Silver Snow

Chapter 1: Guilt

Like a knife stabbing into her heart, Archbishop Rhea experienced yet another pang of guilt. Each time, it would take slightly longer before Seiros replaced that guilt with eager anticipation.

Upon her desk stood a small statue of the goddess, and she knew exactly from whom it came.

The academy's newest professor was a very strange, if kind person. He would go out of his way to brighten everyone's day, be they a student or member of the faculty. While under no obligation to do anything more than teach, he would nevertheless listen to their troubles over lunch or tea, and aid them in any other way they required.

On slightly rarer occasions, he had even been spotted leaving small gifts for people throughout the monastery.

Rhea took the statuette gently into her hands, admiring the craftsmanship. The artisan had clearly spent many a day and night sculpting it, and must have been quite the devout believer to pour such love into their creation.

While it looked nothing like the mother she recalled, Rhea nevertheless held it tightly against her chest. As it so often did, her guilty heart ached with longing.

"Lady Rhea, are you unwell?"

Seteth's stern yet concerned voice reached her ears, and Rhea shook her head, setting the statuette back down on her desk.

It was only then that she noticed the tiny tear trickling down her cheek, and hurried to wipe it clean with the sleeve of her robe. Much to her dismay, Seteth only seemed to grow more concerned; his strict features softening and giving way to worry.

"I am fine, truly." she insisted. "It is just-"

"You are thinking of the boy again, are you not?"

Rhea could only nod, knowing there was no point in hiding the obvious. In one way or another, the professor had occupied nearly every moment of her waking thoughts.

"Oh, Cichol!" she cried, ignoring the widening of Seteth's eyes as he nervously glanced over his shoulders.

"Am I doing the right thing? Are there perhaps certain things that are... simply too much to ask for?"

"I believe that is something only you can answer, Lady Rhea." he replied, after a rather long and deafening silence.

"If it brings you any peace of mind, however…" continued Seteth, "I do not believe the boy would hold your wishes against you."

Rhea was unsure of whether that eased her pain, or merely deepened it further.