I glanced at Claire occasionally while chewing a piece of roasted chicken. It was delicious. Curiously, her sullen expression only made the meal taste better on my tongue. Before long, Countess Winston broke the silence with a tone of deep regret.

"Mr. Harrie, please allow me to apologize once more for my daughter's insolent behavior toward you"

"I promise to handle the matter immediately after lunch. I truly am sorry"

Hearing her apology, I quickly swallowed a piece of chicken and prepared to speak.

"It is quite alright, Countess Winston. I fully understand Lady Clairence’s situation"

"I was once a teacher at the academy myself, back when I was twenty. I have encountered many children with a rebellious streak, or those who were simply reluctant to meet their tutors. Just like Lady Clairence"

"I am very well-trained in these matters" I added with a friendly smile.

"My goodness, I had no idea you were a former academy instructor as well as such a generous soul"

"Our daughter should be proud to receive the finest education from someone so patient and distinguished"

As Countess Winston lavished me with excessive praise, I watched Claire’s expression darken by the minute. For a fleeting second, she glared at me. Her eyes, yellow as amber, burned with deep-seated hatred.

"You flatter me too much, Countess. I am not nearly that impressive"

I let out a soft laugh, and the Countess joined me. The dining room, once silent, finally began to feel alive between the two of us. It was alive for everyone except her.

…

Srekk

I knelt on the floor and shoved my dark brown suitcase under the bed. I had already opened it to unpack my clothes, books, and the stationery—the pens and ink—that I always used for teaching or taking notes.

The room provided by Countess Winston was not as large as my old quarters. However, it had everything I needed: a soft bed for two, a desk, a wardrobe, and plenty of floor space. I particularly liked that the desk was positioned right in front of the window. It allowed the night breeze to gust through even when I was working late into the night.

Once I finished sorting through the suitcase, I tucked my clothes into the wardrobe and arranged my books on the desk, alongside my pen and ink.

Because of all the moving around, I began to sweat. I decided to change into lighter clothing for the night. Just as I was pulling off my white shirt, a knock sounded at the door. There was no greeting, no voice. Only a knocking that grew increasingly aggressive.

"Who is it?" I asked, tossing my shirt aside. Instead of an answer, the knocking became even louder, grating on my nerves.

Click

"I SAID, WHO—"

The words died in my throat. A girl stood before my door, her jet-black hair flowing loose over a long white nightgown.

"Lady Clairence Winston?"

She froze where she stood. Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed from the hallway. Without thinking, I reached out and pulled her into the room, her body still stiff with shock.

Brak

"What are you doing here?" I asked, my voice laced with panic.

Her eyes remained fixed on a single spot, and I suddenly realized I was presenting a rather indecent sight to someone of her tender age.

"Forgive me" I scurried away, grabbed the light shirt I had left on the bed, and pulled it on as fast as possible.

"Can we talk for a moment?" she whispered.

I sat cross-legged on the floor, facing her as she sat on the edge of my bed.

"So, what do you want to talk about?" I asked, folding my arms over my chest.

Claire bit the corner of her lip, her amber eyes darting toward the window.

"Why did you tell my mother the truth?"

"Do you have any idea how many lectures she gave me because of you?"

"You shouldn't have told her what actually happened"

"Why did you—"

"Wait just a moment" I held up a hand.

"So, you come to my room at this hour—disturbing a man’s rest—only to blame me for doing the right thing?"

I began to smirk, letting out a short laugh. Truly remarkable, I thought. "Now, let me ask you something in return"

"Did I not inform you that lessons begin every morning at nine and run until lunch? Do you not remember?"

"Was I not clear enough for you?"

"But it seems that isn't the issue. You explicitly told me you refused to learn from me. Even so, I was kind enough not to tell the Countess the full extent of your behavior. I can only imagine what she would say if she knew her daughter was being so insolent"

"And now, you have the nerve to blame me for telling the truth? It’s quite funny, actually"

I chuckled and stood up from the floor. I felt as though my resting hours were being wasted on the ramblings of a sixteen-year-old child.

I sat at my desk and opened a dark blue book, pulling out a sheet of paper and a pen to jot down important notes. I left her there to reflect on what was right and wrong. I had even prepared the most polite words in my head so as not to hurt her feelings further.

However, my words didn't seem to have the intended effect. A moment later, instead of offering an apology for her actions—or better yet, an apology for disturbing my sleep—she simply stood up. Without saying a word, she closed the door quietly behind her.

Brak

I looked toward the door instinctively. I expected it to be slammed, but to my surprise, it had been closed with an eerie gentleness. "Strange"

…

I walked through the hallways of the Winston estate, carrying the books I expected to need. I was prepared for the possibility that she wouldn't show up for her lesson today. At the very least, I wouldn't be bored sitting alone at the table until lunch.

I pushed open the wooden door, which felt heavy due to its rusted, aging hinges.

"Shouldn't a model teacher, an example for his students, arrive fifteen minutes earlier than scheduled?"

My eyes widened. Claire was already there, sitting neatly on the sofa with books, paper, and a pen laid out on the table.

I rubbed my eyes in disbelief, which prompted a burst of laughter from Claire.

"What is it, Mr. Harrie?" she asked, a friendly smile dancing on her face.