The Goddess' Blessing

Author's Notes: written for Manuela Week a while back. im still upset that the staff couldn't get goddess tower stuff AND that you can't romance manuela (my fave girl) as fem byleth

“Oh, Professor!”

Byleth blinked at the sound of a familiar voice. Slowly, she turned around and was greeted by the sight of her fellow teacher, Manuela. She nodded, unsure of what to say or do. She wasn’t unhappy to see the other woman. Far from it. She just wasn’t the best at talking. It was something that Manuela had joked about once or twice in the past. Something about her talking enough for the two of them. Byleth didn’t mind even if she didn’t truly understand. The two of them came from entirely different worlds. It was something that fascinated the former mercenary if she were to be honest with herself.

“Unless... you were waiting for someone?”

Byleth shook her head.

Why would she be waiting for someone? She wasn’t the most sociable, at least when it came to matters unrelated to work.

Manuela smiled as she stepped toward her. The clacking of her heels echoed in the dark, empty tower. Her eyes swept across the empty room once she was right beside Byleth. The softness of her stole brushed against the patches of bare skin on her arm. Silence hung between them as the distant, muffled sound of the ball and passersby below could just barely be heard.

“You were quite popular at the ball, so I am surprised that you’re here all by yourself. In all honesty, Professor... I’m relieved to hear that you’re here on your own.”

“Why is that?”

A huff escaped the older woman. “Are you not aware of the legend about tonight?”

Once again, Byleth shook her head.

“Well, it’s said that the Goddess will bless any couple that meets here on the night of the ball.”

“Are you here waiting for someone?”

A laugh, a cold, bitter one, rose in Manuela’s throat. “No. You’re well aware of my... romantic situation. No one would want to ask a mature... useless woman to a place like this.”

Something panged in Byleth’s chest. Her lips pulled themselves into a frown. “I don’t believe that’s true.”

“You don’t have to lie to try to comfort me. I’ve long accepted that it’s hopeless for me to have a happy ending.”

“I’m not lying,” she started. Words caught themselves in her throat as that earlier something panged inside of her over and over and over again. “...You are attractive... Beautiful, even. There’s... more than that to you, but I can’t...”

A hand rested itself on Byleth’s shoulder. Her eyes flickered towards Manuela’s face. She wasn’t sure what to make of that expression. It wasn’t that dazzling smile she wore while flirting with the knights or telling stories about her days in the opera. It was something deeper, even if it wasn’t as wide. There was something in her eyes as well. A warmth.

Something panged inside of her again.

“You don’t need to say anymore, thank you. Now, since we’re here together... why don’t we see if the Goddess minds blessing two... friends. Let’s make a wish. You can probably guess what mine will be, though I wonder... do you have a wish in mind?”

Byleth nodded.

‘May Manuela find happiness.’