A Villainess' Lawyer - I'll Help You Get The Palimony You Deserve

Chapter Ten: Her Past - Lady Rebecca Vanderwood, Age 10 - 15 (Part Two)

They say that sometimes the best way to understand something is to look from within. It would provide you with a new perspective, a fresh take into the inner workings of an idea – or in this case, the Holy Temple.

After being labelled a walking disaster (that cannot be left unsupervised or watched by the majority of the institute), it was decided that Rebecca's education would take on a new plan of supervision, a more personalised one to say the least. And thus, that was how she found herself sitting at the Archbishop's desk each passing day. A stack of reading material beside her, and a withering old man before her.

With the highest authority and greatest patience/tolerance within the institution, it was only natural that he would be tasked to personally guide their latest disciple. An unfortunate burden he would say the least, but with magic talents manifesting less and less, the institute had no choice but to take whoever they could and nourish them into great talents to the best of their abilities. Expulsion was nearly impossible within the Holy Temple, but he'd admit, Rebecca had come very close. It was their desperation for talents that saved her.

Nevertheless, under his close supervision, Rebecca Vanderwood had quietly turned ten quietly, with a single cake and a group of clapping robed disciples (excluding Deacon) fearfully standing at a distance. In all honesty, she didn't think that she had been that bad during her current residence but others would beg to differ.

As his fingers traced through his aged beard, he could not help but watch the child before him as she buried herself within her readings. She was a sharp one he would admit, but there was something else about her that was abnormal. He could not put his finger on it, there was an unnaturality about her that bothered him... he just couldn't pinpoint it...

A knock on the door pulled in out of his thoughts as a familiar face popped through.

"Viscount Dahnes, how lovely it is to see you again."

The man rose from his seat to greet him.

"Greetings Archbishop,"

Viscount Dahnes began, entering through the door with an overflowing file tucked snugly under his arms. Upon the sight of the young girl at the desk, he stopped in his tracks.

"Oh, is this perhaps a bad time? I see that you are preoccupied."

"Not at all,"

The Archbishop waved a hand before turning to his pupil.

"Disciple Rebecca, you are excused for the time being. Please carry out the remainder of your self-study in the library."

Rebecca nodded, quietly.

It was a common occurrence by now, business drop-ins and appointments. Despite their decision to childishly isolate her from her peers, the blonde did have to admit that this private pupillage allowed her to grasp a deeper understanding of the administration of the Holy Temple and the people that came and went. All in all, it truly was a business at its core (they had to survive somehow!). In her mind, she classified these visitors to three types: those that came for or to order blessings, those that required access or approval for magical related studies and individuals that consulted about magic for everyday objects within the Capital market.

Most nobles that she had encountered within the Holy Temple fell into the last category, and from the file that looked ready to explode, it seems like a long discussion between the two is to come.

Still... her mind skidded in its tracks as she felt a sense of familiarity wash over her. This man... she recognised him from somewhere. Her hands moved to lightly tap against her forehead.

"Please, have a seat, Viscount."

He gestured to the now open seat.

Viscount Dahnes graciously nodded to Rebecca who had willingly given up her spot as she passed.