The moment she sees that familiar red hair, the body lying beside Flayn's, she suspects something isn't right. When the girl walks into the Black Eagles classroom and grabs onto her arm, she knows it.

Monica's last letter came to her over a year ago, shortly before her graduation. You'll be there, won't you, Your Highness? I understand if you have other obligations and can't make it, but if not, I look forward to seeing you again. I've missed you!

Barely a week before the ceremony, her uncle insisted she attend an event in Enbarr with him, "as the sole living and sound representative of the Imperial Family". She came back to the news that Monica was missing. Barely six months later, they gave her up for dead.

Edelgard's memory is spotty due to those horrible years underground, but she remembers Monica perfectly. Her smile, her enthusiasm, her intelligence, the way she held her teacup, her favorite foods. This girl claiming to be Monica is like an overblown parody.

She calls her "Edel." Monica called her "Lady Edelgard" or "Your Highness", the latter more so than the former.

People whisper, they're suspicious. Why is she so cheerful after being kidnapped? Why is she so close to Edelgard? Back home, no one batted an eyelash at her closeness to Monica, even those who looked down on Ochs as just a lowly barony.

Then Baron Ochs is killed when, in desperation, he tries to use a Relic meant to secure Monica's safe return.

He's flanked by them.

Edelgard slowly begins to put the pieces together. Her uncle dragging her to Enbarr, Monica's disappearance at the same time, her being forbidden to aid in the search for her. Baron Ochs's death, to save a girl who's been dead for some time now. The fake Monica's refusal to give her space, when the real Monica for all her enthusiasm and idolization was capable of doing.

The way she tilts her head, never looks directly at Edelgard.

Edelgard has never been fully on board with Hubert's idea to use them as tools, but she's always told herself that the ends justify the means. That this is the only way to unclench the grip of Crests and the corrupt Church of Seiros have around Fodlan's neck.

But as this false Monica jabbers at her, calls her that stupid name, refuses to fully meet her eyes, Edelgard wishes she had the power to turn back time and refuse to go along with the whole thing.

When she tells Hubert this, he apologizes.

"I never dreamed they would sink as low as to use her," he murmurs. "Even I was unable to catch onto this in time." Hubert is intensely skilled at staying one step ahead of them, but even he is not invincible. He looks genuinely guilty, as though he is the one who failed her.

"It's not your fault," she murmurs. "If I'd thought to fake illness or insist I was needed at home, then perhaps-"

"There is no way we could have saved her," Hubert gently cuts her off. "I know this is difficult for you to accept, my lady, but the Monica you knew and loved was doomed from the moment they set eyes on her. All we can do now is keep a close watch on the one parading in her skin."

He's right, and she hates it. Not because of him, but because of her own weaknesses, her own failure.

"At least this way, we can tighten the leash on them."

The moment they leave the confines of his room, "Monica" is waiting. Big, fake smile, hands behind her back, refusing to meet Edelgard's eyes. For a moment Edelgard sees a warm, true smile and crimson eyes looking into her own, hands reaching for hers.

The girl I knew and loved is gone.

Edelgard forces a smile.

"Monica," she says much more calmly than she feels, "I must discuss something with our professor. You and Hubert can keep each other company for a while, can't you?"

Hubert's smile is sharp, poisonous, and Edelgard savors the look of fear in the imposter's eyes before she makes her way to the Black Eagles classroom.

They'll dispose of this girl sooner or later, but it won't bring back her Monica.