Silver Snow

Chapter 10: Resolution


"Professor?"

Byleth hummed reservedly, revealing nothing of his intentions.

It was an undignified thing to do, but Rhea sighed, the smallest of pouts adorning her face. It was only recently that she had been strolling through the grounds of the monastery, drawing bittersweet enjoyment from the students' latest antics.

She sometimes wondered why she tortured herself so. Perhaps it was out of a sense of guilt or remorse, or perhaps it was due to the tiny, distant part of her heart that ached to feel whole once more.

Whatever the reason, she suddenly found little time to ponder such dreary thoughts. The Professor had managed to catch her off guard yet again, grasping hold of her delicate hand and leading her through the crowd of awkward, bumbling students - most of whom were tripping over themselves in their romantic endeavors.

As the pair rounded a corner, making their way across the courtyard, Rhea marvelled at how beautiful the flowers looked this time of year. She spotted violets and tulips; their petals glimmering beautifully in the sunlight, and smiled when she recognized a soft scent of primrose carried by the wind.

Her wrist stung.

For a brief moment, she wondered if Byleth had accidentally tighted his grip around her hand. She looked down, only to find unblemished skin held tenderly, like the most fragile porcelain, and shook her head.

Lifting her gaze, she met the back of the professor's head; his verdant hair the very same length and crop as when she had seen it last.

"Professor Eisner!" she tried again; this time with more emotion in her voice.

Byleth looked over his shoulder briefly, and if she did not know any better, Rhea could have sworn she spotted a smirk on his lips.

It was nearly enough to drive her insane, whether out of exasperation or something else, she did not know. However, with little in the way of options, Rhea resigned herself to being dragged around the monastery, no different from any other schoolgirl.

"We're almost there."

The words were spoken softly, but not enough to escape the archbishop's sharp ears.

When they first entered the monastery, and Byleth had led her up to the faculty floor, Rhea thought nothing of it. She had turned of her own accord, centuries of habit almost forcing her in the direction of the audience chamber.

It took only a gentle tug on her hand and she swayed back to the professor's side, following him as he kept on leading her up the stairs.

His intentions were suddenly becoming clearer, and with each step, her eyes grew wider.

Thankfully, Byleth did not witness her expression of shock and disbelief. Not even Seteth or Flayn dared set foot on the third floor of the monastery without her express permission.

Rhea felt her heart beating loudly and heavily in her chest; her mind dazed as she unsuccessfully sought to piece together the puzzle Byleth had laid out for her. For all that she wished to say, she feared any attempt would result in a pathetic croak or whimper at best.

Perhaps for the first time in her life, Rhea was lost for words.

Her boots, usually light enough that she could barely feel them around her feet, now seemed impossibly heavy. The pounding in her head became almost unbearable, and she thought her heart might actually burst.

Surely, he could not be planning anything like that.

Byleth tugged again, leading her away from her personal quarters and toward the balcony.

Rhea let out a tiny sound, barely audible from where it was caught by the lump in her throat. She hoped the professor had not noticed the nervous gulping that followed, nor the unwarranted shudder that ran down her body.

It was an odd sensation, not knowing whether it was her fears or her desires that had been dispelled.

Belatedly, she noticed they had come to a halt, and now stood stock-still at the edge of the balcony. Her hand suddenly felt a few degrees cooler, and the archbishop suppressed a frown at the absence of Byleth's comforting touch.

The man in question leaned forward, resting the palms of his hands against the balustrade.

"I believe this is where I first laid eyes on you."

"I- Yes..." she whispered; not yet recovered from such an abrupt turn of events.

Emerald eyes locked with her own, and a smile formed on the professor's face.

"Somehow, it seems like such a long time ago. I didn't know what to make of you back then. All I had to go on were my father's... less than flattering tales."

He chuckled at that; an action mirrored by Rhea even as she ignored the twinge of guilt at the mention of Jeralt. He had been right to be wary of her, after all.

The things she had done to Sitri, not to mention the very man standing next to her, were unforgivable. What was even worse, however, and what she hated herself for, was knowing that she would most likely have made the same choices all over again.

A thick, white cloud parted overhead, no longer shielding them from the sun's blinding light. Its rays bathed both Byleth and herself in warmth, and she could glean how the professor tilted his head back and closed his eyes.

"Now..." continued Byleth, blissfully unaware of Rhea's inner turmoil.

"I'm glad to have met you. A year ago I could not have spoken like this... or found pleasure in something as simple as sunlight."

He paused in consideration; his face scrunching ever so slightly as he struggled to find the proper words.

"The students make me feel human, but you..."

Byleth turned around, cupping both of her hands in his.

"You make me feel-"

Her wrists flamed, and Rhea screamed in agony.

It was nothing like before, and she was mercilessly torn out of her reverie; the only place where she could find any peace and solace in the cruel reality that made up her current life.

Tall, robed individuals loomed above her, laughing sinisterly at her despair.

She was suddenly made aware of the tight chains and cuffs restraining her, digging ever deeper into her skin. Her vision, once impeccable, now struggled to make out the details surrounding her.

Rhea screamed once more; an anguished wail, though not in pain but instead in anger and sorrow at her precious memory slipping just out of reach.

"You deserve this." spoke a low, growling voice.

One of her captors approached her, kneeling down to stare into her tear-stricken eyes. His face was pale, inhumanly so, and his features contorted with disgust and hatred.

"It is the fate of all beasts to be used and discarded, just as you have used countless other beings throughout the course of history."

Rhea could not find the strength needed to respond. Not even her mind provided sanctuary any longer, now threatening to rebel with each passing second.

Perhaps there was merit to the wicked man's words. Perhaps it would be best for all of Fódlan if she just died.

Yes, she thought. It must be so.

But if she would die, she would at least do so to a happy memory.

Rhea was back on the balcony, her prayers answered, and her hands cupped gently within Byleth's palms. She felt every wrinkle and callus as though it were real, and relished in the warmth that embraced her.

"You make me feel... alive." he murmured; staring at her passionately.

"Whenever you look at me, I feel happy."

He brought her hands to his face, pressing each of them to his cheeks.

"Your touch... it comforts me."

Byleth's eyes lit up in joy and adoration; the most genuine expression of love she had witnessed in all of her years.

"I can no longer imagine a world without you, Rhea."

"Then..." she replied, whispering.

A surge of strength coursed through her body, and Rhea let out a roar, giving her chains a mighty, vicious yank.

One of the bindings came loose, sending the now startled, pale man sprawling backward in fear.

"Then I shall live!"