The Long Way Back | Lady Lesso

Chapter 15

The school has always been a place of uncertainty for you, a place where nothing truly felt safe or solid. But as you stand in the darkened hallway outside Lady Lesso's office, you can't shake the feeling that everything you've known is slowly slipping away.

You're no longer just a student here. You're not even just a Never. You're someone who has started to understand the weight of the expectations Lady Lesso has placed on you. And, perhaps more dangerously, you're someone who has begun to understand the subtle pull between you—the way her gaze lingers a little too long, the quiet moments where her voice softens in a way you hadn't thought possible for her.

You've spent days trying to dismiss it, trying to focus on the tests, the lessons, the chaos that is your life at this school. But you can't. You can't escape the pull of her, even though it terrifies you.

The sound of her footsteps echoes down the hall, and your heart skips a beat. She's coming closer. There's no turning back now.

Lady Lesso appears from the shadows, her presence as commanding as ever. She stops in front of you, her eyes searching yours as if she can see every part of you—every doubt, every secret you hold.

"You're late," she says, her voice low, a hint of amusement flickering behind the usual cold tone.

"I wasn't sure if I was supposed to be here," you admit quietly, your hands tightening around the hem of your tunic.

Her gaze softens, just barely. "You always know when you're needed, Y/N. You've been paying attention, haven't you?"

You swallow hard, nodding. You have. Every lesson, every glance, every small interaction felt like it was leading up to this moment—this fragile thread between you.

She studies you for a moment longer, her lips pursed. "Come inside," she says, her voice a quiet command. "There's much we need to discuss."

The air in her office is thick with the scent of incense, the dim light from the green torches casting long shadows that make everything seem more mysterious, more intimate. She gestures for you to sit, but you remain standing for a moment longer, unsure of where this conversation will lead.

"You've been doing well," she begins, her voice soft but firm. "You've shown promise in your leadership, in your instincts, but there's still much you don't understand."

Your pulse quickens, the weight of her words settling in. "What do you mean?"

Lady Lesso stands slowly, crossing the room with an elegance that seems almost otherworldly. "Leadership is not just about power or knowledge, Y/N. It's about trust. Control. Knowing when to yield and when to act. And sometimes... it's about knowing who you can trust."

Her eyes bore into yours, searching for something—something you aren't sure you're ready to reveal.

"What is it you're trying to tell me?" you ask, your voice barely above a whisper.

Her lips curl into the smallest of smiles, but it doesn't reach her eyes. "You're asking the right questions. But the answers... they're not as simple as you think."

You feel the weight of her words settle over you like a shroud. There are secrets here—secrets you're not sure you're ready to uncover.

A knock on the door interrupts the silence. It's soft, almost hesitant. You turn, startled, but Lady Lesso doesn't seem fazed. She waves her hand dismissively, signaling the person to enter.

Lady Dovey steps inside, her golden presence somehow managing to fill the room with warmth despite the coldness of the surroundings.

"Am I interrupting?" she asks gently, her gaze flicking between Lady Lesso and you.

"No," Lady Lesso replies, her voice hard again, her usual control slipping back into place. "Not at all."

Dovey's eyes soften when they land on you. "I was just checking in," she says, a faint smile on her lips. "Is everything all right here?"

For a moment, you aren't sure if she's talking to you or to Lady Lesso, but you nod, trying to seem more composed than you feel. The presence of Dovey seems to change the atmosphere in the room, shifting it from something tense and foreboding to something more... fragile.

"I think we're fine," you say, glancing at Lady Lesso.

Lesso's gaze doesn't leave yours. "You're not 'fine,' Y/N. Not yet." Her voice is almost a whisper, an edge to it that sends a chill down your spine.

Dovey's eyes flick to Lady Lesso, and for a brief moment, you catch something in her expression—a quiet understanding. It's almost as if they're communicating without words. And though you have no idea what that means, something tells you you're not supposed to know just yet.

"Don't worry," Dovey says to you, her tone lighter now. "You're making progress. I think that's something worth celebrating." She smiles, a warmth that contrasts sharply with Lady Lesso's sharp edges.

You aren't sure what to make of the situation. Dovey's presence is calming, but there's a tension in the air that neither of them seems willing to acknowledge directly.

"Well, I must go," Dovey continues, glancing at Lady Lesso. "I'll leave you both to it."

As she leaves the room, her presence seems to linger, leaving behind a sense of uncertainty. The quiet that follows is suffocating, and you can feel the tension building once again, this time focused entirely on you and Lady Lesso.

She doesn't say anything for a long while, her gaze fixed on something beyond you, as if she's lost in thought. You want to speak, to ask her what she meant, but the words won't come.

Finally, Lady Lesso's voice breaks the silence. "You're learning, Y/N. But there's a darkness here—one that you need to embrace, not fight. When the time comes, I'll be here to show you how."

You stare at her, unable to look away. The weight of her words settles over you, a dark promise you aren't sure you can yet accept.

But the way she says it—her gaze never leaving yours—tells you that everything between you is about to change.