say the least. I understand her reasoning, and I hope you do too."

"Why wouldn't I? It was my own doing that led to this."