Cressida felt a profound sense of disappointment as she realized her professor's lack of admiration for her. Despite her own expectations of being unique and exceptional, she grappled with the knowledge that he did not perceive her in that light. This moment of awakening led her to question her own worth and the value placed on her by others.

The connection to her father, Zeno, added another layer to her feelings of inadequacy. Cressida wondered if her professor's unfamiliarity with her family's legacy contributed to the way he saw her. This juxtaposition between her personal identity and external perceptions left her feeling adrift, like she was slowly sinking in an emotional tide.