Manuela

Manuela was walking down the halls of the Monastery. After a long day, it had finally grown late. A few hours ago, she had finished teaching her last class, and afterward, she had to finish the work she let pile up. Teaching was rewarding but exhausting. There was nothing to do around the monastery! All she really had for friends was that stick in the mud Hanneman, but even she had her limits. The new professor that Rhea hired seemed nice though, Byleth was it? She hoped she could get to know her better in the future. Right now, though, all Manuela wanted to do was find a way to relax and de-stress.

That sadly had to wait, however, because Manuela was on official business. A bit earlier, Catherine and Shamir of all people came to her and shared their feelings about the new recruit to the Knights of Seiros. They seemed to think something was weird about his hiring. Manuela hadn’t met him personally, but it was true that he didn’t seem to hold the same dignity that the other knights did.

Catherine and Shamir asked Manuela if she could talk to him and see if there was anything to report. They said they would do it, but it might seem too suspicious if fellow Knights of Seiros were seemingly keeping tabs on him. They told Manuela that he’s usually alone at night in his room so that would be the best time to question him. But they also specified that she shouldn't tell anyone about this. They wouldn’t want word accidentally getting around.

Manuela wondered why they asked her and not someone like Seteth who worked right alongside Rhea. She just assumed they probably wanted someone with a more…feminine touch. And who could blame them? Manuela wasn’t worried about dealing with some ex-bandit, she could take care of herself. Manuela smiled at the thought of how easy it would be to have him in the palm of her hands. I’ll have him talking in no time.

Manuela reached Kostas’ door and looked around. It looked like his room was pretty separated from everyone else, the entire hall was empty. I guess that makes sense, he IS the newest person to move into the monastery, and a knight as well. Must have been the only place they could put him. If anything, Manuela was glad; this way she could be more discreet about her mission. On top of that, she wouldn’t want people to get the wrong idea about visiting him at night. Manuela fixed her hair and proceeded to knock on Kostas’ door.

“Come in.” Manuela walked in and spotted Kostas sitting at his desk. Kostas looked back at her with curiosity, “Hello. You’re…Manuela, right?”

Manuela closed the door behind her as she responded, “Yes, that is correct. And you are Kostas, the newest member of the Knights of Seiros.”

Kostas remained at his desk and raised an eyebrow, “Wow, you already know about me, huh?”

Manuela started to walk across the room towards his desk. Manuela began to feel a bit lightheaded with each step. I must be more tired than I thought. Guess I’ll just have to make this quick then. “Word around the monastery moves around fast. Everyone knows everything around here.”

“Well…I’m sure not everything,” Kostas flashed a small grin. “But anyway, may I ask why you’re here?”

Manuela reached Kostas and placed her rear on the side of his desk, making herself comfortable. “Well, you see, I- mmph" Manuela cut herself off and put her hand to her head. She started to get a massive headache, she didn’t feel right.

Kostas took notice of Manuela’s brief pause and asked, “You feeling all right?”

(I had to split the latest chapter into two parts because it was getting a bit long. It will be a slightly longer wait for the next part, but it'll be worth the wait)