To be honest, I was at a loss as to what to write in the weekly report—one of the key conditions of my agreement with Eric. He had requested that I send updates on the girl’s progress, her attitude, and her personality once a week. 

Now, with only three days left before the post was due, I had already managed to ruin my lessons on the very second day. I was completely out of ideas for even a single sentence.

"Hah..." I let out a long sigh, running my fingers through my hair in frustration.

My gaze drifted to the ceiling, which was beginning to show its age. Weathered wood grain formed long cracks that snaked toward the door. 

My mind inevitably wandered back to yesterday. I couldn't forget the way her amber pupils had trembled, fixed on me with such hesitation.

Truly, I hadn't expected my patience to shatter like that. It had never crossed my mind that a noble girl could have such a poor grasp of things, or fail to understand a concept as simple as basic lineage.

 Perhaps I had grown too accustomed to teaching students with sharp intellects and quick intuitions. Or perhaps my patience was simply never as vast as I—and everyone else—had long believed.

The thought circled in my mind as the night deepened. The candle, once tall, slowly melted into a short, flickering stub. I eventually blew it out, surrendering to the dark. I climbed into bed and pulled the heavy, warm blanket over me. Even in the pitch black, sleep eluded me. The silence of the night reminded me of my old room, where the hooting of owls was the only sound echoing through the hours.

…

I squeezed my fingers together, trying to hide the nerves I had been carrying since the first lesson. I glanced toward Claire, who was busy reading the book I had recommended a few hours prior.

I took a breath. "Lady Clairence" I called out. Her head snapped up instantly.

I swallowed hard, still fumbling with my fingers as I searched for the right words. "Could I... have a moment of your time?"

Claire closed the book, her eyes briefly meeting mine before she quickly looked away. "This may seem a bit late" I began, 

"but I wish to apologize for what happened yesterday. It likely made you feel frightened or uncomfortable in my presence"

I looked down at the desk. 

"I realize now that my patience is not as steady as I believed. You did not deserve to be treated that way" I rubbed my face again. 

"The point is, I am truly sorry. I promise to do better moving forward and to treat yesterday as a hard-earned lesson" I bit my lip as the words left me.

I had kept my eyes moving as I explained my faults, but now I looked back at her. I couldn't be certain, but I thought I caught the ghost of a smile on her lips for a fraction of a second before her face returned to its usual flat expression.

"Of course, this wasn't entirely your fault, Mr. Harrie" Claire shifted her posture, sitting up straighter on the sofa.

"In fact, I thought you were a man of great patience—far more patient than a noblewoman who lost everything because her parents were hopeless alcoholics, and who now has to carry the weight of debts that have nothing to do with her"

I couldn't tell if she was being sincere or if she was subtly mocking me. "But it turns out you are only human" she continued. 

"You don't have enough patience to handle the difference between an academy classroom and a beginner who doesn't even understand how a family tree works. I suppose such a gap would cause even a man known for his kindness to explode"

Claire took a sip of her tea, which had long since gone cold. I realized then that she was indeed mocking me. She was comparing my supposed patience to her own hardships, emphasizing the word 'patient' in a way that made my skin crawl.

The nervousness that had gripped me was rapidly being replaced by a budding irritation. However, it felt entirely wrong to lose my temper again immediately after apologizing. I forced myself to hold back. I wanted to see exactly where she was going with this.

Clack

"I apologize. I didn't mean to belittle you or your character" she said. 

"I only wanted to speak my mind"

"I am sorry if my words made you uncomfortable"Once again, her apology rang hollow.

"It is quite alright" I replied, forcing a broad smile as I poured tea into my empty cup. 

"I actually appreciate someone pointing out my flaws. I promise to manage my emotions better in the future so I can properly guide you through your lessons"

I hoped she understood my meaning. Her sour smile suggested she did, right until she spoke again. "In the future?" she repeated. 

"But Mr. Harrie, I haven't entirely forgiven you yet"

My eyes widened. "What do you mean?"

"I am considering writing a letter to Lord Eric to ask for a replacement—someone better suited for my preparation than you"

She paused, then added,

 "You needn't worry about your reputation. I promise to give him a diplomatic reason for your return. I wouldn't want your career ruined on my account"

I went silent. 'Replaced?' ' Was my teaching so poor that I could be discarded so easily?'

'No, this wasn't about the teaching, it was about yesterday' 

 'But I hadn't expected that one outburst to be fatal. Why should I be sent back because of a single lapse in judgment?'

 'It wasn't as if I would have been angry if she had simply understood my explanation' 

The thoughts swirled in my head until 

Claire’s voice pulled me back to reality.

"Sir?"

"Mr. Harrie!"

I flinched as she raised her voice. I looked at her face for a long, quiet moment before the words spilled out. 

"I will grant any request you have—just please, do not send me back there"