"So you're here with your father's mercenary band?"
"That's right."
"I see…"
Glancing around, the young woman, Cornelia, surveys the surrounding men, many of which are not shy about meeting her gaze. An almost imperceptible expression of disgust plays on her face at the lustful gazes taking her in like a fresh lamb.
Unconciously, her hands go up to wrap her coat tighter, only to realize that she isn't wearing the typical garment, a fact she's further reminded of as a breeze on the sea tickles her shoulders and the deep valley of her breasts.
"Are you cold Miss Cornelia?"
Aquamarine eyes darting back down, she looks at the adorable boy beside her, his steady gaze locked onto her own. Her glossy pink lips quirk upward as she responds in a gentle tone, "Slightly, but I should be fine once the sun rises higher."
No sooner are the words out of her mouth when the oddly serious child abruptly turns and strides away. She watches him go but her sight on him is lost as he melds into the bustling action of the ship.
Wondering at his unexpected departure, and also feeling suddenly lonely and exposed, she's happy when she manages to again spot him a moment later as he appears coming toward her with a brown bundle in his hands.
"What's that?" she asks once he arrives next to her.
"For you," he says simply while outstreching the bundle.
Gingerely taking it, it's rather soft fabric unfolds in her hands, and she realizes that it's some sort of tarp or blanket. Blinking at it, she slowly raises her head with a beautiful smile.
Draping it over her shoulders in a quick move, she grabs the flowing bit of fabric attached to the bottom of her tight green dress and does an impeccable curtsy.
"Thank you kindly, Lord Byleth."
To her surprise, the boy responds in kind and performs an equally as impeccable bow, his face remaining stoic all the while, "It was my pleasure, Lady Arnim."
At their noble display, a surge of laughter bubbles up Cornelia's body and escapes her lips.
Her giggling fills the air, a sweet sound that rings beautifully in Byleth's ears. Though not entirely sure what she found so amusing, he can't deny that it feels nice to see her happy, his emotions more unguarded around her.
It's certainly strange considering they've only just met, but even the sweet scent wafting off of her makes him want to lean in closer. Some part of him suspects that it's due to her identity as a women, a group that he's scarcily if ever interacted with in the past, but for the life of him he can't figure out why it matters. What makes a woman so different than a man?
Ruminating while watching her deliberate and dainty movements as she further secures the blanket over herself, the incessant booing nearby finally breaks his concentration. Looking over he notices quite the crowd of his fellow mercs directing their jeering his way.
"No, lad why'd you do that."
"…My salvation…"
It takes him a tick to understand what they're talking about, but it seems they took issue with him giving Cornelia something to cover herself with. 'Do they dislike her that much?' he wonders.
The young woman for her part noticed the noise prior to the boy, but has been doing her best to put it out of mind. Hearing them direct some ire toward Byleth, however, irks her. With a flick of her wrist and a brief green flash of light, the disrespectful choir no longer disgraces her ears.
"Isn't that better?" she comments while turning back to the tear haired youth.
Her head marginally tilts to the side when she finds his rather intense gaze focused on her.
"Can you teach me how to use magic?"
Blinking twice, her lips again blossom into a radiant smile and she can't resist stepping closer to pat the boy's head.
"So you're interested in magic huh?"
The boy's question invokes memories of dozens of singsong voices gathered around her, all asking the exact same thing.
Internally, Byleth feels something bubbling up within him. Maybe… is it eagerness? Of course he's heard about the existence of the arcane both in his studies with Zane, and his instructions with his father, but has never seen it in action. Though, looking back perhaps those strange things that his father and Lóegaire did during their duel was magic as well… he'll have to ask later.
"It would be a bit hard for me to teach you anything in such a short time, but I could tell you a bit about it if you'd like?"
Quickly nodding, the curious youth takes a step closer and leans against the railing of the ship while looking up at her. Chuckling, Cornelia similarly rests against the railing and begins her impromptu lesson.
"Well Byleth, within every living thing: each little ant, every bird, every person, there exists an invisible energy that scholars call magical essence, though most people just refer to it as mana. This energy also exists naturally in the world, just like the breeze over an ocean or the clouds in the sky. Magic, like I just performed, is the manipulation of mana. Essentially you tell it what to do and it listens. It's a power that's capable of almost anything you can imagine, though it takes years of practice and learning to do anything more than the basics."
Listening closely, the young boy ponders on what he just heard. A mysterious energy that exists all around them? That sounds oftly similar to the spirits that Lóegaire liked to mention. Putting aside that interesting detail for now, he thinks about the other part, the fact that all living things have this… mana… inside them.
"Miss Cornelia, if I have magic then how come I've never felt it?"
In response he earns one of those sweet smiles that he's quickly beginning to look forward to.
"Tell me little Byleth, do you need to consciously tell your body to breathe? No, right? It's not something we really notice until we stop to hold our breath and think, wait, I need to breathe! It's kind of like that. Magic is something that's naturally apart of you. Only once you notice it and use it will you be able to pick it out."
The lad nods slowly, he supposes that made sense.
"Do you think you could show me something?"
"Some magic? Sure."
Cheerfully agreeing, and also looking forward to seeing the boy's face hopefully shift expression, Cornelia separates from the railing, the youth echoing her movements. Putting an arm out she grins, wanting to build his anticipation.
"Okay, are you ready? I'm going to show you some fir- aah!"
Her words morph into a decidedly unladylike squeal as she feels the boat lurch under her, her balance being lost as she tumbles forward into Byleth's surprisingly sturdy form.
By reflex, her arms wrap around and cling to the smaller boy's back as the vessel continues to jostle and shift, the water not yet beginning to calm from the larger wave that crashed into them.
Pressed up against him, she feels a bit strange when he shifts slightly in her embrace, becoming aware of his small hands firmly latched onto her breasts, a move he had made as he brought his hands up to try and catch her larger figure.
Glancing at him, heat rises to her cheeks as her dignified image comes crashing down in her mind's eye. So much for awing him with her mastery of magic, she couldn't even stand straight on a boat!
"Are you okay?" comes his muffled voice, the tone a bit strange.
"Y-yes, thank you for catching me."
Argh! The blush on her cheeks further intensifies as she stutters. Her image as a dignified lady, she can't let it be tarnished so easily! Thanking her lucky stars that Byleth's short stature means that his face is similarly buried in her chest along with his hands, she hugs him a little tighter and takes deep breaths to ease her nerves now that she's out of his strangely keen gaze.
For the next several moments, as the sea slowly calms and the ship along with it, Cornelia takes the time to calm herself. Releasing herself when she feels she will have no further issues standing, she reaches over and gently tussles the boy's silky hair.
"Thank you for your assistance kind sir."
The lad doesn't respond as he seems almost in a daze but gets his bearings quickly and nods, "Think nothing of it my lady."
Despite herself she can't help but chuckle, the boy sounding so adorable as he seriously replies to her.
"Who the hell are you?"
A loud yell breaks their blissful moment and the youthful mage becomes suddenly aware that her spell had slipped when she had been caught unaware and embarrassingly fell into Byleth. She fights down the blush at yet another failure and calmly turns toward the rather large man that's walking over this way.
He looks imposing with his scars and muscular arms but she'd have thought him ruggedly handsome if it isn't for the strange way he's looking at her, as if she's wronged him in some way.
"Father this is Cornelia, she was showing me magic."
Stepping in front of her, Byleth casually greets the man.
"Magic?" she hears him mumble in a confused tone as he comes to a stop a few paces away.
Deciding it's time to introduce hersef she does a light curtsy.
"A pleasure to meet you sir, my name is Cornelia Arnim. Your son told me of your occupation and in truth I was hoping to meet with you regarding a potential job."
"A job?"
His sharp flaxen eyes look her up and down as if sizing her up.
"And what would a fair lass such as yourself require of me?"
Smiling slightly at the compliment, she opens her mouth to speak but is cut off as the man shouts behind him all of a sudden.
"Oh will you lot shut it? Show some decency and scram!"
Blinking her eyes, she watches the gathered mercenaries that have been jeering at her quickly stop and disperse. Turning back to the man, he gives an apologetic smile.
"Sorry about them, it's been a rough last few days and they likely enjoyed seeing a girl from home. I hope they didn't sour your desire for our services."
She lightly shakes her head.
"Nothing of the sort sir, I've long grown used to men behaving like fools in my presence. Besides, I was confident that Byleth here had to be surrounded by at least a few good men if his manners were any indication."
That triggers a laugh from the mercenary leader, a deep sound that she can feel vibrating the air.
"Yeah, that's all Zane's doing, my lieutenant. Speaking of manners, I suppose I ought to introduce myself."
Reaching out a hand he gives a faint grin, "I'm Jeralt Reus Eisner, Captain of the New Dawn Mercenaries, at your service."
Daintily shaking his hand, she passively notes how his felt more akin to rock than skin.
"Well Sir Jeralt, I was hoping to hire your services for a long journey to the north."
Standing straight as rod, his arms go behind his back as he looks down at her, much like she's seen some soldiers do.
"How far north were you planning to travel? It's getting into the beginning of the colder months now, so it will be harder to traverse the farther we go."
His eyes go over her once more, lingering on her face in a way that she knows is an evaluation of her age.
'Stand tall just like you were taught…' she mumbles in her mind.
"Also," Jeralt continues, "I assume you have the necessary funds? I have around 50 men and while I could send only a few with you if the destination isn't very far, anything beyond Ochs would require purchasing the services of my entire company."
Staying firm under his heavy eye, she nods, "I'm aware of the difficulty this time of year and would compensate you extra yes. As for the destination, that would be Fhirdiad, the capital of the Holy Kingdom of Faerghus. Therefore I am willing and also more than capable, I assure you, of paying so long as the cost not be exorbitant."
Hearing her request, Jeralt adopts a large frown as his eyes glimmer with unknown thoughts.
After a few moments of silence, he responds, "Fhirdiad is awfully far my lady, practically on the other side of Fódlan, and to be honest with you, my band and I have never operated in Faerghus before."
"I understand that it is a lot to ask. Perhaps if Faerghus is not an option, you may at least consider escorting me to the border in Arundel territory?" Cornelia simply replies, the gentle smile not leaving her face.
Thinking for a moment, Jeralt eventually nods his head, "Yes that would be fine."
Happy with the outcome, her smile beautifully grows, "Thank you Sir Jeralt, though I would like to also reserve the right to see if there are any smaller groups for hire when we land."
"No, thank you, now we hopefully won't have to go looking for a new contract when we return. But, would it be okay if we discussed the finer details below deck with my lieutenant?"
Mulling it over in her head, Cornelia spares a glance behind to the boy observing her.
"Yes, that's perfectly fine."
"This way then."
Nodding, Jeralt turns away and begins walking toward a door built into an elevated portion of the ship. Before following him, she turns back around.
"Byleth!" she calls out.
A mischevous smile forms on her lips as she as she raises her palm, flickering flames bursting to life on it's surface. Gently blowing on the manifested flames, they shoot out toward him, transforming midair into a bird with spread wings.
They boy stands stock still, staring at the approaching animal moulded from fire as it seems keen to shoot through him, but as it gets close enough for him to feel the heat warming his skin it evaporates into nothingness.
For several seconds his eyes remain on where the bird had been before they go back to Cornelia's face. The young girl merely winks an aquamarine eye before turning and following in his father's wake.
While Byleth tries to comprehend what he had just witnessed, the surrounding mercs as well as the Brigidian sailors all give the enchanting woman a new berth. Rarely seen but oft whispered about, a mage isn't someone they want to get on the wrong side of.
Amidst the creaking of wood and constant churn of the ocean, the only sound heard aboard the ship is the sound of the fair lady's shoes striking the deck. It remains this way even for several breaths after she disappears below deck, then there's an explosion of chatter and whispers. Whether about her beauty, magic, or status as a potential new employer, it's near uninaimously agreed that it's in everyone's best interest to stay on her good side.
***
Several hours later as the sun hangs firmly overhead the melon haired mage finally reemerges from the bowels of the ship. Long awaiting her arrival, the eager callant immediately bounds over.
"Cornelia," he calls out.
As she turns her enchanting aquamarine eyes on him, the boy freezes in place.
"Miss Cornelia," he says, correcting himself.
The young woman in question studies him for a moment, before reaching and grabbing his hand in her larger and much softer one.
"Just Cornelia is fine Byleth, you don't need to be formal around me."
Then she bends down to look at him, being mindful of the way she does so due to her dress. One, he notes, that's different from the one earlier in that it reveals no skin on her chest and doesn't hug her body as tight.
"In fact," she pulls him closer until their noses are practically touching and lowers her voice as if to tell him a secret, "how would you like to be my friend?"
His pupils lightly tremble.
"Your friend?" he whispers.
The young woman hums in agreement.
"Yup. I've been a little lonely lately so I've been looking for one. Plus, we're probably going to be traveling for a long time together, and as I hear it, you usually don't have anyone to talk to either. So, what do you think? Can we be friends?"
Byleth stares into the gentle orbs right across from him, looking at him in a way he's entirely unfamiliar with. No. That's not quite true. There were another pair of eyes that gazed at him with that same warmth. Emerald ones. Taking a deep breath, he fights back the sudden nerves and says the word that he desperately wants to.
"Yes."
Cornelia flashes one of those intoxicating smiles and quickly wraps him in a tight hug. Those insanely soft orbs of flesh adorning her chest press into his face once more and the lad has to fight the desire to lose all strength in his body as an intoxicating scent floods his nose. In this moment he wonders if this is what bliss is. The second time he's experienced it, but this time with his first ever friend.
In a shorter amount of time than he would have liked she pulls away and stands to her feet. Still holding his hand, she pulls him along.
"Come on little Byleth, I want to go up there where we can have more privacy."
As they make their way up the stairs to the elevated upper deck, a few Brigid sailors give them a glance but no one stops them. Once they arrive, the youth looks around but the only person he sees is Gráinne standing by the helm looking over some documents.
"Greetings, is it okay if the two of us stay up here?" Cornelia calls out to the other woman.
Gráinne raises her head, taking a long blank look at the melon haired mage before her eyes blink toward Byleth. Her gray eyes become a bit steelier as she notices their joined hands, but quickly her face relaxes into a cheeky smirk. Placing down her documents, she makes her way to them.
"But of course. Anything for my little brother here."
Saying so she squats and draws the boy in closer for a hug. Feeling relaxed, he doesn't do anything to stop her and again finds his face pressed against another smaller yet just as comfortable bosom.
Being close to Gráinne this way, he notices things he hadn't before, like the pleasant heat coming off her skin and this strange yet pleasant scent that reminds him of a fruit he had tried in Brigid.
"Are you knowing where Zane went, sweet one?" she murmurs in his ear, half in Tuatha. "I am unable to find him."
"Oh he's down in his room," Cornelia says before he can respond.
The gentle hand caressing his hair presses harder.
"Is he? He told you he was going there?"
"No, we were working something out for a while." the Fódlanborn girl replies.
"Working…out?" He hears the Brigidian barely whisper.
There's an odd silence while Gráinne continues to mutter in her island tongue. Byleth can only pick up a few words, something about fat and milk? After a while she stands and flashes an odd grin.
"Thank you for letting me know. I would like to be talking to you later if that is okay?"
Cornelia tilts her head, "Sure I don't mind."
"Perfect."
Nodding, Gráinne scampers off, her brown boots seeming to strike the wooden deck even louder than before as she descends the stairs.
"Did I say something wrong?"
The melon haired beauty glances down at him, but simply recieves a shrug. She ponders it a moment longer before shaking her head.
"Anyway Byleth, what would you like to do?"
The answer comes immediately.
"Magic."
*****
That's all for this one folks! I've been looking forward to introducing Cornelia for quite a while as she will be the catalyst for a lot of the opportunities and things going forward.
I hope I did this chapter justice, though I will admit I'm a bit unsure about it. Let me know what you think, as well as what role she will play going forward!
PSA: These last four chapters were the product of me offloading my now defunct Patreon page. I probably should have spaced them out, but I didn't feel like it. That being said, I have been working on the next chapter, though don't expect it for a little while.