The Long Way Back | Lady Lesso

Chapter 5

The late afternoon sunlight poured through the tall windows of the faculty lounge, painting the room in warm hues of gold and amber. Professor Clarissa Dovey sat perched on the edge of a plush armchair, her golden hair glowing in the soft light as she sipped delicately from a teacup. Across from her, Lady Leonora Lesso lounged in her customary chair, legs crossed and cane resting lazily against the side. Her sharp emerald eyes, however, were anything but relaxed.

Dovey set down her cup with a quiet clink and sighed, breaking the silence that had settled over the room. "You've been staring into the middle distance for ten minutes, Leo. What's troubling you now?"

Lesso's gaze flicked toward her, an eyebrow arching in response. "Troubling me? Nothing at all. I am the picture of tranquility."

Dovey let out a soft laugh, shaking her head. "You've never been tranquil a day in your life. Spill it."

Lesso leaned back, one hand tapping rhythmically against the armrest of her chair. For a moment, it seemed as though she might deflect again, but then she spoke. "It's a student. New this term."

Dovey's eyes lit up with interest. "Ah, finally. I was beginning to think no one had caught your attention yet."

"It's not like that," Lesso replied, though there was a slight edge to her tone.

"Of course not," Dovey teased, her lips curving into a knowing smile. "Go on. Tell me about this mysterious student of yours."

Lesso hesitated, as though weighing her words carefully. "Her name is Y/N. She's clever, ambitious... and reckless. She nearly caused a disaster yesterday during the morning challenges. I had to intervene."

Dovey tilted her head, her expression softening. "And yet, you're not as annoyed as you usually are when students make mistakes. Interesting."

"I didn't say she didn't annoy me," Lesso retorted, though the words lacked their usual bite. "But there's something about her, Clarissa. Something raw and unpolished, yes, but also... unique. She reminds me of someone."

Dovey's brow furrowed as she considered this. "Reminds you of who?"

Lesso waved the question away with a flick of her hand. "No one of consequence. The point is, she's wasting her potential, and I can't stand to watch it happen."

"Ah," Dovey said, her smile returning. "So you've decided to fix her, have you?"

"I'm not fixing her," Lesso said sharply. "I'm giving her the tools to fix herself. There's a difference."

Dovey leaned back in her chair, her gaze thoughtful. "You've always had a soft spot for the misfits and the broken ones, haven't you?"

Lesso shot her a warning look. "Watch it, Clarissa."

"I'm only saying," Dovey continued, her tone gentler now, "that perhaps you see a bit of yourself in this girl. And maybe that's not such a bad thing."

Lesso didn't respond, her gaze drifting back to the window. The silence stretched on, but Dovey didn't press further. She knew better than to push when Lesso was in one of her brooding moods.

After a moment, Dovey changed the subject. "Speaking of students, how are your Nevers faring in preparation for the Trial by Tale? It's only a few weeks away, you know."

Lesso's lips curled into a sly smile. "They're shaping up nicely. I daresay they'll outshine your precious Evers this year."

Dovey laughed, the sound bright and musical. "We'll see about that. My students are more than ready to prove themselves."

"Confidence suits you, Clarissa," Lesso drawled, though there was a glint of amusement in her eyes. "Even if it's misplaced."

The two women fell into an easy rhythm, their banter flowing effortlessly as they sipped their tea. It was moments like these, rare as they were, that reminded them of the bond they shared—a bond forged in years of shared experiences, mutual respect, and, though neither would ever admit it, genuine friendship.