Silver Snow
Chapter 5: Enlightenment
Rhea let out a soft, thoughtful hum, feeling the soft, silken fabric between her fingertips. With a rustle, she brought the garment up and around, inspecting her latest handiwork.
Yes, she mused. It would do nicely.
It had been a long time since the archbishop did anything so trivial as sewing. In favor of her other duties, resigning herself to such a mundane chore would be considered beneath her. Moreso in the opinion of the masses, rather than her own, but it was sadly not a notion within her power to change.
Yet, in this instance, Rhea had found her reprieve. She had found a reason to sit back, losing herself in the surprising pleasure of serene and unstressful work. And best of all, she thought with a very hidden hint of mischief, no one would be able to hold it against her.
After all, properly outfitting the one chosen by the Goddess was the holiest of duties.
Her ancient heart skipped a beat as she recalled Professor Eisner's triumphant return – his father avenged, and he himself blessed with Sothis' divine power. Truly, her dear child had gone above and beyond in his pursuit of righteousness.
She could think of no person more worthy.
"Lost in thoughts?" asked a monotone voice, and Rhea could not help but jump ever so slightly. She smiled, however, noticing who it was that had snuck up behind her.
"Indeed." she confirmed, turning around to face the object of her fascination. "And all alone, or so I had believed. You have a certain talent for catching people by surprise, Professor."
Rhea shook her head. The audience chamber could become such a cold and lonely place.
"Nevertheless, I am grateful that you could find the time to come and visit me."
"Of course, Rhea."
The moment the words left his lips, something deep within her fluttered to life. Rhea did not believe she would ever grow tired of hearing the professor utter her name.
She took a step toward him, growing amused when he remained perfectly still. Raising her hands, Rhea held out the robe she had crafted in front of him. Her fingers brushed lightly against his shoulders, even if neither of them would show any reaction to the contact.
"I see." said the professor suddenly; his eyes alight with understanding. Rhea tilted her head questioningly, and he continued.
"Miss Goneril has been… pestering me for the last few weeks. She has, quite unrelentingly, demanded to know my measurements for her up-and-coming fashion outlet."
Rhea stared into his now verdant eyes, and blinked.
"I always suspected she had been up to something, but following Professor Casagranda's lamentations about her lazy behavior and unwillingness to study, I figured acquiescing to her request might prove beneficial in the long run."
She blinked again, only this time with an impending sensation of dread. Hilda was supposed to have been discreet about it.
Professor Eisner's lips twitched, almost enough to form a tiny smile.
"You could have simply asked me, Rhea."
The archbishop could feel her face heating up, and she broke his gaze with a cough.
"Be that as it may, Professor, there are still certain rules and regulations to be followed. It is hardly befitting of me to ask a colleague for the size of their clothing."
Mercifully, he seemed to accept her meager excuse, and nodded. In the ensuing silence, Rhea began to neatly fold the robe together, making sure to wrinkle it as little as possible. She had spent countless hours working on it, and it would be a shame to see the extravagant set of clothes marred by petty negligence.
She held out her hands, finally presenting her gift to the professor. It was strange, she thought, how the fluttering in her stomach returned while she awaited his response.
The influence he held over her was, in all honesty, rather frightening. Especially considering how many other, far more serious matters still awaited his judgment. Once more, Rhea wished dearly that he would not come to hate her for her actions.
"Colorful."
"What?" she instinctively replied, feeling more ineloquent than she had in a long time.
"I'm used to wearing black, so this will be quite the change." he clarified, before a true, honest-to-goodness smile spread out across his face.
"Thank you, Rhea."
The fluttering she had expected to disappear increased tenfold, and the otherwise composed archbishop clasped her hands underneath her chin.
How truly wonderful he was, her enlightened one.
"I… I am glad." she whispered.
The professor then excused himself; the soft sound of his footsteps echoing as he exited the audience chamber.
Just before he left, however, Rhea called out for him. There was still one thing on her mind – something that had been left unanswered since their last conversation.
"Have you thought about it?" she asked. "How you feel when you walk these halls…"
The professor paused mid-step, and lowered his head as though in contemplation.
"Nothing." he muttered mutedly, confirming yet another of her fears. Although, strangely, Rhea found that it bothered her less than she expected it to.
"There is something else, however."
Her breath hitched; a lump forming in her throat.
"Oh?"
"I've noticed something. A feeling… an urge to protect… to cherish."
The professor grew hesitant, showing a split-second of indecision, before turning to face her fully. What he said would leave her crying tears of joy and sadness for the rest of the evening.
"It comes to me whenever I look at you."
