|| Hello! Yes, it has been!

[She stands up from her desk, hands on her hips.]

Well? What is it?

[He’s not going to tell her without a fight, she knows better.]

I can’t exactly concentrate with you staring at me…

[Or standing too close, and yet here he is anyway.]

Did you come in here for a reason?

Yes…but, you are quite distracting. I have work to do.

[By the time Edelgard reaches her husband, she gives him the /death/ glare.]

Are you just going to stand there or are you going to help me with o u r daughter??

[Oh, Sylvain. A grave mistake you’ve made.]

Would you come help me with our daughter??? I know you hear her shrieking!!

[Sylvain where are you???

Edelgard brings Beyla closer to her, pulling her flush against her chest. She mouths an apology to everyone she comes across in the hallway. Toddler tantrums were a fairly common circumstance around here, and yet it was still embarrassing.]

[Oh here we go…

Edelgard fights to keep Beyla on her hip, shushing her as she carrying her out of the office.]

Beyla, please calm down.

No, my love.

This isn’t a toy to play with.

[She takes the quill away and sets it back in the inkwell.

Maybe they can find a small set for Beyla.]

It’s all right.

[This ought to be interesting.]

What is it?

Ferdinand….hello.

[Here comes the temper tantrum. Edelgard gets up, bringing Beyla with her and propping her up with her hip.]

Papa is waiting for us, you said it yourself.

[She takes her daughter’s tiny hand in her own and /gently/ tries to take the quill from her.]

Beyla—

[And now her toddler has hold of the quill. This can’t be good.]

Baby, mama needs that back now.

💧💧

[She flips over to a blank sheet as quick as possible- the last thing she needs is for Beyla to mess this paperwork up.]

Now…I need that back.

Hm?

[Edelgard follows her daughter’s gaze.]

Oh, this? This is an inkwell.

[She reaches forward for her quill, pulling it out for Beyla to see.]

Mama uses this to write on her papers.

[She starts signing her name on the current page, she left off on, to demonstrate.]

[She swipes her daughter’s ginger locks over her shoulder, placing a kiss on her temple.]

Oh, did he? Well- I suppose we shouldn’t keep him waiting too long, should we?

[Beyla found her sitting at her desk with her head propped up on her chin. She startled at the sudden sound and sat right up, strands of hair sticking to her face.]

Oh! Beyla, it’s just you.

[She scoops her up and places her on her lap.]

What are you doing in here?