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

Claire blinked in disbelief. Her gaze shifted, darting around the room as she weighed my plea. I sounded like a man begging for his life, and I knew it. My pride was on the line, but I figured a bruised ego was a small price to pay to avoid the alternative.

"Anything?" she asked.

I gave a slow, deliberate nod. "Anything"

This time, she didn't bother hiding the smile behind her usual mask. A thin, satisfied curve touched her lips, and she met my eyes with newfound confidence.

"Are you certain you can handle it, Mr. Harrie? You have no idea what I want"

"I don't" I admitted. 

"And I don't know if I can truly fulfill it until I hear it. But I am confident you have a wish within my power to grant"

Inwardly, I prayed she wouldn't ask for something absurd—or worse, something entirely beyond my control. I waited, nervously fidgeting with my fingers as she watched me with an unreadable expression.

"Very well. I have decided" Claire drained the rest of her tea and set the cup back on the table with a firm click.

"I didn't intend to change my mind" she said, a look of smug triumph taking hold of her features. 

"But it seems you are so fond of me that you simply cannot bear to leave this estate so soon"

She leaned forward. "I want you to grant me one wish"

The tension that had gripped my chest for the last few minutes vanished, replaced by a confusion so sharp my eyebrows knitted together. "One?"

Claire nodded enthusiastically.

 "Yes. One"

"Why? Do you have an objection, Mr. Harrie?"

"No. Not at all" I let out a breath and rubbed my face, struggling to process the simplicity of it.

"So, what is this one wish?"

"Yes" I frowned again and adjusted my seat, sitting up straighter. 

"Yes. I'm asking what the wish is"

"Yes"

"I want you to say 'yes' to whatever I want"

My eyes nearly popped out of my head. 

"Wait. You said the request was only one. And that one request is for me to say yes to anything you want?"

She nodded vigorously. "Exactly”

"You catch on quickly, don't you?" she added, giggling. It was a heartless little sound, as if she were reveling in my defeat for the second time today.

My expression soured. While I had promised her that my earlier outburst wouldn't happen again, I hadn't promised I could hold my tongue forever.

Without a word, I stood up and began clearing the books from the desk. I avoided her gaze entirely. I could feel my temper simmering, threatening to boil over again. I didn't look at her directly, but from the corner of my eye, I saw her rise from the sofa the moment I stepped away.

She reached out and gripped my wrist firmly. "What is wrong? Didn't you promise to fulfill my every wish?"

I forced myself to breathe. "I did. But this is beyond my control, My Lady"

"I would rather leave now, just as you wanted from the start"

Her grip loosened. I felt her fingers go weak.

"I haven't even finished explaining, and yet you're already jumping to your own conclusions" The softness in her voice was gone, replaced by a sudden bitterness.

I turned to look at her. Her face had gone grim, and her amber eyes were sharp with irritation. "You have only known me for five days, yet you think you can read my mind" 

She let go of my wrist completely and crossed her arms over her chest. "Truly remarkable. This is why I loathe adults. They think they are perfect, seasoned human beings when, in reality, they are just people who judge others based on their own narrow habits"

"And now, this adult is trying to read the thoughts of a sixteen-year-old girl he met less than a week ago. How impressive" 

Claire scoffed, letting out a haughty, mocking laugh. It felt impossible to hold back any longer. The explosion was imminent.

"Oh? Do I really seem like the sort of adult you’re talking about?" I started to laugh, though there was no humor in it.

"And what are you thinking right now? Do you see this man as a hypocrite who acts kind for show? Or as someone unfit to be a teacher because he lost his temper once?"

"Just say it. You've hated me since the moment I arrived. This was always a plan to drive me away, wasn't it?"

"I may not have been born into the nobility, but I have heard quite enough of your insults. If you truly do not want me here, then I shall take my leave with what dignity I have left"

I finished my tirade slightly breathless. I caught her gaze again, those amber eyes staring back with an expression I couldn't even begin to define. Seeing her standing there, unmoving, the rush of satisfaction I felt was quickly replaced by a gnawing worry.

I feared I had been too harsh. I was angry, yes, but I didn't want to wound her. I reached out, my hand moving toward hers, when the sound of her light, airy laughter stopped me cold.

"Hahaha! Forgive me, I'm not laughing at your words, sir. I'm laughing at your face. You went so stiff the moment you realized how much you'd just said" Claire continued to giggle, clutching her stomach as if she were out of breath.

I stood there, trying to make sense of the situation. I didn't understand this sudden shift. She seemed... warmer, perhaps?

Once she had her fill of laughter, Claire took a long breath to compose herself.

"What is it? Is there something on my face?"

"It isn't your face, My Lady. It's your attitude" Claire knit her brows as if she genuinely didn't follow.

"Never mind"

She chuckled, looking at me intently. "So, do you feel better now, Mr. Harrie?"

"Yes. Much better. Though I am also very confused"

She laughed again. "Then, may I finish the wish that was so rudely interrupted?"

I nodded, and Claire enthusiastically picked up where she had left off. "As I said, I want you to agree to my wishes. I want you to say yes”

"However, I know that sounds a bit like I'm trying to turn you into a servant. That isn't my intention"

"Since you are my tutor, it would be more appropriate to use this opportunity for something positive. Don't you think?"

"Meaning?"

"Meaning, you must say 'yes' to my requests—provided they are related to my education. If a request falls outside of that, you are free to refuse based on our agreement"

"How does that sound?"