It's a lot to process

"Well, I've learned a lot from my meeting with Rhea." Byleth began as he entered Jeralt's office, sitting down on the couch opposite his father.

"Really?" Jeralt replied, raising an eyebrow at that. "In my experience, Lady Rhea has always kept things close to the chest."

'I wanna be one of those things.' Sothis pouted. Byleth was about to chastise her, but she pointed out she hadn't come out yet, and therefore hadn't broken any rules. Sighing internally, he resumed his explanation. "Well, I figured out what happened when I was born..." He began, moving onto how Sothis's heart was placed inside of him, and why Rhea had done that. Jeralt clenched his arm in frustration as Byleth explained that he was supposed to be a vessel for her mother. "I'd had my suspicions of what she'd done. It's why I left with you right after. But this reason is beyond anything I'd expected of her."

"To be fair, what would you have done to get Mom back?" Byleth asked, raising his hands defensively. He didn't really know much about his mother - Jeralt didn't bring her up much - but between the affection in his voice those few times he had mentioned her, and what Rhea had said in the meeting, he could tell that both of them really cared for her.

Jeralt looked at him, and then took a deep breath and released the tension he'd been holding in. "I know I wouldn't go that far, but I do understand how powerful grief can be. Still, that doesn't excuse using people's lives as experiments... though... I can appreciate that Sitri was willing to give her life for you. A mother's love, huh..." He trailed off, sighing. "Still, I'm surprised you managed to get this out of her. She always had her secrets; I doubt she would divulge any of this willingly. So how did you do it?"

Byleth nodded. "You're right about that. I had to reveal I knew about the goddess being inside me first. And the reason I knew that was, well, she's been occupying my head for a while now." He went on to explain how they met the night before they headed out for Garreg Mach, and how she had been helping him stay alive in difficult situations with her powers. Jeralt's eyes only grew wider as he went on. "Are you sure you're - no, you aren't the type to joke about these things. Still, though. That's a lot to take in."

Byleth nodded in agreement. He had avoided anything about the sex genie stuff, and even then, it was a lot to take in. "Though, I'm glad you shared that with me. I'm going to need some time to sort through this. Let's talk again some other time." Byleth nodded, standing up as, unnoticed by either of them, someone left from outside the door.

Meanwhile, Catherine was walking through the halls as Seteth walked by, looking slightly puzzled. "Hey there Seteth. What's got you all mixed up. Flayn seen talking to a boy again?" She said with a chuckle. Seteth bristled at her greeting, before turning to face the Knight of Seiros. "No, Catherine. Lady Rhea has asked me to send a missive. To Lord Lonato."

That got Catherine's full attention. "Really? After ordering his suppression when this month started?"

"Yes." Seteth replied. "She said it was to offer an olive branch in order for him to stand down. He has one week to reply."

"Well that's unexpected. I see why you're so confused. Don't mind me then, I'll leave you to it." She waved goodbye and resumed her walk. 'Can't believe Rhea's actually willing to try and talk it out. That new professor really is something.'

"Catherine, before you go..." Seteth added, causing the blonde knight to stop her stride and look back at the green haired advisor. "Flayn hasn't been talking to a boy, has she?" Catherine had to surpress a chuckle as she shook her head no. Seteth, at least, never changed.