Lady Lesso was walking nervously towards the School Master’s tower. She had an idea of why he had sent for her, and it wasn’t good. She had just heard from Clarissa that Evelyn had gotten evicted from the school. And after what she had threatened… Lady Lesso quickened her pace, hoping with all her heart that Evelyn hadn’t told the School Master about her son. Sadly, luck was not in her favor.

~C~

She entered the School Master’s tower with dread filling her. She looked around the room, the bookshelves towering over her. She spotted the School Master looking out the window at the far end of the room, with his head tilted back towards the blue sky.

“Master,” she greeted, her throat drying.

When he heard her, he spun around, the sun glinting on his pure-white hair. He stalked towards her, looking at her with icy blue eyes that looked as if they could see into her soul.

“Lady Lesso.” His voice seemed to grate at her very bones, which just succeeded in making her even more anxious. He reached out a hand to caress her cheek, and she shivered at his cool touch. He withdrew his hand, smirking slightly.

“I suppose you’ve heard the news of Evelyn’s eviction?” the School Master asked, raising an eyebrow. Lady Lesso nodded, not speaking, and he hummed in satisfaction.

He spun away sharply, and walked towards the table in the middle of the room, where the Storian was hovering. He tapped his fingers on the table absentmindedly, staring pensively at the Storian. Lady Lesso shifted uncomfortably.

Then, he turned back towards her, and asked, “Do you know why you are here?” She shook her head, still not saying a word.

"Before Evelyn was… banished, she told me something quite interesting. Something about you."

Lady Lesso clenched her jaw and looked him square in the eye. She would not waver in his presence. His eyes narrowed threateningly.

"She told me you have a son."

She froze. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t move. She had suspected that Evelyn had told him, but she was just too scared to face it. Her fingers dug into her palm as she clenched her fist. Would the School Master evict her? She couldn’t leave Clarissa. But she couldn’t leave her son either.

“You know, I would normally evict someone immediately, if they had deliberately disobeyed me.” She trembled, scared of what was going to happen.

“However, you are the greatest Dean of Evil this school has ever had. It would be hard to find a replacement as good as you.”

Here he paused, as if waiting for her to say something. When she stayed silent, he continued. “Therefore, I’ve decided to give you a second chance. You will stay in the castle, and continue to teach Evil, but you will not be allowed to leave the School without my permission.”

She was torn between relief and anguish. She couldn’t visit Aric anymore, but at least she could stay with Clarissa. Aric would survive. He was strong.

“Do you understand me, Lady Lesso?” the School Master asked, glaring at her, daring her to argue. She nodded timidly, and he grinned wickedly.

“By the way, your son’s name is Aric, correct?” Lady Lesso froze, her purple eyes widening. He smiled even more evilly. “Disobey me again, and you won’t have a son.”

He waved his hand, and white streaks surrounded her, transporting her to her office.

She leaned against the wall, falling to the floor. Tears came to her eyes, streaming down her cheeks. She hugged her knees up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. She couldn’t find the strength to do anything except cry.

Then, there was a knock at the door. When she made no move to get up, or see who it was, the door opened. Clarissa looked in, and saw her sitting against the wall with her head down on her knees. She was at Lady Lesso’s side in an instant. Lady Lesso didn’t move to acknowledge her, not wanting Clarissa to see her like this.

Clarissa looked at her in concern. “Lady Lesso, please,” she coaxed. “At least say something.”

Lady Lesso let out a shuddering breath. Clarissa’s eyes widened when she saw her tear stained face. Her face was unreadable. She wrapped her arms around Lady Lesso, rubbing her soothingly on the back. Lady Lesso just sobbed into her chest.

They stayed there for a while, and Lady Lesso’s sobs were soon reduced to sniffles and hiccups. She looked up, and reluctantly pulled away, looking at Clarissa gratefully. Clarissa smiled sadly, her eyes full of sympathy.

She took Lady Lesso’s hand and their fingers intertwined together. She pulled Lady Lesso close, so that their foreheads touched and then she kissed her.

Lady Lesso was nervous at first, but it just felt so right . The kiss ended with their foreheads pressed together, and they looked at each other softly, blue eyes meeting violet. Clarissa smiled at her, squeezing her hand.

“I love you,” she whispered.

“I love you too,” Lady Lesso whispered back, feeling a bit happier.