#hubert's dad

[askhubertvonvestra]

Kid Hubert: Father said we're not to cry.

Adult Hubert: That's because Father is incapable of human emotion. You are 10. Cry if you feel like it.

[askhubertvonvestra]

Oh that’s a relief Hubie. I hope that you treat any future kids that you have in the future much better than your father ever did.

That... is a large margin. Don’t misunderstand me, I will make every possible effort to being a better parent than my father was. But there are times when the sheer ineptitude of his caregiving strikes me as if for the first time.

If you’ll excuse me, I’ve business to tend to. Thank you for your kind wishes.

[askhubertvonvestra]

Pats Hubert on the back very gently. Hubert don't beat yourself up on that memory. How were you supposed to save here at that age. You were a child Hubert so don't blame anybody but those who took her away. Gives him a big hug then quickly lets go of him because you know Hubert's a grumpy gus when it comes to receiving any types of affection and comfort.

...Hm. I saw the warnings. I was aware my father began acting differently, and I misattributed it to the passing of my mother. I had years to see the truth of the matter, and I didn't. Perhaps if I'd been fully ignorant, I might have pardoned myself. But I did see, and I chose not to pursue the truth. What resulted from that is my failing, and I'm merely taking accountability for that.

They might not have taken her had I acted. Had her father been warned, or my father revealed for the traitor he was, there is a chance that events may have been altered. That the Hresvelgs might have survived, even in part.

But you can be certain I blame those who stole her away all the same. They will be held accountable as well, and with more ruthlessness for their attempts to elude the consequences.

Still... your attentiveness to my personal space is appreciated.

[askhubertvonvestra]

Lord Vestra, you often speak of your bond with Her Majesty Edelgard. But what about the previous emperor, Ionius the IXth? Given what happened between your father and Her father, I imagine that your relationship with Emperor Ionius was quite... complex. Did you two ever get closure on the regrettable incidents which occured on the Insurrection of the Seven?

I... do, yes. What we share is a significant aspect of my life.

Emperor Ionius IX, may he find rest with our victory, withdrew into himself after the incident that led to so many tragedies for House Hresvelg. Prior to that, I was welcome at the table to eat with the royal family and often present in their measured free time. With them gone, well, we had no reason to see one another. I suspect even the sight of me was enough to cause pain, particularly as I grew and began... to have more of a resemblance.

I cannot say he blamed me, exactly, although he had every right to. It merely weighed on him to see me alone as a reminder of all that had gone wrong in his attempt to diminish the nobility's power.

By the time Lady Edelgard returned to the Empire, all of his children were in the clutches of Those Who Slither in the Dark. He knew I was able to see them as often as those twisted creatures allowed, and I made a habit of checking with him before a visit where I was able. Whether it was a concealed gift or a message, His Majesty always had some manner of kindness to extend to his children.

We never spoke outside of those moments. It wasn't personal. As I mentioned, there were myriad reasons why he kept his distance, and I respected that.

[I'm gonna chime in here to say I think Ionius IX knew Hubert blamed himself, but he was so mired in grief... What could he say?? If it hadn't been his family, I think he could have helped Hubert. But it was and that's a lot for anyone to carry, so he just wasn't in any shape mentally to comfort Hubert. But Hubert does tend to read into these things and see his own self-loathing, oof.]

[askhubertvonvestra]

Aww that’s so cute Hubert. So what’s your earliest childhood memory that you can remember Hubert?

Hm. I don’t remember much from my youth.

The earliest would be... I suppose visiting the Imperial library would be among the first. Sunlight revealed the drifting dust so common in libraries and at the time, there was a mystical sort of atmosphere to it. Serene, even. I practically lived there as a child, and the people who knew to seek me there typically had a pleasant enough reason to do so.

It might have been Hanneman with new notebooks, there to ask what I was learning recently. Or perhaps my mother to ask me for book recommendations. She was encouraging me to speak my thoughts more, of course. I know that in hindsight.

Vaguely, I recall my father appearing there on occasion as well. We sat in steady silence and if I couldn’t reach a book, he would get it for me. The gestures were small but significant to a child. 

[askhubertvonvestra]

Hubert just curious, what caused you to have a ur dislike of heights? I hope that it wasn't something your father did.

...No, it wasn’t. In fact, it infuriated him to no end. That was one fear he could not cure me of, no matter how effective or barbaric his methods.

His misdeeds are numerous and far-reaching, but that isn’t among them. The cause was merely an accident as a child.

[askhubertvonvestra]

Hi Hubert are you unable to grow a moustache or a beard ? I'm sure it'll add more points for the *menacing* appearance that you so seek right ? Or 👀 Have you kept it trim because if you had one you'd actuallly look exactly like the Late marquis von Vestra ?

I’m able to, yes. Is it truly so hard to believe that I want to be clean shaven for no other reason than personal preference? There's no need for any greater meaning beyond that.

Rest assured, I can strike fear well enough without the addition of a detail so mundane as facial hair.

The appearance of my father and any theoretical resemblance of him are utterly irrelevant to my decision.

[askhubertvonvestra]

🌙 Hubie 🥺 what would you like to be when you grow up ?

I want to be a protector, like my father. Did you know House Vestra has stood for loyalty and devotion for 1,000 years? As Lady Edelgard’s servant, I must protect her with my life. He said I will be part of that legacy someday if I do.

That’s what I want most. It means everything.