Noble paused mid-thought, even more confounded than before she had entered the room.
"When you say help, do you mean help find the person behind this? Because…"
"Let me clarify, I am not here to punish anyone." Neph shook her head slowly. "I am here to right what was wronged."
"I am afraid I don't understand." Noble could feel the sincerity of the Lady's emotions. It was the words that kept the provost from knowing how to respond. "Are you not angry about Awakened Err?"
Child of Promise had felt Nephis's anger. Had it passed so quickly?
"I am angry about it, certainly."
Neph's words caused Noble's stomach to knot. The princess continued.
"It should never have happened. And it would never have happened if the Great Clans were not out fighting in a cursed jungle as they lumber toward battling one another."
"My lady?" Noble was startled by the other woman's frankness.
"Looking at the evidence, it's clear these late-night happenings are due to someone wanting to help these students. The Clans had been supporting the transfer program, but that aid has suddenly ceased, has it not?" Nephis would not have asked the question if she had not known the answer.
"You are correct." Noble nodded.
"And if support resumes, then there would be no need for extreme measures to be taken, correct?" The princess asked.
"If half of the support resumes, then at least half of the extra measures would undoubtedly be unnecessary." The Provost was unwilling to make any promises, but it was a logical conclusion.
"So be it. Lady Cassia will be in touch to organize things moving forward." Nephis paused, as if listening. "She should have things set up in the next few days for transfers to resume."
"Thank you, Lady Nephis!" Noble was ecstatic.
Not only had she not gotten in trouble, but she was getting help!
"Please give Lord Anvil my thanks as well."
Nephis's face did not change, but her emotions soured. "It is better if I do not mention this to my adoptive father. He has other things occupying his mind, and I would not trouble him with a problem that has been solved."
'Ah, so that's how it is…'
Even without Sunny's confirmation in a previous conversation, Noble could read between the lines.
Lord Anvil would not want his valuable resources used to assist a few Sleepers when he had a war on his hands. He had been the one to withdraw them to begin with. Helping poor teenagers was Nephis's project, not the sovereign's.
Noble dipped her head to the lady across from her.
"I know you must be very busy. Thank you for your time."
"It is our duty to support the Academy. The connections made here are invaluable to young Awakened. The first time I saw Lady Cassia was here and…" The flickers in Neph's eyes wavered for a moment as her vision went out of focus. She blinked, bringing herself back to the present. "Anyway, I wanted to help."
'It can't really be that simple, can it?' Noble didn't want to believe that the princess had no ulterior motive in offering her support.
But the sincerity of Nephis's emotions in that moment was singular. While there were other boons, like going against Lord Anvil's obvious wishes, the motivation behind Changing Star's choice was because she wanted to help.
Nothing more, and nothing less.
"Thank you, Lady Nephis. Any help is appreciated, especially in times like these." Noble felt her admiration grow for the silver-haired princess.
'I think I am beginning to see why Sunny has aligned himself with Nephis. She may not show it, but she cares deeply even about Sleepers. She is the opposite of the Sovereigns who have thrown two worlds into a war for their own gain.'
Nephis gave the slightest smile. "We can all use a little help now and then."
'I wonder who she is thinking about right now.' Noble pretended not to notice the change in the princess's emotions. It was none of the Provost's business anyway.
"Is there anything else I can do for you? I know Awakened Err was quite adamant that he be compensated." Noble hated to bring up the sore spot once more, but she also did not want to be surprised later.
Nephis shook her head. "Err was upset about not getting to experience a solstice. A few more weeks on the front lines of fighting will remind him not to take anything for granted."
Noble furrowed her brow. "Is it that bad?"
Pursing her lips slightly, Nephis shook her head. "Worse."
'Of course it's bad. How could I ask such a silly question? They are in a gods-forsaken Death Zone.'
The only reason that the words had come from her mouth were because Rain was in Godgrave and the mother wanted a little hope. There was no hope to be found, unfortunately.
"Then I appreciate your time even more." While Noble had many more questions about the war's progression, she knew there was no good way to ask.
If Nephis knew that Noble was living in Ravenheart, then it might look like the provost was gathering intel for the queen. It was safer to let it go.
"Cassie will be in touch, as I said." Nephis stood from her seat.
"She's in a meeting..." Noble could hear Const's voice from beyond the door.
The door opened suddenly as the assistant was still explaining that Noble was not to be disturbed.
"Awakened Mori?" Noble rose from her seat. "Lady Nephis, this is my Head of Security."
"Ma'am," Mori bowed. "Lady Nephis."
The man looked out of sorts, staring at Nephis with a look that would have made most women blush.
Noble coughed. "Is there something wrong?"
Mori blinked. "Oh, I just heard that Lady Nephis was here and I...was afraid that she might need a security update. "
'Bold. Darting in here without a better cover story...' Noble refrained from rolling her eyes. "We were just finishing up. Unless you need an update, Lady Nephis?"
"Not at this time." Nephis strode toward the door. "I will be on my way, Provost Noble. It was good to meet you, Awakened Mori."
Mori nearly melted at the sound of his name. "The pleasure is all mine. And if I may say, thank you for all you did in the chain of Nightmares. My brother was rescued due in part to your valiant efforts and those of the Fire Keepers. It feels very nice to thank you in person."
'He's positively gushing!'
This was a far cry from the concerned investigator that Noble had encountered earlier that morning. Hadn't she sent him to go rest?
"You can repay me by keeping the students safe." Nephis shot Noble a glance full of meaning that the provost did not understand.
Noble opened her mouth to ask, but Nephis shook her head slightly.
Then, the lady disappeared as if she had never been there at all. Well, that wasn't exactly true.
Noble felt Changing Star's aura recede, but something of her was left behind. The provost couldn't quite put her finger on it until her head of security spoke.
"Lady Nephis gave me, Awakened Mori, a job!"
"I think that job was meant for both of us," Noble shook her head. She couldn't help but sense there was something deeper in the charge than just a platitude.
She looked at Mori, and the realization hit her of what Lady Nephis had left behind, not only in Mori, but in herself as well.
It was the desire for better days, better times, and better circumstances, not only for them but for everyone they came in contact with.
She had left behind an almost indescribable inspiration.
Nephis had left behind one of the most powerful feelings that a person could have.
Noble knew the feeling well.
It was longing.