There are numerous vile rumors floating around Hubert Von Vestra, Prime Minister of the Empire, and they were not beyond any anticipation. Countless people considered him a merciless, horrific, cold-blooded man, while those who have met him in person recently tended to disagree with the description.

When Hubert invites someone into a meeting, there are two possible expressions. People who have power show fear; people without power show gratitude. He treats people as they treat others, especially people without powers. There were plenty of reasons for nobles to hate him. He changed the scale.

There was a time when the nation was bound to a chain of hierarchy and religious rules. Individuals without power were not allowed to defy orders even if they were surely unfair and wrong; to do so, they needed something rare and valuable. The asset could be anything - bloodline, money, beauty - but it must be powerful. Like Crests. There were no exceptions. Many people were forced to give up and disappear into the void of history without achieving anything.

The world, however, completely turned upside down. The newly crowned Emperor, Edelgard, has torn down the walls that have dominated the nation for centuries – so that a new era of Foldan, unlike any before, meets its first day. While the emperor herself admits that even this version of Empire can’t claim perfection as well, compared to a world where titles and inheritance determine one's worth, she considered this new day as ‘better’ one.

Even Hubert himself admits he doesn’t care about the method he chooses. He takes any means necessary to achieve his goals. It is not surprising when he carries several dangerous and ominous rumors; they followed him since he was a child.

For instance, some storytellers say he sent many detailed letters to nobles plotting rebellion to make them surrender without fighting. Others say he controls almost every information flowing around Fodlan, so his private mercenary groups are never discovered by opposition groups. However, when hearing the opinions of ordinary citizens, he seems not to be relevant with these rumors.

Duke Aegir would be surprised so much when he hears about Hubert's recent actions – he acknowledges the minister as a sinister man, who hides every personal information. In contrast to his valuation, however, he recently made remarkable progress in understanding managing situations with communication. This evolution about interpersonal dynamics, of course, was possible because of someone who remains in the closest distance from him.

When Hubert decides to attend meetings despite his serious infamy, Shamir Nevrand always guards him in the shadows. A long-time mercenary, professional archer and skilled spy, is regarded as a person who earned the minister’s biggest trust. Their relationship, while professional, is also deeply personal, began when they were both in Garreg Mach Monastery. After the long war against the Church had finally ended, they had a wedding. They usually remain businesslike in public, however everybody knows how they admire and respect each other, just like Dorothea’s talk.

A simple conversation between them can reveal the depth of their bond. She approaches with a casual greeting with deeper intention, and he easily acknowledges what she wants to deliver. Here’s an example:

“You seem more tired than usual, Hubert.”

That little statement implies so many things. She knows that he is worried about something, and asks if he needs any conversation about the problem. They don’t follow any specific process; they just know how their partner feels. The density around it shows how considerate she is.

"Oh, my. Can’t escape your eyes, still. There are things I wanted to keep to myself, but it seems I failed to do so."

“It’s fascinating when I think about how you remain stuck in your own ways. You don’t need to hide anything from me.”

If someone evaluates her as a distant and unwavering person, that is partially true – she just assessed things without problems and errors. If she seems like a calculating person, that means she is making decisions to get the maximum outcome. Both are true, Shamir herself will agree with them.

However, she would not nod when she is regarded as a selfish, egoistic person; that is simply far from the truth. Each person has their own method of communication and understanding. Hubert shows his care by his one, and Shamir shows her care with hers. They know they care about each other; this allows mutual respect and a deep connection covering entire life.

Hubert laughed silently without saying anything. She was right afterall; he trusted her more than anyone in Fodlan. He didn’t have to pretend he is free from concerns. Telling the truth outright is the greatest trust he can show. Within the empire, only Edelgard and Shamir, who had been by his side all along, earned that small privilege. There was no other person who dived into his heart that deep.

“You know everyone is working on implementing the new system all around Fodlan. People will not be required to have a loyal family, big amount of money to achieve their dreams anymore.”

“I heard about it. Seems pretty good to me.”

“I am sure it is. It is pretty good – for now, at least.”

He had no intention of lying or hiding his thoughts; it was simply part of his approach when dealing with people he trusted. Shamir waited for his next words with patience.

“We believe in treating others based on their abilities in the present rather than what they inherited from the past. It will ensure the opportunities for individuals to contribute to society. Yet, I can sense a problem, and it bothers me.”

“Tell me about it, if you want.”

“I fear our great system, forged with tear and blood, might one day be used to build walls and divide people – not to break walls and unite them.”

Shamir knew Hubert is not a pessimistic person, though often seen like one, was actually a quite realistic one. His predictions were based on meticulous estimations and research, rather than baseless fears and rumors. Edelgard knew it very well – so she loved to hear his opinion about various matters.

On the usual occasion of debating, he often volunteers to demonstrate his points to prove who is on the right side. However, he didn't have to explain the reasons behind his thoughts for this one. She agreed faster than he expected.

“There is no strong agreement about which kinds of abilities are required for society,” she commented. “People might have to learn how to deceive others or make perfect lies – to take more advantages than their competitors. Your worries are fair.”
“Our standards will not remain firm and strong like they currently are. They could be weaker when time passes, and begin to malfunction and corrupt.”

His role supporting the authority of Edelgard hasn’t changed a bit from his early days, but his new responsibilities as the minister required him to see things in a different perspective. His greatest goal was to deliver the ideals of the emperor around the entire continent. It was not strange for him to dwell around the future state of the empire. He tried not to do so, but he still sometimes did.

He didn’t need to care about anything but his empress when he was in the monastery; he chose every measure necessary, even if it was extreme and dangerous. Edelgard simply needed to spread her wings and soar without constraints then. She was, however, already soaring gracefully above the vast blue sky after the war. Hubert felt it was his duty to protect the roots of her dreams, not just her safety, and he was right – there were much more things on his shoulders than his teenage days.

Shamir closed his eyes, pondering deeply. It was natural for him to grapple with such issues, but perhaps he didn't fully understand them yet. She came up with some points to talk about, and didn’t hesitate a bit. That was her duty – as his most loyal companion.

“Even though our concern is true, we are not capable of preventing the future. We wouldn’t be alive when this problem actually becomes a threat. We should do what we must do now.”

Hubert sighed, and nodded. There is no such thing as an absolute system. Nothing can escape the hand of time. Even the Church of Seiros, built by the Saint herself, was not an exception. It might be natural for the Adrestean Empire to meet a crisis when the proper moment comes; that is the rule of history.

Future is the future. It is not the same as the present – if necessary for everyone, even the empire should perish. That would be a shame, but since he saw the empire as a tool to serve their people, he thought that wouldn’t be that bad. The empire is not a master; the power should be in the hands of the normal people. That was his dream, following Edelgard’s.

“True. Everyone has to adapt, find new ways to solve their problems,” he said. “The future generations will find their way when they meet their crisis; We shall let them do their own work.”

His eyes meet Shamir’s. It wasn’t such a good signal. He realized a huge amount of scolding was waiting for him in the bed.

“We will go to take a shower. Follow me.”

“I don’t have a right to refuse, do I?”

Shamir shrugged. Her expression was easy to understand; he had no such thing. She led him toward the bath, grabbing tight so that he couldn’t escape. Comparing the strength, he could have easily pushed her away if he wanted. Yet, he couldn’t do so—the power from her arms was too much to defy. He didn’t know why. He remembered a quote from Dorothea, but he didn't quite grasp what it meant.

“You can’t conquer love, minister. You, just like everyone, will choose to fall for it.”

Was he falling, then?