First he finds out what she's into

Byleth and Manuela go over her lesson plan first, looking at what topics she's better at teaching. In addition to giving some lessons on art (she connected them to her faith lessons) it seemed she was also good at teaching skill with the axe as well as operating on a flying mount. "And of course I'm going to try to have each student focus on what they want to do, but I'm going to slip in the occasional lesson on cooking and medicine." She nods, Byleth noting how her lesson plan had more of some subjects than others. He takes a few notes on some topics to mix in and the ratios for his schedule, before asking a less 'professional' question.

"How are things going outside of class for you?" He asked, looking her in the eye as he ignored Sothis teasing Manuela's nipples.

"Oh my~! Is the new workaholic teacher asking about someone's personal life~?" Manuela teased, leaning in closer as she chuckled., before sighing. "Well..."

"...So I said, "Two can play at that game!" I told him, "A smalltime, little weasel like you oughta be begging me for attention!" Oh, it gets me so mad. So worked up! Why aren't there any men around here who understand what a catch I am? Come to think of it... You've always been nice to me. I mean, you listen to all my problems... I feel like I can really trust you. I don't have that kind of thing with a lot of people."

Byleth had kept his mouth shut for almost an hour listening to Manuela rant about the difficulties in her love life. The way it sounded, she'd been turned down by over 100 men, usually after finding how untidy she was, or how hard she drank. Or her short temper. Or her laziness. Thank goddess his natural expression was inscrutible. Even Sothis had been distracted enough to stop playing with the head of the infirmary for a few minutes during that.

"What's wrong with me? It's not my looks. I'm still gorgeous. Or am I? Be honest. Do I look old?" She asked a little deperately. "No... Not possible. I'm the songstress who swept the Empire off its feet... Men professed their love for me hourly! It can't be my looks."

"I think you're attractive." Byleth replied quickly. In addition to being the truth, he was not looking forward to being here another hour.

Manuela beamed at the response. "I knew I was right! I'd be in real trouble if I weren't this beautiful." She said excitedly, before looking worried again. "Oh no. If the problem isn't my looks—and they are not the problem—then it must be...what? My personality?"

If Byleth were to answer honestly, it would have been yes - she could be a bit dramatic at times. But, he decided now was a good time to change the topic. "Well, maybe you need to find the right guy. What are you looking for in a man?