[Hm, a timeline where they never met? Or one where Byleth identified as a woman?]

I'm Byleth Eisner, a mercenary, though most know me by the name 'Ashen Demon'. I was contracted to the Empire's services by your retainer, Hubert, for a few months during the war.

[And then they wiggled out of said contract when the official owner of it, General Rudolph, died, but he's just going to not mention that right now.]