"What have you called us here for today, Claude?"

Everyone that could possibly help Claude or Byleth was huddled into the Eisner bar before it's opening hours. This included Dimitri, who asked the foremost question, Edelgard, who looked slightly concerned and confused despite her best attempts to remain elegant and unfazed, Jeralt, for obvious reasons, Hilda, who was checking her appearance in the mirror, Lorenz, who was not so subtly checking out Hilda, and the Gatekeeper. Alois and Catherine we're positioned near the entrance, on full alert to protect them all, but this time. they were accompanied by the large, darker skinned man and the sinister looking black haired guy.

Alois and Catherine didn't particularly enjoy the extra company, but they were respectively Dimitri's and Edelgard's assistants, so Alois and Catherine didn't get a choice in the matter.

"Hold on," Claude said. "We're still expecting one more person."

"What?"

Just as Byleth asked that, Claude's phone rang. Claude smoothly clicked it on, revealing an image of Hassan von Riegan.

Byleth was...surprised to see him, to say the least.

"What-Is that your father?" Edelgard was just as flabbergasted as everyone else, who all looked at a loss of words. "Claude, I demand an explanation!"

"Halt, Edelgard," Dimitri said. "Let Claude explain at his own pace."

"Thanks," Claude took a deep breath. "I've called everyone here for something really important to me, and important to all of you. As you all know, I made a difficult choice by choosing the music industry. But-"

"But? Are you leaving!? But your voice-" The Gatekeeper shook his head. "We just started creating music! You've been recording so well, and-

"And it's your passion, Claude! You can't just give it up!" Hilda frowned. "Don't do anything just because these two stuffy friends of yours pressured you."

"We are not stuffy-"

"Could you guys just let me explain?" Claude sighed, running his hand through his unruly locks. Byleth reached over to grab his hand, squeezing it comfortingly as the room went silent to give Claude the floor. "Okay. Thanks. I know it's my passion. And I'm not giving it up...but I'm also aware that I have been away from Leicester for far too long. It's time that I return."

Silence.

"But...What are you saying?" Hassan's echoey voice came from Claude's phone. His aged face was scrunched in confusion. "I don't understand."

"Me neither."

"I'm saying that...I'm going to find a way to do both."

Silence broke out once more.

"...Both?" Dimitri asked. "But...How?"

"It's simply impossible," Lorenz responded.

"No, it's not," Byleth shook her head. "With the help of all of you, it can work. Edelgard, Dimitri. Both of you need Claude for your companies, or else you'll lose all control, yes? If Claude comes back, he can help you with that."

"Yes, but he won't have any time to record," The Gatekeeper frowned. "Byleth, you were on my side for this, how can you take talent away?"

"She's not," Claude said. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to keep singing, and I'm going to return the company. Edelgard, Dimitri...You both need me to come back. I want to come back...but I also want to follow my dreams. I can't do that if I go back to the company entirely. So, here's my
proposition...that the three companies unite."

"Unite? Under my rule, that does not sound too bad," Edelgard mused. Dimitri crossed his arms.

"You would entrust El with the three companies? That would overwhelm even her. And you surely do not wish to rule over all three-"

"No, I don't. You're right," Claude agreed. "It's not a job that can be held by one person. It's too much responsibility and power for one person. I'm saying when the companies all unite into one, the three of us work as it's official leaders. Power and responsibility equally split."

"But...Why don't we all just stay in our own companies? Wouldn't that accomplish the same thing?"

"Because Leicester is split right now," Hassan answered as he stroked his aged face with his free hand. "If everything continued how it was right now, then no one would agree on anything. Claude wouldn't be able to help you guys with everyone pulling him in different directions. However, if the three of you all united, then no one else has a say. No one could influence him negatively; it would be the three of you keeping each other in check. Cornelia would have to relinquish hold of Faerghus since she wouldn't be one of the main leaders, and those that bother Adrestia can't take over all three of the companies when they have solid rulers."

"That may be true, but...It's not going to just be easy to integrate the companies together," Hilda said. "I mean, I know nothing about that, but it seems like people wouldn't want to unify with the people they used to compete against."

"The companies wouldn't simply fall apart like that," Lorenz said. "They'd lose a couple of followers, of course...but over time, the business would just be too huge. No one would be able to stay away."

"I guess that solves that..."

"...You are forgetting to take into account whether or not we are interested in doing this," Edelgard interrupted. "This would solve our problems, but...I was raised to lead Adrestia above the others. My father certainly didn't listen to Rhea's advice. Even if we are successful, who to say that future generations will remain so? Who's to say the three leaders will not grow power hungry and terrible?"

"Me. Because the people who lead onward after us will be chosen by us, not just because they were risen to be heirs, but because they deserve it," Claude said. "That's what happened to Ha...my father. He was a great company leader."

"And not a very good father," Hassan said from the screen. "But that's not the point. The leaders will be choosing strong followers, and every leader will only have a certain amount of power. Every decision will go through all of you to prevent any sort of power hungry person from taking over everything."

"But...This all sounds like a lot of company time," The Gatekeeper noted. "When would you ever have time to sing, Claude?"

"Well, I'll have time to sing...when the next heir to Leicester is off serving in my position."

"Me?" Lorenz widened his eyes in disbelief. Claude grinned.

"Nope. It's Hilda!"

Hilda's eyes immediately widened in a mixture of worry, fear, and panic. She began to shake her head frantically.

"Uh, Claude, no way!" Hilda panicked, and Claude laughed heartily before managing to compose himself.

"It was a joke. Yes, Lorenz," Claude said with a smirk still embedded on his face, the twinkle of mischief still lingering in his emerald eyes. "In my absence, you'd be training with El and Dimi."

"...It's not my honor. You are still the leader.."

"Oh, I know," Claude reassured him. "But I'm prepping you for when it is your turn."

A smile grew on Lorenz's face.

"I...would be honored. I will take my father's regime and tear it to shreds!"

"But...When exactly do you plan on singing?" Gatekeeper questioned. "It sounds like you'll be spending all your time with them."

"Well, Teach here is going to plan out a schedule," Claude said. "But for the most part, it would be early mornings, until I have to go into office. Once we get into the swing of things, Lorenz will be able to cover for me more often. Teach will work with you, Gatekeeper. I trust Teach, she knows me better than anyone...but that doesn't mean she knows music....So...I would love if Hilda joined in to help. I remember how good your harmonies were back when we were kids-"

"You remember!?" Hilda screeched before composing herself. "I mean, yes! Of course I'll help!"

"I knew I could count on you."

"...Well, I assume I'm out of another bartender," Jeralt spoke for the first time, a sigh in his voice. Claude grimaced.

"Uh...I'm sorry."

"Ah, it's fine. But you have to come and perform here every now and then," Jeralt said. "And I know it might sound weird, but I'm here to help musically if you need it. I have all these instruments for a reason."

"Wait. You can play?" Claude asked, and Jeralt just smiled.

"Not as well as you, but yes. I'll be here to help as best as possible."

"Thank you."

"...I need to think about this," Dimitri said. "It all sounds great hypothetically. I'm quite sick of Cornelia...but I need to make sure this is the best step forward for Faerghus."

"It is the same for me," Edelgard agreed. "Adrestia can not afford to fall any further. Every decision must be made carefully."

"That's alright," Claude said. "The only thing I ask is that you keep it from Cornelia and those who keep bothering Adrestia. I don't think they'd...be very happy."

"Understood."

"I hope this works," Byleth muttered under her breath. The plan had been set in motion; all they could do was hope that everyone would agree and that everything would run smoothly. She clutched his hand, desperate to make their time together last. After all, he would be so busy coming soon... Claude just nodded and squeezed her hand comfortingly.

"It will. It has to."