Then, why not take up a new contract with the other me, once your obligations to Dimitri are done with? I bet the other me would never say no to having the Ashen Demon onside. Then you can get to know him, just like you've gotten to know me, little by little.

[Assuming the other Claude isn't some radically different person, he can imagine he'd take to Byleth for just the same reasons.]

Besides, I don't think I would ever think of anyone in my employ as just a mercenary. I like to familiarise myself with the people I work with.