There was little to do in the receiving room, though I couldn't help but notice the girl's slight frame and youthful features. By the look of her, she hadn't yet reached her seventeenth birthday. I had no inherent issue with an underage engagement.

 It was common practice among the nobility to secure matches for girls of sixteen or seventeen. Yet, I often found myself wondering about the fate of those who lost their freedom at such a tender age. Were they happy, or did they feel trapped? I couldn't say. I was not a woman, and our backgrounds were worlds apart.

Clack

"So, you are Lady Clairence Winston?"

The girl gave a slight, dismissive nod, rolling her eyes as if speaking to me were an exhausting chore. I understood well enough that not everyone had to like me, even children.

"Forgive her, sir. The girl is simply a bit shy with new faces" Countess Winston interjected, offering an awkward smile. She was clearly anxious to avoid any misunderstandings on my first day of work.

In the middle of our conversation, a servant knocked at the door,

Knock

     Knock

           Knock

"Pardon the interruption, but My Lady—"

The servant paused, prompting the Countess to rise from her chair and meet her at the door. I couldn't hear their whispered exchange, but the result was immediate.

"Mr. Harrie, it seems I cannot stay with you any longer. An urgent matter has arisen that requires my immediate attention" She paused. 

"While I am away, perhaps you and Claire can speak directly" The Countess gave me a brief, apologetic smile before her footsteps faded away. The door clicked shut, leaving us in silence.

Click

I took another sip of tea and smiled at her. For some reason, the atmosphere had turned agonizingly stiff. I wasn't sure if it was just the lack of familiarity or the sheer weight of her cold stare.

Clack

"Ahem. So, Lady Claire—"

"Clairence" she interrupted sharply. 

"I do not care for strangers using nicknames"

"Very well, Lady Clairence—"

"Winston. Clairence Winston"

I let out a frustrated sigh. "Fine. Lady Clairence Winston. Have I gotten it right now?" I asked, my smile taking on a pointed edge.

She nodded slowly, giving me permission to continue."Good. Now, Lady Clairence Winston, have you already been informed of the news?"

"Regarding?"

"Regarding your engagement to Duke Eric Dominique"

Her brow furrowed, her eyebrows knitting together in a hard line. "Are you seriously asking me that?"

"Ohh God, What are you thinking?" she continued. 

"You must think this little girl knows nothing about engagements and marriage. This is exactly why I hate adults" She let out a frustrated huff. I could almost feel her cursing my name in the silence of her mind.

"You only need to answer the question, Yes or no?"

"Is my answer not obvious enough?"

I did my best to steady my nerves before they hit a breaking point.

 "I will take that as a yes. You are aware of the arrangement"

"Then let me introduce myself properly. My name is Harrie Smith. I am a tutor from the Dominique household, tasked with guiding you—the future fiancée of the Dominique family—into becoming a perfect Duchess"

"To that end, I expect you to commit to my lessons for the next year before the official announcement"

"I refuse"

The bluntness of her words caused my smile to falter. "I beg your pardon? Why—"

"Seriously. How many more tutors are going to come to this house and ruin my days?" 

she snapped.

 "Three teachers was already a burden on my mind. Now I have to deal with one more"

She groaned, rolling her eyes toward the ceiling. She spared me one last glance before turning her head to stare sullenly out the window.

In all my years at the academy, I had worked with brilliant students who possessed great ambition. They rarely complained; they spent their time asking questions or searching for answers in their books. Even when I taught at the Dominique estate, the children of relatives were given every opportunity to excel. Many grew up with the drive of true heirs. Of course, some were lazy due to boredom or instability.

But this girl was different. She was worse than merely lazy. Perhaps I was overreacting, but I could only hope that tomorrow's lesson would go more smoothly.

…

As it turned out, I hadn't been exaggerating at all. I sighed deeply, checking my pocket watch. It was noon. I had been waiting for her for over four hours.

A servant knocked on the door. "Mr. Harrie, lunch is ready. Please come down while it is still warm"

I turned toward the window. Down in the courtyard, I saw a girl skipping happily through the grass. I had no idea where she had been, but one thing was certain: I had to be firm.

As she made her way inside, I rose from my chair. I left my books open and piled on the table as a silent testament to my wasted time, then headed downstairs.

Countess Winston met me at the foot of the stairs with a friendly smile. "Are you hungry, Mr. Harrie? Our cook has prepared roasted chicken to welcome you"

"Really? That sounds delicious"

The Countess smiled and paused, waiting for us to walk to the dining room together. At that moment, Claire rounded the corner, skipping toward the table. She nearly collided with the Countess, her face instantly twisting into panic when she realized I was standing right there.

The Countess looked between her daughter and me, her expression clouding with confusion. Seeing my opening, I smirked and prepared for a bit of theater.

"Is something the matter, Countess? You look puzzled"

"Oh! Lady Clairence Winston, good afternoon" I said, turning to the girl. 

"You look quite lovely today. That light brown dress suits you perfectly"

Claire shot me a look of pure venom. The Countess’s voice grew stern.

"Wait... wasn't Claire supposed to be in lessons this morning? Why—"

"Forgive me," I interrupted smoothly. "Did Lady Clairence not have urgent business elsewhere this morning?“